Happy Anthro Markdown Tuesday! + Store Report: Checked Crops, Starred Entry Tee, Across The Lands Dress (Green Motif)

I stopped in at Vancouver Anthropologie today to pick up the Readymade Dress which has been on my wish list ever since I tried it on on a whim. I'm a bit disappointed at the sale price since I expected it would probably get marked down to about $59 since It's marked down to the same price as the Reflecting Pools Dress which is originally priced at $10 more then the Readymade dress. Not a huge deal, I was just hoping for a lower price today. I'm just glad the sale prices in Vancouver are the same as online. 

Trinket Flats

Shoes in store again today. Oooh I wish they would carry the entire selection of Anthro shoes, especially Miss Albright. 

Readymade Dress

So as I said, I tried the Readymade dress on before (over here) and was really impressed with the fit. I'm still hesitating on keeping it or not because the style is restricted to just summer and $69 is steep for a seasonal dress. Also, I have the Sailboat Skirt and it seems like having two nautical themed outfits is a little much..but I do love it. And, I'm not sure how I feel about the Chambray. Will it be too dated by next year? The fit is really flattering on me since it makes me really long torso seem shorter and my really short legs seem longer. I also really like how simple and comfortable this dress is. It sort of feels as comfortable as wearing sweats. Probably a keeper although I need to mull over if I want to hold out for second cut. 

 I decided to try it on with the Starred Entry Tee just to see if I can fall this dress up and I think it's possible although the way this top clings around my middle and where the top of the skirt sits I think this look needs to be belted. 

 Across The Lands Dress Green Motif

I LOVE this dress in this colorway. It's a funny way to do up a dress with eye hooks down the sides and at the neckline. It makes this really a wrap dress without a sash. I'm not sure I love how big the peep hole is at the bust.. I felt a bit exposed and would probably wear a black bandeau bra underneath to shorten the cleavage exposure but otherwise the dress was perfect. I really love the print and color in this dress. It's quite fall but can be worn in summer or spring as well. It's a size 10 and felt quite comfortable and roomy so I'd stick with this size. Wish listed for markdown or possible full price purchase if a dressy function pops up. 

 Starred Entry Tee

Checked Crops

My store finally got the Checked Crops in today (after I've ordered online). I really like the fabric in these pants. I was initially sceptical that I would like the fabric since it's polyester but it's a really soft, thick and brushed fabric and totally not itchy. The crops, as you can see, are really pant length on me. This is just fine by me since I plan on wearing this mostly with my boots or with my flats and if I wear it with chunky heels I can roll the cuff higher. The fit on these pants are a bit big and higher rise. I tried these on in a size down from my usual (12 in most pants) since they didn't have my size in. I'm going to stick with my true size since I think I need the baggier fit over my athletic thighs to prevent the pattern from distorting and just so it drapes a bit better in my upper thighs and butt. If you have narrower hips then me I would suggest sizing down in these as all the SA's in my store have tried them on and preferred the size down. If the one I ordered fits not too much roomier then these ones then I will keep them, if there is a big difference in size I will return and wait for markdown for this size. 

The Starred Entry Tee I have really mixed feelings about. I really love the orange and the grey colorway but unfortunately they really cling to my muffin top and highlight it. The Blue colorway seemed to disguise my problem areas more and was a bit better balanced on me then the others so I brought it home to think about. This is a large and I take a medium or large in most tops. I think there is not a lot of difference in fit in this shirt between medium and large but I got the large for the bit of extra length in the torso so that I could bunch it up a bit around the middle to hide my tummy. I also think that the horizontal seam across the front may be a problem for some depending on bust size and where it lays on you. May be returning this top and waiting for markdown. 

Anthropologie Fit Reviews: Talauma Tunic, Settee Roses Skirt, Cirque A-Line Dress, Dorsal Tee

I was able to stop in today at the Vancouver Anthropologie as my husband was feeling very generous with time and $$ since he's in vacation mode. Oh how I love vacation mode!! My shopping list today was to find a pair of skinny jeans to wear with my newly acquired  (finally after a year of waffling) Primped and Pebbled Boots and sadly I came home without jeans but I did bring a few purchases home for a visit instead. 

 I've been fantasizing about the Green AG Stevie Ankle Jeans since I saw them on Square Peg For Anthro Blog a few days ago and finally got to try them on today. The green, although it's gorgeous, GORGEOUS, I'm just not sure I can commit myself to wearing green jeans especially since they draw attention to my lower half.  Also, I don't have very many tops that would go well with it. The AG Stevies were super comfortable and very strechy. I found the same jeans in a dark blue denim and I would have instantly purchased them except they were sold out in my size and the size down. In The image below of me wearing the Talauma Tunic I'm wearing 2 sizes too small AG Stevies, hence the major muffin top (my apologies!) . I think I should stick to my tried and true Levi's Demi Curve Jeans though since they are the best fit for my small waist to wide hip ratio and they greatly reduce muffin top. 

