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I love shopping in any season, but I get especially excited about clothing and such in Fall! Scarf/beanie combinations! Layering! Warm cardigans! Buffalo plaid! Tall boots! Leggings! The list goes on and on. Fall doesn’t even officially begin for another day yet I’ve already made some purchases and assembled a wishlist that would make any non-shopping lover’s jaw drop in its length.
Usually it happens that one item zooms to the top of the list, and this is the case for Self-Portrait’s Utility Miniskirt ($375) that you see above, which also comes in a fantastic beige. Much like our discussion yesterday of Olivia Palermo x Banana Republic, I love the Self-Portrait skirt’s mix of military utility with soft, feminine details.
Before I buy an item I usually hunt the Interwebs to see how other bloggers/people have bought it and worn it so I can get an idea how it fits. It’s no surprise to me that in my search I found Wendy of Wendy’s Lookbook in both the green and beige versions. I also found the lovely Jane of FitFabFunMom rocking the green version (for work no less, I’m totally jealous!!) and Claire of Clairelee Yours looking great in it too. I found some celebrity shots of it too, and I generally noticed that while very pretty this skirt is exceptionally short and appears to run small! All of these lovely ladies I’ve linked to are much shorter than me (something that I’m always reminded of every NYFW when I typically tower head and shoulders above everyone else waiting to get into shows).
So I ordered the largest size possible — a 10 — to see how it would fit, and to no one’s surprise it didn’t fit. I’d think a true size 8 could make the 10 work. Even though it ended up not working out for me I still adore it…and I’m thinking of commissioning a very talented friend of mine to see if he can make me this skirt, but in a longer length and my sizing. To be continued! Especially now that I’ve seen this lovely new version that isn’t available to buy quite yet.
Self-Portrait’s skirts may run small but their dresses generally run plentiful. I love the brand’s playful designs! Right now many of their options are lacy concoctions, like the beautiful red, blue, white and black Bellis Lace Trim Mini Dress ($545) and the lavender-based long sleeve version, the gorgeous pink Crosshatch Frill Mini Dress ($475) and the gorgeous craftwork in the Hexagon Lace Mini Dress ($510).
If those dresses strike you as too pricey, I’m also loving the fun embroidered print of the Hadiya Embroidered A-Line Dress ($180), the versatility of the body-skimming Ruched Body-Con Tank Dress ($56) and the many beautiful versions of ASTR’s floral print, which comes in everything from a ruffled overlay dress (similar in pink) to a tie-neck dress and an open-shoulder blouse, all beautiful and on my wishlist!
Elsewhere, not all of my purchases have been so frivolous. I’m also investing in pieces that I plan to wear often come cooler weather. It’s time for me to restock my leggings collection, and I could not resist picking up Spanx’s Faux Leather Leggings ($99, above)! They are pretty much the dream fit I expected them to be, comfy and slimming. I’ve seen a lot of people pair the leggings with a cami tank a la this one or this floral option and a warm oversized cardigan to top things off. For work, I’d wear the leggings with a button-down like the Dillon-Fit Clip Dot Tie-Neck Shirt ($88 + 40% off), the Dillon-Fit Plaid Ruffle Flannel Shirt ($78 + 40% off), the Parker-Fit White Boyfriend Tunic ($68 + 40% off) or the Collection Thomas Mason® tuxedo shirt in cotton voile ($178) or Thomas Mason® for J.Crew mandarin-collar tuxedo shirt ($138).
If moto leggings aren’t your thing, Spanx also has a pair of non-moto Faux Leather Leggings ($97) that I adore. My favorite color is the antique rose but they also come in black, copper and a few other shades. And speaking of pink, a favorite purchase of mine lately is Rebecca Minkoff’s Chevron Quilted Small Love Cross-Body Bag ($195), which I debated on colors endlessly before finally landing on the vintage pink. These leggings pair well with Free People’s Diamond Embroidered Top ($148 or on sale here), this long v-neck sweater or any of the top options in the paragraph above.
Finally, Madewell will get its own new arrivals post shortly, but in the meantime I need to mention three dresses they have right now that are exceptionally flattering on curves! (And flattering on all body types from what I’ve seen.) The Wrap-Front Mini Dress in Seattle Floral ($148, above) is my favorite of a pretty pack. It’s got a button to keep the chest from falling open like so many wrap dresses do and it fits oh so beautifully! Coming in a close second is the navy Silk Poppy Dress in Cactus Flower ($148) which has a chic vintage vibe but a thoroughly modern cut. Rounding out this trio of delights is the Silk Poppy Dress in Wild Botanic ($148), which is a beauty in black.
