Anthropologie sent us an email about their new outfit set. I can’t lie, my first thought yesterday when I poked through was “bland, bland, bland, bland.” I have been wondering more and more lately if J.Crew went to bed one night and woke up as Anthropologie, and vice versa. Mixing neutrals? A slightly tailored and dare I say preppy vibe to these looks? Has Anthro been drinking the crewlade?
I got over it last night and poked through again. I found elements to like in a bunch of these looks even if overall they strike me as color corrected shots from the 1880s in terms of the palette. One positive thing worth noting is that Anthro slyly chose less expensive items to feature in their outfits. The average total of these outfits is around $500 which is budget-friendly compared to their usual average total. I chose four below to highlight.
I was hoping to see the Wishbone Wedges ($148) on someone so I’m glad they made it to this outfit set. They look really cute! I am not as pleased with the Soft & Slim Pants ($88) which look pretty short. Anthropologie used to be the place I went for my 35″ pants but recently I’ve caught them carrying 33″ inseams and even 30″ inseams — and not for petites. Stock for the talls Anthro!! The Tamara Earrings ($98) look very cool. I am hoping against hope that they’re light.
Also in this outfit:
City Garden Cardigan ($88)
Florid Facade Top ($88)
Midas Braids Belt ($48)
It looks a bit like she’s wearing a fish net as a vest but I love this whole look. It has an easy, casual vibe to it and it’s not totally composed of oatmeal. The vest is actually the Cobweb Vest ($98) worn over Bordeaux’s interesting Stepping-Out Tee ($88). Review of the tee coming up later this week. Once again my eye was drawn to the shoes. I liked the Side-by-Side Flats ($98) until I saw they were peep-toe. What do you think of them?
Also in this outfit:
Coloma Belt ($88)
Well-Timed Bracelet ($42) — love how they stacked two
Pilcro Aristrocrat Low Rise Slim Straight ($98)
This is my favorite outfit in the set. I just love the way Anthro’s stylist has the Foliage Fancy Tee ($58) peeking out of the Hold-The-Lines Jumper ($98). The Fireside Cardigan ($98) is a great way to dress up this outfit just a touch for work. And hey — it’s winter-appropriate! This is how I was taught to do neutrals. Use different tones to fool the eye into thinking the outfit has color. Maybe this whole outfit will be my birthday excursion.
Also in this outfit:
Glinting Bois Necklace ($178)
Marzipan Flats ($118)
This outfit has artist loft written all over it. I love it and yet I hate it because the Faux Pocket Pullover ($118) is going to look ridiculous on me when I try it on. So instead I’ll focus on the pretty jewelry. The Suggestion-of-Magnolias Necklace ($38) is an appealing costume piece and I like how they layered it with the Submerged Necklace ($48). Not sure how I feel about the octopus on the second necklace though.
Also in this outfit:
Advantage Leggings ($84)
Slither & Saunter Oxfords ($129)
I wasn't sure how I felt about the octopus on the Submerged Necklace but I decided to try it when I made my last big sale order since it only added $1 to the shipping cost and I was really in love with every other aspect of the necklace.At first, I was a little taken aback by the size (IRL, the beads are huge – see my review on the Anthro website for photos) but it has actually been growing on me quite a bit. I've received tons of compliments from my co-workers. Most people don't realize that the charm is an octopus until I tell them (from far away, it just looks like an oddly-shaped charm). I agree with you on the neutral-on-neutral theme. So boring!
I've never really been able to pull off all neutrals, so it was interesting to see what Anthro put together. I love that you picked two of my favorites from this email – the 'Toffee & Olive' is great (I was on the fence about the City Garden Cardigan until I saw it styled), but I agree that the trousers are too short. I'll be super jealous if you go with the 'Coffee & Cream'. It's weird – I don't really like any of the pieces on their own, but together it makes such a stellar outfit. I love that you can see the detail of the tee and how different the cardi looks un-tied.
I also love the Coffee and Cream. I didn't think each of the piece on their own is great, but layered together, they're spectacular! I've already added all the items to my my wishlist.
Ack, I love all of these outfits. Anthro is killing me.The model is so pretty. Her hair and makeup work nicely with the neutrals.
Haha, I am perfectly certain how I feel about that octopus. I LOVE IT. I thought the outfits were kind of blah, too, but I can't stop thinking about that one with the freaking LEGGINGS. WHY, brain? WHY?
I'm loving the City Garden cardigan so much, especially with the belt that they used. I'm also into the Marzipan flats… have you seen them IRL yet, Roxy? I'm curious to know if they're TTS, and what they're like. They look pretty amazing online.
Lola, great commentary on the Submerged Necklace. I think Anthro is carrying several necklaces by the same wholesale design house and they're all beautiful.EliseB & Tien — that is exactly how I felt! I probably never would have considered any of those items on their own besides the Fireside Cardigan but now I must have every single component. :)Shannon I agree. I have seen her in recent White House Black Market stuff where she looks amazing as well. I miss the curvy models Anthro was using for a bit there though.LOL Maria. Because it looks so easy and comfortable? Carly I haven't but I will be looking for them now for sure.
I agree the neutral email so dull…
Good point, Roxy. What did happen to the curvier models? I feel like the past year has been all skinny models (with the exception of the August "photos featuring real people" catalog). I'm sick of wishing for a breast reduction every time I'm in an Anthro dressing room 🙁
The City Cardigan is the only one that caught my eye. Neutrals just don't work for me, I am too pale. I think these outfits would look fabulous on a person with dark hair and perhaps a darker skin tone. They will wash most people out. I can only do neutrals if I have something in my outfit that pops with color.
This is off topic to this post but I just remembered you trying on an Anthro top like you named the "Bold Boutinierre Top"..white flower with plaid bottom half? I wonder why its still not online or in stores..
I saw the Marzipan Flats today and they're not at all as washed out as the photos shown. It's like cracked glazed ceramics with painted pastel flowers floating on them. Very cute! I didn't get a chance to try it on.
i have to disagree with you. i think the neutrals are great and i absolutely love (love!) all the outfits they picked. they're very classy and romantic. the submerged necklace is pretty, but i think it's just way too large. i bought the micanopy necklace instead (it's much smaller, less overbearing).the side by side shoes look different on the model than they do in the item description so i don't know how i feel about them. on the model the toe seems to be more open (almost like a sandal) but in the other picture they look much more narrow. if you see them in person please let us know what you think of them!
OT, but Roxy do you have any ideas for styling the sprinkled chiffon blouse besides with jeans? Thanks!
You guys are crazy, neutrals rock! They never go out of style (Roxy I love your comment about the 1880s, I love the aesthetic of that time!)I like neutrals because they always look vintage and classic to me, whereas I associate many colors and patterns with more passing trends. And those things can always be paired with your neutrals, of course! But I think neutrals give an air of quality and class. And the styles and designs of the pieces are still much more unique and creative than j crew. Anthro neutral outfits = 100% win
I'm typically more of a colorful girl but I'm loving the outfits put together for this email blitz…I'm now interested in the black jumper that I had previously passed over as blah.
OMG but what about the gorgeous whippet in the Coffee & Cream outfit? Looks like Anthro's doggy devotion is going on strong. Love that outfit and can totally picture myself wearing it while walking my 2 whippets! BTW, I love your blog and appreciate all the work you put into it!