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?

J.Crew: Silk Indigo Floral Skirt

This is J.Crew's Silk Indigo Floral Skirt (item #16701). It is numerically-sized, and originally retailed for $128. It only came in "regular" sizes. J.Crew describes the skirt as such:

A soft silk pencil skirt makes an elegantly feminine statement in a gorgeous dark, floral print. Sits at waist. Curved pockets. Back zip. Back vent. Fully lined. 22 1/2" long. Import. Dry clean. Catalog/jcrew.com only.

I am not usually a fan of brown (a running discussion between Boyfriend and me), but I love the way it is paired with the shades of blue in this skirt. I pre-ordered this skirt, and am really glad I did, as it appears to be sold out already.

I ordered this skirt in a size 4, and I believe that it fits true-to-size - I definitely wouldn't have tried this in a smaller size. If you're taller and looking for some length, you may consider sizing up to wear it lower on the waist/hips. It's a very comfortable fit, but there's not a lot (if any) stretch in it as there is some other pencil skirts. I would order in your regular pencil skirt size to start. I love the length on the skirt - it works really well even for a real shorty like me.

The fabric is incredibly soft and smooth, but has more weight to it than I expected, but I like that. It makes the skirt just a bit less delicate, which I think is a plus (I know I'm always on pins and needles wearing something that is super delicate in terms of fabric). It is a standard pencil skirt shape - fairly straight up and down. It nips in a bit more at the waist, so you get a little bit of definition there. There are curved off-seam pockets which are a nice touch, and not super noticeable or out-of-place.

I'm not really sure how much you could dress down this skirt. I know that J.Crew styled it on their website with a half tucked-in shirt, a bigger necklace, and some T-strap sandals, but I think the fabric and overall pattern makes this skirt more dressy than casual. I plan on pairing this skirt with neutrals to keep the attention just on the skirt.

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 the pattern and the colors? How would you style it?

Check Out Another Review

A Bigger Closet - includes some really nice styling options

J.Crew: Navy Ikat Print Mini Skirt Review

This is the navy print mini skirt from J.Crew that I'm calling the Navy Ikat Print Mini Skirt (item #16577). It retails for $65, and was only available in this color, navy, from what I recall. This skirt is numerically-sized.

I tried this skirt on in a size 8, because that was the smallest size they had in-store. So I cannot really comment on the sizing too much. I actually liked the fit on the 8. It sat lower on my waist (closer to my hips), and the length was a nice, knee-length for me.

The fabric is a lot lighter than most of J.Crew's pencil or mini skirts this season. It's a fairly lightweight and smooth fabric. I want to say it's a cotton, but I'm not positive. I would liken it to a very lightweight cotton sateen, but with a smoother, silkier finish, as opposed to the cotton sateen, which has a bit of a brushed texture. The fabric does not really move or flow that well, but that is mostly because of the cut of the skirt itself. It is a very nice fabric for a slightly dressier summer skirt.

I really liked the fit on this skirt. I can really only comment on it wearing a size that is technically 2 sizes larger than I would normally wear in a mini skirt, but as most of you know, I love my clothes on the looser side, so this one made me very happy, especially because it helped with the length. The skirt itself is a standard mini skirt fit - very straight cut down, pretty much no movement overall.

The skirt has an overall navy and white pattern, which I like. I have to say that I prefer this print on the skirt over the cardigan, but I'm not sure why, as they are the same. I think the pattern works well in this color combination, and allows you to pair the skirt with a wide range of colors. I would keep the top simple, and I think the right accessories would dress this skirt up or down.

I left this skirt behind because I don't have a lot of places to wear it. I liked the feel of it, and though the pattern was cute, but I know I wouldn't wear it much, especially for the price. (If I were to cave and get any of the items in this pattern, it would be the shorts!)

What do you think? Do you own t his skirt? Have you seen it or tried it on? Do you prefer this skirt or the cardigan? How often do you think you would wear this pattern?

