Reviews: Ruffles-Upon-Ruffles Tee & Ruffled Firelight Cardigan

Sometimes an item is changed between the time a sample is made and the time the final product is manufactured. Such is the case with Velvet’s Ruffles-Upon-Ruffles Tee ($78). I guess the shirt went through a bit of an identity crisis before making it to final press. You see on the model it’s a lovely teal shade with a banded bottom and ruffliferous ruffles. Ruffletastic even! But by the time Anthropologie stores received their delivery the shirt had changed from teal to moss, the banded bottom was gone and the shirt was slightly less…ruffled. I like the final version fine but I would have loved to see the shirt that’s on the model. It’s a soft shirt and the ruffled neckline makes it a great layering piece. It’s romantic without being over the top. But it’s basically a tee shirt with a fancy neckline.

Fitwise, I tried on a medium which was comfy and roomy enough that I could have sized down to a small with no problem. The color reads much more green unless you pair it with green in which case it will read as blue. The brown version is a lovely milk chocolate color. It’s slightly heathered but not sheer. Despite the frilly shoulders they sit more like cap sleeves. That may be disconcerting to anyone worried about how their upper arms will look.

Must say the Ruffles-Upon-Ruffles Tee does its job well as a layering piece. Here we have Liamolly’s Ruffled Firelight Cardigan ($178) over the tee. Kim had tried the sweater on and wasn’t thrilled; I think she rocked it. The loosely ruffled collar is certainly a fussy pain but overall I liked this sweater on. I envision using it as a top layer for a night on the town. I like the way the ruffles were hitting below my waist and I think that with the right dress underneath or the right necklace top this sweater will do its job as my stolen southern gentlemen sweater.

I tried on the small. I would not wear this cardigan tied in front. Too fussy. I lost patience trying to set it correctly for the far right shot above. There are plenty of brown flecks in the sweater — everywhere except the wrists and waistband.

For another option, you can tie the sweater across the back. From the front you end up with something a bit more cropped while from the back you get dressage coattails. I had some difficulty getting the picture from the right angle…I did end up with some pretty funny outtakes though! The shot on the right was the best of the bunch. I would have no problem utilizing this styling at a bar. Pardon me while I tuck my coat back, boys! An acquired taste to be sure but a winner to me.