Examining Anthropologie’s new arrivals + some sales around the web

With this week’s huge sale and the unveiling of the Anthropologie Archival Collection (discussed here) my editorial calendar’s been thrown off a bit. Coming up in a few days we’ll have a look at Anthro’s website changes. But first, a few days later than I’d planned, let’s take a look at some of Anthropologie’s new arrivals for this week! Also in this post a few of my wishlists from around the web and a some sales that I’m shopping big time to complete my summer closet.

We’ll begin as usual with dresses. It seems like no matter how much I cull my dress collection Anthropologie is quick to offer up some tantalizing replacements!

Short dresses are still stubbornly appearing in Anthro’s assortment and I’m content to blow them off. Earlier this week I got into a deep discussion with a friend of mine over dress lengths. Although I embrace a downtown style in most of my clothing — think sleek lines, lots of black and grey, geometry in everything — my conservative background decrees that dresses hit at the knee. My friend, who is the same 5’8″ height as me, has amazing legs and is determined to show them off as much as possible. Her style decrees that if you’ve got it, flaunt it.

We both agree that for work dresses should hit at the knee unless it’s winter and tights or boots can demure a shift that grazes the thighs. So our argument goes something like this: I think that unless the situation calls for it (i.e. rock concert, hot date, dance club) dresses that hit above the fingertips are tacky, tacky, tacky. And I believe that a confident woman will show less but dress to the height of style. My friend believes that a confident woman doesn’t give a crap about conservative farts like me and should show as much as they please, thankyouverymuch. And she thinks that knee-length dresses are matronly when you’re under 35. (These thoughts don’t apply to petite women by the way because the proportions are different.)

Before I left for Boston we ran into each other in Soho. It was 100 degrees when we said hello. I was in a barely there dress above the knees with a racerback. She was in a maxi that covered nearly everything. And we both looked great! I guess sometimes you break your own style rules when the weather calls for it.

As cute as I think the Ponte Ikat Dress ($298), Colorblock Cut-In Shift ($188), Ginevra Lacework Dress ($378) I’m annoyed by how short they are in turn. The Ponte dress looks like it would be adorable for work — well at least until I see that exposed pink zipper in the back! But it looks like it would hit me about midthigh and there’s no way that would fly. The Colorblock Cut-In Shift ($188) struck me as a great meet-the-parents dress or lovely dinner date dress but all I can picture is having to continually tug it down my thighs as the night progresses. No thanks. And good god Nanette Lepore the Ginevra Lacework Dress ($378) would barely cover my bottom! These dresses are all beautiful…to look at. Not so sure about actually wearing them.

Looking much better from a length perspective: Tracy Reese’s Cayenne Lace Dress ($348 — the $188 price shown online right now is an error); the Sequined Firecracker Shift ($258) which should have come out last month, doncha think Anthropologie; the Rona Shift Dress ($178); and the Tattersall Dress ($78) which is just another version of the Empress Dress ($78) that was a hit in this reviews set.

I’ve reviewed a ton of dresses recently, including many of the new arrivals! Click the Reviews tab in the navigation bar at the top of the blog to see, or check the most recent out here: dress set 1, dress set 2, dress set 3, dress set 4, dress set 5.

Over in the skirts department it’s clear fall is here in the mind of retailers! It’s nice to see a bevy of options that hit around the knee but aren’t all pencil skirts. I think I share the excitement of many in the community in seeing the Ombre Grasslands Skirt ($118), which is a reissue of a classic Anthropologie design in blue. (Though curiously it’s not part of the Archival Collection.) While in-store this week I noticed a new label called “B. Vintage from Anthropologie”. I’m not sure if that means vintage style or reissues — time will tell. The Ombre Grasslands Skirt is an Odille piece and I can’t wait to try it on!

The Heartstamp Pencil Skirt ($88) has a super-fun print, though the context of upside down hearts might be a little strange. The Rione Skirt ($118) has an elegant vibe that has me thinking fall work staple although again I’m a little frustrated with the length. (TALL PEOPLE, Anthropologie. Don’t forget about us!)

