Guest post: Reviews by Lauren


Guest reviews are back! Today please welcome Lauren. She was kind enough to review a recent Anthropologie order for our consuming pleasure. As always, thanks so much to the volunteer authors and to the community for the positive feedback. Take it away, Lauren!

I don’t have an Anthropologie near my house (the torture), so whenever I order something I make it a large order (the shipping is going to be outrageous whether I order one item or 5). This order was all about shirts for me (with one dress thrown in), as cute tops are something I’m really missing in my closet. To give you an idea of my size, I’m 5’7″, a small 34B, and I typically wear a 2 or 4 on top and a 4 on bottom.


First up is the Free Flow Tank ($78) by Bordeaux (ordered a small). To tell you the truth, I’m still a little undecided on this one. I’m not sure if it’s cute on me or not! I love the color and the material (so nice and silky) but I’m a bit put off by the fact that the ruffles don’t go all the way around. I think my main issue is that I feel it might make me look a bit bigger than I am – something about the way the top ruffle falls on me.


Fei’s Hidden Hue Blouse ($128) was an absolute fail on me (ordered a 4). The color is way to light for my fair skin, the length was too short (I have a loooooong torso) and the scattered translucent sequins made the top feel a little bit like I had dug it out of a “dress-up” box. The thing that bothered me the most was that the pop of blue you see in the shoulders of the shirt are actually shoulder pads. The only positives were the cut of the blouse (which I thought would be flattering on someone with a shorter torso) and the zipper goes all the way down the back (fun detail).


RicRac’s Tutu Tank ($68) is a seriously cute top, but it just didn’t work for me (ordered a small). The pale pink washed me out (I don’t need help looking like a zombie, my 8 month old helps me with that) and I think the look was just a little more “cutesy” than I’m used to. It is a nicely made top though and the fit was definitely true-to-size.


RicRac’s Claudine tee ($48) is beautiful in person. I think the top is reasonably priced for something at Anthropologie but my main quibble was with the sheerness factor. The color is once again too pale for me (why did I order so many pale things???) but I think the detailing on the shirt is absolutely beautiful. I’ll be exchanging this one for a different color.


Last but not least, Floreat’s Sun Dot Dress ($148) – size 4. Sigh. I don’t know what to think of this dress. I think it looks fine on me from the front (maybe even somewhat cute?) but I’m still a little undecided on the back view. I don’t think it poofs out terribly, but I can see what all the reviewers are saying on the website. The 4 was a little loose in the bust for me (the back has a stretchy panel) but I think the hips would be too tight if I sized down. The straps didn’t really work for me because they pulled the bust strangely but I’m thinking this dress might have a hard time staying up without the straps. I’m still undecided on this one….(maybe a seamstress could take in the top a little for me??)

21 Comments

  1. February 4, 2010 / 1:11 pm

    I had all the same issues with these tops. I like the sun dot dress on you though!

  2. February 4, 2010 / 1:15 pm

    I like the Sun Dot Dress on you too. I think the Claudine tee in a different color will be great. I tend to have problems with light colors washing me out bc of my pale skin and red hair, so I know how hard it can be when you see a pretty taupe color but then find you can't wear it!

  3. February 4, 2010 / 1:17 pm

    Oh, and with the Free Flow tank, I found that I actually LIKE that the ruffles don't go all the way around. I've worn it with a cardi and jacket and think that it would be too poofy with layers in the back. Something to think about 🙂 Otherwise, I liked it on you!OT-I'm laughing to myself bc my word verification is "cougr"!!!!

  4. February 4, 2010 / 1:22 pm

    I was ready to defend the Hidden Hue Blouse on you until I read "shoulder pads." OMG, no. The Claudine Tee looks fantastic on you though, glad to hear that another color will work for you. Thanks for the post!

  5. Anna
    February 4, 2010 / 1:30 pm

    I like the Sun Dot Dress on you. I hope you will be able to make it work. I am very pale too and I got the Claudine tee in navy and it looks very cute on and much less sheer.

