Guest Post: Reviews by Courtney (Slanted Layers Tee, Pilcro Stet Slim Jeans, Hera Feather Jacket, Dawes Cardigan, Rain-Dotted Anorak)

Note: While I am on vacation the community is helping keep EA live! This guest post is written by Courtney of Surveying the Sea

Hello, Effortless Anthropologie readers! It’s such an honor to be guest posting while Roxy is on vacation (jealous!). Since having my adorable daughter, Zoey, I’ve found that both my figure and my personal style are constantly evolving. This is exciting but a little frustrating, too. Taking the time to actually try on and photograph looks in my local Anthropologie’s fitting room really gave me a better understanding of what I have to work with these days (for better or worse). Before I begin my reviews, I want to say thank you to Amy and Erin at the St. Louis Galleria store. They were so helpful when I stopped in to prepare for this guest post.

The first piece I tried was the Slanted Layers Tee by Deletta ($48, size medium). I love the ease of wearing a tee when I’m working from home or playing with my child, but I don’t like looking like I’m in a t-shirt. This top was exactly what I needed: comfort with a little panache. I am busty (36DD) and tend to steer clear of ruffles and layers. The flat layers here were very figure-flattering, in my opinion. They didn’t seem to add unwanted girth to my bustline, and the asymmetry whittled my waist visually. The dark grey was my pick as the ivory seemed a little thin. This is a great versatile top, and I will probably go back for it.

The denim I’m wearing is the Pilcro Stet Slim Straight jeans ($118, size 29). I tried both the dark rinse wash (sold out online) and the Archive (lighter) wash. I typically wear a size 29 in jeans with a 34 inch inseam. The Stet style does run true to size with the rinse wash running just slightly tighter than the Archive wash. The 29 inch inseam was fine since I was looking for an ankle-grazing length. I did buy these in the Archive wash and have worn them both straight and cuffed.

I am such a fan of kimono jackets, so I had to try the Hera Feather Jacket by Leifsdottir ($128, size medium). This jacket felt luxurious and airy. It felt a little big in my usual size but that is the nature of a kimono jacket style, so I didn’t try sizing down. I paired it with the Intrinsic Cami in pink, which is really a lovely coral color ($38, size medium). The color was perfect with the Hera jacket but, ultimately, I felt like the whole look screamed loungewear. Maybe a looser, more covering tank would have resolved that issue? I passed on both pieces; however, the cami may be a future purchase. It was very long, which is a major bonus at my height (5’9”).

Erin and Amy suggested that I try the Dawes Cardigan by Bordeaux ($68, size medium). Amy was wearing it in Moss, which is the color I tried along with the cami above, and she looked gorgeous. The sizing was true, if not just a little on the large side. I have to admit that when I put it on, I immediately disliked it. I felt like it overemphasized my bust and added visual weight to my hips and waist. I really don’t gravitate toward jackets and cardigans in this fit-and-flare shape. I think it looks better in the photo than in real life, which is why I chose to pass. A slightly closer fit in the waist may have transformed it into something I loved; a smaller size would have been a no-go for my bust.

The last piece I tried was the Rain-Dotted Anorak by Daughters of the Liberation ($168, size 8 pictured). This style definitely ran one size big. Sizing down to the 6 helped the fit, yet I still felt quite frumpy in it regardless of whether it was open or all zipped up. It is outerwear, after all, but I still prefer a slightly sleeker fit for my jackets. This is another pass.

And because I had been coveting it for weeks, I picked up the Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase while I was shopping ($28). It’s gorgeous! The turquoise and orangey-crimson are so striking. I cannot wait to put some forsythia branches in it. Both for the look and the price, this is one of my top home picks at the moment.


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