Talauma Tunic

I tried on this top because the pretty branch print caught my attention. I tried this on in a medium and I would say it's TTS although flexible either way since it's an oversized top. I did really like it a lot but not the type of top I was in the mood for today so I've wish listed it for a later date. 

 Settee Roses Skirt

I've had this skirt on my wish list since it first appeared on the website. I love that the print lends itself to Summer as well as Fall and when I saw it in store today it was the first item I grabbed. I was pleasantly surprised at the weight of the cotton and the softness. It's sort of a textured thick cotton that feels quite a bit more casual then you would expect with this print. I love playing up the mustard yellow or the Indian Teal for fall and the white in the print for a more summery feel. I'm posting more images of this skirt shortly since it deserves a post of it's own. 

Cirque A-Line Dress

I was quite enchanted by the elephant print of this dress and the contrasting yellow sash over the black. The print, when you look at the negative space is quite perfectly balanced and dances around your body in such a fun way. I tried this on in a 12 which is a size up for me and would be the size I'd buy. I had issues zipping up the zipper at the bust but it was not because it was snug, it was just not a very good zipper and it seemed to be too small for the weight of the fabric. I felt like if I pulled it closed that last little bit the zipper would break so I let it be. I really like this dress for a party but not so much for casual wear so it's wish listed for when the occasion arrises and if I try it on again and successfully zip the zipper up smoothly without destroying it. 

 Dorsal Tee

I have really mixed feelings feelings about this top. I love the colors, love the style, just not so sure it works on my figure. I saw it on my way out of the store and my parking was running out so I had to make the purchase without trying it on first. It's a medium and quite thin and sheer so it shows all of my imperfections and muffin top in all it's glory. It's so sheer that you can see my frowning belly button underneath. I tried it on with a cami underneath as well and that solved a lot of the issues except for the muffin top so I think I  want to take this back tomorrow and try on the large because I think if the large flows away from the body as I think this is intended than it could look so much better on me. But maybe the stripes are just too busy for me? I dunno, I really love the muted mustardy yellow with the taupe background. Maybe I need to find something else in these colors. The length of this tee (on my short 5'4 frame) is more of a tunic length which I really like but I don't think I would like this in a different colorway. 

Seattle Anthropologie Sale Haul + Fitting Room Reviews

Well I came home from Seattle with quite the haul this weekend but in my defence part of what I brought back was the markdown purchases I made online a few weeks ago that I had sent to Hagen's of Blaine, one was an exchange purchase and I also had my birthday discount so actually my total spent in Seattle was $35. Amazing. Husband was very impressed and really likes the clothes I brought back. Except for the Stretch Tulip Belt. He doesn't get the wide belt worn up high trend and thought it looked like I was wearing a bra on the outside of my clothes.  There was no Meyer Meringue Dress in either of the Seattle stores this weekend so that took care of the temptation and made the Longwing Pullover a no brainer purchase. There was no way I was coming back with both the dress and the sweater and I know the sweater will have a lot more use in my closet then the dress would have. Please pardon my pictures today, I would have preferred to have worn my jeans or leaner fitting pants for most of these items but ALL of my pants but these are in the laundry today. 

Longwing Pullover small, Lacey Turning Cami medium

Cropped Culottes size 31 (hemmed), Stretched Tulip Belt size L

I am in total LOVE with the Longwing Pullover. I had a few styling tips from an SE who confirmed this would look great belted and that to be brought into a Fall wardrobe I could wear a cropped blazer overtop or perhaps a sweater jacket if the sleeves don't bunch up underneath too obviously. I get really warm in the Fall and Winter with indoor heating and much prefer lighter layers anyways so I'm pretty sure I will be able to bring this into the cooler months. When I saw this pullover in store the first time I had just tried on the Lunar Cycles Top and passed on it because it was too startchy feeling and heavy. My initial reaction to the Longwing Pullover was 'awe, too bad it's not the Lunar Cycles Top in this soft knit. I don't like the peach'. When I finally got around to trying it on last week I decided I really do love the color on me and it would have been a lot less striking in white. The Lacey Turing Cami was a great bargain at $19.95 less 25% off (about what I want to spend on a cami). I exchanged my size 10 Heartsease blouse for the Longwing Pullover and purchased the Green Gathering Tank and Lacey Turning Cami for about $35 once my Anthro birthday discount was added in to the order. Yippee!!

