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So I bought a bunch of jeans from Universal Standard, Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic for a review… and I just returned them this week. My return window was ending and I had yet to photograph them. I'm sorry, I just never got the chance to set up the studio backdrop and lights.
It's hard, the setup isn't a lot, but a shoot like that takes hours to photograph and then as many hours to go through and edit the photos and the past two months have been both busy and I have not wanted to take photos.
I think a lot of you can relate to the feeling of just being DONE. It has been so much this past year, and right now I just feel extremely tired and overwhelmed and the last thing I want to do is get gussied up and shove this body into hard denim and stand in front of bright lights with a big smile on my face as I show yet another huge box of jeans don't fit my perfectly normal body.
Having Wardrobe Oxygen has helped with my confidence and body image so much. I am not ashamed of this body, it's a good body, a hard working body, and a very normal body. But I am also a normal human inside this normal body and I don't always have confident days or weeks for that matter, and just like any normal woman, a try-on session of jeans isn't the best for the confidence or the soul. And my soul needed a break.
So the jeans were returned before the review. But let's be honest, it's May and jeans are likely not our top priority right now. I'll continue to do haul reviews in the future, but will also continue to only have them happen when I am in the right headspace. Then, I can be sure to provide a more unbiased, helpful review!
Sale Alert
Baublebar
their Alidia rings (I have one and it's pretty and has held up nicely; multiple colors up to size 9) | chic safety pin earrings (available in silver and gold | make your perfect nameplate necklace (choose your font and chain style) | the gold hoops I wear almost daily | custom phone cases (I've gotten one, the quality is excellent and they make great gifts) | the Hera necklace, which I own and adore | personalized beaded friendship bracelets | adorable champagne earrings (Baublebar has the BEST kitschy and theme earrings) | evil eye ring (available up to size 9)
Y'all know I love Baublebar; it's my go-to for well made and on-trend costume jewelry. It's also a great gift destination. Well through May 9, save 20% off sitewide at Baublebar plus their popular Alidia Rings are only $12 with code BB20.
Baublebar offers free shipping and returns on purchases of $50+ and while they are known for their costume jewelry, they also have a line of delicate fine jewelry, they carry phone cases, face masks, personalized gifts, and much more. They even have a Disney collection.
Talbots
linen shift dress with colorful scallop detail (misses, petite, and plus) | navy embroidered gauze dress (misses, petite, and plus) | candy stripe Breton (misses, petite, plus, plus petite) and embroidered linen skirt (misses, petite, and plus) | embroidered linen popover (misses, petite, and plus) | belted denim button-front dress (misses, petite, and plus) | blue dot skort (misses, petite, plus, plus petite) | navy detachable strap one-piece from Miraclesuit (available up to 16) | denim flounce hem dress (misses, petite, plus, plus petite) | linen blend wide-leg trousers in multiple colors (misses, petite, plus, plus petite)
Talbots has 30% off your order through May 9. Also free shipping on orders $150+ I am such a fan of Talbots, I love their size range, their classic but chic style, and their quality.
No need for a promo code, the discount will show up in your cart. I am also seeing that this 30% off is working on Miraclesuit swimwear and Cabana Life beachwear, which is especially nice! I hadn't checked out Talbots' New Arrivals in a bit and there is so much good stuff, it's totally worth checking out!
Lands' End
Lands' End is having their Friends & Family with up to 50% and free shipping off using promo code FRIENDS. The sale ends May 10th. Lands' End… I love you and have loved you for years but dang you need to fix your janky website and creepy computer-generated models in clothing that are so Uncanny Valley we can't figure out how the clothes even fit. But you still make good clothes so let's dive in on what is worth checking out.
two color, one shoulder (three color options and plus sizes) | navy striped tankini (12 colors, multiple cup sizes, option for tummy control, petite, long, and plus sizes) | floral with tie waist (the site has separate links for other prints and colors and plus sizes) | graphic print bandeau (seven colors, D cup, long lengths, and plus sizes) | sport tankini (two colors and plus sizes) | one shoulder tankini (two colors, D cup, and long option) | graphic print halter neck (two prints) | swim peplum (two colors) | floral off the shoulder (two prints, D cup options, and plus sizes)
First things first, Lands' End is my favorite place to go first for swimwear. They offer long torso and petite and large bust and mastectomy and tummy control and plus sizes and bra sizing and chlorine-resistant fabric.