J.Crew: Blue Paisley Mini Skirt Review

This is a mini skirt from J.Crew that I'm calling the Blue Paisley Mini Skirt (item #14856), which retails for $65. I only saw it in this one color, which had the color code BPA, which is where I got the blue paisley color from. I suppose it could also stand for black paisley, as well. It is numerically sized.

I tried this skirt on in a size 4. I found that it fits true to size, and is a fairly comfortable fit. The size 4 is fairly fitted through the hips, so if you are looking for a more relaxed fit, I would go up a size.

The skirt is a fairly standard mini skirt silhouette, with a straight cut down, based on the fit at the hips. I think this skirt was a bit more fitted than some of the other mini skirts I've tried on this season, such as the Owl-Eye Mini Skirt. I think it's a fairly flattering silhouette. It doesn't cling to your lower half, and it doesn't add volume either.

The fabric felt like a nice, midweight cotton sateen. It was a fairly solid, somewhat heavier weight cotton, and definitely had that smooth, sort of velvety texture of cotton sateen. The fabric was a bit on the stiffer side, and didn't move or flow incredibly well, but that may also be due to the shape of the skirt itself.

I thought the length on the skirt was very nice, but taller ladies may find that it's a bit too short. This came to a little bit above my knees.

The pattern was a saturated, cobalt blue background with a black paisley-like allover print. The print itself is fairly large, and I think the black works nicely with the blue color. It provides a contrast, but it's not a jarring or overwhelming color difference. I think you could probably wear a lot of different colors with this skirt, and I think you could easily style it as a fairly casual or more dressy piece (depending on the situation, of course). However, it's a fairly eye-catching pattern with a very solid blue color, so I think it would be best paired with simpler tops and accessories.

I left this skirt behind. I know I wouldn't really wear this skirt that much, both because of the length, and because of the pattern. While I know that the skirt would work with a lot of different options, I'd be reluctant to wear this skirt often because the pattern is so noticeable, but this is just my personal style. I think the colors on this skirt are very pretty, and it is a gorgeous design overall. I would have been interested in seeing this skirt in some other, lighter color combinations as well (say a light pink or purple with cream).

What do you think? Do you like this skirt? What would you pair it with? Are there any other colors you would like to see it in? Are there any other garments you would like to see this pattern on?

J.Crew: Fan Eyelet Mini Review

This is J.Crew's Fan Eyelet Mini (item #12923), which originally retailed for $98, and is currently on sale ($79.99 at last check). It comes in this one color, white, and is numerically sized. J.Crew describes the skirt as such:

Dainty and demure, our cotton eyelet skirt is delicately detailed with a fan pattern and scalloped hem. We finished it with a pretty grosgrain waistband. Slight A-line shape. Sits lower on waist. Side zip. Fully lined. 16" long. Import. Dry clean.

I tried this skirt on in a size 4 and I think it fits fairly true-to-size. I think it's a pretty comfortable fit, and lends itself towards the tighter side, which is nice or not nice in a mini skirt depending on how you look at it. ;) The length on the skirt was pretty nice - almost a regular skirt for me. If you wanted to get more length out of the skirt, I think you could size up.

The fabric on this skirt is a nice, solid cotton. I would say it's a little bit more on the stiffer side, but it is still nice to the touch, and fairly light. It doesn't move terribly well, but I think that's more of an effect of the cut and silhouette of the skirt itself, rather than being due to the fabric. I think the skirt is a tad bit on the sheer side. Notice that even in the model's picture, you can see where her tee-shirt begins. I guess this just means be careful what you wear underneath.

I think the pattern is very pretty. It has the allover fan shapes with the eyelet pattern on them, and they create a very feminine-looking scalloped hem on the bottom. The grosgrain ribbon waistband is also a very nice, sweet touch.

I think this skirt is fairly versatile, depending on the length you wear it at and how tightly you wear it. Because it's white, you can easily pair it with a whole bunch of different colors and accessories to dress it up or down. I think the pattern also easily translates from casual to more dressy occasions.

