Cheers to almost-Friday, friends! I’m actually headed out for a blogger conference this afternoon…aka, a girl’s weekend with some of my favorite blogger babes, so I wanted to get this new round of Dressing Room Diaries to you early! It’s full of so much great stuff, I didn’t want to wait one more day. Plus, I have the sneaky feeling we’ll be having too so much fun tonight, that I’d forget to finish it!
You know the drill with Dressing Room Diaries...I hunt down some of the cutest new arrivals from my favorite retailers, and review them for you. As usual, the shots aren’t good, the lighting is bad, and I’m in desperate need of a hairbrush. Many of the items aren’t a good fit for me…but it’s real life, real girl, real clothes…and hopefully helpful for you to see them this way, instead of perfectly styled on a model.
And this time, I brought my darling Mama Sugarplum along for her take on things. We covered a lot on our last mall trip, so let’s get to it!
Fit Note: I’m 5’4″-ish, 120 pounds-ish, with a slight pear shape. Mama Sugarplum is 5’1″, with an hourglass figure. Our usual size is XS/0.
Mom fell for these cropped pants on our last trip, and ended up with more than a couple of pairs, and insisted I needed them, too. They are super thick and structured, with a lot of stretch that keeps you all tucked in. The cropped length is perfect for wedges or flat sandals, but also dressing up with heels for work or evenings. For some reason, the gingham and denim prints aren’t as thick or stretchy, but the sizing is the same. I brought the black ones home.
Fit Tip: Mom is wearing a 4p in the pants, and I’m wearing a regular 0. The petite was an awkward crop length for me.
Short-Sleeve Sweater | Favorite Cropped Pants | Similar Peplum Top | Similar Wedges | Espadrilles
I’ve got Mama Sugarplum on the ruffle train with me, so of course we had to try this top with the ruffle sleeve. The sleeve is a bit longer, so a good choice if you prefer to cover your upper arm. I thought the neckline was a little wide, and while it has nice drape, the material is a little rough.
Fit Tip: The top is a generous size, we’re both wearing XS.
Ruffle Sleeve Top | White Jeans | Lace-Up Sandals | Dark Jeans | Espadrilles
Can a closet ever have too much gingham or stripes? Both tops are a soft, lightweight cotton.
Fit Tip: We’re both wearing XS.
Gingham Shirt | White Jeans | Striped Pleated Peplum Top | High-Rise Jeans | Pearl Necklace
This striped popover has feminine little gathers at the shoulder, and a roll-tab sleeve. The material is a very soft, lightweight, almost gauzy cotton, but not sheer enough to need a cami. Pretty much the perfect weight for warm months.
Fit Tip: It runs a little big, and is more of a tunic length. I liked the relaxed fit and am wearing an XS, but size down if you prefer a shorter or closer fit.
Striped Henley Shirt | Dark Jeans | Sandals
Off-the-shoulder tops can be a little awkward to wear, or too revealing for some occasions, but one-shoulder is a great option with a similar look. This darling top has a super-soft t-shirt material in the body, and an eyelet ruffle with comfortable elastic. And I couldn’t resist the red sunglasses for such a steal!!
Fit Tip: The top runs a little large, but I’m still wearing an XS.
One-Shoulder Top | Sunglasses | Dark Jeans | Sandals
I love the embroidery on this this top, and the feminine fit of the neckline and flutter sleeve. The yellow is even a great shade for blondes, which isn’t easy to do! It is a sheer linen, so I’d recommend layering a nude cami.
Fit Tip: True to size, I’m wearing an XS.
Linen Embroidered Top | White Jeans | Similar Wedges
Another cute one-shoulder top, but this one is a bit cropped. The material has nice drape, but a slightly-rough polyester feel.
Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS, but size up if you want a bit more length.
One-Shoulder Striped Top | White Jeans | Espadrilles
There’s a lot going on with this top, but it’s certainly fun, and a great night-out option. It has a mock-neck, and low draping cold-shoulder sleeve with ruffles. The length is great for jeans, or even tucking into pants or a skirt.
Fit Tip: We’re both wearing a size 2.
Mock-Neck Cold Shoulder Top (love this one even more) | White Jeans | Espadrilles
Mock-Neck Cold Shoulder Top (love this one even more) | Dark Jeans | Lace-Up Sandals
This top looked like a long-shot online, but as soon as I slipped it on, I was instantly smitten! In fact, I wore it twice over Easter weekend, and received so many compliments. It’s everything you want in a Summery top…fun, flirty, comfortable, and lightweight. It’s thick linen and fully lined, with stretchy cold-shoulder sleeves. And these jeans are the cropped version of my favorite mid-rise…love the exposed hem for Summer!!!
Fit Tip: I sized up for more length, and paired it with a mid-rise jean.
Linen Cold-Shoulder Top | Rough Hem Jeans | Similar Wedges
This peplum is another fun option, with a thick lacy overlay. This one is navy and black, but it comes in a pretty ivory, as well. I love the exposed zipper in the back, and the v-neck is just low enough to be sassy, but not so much you have to skip a bra.
Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS in the top, and my usual size in the jeans. Which, by the way, are absurdly comfortable!!
Lace Peplum Top | Rough Hem Jeans | Similar Wedges
This dress had us both twirling…always a good sign it’s a good one! It’s a crisp cotton poplin, and fully lined with a flattering fit-and-flare shape. We loved the knee-length and structured collar, too.
Fit Tip: It runs a little big, and we’re both wearing a 0. Mom is wearing black, and I’m in navy.
Poplin Fit-and-Flare Shirtdress | Pearl Necklace
We both loved this bright and colorful print, and thick basketweave material. I do wish it had a bit more stretch to it, but definitely, the fit was still good.
Fit Tip: Both run large, so size down one.
Floral Shift Dress | White Top | Floral Pencil Skirt | Pearl Necklace
I loved this dress so much in black, I had to try it in white for more casual occasions. For some reason, this one fit a little more snug than the same size in black, so obviously there’s some inconsistency in the sizes…but worth it considering the price and amazing style of the dress.
Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS, and while it fits, it’s a little constricting. So if you’re in between sizes, I’d recommend going up one.
Talk about sizing issues…I adored this dress from the get-go, but it took 4 sizes to get it right!! Lucky for you guys I’ve cracked the sizing code, because it’s a great dress, especially for the price! It’s a flowy, thick rayon material, with wide elastic across the shoulders. I’ve got full range of motion in my arms without the dress riding up, too, which is always a bonus with off-the-shoulder styles. It also comes in a slew of great colors.
Fit Tip: It runs really big and long…I’m wearing an XXS petite! So if you’re under 5’6″ or so, I’d recommend going with petite sizing, and definitely go down at least one.
Off-the-Shoulder Dress | Similar Wedges
This ruffle sleeve dress is a thick cotton with great stretch, and soft feel. The sleeves are longer, which are a great balance to the shorter length…and it nips in just slightly at the waist, so it’s not a shapeless fit.
Fit Tip: This is the same brand as the last dress, and I’m wearing an XXS Petite.
Striped Ruffle-Sleeve Dress | Similar Wedges
Okay, moving on to my favorites…dresses! Both these shift dresses were comfortable and so easy to wear. They’d be great for both work or evenings out, and have the perfect knee-length.
Fit Tip: We’re both wearing a 2.
Floral Shift Dress | Black Lace Shift Dress | Pearl Necklace
These dresses are a great example of why I love having Mama Sugarplum with me in the dressing room…both are right up my alley, but I can see how older women might question if they can ‘pull them off.’ Well, I think you can see the answer is YES! Both are darling on mom, and if she’s uncomfortable with the sleeves or neckline, she can throw on a jean jacket for extra coverage!
Fit Tip: We’re wearing a 2 in the striped halter, and XS in other other. Both are available in petite sizing, but we preferred the lengths of the regular.
Striped Fit-and-Flare Dress | Jean Jacket | Striped Halter Dress | Pearl Necklace | Red Sneakers
Here’s more of a close-up of the fit-and-flare…it’s a super thick cotton with a lot of structure, considering it’s a knit dress. The pleats lay beautifully, and hello pockets! The back has a cute cut-out (easily covered by a jacket if needed), but you can still wear a normal bra with it. It’s equally cute with wedges, flats, or sneakers!
Striped Fit-and-Flare Dress | Similar Wedges
Even red sneakers! (Size down in the Shoreline style…Mama SP’s faves.) I mean really though, could this woman BE any cuter?!?!
Striped Fit-and-Flare Dress | Jean Jacket | Pearl Necklace | Red Sneakers
This shift dress is a thick basketweave fabric, and perfectly shows off her hourglass shape. The color is stunning in person, and the dress would easily transition from work to evening with the choice of shoes.
Fit Tip: Size down one, she’s wearing a regular 0.
This dress is packing all kinds of fun and personality with the ruffle neckline and extra-full skirt. The stripes keep it from being too sweet, and the punchy pink tie really accentuates the waist, and creates an ultra-flattering fit. The material is a shiny taffeta-like finish.
Fit Tip: Runs true, I’m wearing a 0.
As usual, I’m ending the post with my favorite of the batch…and it just so happens to be another black, lace overlay dress. Which I absolutely don’t need, but can’t resist. It fits like a glove, and the price is so good! Especially considering how tailored it fits, and all the extra details. The mock-neck gives it a demure vibe, but the cut-out crochet across the chest and at the waist, keeps it sassy. I love the knee-length and little peplum ruffle, too! This dress works for parties, date night, weddings, and all those random events that seem to pop up at the last minute, and has a classic silhouette that will never go out of style.
Fit Tip: It runs a hair small, so if you’re in-between, I’d go up one. I’m wearing a small.
Lace Dress | Similar Leopard Pump
Okay, I think that’s enough for today! I do hope you found this post helpful, and maybe discovered some new goodies. What’s your favorite from this round of Dressing Room Diaries? You may want to check out the previous installment because many of the items featured are on sale!
And be sure to follow along on Instagram for peeks into our girl’s weekend…it’s a blogger style conference, so the outfits should be good! Happy almost-weekend, lovebugs!
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