Outfit Post: First Signs of Spring

Necklace: Porcelain and Stone Small "Uni" Necklace

Top: Grana Silk Raglan Tee (old)

Skirt: Uniqlo x J.W. Anderson Wrap Skirt, navy blue

Shoes: Sam Edelman Lior Loafer, gold glitter (old, similar design or similar color)

On the morning I was getting dressed in this outfit, I managed to accidentally navigate my phone to the weather for the California Bay Area, where I'm originally from, instead of for NYC, so I thought I was dressing for 55 degrees Farenheit and a clear, sunny day, instead of for something in the mid-40s with a chance of rain. It was only after I'd already put on the entire outfit that I realized I was looking at the weather for the wrong place, but I decided to wear it anyway, though with a wool-blend coat and these shoes (which hold up okay to rain and don't get dirty easily), instead of the pink canvas Soludos llama sneakers (only size 9 left for now) that I was originally planning on. 

Please note that this post contains affiliate links that could result in a commission, typically a few cents, for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

K joked that, if I was willing to speak to the Google Home and ask it what the weather was, I would not have had that mix-up on my phone. But I continue to categorically refuse to talk to my technology, much in the way I refuse to use Siri on my phone. It just feels too awkward to me, the idea of talking to a device! I'm pretty sure I'll never be willing to do it. 

Anyway, with a heavier coat, this outfit was reasonable for the weather we had that day. It was the first day I was able to wear my new Uniqlo x J.W. Anderson wrap skirt outdoors, and I was happy to find that it stayed put fairly well throughout the day, and that it was easy to adjust the way I liked without too much fussing in the morning. The tie did loosen up a little and the waistband did shift slightly by the end of the workday, but not so much as to be annoying, or to need any significant adjusting or re-tying throughout the day. It's a true wrap skirt, but with enough fabric that there's no real risk of a wardrobe malfunction. Although the size S of the skirt would have worked for me as well, and in fact, looked quite similar in the mirror, I picked out the size M so that I could wear the skirt a bit more relaxed at the waist if I wanted to. 

I really enjoyed wearing this outfit, and I loved wearing my new skirt. The look is quite simple, but it was nice to be able to go out with bare legs for the first time this year, even if I had a heavier coat on. 

Review: J.Crew Juliette Collarless Sweater Blazer

Necklace: Alighieri La Fortuna Necklace

Sweater: J.Crew Juliette Collarless Sweater Blazer, heather gray, XS

Dress: old, from Loft (similar from Loft or Ann Taylor)

Shoes: Sam Edelman Tristan, black leather

Today's post is about a quick try-on of a new J.Crew item, the Juliette Collarless Sweater Blazer, which I was drawn to as soon as it popped up among J.Crew's "new arrivals". A few bloggers I follow have also mentioned their interest, though I don't think I've seen any blog posts featuring it in an outfit yet. (I've seen one post on Instagram, though!) Like with the collared J.Crew sweater blazer, now called the "Sophie", which I tried on and bought earlier this summer, it may well be another month before NYC weather cools down enough for me to wear it out of the house. I'm still thinking about whether to keep this, after trying on the size XS in heather gray, above, and the size S in burgundy, below. I haven't photographed the gray to its best advantage, as it got creased in transit. It also may be a bit difficult to see the differences between the two sizes in my photos, but of the two, I'd "size down" and keep the XS in gray. (I also sized down to XS in the "Sophie" sweater blazer.) 

Please note that this post contains affiliate links that could result in a commission, typically a few cents, for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

My interest in this item may be a bit idiosyncratic. It was ignited by my fondness for a very specific kind of business formal(ish) look, one involving a long "topper" jacket (something like this from Calvin Klein or this from St. John) over a workwear dress. It's not conservative or formal enough for job interviews or a jury, but it's a look I've seen some stylish women pull off for other somewhat formal professional occasions in NYC (usually in a less matchy-matchy way than in many photos of similar outfits).

Opting for an "almost-jacket" or "pretend jacket" that's actually a sweater, and is therefore less structured and doesn't hold its shape as well may not actually be the best choice for someone who was interested in the look of an actual jacket. This is a notion I keep revisiting with all these sweater blazers, that I'll never be able to fully replicate the look of a jacket with them, but that I might not really care and still always opt for the sweater blazer over a real jacket nonetheless, because well, I kind of hate jackets. (They rarely fit completely right or comfortably over my chest and shoulders!)