In the end, I left this skirt behind because of the length (have said before I'm not a mini skirt person, and will probably say it in every review of them I do, unfortunately) and because of the price. I thought $98 was a bit too much to spend on this skirt, given that I would hardly ever wear it. That said, I do think it is a really pretty skirt, and if I had some place to wear it, I might be tempted by it now that it's on sale.

What do you think? Do you like this skirt? Do you own it? Would you have liked to see it come in any other colors?

J.Crew: Owl-Eye Miniskirt Review

This is a mini skirt from J.Crew that I am unable to find online.  I'm calling it the Owl-Eye Miniskirt for now, because that's what the pattern reminds me of.  It is item number 15507, and the color code is BSA.  The skirt was retailing for $65, and is numerically sized.  I tried this skirt on in a size 4, and I think the fit was very true-to-size, and was a very comfortable fit.  The skirt sits just below the waist, and is fitted through the hips, with a straight line down from the hips.

The skirt is made of a nice, polished cotton.  I think it's like a cotton sateen, and it is a very sleek and smooth fabric.  It is fairly soft to the touch, but doesn't move terribly well, as it is a bit more of a structured cotton.  I think the length is very nice, but I imagine this would be a bit shorter on taller ladies.

Here is a close-up of the pattern.  Because of the lighting in the dressing room, neither picture is super accurate in terms of the shades; I would say that the colors are somewhere in between the colors above and below.  I thought the pattern was quite cute, but it was a little disappointing that it didn't line up well on the side (picture right above).

I left this skirt behind because I typically stay away from miniskirts, as I don't really fell comfortable in them.  I do have to say that I was pretty tempted by this skirt, because I really like the pattern and color combination.

What do you think?  Do you like this skirt?  Have you seen it in-store?  What are your thoughts on miniskirts?  Do you like this pattern?

J.Crew: Cotton Eliza Skirt Review

This is J.Crew's Cotton Eliza Skirt (item #14802), which retails for $88.  It comes in two colors, weathered stone and natural, and is numerically sized.  J.Crew describes the skirt as such:

A sweetly swingy, soft cotton style with feminine details like allover pleats and removable sash. Full silhouette. Sits just below waist. Side zip. Fully lined. 21 1/2" long. Import. Machine wash.

I tried this skirt on in a size 4, in the weathered stone color.  The fit is true to size, and is a very comfortable fit.  The skirt sits just below the waist, so if you want to wear it a bit higher, you could try sizing down.  If you are way, way on the small end of your size, you could probably also get away with sizing down, too.  I think sizing on skirts can be difficult, because a lot depends on where you wear them.

The fabric on this skirt is really soft and light.  I was honestly surprised at how the soft the cotton is - it's almost a brushed cotton feel, and it's a great fabric for a summer skirt.  The skirt is a bit on the fuller side in terms of shape, and I think it is definitely fuller in real life than it appears on the model.  That said, I think it'd be best to try this on to determine if it adds too much volume to your bottom section.  I think it's definitely adding some volume to mine, but I don't really mind that, so you should definitely try to judge for yourself, if you can.

There are a couple layers to this skirt if I recall correctly, so that also makes the skirt a bit fuller as well.  I like the length on this skirt, but like all skirts that don't come in petite, I wish it were just a couple of inches shorter.

From the side, the skirt doesn't add too much volume, which is nice.  I think it has a sleeker, straighter shape from the side, so you're not puffing out all round.  The skirt moves really nicely, and the movement works well with the lighter fabric.  The allover pleats at the waist also help the skirt move a bit more freely than some other fuller cotton skirts J.Crew has put out.

The sash is removable, which I didn't really notice at the store, but looking at the pictures, I'm thinking it unbuttons from the skirt, because the sash definitely doesn't go all the way around the skirt, and is meant to be worn off to the side like it is in the pictures.  I think the skirt is a nice touch, and adds a nice detail to what otherwise might be just another cotton skirt, albeit a nice and soft one.  Even though I think I would almost always wear the sash, it is nice to have the option to take it off.