UPF terry hoodie (eight colors, petite and plus sizes) | short cotton caftan (four colors, regular and petite) | zip rash guard (five prints, regular, petite, long, and plus sizes) | long caftan (two prints) | wrap skirt swim coverup (the site has other colors and prints to match the swimsuits plus regular sizes) | turquoise coverup dress (two colors, petite, long, and plus sizes) | UPF pareo pants (petite and plus sizes; the site has other colors at different links) | wrap maxi dress that isn't necessarily for swim (four prints, petite and plus sizes) | classic rash guard with UPF 50 (I own this in the stripe, runs TTS. 16 prints, regular, petite, long, and plus sizes)
They also offer mix and match pieces and more variety for bottoms than most any other retailer so you can create a truly custom suit. Also they use typical looking swimwear fabric, so you can easily buy a top or bottom or even rashguard at Lands' End and another piece at a different retailer and create a stylish cohesive swim look.
Lands' End is also awesome for summer staples. Sundresses that can handle the washing machine and a bit of sand and salt. Shorts and t-shirts and beach coverups that are classic looking chic now as well as two summers from now. I'm considering getting these shorts to wear under breezy camisoles and linen shirts.
And my absolute favorite beach towels (I have one over a decade old I still use regularly) are from Lands' End (I recommend splurging for the monogramming because why not? If you don't want a name or initials how about a summery word or your favorite place to vacation?).
And the Lands' End totes are awesome. Great colors, great sizes, great prices, and I also love adding monogramming to them. I have the XL zip top with a long strap for grocery shopping, the beach, the pool… it will fit a few towels and a beach read with pockets for your sunscreen, water, and other essentials inside. The medium long strap with a zip top is more the size of a shoulder bag and I use my red one often in conjunction with a purse to carry a lunch, change of shoes, returns to the mall, etc.
REALM
I've shared REALM jewelry many times. I find the quality phenomenal; it's just an affordable step below traditional fine jewelry and way higher quality and better materials than costume jewelry. Through the 10th, REALM is offering 20% off sitewide with promo code MOM20.
I wear my ‘Reign Thoughtfully' cuff from REALM almost every day. I love the elegant simplicity and the powerful message. I appreciate they come in two sizes; the medium is very comfortable on my larger wrists while my daughter wears the size small. And my Empress Insignia Luxe ring is the coolest ring in my collection and I love that it comes up to size 11.
Equilibria
The Equilibria CBD sale continues through Sunday. Save 30% off any signature box as a one-time purchase OR as a subscription. Plus – new customers use WARDROBEOXYGEN at checkout to get an additional 15% off your entire order! If you don't know what Equilibria is or have questions about CBD, read my detailed and unsponsored Equilibria CBD review from a few months ago.
What I Bought and What I Thought
I shared in a previous Friday Shop that I made an order at Boden since they had 20% off. Most of my purchase was backordered but I did receive this top in the mail this week. Sadly I tried it on and immediately packed it up to send back.
This is a GORGEOUS top. The embroidery is beautiful. But the embroidery makes the top very heavy. This isn't linen, it's heavier chambray and with the embroidery, this felt like the weight of something I'd wear in fall and early winter yet looks very summery and tropical. And then because it doesn't come in petite, the neckline is so low you can see my bra. This would be a great top for a taller person who lives in a cooler climate.
When boxing up the jeans to Gap, I realized I also ordered this dress. This is the kind of dress I wear to death in the summer – machine washable, breezy, versatile. Most days, I'll wear it with a pair of Thigh Society shorts underneath and my Birkenstocks, but it can also dress up and I thought this print would be fun for cookouts and even the 4th of July.
I got a 14 petite and appreciate the shoulder ties so I can shorten the straps even more. Since the fabric doesn't stretch and the bodice is multi-layer, I can wear this without a bra around the house (smaller or firmer breasts could likely carry it off leaving the home). Unfortunately, the angle of the straps doesn't match up with any of my bras so I'll need to wear a strapless bra when heading out and about for the shape and separation I desire. If you wear a smaller cup bra with thinner straps, likely it may match up for you.
