A couple weeks ago I did a couple try-ons featuring some new spring orders on InstaStories! While I usually don’t do try-on roundups in blog posts, I think I’m going to start doing that. Not only does it allow me to share more of what I’m trying on vs just what I’m buying, but it allows you to get a feel for everything before you order something yourself! In these try-on Instastories, I share the good, the bad, and the ugly. You’re never going to hear me say “I’m obsessed with this”, this is a must-have”, etc about everything I try-on – it’s not realistic or practical information. I share my favorite items of course, but I also share what doesn’t work – whether the color is off, the fit is bad, or the quality/fabric isn’t what I expected, I always share that with y’all. So going forward, I’m going to share my try-ons on the blog as well as on Instagram! Here’s my first one:
These are two dresses I ordered from Matches Fashion! As a blonde, blue-eyed gal, I wear a fair amount of blue. The deeper blue broderie anglaise dress on the left was giving me major Zimmermann vibes (for much less $!) with the somewhat Victorian high neckline and statement sleeves! I ordered the UK10 (US 6), and while it fit, I would have preferred if the waist was a little more cinched in – probably could have sized down. I LOVED the color, both online and in person – so, so pretty! The fabric was flowy and beautiful – not at all stiff for some other broderie anglaise looks. While I liked the silhouette/neckline, something about it on felt a little costume-y to me. It also didn’t really feel like a dress I’d wear much during the day, so I wasn’t sure how much use I was going to get out of it. Ultimately, I decided to return this one!
The dress on the right pulled me in with it’s effortlessly breezy silhouette and classic blue + white seersucker. This dress is a DREAM in terms of comfort! The tie belt is optional and mid-section is loose, so it could definitely work if you’re rocking a baby bump. I got a size small and it fits perfectly! I don’t think I’ve ever owned anything with this type of neckline, and I’m not sure it’s the most flattering on my larger chest. Large statement sleeves generally aren’t great on me either…. but with all of that said, I decided to keep this dress anyway. It’s perfectly lovely for dressing down with white sneakers, flat espadrilles and sandals for daytime, but style it with heels at night and you’re good to go! I really couldn’t pass up the comfort and casual elegance of this dress!
All three of these dresses are J.Crew! The two on the left (stripes and gingham) are both meant as coverups, but the striped midi dress is thick enough fabric to be worn as an everyday dress. That’s what I plan to wear the striped dress as mostly! Again, the tie belt on the striped dress is optional, so it would definitely work with a baby bump. I’m wearing a size small and it still fit pretty oversized! If you want a more fitted look, size down. The striped midi dress is just a great casual basic for the warmer months, plus it’s under $100!
The gingham coverup is one I bought to go with this bathing suit. Unfortunately the suit didn’t fit me (straps were far too long and couldn’t be adjusted much), so there’s not really a need for me to keep the matching coverup. While I think it’s cute, I generally try to avoid tent dresses like this. Something cinched at the waist is always more flattering on my figure! It also is a bit sheer, so it’s not a style you could wear everyday – unless you got it lined or wore a slip. This was a pass for me!
Finally, the yellow dress. I was expecting this to not fit me! It almost has a mermaid silhouette look to it, so I figured it would be too tight in the hips for me. I ordered it in a 6, but also ordered the navy version in an 8 to try! The 8 was way too big on me, and while the 6 was perfect in the hip/saddle bag area, I am going to have the waist-line and bust taken in a bit. Things are just more flattering on me when the bodice and waist are more fitted! The lace embroidery is thick and feels very high quality for J.Crew, and the grosgrain straps are a nice touch. I don’t own a ton of yellow, so I thought this would be a fun piece to mix up my wedding and party looks for spring/summer!
This adorable white lace dress is one I found while wandering around Gold Coast in Chicago in January! Even though it was 30 degrees, I couldn’t pass up on this spring/summer cutie. I love the fun scallop/ruffle details on this dress, and the fact that it has a drawstring waist to cinch the look. Definitely what I’d call a good statement staple! Lately I’ve been more self-conscious about my upper thigh area (hello, cellulite!), so I have been reaching more for midi-length dresses. Many above-the-knee styles have been feeling too short on me, but this one didn’t! I’m 5’9 and this one was the perfect length. I ended up buying a US 8 in this dress, because the 6 felt too tight across the chest and was a little shorter! Maje tends to run small across the board, so this isn’t a big surprise!
I also want to talk about these tan sandals I ordered to match my Hermes bag for spring/summer! I wore them for the first time last Saturday (from like 12pm-midnight), and they were so comfy ALL DAY LONG. No “wear in” necessary. The leather is like butter and just glides against your feet – no blisters or rubbing whatsoever. The heel is so low and sturdy it feels like you’re in flats! I’m so impressed with these sandals, I’m thinking I may pick up the gold pair as well! Cannot recommend these enough. They fit true to size – I’m wearing a 9 1/2!