I initially left this skirt at the store, but then had the opposite of buyer's remorse (what would that be called?  Leaver's remorse?), so I ended up getting it in the natural color the next day.  [Okay, Boyfriend picked it up for me the next day.  What a nice guy!]

What do you think?  Do you like this skirt?  Do you own it?  Which color do you prefer?  Would you wear it with or without the sash?

Liz Claiborne: Gingham-Print Dirndle Skirt Review

I have wanted Liz Claiborne's Gingham-Print Dirndle Skirt (style #LCMUA160) since pretty much the moment I saw it.  The skirt is numerically-sized, and is available in this one color, indigo multi.  Liz Claiborne describes the skirt as such:

The arrival of this fabulously feminine skirt has just made our day. A fusion of old-world style and new-age whimsy, it features a full and flirty shape, tulle trim and discreetly placed pockets. Its playful gingham print has an innocently sweet vibe that we're over the moon for.Cotton/silk. Fully lined, tulle trim. Side zip, hook & eye close. 2 onseam pockets, high-waisted. Machine wash.

When this skirt was finally available for purchase online, it sold out in many sizes pretty quickly, including mine.  When it finally went on sale, it was available in one size bigger than I needed, so I just grabbed it anyway.  This is a size 8.  I had bought another Liz Claiborne dirndl(e) skirt, and I had ordered a size 4, and it was way too small (granted, I didn't read the size measurements carefully enough - I should have ordered a 6).  I get that the skirt is supposed to be high-waised, but it was very high waisted.  I would have liked this gingham-print skirt in a 6, but I had to settle for an 8, and I'm very pleased with the way it fits.  I would recommend your regular size if you want the skirt to be very high waisted, and a size up if you want to be a little higher on the waist, and two sizes up if you want it lower on the waist.

Boyfriend really dislikes this skirt.  He said it looks like something from the 50s, but that's what I like it.  It's such a fun and sort of retro print!  The skirt has a lining, and the bottom hem of the lining is a stiffer strip of fabric, which helps give the bottom of the skirt some fullness and shape.  There is also a small strip of tulle underneath as well, which also adds some fullness.  The actual skirt is a very light, soft and silky fabric.  I was actually surprised how light it was.  It's very smooth and delicate feeling, and is definitely not as shiny as it photographs.

The skirt moves very well, and is definitely a fuller shape, so if you are worried about adding a lot of volume to your bottom half, you might want to stay away from this skirt.  On the flipside, if you want to hide anything on your bottom half, this skirt can definitely help you out with that, too.  The skirt comes just to my knees, so a nice length, and if I were to wear it higher on my waist, then it would be a bit shorter, but I'm happy with the length it is now.

As for the pattern, it's a very pretty cotton-candyish shade of pink, which I love, but I can see how some people might think it's too cutesy.  I do love the retro sort of vibe of this skirt, but again, I think that's a personal style choice, and can see how it is not for everyone.

I love this skirt, and am so glad I was able to get it, especially on sale!  I love the way they've paired it with floral print shoes on the model - I have a pair of very similar shoes from Payless, and I will be curious to see how it looks in real life.

What do you think?  Do you like this skirt?  Do you think it is too sweet looking?  What would you pair it with?

PS - I included Mr. PD in these pictures just because he does the same turns that I do - front, side, and back - when I am doing them, and that was too cute not to share.

J.Crew: Eyelet Pencil Skirt Review

This is J.Crew's Eyelet Pencil Skirt (item #14865), which retails for $138.  It is numerically-sized, and is available in shadow and ivory.  J.Crew describes the skirt as such:

A sophisticated, classic pencil skirt covered with allover eyelet details. Cotton. Sits at waist. Back zip. Back vent. Fully lined. 24" long. Import. Dry clean.

