Anthropologie: Above-A-Blue-Sky Skirt Review

This is Anthropologie's Above-A-Blue-Sky skirt (style #920067), which retails for $68. It is alpha-sized, and is available in this one pattern, multi. It is available in petites and regular. The skirt is by Edme and Esyllte, and Anthropologie describes it as such:

In Edme & Esyllte's topsy-turvy paradise, wildflowers flourish atop the deep turquoise heavens.

• Side pockets
• Pull-on styling
• Cotton; cotton lining
• Machine wash
• Regular: 18"L
• Petite: 16.5"L

I was instantly in love with this skirt when I saw it. I tried it on in a size small, and it fits true-to-size. There is some flexibility in the sizing, as there is elasticizing smocking at the back waistband which gives you some stretch in the waist. The size small fit me comfortably, so if you are on the small end of a medium or higher end of an extra small, you could also try a small.

The fabric on this skirt is a nice, light cotton. The skirt is lined in cotton as well, and the skirt moves pretty well. It's pretty forgiving on your bottom half without adding a lot of volume, and I think it's a pretty flattering shape overall. I tried this skirt on in the regular, and I like the length, as it hits just at the knees.

The skirt has an overall sort of wildflower/meadow pattern, with a wide teal band on the bottom. I think the pattern is really fun and whimsical, and is really colorful, so can work with a ton of top colors. For the most part, I think this is a casual skirt.

This was my first (and so far only) trip to Anthropologie, and this was one of many really cute things I tried on, but one of only two things I ended up taking home. I love Anthropologie's stuff, but a lot of it is pretty pricey, in my opinion. I do think it is a nice place to get some really feminine, pretty pieces and can't wait to check it out again!

What do you think? Do you like this skirt? Have you seen it or tried it on? Do you own it? What do you think of offering it in petite and regular, but not tall?

Anthropologie: Esmee Dress Review

This is Anthropologie's Esmee Dress (style #933094), which retails for $98. It is numerically-sized, and is only available in this color, white. Anthropologie describes the dress as such:

Delicate eyelet embroidery and subtle pintucks fill Maeve's breezy voile silhouette.

• Side pockets
• Side zip
• Cotton; cotton lining
• Machine wash
• 36"L
• Imported

I tried this dress on in a size 4, and I'll be honest, I was in love with this dress as soon as I saw it on the hanger. The dress fits true-to-size, and fits very comfortably. I'm probably biased, but this dress fit perfectly. I wouldn't have considered sizing up or down in this one.

The fabric is a wonderful cotton that is both soft and light, almost airy. It is a nice, comfortable cotton for the summer. Because of the cotton-on-cotton (due to the cotton lining), the dress itself isn't flowy at all, but the cotton on its own does move fairly well.

I think the dress itself has a nice shape - more fitted on top with a band to accentuate the waist, and then a slight flare in the skirt with a bunch of shirring at the waistline. I think it creates a fairly nice shape from the front, and an okay shape from the side. I also like the length - just about knee-length (so it may be shorter on you taller ladies). The dress also has side, on-seam pockets, which I really like.

The dress has a number of details - pleating on the bodice and again on the hem, as well as some ruffles and embroidered lace-like material. I think these details work well with the overall style of the dress, and especially work because they are all the same color. This way the details don't overwhelm the dress, and it looks a bit more interesting, without being over the top. I know there will be some (including Boyfriend probably) who think that this dress is too old-fashioned looking, but I like that look sometimes.

I like the color on this dress as well. It's a sort of off-white, like a light cream color. I actually prefer that to the white for this dress. I think it works well with the design. I think dress could be a casual dress on its own or with very casual accessories, but I think the cut and details make it a little bit more on the dressy side. The lighter color makes it pretty easy to pair with other colors. I would probably stick to lighter pastels or very dark neutrals for this one.

I took this one home (thank you, Boyfriend!). I haven't worn it out anywhere yet, but the summer weather is hopefully breaking through soon (after 10 days of rain), so I'm sure it will be making an appearance shortly!

What do you think? Do you like this dress? Have you seen it or tried it on? What do you think of the details? Would you like to see this dress in another color?

Anthropologie: Kerchief Dress Review

This is Anthropologie's Kerchief Dress (style #933100), which retails for $168. It is by Edme and Esyllte, and is alpha-sized. It is available in this one color, green motif. Anthropologie describes the dress as such:

An ethnic pattern and easy shape mimic the style of a free-flowing scarf. By Edme & Esyllte.

• Removable sash
• Pullover styling
• Silk; acetate lining
• Dry clean
• 36.5"L
• Imported

I tried this dress on in a size small. I found that it fit true-to-size, and was a very comfortable fit. I think it was a little bit loose/blousy on the top, but it fit very comfortably around the waist. The armholes were a fairly generous cut, so I would size this dress based on your bust measurement. I would say that if you are on the smaller end of your dress size range, you can try sizing down.

Both the silk outer and acetate lining are very light and soft. The overall dress is nice and smooth, and a very cool fabric for warm weather. The fabric moves and flows nicely, but it is not particularly drapey. The skirt is sort-of A-line, but leading towards a straighter profile, with a very generous cut, which gives you some room to play with in the bottom.

There is a very pretty sash that matches the purple in the pattern. The online pictures have this sash tying in the back, but I tied it to the side, and I think it looked okay. The neckline starts as a square neck, with the wide straps, and then goes into a modest-to-deep V-neck. I am not the biggest fan of these sort of "hybrid" necklines, and would have liked this better as a squareneck, I think. This dress also has on-seam pockets, which I really like, and they are at a pretty comfortable angle.

As for the pattern, I think it is just okay. I am not the biggest fan of it, although I do love the rich shade of purple that is used throughout the dress. I think I would have liked it better paired with a cooler shade of green. I also don't get the big pattern right smack in the front (and back) of the dress. This is the third or fourth pattern I've seen/reviewed this season that seems to be drawing attention to your bottom half, and I'm not really a fan of that. This is really a function of the way the fabric was cut to the pattern, but it still kind of bugs me. I think I would be more into it if the placement or distribution were a bit different.

I left this dress behind, mainly because of the price, and also because I wasn't just totally loving this one. While I love sashes and purple and dresses, I just knew I would never wear this.

What do you think? Do you like this dress? Have you seen it or tried it on? Do you own it?

Anthropologie: On a Wing

Okay, I get what Anthropologie was going for here, with the pins, and the wings and all, but no.  Just no.  And a very special no for the "butterfly" on the bottom left.

Anthropologie: Convertible Cover-Up

I received this e-mail from Anthropologie a few days ago, and have been meaning to post about it, but I also thought it'd be a good segueway into letting you know that I'll be including Anthropologie here on a limited basis.  

I hit up a local mall this weekend to do some reviews, and I ventured into Anthropologie for my first time, and I have to say, I'm in love!  For someone who loves dresses, skirts, and home goods like I do, I cannot believe that I have never been in Anthropologie before.  I've been getting their catalogs for awhile now (no idea how), and have always sort of leafed through them, gawked at the prices, then tossed them in the recycle bin, but not anymore!

So anyway, this is a convertible cover-up from Anthropologie, and they show the model wearing it 5 different ways.  I like 3 out of the 5 looks (don't like the one on the far left or the way top).  I have never tried a convertible dress, and the only one I've ever really been tempted by was from Butter by Nadia.  I do love the color of this piece, especially as a cover-up, but I am going to pass for now.

What do you think?  Do you like this cover-up?  Do you have any convertible dresses/skirts?  What do you think of them in general?