You can see more of my wishlist items on the blog’s homepage, by scrolling through the cravings bars between each post. Below, picks discussed in this post. What have you bought, tried and loved lately?
Thank you, Roxy. Must get sis to Madwell to try the silk dress in the different prints and colors. It looks so easy to wear and to transition into cooler weather. I hope it is hourglass friendly.
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It is VERY hourglass friendly!
Yes,I tried this dress and loved it BUT..the V came down a bit too low on me. I was so so sad. I would have purchased it.
I wish I had checked Madewell earlier. The Ulla Johnson and Karen Walker collabs were lovely.
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The Karen Walker collab is FABULOUS. I’m a Madewell Icon (which basically means they get a lot of my spending money these days) and one of the perks is a dedicated concierge line. They were able to help me track down the Silk Loretta Dress and it’s amazing! Fits TTS and looks great on its own, over tights or leggings.
A friend bought the other dress in the collab, the Silk Unicorn Whisperer Dress. Even the name is great! It looks amazing on her and we may or may not ‘accidentally’ wear these dresses every time we get together lately!
That Self-Portrait skirt is lovely! Roxy I hope you'll consider talking a bit more about the designer stuff you like too, while I love all the Anthro, Madewell etc posts I miss when you'd mix content about high and low here. Would love to hear more about what's on your designer wishlist.
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I hear you! Funny you should say that because I'm working on a post for a great Neiman Marcus promo that will run tomorrow. 🙂
Love these picks! I think I need those faux leather moto leggings. I recently bought the Geneva Anorak from Anthropologie with the survey discount on your recommendation. It’s fantastic!
(Sorry I don’t know how to do pictures in a comment) http://shopstyle.it/l/h3Q8
I bought a few more things with the survey code too. The Mollie Tunic Dress is way prettier in person. I saw it in-store and the colors are brighter and deeper than they look online. There’s not much shape to it, but it does look great under a light jacket with boots.
http://shopstyle.it/l/h3Rj
Roxy I’d love to see your styling ideas for the dress!!
I ordered the Collegiate Drawstring Pullover and it arrived so fast! I was impressed. In person, the sweater is shorter than it looks online. I still like it but will need to wear high-waisted pants with it. I found it to run small. I am 5’5″, 125 lbs with a small bust and usually a small or often a x-small at Anthro. The small fit me way better, I’d ordered both sizes and will return the x-small.
http://shopstyle.it/l/h3Ro
Feel free to swap out these links for your affiliate links.
Does anyone know what sweater this is? I want it!
http://shopstyle.it/l/h3RV
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Thanks Ella-rie, I did swap in affiliate links!
I do not see that sweater online yet, but it's super cute. New wishlist item for sure once it's online.
I believe that's the Striped Cutout Pullover -> https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/striped-cutout…
Sorry to hear the Collegiate Drawstring Pullover runs small 🙁
I just ordered it and it will be here on Friday. Thanks for the mini review.
Why did they have to have the cutout which looks like the collar is ripped.
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Oh no! Agreed….sad.
So cute until you see that cutout
That is a great idea to have a custom skirt made inspired by the one you love but in your own size and length. I must say if I were custom tailoring a similar skirt, I would not have pockets with thick flaps sit directly on the sides of my hips; the fabric is thick so the flaps are likewise thick. I find it distracts from the line of the skirt regardless of the shape of the wearer. That is just me but is a reminder that custom design has its perks. Now if I could just find that sewing machine…where is it….oh that's right in the garage…ha ha ha….
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Yes! I totally agree Maggie, in some of the celebrity photos the flaps are far from flat, and I can't imagine as someone with plentiful hips how I'd ever make that work.
I would have the custom skirt made – then you can have it exactly the way you want it.
I haven't bought and tried these Johnny Was boots, but I'm seriously drooling over them. Going to have to wait for a big sale on this one: https://www.johnnywas.com/retro-peacock-bootie.ht…
This is going to be my Christmas present – suede Anna Sui for Macy's Trench coat. I sized up, which I almost always do for jackets and coats. It's very figure flattering, and I could also see wearing it as a dress. Much prettier in person: https://www.macys.com/shop/product/anna-sui-loves…
My favorite purchase so far this season has been this dress from Free People. It's sold out now, but pops back from time to time. I took my usual size small: https://www.freepeople.com/shop/etienne-maxi-dres…
Garnet Hill has amazing cashmere. I love both of these sweaters: http://www.garnethill.com/shirttail-cashmere-swea… http://www.garnethill.com/cashmere-cabled-high-lo…
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That FP maxi… ??
