Guest post: Reviews by Robin

Hi Ladies! I am so excited to be guest posting for Roxy, and I got some great reviews from my trip to Anthro this morning. A little about me: I live in San Diego, and I visit the Carlsbad Anthro the most. I write a blog called California Dreams, where I like to play around and take pictures of my outfits of the day. I can wear from a size 10 to a size 14 at Anthropologie, depending on the cut and style. I would say my real size is size 12, but I have me some child-bearing hips and a ghetto booty that make me size up in bottoms! My measurements are 36(small C)-33-43. I teach middle school, so I need to make sure my clothes aren’t too cleavage-y (which isn’t that much of a problem, as I don’t have much cleavage) and too short (which can be a problem, as I am 5’9).

So this morning I headed to Anthropologie and tried on the following items.

First up is the Camilla Dress ($138) by Edme and Esyllte. I had seen this on Jacquelyn on Musings By Jacquelyn and thought she looked fabulous in it, so I had to try it. This is a Large.

Well, let me tell you, I thought this dress was fabulous as well! I really, really, REALLY, wanted to buy it, but I just can’t afford a $140 dress right now. We teachers aren’t rolling in the dough, as I’m sure you’re aware. The material wasn’t wrinkled at all, and it’s a nice, light cotton. There was a little extra room in the bust, and I could probably rock the medium, but I think it fit so well in the hip/butt area, that I wouldn’t want to size down. Perfect dress. I’m in Luuurve.

The next item up for discussion is the Homestead Denim Skirt ($88) by Level 99. I saw this on the website and thought it was cute and different- a denim skirt that is shaped like a non-denim skirt, if that makes sense. I bought the Omnipresent skirt recently (also by Level 99), and I wear it ALL the damn time! Literally. So, I saw this in my store and picked it up.

This is a size 31. I usually wear a 32 in denim (if THAT even fits), but there was no 32 and there is elastic around the waist, so I tried it. It was toooough getting it up past what my momma gave me, but once I got the skirt to my waist, it fit perfectly and there was even room to spare. I’m sure you could size down in this skirt if you don’t have junk in the trunk. The skirt is made with a light denim, and it’s really very cute. Too short on me, especially for full price, but I’d probably buy this around sale time if I could find a 32. Very comfortable and great for casual weekends.

With the Homestead Skirt, I tried the Chantico Tank ($88) by Bailey 44. I know this has been out for a while, but I wanted to try it in the green. I have hazel eyes, so green shirts are very complementary. This is the Large.

While I liked this shirt, I was not blown away. It is very pretty and comfortable, but I would definitely not pay $88 for it. Especially if I have to dry clean it (which I wouldn’t anyway, I think hand washing and gentle cycles are perfectly fine for most dry clean items. Especially if it’s made of Rayon, like this tank.) The material is stretchy and flowy and it’s really pretty, but the price makes it a no-go for now. Roxy reviewed this top here.

I liked the Scribbled Bouquet Cardigan ($98) by Karen Nicol since I saw it arrive on the website, so I tried it on in a Large.

I don’t button my cardigans, so I didn’t here. I also pushed the sleeves up a little bit (by habit). I would say it fits true to size. I think it’s really cute. It’s soft and pretty and I love the design. Maybe at sale time. I’m not a big cardigan buyer.

The Laurenti Circle Skirt ($98) by Edme and Esyllte is gorgeous. I picked up the 12, because usually A-line skirts are fine in a lower size and because there was no 14 on the rack.

This skirt fits waaaay up on your natural waist. It is all cotton with a cotton lining, and again, pulling this up past my butt was a tiny bit of a feat. If I were going to buy this skirt, I’d get the 14 for a looser fit at the waist. I really liked the skirt; the material is a nice, soft cotton and it’s exactly the style of skirt I love to wear. It looks great with wedges. Really cute reptile print, and you can never go wrong with classic black and white. I would buy this when it hits sale.


I LOVE this next dress, the Phosphorescent Dress ($138) by Edme and Esyllte (I realize I must really like Edme and Esyllte). It is gorgeous in person, and I tried a 12 because it was all they had.

