I have been endlessly excited about Mise en Scene by Ruffian’s Well-Wisher Jacket ($148) since it appeared online. As in checking every day (and sometimes, multiple times) to see if it was in from backorder, hoping for a review, calling Soho to see if it was in yet excited. I finally gave up on Monday knowing that I could just order it later in the week. But then on Tuesday it was in-store! It was all I could do to not squeal right there.
The question was would I want an 8 or a 10? I tried on both. These shots are the 8 which was the better overall fit. Damn thing was wrinkled so please excuse the sad ruffle. Easily fixable but endlessly annoying Anthropologie!!
This jacket isn’t really what I’d call practical but believe it or not I’ve been looking for a jacket just like this for a few years. Anthro’s sister store Urban Outfitters had an option last year that was close but missing the nice finishes. This jacket is made of heavy linen and the finishes are all right, from the collar to the buttons to the double layer of the ruffle. I must have this jacket! I think it will be my payday treat to myself tomorrow. It’s been a tough week.
A good candidate to layer under it is Deletta’s Unveiled Tank ($48). This is not the raspberry color online, it’s a much darker cranberry red. Not sure if it’s an in-store only shade or if it just hasn’t made its way online yet. (Remember the cranberry version of the Wind-Rippled Tee last year?)
I wasn’t expecting this top to work on me but I think it did. Maybe. I started in my normal size small but found it too form-fitting. The photos above are the medium which was somewhat better. I saw a girl on the street rocking the blue motif (striped) version of this top and she looked amazing! So I definitely approve of the shirt; I’m just not quite sure if it works on me.
C. Keer invites you to have the big statement necklace without the necklace. This is their Mighty Adornment Tee ($68). It features white crochet with tiny wooden beads. It’s really well-done!
I tried on a small but would definitely want to buy a medium. The little shoulder pleats on the cap sleeve are a nice touch and this tee wasn’t too sheer. I’m not sure the design is hitting my correctly though. Wishlisted for further consideration.
Another top I’d been eagerly awaiting was the Camelot Top ($68). Even as the negative reviews poured in I remained steadfast in my love for the top. Then I tried it on. The photos are me in the medium (my usual size).
I tried to convince myself it was great. I even bought it. The reviews are right though — the seaming and side lace detail on this top are off. The horizontal seam should be below the bust, with the lace curving in at the natural waist. I love what one.september was trying to do with this top. At home I experimented with the top as the bottom layer to see if I could make it work. I couldn’t — the details either got lost or didn’t look right. So it’s going back. Sad face.
Expensive but gorgeous, Floreat’s Chilled Ripples Shell ($118) elicited a gasp and a trip to the fitting room. I grabbed a size 8 which I found to be pretty loose. If I buy this top I will get a 6.
The details are at the neckline, beginning with a keyhole that can either be left undone or buttoned. There’s a small black tie that can then be tied over it. The neckline also has delicate white flowers trailing around and two bigger black flowers on one shoulder. With all that plus the generous ruffle there is a lot going on with this top! Yet I loved it. I wasn’t really digging it untucked so I tried it with the Mona Skirt ($98, far right shot). I’ll have a full review of the skirt in my next set but I like this little homemade ensemble dress. Both pieces are wishlisted!
I hope that Anthropologie names an item after me someday but until then I’ll settle for the sorta similar Moxie Falls Tee ($68). Made by Bordeaux, I had the urge to hail Caesar, Emperor of Rome once I put this one on.
I initially tried on the medium and while it fit I felt the stretch hem was being asked to stretch too far. The proportions seemed just a bit off. So the far right shot is the large, which felt a bit big but looked better to me. Despite the rayon material (yuck) this top is soft and would work well for parties, after-work drinks or even a fashion-forward office. I’d pair it with a pencil and wear it to my office! Wishlisted, waiting for sale.
Being a curvy gal, I looked at Pilcro’s River Tyne Top ($68) skeptically in-store. No way this would look right I thought. But I had a request to try this one on so I hesitantly grabbed it and headed to the fitting rooms.
I tried on my true size medium. And it looks…decent! Maybe good, even! I like the ruching in the bust area (which is apparently supposed to be a cowl, just not on my 34Ds). Pilcro’s jersey is super soft and comfortable. I like the narrower button trail down toward the bottom. I even like the thicker collar. This top would be a great casual weekend option. I’m intrigued by the striped neutral motif version. Wishlisted!
I’ll just say it right away: I ADORE the Ellsworth Blouse ($118) from Floreat. Usually this type of top would give me fits: the ruffle across the bust would be wrong, or the midsection tie would make me look wide, or it would be too short overall. In this case by some miracle of design and pattern it all worked!
I tried on an 8 which is my usual size in Floreat. Note that the top portion is sheer for the first 3 inches or so. Then the ruffles take over. The georgette ruffles are fabulous. And did I mention the cute sparkly bow, which is removable? I am really dying over this top. OK maybe not really. But I want it! I just hate the price tag. Anthro is once again trying to push their price point up and I am stubbornly crossing my arms and shaking my head no. Wishlisted, but I’d rather risk missing it by waiting for sale than paying full price. So there.
Saving the best for last? Yep. This is another Floreat Blouse, the Tidal Ruffles Blouse. It’s much shorter than the other Floreat tops I’ve been trying lately and is closer in length to their blouses from last year. In this case I think the cropped length is nice because you can wear it over a full skirt. The sheerness is totally weird though. Indefensible.
Like the On a Wing Blouse, don’t expect to get in and out of this top quickly. I initially was tempted to size up to an 8 so I could try this on pullover style but that would have been a mistake. I’m glad I stuck with my true size 6 and took the (looooong) time to unbutton and rebutton it to try on. I love how the blouse nips in at the waist and I love the rectangular pleats on the shoulder which give way to a bottom layer of ruffles. Don’t be scared off by the website reviews (just read mine! roxy, just like on EA). Give this blouse a shot. Wishlisted!!