Last year I picked up two dresses by Reformation (this and this). I loved how that silhouette looked on my figure, so I bought it in two colors! I wore both dresses all summer and can’t wait to pull them out again. On both dresses, I ended up eventually having the slit closed up a bit – I truly don’t know why Reformation thinks having a slit this high on all of their dresses is necessary. Maybe I’m old-fashioned and modest, or maybe I just don’t want to flash people every time a slight breeze comes by!
Anyway, this year they released the same style again in darker, solid neutrals. Naturally I had to try ’em! I initially thought I was going to like the tan color, but it felt more olive in person – just not a very flattering color with my skin tone. The black one is way more my speed! I ordered the medium in both – I have the small in both of the ones I bought last year, but the medium is definitely more comfortable on me at the moment! While I love having the two lighter options from last year, I think the black will make a very nice transitional piece for now and wearing into fall. I have another black midi dress (first worn here!) I wear repeatedly throughout summer, so I definitely think this dress a keeper! It’ll be nice to give the other one a break every once in a while.
As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t shop at Zara often for a few reasons. For one, they are not on an affiliate network – as a blogger I can’t earn any commission when I link to their product, so it’s not a great “investment” in my business. I also try to avoid shopping a lot at fast fashion brands because the quality can be poor, bad on the environment and I like things I buy to be built to last. With all of that said, I do stop in there on occasion and will find one or two knockout pieces I can’t pass up! On my latest trip I found two darling dresses! The first is an oversized embroidered midi dress. This one fits like a tent and is honestly not at all flattering on me, but I love it anyway! The color and embroidery are so pretty, and it’s airy and comfortable for everyday wear. It would be a great style to wear for a long summer travel day, a cute coverup, or just a good work-from-home piece for me! I’m wearing a medium here, but definitely could have sized down to a small – it’s huge! They didn’t have a small in the store, so I bought the medium and don’t regret it. It’s just one of those easy, breezy dresses for casual days, so who cares if it’s a tent?!
The dress on the right may surprise you – I’m wearing an XL here! Every Zara dress that is above the knee is automatically too short on me. I sized up to an XL so I could get the longest option possible! While it’s still pretty short, I feel way more comfortable in this one than I did in the medium I tried on. While there is quite a bit of extra fabric under the arms, it really isn’t noticeable with the way the silhouette falls on the body. This dress would be as cute as a coverup as it would dressed up for date night! The tiered parts are a bit more sheer than the top, so I’m getting it lined just to be safe. Both dresses are under $100!
On the same day I popped into Zara, I also popped into Banana Republic and Club Monaco! While Club Monaco is a longtime fave of mine, I can’t say I personally shop at BR that much. I found a couple of cute sweaters this winter, but until then it had been at least a couple years since I purchased something at Banana Republic! I have, however, been linking to Banana Republic a lot more lately on the blog as they have a variety of pieces available in extended sizes (not many sites do!). I featured quite a few pieces from Banana Republic in my Spring Capsule Wardrobe, so I decided to pop in and see what else was good. I ended up leaving with this striped shirt (from my capsule!), and this white poplin shirt. I’m wearing a small in both, and they fit great. I love the sleeves on both – the striped has more of a blouson sleeve (more puffed near the cuff), and the white has a puffed 3/4 sleeve. Both are cute budget-friendly basics and great for work or weekend wear!
The sweater on the right is a find from Club Monaco! Club Monaco is one of my go-to labels for two specific items: trench coats and sweaters. While I didn’t find a trench on this visit, I did leave with a pistachio-hued sweater for spring! It’s my first purchase in spring’s biggest color trend (see here for more styles in this and similar colors), and I love it. It looks great with blue and white denim, and is an easy, casual look for everyday wear. While I won’t be wearing it in Texas when summer hits, it’s a great summer sweater style if you live somewhere with cooler temps! Club Monaco tops and sweaters tend to run small on me, so I sized up to a medium. I’m not wearing it with anything but a nude bra here, but if you want more coverage you can layer it over a nude or white cami!
Last but not least, these jeans are another new purchase! I wanted a lighter wash for spring, and these fit the bill perfectly! They have ZERO stretch and are pretty narrow in the hip/thigh/knee area, so I sized up to a 29 (they’re still pretty snug, if I’m being honest). I love the high-waist fit and they are cropped at the ideal length, just above the ankle. Did I mention these jeans are under $100? I wore them for the first time on the blog in this post last week!
I hope you enjoyed this first of many try-on posts! As always, make sure you’re following me on Instagram and the LikeToKnow.It app to shop these try-ons in real time!
