Reviews: Hip Cinched Blouse, Oblique Pointelle Pullover, Bolshoi Cardigan, Ruffled Shell, Slung Sash Tee, Twin Tiered Top

Let’s review, shall we?
Hip Cinched Blouse (now $50) by Maeve, size up
style # 21375035, gold (070) or green motif (038)
★☆☆☆☆

When even the models have difficulty wearing a top you know you’re in for a grand ol’ time in the fitting room. The Hip Cinched Blouse (now $50) sounds like a great idea: take a large cowlneck and add some ruching detail down one side to create a top that is both flowy and fitted. On the mannequin shot online this top looks OK (if oversized). In real life? Miserable.

I’m disappointed, mostly because both colors of this top are wonderful and the polka dots are perfect. It’s made from a mediocre silk that was already showing pills. The fit of this Maeve top is way off. I sized up to a 10 for these shots which left the top portion a bit big but still didn’t provide enough room at the bottom. Now as we know my hips are my widest part so this top wasn’t exactly designed for me anyway. But I’ve yet to see a single rave for this one so I know I’m not alone in the fit issues. I’d love to see this print used in a more flattering way. Pass.

Oblique Pointelle Pullover (now $50) by Knitted & Knotted, TTS
style # 21373576, sky (045) or 4 other colors
★★★☆☆

Don’t listen to Anthropologie’s website, which tries to convince us that the Oblique Pointelle Pullover (now $50) is by Moth. It’s actually from Knitted & Knotted, the brand known for its extremely soft wool. This sweater upholds that reputation while adding an unnecessary but awesome flounce on one side. It’s slightly cropped in both length and sleeves. It’s a pretty layering option that I envision over dresses, though I tried it on with my standard jeans.

I tried on a small for these review shots but it was tighter than I’d like. I’ll purchase this in my usual size medium. The asymmetric neckline can pull across the bust so I think it’s important to visually balance this with a straight-shaped bottom. I think anything too voluminous down below will widen your overall silhouette. The sweater is comfortable and wasn’t itchy to me, though I have gotten feedback from others that even this soft wool had them scratching. The flounce lays down nicely though I’m sure you could tease it up if you wanted. A pleasant sweater that’s not especially warm but is quite pretty. In my cart for purchase soon. (Maybe a 2nd cut is on the way?)

Bolshoi Cardigan ($138) by Knitted & Knotted, size up if curvy
style # 21145347, neutral motif (015) or black (001)
★★★☆☆

Another softie from Knitted & Knotted is the Bolshoi Cardigan ($138), which has carefully laid out tulle in a confectionery pattern. It’s a cupcake-like cardigan without the sprinkles. The underlying layer is a wool/nylon mix that’s really thin and heathered. It reminds me of the crappy thin J.Crew tees they try to pass off as slub cotton that get a hole in them the first time you wear them. The sleeves are perfectly set to end right where the tulle begins. That’s a nice detail! I also enjoy the shiny pearlized buttons.

The cardigan overall is pretty short. I felt uncomfortable in my usual size medium because of the shortness — I kept wanting to pull the sweater down. This one’s also cut pretty small across the chest. As soon as I moved the buttons pulled on the medium. I think a large would fit better up top though it’d be loose on the sides. This sweater is likely a pass for me.

Here’s a shot of the sweater open. It’s just begging for a sweater clip, don’t you think? The top is the next item to be reviewed.

Ruffled Shell ($78) by Lil, TTS
style # 23066822, pink (066) or red (060)
★★★☆☆

One of the most annoying tips I read in fashion magazines is how curvy ladies should belt everything. Want to show off your waist? Belt it! Top too boxy? Belt it! Blah blah blah belt. The Ruffled Shell ($78) is the perfect example of why that advice is crap. If a top is unstructured all belting it does is make you look overly busty and wide across the hips. You need structure to help define the waist as a separate part from either the bust or hips. You tell me which way the top looks better — sash or no sash? I choose the latter. It may not be noticeable in these shots but the sash is a different material than the rest of the top. Not sure why that is.

Rants aside, how darling is this design? Small ruffle detailing on the shoulders and neckline on a top that’s either pink or red are swoon-worthy. The keyhole is a little small which has the unfortunate effect of visually pushing my bust down. It’s also very big and loose in the back — pools of fabric came to rest on top of my rump. My usual size 6 worked fine. The care label advises dry cleaning but I think you could get away with hand-washing the pink. The red I’m not as sure. It’s a little sheer so pick a closely matched bra to wear underneath. I would consider this top on sale. 

Twin Tiered Top ($88) by Deletta, size up
style # 23403892, brown motif (029)
★★★★☆

I don’t know where Deletta comes up with these crazy prints but they are fantastic. The Twin Tiered Top ($88) has one circle of flowers, one circle of flower silhouettes and a third cabbage-like circle that rise up like fizz upon a root beer-colored base. The shoulders resemble foliage too with the eponymous twin tier of ruffles.

I found this top to run small so I grabbed a large to try on. It felt good though still body-hugging. I love how long the top is — I think it needs to have length to balance out the shoulders. I could see rocking this top over leggings with high equestrian boots, or over a pencil skirt as I tried it. The price gives me pause so this top is wishlisted for now!

Slung Sash Tee ($88) by Bailey 44, TTS
style # 23153778, red (060) or 3 other colors
★★★★☆

Let’s get this out of the way first: the Slung Sash Tee ($88) will make your breasts look magnificent. Just the right amount of twisted criss-cross fabric creates a lifting effect that will have eyes on you when you enter the room. For the demure among us that might eliminate this top from being work-appropriate. It’s also very form-fitting in Bailey 44’s usual rayon jersey.

I have the top out in these review shots but I’d wear it tucked into a low-slung skirt. A medium hugged every curve which can be either good or bad. It was the right size after some switcheroo experimentation. The “red” variation reads more as pink to me but the other colors are accurately reflected in the product shots. I am impressed by this top and would wear it on date night but probably not for work. Wishlisted in moss!

Since I haven’t had a chance to properly snap any OOTD shots recently below are a couple of quick fitting room shots. I’ll be back over on my Tumblr as soon as things settle down again.

My Ottoman Poppies Tank ($178) arrived and I just adore it!
I wore a navy camisole underneath it to compensate for the large open vents
along the neckline of the tank.
Banana Republic merino cardigan in navy (similar here, here and here)
Navy lace cami (similar here, here and here)
Paige Denim Hidden Hills Straight ($180)
Vince Camuto Vickiy pumps ($80)
Alexis Bittar necklace 
A quick stop at Anthro before my flight to LA last weekend.
Forever 21 leatherette jacket (similar here)
Deuxhill Cowlneck (thanks for a great Trade Market transaction, Srujana!)
Paige Denim Skyline Straight ($158) in twilight
J.Crew Wyatt Buckle Heels (now $80) in leather and canvas

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