2010 was the year my closet went from mostly Anthropologie to overwhelmingly so. How’d they do it? Lots of cute designs and a great color palette this year. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) Anthro items from this pas year, shall we? Then let me know what your hits/misses were in the comments.
Climbing Cowlneck ($48), above.
This simple top flew off the shelves in its original plum color. I’m so glad I impulse-bought it when I did. This C. Keer top had a body-hugging shape but the knife pleats and cowl were incredibly flattering. The first batch was of great quality and my plum version has held up nicely. Anthro tried to capitalize on the shirt’s popularity with a second batch of colors (pink, navy, white, sky, etc.). The problem was the second batch was much thinner. My sky Climbing Cowlneck is doing OK but the plum version still looks like new. We’ll talk quality later this week — don’t think I’m letting that topic drop!
Field Game Cardigan ($118).
This item first came out in January of 2010 in navy. Much, much later it was released in grey, the version I eventually bought. There were many imitators of this cardigan and Charlotte Tarantola even released its own longer variation to Bloomingdales. But Anthropologie had the best version in my opinion. The length is perfect and the material is warm without being too thick. It’s a very nice transitional cardigan with plenty of functionality. Love!
On a Wing Blouse ($148).
If you didn’t mind all the buttons on this blouse, it was a beautiful piece. I wore this out on Valentine’s Day and felt so pretty…ah, I still get tingles! This top was popular in the community for rehearsal dinners it seemed. I can understand why. I love when Anthropologie commissions unique pieces like this. The draping is not something we saw anywhere else. Unfortunately mine was ruined this past summer by the dry cleaner. So, uh, if anyone has a size 8 or 10 they’re sick of please let me know. 🙂
Bretonnes Blouse ($68).
This drapey silk top from Edme & Esyllte was such a wonderful surprise. Anthropologie experimented a bit with downtown style this year, which I’ll talk more about later this week, and this top was one piece of that experimentation. I was instantly in love with the buttons down the side and the slippery silk. I own the top in black and ivory and wear them all the time. I love this top more ways than I can express.
Pessinus Garden Necklace ($32).
The most amazing thing about this necklace was the quality for the price. When I saw the necklace in-store I guessed it would be $80. What a nice shock to find out it was under $40! It’s no wonder this necklace quickly sold out, even after a restock or two. Similar necklaces have since been released but haven’t quite captivated me the way this one did. A beautiful piece that was worth every penny.
Honorable mentions:
1. Two Paths Trench. Burberry style for much, much less.
2. Perilla Dress. Nautical kept appealingly simple.
3. Bits of Pearl Blouse. Odille, I love that you release a blouse like this every year!
4. Snakebite Belt. The quintessential waist cincher.
5. Karelia Coat. Anthropologie does coats like no one else. This piece is WOW in every way.
…and some pieces that disappointed.
Spotlights Tank ($58).
And so began my issues with Anthropologie making tops too short. This top looked so cute in the catalogue! But the real-life product left me bummed. The bustline wasn’t as well-combined as the product shot would have you think. And it ran small. The sleeves were off too. This one went from the birthday wishlist to the disappointment bin.
Snow-Covered Fields Dress ($148).
Another item from my birthday wishlist that was like a swift kick on the rear. This dress looks like it’s curve-friendly online but in real life my hips and tush had a fight with this deceptive shift. I am still upset about the poor fit of this dress — I needed to go up 2 sizes to the point where the top looked ridiculous. Once upon a time Anthropologie was the brand that was curve-friendly. These days it’s less and less so.
Pretty much anything by Moulinette Soeurs.
There’s always one brand at Anthropologie that just doesn’t fit me. Maeve used to give me fits because it NEVER fit! I kind of got used to it. But I’m saddened by the turn of events that has me at odds with anything from Moulinette Soeurs. Every dress from the brand is very tight in the hips and very loose in the bust. Most of the designs are beautiful which leaves me feeling doubly devastated. I understand that not everything is going to fit me. It just doesn’t seem fair that this once-dependable brand is suddenly cut for no curves.
Sun Dot Dress ($148).
I could not believe how perfect this dress was in the catalogue. It was snowing outside but it was already spring in my heart. Too bad those early blooms wilted as soon as I tried this thing on. I really have to wonder who the fit model was for this item as it didn’t seem to fit anyone right. Curves, no curves, tall, petite, whatever. This dress worked on no one. Not cool Anthro. Not cool at all.
Camelot Tank ($68).
Damn you Anthro! I had an entire outfit planned around this top but you had to go and ruin it with an odd top that had a wonky fit. Why???? This top was destined to be perfect I tell you. Alas it was not meant to be. I’ll be crying in my cornflakes if you need me.
Other WTF items:
1. Ode to Spring Tank. Expectation: sturdy construction, hidden zip. Reality: soft, crappy material with obtrusive snap closures.
2. Lighted Walk Dress. Yet another dress that looks nothing like the catalogue shot in real life.
3. Marching Annuals Blouse. Who makes short tops? Odille makes short tops! If you’re over 5’4″ you’re in trouble for sure.
4. Higgledy-Piggledy Pencil Skirt. A head-scratching fit from a curiously named item.
What items stood out to you this year? Which items missed the mark?
