Catalogue shots often tempt me into loving an item. Usually that love is well-deserved for a beautiful item. Sometimes though temptation gives way to frustration when an item doesn’t work for me the way it did in the catalogue.
Such was the case with Odille’s Bianka Blouse ($68). This item is selling very well so clearly this is a personal hang up, but I just could not get this top to work on me. My usual size 6 was a good fit but wasn’t impressing me. It’s the collar — I could not get it to stand up the way I wanted and it felt confining in it’s floppy position. Then there is the ruffled sleeve which was a bit more voluminous than I wanted. Oddly, the shirt is rayon but is dry clean only. The print is really beautiful. I think on sale I’d buy this, put on my seamstress hat and edit this top by taking off the ruffle at the end of the sleeve and changing the collar. For now, it was back to the rack.
How darling is the Season’s Way Tee ($68)? Three little lace bows affixed by little white flowers adorn this tee. A widening stripe runs down the center. The panel reminds me of the racing stripe you’d see on a classic car. It has the pleasant effect of minimizing the hips by tricking the eye. No complaints here! I tried on a medium which would be fine over leggings or a sleek skirt but was too tight over my denim one. The possibilities for this cotton tee are endless. Still, I can wait. Wishlisted for sale.
The details are a bit hard to make out I admit. So you’ll just have to trust me when I say that this is Deletta’s Showpiece Tee ($58), a modal/pima mix that’s top-heavy on the details. From the bust up we have: an enclave of rosettes; a tier or two of ruffles and a cowlneck. It sounds like too much but it all worked rather well together. I grabbed a small as that is my size more than half the time in Deletta and it was a close but good fit. I do not like the sleeves on this top as they make my shoulders look huge and emphasize my chest more than I want. But I like the look of it and would encourage you to give it a try. Pass for me.
The To A Point Top ($78) from one.september is named perfectly. It’s great — to a point. I tried on a medium which is my usual size. I love the lace which overlays all but the center of the top and the hemline. But everything else about this top wasn’t working for me. Too short? Check. Boxy, weird shape? Check. Odd sleeve length? Check. Back to the rack? Check.
Floreat continues to delight! This is the Raining, Pouring Blouse ($98) which has little hats and umbrellas blown askew all over it. Swoon! I grabbed a 6 which is my normal size (though I often take an 8 in Floreat). While the top was a bit loose and flowy the hem barely cleared my hips. The 6 worked but just. I am completely enamored by this top and would pair it with the Aylesbury Corduroys ($88) if only they had a longer inseam. The top is a light and slightly sheer silk — it will be fine unless you wear something dark underneath. Wishlisted!
Deletta’s Wild Bunch Tank ($98) starts with a dark grey base layer and adds a dash of floral and sparkle on top. Not gonna lie — I love the gold sequins crawling down this tank. I tried a small which was pretty close around my hips so I’d buy in a medium. The cowl kept things modest but I hated how it terminated right over my chest. It emphasizes the wrong things. I hope the medium falls a bit better. Wishlisted for sale pending the results with a medium.
I thought McGinn’s Count the Petals Tank ($68) looked pretty silly online but in real life the rich wine color turned my dismissive hands into grabby ones. Into the fitting room I went with a medium in-hand, and once I got it on I couldn’t help but fall in love. The big flower was a little floppy (easily fixable with just a quick starch spray) and while I don’t think I’d wear this top on its own I love the idea of layering it under something. That red just cannot be denied. I was thrilled that this top is not sheer but less than thrilled by the inorganic materials it’s made from. Wishlisted; waiting for sale.
Tiny’s Embroidered Daphne Top ($88) appealed to me as weekend wear. Through it on over a pair of jeans and I hoped I’d be out the door. Sadly, not so much. My usual size medium was loose but wonky. Too short in the front and too long in the back. This is an intentional design feature and I don’t like it. I love the pattern on the front of this top and the button-up sleeves. But I felt sloppy in this top and that’s never a good thing. Back to the rack.