I picked up this skirt in a size 4 in the shadow color, which is a nice, rich navy color.  The skirt fits true-to-size.  It is a straight, classic pencil skirt silhouette.  It is lined underneath in a navy cotton, and the actual skirt itself is an allover embroidered open circle pattern.  Boyfriend had a very special way of describing the pattern of this skirt (skip this next part if you're easily offended); he said it looks the skirt is covered in a**holes.  Honestly, I don't know where he comes up with this stuff.  Regardless, I don't see it.  The eyelets themselves are not too large, but appear larger because the trim around each eyelet is pretty wide.  The eyelets are of uniform width, and the skirt itself is a bit thicker and sturdier than some of the other spring and summer pencil skirts.

I happen to like the print (despite what Boyfriend thinks), and I think it is an interesting way to sort of spruce up a basic navy pencil skirt.  The length is a tad on the long side, but I haven't decided if I'm going to get this hemmed yet.  It comes to below my knees, which is not the ideal length, but I am a tiny bit of afraid of how much the tailoring would be on a skirt like this.  I like the navy color, too.  I would say it's a bit on the darker navy side; Boyfriend actually thought it was black when he first saw it.  I have just started to look at navy as a really great wardrobe basic, because I have finally opened up to pairing it with colors aside from shades of white.

Like all of the J.Crew pencil skirts I've picked up this year, the fit is pretty flattering, in my opinion, even for someone with some curves.  The skirt is a nice, straight line down, and is just fitted enough to accentuate curves (although not as much as some other pencil skirts from this season), but loose enough so you can move and breathe, too.  I would pair this skirt with a variety of colors, but I would keep the top fairly basic - nothing too busy - because I think the pattern on this skirt is a loud enough detail on its own.

Here is a close-up of the pattern.

I am definitely keeping this one.  I think it is an interesting twist on a basic navy pencil skirt, and I really love pencil skirts (so I guess I'm a little biased :)).

What do you think?  Do you like this skirt?  Have you seen it or do you own it?  Which color do you prefer?  What would you pair it with?

J.Crew: Esplanade Skirt Review

This is J.Crew's Esplanade Skirt (item #14133).  It is alpha-sized, and comes in black, navy, dark slate, and weathered stone.  It retails for $44.  J.Crew describes the skirt as such:

The perfect skirt for sunny stroll in a comfy cotton/Modal® rayon/spandex blend. We love it just as much with strappy sandals as we do with sneakers. Swing skirt. Elastic at waist. Welt pockets. Hits above knee. Import. Machine wash. Catalog/jcrew.com only. 

First off, I don't understand why things are labeled as "Catalog/jcrew.com only" when they are available in-store.  I tried this skirt on about 2 weeks ago, and there were plenty of them available in-store.  Anyway, I tried this skirt on in a size small, in the navy color.  I think the skirt fits fairly true to size, although I remember thinking it could have a been a little bit smaller, but I didn't try on an extra small, so I am unable to give you any comparison.  I would say overall it leans towards running a bit large, but I also think this might be because it is meant to be worn lower on the waist/hips.

The fabric is super soft and cool (not surprising, I guess, given the blend), and the skirt moves, flows, and drapes very nicely.  The skirt is a fairly straight silhouette, with a little bit of shirring in between the pockets.  I would have liked this skirt a tiny bit more flowy (and less straight up-and-down), and a smidge shorter.

I think the pockets are nice on this skirt - they are off-seam, and because the skirt hangs a little lower on the body, then they can be at an awkward angle, depending on your height/shape.  However, because they are vertical welt pockets, they sort of blend in with the front shirring, and I think they work well with the overall look of the skirt.

Overall, I think this is a really nice, casual spring/summer skirt.  I think you could style it to be ultra casual, and maybe a little more dressy (although I think the latter might take some more work).  I initially passed on this one because I already had a casual jersey skirt from Old Navy at home.  However, when I was cleaning out my closet and trying on old clothes, I discovered it was both too big and too short, so I ended up getting this skirt, but in black, not navy.