In the hips, a little snug, but loose in the bust. I wouldn’t size up because I’d be swimming in the bust if I did, but I think with a nice, strapless push-up bra, it would make a difference. Comfortable material, and I LOVE the elastic in the back. It makes the dress extremely comfortable and helps the dress zip up nicely. Love it, love it, love it. I’d buy it at sale time for sure. I don’t know where I’d wear it, though!


The Shifting Feathers Dress ($98) by C. Keer (here in a Large) is soooo comfortable. I felt like I was wearing pajamas.

I think it runs pretty large. It felt big on me and it looks a little big in the pics. I could have probably taken the medium. Again, very comfortable and cute. Looks more grey in real life, though. It’s on my wishlist, and I’ll debate it when it hits sale. The price point would have the dress at a nice sale price.

Tulips are my favorite flowers, so I wanted to try on the Transposed Tulips Blouse ($98) by Odille, here in a 12.

This top is silk, and the 12 fit perfectly. I really liked this top, and it has cute little raspberry-looking plastic buttons at the nape of the neck to close. I thought it was very pretty. Very light and sheer (but not see-through at all), and would look nice with both denim and skirts. Too expensive at full price, but will probably snatch it up during sale time. True to size.


The last item I tried on was the Sprinkled Shells Tank (now $50) by Deletta in a Large.

This top is great. It has a fitted lining underneath, so even though there are holes all over the top, you can’t see through. The material is soft and feels well-made, and it’s a hand wash top, so that’s a plus (as opposed to dry-cleaning). I liked it so much, I bought it! I plan to wear it on the weekends or to the beach. I love the shells on the collar. I probably could have sized down to a medium, but I prefer a looser fit to my tops. Roxy reviewed this top here.


I also tried on the Cooling Magma Dress (now $130) in a 12, but it was definitely too small, and I didn’t even attempt to try it on all the way. I do remember reading that it runs small. Yes.

I’ll leave you with my outfit of the day, as it is mostly Anthropologie. I’m wearing the Night Skating Top, which is the first Anthropologie item I ever bought (back in January). The skirt is my favorite denim skirt, my Omnipresent skirt that I bought during the sale a few weeks ago. Shoes are Target.


Thanks to Roxy for letting me do some reviews on her blog, and thanks to you all for reading- again, you can find me on California Dreams!

29 Comments

  1. June 9, 2010 / 5:57 pm

    Yay!!! So happy to see more anthro reviewers who are not a size 4 and under. Thanks for the reviews and I am bookmarking your blog for sure!

  2. June 9, 2010 / 5:59 pm

    Thank you for the super helpful reviews! You look lovely! It's wonderful to see what the clothes look like on someone with a similar body type to me. Thanks again!

  3. Anonymous
    June 9, 2010 / 6:00 pm

    I tried the Chantico tank in green also, and I had the same response to it that you did. I was much more impressed by it in the picture than I was IRL. Comfortable and pretty, yes, and I might consider it if it goes to sale, but it just wasn't as special as I wanted it to be.The Laurenti skirt looks amazing on you! I hadn't even considered it before, and now it's on my wishlist because your pictures are so great :).

  4. June 9, 2010 / 6:03 pm

    The Camilla Dress is just lovely on you, as is the Laurenti Skirt. You have to pick them up on sale!

  5. June 9, 2010 / 6:15 pm

    I'm confused, I thought the big "bi-annual" sale at Anthropologie was the sale the week before last, but someone said it is coming later this month? Does anyone have a clue?

  6. June 9, 2010 / 6:22 pm

    Robin! great reviews! I also have the junk in the trunk challenge and can never seem to find pants with a high enough rise at anthro. But your reviews on the skirts and top were fabu… Hope to see you reveiwing again… I'll check out your blog!

  7. June 9, 2010 / 6:25 pm

    I am also so happy to have you review clothes for my size! I will be subscribing to your blog for sure. I have a hard time finding pants at Anthro too 🙁 So far only Elevenses and the lounge stuff fit right.

  8. June 9, 2010 / 6:26 pm

    First time commenting on here. I had to because I was so happy to see someone who isn't itty bitty looking so great in Anthro! The reviews were super helpful (as Roxie's always are) and I really liked how much detail you gave regarding the fits on your different body areas. We don't have Anthro in Vancouver yet so I have to rely on reviews before I order and pay the dreaded shipping, exchange and duty/taxes which add about another third on top of posted US prices.Will definitely bookmark your blog, Robin!

