Reviews: A little embellishment

Admin note: The blog is loading a little slowly this morning. Apologies — it’s due to some of the widgets and hopefully will come up to speed a bit later this AM. No updates to sale or new arrivals as of this post’s timestamp.

Yesterday I talked about how dependable Anthropologie is for stunning dresses. Ditto embellished tops. Ruffles, embroidery, garnishes — you name it and Anthro does it well.

The shirt in the top photo of this post, as well as the shots directly above, is Project Alabama’s Magnetic Fields Corset ($88). Though there is some contrast stitch pintucking I didn’t find much corset-y about this top…I don’t mean that negatively though. I tried on the large for these shots and it was too big. I’d buy my true size medium. The product description says the neckline is silver but I remember it as gold and I think the photographic evidence confirms my memory. The neckline is made up of paillettes and beads sewn with intentionally dark threads.

It’s a mix of feminine and industrial details. The back has an exposed zipper which I don’t mind, especially since I can cover it up with a cardigan. The fabric is soft and the neckline is lined so there is no scratchiness. I found the large too big in both the neckline and in back. The medium was much better.

Sometimes the imagined result plays out a bit differently in real life. Take the Collected Corolla Tee ($78). Here’s the lovely product shot. Soft pleats cascading softly down the torso.

I was kind of shocked by how this shirt appeared to have been unpacked and put on the hanger without any treatment. Does Anthro provide steamers to the stores? Perhaps not. What a wrinkled, sad disaster. The neckline was also smushed. You’re now fighting against a negative reaction to get me to buy this top…doesn’t make any sense to me. The good news is that a good steaming will bring this shirt right back to life. But trying it on I felt a bit like I’d stolen it out of someone’s hamper. Beware if you buy this top from catalog — this is how it will come to you.

On to the fit. This top is by one.september so I tried on my true size medium. It fit well. The necklace neckline is a mix of rayon, chiffon and what feel like silk flowers. Everything in the neckline is unfinished so like a lot of recent J.Crew tops I question the long term life of this shirt. Despite those concerns I love the top. I have only seen the navy in stores so far though and I’m waiting for the red before I buy either.

Over the summer I’d swooned over Deletta’s Sun Goddess Top (no longer available online, review here) but was let down when I tried it on. Now Ric Rac has taken on a similar shape with their Glistening Juniper Top ($78) and I’m happy to say I had much better luck this time around.

Since I am busty and hippy this top made me look a little busty and hippy but not out of proportion. Ric Rac is flirting with danger putting embellishment on the hips but I think they’ve succeeded. I tried on the small and it was a bit big in the bust, however I’d stick with it as the best fit overall. I love that you could throw a cardigan or cropped jacket over this for fall and winter or wear it by itself in spring and summer.

I found the draped neck to be less dramatic on me than in the product shot. Still it’s quite beautiful and I’d love to call it my own. To the wishlist it goes!