This post about the Anthropologie May 2018 pre-shop contains affiliate links. Please read this blog’s disclosure post for more info.
Perhaps out of their own excitement, Anthropologie has foisted its May preview on us quite early. Taking a look through the Anthropologie May 2018 pre-shop I’m smiling at some of the efforts to recapture the glory days yet still shaking my head. They really don’t get what made them so special, do they?
I’ll start with my complaints so I can devote the rest of this post to the positives and end on a high note:
- Straps, Anthropologie. Part of what made you special is that your dresses had bra-friendly shapes. Like, not spaghetti straps.
- Next, any time one of your designers proposes something called a swing top, I want you to take the design, crumple it up and set it on fire with a lighter. To begin, while the paper burns sweep your hand across your forehead and ask the Universe, “Why?” with an exasperated sigh to your words. Then, please get the garbage can and dramatically sweep the ashes into the garbage can. Finally, spin on your heels and walk away without one single word. Repeat for: Boxy, Cropped, Jumpsuit.
- Also, I’m over the lack of your model diversity size and ethnicity-wise. I’m over beautiful dresses that wouldn’t even fit over one of my boobs. It’s. Not. OK. In. This. Day. And. Age. This season I’ve been hired to model for several brands, including a wedding brand. Body diversity. It’s a thing!
Alright. Rant over, let’s turn to the positive, shall we? Firstly I find a whole bunch of these new arrivals cute! That’s pretty rare for a pre-shop and bodes well for the non-catalogue new arrivals.
Notably, there are several cute dresses in the Anthropologie May 2018 pre-shop. I love the long, ruffled Embroidered Eyelet Midi Dress ($158 + 20% off) and the Brisbane Maxi Dress ($148 + 20% off). I’m even tempted by the Suzani Off-the-Shoulder drehhhhhh…romper. It’s a romper. Not a dress. Alright. I’m still tempted by it, though notably less so.
Elsewhere I’m liking what I see and wishing for more. For example, I find myself really wishing that cuter items like the Colorblock Sweater Tank ($78 + 20% off, above) came in more colors. Wouldn’t a light pink and blue with white trim be lovely? I think the Bella Straw Rancher ($98 + 20% off) is adorable. It took me a moment to figure out that the Straw Circle Crossbody Bag ($78 + 20% off) is shown on a child! However even knowing that it’s not quite as big I initially thought I still like it. And that’s quite a feat given that I’m mostly a no to the wood/straw bags that are fashion du jour.
Below, my picks from the pre-shop. Today, all Anthro members get Free Shipping on orders of $100+! You may have noticed that I’ve tagged every item as being 20% off. That’s because Anthropologie sent out a survey last week which many of us received (or several different surveys to be more accurate). We all received the code N6555GNK4QE for 20% off full-price items. This code is valid for ‘a limited time’ which I’m guessing means the end of the month.
Free free to discuss all things from the the Anthropologie May 2018 pre-shop, survey, sale (extra 25% off right now) or anything Anthro! After you’ve had your fill of these, take a look at Free People’s new April arrivals for a good contrast. After that, you may also enjoy my Amazon picks for early April. And if you want to read some survey discussion, it’s in the comments of this post.
Thanks for the post Roxy! I liked several of their new dresses, but like you said, there are a few that I am sure will not fit, namely the Brisbane Maxi dress – I think thats made for a small bust. I love the cityscape dress – is that a new brand for Anthro? I hope they have more pretty new stuff!
Author
I feel like we've seen lazybones before, but only for home stuff! They make a lot of the prettiest bedspread patterns for instance.
FYI the survey discount code ends Sunday April 22.
Author
Thanks for that update Denise_S! I will update this post as soon as I'm back in front of a computer.
That was per the fine print in Anthro's email, so it is "official."
I am LOVING all their new stuff. Yay for Anthropologie! And summer is usually the season I like the least from them.
Author
I love that you love it evb!!
Cityscape dress looks like a flattering one and I love the print. I only wish it had thicker straps since I like my bras supportive. On the positive side it looks like it would fit over a D/DD bust. Summer is my favorite season since in the area I live it's the only season when dresses can be worn comfortably. I also like Violet dress by Maeve which seems to be available in the store close to me. I'll have to check on it.
Author
Yes I totally agree Tanda, just a bit thicker straps would be wonderful.
