Part of the fun of shopping for me is the hunt — searching through all the new releases and zoning in on a few key pieces that will make my closet a precise collection of killer pieces. I’m getting ever closer. Sometimes I snap up those pieces and sometimes I miss out on them, as was the case with the Burberry Shearling Duffle Coat (now $1,650) above, whomp whomp.
With Anthropologie a bit quiet these days, I thought it would be fun to turn to some other retailers that have a little more interest and action for the upcoming Presidents’ Day Weekend. I’ve found some surprising success purchases recently and have my eye on plenty more. Inside, what I’ve bought and loved recently, what I’m hunting, some killer sales going on right now, and then I hope you’ll share what you’ve seen!
I have nothing against Ann Taylor or LOFT, but I feel that every time I get excited about either brand they suddenly take away organic fabrics and start making polyester crap. Right now seems to be a cycle with quality goods. While helping a friend who just had a baby due some postpartum shopping I stumbled across the Inked Stripe Long Sleeve Cotton Tee ($30, 50% off today with code FORYOU), also in Petite, which turned out to be the awesome striped shirt I’ve been looking for forever. It’s cotton, it has a slight boatneck, and the white space at the neckline, wrists and bottom hem make this top slimming and flattering on nearly any body shape. The top runs true to size — I often size down at LOFT but felt most comfortable in my usual medium for this tee. I liked it so much I snapped it up in all three colors. You can do the same for 50% off with the code FORYOU today you lucky duck!
Another item at LOFT I really liked is the Striped Textured Cotton Sweater ($60), which looks a little something like this on me. The sweater is medium weight but has strips of open pointelle knit. This is perfect for me to layer under my winter coat when I’m running errands because it breathes nicely, yet still keeps body heat in. It’s somewhat susceptible to snagging so beware that; otherwise it’s just lovely in a beautiful neutral taupe. I bought this sweater in my usual size medium. Like the tee this sweater also comes in Petite.
Speaking of amazing sweaters, I recently used my Nordstrom rewards to purchase Vince’s Rack Stitch Shirttail Top ($295, Free 2-day ship with the code LOVE). If you’re tall and curvy like me this sweater is ideal. It has a textured panel on the front that tapers in over the hips which accentuates both my 5’8″ height and the leanness smart shaping details can show off. I’m so in love with it! Size way down, Vince is commonly oversized but way too much for my taste. Instead of my usual medium I bought this in an extra small in the winter white color, which is very, very white. If the $295 pricetag gives you pause, the sweater is available at both Saks and Bloomingdales, both of which may include the sweater in their Presidents’ Day Sales this weekend.
Over at Ann Taylor proper I was delighted to find this Dolman Sleeve Top ($44) in the beautiful red you see above. It looks fantastic with winter white, black, blue jeans…just about anything really. The top is rayon so the material is nothing to brag about, but the style is nice. Sometimes with dolmans I feel they make my chest stand out more than I’m comfortable with. Not the case here. This is a wonderful casual or casual workwear top. I took my usual size medium.
Some designer goodies have also caught my eye, especially with sale prices in play. The Rebecca Taylor Embellished Short Sleeve Tee (now $228) is available in a variety of colors at various retailers. I’m sad that I missed out on the ivory version Nordstrom carried last fall but this nude version is a satisfactory replacement. While the front is cool with its studded neckline and sleeves, it’s the back that I really love. The cross-over draping is perfect for hiding muffintops or the crack reveal of low-rise jeans. Likewise the Rebecca Taylor Silk Embellished-Neck Top (now $228) has a beautiful open keyhole in back that’s still bra-safe, and comes in a lovely lilac color perfect for spring. I took my usual size 6 in both tops.
The Tibi Leopard Ditzy Camisole ($198) is awesome, awesome, awesome. I love, love, love the speckled dot pattern in different sizes. I’m not as in love with the small racerback or thin spaghetti straps that make wearing a bra difficult…but I am making it work! The pattern varies from top to top so you’ll want to purchase this in person if you can. 99% of the pattern placements I saw in-store at Bloomingdales were flattering but there were one or two where the placement was somewhat off. This top is available at many different retailers but is so new its unlikely to hit sale any time soon. You’ll see this in my Reader Outfit this weekend. (Though if you follow me on Instagram you can get a preview there.) I took my usual size 6.
