Reviews: Roads Askew Top, Washed Leather Racer, College Ruled Tee

Anthropologie at ShopStyle

one.september and Tracy Reese seem to be having a competition to see who can release the best patterned tops. I have favorite in this battle — I’m just happy to see all the cool entries. Yesterday it was one.september’s Roads Askew Top ($78) that I tried on.


The jeweled neckline was a little messier in real life than it appeared on the website. Otherwise it’s everything I expected…a tank top in a winter color palette. I like the two blue stripes down the side as they add some extra interest. I tried on my true size medium and it was comfortably loose. It’s soft and will probably stretch over time. I’d wear this under a sweater or jacket. There’s also a black motif version of this top that has the same jeweled neckline but a completely different pattern.


This is Idra’s Washed Leather Racer ($248) which first appeared back in the June catalogue. I had to double-check because while the product reviews are overwhelmingly positive this jacket was all kinds of wrong on me. The major issue is that this was my true size medium and I’m swimming in it. I don’t think a small would have helped though because of how cropped it is.

The jacket is roughed leather with two side pockets and darting along the shoulders and side seams. There’s also a seam on the arms just below the elbow. The asymmetric zipper is a nice choice; I’d recommend zipping it 3/4 and leaving the remainder flapped down. It was not workable for me but it’s a nice jacket.


Michael Stars’ College Ruled Tee ($48) is…odd. I went to grab my size and the only option was “ALL.” As in one size fits all. Now I’m not a designer or a clothing expert but uh, one size does not fit all. Especially for women. I was irritated by the very idea of it.

Once I put on the top I was even more surprised because it fit. Close to the body certainly but not bad at all. The length is good. The cuffs on the arm are nice. It made a funny crunching sound as I was putting it on. Super easy to throw on under a hoodie (like the Kerria Hoodie ($148) that I am in love with for instance) and a good layering basic. I’m still perplexed by the one size fits all though. My guess is that if it fits me anyone petite is going to be swimming in it. We’ll have to wait to see.

16 Comments

  1. December 13, 2009 / 3:13 pm

    I have liked the leather coat for awhile and am hoping it sticks around (and maybe goes on sale) after I deliver. I would definitely have to try it on, because I am long waisted, cropped doesn't work well on me because, well, my butt looks like it belongs to a Kardashian (OK, not that big, but you get the idea). I do like the Michael Stars tee, also. Aren't a lot of the Star's tees one size? I know my maternity tee is, how dumb is that? I walked by our Anthropologie store yesterday. My husband asked me if I wanted to go in, and I just couldn't do it. The window held such beautiful things, I didn't want to depress myself by not being able to wear them now. So, again, I appreciate all the work you do, trying clothes on, taking photos and reviewing.

  2. December 13, 2009 / 3:30 pm

    The College Ruled Tee looks so cute on you! Indeed, every Michael Stars tee I've seen is one size fits all. I tried on the Aglow Tank a while ago, thinking it would be fun to wear something with a little shimmer under a cardi for the holidays. I am on the petite side, and it was baggy and almost long enough to be worn as a dress (a scandalously short dress, but a dress nonetheless)! One size fits all=silliness, I tell you!

  3. December 13, 2009 / 4:27 pm

    The striped tee looks great on you. I do agree that "One Size" is odd though–who knows, maybe it's a miracle shirt? 🙂 It's totally my style so I'm going to try it on next time I visit Anthro.

  4. December 13, 2009 / 4:43 pm

    Michael Stars tees are all one size, which pretty much means one size fits sizes 4-10. They're a little big on the size 0 girls and a little tight on the 12 and ups. But it's some kind of weird miracle fabric, plus I think the body of the shirt is cut on the bias or something to make it adjust to the wearers measurements. In general I think they're flattering but I don't like the feel of the fabric.

  5. December 13, 2009 / 7:42 pm

    Wow, the College Ruled Tee looks great on you! Maybe it's a magical, "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"-type miracle shirt. I normally avoid thin horizontal stripes like the plague, but your picture in it gives me some hope it might work on me. Although, it does annoy me on principle to release it in one side.

  6. Anonymous
    December 13, 2009 / 9:36 pm

    Thanks for the lamp shade suggestions. The college tee, the print looks more jailhouse than college to me, but my goodness, the fit is superb on you.

  7. Stephanie
    December 13, 2009 / 10:02 pm

    Roxy, pretty good reviews today. The college tee looks really good on you. Did you get anything at Anthro this week? Btw I really really want the Lady-of-Seville Tank but I still can't justify the sale price. Do you think the price will drop further?

  8. December 13, 2009 / 11:37 pm

    Georgine, you must be getting close now, right? How are you feeling?Thanks Autumn, e. and Kathryn. I agree, one size fits all is silliness. :)hillary – lol at miracle fabric. Interesting that all of Michael Stars' stuff is OSFA. Anon – you're welcome! Did you end up with a shade from etsy?Stephanie – I didn't buy anything at Anthro this week. No sale update bummed me out, plus I am waiting for my replacement anthro card to arrive. How about you? I hope the Lady of Seville Tank gets another price cut. I can tell you it looks like they've hardly sold any in-store. So I think it's a good candidate.

  9. Stephanie
    December 13, 2009 / 11:50 pm

    Roxy,No I haven't bought anything this week from Anthro, I need a break 🙁 so I can get back on budget. Only a good sale update will make me shop at Anthro right now. If the tank gets another cut I'll definitely buy it. I don't see anything online about Anthro card, can we only get that in store?

  10. December 13, 2009 / 11:57 pm

    I hear you Stephanie. Same deal here! Details about the anthro card are here. You can sign up for it online. It's basically a purchase tracking card, it's not a credit card. It's the yellow card up at cash registers if you've ever noticed it in-store.

  11. Stephanie
    December 14, 2009 / 12:13 am

    Cool thanks! I just signed up for it 🙂

  12. Anthro Employee
    December 14, 2009 / 4:25 pm

    While you're waiting for your replacement Anthro card, you can always have the associate ringing you up look in the system for your number. We can log your transactions that way as well.

  13. December 14, 2009 / 4:35 pm

    the michael stars tee threw me as well, but i'm rather petite (2-4) and it fits me perfectly. i bought it in grey/white and grey/navy. OBSESSED. you will live in it! and, unlike most of ms's other tees, this one is actually made of a soft cotton without that awful rough texture his tees normally have. go for it!

  14. December 14, 2009 / 7:23 pm

    I just bought the michael stars tees over the weekend! I thought the onesize fits all thing was weird but they fit me perfectly. I'm in the 0-4 range, not exactly petite (5'8) or a skinny rail…I must say they are incredibly comfy!

  15. Athena
    December 14, 2009 / 8:22 pm

    How did I miss seeing the Roads Askew Top? I love it and need it in my wardrobe! It looks great on you. Thanks for all the reviews Roxy! I know it can be very time consuming to try on all the beautiful clothes (but oh so much fun!) and then type it all up in a review – keep up the *awesome* work, you rock!

  16. December 14, 2009 / 11:49 pm

    Ah, thank you Anthro Employee! You're like my guiding light for all things Anthro. I was able to use my card today by lookup, much appreciated. :)Katie and Mrs.LifeAccounts, so interesting to hear that this OSFA tee actually is working on a variety of sizes. I'm liking it more and more.Athena – thank you lady! 🙂 You are too kind.


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