Necklace: Alighieri La Fortuna Necklace

Sweater: J.Crew Juliette Collarless Sweater Blazer, burgundy, S

Dress: old, from Loft (similar from Loft or Ann Taylor)

Shoes: Sam Edelman Tristan, black leather

For reference, I'm 5'3'' with shorter "petite" legs and more "regular"-sized torso for my height. My measurements are approximately 37''-27''-37''. To the extent that size XS has even a chance of being a better fit for me than size S, this item definitely runs large. It's hard to tell from the photos, but the sleeve length is  better on the XS, cutting off right at the wrist, rather than hanging over it a bit. The S could overwhelm my frame and be too loose in the arms when viewed from some angles. Naturally, the sleeves and body are both a bit slimmer on the XS, and as you can see from the photos of the XS in gray, it still has an intentionally oversized look. With the model photos (they took one for each color, which you can see when browsing their "sweaters" section, but not on the Juliette's actual product page), I think they're generally wearing the item in their "typical J.Crew size", i.e. one that's maybe a little too oversized for them, rather than sizing down as I'll do if I end up keeping this.

Oh, and I think this comes across in my photos, but the burgundy colorway is a noticeably darker and richer red than in J.Crew's official photos, particularly the one of the burgundy sweater blazer laying flat by itself (as seen on the Juliette's product page), where it looks like more of a medium-red. It's a significant color discrepancy, and I personally prefer how it looks in real life. I'm definitely not keeping the burgundy one I ordered, as it's the wrong size for me, but I like how the color looks on me... Ack, I don't know why I'm such a sucker for all these sweater blazers, I'm definitely long past the point where I have any need for more! 

Both the collarless Juliette and the collared Sophie sweater blazers are made of a 35% cotton, 35% polyester, 30% merino wool blend. The label says "dry-clean only" for both. From my past misadventures with laundering J.Crew merino wool cardigans (they often shrink after machine-washing in cold water, even though I never put them in the dryer and laid them out flat on a drying rack instead) I wouldn't dare machine-wash any of these J.Crew sweater blazers. The risk of damage is too great. 

Outfit Post: Pajama-Like

Necklace: J.Crew Chain Tassel Necklace

Top: Grana Silk Drop-Shoulder Tee, teal, M

Pants: Grana Silk Ankle Pants, black, M short

Shoes: M.Gemi Felize, gold shimmer (sold out at M.Gemi, similar, but in limited sizes or weird colors)

I thought this outfit was fun, which isn't something I say too often because I tend to stick to the same outfit formulas over and over. For work, it's almost always a dress and sweater, whether a typical cardigan or something trying to be a blazer. The dresses and sweaters aren't all similar to each other, I have a variety of colors and shapes for each, and for the dresses, there are prints too, but the formula is always the same. I go through more or less the exact same weekly rotation of dresses all year round, switching up coats, sweaters, shoes, and tights or bare legs based off the needs of the season. Each of the work dresses in my "core" rotation gets worn at least once every two weeks. Even when I pick out one of the colorful or printed dresses, it's not something I think about much when I put them on in the morning. For weekends, my clothing is often even more subdued. In the cooler seasons, it's almost always jeans and a neutral-looking sweater or top (the Uniqlo ones from early 2015 remain some of my favorites) or in high summer, it's one of my summer dresses (all black or navy) and my trusty Fit Flops. I tend to stick to my wardrobe comfort zones, and it's difficult to drag me out. I may never get used to wearing a-line midi skirts, for instance! 

Please note that this post contains affiliate links that could result in a commission, typically a few cents, for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

This casual Friday work outfit was a significant departure from my usual work formula in a few ways, and one I liked. It was very comfortable, basically like a pair of pajamas. I love those Grana silk pants (also seen on Jane and Elaine) and wear them to work maybe once every three weeks in warmer months, but pretty much always with an untucked top. I generally find that my proportions look a bit awkward when I tuck tops into relaxed-fit pants with an elastic waist. I like color, but the teal of this Grana silk top is a bit louder and brighter than I'm used too, especially when paired with a more attention-grabbing shoe and accessory. It's also been a long time since I wore a more statement-sized necklace to work. 

