A couple of community members emailed me over the weekend asking about a peacock skirt, and I can only guess that this Floreat skirt is what they meant. For the record I think it looks more like a pheasant, a grouse or a quail. Might I suggest a whimsical Alice in Wonderland-esque name to keep with the rest of the fall collection? The Presently We’re Pheasantly Skirt or something like that? This one isn’t on the website yet. It’s $158 and it’s made of a midweight brown tweed. Update 8/25: It’s now online and it’s called the In the Trees Skirt.
The design on the skirt is beautiful, and there’s a lone ruffle on one side that lends an extra air of elegance. I tried on a 10 and it fit perfectly. Though after lunch I might be wishing for a 12. It’s accessible via a rear zip. It felt wonderful on. The interior lining is a pretty teal cotton and even with the heat it breathed nicely. I can see pairing this one with a beautiful silk button-down and either a dark red cardigan or perhaps a peplum blazer. It was selling quite quickly at Rockefeller Center but I am just not ready to spend $158 on a skirt at the moment. This one will be insta-wishlisted as soon as it appears on the website.
The Heritage Estate Blouse ($98) is made by an unfamiliar label (I didn’t recognize the logo). It’s got a rayon button made of pink with little pin dots and a delicate crocheted top. I was eager to try it as a work possibility. Unsure of the sizing I grabbed an 8 to be safe. It was pretty roomy — my usual size 6 would have been fine. I tried this top on both forward (left two shots) and backwards (third shot from left). Either way worked fine and I like the option of having the keyhole up front. Still I can’t help but think that the shirt felt a bit cheap for $98. The bottom rayon just was not giving me the impression of luxury I want in my work wardrobe. So this top will have to wait until sale for further evaluation.
I tried the top on with Leifsdottir’s Paseo Ruffled Skirt ($448) which Anthropologie has hysterically labeled as being 22 inches long. You can imagine my surprise when I zipped it up and found much more thigh than I was expecting in the mirror. It’s actually 16.5 inches long. I sized up to a 12 in this skirt, which is two sizes above normal for me but what I always seem to wear in Leifsdottir skirts. I have hips and thighs and this brand is cut for neither.
I have a confession — I love leather skirts. I’m pretty excited about the leather skirt and shorts trend for this fall. I know it’s ridiculous. I’m going to chalk it up to my equestrienne background. This skirt is incredibly well made. The little scallop trim on each tier is downright confectionery. It certainly feels like high-quality leather. The price though is much more than I can afford. I did take the plunge on another leather skirt from the brand though, the Rosewood Leather Skirt which I ordered from Leifsdottir’s website. So I will pass on the Paseo.
On the rack next to the Paseo was the Plumada Blouse ($228), also by Leifsdottir. It paired quite well with the skirt, I must say! I tried on my usual size 6. Thechiffon top’s pattern is a mixture of feathers and plumes. The purple seems to stand out the most to me. The sleeves, which are designed to sit right at the elbow, have an impressive plume of their own. The sleeve was very tight around my arm. Not quite uncomfortable but a bit of a challenge to pull on.
I liked this blouse a lot. Again this felt like a higher quality piece. The scoop neckline is just as I like it — low enough to wear a statement necklace but high enough to make it OK for work. But again with the price. For something made in China I don’t quite see this as a $228 piece. So it’s another piece that’s destined to be on my sale list. Wishlisted!
Trying for a complete look, I decided to see how Guinevere’s Arbor Vines Sweater Jacket ($128) would look over the blouse and skirt. Not too bad by my estimation. This is a medium in the grey. The piece is made of boiled wool, but it’s not as heavy as the Gumshoe Sweater Coat for example. This one could transition indoors or out nicely in the fall. I like the leaves lining the front placket, which closes via large snaps. In the back a bigger leaf cluster reveals a reverse kick pleat.
For me, this coat isn’t quite cut right. I appreciate that it tailors in at the waist. Unfortunately that happens about two inches above my natural waist so the coat sat floating above my hips oddly. It just isn’t quite right. If only they made a “tall” version of this coat! I’d be there in an instant. Instead it sadly went back to the rack.
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