  6. February 4, 2010 / 2:10 pm

    Lauren-I think you'd like the Free Flow Tank more if you went down a size. The small just looks too big on you. I bought the small, then exchanged for an XS, and the ruffles lay WAY better, don't stick out as much. I LOVE this tank, and think you should give it another go in a smaller size! Thanks for sharing with us!

  7. Anonymous
    February 4, 2010 / 2:19 pm

    I love the Claudine tee on you. The trick is to layer something pale under a brighter color. I'm super pale too, and wore my ivory Clauding tee under a mustard v-neck sweater which helped balance out the paleness.-CoteKing

  8. February 4, 2010 / 2:29 pm

    I like the dress on you! Looks cute I think!

  9. February 4, 2010 / 3:14 pm

    I think a Claudine Tee in Navy or Orange would look great with Lauren's skin tone-and I think the only issue with the sun dot dress is she actually needs to size down one size-then it would be perfect!

  10. Anonymous
    February 4, 2010 / 3:29 pm

    The Sun Dot Dress looks very ice on you. Cindy

  11. Anonymous
    February 4, 2010 / 3:30 pm

    Sorry, the Sun Dot Dress looks very nice NICE on you.Cindy

  12. February 4, 2010 / 3:43 pm

    Thanks everyone for all of the positive comments! I think I might take Molly's suggestion and exchange the Free Flow tank for an XS (even though my husband says I look like a "cupcake" in the top) and I'm going to see what my tailor says about the Sun dot dress (I'm liking it more and more). I'm hesitant to exchange the 4 for a 2 in the dress because I think it would pull way too much across the hips. Thanks again, everyone!!

  13. February 4, 2010 / 4:00 pm

    Lauren I really like that dress on you! Keep it!

  14. February 4, 2010 / 4:50 pm

    Lauren, the sun dot dress looks amazing on you! I think you will look awesome in any bright color. I think the lighter colors you chose for the other tees just washed you out. Thank you for the reviews!

  15. February 4, 2010 / 5:52 pm

    Lauren, I think the dress looks great on you! If you are going to be doing some exchanges, maybe try the new Melillia Bud Tee which is a nice bright green!

  16. Glenda
    February 4, 2010 / 6:00 pm

    I think the sun dot dress looks great on you, and your tailor can adjust the straps to your liking, I'm sure. I agree with Coteking, that the key to wearing pale colors with your complexion is pairing them with brighter hues. Have you considered jewel tones? You have such dramatic coloring with your dark hair and fair skin that I bet you'd look amazing in deep gem tones (emerald, sapphire, purple) as well as navy and red. Like that sun dot dress! Just a suggestion–I tend to be obsessed with color… Thanks for the reviews!

  17. February 4, 2010 / 7:03 pm

    The Sun Dot Dress is amazing on you. Maybe your tailor can put some darts in the back to help with the puffiness. It's easily my favorite piece on you.

  18. February 4, 2010 / 7:21 pm

    I was one of the reviewers who complained about the fit of the Sun Dots Dress on the Anthro website, but I don't think that it looks bad on you at all (on me there were these bulging pockets of extra fabric – horrible!).

  19. Fiona
    February 4, 2010 / 8:24 pm

    I love the Free Flow tank and the Tutu tank on you! But I am staunchly pro-cupcake so…The Sun Dot dress is gorgeous on you! I don't think the back poofs out too much. If you can get the bust altered, you should definitely keep it. I love how the dark navy compliments your skin tone. I agree with the other commenter who said that bright/bold colours compliment you. I am pale like a ghost and I have the same problem of pale colours washing me out or worse– making me look naked. It's a shame, because I love pale ballerina pink and faded pastels.

  20. Anonymous
    February 6, 2010 / 8:34 am

    lauren, the dress looks amazing on you! i would alter it for you, if it meant you'd keep it. the fit is great, and the color is wonderful!

  21. February 6, 2010 / 12:40 pm

    Great review – these are all pieces I've been interested in, so thanks!!


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