And yes, I know I was just fussing about the decline of J.Crew, but Engineer L's recent shopping roundup reminded me that I missed having a longer, less dainty necklace in my collection. I still have quite a collection of colorful, short statement necklaces tucked away in my dresser, the vast majority of which predate this blog and haven't generally been worn since, but my long necklaces from back then were generally Forever 21, and had long since been decluttered away. I did quite a bit of online window shopping, including on Etsy, and was fairly certain that this J.Crew tassel necklace was the best choice. Baublebar was just about the only other brand that had a larger gold tassel necklace I liked the look of, but I know from past experience that their costume jewelry is worse quality than J.Crew - flimsier materials, more obviously plastic-looking stones for designs that have them, less weight, uglier designs, and more likely to cause contact dermatitis on my sometimes-sensitive skin. 

Between the size of the necklace and the contrasting texture panels on the top, which aren't as visible in this photo, but are fairly noticeable in real life, I find that this outfit has a slightly dated? retro? vibe. The matchy-matchy shoes and necklace might contribute. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the rather assertive size of the necklace certainly feels a bit "off trend" to me, like it's something you generally wouldn't see in stores right now. If you go to say, Nordstrom, and look at their entire selection of tassel necklaces at the moment, you'll barely see anything similar, most are either significantly more delicate or, alternately, far more colorful and loud, not much in between.

Did anyone else really buy into the colorful short statement necklace trend that I think hit peak saturation from 2011 to 2014 or so? Some current examples are illustrated in the above widget, though they're not particularly popular at the moment and not very common. Back then, up until when I started this blog, I basically didn't meet a single example of the trend I didn't like, and generally couldn't resist buying every single one I saw for a sale price, including an extremely plastic H&M knockoff of that J.Crew bubble necklace. 

J.Crew and J.Crew Factory Open Sweater Blazers

Necklace: Porcelain and Stone Buoy Necklace

Sweater (left): J.Crew Factory Open-Front Sweater Blazer, small

Sweater (right): J.Crew New Lightweight Sweater Blazer, small

Dress: Ann Taylor Seasonless Stretch Boatneck Sheath (only one size left), 6 (similar from J.Crew)

Shoes: Sam Edelman Tristan Pumps

Since buying two J.Crew Factory Open-Front Sweater Blazers in March, I've been singing their praises and wearing them frequently, at least once a week each until recently, when the temperatures and humidity levels started to climb. We're already at average temperatures too warm for wearing even those thin Uniqlo cotton cardigans outdoors. From other blogs, I was generally aware that J.Crew also had an open sweater blazer, and that it had various design elements that looked better, except that it was labeled dry clean-only and would never be that practical for me as a result.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links that could result in a commission, typically a few cents, for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

During the recent memorial day sales, I ended up ordering the J.Crew sweater blazer, just to try on. (I wasn't able to get as good a price as Engineer L got recently. I only got a 40% discount.) And darn, I'm really tempted to keep it, though I really shouldn't, given that I already have a slightly excessive collection of fall and winter cardigans, many of them accumulated in just the last year or so. J.Crew currently has two versions, first a limited range of size/color combinations in merino wool from last season and second, the "new lightweight" version, in 35% cotton, 35% polyester, and 30% merino wool. I've ordered the merino wool one in black and the new lightweight one in "heather khaki", a camel color, a fairly different shade from the beige, almost off-white "heather oatmeal" from J.Crew Factory. Although the new version is supposed to be more lightweight, I find the two fabrics to be of basically identical thickness and to have an essentially identical texture. In practice, the wool one might be warmer, but I wouldn't really have a chance to test that until it cools down.

Please forgive the photography and lighting here, as I think it makes both items look worse than in real life. I've been machine-washing the J.Crew Factory sweater blazer in a mesh bag in cold water, and then air-drying it on a hanger, but it ends up a bit wrinkly-looking. (It's worse when I lay it flat to dry.) There wasn't any shrinkage, it just tends to dry wrinkly and it's hard to smooth out. I have a full-size garment steamer that should do the trick, but am, er, too lazy to actually set it up and use it. I probably need to get a handheld steamer if it's going to be part of my regular clothing care routine. As for the J.Crew one, it still has creases from when it was folded up for shipping.