  9. June 9, 2010 / 6:33 pm

    yay for another blogger in my size range! I love your reviews – you crack me up. Count me in as a new follower on your blog!

  10. June 9, 2010 / 6:44 pm

    I think I need the shifting feather dress now!!! Great guest post!

  11. June 9, 2010 / 7:03 pm

    Robin: Nice to see your twist on things. I loved the Chantico top and broke down and bought it in the black. Made my 34B's look great. I am now dying for the shifting feather dress. My Anthro doesn't have it yet (or didn't on Saturday) and the regular price point isn't bad for a summer dress.It is nice to see someone who has hips/booty and has issues with pants at Anthro. You should try on the Watertight Crops. I sized up to a 10 and they looked great and fit my thighs and booty. Also the Nautical Trouser jeans by Daughters of the Liberation that are no longer online, but I've seen in the stores are fabulous as well for those with booty's. Both pairs of pants are $88. Try them to see if they work for you.Finally, the Camilla dress looked great on you!

  12. June 9, 2010 / 7:05 pm

    I love the shifting feathers dress and now I so want it!

  13. June 9, 2010 / 7:19 pm

    Thank you all! Ill post more when I get home from work! You ladies are SO sweet!

  14. June 9, 2010 / 7:21 pm

    And thank u to all my new followers!

  15. June 9, 2010 / 7:32 pm

    Thanks for the shout out, Robin! I love the Camilla Dress on you. I am so picky about my clothes and try on so many and return about 90%, but this dress I fell in love with. I think it looks great on you!

  16. June 9, 2010 / 8:20 pm

    Thank you for the wonderful reviews, Robin! The Shifting Feathers Dress looks fab on you! I am now a follower on your blog…thanks again!

  17. June 9, 2010 / 9:34 pm

    Love the tulip blouse on you!

  18. LoLLieBean
    June 9, 2010 / 11:29 pm

    I agree with the others! SOOO Glad to see a real person in these clothes. You've helped me decide on a couple outfits that would fit my body type!! Thanks 🙂

  19. June 9, 2010 / 11:53 pm

    YAY ROBIN!!! I'm so glad you did this because I've been wondering about several of these items and since you and I are shaped similarly…THIS HELPED!!!

  20. June 10, 2010 / 12:06 am

    Great reviews Robin–thanks! I just bought that Omnipresent Skirt also and really like it. I have tried the Chantico Tank twice and thought I would love it (which is why I tried it the second time) but something is just off. For me the seam that runs across the bust manages to make my 36Cs look flat from the side. Odd. Did anyone else have that problem?

  21. June 10, 2010 / 1:43 am

    The Camilla Dress is so perfect on you! And thank you so much for reviewing the Homestead Denim Skirt – I have been dying to see that on someone!

  22. June 10, 2010 / 1:47 am

    Love the Laurenti Circle Skirt on you, it looks fabulous!

  23. June 10, 2010 / 4:24 am

    The Homestead skirt and Chantico Tank look really really good on you! $88 is a lot if you don't love it, but promise you will buy it if and when it goes on sale!

  24. Anonymous
    June 10, 2010 / 4:52 am

    woo hoo for the thick girls! thanks for being a NORMAL size. It seems like all the bloggers are size 6 and under. It can be a bit annoying when trying to figure out if something will look good on a curvier figure. because EVERYTHING looks good when you're a size 0!You rock!

  25. June 10, 2010 / 5:08 am

    You girls are seriously so sweet. It's so nice to hear support for the thick girls! I didn't expect such a warm response- thank you!!!

  26. June 10, 2010 / 6:01 am

    I'm the same size you are; very helpful!

  27. June 10, 2010 / 7:26 am

    Ooh, now I want the Camilla Dress even more. It looks gorgeous on you, Robin!

  28. June 10, 2010 / 7:51 am

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

  29. June 11, 2010 / 1:18 am

    Great reviews! I especially love the Camilla Dress on you. P.S. Just recently became a follower of your blog too!


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