I took the photo above on Sunday…ahhh, Sunday. Before this crazy work week started. But now it’s Friday and I am so very, very happy for that! I am playing around with the format of the OOTDs a bit — maybe one post a week filled with outfits works better? Not sure yet. Let me know what you think! Also as you’ll see below I need your help deciding whether to keep or return an item.
This outfit was a throw-on. I normally plan my outfits beforehand but this was during a rushed morning. It worked so well though that I put it on again to snap some shots. The top is great because it’s slightly swingy with a loose shape. You could belt it I suppose but why interrupt the flow? This side view shows the shape well.
Best of all it’s got rosettes that aren’t over the top. Just one nice, small cluster on the right shoulder. Polish off the outfit with some costume bling and you’re all set!
Top: Banana Republic Georgette rosette top ($80)
Jeans: Express Stella Wide Legs (similar here, here and here)
Shoes: Nine West (similar here and here)
Necklace: J.Crew holiday party favor (similar here, here, here and here
Ring: Forever 21 ($5)
More jeans! I try not to wear jeans to work because of my position but honestly? We’re a casual work environment and no one really cares unless a client is coming. Besides the jeans worked really well with the Soft Drapes Blouse ($88). Sometimes casual works really well — everyone loved the top. Including me. The heels are great too because of the rounded toe. It keeps the look streamlined and casual — I don’t need to make my legs look any longer than they already are in this outfit.
Here’s a close-up of the necklace. It’s also orange, but the shirt’s intense hue makes the necklace play brown.
Top: Soft Drapes Blouse ($88)
Jeans: Gap Long & Lean dark wash ($70)
Necklace: J.Crew Symphony Necklace in pumpkin ($98)
Shoes: J.Crew Petra Nubuck D’Orsay heels (similar here and a dream buy here)
Now for the item I need some help with. This outfit features Leifsdottir’s beautiful Still-Life Blouse (now $120). I bought it knowing it would be a bit short due to the peplum hem but I wasn’t quite prepared for how short it is. I feel like I might look too top-heavy. Ladies, what do you think? Keep or return? I love it and want to keep it…but it makes no sense to keep something that makes me uncomfortable.
Here’s a shot with my arm further away from the shirt.
Top: Still-Life Blouse
Skirt: Express pencil skirt (similar here, here and here)
Tights: Gap chevron tights (similar here and here)
Shoes: Nine West Namely Flats (now $60)
Jewelry: From Ireland
With this last outfit it was time to play around with color a bit. Oh what…you can’t see it? Haha. Right. Well, at least my hair looks good.
Much better. Well, except for the hair thanks to the humidity. My tights are the sought-after Berry Bush Tights ($18) which — hey — are back online! Not available until 2010 though. Many stores have these back in stock now so best to call the customer service line if you want these fast. Be warned that these tights are very prone to holes and rips. I bought 2 pairs as a precaution.
Necklace: J.Crew Duchess Necklace ($98)
Sweater: J.Crew cashmere crewneck cardigan in warm wisteria ($158)
Ann Taylor Loft Cascading Ruffle Shell ($50)
Skirt: J.Crew sateen pencil skirt (similar here, here and one for looks here)
Tights: Berry Bush Tights ($18)
Shoes: Nine West walcott (similar here, here and here)
I love that ring- I can't believe its f21! this post made me sad that the soft drapes blouse didn't work on me when i tried it on- it looks fantastic with your body type.
Roxy–Would you mind trying the Still Life Blouse with some pants? Just so I can see it with another suggestion.I really do like it on you, so I'm leaning towards keeping it… but I think a photo with pants would really help.And I love how the OOTDs are done today. I like this format or recapping the week.
Love the first outfit! You look comfy, yet chic.Orange looks fantastic on you. I could never pull that off.I'm sorry, I don't think the Still-Life Blouse does anything for you, color- or shape-wise. For $120 it really ought to! My vote – return.
i like the ootd recap, too. i agree that for $120, the blouse should be a lot more awesome.
Roxy, the still-life blouse is just not working for ya. The color is kinda bringing you down (no insult meant) & the overall cut is not very flattering on a curvy girl. Honestly, it looks a bit like it's trying to hard to be too many things & succeeding at none. Add that to the cost of $120 & you can for sure find a better suited top for you.
Love the OOTD, but my first reaction to the Leifsdottir blouse was not a happy one. It's severe and kind of matronly on you. I like seeing you in more flowy things – they slim you (not that you need to be); this makes you too curvy.