The Gathering Tank Green and Grey Size L

Monarch Skirt Size 10, Cropped Culottes (hemmed), Stretched Tulip Belt

I wanted the Gathering Tank in Green to see how it would look with my Monarch Skirt (also a markdown purchase) and I think I really like it. I wouldn't normally pair such a bold color with a printed skirt that doesn't contain the same color. I'm not really good at putting unconventional colors together but I think this works somehow. It looks nice to my eyes at least but if you think it looks ridiculous please let me know.  

I also really like the grey Gathering Tank. It's a warm dark grey that in certain lights has a mauvy undertone. This one will be a staple neutral in my wardrobe and will go with many things. With the Monarch Skirt I think it really subdues the whole look. I like the tee belted I think. I'm a bit undecided about the Stretch Tulip Belt though. I really like it but with my husbands comment about the belted look in general and since I'm not used to wearing belts like this I feel a bit silly. I either have to get over that or decide I'm never going to wear the belt and return it. 

Cinchona Cardigan Size small, The Gathering Tank 

Cropped Culottes (hemmed), Stretched Tulip Belt

I also got the Cinchona Cardigan on markdown for I think $19.95 and I really like it paired with jeans and narrower pants. It's a boyfriend fit cardi so it's quite slouchy. I got it in a size small and it's still baggy in the arms and body. I like this worn open and I thought I'd like it belted but this belt really doesn't work well with it, nor do these pants. It's a cardi that I like for the price I paid but I think I'm a bit limited with what I can pair with it so I wouldn't have purchased it for any more then the sale price. It's the main attraction to an outfit so it's not the type of cardigan I can just throw overtop of a dress or skirt/top combo to finish it off. 

The Cropped Cullotes were the pants I got on opening day (over here, unhemmed version) in Vancouver but I never found them online to let you know the name of them until just this week. I liked the fit a lot but they were pant length on me or slightly shorter so I had them hemmed to match the catalogue photo. They look really cute on with wedge heels and a lean fitted top, if only I wasn't so short and hippy. I usually have a really hard time finding pants that fit me well since my proportions are so strange. I have a small waist with wide hips and I'm quite short legged so balancing my top and bottom half are hard and also finding pants that fit my waist and thighs well is quite difficult. My jeans that you will see a lot of in my reviews are the Levi's Skinny Boot Cut in Modern Demi Curve. I took several days to find jeans that fit well and after several hours in the mall one day I decided to try on Levi's which used to fit me horribly. I was so pleased that they now offer the Demi Curve waist which really solved all of my jeans fit issues. I've also had a lot of luck at Anthro with the way pants fit me. Hei-Hei, Level 99 and Joes Jeans all fit me really well. They are made to fit women with curves and all have rises that are not at all scandalous on me. It's so nice to know that my fit frustrations are finally over and I can stop waisting my time at other brands that only made me feel really bad about my shape. 

Sale Haul! I Done Good!!

I was in the neighborhood today (total lie, it was a special trip) and so I decided to check in with the sales racks at Vancouver Anthropologie to see if I could find that Blue Tulip Belt I passed on last week. It wasn't in today but I did find some goodies to bring home with me. The markdowns extended out of the markdown room onto the main floor with 3-4 extra racks of clothes and an additional one downstairs by the front entrance so its definitely worth your wile to stop in and check it out. Although now I wish I had stopped in early on Tuesday for the best picking since it seemed that although there were a lot of items today it was well picked over of size options and I can't help but wonder what other goodies I missed. The 25% off sale items also applied in store on clothes so I was happy to pick a few things up that I would never have thought to try on otherwise. Man I love bargain shopping at Anthro. And whats funny is that's so unlike me otherwise. I did also try on some non markdown items (fit reviews to come soon) and I managed to add even more to my ever growing wishlist. One item I may end up picking up this weekend when we head to Seattle if I'm lucky enough to find it again (in US $$'s :p )

Sweet Breeze Crops size 31 $69.95 less 25% (from $169!)