Everything I suspected about the J.Crew one being a bit better-designed and looking nicer is true. The fabric is thicker and looks and feels more luxe. It's a bit more oversized in the sleeves and body, but in an intentional way. The lapels are bigger and more proportional, as opposed to the awkwardly small ones on the J.Crew Factory version (though I do like that the J.Crew Factory lapels can be worn popped up). That's not to say that the J.Crew Factory sweater blazer is a bad item, as I've loved it all this time. The slimmer sleeves and body are not a bad thing, it's just a different look. Also, it's being machine-washable makes it so much more functional and practical for me, and obviously, there's also a significant price difference.

Sizing-wise, the two items are quite different. The J.Crew Factory version is true-to-size relative to most other mall brands, and my usual size small is definitely right, though the body is a little long. The sleeves are just right, though. The J.Crew version is  intentionally oversized and, therefore, runs bigger. I think my usual size small is still the right one for me, though, to get the relaxed fit you seen on Feather Factor. It is roomy enough that I do wonder a bit about whether to size down. I'm still trying to figure out if I need the extra small instead. It looks a bit awkwardly big in the photo, but in real life, when tried on over my work clothes, it feels like it has the fit of a just-right boyfriend blazer. Over something like a thin tee, however, it starts to feel a bit too loose.

This whole post may be a bit untimely and unseasonal, given the arrival of summer and how I don't think any NYC-dweller would really wear either of these in the next few months, but I'm finding that I enjoy both these sweaters so much that I can't help but share! As for the other things I'm wearing, the necklace is from Porcelain and Stone, a studio run by a woman artist based in the Boston Area. She has both an Etsy shop and her own shop, and can also be found on Instagram. I don't wear the Sam Edelman Tristan pumps except to interviews (but they're very comfortable and I can even walk a few blocks in them without any trouble). 

MM. LaFleur: Showroom Experience and Brand Impressions

Several months ago, I visited a MM. LaFleur showroom. I'd been intrigued by their marketing for ages (and no wonder, as I'm their target customer), despite my general skepticism about startup brands offering a subscription box-type service as a way to shop. During a showroom visit, they assign a stylist/salesperson to help you out one-on-one. I stayed there for an hour, and tried on several styles: At least seven dresses, two pants, two skirts, five tops, and two "jardigans".

First, before I get to photos and reviews of the two items I bought, I have some general thoughts about MM. LaFleur as a brand. Ethical production practices are not a focus, but some of their items (including the Toi dress) are made in New York. My Didion top was made in Vietnam. Pricing is, by almost any imaginable standard, extremely expensive, even with my robust and flexible budget as a private-sector attorney. Most dresses are well over $200 and tops are well over $100.

My biggest issue with MM. LaFleur, especially at the price point, is their predilection for unlined dresses. Only two of seven dress designs I tried were lined (the Toi, which is always lined, and a printed Etsuko, though solid colors are unlined). I get unusually grouchy about unlined dresses, although I have a few that look just fine. I feel strongly that linings serve a useful purpose, helping almost any dress (particularly more fitted sheathes, like MM. LaFleur commonly offers) lie more smoothly over the body. The lack of lining, combined with the fitted designs, generally resulted in those dresses showing the "lumps and bumps" in my figure in an unflattering way. Admittedly, my currently ~37.5''-27''-37'' figure is just too busty for most of their designs regardless. I had obvious fit issues with my closest size in every dress I tried outside of the Toi, Etsuko, and super-flowy Georgia, enough that I'd never consider spending more on a tailor to fix it (think bra lines showing through unlined fabric and every single soft, squishy spot of my back getting emphasized), and the lack of lining really emphasized that.

Another issue is the lack of petite sizing. I may be off base here, because I'm often terrible at choosing between regular and petite sizes for myself, and can't always figure out the line between "intentionally oversized chic" and "this doesn't fit". I generally feel that, when one looks through MM. LaFleur Instagram tags or even some posts on their blog, many looks seem to not be the best fit on shorter women. (I.e. this jacket-dress hybrid on an employee, the first skirt in this post, many looks here, or a few of the customer photos here.) I can't always pinpoint why I feel this, as most of the skirts and dresses look about knee-length, covering part (but not all) of the kneecap, in most of these photos, which happens to be the exact length I usually wear. I suppose I just wonder if, given MM. LaFleur's lofty price point, shorter women have better options that would be a better value.

