(Note from roxy: Please welcome the brilliant Small Town Fashionista for today’s guest reviews set! I was inspired to order the Limited dress she features in this post.)
When Roxy sent out a request for guest blogs to post during her vacation, I jumped at the chance to post something on such a well-known and loved blog! This was the first fashion blog I read and one of many that inspired me to start my own blog. It thrills me to be able to give something back for all the inspiration and advice I receive from here. Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of people asking about work-appropriate outfits from Anthropologie. So, I decided to make the 2 hour trek from my small town to my nearest Anthropologie to try on some things that I consider work-appropriate. I tried on a lot of things I normally wouldn’t try on, but it was really fun, and I walked away with a top I adore!
It was pretty easy to find work-appropriate dresses. The first one I tried on was the Tiny Windows Dress ($118) in lavender. I tried my usual size 8. It fit good everywhere except the bust area. The buttons pulled the slightest bit across my chest, so I think I would need to size up to a 10 in this. It comes with its own little belt that is the same fabric as the dress, but I added the Mosaic Beaded Belt ($28) to break up the monotony.
The second dress I tried was the Vappu Dress ($98) in yellow. This dress fit true to size on me. You would definitely need to wear a cardigan with this dress to make it work-appropriate, so I paired it with the Percussive Cardigan ($78) in brown. I sized down to a small in this cardigan. I think this would look great with some flats, for an easy, laid-back work look.
Next, I tried the Beda Dress ($118) in green. The only size left in my store was a 10. It was a little big on me, so I think an 8 would fit better which would make this dress true to size. I love the vibrant green color, and the length is perfect for work. I see this looking great with a long, pretty necklace and the Looping Lanes Belt ($44).
The last of the dresses I tried was the Vagabond Dress ($138) in blue. I tried this dress in a medium, and it fit me the best of all the ones I tried on. It was so comfortable, but work-appropriate at the same time. I would have brought this home with me, but it looked too similar to a dress I just got from The Limited called the Floral Flounce Dress (now $49). This dress is $138 and The Limited one was $50, so I’m glad I saw The Limited dress before this one – big price difference!
For the next round of outfits, I tried on separates. First up, was the Present Yourself Jacket ($118) paired with the Mossy Atoms Skirt ($148). I loved the fun vibe of this outfit. Both pieces fit true to size. If I could have afforded it, I would have brought this outfit home with me.
Next up, was the Marietta Blouse ($88) with the Diamond Dust Cardigan ($88) and the Lieutenant Trousers ($88). This is definitely something I would never usually try on, but it looked like a really professional work outfit, so I went for it. I sized down to a 6 in the blouse, but stayed true to size in the cardigan and trousers. It’s not really my style, but I thought it was cute and very work-appropriate.
Next, was the Breeze Along Cami ($78) with the Orion’s Belt Trousers ($98) and a pretty cardigan from Sparrow that I can’t find the name of online. Again, this is not something I would usually try on, but I really liked it! I felt so cool and comfortable in it. All of these items were true to size. The pants fit awesome except they were way too long, so I would need them hemmed.
Lastly, I tried on the Ancient Pathways Tank ($78) and the Sealed Envelope Widelegs ($88). Both items fit true to size. I loved this outfit! The pants fit great and were not too long! I think this would be great for a casual Friday.
So, I told you I ended up buying a top I adore. Well, it wasn’t any of the tops above. I saw the Lacey Lanes Tank ($88) and it was love at first sight! I sized down to a small, and it fit like it was made for me! I was so excited, I forgot to take a picture of it! I’ll try to take a picture sometime this week and post it on my blog. I really hope you saw something in one of these outfits that gave you some ideas for your work wardrobe.
Great post. I'm featuring the Marietta and Pathways shirts on a work styling guest post soon too! It seems great minds think alike.
Great job with the post and creating the outfits. They are all super cute and work appropriate. I really like the way you paired the Tiny Windows Dress with the Mosaic Beaded Belt, super cute.
Loved your choices. There are many work appropriate separates that you can put together depending on your work environment. Question for you: seems like we are about the same size and I was wondering what size did you take in the Orion trousers? How did they fit? I have a booty and legs aren't thin, so I usually have a problem with Anthro pants with a few exceptions.Loved the outfit with the Mossy Atoms Skirt.
I saw that nameless Sparrow cardi at my Anthro too and thought it was adorable. Great looks!
Great reviews! I loved the pants-based outfits you pulled! I've never bought pants from Anthro before, but maybe I need to think about it. =)
Elz: Thanks! The Marietta is not something I would usually try on, but I really liked it! On the other hand, the Pathways top is something I've been wanting to try. I will probably get it come sale time!Mal: Thanks! I'm going to order this outfit next week after I get paid ;-). I think it is a good price for a whole outfit and super cute!Bronzi: I loved these pants! I'm 5'5" 135 pounds, and I usually take a size 8 in pants. The size 8 fit great! I have the same problem with Anthro pants not fitting me great in the butt area. I hardly ever find a pair of pants at Anthro that fit me good, but these pants are a really loose, relaxed fit so they looked great! They were very long on me, though. I would need to wear very tall heels or get them hemmed.Sara: Thanks! I liked it too! I don't why it doesn't have a name!Carol: Thanks! I hardly ever buy pants from Anthro either! It was really weird for me to try on so many pants there. I have to say, though, I really liked the ones I featured in this post! The Orion's Belt trousers were my fav!
Great post. this is the first time i've commented. Been reading EA blog for a bit now. What a wonderful post. I love all of your outfits! Sarah Kate
love the outfits with the percussive cardigan (love that color combo!) and the breeze along cami (that cardigan is super!). will have to try on the marietta blouse…didn't notice it before, but i like the way it looks!
Thanks for the great reviews! The Tiny Windows dress & Beda dress are so very pretty on you. I like how you paired the mosaic bead belt with the TW dress.
Sarah Kate: I'm very flattered! Thank you!Shares: Thanks! The Marietta blouse is great! I took a size smaller than normal, so you might want to size down.Athena: I wish I could take credit for the belt and dress pairing, but it was styled like that on the manequinn. It was the first thing I saw when I walked into the store. I love it so much that I'm going to order the belt and dress at the end of this week!
Great Post…so many cute work-appropriate outfits. You have inspired me. And, I will make sure to read your blog. Thanks again.Silvia
so is the "nameless cardi" not sold online?! i LOVE it!!!
Silvia: Thanks! I'm so thrilled I inspired you!Anon: I could not find this cardigan online. They had plenty at the Durham, NC store. So, if you really want it, you could give them a call and they would ship it to you.
I'm amazed that you were able to size down in the Percussive cardi — I actually had to size up! (Didn't wind up keeping it, alas.)