A few things I have recently purchased or tried, and whether they are winners or losers for my closet:
1. Vince Camuto One-button Blazer in Taffy Pink
I owned this same blazer in neon yellow when the neon trend was hot (I wish I never sold it, Iād likely still rock the heck out of it), so I know how it fits. Iām not usually a pastels kind of gal, but blush pink has grown on me, especially when paired with denim, navy, and black and white. The jacket is nice ā itās that kind of fabric you can wear to the office, but also style with boyfriend jeans. It has gold buttons at the cuffs and a single gold button in front.Ā I like rolling my sleeves for a more casual look and it worked even with the buttons (and the lining is the same color of pale pink).Ā The day I wrote this piece I wore it with the Caslon striped tee, my Jag Erin skinny cuffed jeans, and black pumps. I also wore it with boyfriend jeans, Converse Shorelines, and a white band tee and plan on wearing it to the work with gray or cream trousers.
2. Halogen Modal & Linen Tee in Black and White Stripe
I know, I know, all the stripes. Itās my weakness in life. I liked that this one had a subtle scoop neck, that it wasnāt going to be clingy and a slouchy lightweight fabric. I ordered the Large and it fits far more like an XL. Itās fine with skinny jeans or shorts, but a medium would likely be better if you want to wear untucked with looser bottoms or tucked in. Though itās lightweight, itās not sheer. Though it says hand wash and dry flat, I washed on the gentle cycle in a lingerie bag and line dried it hanging over two hangers and it turned out fine.
3., 4. Gap Muscle Tank in Gray Stripe and Red Floral
Last year I bought a muscle tank from Free People and I loved the cut, the fit, and the effect. I was thinking these would be similar. Notsomuch. These are true muscle tanks ā the neck is high, the sleeves are cut where theyād likely flatter a very slim or very muscular arm, neither which I have. They look like Fruit of the Loom tee shirts with the sleeves cut off and hemmed.
5. Gap Stripe Fluid Tunic
I got this in the gray and white stripe and I like it. The sleeves are fitted but not too much, the body is wide and fluid inn a good way, the neck is flattering. Itās called a tunic but the large on me hit mid-fly on my jeans, nothing too long or too short. However, it just wasnāt unique enough for me to justify it. The top now is on big discount online and few sizes and colors are in stock, but I bet there would be a few on the sale rack at your closest location.
6. Old Navy Denim Pencil Skirt
Many of you recommended I try this skirt when I found the Madewell one (which I did return) fit strangely. I ordered this in the Gold Coast wash since I was looking for something more distressed or vintage looking. I have to agree, this is a great skirt. It has stretch so you get a better fit, and itās a classic cut that will go with so many things. However the Gold Coast color is terrible. It looks really cheesy; a weird blue that I remember my dadās gardening jeans from Sears were, and with bright gold stitching. I considered distressing the skirt to balance out the very crisp finish but didnāt think it was worth the effort and worried Iād end up ruining it. So instead I sent it back. However if you want a rinse/dark denim pencil skirt, I would totally recommend this one from Old Navy.
7. Old Navy Wrap-Front Jersey Top in Light Heather Gray
This looked cheap. I have a similar top from Two by Vince Camuto and this one may be a third of the price of that one but it LOOKS like it. This top doesnāt hang well, the armholes arenāt flattering, the neckline gapes, the fabric is a weird texture. Even if it was on sale for $5 I wouldnāt keep it because I just donāt think itās worth it. I thought it could be a nice change from tee shirts, but it just isnāt worth it.
8. Banana Republic Striped Drapey Popover Blouse
This looked like something that Iād put on before I got my hair highlighted. It looked like a ladyās blouse from the ā80s that I would have thrifted in college and knotted and paired with denim cutoffs and clunky Steve Madden slides. Fail.
9. Banana Republic Go-To Denim Shirt in Dark Denim
Reviews said this runs small so I got an XL. Iām glad I did because the arms (just like most everything from Banana recently) run narrow. The fabric of this shirt is soft enough that it drapes nicely, but has enough structure for a proper collar and clean cuffs that stay in place. This shirt actually shows the quality difference between Gap and Banana; I have two Gap denim shirts and while theyāre great, this one was just made with more attention to detail, higher quality fabric and finishings.
Always appreciate an honest review š I’m seeing a lot about denim skirts coming back and I’m just like nOOOOO I do not have fond memories of them. I’ve done well at B.Repub (as my family refers to it) lately. GAP is slacking :/
Too bad I did not see this post a few days ago. I just ordered a denim skirt from Levi’s, my nostalgia brand. It looked scandalously short on the model but that generally means it will be about 2-3″ above my knee, not bad for me. If it doesn’t work out though, that Old Navy denim skirt will be on my radar. The funky color even appeals to me! Thank you for your reviews. They are always enjoyable.
I love these kinds of posts. I am all about the stripes, too.
Allie, this is unrelated but I don’t know where to ask this. Are you still planning on doing a post to show us how to cut band shirts to make them less boxy? You mentioned it once. I am going to a RUSH concert and plan to get a t-shirt.
I still plan to, it just requires photos and a space with good lighting and life has been oh so hectic. I usually cut the hem off the sleeves, cut the collar off the shirt, then take the two shoulder seams and match them up so I can cut a bit of a wide v-neck. Stretch the sleeves and neck, try on, then see if additional edits are necessary. I hope to have a post like this up soon!
Thanks, Allie! I look forward to it. I bought a shirt at the concert last night and there is no way I want to wear it as is, but look forward to fixing it up and showing it off. Rush still rocks!
I have been looking for white short as so many stores carry really short ones and I found a pair at Talbots today called Weekend shorts. The fabric is heavier as so many shorts were bit see though for my taste. These shorts also come in tan, navy and coral.
I sometimes buy Gap shirts to wear to the gym or the beach, I’ll have to look at that striped muscle. I’ve gotten so if I don’t like the neckline on a casual t-shirt, like I’d wear the gym, I get my scissors out.
I am shopping for a white denim pencil skirt and this past weekend I tried both the Old Navy and Land’s End ones. The ON one was pretty decent but I loved the LE skirt. It had the perfect amount of stretch and was a good length (but I go between regular and tall sizes so try petite). I ordered the white in my true size, but if I was getting the regular I’d be tempted to size down for an extra-sexy tapered look.
Oooh thanks for the heads up on the Lands’ End skirt!
Lol on number 8 ^_^
I agree about banana and the slim sleeves… I wish they would stop with that.
I was talking to a stylist friend and she also noticed this issue. She has a smaller build than I am smaller arms but also finds the sleeves tight on her. Big fail.