THANK YOU for your comments on body diversity! <3
Author
You're welcome Simone! ?
I didn't like the pre-shop, but then I was hoping for something specific (pretty, dressy tops in a variety of colors/prints).
I am so with you on that! Where are all the pretty tops??!!
Author
Understood Guest. Hopefully the non-catalogue new arrivals will give you some of what you're looking for.
I still don't understand why Anthropologie isn't making more use of its house branding strategy (Maeve and Meadow Rue are my favorites).
Agreed. I can buy Michael Stars and its ilk at a zillion other places (and probably with FREE shipping). I especially miss Floreat (before somebody decided to morph it into an underwear/PJs line), Moulinette Soeurs, and Odille.
Oh gosh Odille and Moulinette Soeurs were so special. Finally someone who gets it! LOL
Odille! Girl from savoy! Guinevere! Little yellow button! Old floreat! Sleeping on snow! There’s more but I can’t think of them. Miss them all.
Guinevere! I wore a Guinevere sweater yesterday and it felt so special. Miss that line. Charlie and Robin too. And yes, Odille for sure.
A lot of us get it, Guest! You are not alone! We miss the old Anthro!
Author
So true! I think it's all part of their move towards the "Anthropologie & Co" department store concept.
I don't love anything in the pre-shop, but overall, I'm seeing small steps in the right direction. More cotton, more color, more embroidery and special details. There's still way too many rompers, graphic tees, jumpsuits, and tent tops to wade through to get to the good stuff… but at least there IS some good stuff right now. I recently tried on and liked the Wadden embroidered dress and the embroidered utility skirt, and plan to get one or both with the survey discount.
The Hudson dress (mentioned above) had a lot of potential but the execution is a fail. I'm a b-cup and was busting out of it!
Author
Ugh. Too bad about the Hudson Dress. But yay on more color!
I loved it, sure some items are a miss but I think most of it was good.
The perennial blouse reminded me of old Anthro
I have seen several ppl wear the violette dress and it's flattering
I liked the shots of happy moms and kids it just seemed genuine but I agree there could be more diversity
Author
I agree Becky, the Perennial Blouse does have an old Anthro feel to it.
I have been so disappointed with the new buyer for Anthro. Many of their selections are pedestrian and could be purchased anywhere.The ten year long collaboration with Nathalie Lete is over. No more beautiful dishes and home goods. This was my favorite place to shop. Not true at the moment.
Author
Yes, the buying team and also the styling team are leaving so much to be desired right now.
OT but I know the embroidered fable dress from free people has consistently been a favorite for many so letting you know that Nordstrom rack online carries it in black, pink, and dark pink for $90!
Get. Out. I just got my first Nordstrom Note today too – THANK YOU!!!!!!
Author
That's so sweet to share, thanks Guest! Here's an affiliate link to shop it: http://bit.ly/2K3p6tW
I agree with others that there isn't anything in the preshop I like, but there are several cute and colorful tees and tops in the store right now. I'm loving all the yellows and greens in the store. I"m not sure I'll use my 20% as I still think $58 is expensive for a tee even with an extra 20% off, but I am finally tempted by a few things.
Author
I'm with you Lori. I find myself holding back on some things, even jewelry, because they are $15-$35 more than I want to spend, and then the discount doesn't really feel like a good deal, you know?
New Anthro markdowns today, including some second cuts, and even a few popbacks.
Author
I'm working on a post for it right now!
What's up with Anthro sale page? It is not updated throughout the day and half the items are sold out.
Author
I'm not sure but my guess is it has something to do with Urban Outfitters consolidating its online team from 3 separate teams (Urban Outfitters, Free People, Anthropologie/BHLDN/Terrain) down to one.
Looks like they have been updating it once a day (Maybe early morning) since last week.
The 20% discount combined with work stress was enough to get me to order a few things. And since they have already arrived, here are some quickie reviews! Happy Friday!
I'm 5'4, 32AA-28-38, short torso, long arms.
Regina Knit Dress https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/regina-knit-dr…
Ordered size Small. I knew this was going to be too short for my preference (I like skirts to hit at my kneecaps) but the green was too glorious to pass up at least trying it on. You know, for Science. I ordered a small. It fit through the bodice on me but alas, it was a good 4" shorter than I am comfortable with. The green is AMAZING. The seamlines on the bodice are interesting and flattering verticals. It's a textured knit that's lightweight but still substantial (it's… buoyant, as opposed to the dense/slinky rayons, if that makes sense) and it's lined.
