A look ready for work.
Floreat’s Blushing Avian Blouse ($98) didn’t really do anything for me in the July catalogue but upon spying it in-store I immediately thought ‘work top’! It’s a beautiful silk in a warm grey with brown undertones. I love the feathery pink pleats reaching over the shoulder. I never thought of epaulets as whimsical but that’s the effect I get here. The sleeves are great too; they are the perfect length to taper the arm nicely.
I tried on a 6, which is my normal size but one size down from my usual 8 in Floreat. Surprisingly the 6 felt loose on. So much so that I’d want to give a 4 a shot before buying. It was a bit tricky getting the 6 over my chest even with the side zip undone. That was due to the waist, which cinches in nicely. I really like the velvet sash though I wish it were wider — it would balance the shoulder of the top better. Still I loved this top so much I bought the 6 for now and will be looking to exchange it for a 4 this week.
I paired the top with Sine’s Luminous Graphite Skirt ($128) which is the 2010 version of the Fluttering Pencil Skirt. The ruffle has been reduced significantly and now most of the effect comes from the gathered material. The effect looks interesting on the model (see shot at the top of this post) but on me it just kind of looked like the material was pulling. I liked the tweed look and the shape is more straight than pencil with a vent in the back. But this skirt wasn’t exactly flattering on in a size 10. So I passed.
Next up was Edme & Esyllte’s Moscow-in-Bloom Blouse ($98). Though the blouse feels extremely light on I wasn’t interested in sleeves for summer. Now that fall clothing is upon us though this top was worth revisiting. Though the pattern is yellow for sure there are some green undertones and I’d love to wear this under my green All Trades Dress. Here I tried the top over AG’s Stilt Roll-Up (now $100). The fit is so off on AG’s crops this year, it’s not even worth reviewing. If you have curves skip these pants. If you’re straight-shaped size down.
I have been all over the map this year with Edme & Esyllte’s sizing. Used to be I consistently sized down to a 4 in their tops but this year I’ve either been my usual size 6 or one size up to an 8. I tried an 8 here expecting more of the same. It was too loose — the neckline kept falling down and my sister commented that it looked shapeless on me.
There was no 6 in-store for me to try so I asked for a skirt to pair the top with to convince my sis that this top was right. The SA came back with Odille’s Gifted Skirt ($78). Don’t think I ever would have picked up this item on my own but I loved it when I tried it on! I know the wrinkles aren’t very helpful here but the skirt has a nice full shape with carefully placed pleats to keep it from looking like a poodle skirt. Over the summer I fell in love with a similar skirt from See by Chloe but never bought it because I couldn’t justify it, even on super-sale. After all that $78 for this skirt seemed like a steal.
My normal size 8 was comfortably loose at the waist. The twill material is great for 3-season wear and the sash is fine, though again I wish it was wider. I’d probably trade it out for a belt. It was another temptation too good to resist so I bought it. And if they’d had a 6 in the Moscow-in-Bloom Blouse, I’d have gotten that too.
The Tattered Tides Skirt ($148) is exactly the kind of skirt I loved to play dress-up with as a kid. It’s made of lace tiers with a pleated layer thrown in for good measure. The 80s — they are back. Proceed with caution. My biggest issue with this skirt is that it was a pain to get into. Credit is due to Moulinette Soeurs — they placed the side zip under a tier of lace that it would be hidden when zipped up. Great attention to detail on their part. But there was barely enough give to get the 10 over my hips. Once zipped up the skirt was pretty big but I could not size down to an 8 because there’s no way I could get that lacey tier over my hips without ripping it.
I didn’t like how the skirt looked on me. It’s too big for my comfort and I’m not sure when I’d wear it. I could see it working with a sleek tank top to, as the most recent review says, “punk it up.” So if you have an idea for a complete look I’d recommend this skirt. For me however it went back to the rack.
I ended up with a de facto outfit in the fitting room, as the skirt made a nice base for the shape of the Kinship Blouse ($68) by Odille. I was not expecting this puckered and pleated blouse to work for me. Surprisingly I was very pleased with it. Granted I’d want to pair it with a pencil skirt or something a bit sleeker on the bottom, and seeing that this top also comes in cream that’s probably the shade I’d go for. This color is called dark purple but was reading as brown to me. The neckline is adorable and while high-waisted the top still creates a nice shape. I was comfortable in my usual size 6. Wishlisted!
To complete the crazy eccentric look, I gave the Migrating Mallard Cardi ($168) a go. I think this is one of those polarizing cardigans that you will either love or hate. Count me among the former — loved it!! I tried on the s/m which worked well, though again I wouldn’t wear it over this skirt in real life. I would either wear it over a sleek dress with a straight skirt or over a pencil skirt and a blouse.
The details on this thick cardigan abound. Love the toggle closure, the scalloped edges and the beautiful blue lambswool, which varies in color like a chilly fall sky. I notice that the product page does a great job of showing all the angles of this special cardi. Nice job Anthro! The back alone is worth the price of admission. I grudgingly left this one behind for now but I plan on picking it up for sure. Wishlisted!
