Dressing Room Diaries

Cheers to almost-Friday, friends! We’re spending the day at-sea…which basically means lots of ice cream, naps, and a trip to the spa. We have Royal Afternoon Tea planned for the afternoon, followed by a big dinner party. I plan on wearing this dress so I’ll have plenty of room! 😉

But today on the blog, it’s another round of Dressing Room Diaries, where 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.

I also brought my darling Mama Sugarplum along for her take on a few things. I tried a lot of things in anticipation of this cruise, 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.

Let’s start with my favorites this time…dresses! As soon as I saw the pattern and neckline on this dress, I knew I had to try it. It’s an extremely thick and stretchy cotton, and literally hugs every curve of your body. The longer length makes it more chic than sexpot…but it’s certainly a looker! It’d be so cute with colored heels and a statement earring.

Fit Tip: It runs small, so size up! I’m wearing a regular 4…the petite hit just above my knee, but was too short-waisted.

Stretch Sheath Dress

Mama Sugarplum picked this dress out for herself, and looked so cute I had to try it, too. It’s fully-lined with lovely embroidery down the front and hem. It nips in at the waist just a bit, but doesn’t hug the body too tight.

Fit Tip: I’m wearing a petite 2, but would prefer the length of a regular. Mom is wearing a 4p and loves it.

Embroidered Shift Dress

This crepe dress had us both swinging and twirling…the ruffled hem is just so fun, especially paired with the sportier racerback neckline. It’s fully lined, and hugs the torso and waistline.

Fit Tip: It’s true to size, we’re both wearing a 2.

Ruffle Hem Dress

This dress has real potential, but I think is better suited for taller girls. It’s a nice cotton poplin, with a full one-shoulder ruffle. It was too wide through the body on me, so sizing down might have kept it from overwhelming my frame so much. But it has real potential, don’t you think!?

Fit Tip: I’m wearing a 0.

One-Shoulder Ruffle Dress

It’s no secret I’m a fit-and-flare girl, so I was surprised by how much I loved the almost-mermaid shape of this gingham dress. The wide neckline and belted waist are a nice balance to the fuller hem, and created the illusion of height. It’s fully-lined cotton with no stretch, so you want a close fit.

Fit Tip: I’m kind of in-between sizes on this one…I’m wearing a 00 and it was pretty tight. 

Gingham Dress

I think I’ve reviewed this off-the-shoulder dress already, but I wanted to show you this fun color. It’s a polyester-rayon material, but extra thick so it’s not flimsy or sheer. The wide elastic keeps it in place and makes it easy to move your arms around.

Fit Tip: It runs really big, I’m wearing a petite XXS!

Off-the-Shoulder Dress | Similar Wedge

I love the soft lavender color and flutter sleeve of this lace overlay midi dress, but the deep neckline is not for the busty crowd. I need to size up one to fit my waist and hips, but I think that would be too big on top.

Fit Tip: If you have narrow hips, stick with your usual size, but size up if you’re hourglass.

Lace Midi Dress | Similar Wedge

I love the graphic embroidery of this off-the-shoulder dress, and the flowy shape, but the material is a tad sheer. Also, don’t plan on wearing it to eat unless you’re okay with dragging the arm ties through your food. Or is that just me?

Fit Tip: I’m wearing a regular XS.

Off-the-Shoulder Embroidered Dress | Similar Wedge

I fell for this striped dress in a previous Dressing Room Diaries, but wanted to try a shorter length. It’s a thick, ribbed knit with a lot of stretch, and hangs pretty straight. I like the shorter length of the petite, but the bust darts don’t hit me at the right spot. This dress is actually a better fit and length for me…but I sized down to an XXS petite.

Fit Tip: I’m wearing a petite XS.

Bell Sleeve Striped Dress | Similar Wedge

I think this is actually supposed to be a midi dress…which is great for taller girls, or works as a perfectly-hemmed maxi dress for you shorter ones! The material is a polyester-rayon, so it has nice flow and drape, but not overly soft. The halter style is uber-flattering, and the ruffle makes it so feminine.

Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS

Halter Maxi Dress

Obviously ruffles and bell-sleeves have my whole heart this season…but I just love the girly touches they add! This cotton eyelet dress is so fresh and Summery, and fully lined. I like the slightly longer sleeve, but would prefer a shorter length to balance it better.

Fit Tip: I’m wearing a regular 0, so would prefer a petite for the length, or would hem this one a couple of inches.

Bell Sleeve Eyelet Dress

This combo is kind of the best of all worlds because it wears like a dress, but is separates so you can mix and match the pieces within your wardrobe. It’s a thick sweater-knit material, but isn’t clingy or overly body conscious. The colors are cobalt and black, so you could pair it with both black and taupe/cognac.

Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS.

Two-Piece Knit Set

Moving on to tops…and of course most of them will have some sort of unique detail, like this ruffle collar and sleeve. The textured dots are fun, too. You can wear it open for a relaxed look with shorts and jeans, or button the neck for a more dressed-up, ladylike vibe with pants and skirts. It’s a great closet staple that you’ll never tire of, and the styling options are endless!

Fit Tip: I sized up to a 2 for more room in the armpits.

Ruffle-Neck Blouse | Distressed Jeans | Platform Espadrilles

The body of this top is the softest t-shirt material, and the banded waist is a crisp cotton poplin. It hangs nicely and doesn’t grab the hips, but the poplin does wrinkle in the wash, so you’ll have to iron it.

Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS.

Side-Tie T-Shirt (also here) | Distressed Jeans | Platform Espadrilles

Popovers are my favorite style of collared shirt, and this crisp poplin is perfect for so many Summer outfits. It’s darling with jeans, shorts, and skirts…and I love the proportions of the collar and sleeve. The pull-on skirt is a tad short for my taste, but sizing up one would help with that. The wide elastic waistband has a lot of give to it, so it’s a forgiving fit.

Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS in the shirt, and a 00 in the skirt.

Cotton Poplin Popover Top | Frayed Hem Ankle Jeans | Striped Skirt

Oh hey, another popover…but this in a darling oversized gingham. The material of this shirt is thinner than the white poplin, but not sheer. And clearly I love these cropped, exposed hem jeans since I’m wearing them every other day!

Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS shirt, and the jeans are true to size.

Gingham Popover Top | Frayed Hem Ankle Jeans

My mom tried this top on a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it! The embroidered cherry is just too cute! It’s more of a thin sweater material than t-shirt, so it doesn’t feel too juvenile.

Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS.

Cherry Embroidered Striped Sweater | Frayed Hem Ankle Jeans

This top has been out for awhile, but I couldn’t resist the clearance price. The collar and sleeve details are so cute, and the blue and green combo is slightly unexpected. It would be so cute with white denim!

Fit Tip: I’m wearing a size 2.

Ruffle Pleathed Top | Frayed Hem Ankle Jeans | Platform Espadrilles

Looking at this picture now, I can’t believe either of us walked out of the dressing room with this blouse! The colors are so vibrant and rich, and the tiered shoulder ruffle so pretty. The extra volume at the shoulder creates a smaller waistline and hips, too. It’s a polyester/rayon type material, so not super soft, but drapes well.

Fit Tip: It runs true, we’re both wearing XS

Ruffle Sleeve Top | Frayed Hem Ankle Jeans | White Jeans | Platform Espadrilles

Striped tees are my weakness, they’re perfect for layering, and go with most every pattern. We liked the longer sleeve and stretch of this one, but wish it were a tad thicker.

Fit Tip: It runs tight, we’re both wearing small, and could have sized up again.

Striped Tees (available in several solids, too) | Platform Espadrilles | Lace-Up Sandals

My high-school self would be rolling my eyes so hard at the idea of twinning with my mom…and now I love it!! She fell for my new palm print monogrammed tote, so I treated her to one as an early Mother’s Day gift. So cute, right?!

Gingham Peplum Top | Frayed Hem Ankle Jeans | White Jeans | Platform Espadrilles | Monogrammed Totes (use code SUGARPLUM10 for 10% off!)

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 all the ports and fun from Scandinavia! See you back here next week for a fun, new 5 Ways Series! Happy almost-weekend, lovebugs!

*Next stop: Tallinn, Estonia!*

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