I think every single thing in this post looks great on you except the Still Life blouse. I don't think that one is flattering.
I appreciate all the honest opinions! Tien I appreciate your objectivity in asking for a pants look but it sounds like the verdict is in. I think I had my Anthro goggles on. I still love the blouse but oh well, now I'll have money to spend on something else there. 🙂 Additional opinions welcomed…and if anyone is looking for a Still-Life Blouse size 6, let me know!
I love the Leifsdottire blouse on you, I think it looks lovely! Good job!
i really like your sunday outfit! 🙂 i'm starting to wear more black and it's so nice to see you do it so well! :)i agree with the other comments, a $120 blouse should be a "love it." if you're having second thoughts you should get something else so it doesn't get stuck in your closet never worn.
Leifsdottir top –> return, please. I have decided stuff that fits me that – short and tight in the chest area.
Love the flow of the first outfit, and sadly I must concur on returning the Still Life Blouse. I think we have the same body type (except you're taller!) and I totally agree with having Anthro goggles one. Sounds like me most of the time. 🙂
I agree with the others on the Still Life blouse. I've often wondered whether the mirrors at Anthropologie lie to me, but I think that you've hit the nail on the head with "Anthro goggles." Fortunately, they have an awesome return policy 🙂
roxy – you are too cute! I LOVE your ootd posts so much. In the first one, those pants you were wearing or perfect on you! I think you should get them in every color.as for keep or return, I too vote return…:( I love seeing clothes on you because we have similar chestius issues, and that top kinda causes a uni-boob I think. I get that ALL THE DANG TIME in those type shirts, so this is coming from a place of camaraderie and not negativity I swear! I hope you take it that way because I am not trying to be mean!!!!
I guess I'm in the minority, because I think the still-life blouse looks good on you.
You look so adorable in the first two outfits. Those colors and shapes look gorgeous on you! I think you should return the blouse, because it's more expensive, and buy something that makes you look and feel great instead, like the Curtain Closer dress because that looked awesome on you (and awful on me, so maybe I'm just trying to vicariously own it.)
hi roxythink you should return the top t doesnt do your figure justice. love the anne taylorr loft shell though
Hi Roxy! I vote with the majority re: the Still Life Blouse– and I think Campbell has a good idea… or the Tempting Trellis Cardi (which I want to vicariously own). This is my second post but I read your blog everyday and it might as well be my homepage. 🙂
I don't think the skirt is too short at all – and that outfit is FAAAB. Bit if you'r not psychologically comfy in it you probably won't wear it??? Maybe exchange for something else in that case.
^sorry, I meant SHIRT. I've got friday evening zombieism. (:
You ladies are awesome. Thank you all so much for your feedback, both positive and negative. I'm already cruising Anthro's site to see what I could use the money towards instead…
I am a little late with my comments, but I do agree with a lot of the ladies here, I a not sure if the Still-Life Blouse is a good fit for your body type. I am glad that you are already trying to find something else in the Anthro website. I really enjoyed the format of this post. And I loved the first outfit. Very cute on you!
Love the ring. And super duper love the orange pleated neck top. So cute! Your outfits are darling, my dear. I love the still life blouse outfit. I agree, though, that something is a little off. I think it just gets so narrow towards the top … the straps…shoulder area, so it makes other things look bigger. Love that outfit, though.
i love all of these outfits on you! I agree the still life looks constricting a bit though – gorgeous pattern but not really feeling it, esp for $120…
I like the Still Life blouse on you! From the picture, I think everything looks perfectly in proportion. I bought the berry blush tights myself at my store in Milwaukee(tons on the floor0. For "tights" they are thin, but they are probably very similar in weight to a sheer nylon. They are delicate!
I kept trying to comment on this yesterday but my comments wouldn't go through! Stupid OpenID. Anyway, I agree with everyone else that your outfits are positively adorable 🙂 I love that BR top and that F21 (!!) ring. And the Soft Drapes blouse! I am in love. Your outfit with the Still-Life Blouse is verrry cute too, but I agree with everyone else: you don't look *bad* in it, but it doesn't flatter you as much as it should! Personally I think peplums are eeeevil and do no favors to anyone with curves.
Great outfits. I love your smile in that first picture 🙂
I've been checking old posts trying to find an old item name, and came across this series of OOTDs. Wow!!! I love how you've styled the diff colours. The vibrant magenta with the pale pink cardi and the fabulous orange top are especially spectacular. 🙂