These were a bit of a quirky fit (just like the online reviews indicate) but I actually really love them on.  I may have wanted to try a size up in these to solve some of my fit issues (update: I've worn these for an hour and they have stretched out one full size) with them but they have loosened up since I've been wearing them here at home and I'm glad I got them despite my initial hesitation at the fit. The calf area is quite tapered and very fitted on my larger calves so much so that I can't roll them up more then once. The thighs are slightly snug but I can move around easily and sit and I  don't feel much tension in the fabric except if the lower pant leg which is narrower rides up slightly. The waist is looser fitting and sits a few inches below my belly button which is really great for me.  I have a hard time finding pants with a rise and waist that fit my smaller waist and bigger rear but these are high enough and fitted at the waist that they are perfect for pear shaped figures. The color of these pants are really great too, it's a denimy grey in a thin cotton and I foresee them matching a lot of items already in my closet.  I think if you have a smaller rear/hip/thigh area these may add bulk to your hip area by bagging out a bit but because they are more fitted on me they don't add anymore bulk then is already there. I find them slimming to my shape but I can see how they would do the opposite for some shapes. 

Seersucker Crops Size L $29.95 less 25% off (from $58)

These were a fun pair of lounge pants that I grabbed just to try on as a pair of pajamas but actually, they are so adorable and comfortable on that I want to wear them as actual lounge pants to the park, the wading pool with the kids, grocery shopping or other very casual errand trips. They have hardware detailing on them so I think they are 'lounge' pants and not just 'sleep' pants. Do you agree? I photographed them with the leg hiked up a bit but I prefer them longer. Super duper cute and if it turns out they should be left to sleepwear, then for $25 you can't beat it. 

Deep End Barrette $19.95 (from $32)

I purchased this barrette today that I've been coveting for a long time. The original sale price in Canada was around $42, $10 hole dollars more then the US price and I just couldn't stomach paying the price of a garment on a hair accessory. When it was marked down online for $19.95 I passed on it only because then I'd have to pay full shipping and drive out to Blaine Washington to pick it up. I expected that the Canadian in store sale price would be higher then the US price so when I saw it today marked down to $19.95 I could not pass it up. I have really thick wavy hair and this little clip does an amazing job of holding it all in. I mean ALL of it in a low ponytail.  My hair looks awful up in a ponytail so I'm forever looking for hair accessory's  to use when my hair looks less then together so I'm really pleased I got this one today. This clip is made in France both the plastic as well as the hardware so this really is the ferarri of hair clips at a bargain price. 

My Haul On Opening Day

Ruched Hourglass Top

I adore this top. It looks like such a simple little  tee when you first glance at it folded on the table but it has some miracle gathering at the sides, draping across the tummy and three buttons in the back to accentuate the waist. I picked this top up because I love the retro whimsical red polka dot look but it turns out this little tee is so much more clever then color and print. Keeper!!

Winner's Circle Tee

Once again, I was attracted to this top because of the color. The color is a splendid cornflower blue with pretty flower details on the scoop neck. When I tried it on I was once again impressed at how easy fitting Anthropologie clothing are for curvy figures and the little details that make it so. The front hem of this top is shorter then the back and the top flares out in an a-line. I'm not sure the silhouette of this top works well with the pants  I purchased (see pictures below) but I do love it with my jeans and possibly a pair of White shorts. Keeper!

Loosened Shelby Blouse

I instantly loved this top. Lately I've been attracted to soft yellow so when I saw a nice summer blouse with a pretty lemon print I grabbed it in two sizes and headed to the fitting room. I did go home with it but now I'm having second thoughts. The size 8 is just really big on me and it only seems to look good while tucked in (and I never ever tuck my shirts in). Is the print a little too retro?? Something about the sleeves I'm not totally loving. I'm torn with this one, while I love it and love the idea of it I'm just not sure how much I will use it or how timeless it will be in my closet. Return?

Drapey Bubble Tee

I tried this top on in a medium in the dark grey color and loved the idea of it. The Medium was a bit too tight at the cuffed hem and it felt too short on me sitting at my waist.  I grabbed the Ivory in a large and took it home without trying it on because of the long fitting room lineup. The large also has a slightly uncomfortable fit with the gathers pulling to the sides, still slightly shorter then I prefer and complicated to put on with delicate fabric because of the inner attached tank. I'm going to return this one but I want to try on the large in a different color and see if there is a discrepancy in fit with this top and hopefully another large will fit me better. The large fits fine enough but not totally ideal. It's a matter of it being ill fitting on me and not so much the wrong size I think. 

I couldn't find a web image of these crops but I really liked them. I need to have them hemmed at a more flattering length for my short 5'4 frame with short legs but I'm not decided yet how short I want them to be. They are a dark grey cotton linen and I foresee myself wearing these a lot with more form fitting tops during the summer months. If only I had a nice pair of chunky wedge heels to wear with them. I was sad to not see my coveted Lemon Stick Wedges. I need to find out what Canadian Anthropoligie carries these shoes and then I may be able to do a charge send to the Vancouver location