Sugar and the Spotlight.
Though it’s backordered online RicRac’s Spotlights Tank ($58) is arriving in stores including the 5th Ave store here in NYC. I was very excited to have a chance to try this one on. I had read the online reviews so I knew that my normal size small wasn’t going to work. I took a medium to the fitting room. It was a pretty close fit. These shirts do stretch but I would want to try on a large for reference before buying this top. I was able to fit into the bodice with no issue (a relief) and I was happy to see that the ruffle was just a bit smaller in real life. That kept it from being too much.
Each version of this top has a slightly different pattern. I’d want the opportunity to fish through the racks to pick the best one before buying. I like the product shot’s three patterns across the bra shelf better than the two I got on this in-store version. I didn’t buy this top right away because there are a whole bunch of things above it on my wishlist and I know that there’s more stock coming. Come March(!) when the next batch is in I’ll be ready to buy.
Yoana Baraschi continues to impress. This is the Vanilla Bean Blouse ($128) and it’s made to flatter. My true size 6 was a comfy fit. The sash was a bit sad in real life though I only tied it loosely for trying on purposes. It’s made of polyester though…don’t like that.
The shirt seemed to want to sit off my shoulders so that’s where I placed it. It is a little bit sheer so you’ll want to wear a cami underneath. I have to say the ruffled neckline fell perfectly and the flower is beautiful. The darting makes for a feminine shape too. The price was the only thing that stopped me from bringing it home. Hope you’re ready for a good laugh from the next item.
Yuk, yuk, yuck. This is Fei’s Off-The-Tie-Rack Blouse ($118) and despite the goddess look of it I felt nothing like one in it. The sash is awesome! I have nothing else nice to say though. It’s: too short, too tight around the bust, too painful to look at for more than a few seconds. I’m not even sure where to start. This top was hard to get on. The sling was very tight in front but had a some extra material left over in back. I need at least 4 inches in the front and back.
Now clearly this top was not made for my body type. I have a feeling that if you’re petite (or short-torsoed) and have a smaller chest this top will look fabulous and flattering on you. So don’t let me dissuade you from trying it on. Just keep in mind that if you’re over 5’5″ and bigger than a B cup this top is going to be a tough sell.
The Vanilla Bean Blouse looks nice on you. I tried it on too over the weekend and the price was a major deterrent! ($128 for polyester! Yikes!) My biggest complaint was the sash – I'd consider having my tailor tack it down but then I'm stuck wearing the sash every time. This one is definitely a think it over while awaiting a sale blouse!
Hi Roxy,on the third blouse, off-the tie rack, I think you have the crossover shoulder ban on the wrong shoulder. it supposes to cross over your right shoulder, you had it over your left, it was the reason you had extra fabric in the front and back. The spotlight tank was so lovely on you.Just my 2 cents.Cindy.
Kathleen – agreed on the sash. I would probably do away with it in favor of a thin belt.Cindy – the sling is in fact over my right shoulder. You're seeing the mirror image of it. 😉 I take photos with my right hand.
re: off-the-tie-rack, the stock picture has the strap going diagonally across the body. was it a personal fit issue that didn't allow it to be worn that way, or do you think the stock photo is inaccurate? either way, it is unfortunate! i'll still try it on myself, though.
Hmm, looking at the product shot it looks like the sling is maybe supposed to go over the left shoulder? Would not have changed the length issue on the shirt either way, but I see what you are saying about the cross-body aspect.
love the vanilla bean blousethe last blouse is too funnyi agree about the tank, the ones i saw in store were really faded, and super tight even in m, so will wait to see some other batches
oh weird, i didnt even notice that each of the spot light tanks were different! I gotta check the one I bought when I get home.I love love the vanilla bean top, but it makes me so mad that it's a)$148, b) a shirt with built in lining that is still see through!!
Thanks for the reviews! I like them all, actually, but I am a little disappointed about how the Vanilla Bean Blouse doesn't have an opaque lining. The off-the-shoulder aspect makes me think a cami might be hard to pull off.
Hi! I love your reviews, it's great to see items on a real person. Just as a point of reference, what do you mean by "true size 6"? Are there measurements that correspond to true size 6? It would be helpful to know what your measurements are compared to mine when I'm deciding what size to order. Thanks!
Haha that last shirt is hilariously bad! The first two look nice on you, though. If the Vanilla Bean Blouse goes on sale, you should definitely grab one.
Maria – I think you could wear the ali – faded, really? That's a bummer. The shirts I saw looked OK in saturation but yep, like you I'm gonna wait for the next batch.Naomi's mom – ha, I like that they each have a different pattern. 🙂 Hopefully you like the one you got!Maria – I think you could wear Vanilla Bean blouse over your shoulders if it's a concern. Hi Lisa – when I say true size 6 that just means the size I expect to wear. Brands are so inconsistent these days that I wear anywhere from a 4 to a 10 along the different labels. I can measure myself today after work but I'm pretty sure that I'm 34-28-39. I wear a 34D bra. I'm 5'8" for height reference with a 35" inseam.Lola – hee, yeah it was not what I was hoping.
I absolutely love the Spotlight Tank on you Roxy – it's super flattering. I hope you get it!I'm a little disappointed in the Vanilla Bean Blouse – I'm not digging the $128 price tag for polyester, nor do I like how the sash doesn't meet with the elastic waist – but I'll still try it on for myself. Thanks for the reviews!
I think anonymous is correct about the shoulder being misplaced, but the fit on this top is still way off. I am petite AND short-torsoed, and it was a big NO for me too. I actually reviewed it on my blog [ rubyshoeblues.wordpress.com] so you can see what it looks like on a 5'2" size 0 32B…still wrong:(Love the other two tops, though, but the sad sash makes me…sad.
I like the idea of the Vanilla Bean Blouse, but the polyester and price tag had turned me off from the beginning.I think I may be the only one who doesn't care for one shoulder things, so I was never a fan of the Off the Tie Rack Blouse. I do like the print and the sash is so pretty.The Spotlight Tank is the clear winner. It looks fantastic on you. Now I wasn to run out to my local Anthro to try stuff on. I'm just afraid my wallet will start bleeding tears.
The Vanilla Bean Blouse is beautiful! *crosses fingers for it to go on sale*
The Vanilla Bean blouse is amazing on you, Roxy! Ohhh, I love it. Love it, love it, love it. So pretty and floaty and girly and LOVE! Don't even care about the polyester, sadly. Hee.
I'm so disappointed about the off the tie rack. I think it looks so cute online. Maybe I'll visit my anthro and do a guest post since I'm more petite. Knowing me the strap will keep falling off my shoulder LOL.
I like the Spotlights Tank on you. You are making me reconsider it, I was afraid it would make my chest look bigger I'm a 34DD but it looks good on you, I might give it a try but probably won't buy it anytime soon, there are things I want more.
Spotlight Tank looks wonderful on you … Do purchase it when you can!