What do you think?  Do you like this skirt?  Have you seen it or tried it on in person?  Are there any other jersey skirts out there that you love?

J.Crew: Burnished Linen Skirt Review

I need to preface this post with the following: I try to write reviews in a fairly neutral tone.  Even if I really don't like something, I try to talk about it in terms of my positives and negatives, and try not to be too harsh - after all, we don't all have the same taste, and I think it's better to hold my tongue rather than offend someone who likes a certain garment.  But I can't really do that this time.  I'm creating a new tag - Nienawidze - which means I hate in Polish.  I apologize to those of you are offended by the use of the word "hate"; I use that word to mean that I really don't like something (I feel like I may have mentioned this before, too).  Either way, consider yourself warned - I freaking hate this skirt, and I'm not going to be kind to it.

So moving on.  I believe that this is J.Crew's Burnished Linen Skirt (item #14805).  According to the tag from the skirt, I tried on item #16928; however, they look nearly identical, and are both the same price, so for now, I am going to say they are the same.  The skirt online is available in a brass color, and the one I tried on in-store appears to be the infamous light pewter.  The skirt is numerically sized.  J.Crew describes the monstrosity skirt as such:

A dressed-up take on a cargo style, in special Italian linen from the venerable Crespi mill (the oldest weaving mill in the world). The patinated effect is achieved by a closely guarded metallic-foil process. Slight A-line shape with inverted pleat in front. Sits just below waist. Belt loops and patch pockets with button closure. Back zip. 17" long. Import. Dry clean.

Poor Crespi mill.  The oldest weaving mill in the world is now a partner in a terrible fashion crime.  I tried this skirt on a size 4.  I tried it on because I was curious if it was as ugly on as it was on the hanger.  The skirt does fit fairly true-to-size, but if you're wary of the slit up the front and want it to lie flat, I would suggest sizing up.  As you can see from the skirt, it's fairly wrinkly on the bottom, which is almost always a concern with stiffer linens.

The fabric is a lightweight linen, and is on the rougher side.  It certainly was not smooth or soft to the touch.  There is a bit of an underlying metallic sheen to the skirt - this probably gives it that coveted "burnished" look.  I noticed that the brass color lends itself to more of a faux-leather look, but that's not the case for the light pewter.  The length on this skirt is nice - a nice cross between a too-short mini skirt and a too-long-for-shorties regular skirt.

I mean, where do I even begin?  I'll start with the slit.  I don't understand it.  J.Crew describes it as an inverted pleat, which apparently is code for our designers got drunk, started playing with scissors, and made a really ugly prototype, and now you're stuck with the eyesore of a result.  This is the second skirt where my eye is invariably drawn to my private lady parts.  The slit stops RIGHT THERE, and even in my regular size 4, the slit refuses to lie closed, gaping open, as if it wants to show everyone what's lurking beneath.

Now on to the pockets.  Just hideous.  I think I mentioned in a previous review that I prefer on-seam pockets for skirts, simply because front-loading pockets are much more prone to adding bulk to the midsection.  Well, if that's the look you're going for, J.Crew has taken care of that for you on two levels: deep, off-seam pockets, and a weird non-functioning patch pocket to top off each skirt hogging pocket.  The placement of the pockets is a little low (and a lot ugly) - look how awkwardly my hand is in the pocket in the picture below.  The fake patch serves no purpose, and I think it makes it look almost like you've put your skirt on backwards.

I also think the belt loops are gratuitous.  While a belt might help to distract from the rest of the skirt, I wouldn't want to draw any attention to the skirt at all.  And could a belt really make this skirt any better?  I think the beltloops were one detail too many.

I don't think I even need to tell you that I left this behind.  Normally when I don't like something, I can usually chalk it up to an okay idea, but lacking in design or execution, but this skirt is an exception.  There is not one thing I like about this skirt.

So now I'm very curious - what do you think?  Do you like this skirt?  If you do, please, please share your view!  Is there anything you would change about this skirt that you think would make it wearable?