Reviews: Addy Dress, Plaid Petals Skirt, Wrapped-in-Ruffles Jacket

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! I spent the better part of yesterday at the spa (someone who shall remain nameless helpfully told me that “there’s no Anthropologie at the spa.” Oh.) I still found time to make a trip to the store though.

It’s always great when an item fits you as well as you hope. When I saw the Addy Dress ($148) on Anthropologie’s website I was quite optimistic. It’s knee length and though it’s strapless I thought I saw boning on the bodice. But then I saw the dress was by Maeve, who gave me such an awful time this summer with dress after dress. I decided to try it on anyway.

And so glad I did! Hooray for knee-length skirts! There is quite a bit of material to the skirt but I didn’t find it overwhelming. In fact I thought it added to the tutu-like quality. The bodice has ample boning so that many could go without a bra. It’s strapless but comes with removable straps. I tried on the 8 and it was a bit big all over. I’d buy this in the 6 for sure — in fact if I hadn’t already blown September’s budget this would be in a shopping bag next to me right now. Another addition to the October wishlist.

One of the reviewers suggested pairing this with the Snakebite Belt ($32) in grey. I think that’s a fantabulous idea. For layers I like the idea of pairing the dress with the Rimpled Cardigan ($78) or the Anemone Bloom Cardigan ($118).

Next up is the Plaid Petals Skirt ($148) by Tracy Reese. It’s rare that I meet a Tracy Reese piece I don’t like so the only question was of sizing. I usually am either true to size or one size down in her clothing. When I went to grab this skirt though I realized I was actually going to need to size up.

I ended up going up to the 10. There is a lot of gap in the waist but the 10 did best over my hips. I hate to mention this but for reviewing sake I must confess that I gained some weight last month and it all went directly to my thighs and — oddly — my triceps. I’m already coming back down but in the meantime skirts, pants and the like are more trouble than usual.

Pudge aside I really like this skirt. I’m tempted to grumble about the length but this is a winter skirt that will be worn with tights. Plus it’s so close to knee length on me. The petal in front is not bulky from the side. I didn’t feel like the skirt was very itchy. I didn’t find the blue quite as vibrant in real life versus the product shot. That’s a quibble though — this is a fantastic skirt.

Just for the heck of it, I grabbed the Plaid Petals Skirt’s partner in catalogue styling, the Wrapped-in-Ruffles Jacket ($128). Charlie & Robin make some of my favorite winter pieces but to be honest I wasn’t very enthusiastic about this piece before I tried it on. All I kept thinking was: Prince.

In his honor I grabbed the purple. OK, the purple was the only color in store. And just like the other outside the box things I’ve tried on this month I really liked this coat! I surprised myself. The length is maybe a bit shorter than I’d like but with a skirt it would hardly matter. I sized up to a medium for layering comfort. Closed or open I found the coat equally comfy. There are two hook and eye closures right over my stomach. This could be trouble for anyone with a bit of a tummy.

Some of the reviewers on Anthro’s website felt like the ruffles were a bit overpowering but I disagree. They are not nearly as ruffly as the Plaza Cardigan ($128), for example, a piece which I like equally. Both are also pretty warm. The Wrapped-in-Ruffles Jacket is more of a fashion statement than a practical one but I now really want this in black to top my future Plaid Petals Skirt.