Paladino Textured Dress
Ordered size Small. Again, this fit through the bodice on me. Neckline is pretty low though, so if you have more breast tissue than my AAcup than it might not be a good work option. The button surplice is super cute but it also skewed the neckline enough off center to make my eyeballs twitch, but not enough to be intentionally asymmetrical. Unfortunately, what you can't tell from the product photo because the model is evilly hiding it, is that the skirt is a fixed wrap hi-lo hem. The front is too high for me at a few inches above my knees, and the low hit about mid-calf. And the overlap is not substantial, so even a slight breeze will flash your thighs. It's unlined but a very heavy and heavily textured knit (not see-thru), and I might be crazy but it reads as black and white to me, not navy. The waistband wasn't very stretchy so pulling it over my shoulders was challenging.
Adelyn Tee https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/adelyn-tee
Ordered size Small, grey-and-white stripes. Way too big on me. Chest was huge, neckline was gapey. I might see if there's an XS in a store to try on for comparison but it's kind of expensive for a t-shirt so I might not bother. It's cute, but not for that price. It's 48% cotton, 48% rayon, 4% spandex and the tag says *hand wash* despite the website saying it's machine washable. It doesn't look super delicate to me, but rayon can be a shrinky fickle fiber in the wash.
Sporty Floral Shirtdress https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/sporty-floral-…
I was *going* to order this from Anthro, but since I know Donna Morgan is carried by other retailers I checked around and WHAT HO, Amazon and Zappos sell it for $130 vs Anthro's $168, which is even cheaper than if I had used the 20% discount. Plus, it's now sold out on Anthro.
Ordered a 2, 4, and 6. Keeping the 4 (I usually wear a 2 or 4 from Anthro). I LOVE THIS DRESS!! It's 98% cotton, 2% spandex, machine washable, has pockets, hits just below my kneecaps. The color is brighter than the photo, like a happy sunshine yellow. The print placement is different on each dress, so since I am a crazy person I *might* have ordered a couple more size 4s once I ascertained my correct fit just to choose which one I liked best. Don't judge 🙂 Only nitpick is that there's no lining and the fabric is a little thin. The print is busy enough that there's not really show-thru, but I'll probably wear a slip with this anyways (or at least on sunny days).
Yeah, so basically Anthro is moving in the right direction enough to get me to buy 2 dresses and a shirt, but I'm returning them all due to a variety of reasons, and the one dress I ended up truly loving I actually bought from a different retailer because it was significantly less expensive. Baby steps, Anthro. Baby steps….
Author
Emster, thank you so much for these wonderful reviews! I am totally in love with that Sporty Floral Shirtdress!!
I think Anthro's new buyer is a HUGE miss! I scour their website and wonder where are all the PRETTY clothes? I absolutely hate all these loud prints and I am floraled out with these garish flowers! Ick! I knew it would be disappointing when they said a Brit would be at the helm. I cannot stand those cheeky prints. I want some pinks and Pastels and pretty feminine things. Does every piece have to be so damn whimsical? Old Anthro did whimsy but in a completely different and special way. These clothes are big time missing the mark today. Also I would love to find a normal pair of pants. Just ONE pair, thank you! I can't even find a pretty dress this year for my spring recital. I hate all the dresses. Please get a grip, Anthro!
Author
Aww well it's really too early to see the new head's influence, but I hear you about missing the pretty, must-have clothing. 🙁
I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments! About a month ago I was so opptimistic thinking Anthro was finally turning a corner but all the recent strappy/plunging/tiny cupped/backless dresses makes me wonder if Anthro just hates boobs? I also feel like while many of the dresses are beautiful they scream resort or occasion….not so much every day dresses. Also, the few short sleeve work appropriate dresses I click on are only available in limited sizes….not cool!! I would love a couple of easy breezy cotton or linen dresses for work!!
Author
Yes April/May are definitely a letdown over March.
I LOVE the eyelet midi dress. I'm a little worried the large won't be big enough, but I might order it just to give it a shot. I wish they had it in an XL.