The dress comes in regular up to size 20, tall up to 16, and petite up to 14. It is on sale at the time of writing this for $41. The skirt is lined; I kind of wish it wasn't so it was more breezy and am trying to decide if I should remove the lining or leave it. It has pockets, pulls on without any zippers, and is machine washable. I hope to get photos of me in it soon!
floral smocked top (available up to 3X and also comes in black) | black button-front (six colors to choose from up to 2X; click here for the plus sizing up to 4X) | red swing style (available up to size 18 and custom sizing also offered) | navy linen (three lengths and sizing up to XXL with custom measurements available) | red stripe (sizes 10-30) | white linen (sizes 0-18 and also available in black and green) | colorful gingham (sizes XS-2X and length options available) | black organic cotton (XS-XL, also available in khaki) | blue and pink floral (standard and petite up to XL)
If your size is not available or you don't like the print but like the concept of the dress, I've gathered similar sundresses for you:
I don’t blame you for not wanting to deal with jeans, either.
I’m all about the stretchy jeans though I’ve been tempted to do Zoom yoga in my US Seine jeans. Has anyone tried the Donna Curve style? I have a small waist, relatively speaking.
I have and I really like them! https://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/new-universal-standard-denim/ they’re not as thin as the Seines but just as comfy.
Lol, love the comments on the Lands End models. I don’t really mind them though, in fact I think sometimes I decide to buy clothes because I am drawn to the the setting/feel of the phot shoot! With lands end it’s all about whether I think the clothes fit what I’m looking for.
Jeans are not the most fun thing to shop for. Getting a good fit is difficult.
Yes, to the creepy Lands End photography! It always shocks me when I get one of their catalogs… the photography and clothes look soooo much nicer.
Alison, you are reading my mind lately! Glad you’re loving the Gap sundress – I’ve been eyeing it myself. FYI, they’re starting their Friends and Family promo (50% off everything excluding clearance) on Tuesday for cardholders, Weds for everyone else. I’m definitely circling back to this post on Tues and going to buy all the breezy dresses my heart desires!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Keep on being kind to yourself. Sometimes ya just gotta be. Bravo!
You revealed today that you are “all of us.” Thank you for your honesty. How many times have I just wanted to say something similar but was afraid of disappointing others? Way too many times. So I want you to know, I wasn’t disappointed with you at all for not wanting to squeeze yourself into many pairs of jeans and smile for the camera. Instead I was impressed with your honesty and saying what you were feeling.
I think Lands End needs to hire you to fix their stuff. I was all excited looking on the blog shots: then I went to the actual site and everything looks so unappealing. “Shiny robot models”.
I am so done with COVID, hybrid school, anti-maskers, travel uncertainty, and this sensation of going nowhere. I’m identifying with all the Disney princesses (“I want adventure in the great wide somewhere”, “wandering free, wish I could be, part of that world”, “when will my life begin?”
Your post made me laugh! Thank you for your honesty and good for you for not doing that photo shoot.
“ the last thing I want to do is get gussied up and shove this body into hard denim and stand in front of bright lights with a big smile on my face as I show yet another huge box of jeans don’t fit my perfectly normal body…” I hear ya! The only thing worse than trying on jeans is trying on bathing suits. For some reason jeans designers do NOT have an understanding of “distribution”. I will pay gold coin for jeans that don’t shimmy down, jeans that I’m not hoisting up every 6 minutes. I did buy some from US and they are about the best I’ve tried. Love the FEEL of the denim – LOVE IT! But The size 10 Seine jeans fit well but I have to hike them up ALL day. I love the fit tho. I got the Seine in black in a 12 as that’s all that was in stock, and they fit PERFECTLY which is odd since the 10 in denim seems too loose as it slides down constantly. Wwwwhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.?? I do LOVE YOU A!!!! You inspire me daily and always make me laugh and smile, and your family touches my heart.
>>Lands’ End… I love you and have loved you for years but dang you need to fix your janky website and creepy computer-generated models in clothing that are so Uncanny Valley we can’t figure out how the clothes even fit.
Is that what those are?? They do indeed give me the creeps, but I assumed they were, I don’t know, some kind of new, weird, human model. LOL!
I just can not say enough about your TRUTH! Thank you for giving us the REAL. What you shared is how most of us feel.
Looking forward to more dresses and loose linen pants as we move into warmer weather. You ROCK!
I totally get not wanting to try on the jeans! Let’s all breathe and listen to what we need at the moment. Each and every post you publish is well-planned, meaningful, relevant (you have done some amazing shifts with pandemic, and now moving to a little less isolation) and most of all POSITIVE. You’re clearly a very hard worker, and sometimes saying no is crucial. Love this blog.