Oh, and also loving this plum suede jacket from WHBM: https://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/brows…
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Loooove the color!
Off topic but I noticed this morning Free People's website is looking more like Anthropologie's…
Too bad, I dislike I can't sort the reviews anymore. It's not shopper friendly. Not a fan!
Oh I just saw it too – horrible!!!
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Oh no! WHY would they do that?
Speaking of Free People, they are having a 40% off, app only promo – It says "Exclusively on the app, enjoy early access to 40% off select styles, one day only, discount applied at checkout."
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They have been doing this frequently recently! Usually it hits the website in time for the weekend.
It's up – and the embroidered Joe boots are included!!!!!!!
I swear every single thing I want is on steep discount this weekend….
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Excellent, I will make a post for it in about 2 hours!
Here is a link for anyone who'd like to shop it now. http://bit.ly/2fdoIef
I received an email from Anthro this morning. Titled we couldn't do it without you, they extended the survey dates until the 24th for people who didn't take it. And of course, the 20% is extended too. So check the code, it might still be working.
I didn't take the survey, I don't have anything new to say and they haven't been listening before. It is September and I cannot find one thing to like. I am almost sad.
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Aww, that is sad.
I got it too. Didn’t use the 20% and don’t plan on it.
Is this a thing? I'm not diggin' it. https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/mara-hoffman-k…
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Ugh.
Speaking of spanx, does anyone have recommendations for the best shape wear style for tummy-smoothing? It will be under a long dress so length isn't an issue.
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I like Yummie!
I own this skirt slip and like it a whole bunch. The only thing I'd note is that when it's really hot out I get a bit sweaty between my legs in it. https://www.yummie.com/collections/shapewear/prod…
Since that one is nearly sold out, here's a similar one: https://www.yummie.com/collections/shapewear/prod…
And then if you prefer shorts with more smoothing, here are two Yummie options at Nordstrom (affiliate links): http://shopstyle.it/l/iaUJ http://shopstyle.it/l/iaUP
Thank you Roxy!
Roxy~ Did you ever try or buy the Pinafore Cross back dress?
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Yes klj1 I ordered it because none of the NYC Anthros had it in-stock last week, but it hasn't been delivered yet! It sometimes takes nearly 2 weeks for me to get Anthro packages these days!!
Did you ladies hear about the "Anthropologie Free Couch" debacle that took place this morning? ?
http://www.businessinsider.com/anthropologie-free…
Hahahahaha…. Didn't they do something similar with AG jeans a few years back?
This happened a few years ago as well – dubbed "Sofagate."
Oh yeah I was supposed to get a $20 dining room and living room set that cancelled haha! I did score a pair of AG for $10 at that time.
Also this isn't the only glitch. I recently placed an order and they shipped the items before they charged it. I didnt like the item and tried to return it but customer service told me the item comes up as zero quantity available and wont let me return. I checked my order history and those items disappeared from the order history and my cc still has not been charged. Not sure what to do now.
Yes! This just happened to me as well. Item shipped,I received it pretty fast. I went in the same day I got it and tried to return it all/none of it fit… and they said that I couldn't return because it was still showing as not shipped yet. I had all the shipment info on my phone so they could see it all. The SA called CS and they said that since it still showed a pending chg they were going to try and reverse it but it went though anyway. SA took my items and returned them through the store but I still don't show any credit or return yet. Being patient ..but bizarre.
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Oh god that's awful. This also happened recently during their 50 States of Denim promotion — they gave some people codes to give out that were in some cases worth more than a pair of sale jeans or causing jeans to ring up as $20, then they cancelled all those orders.
I'm not in love with much this season, so I've been shopping my closet. However I purchased a few things that have been great additions to my wardrobe. From Anthropologie I love the Allegra Smocked Blouse : https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/allegra-smocke… It has been a great transition piece as it is pretty on its own or under a cardigan. I also love the Ratti Graphic Diamond print skirt from J Crew: https://www.jcrew.com/p/G8504 I don't think it was that popular, but personally I love the print and was so happy to see something that wasn't overthetop floral. It is silk and a great length for me as a petite. Anyway these were my early fall splurges.
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Both are beautiful picks Lori! The Allegra was far too short and small in the bust to work for me, but I do think it's lovely.