Are you sick of jeweled necklines yet? I like how understated the idea is on Tory Burch’s Jeweled Silk Shell (now $140), a very straight-shaped top that is an excellent work layering piece. For taller people beware that it’s a little short so you’ll want to pair it with pants that hit at the waist. When trying this top on I sized down to a 4 for the ideal fit. And speaking of Tory Burch, I’m a little obsessed with the print of both this Floral-Print Silk-Crepe Maxi Dress ($895) and its cousin the Frida Shell ($250)
What tops and sweaters have won your heart recently? Are there any on your wishlist the community should know about?
As you probably already know I’m a HUGE fan of AG Jeans — they are by far my favorite jeans brand. After losing a bunch of weight many of my beloved pairs didn’t fit anymore so I’m slowly accumulating their replacements. I had an amazing pair of Legging Jeans in 12 Years Dwight that made me look and feel amazing; I think I’ve finally found their replacement in the AG Adriano Goldschmied The Legging in 18-Year Heartbreaker ($220, 20% off with code TREAT). I know that light jeans with whiskering may sound daunting…they are somehow super flattering even on my thighs o’thunder. (I love my thighs o’thunder. Don’t hate.)
AG uses different material mixes in their Made In the USA pants. I love that these Heartbreakers are 98% cotton with just a hint of stretch in them. They fit like a dream! I took a size 29 in them, which is my current usual size in AG jeans.
If looser and relaxed is more your game, another pair of jeans I love are Gap’s 1969 Destructed Real Straight Jeans ($70, take 25% off with code EARLY), recently seen on me here. I know, I know, $70 for a pair of pre-holey jeans?!? YES. They are comfortable, loose without being ridiculous, and supremely flattering when cuffed to just above the ankle. Sizing-wise I found myself between a 6 and an 8 (Gap jeans run large in my experience). I settled on the 8 because I wanted a looser fit.
Community, what jeans are your go-to pairs? What pants are you loving right now?
Let’s move on to shoes, shall we? Piperlime is running a two-day sale right now — take 20% off almost anything with the code TREAT. That led me to order the DV by Dolce Vita Poppi ($99, 20% off with code TREAT) even though it’s not quite sandal season yet. I think these neutral heeled sandals will go with nearly every dress in my closet. I found these after first noticing the Riverway Heels ($98) at Anthropologie, which are the same sandal in black. (I might order the Riverways too, we’ll see once the Poppis arrive.) Have you checked out Anthropologie’s array of Dolce Vita shoes recently? Because they have a lot of really cool styles right now!
Similarly, the discovery of Anthro’s Thyme Wedges ($95) made me wonder if Seychelles makes the sandal in any other colors. It does — several! My favorite is this very similar version at Neiman Marcus ($95). Which version do you like better — metallic gold heel at Anthro or matte nude heel from Neiman Marcus? I’m torn!
A pair of rain boot wellies from Target that I adored finally kicked the bucket this year. The timing just so happened to coincide with Hunter finally releasing a pair of Adjustable-Back Boots ($150) which has me delighted to no end! They’ve had a wide-calf option for a couple of years, but those wide calf boots have a shorter shaft that looked weird on my tall, long-legged frame. These Adjustable-Back Boots have the same shaft height as the normal Hunters, but with a wonderful panel in the back to either loosen or tighten the shaft. A friend of mine with very narrow calves recommended these for me. So whether your calves are narrow or wide these boots are a winner! Here’s a recent OOTD snap of me with the boots on. For winter I’d recommend getting the Fleece Welly Socks ($30, Free 2-day ship with the code LOVE) to go inside the boots — I’m waiting for my cream ones to arrive from the UK since they seem to be sold out in the USA. Size down in the boots! I wear a 9 shoe usually and have the Hunters in an 8.
Also kicking the bucket this year were my beloved J.Crew Brewster Boots (RIP) which were my riding boots of choice since 2008. Of all the options I’ve investigated so far the Frye – Shirley Riding Plate (Stone Stone Wash) ($428) come the closest to replacing my Brewsters, though at 15″ wide the calves will surely need some stretching. Does anyone in the community own these boots? I’d love to hear your thoughts on fit, wear, etc.
Now I turn it over to you community. What items are on your clothing/shoe/accessory list right now? Feel free to link in the comments!