And finally the Ponte Bell Skirt ($128) appears to just be the Scalloped Stripes Skirt ($98) in solid black. Love the A-line shape, hate the mid-thigh length. I’ll have reviews of these skirts soon.

I’ve noticed that while my patterned top collection feels complete I seem to be lacking good work-to-weekend solid tops. Among Anthropologie’s latest I’ve found a few to love, starting with the Lacy Shift Tank ($118). It’s soft silk with beautiful details everywhere. I adore the mosaic neckline, I like the tuxedo pleats down the front and I think the three buttons down the back are a wonderful addition. This tank would look great with a pencil skirt or tucked into wide-leg trousers, or under a blazer. On the weekend I’d wear it over slim jeans in a cigarette or straight-leg style with ballet flats or perhaps sleek patent heels. Lots of options!

Likewise, the Solid Scalloped Blouse ($78) has both work and weekend written all over it. The top is regrettably sheer with no underlayer included (BOO Anthropologie, BOO) but at this point I have enough layering camis of my own to make it work. The scalloped dots are small and understated. Like the Lacy Shift Tank this top has three accent buttons down the back. I tried both of these tops on this week and they’re great! Full reviews upcoming. If you prefer a more summery hue this top also comes in yellow.

The Bloomed Lace Pullover ($168) will protect us all from that frigid office air conditioning and has layering possibilities galore! Wear it with sleek wool trousers, or over dark-wash jeans, or belted over a dress. Although navy and black is a little dark for July/August, it can be helped with bright accents like a yellow necklace (or bright minty green if you’re feeling brave!). Try a thin metallic belt in silver or gold instead of the usual black or brown leather.

Being that is July and all I refuse to acknowledge the existence of sweaters. Nope, I don’t see them. No sweaters at all…oh wait, the Fanned Shimmer Cardigan ($98)! It’s so cute! But, no, I won’t notice it…gah, wishlisted.

Also kind of cute in its own way? The Unstandard Poodle Pullover ($98). My dog run has three regular standard poodle visitors and one toy poodle. They were the most popular dog in the USA in the 80s! I’ll bet many of us grew up with one in our home. One last sweater that caught my attention is the Geo Bloom Pullover ($88). I’m a sucker for repeating patterns.

Around the web, if you’re looking for deals on summerwear before it all disappears, Madewell is offering 40% off its sale this weekend (use the code COOL40 and get free shipping too!). I picked up the Buckle Sandal in bright coral during their last round of sale and it’s soooo comfortable. You can see them on me here — I’m at the bottom of the post.

J.Crew added over 1,400 new markdowns this week and is running a 40% off sale promotion in-store. You can follow the discussion over at J.Crew Aficionada, and get full breakdowns of the latest online sale items at Fabulous Florida Mommy or the in-store price differences on Gigi’s Gone Shopping. Although it’s technically a party dress, the Sandra Seersucker Dress is amazing. Total New England preppy perfection; it reminds me of my high school days playing tennis and then lounging around afterwards with my teammates — and more importantly the boys’ team. I love it so much! I wore it to brunch last weekend — here’s my OOTD Instagram. I’m @roxyturtle if you want to follow along. Another dress I love is the Swoop Dress in Thistle Print. It’s got an open back yes, and it’s quite short but thanks to some extra material under the hem my tailor was able to make it an acceptable length. I took my usual size 6 in both of those dresses.

If your mind has already drifted towards fall I’d recommend checking out Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. My mind isn’t quite there yet, so instead my heart is set on this Kate Spade dress which is sadly not on sale. Oh well. EA sponsor Paige Denim is running its semi-annual sale right now on their website! Paige is offering up to 50% off with free shipping and I’ve got my eye on a new pair of Hidden Hills Straight.

What do you think of the latest Anthropologie offerings? Are you shopping summer sales? If so where are you going and what are you getting?