I also ordered a third item, the Saint Ambroeus Jardigan (a cropped style that suits petite-height people far better than the longer Woolf Jardigan). I returned it because a dry clean-only sweater just isn't for me. While it's supposed to function like a blazer, in which case the dry clean-only restriction might be acceptable, I thought it looked too obviously cardigan-like to fill the jacket/blazer niche in my work wardrobe. Sure, the fabric is more structured than any other cardigan I've seen, but that isn't enough to make it pass for a blazer!

Please note that the rest of this post contains affiliate links that could result in a commission, typically a few cents, for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

Please follow the link below for photos and reviews of the two items I bought.

Suiting Up

Blazer: J.Crew Factory Lightweight Wool Blend, heather graphite, 8P

Top: Uniqlo Rayon Key-Neck Sleeveless Blouse, dark green, M

Skirt: J.Crew Factory Lightweight Wool Blend, heather graphite, 4R

Shoes: Cole Han Tali Bow Flat, black

Only a few weeks into my new job, and I've already had one business trip and two formal "in court"-type occasions, with at least two more to come in the next few weeks. It's quite different from the experience that I'd be getting if I'd gone back to my previous job, and I couldn't be happier.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links that could result in a commission, typically a few cents, for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

Naturally, I now dress in business formal significantly more often than before. I figured it was a good time to share an outfit photo with my new favorite affordable interview suit from J.Crew Factory. These suits, as well as most of J.Crew Factory's more fitted, number-sized items, are generally a better fit for less curvy figures than mine, but the suit with a petite jacket and regular skirt still fits me pretty well. (I'm 5'3'', with petite-length legs, a more "regular" sizing torso, and "petite" length arms.) Outside of the chest (which is just right), the jacket is a little loose and maybe a touch long, though not enough for me to rush to a tailor. I think this photo exaggerates the length of the jacket and skirt a bit. The skirt doesn't cover my knee fully when I'm standing. Also, I've gained an inch in the chest since I last took outfit photos, though the rest of me is still pretty much the same size, which I'm utterly baffled by. This makes me a bit self conscious.

My Uniqlo Rayon blouse is obscured by my phone, but the key-neck opening is small and the top quite conservative.  It's a good suiting top, though it fits rather boxy, and it has been washing and line-drying well. It can get wrinkly if folded up wrong, so I keep it hung up. Do note that this top has a second layer of fabric sewn in right around the collar/neckline, which might show through oddly on the lighter colors. I don't have a problem with this in the light pink, but it's something that borderline could have been an issue, and is probably good to know about before purchasing.

I took this photo in my business trip hotel room. It was my first ever real business trip, and I think I did a pretty good job packing, getting everything, including a few binders of documents, into my trusty Longchamp Planetes tote (current version) and my unbranded rolling carry-on, which I bought years ago in a Beijing tourist market. And well, the trip was only two nights, so it wasn't that hard to pack. I'd always thought that I could never get all my skincare products and makeup into a TSA-approved plastic bag, but with my current pared-down skincare routine, everything just barely fit into a reusable TSA-friendly "Beauty on the Fly" bag (out of stock) that I picked up from Sephora. 

Review: Grana, New Silk and Old Silk

Necklace: (none) // Porcelain and Stone Buoy Necklace

Tops: Grana (c/o) Classic Shirt, S, Rio Red (other colors)// Grana (c/o) Cap-Sleeve Top, M, Black

Pants: rag & bone/Jean "The Skinny" jeans (similar) in 27 (both outfits)

Shoes: Sam Edelman Petty, 7.5, Black// Cole Haan Tali Luxe Wedge (similar with bow, also similar), 7.5, Tortoise

Today's post is my second partnered post with Grana (referral link, new customers receive 10% off their first order, and I receive $20 referral credit if a new customer signs up and make a purchase, thank you for your support!) featuring the other two items that they were kind enough to send me for my review (first post here). They let me pick out the items, and, as I've long been a fan of their silk tops, I chose the Classic Shirt in the now sold-out Rio Red and the Cap-Sleeve Top which, spoiler alert, I've since purchased in two other colors (partially with referral credit).

Note: This post contains affiliate links that could result in a few cents commission for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

Picking these items allowed me to do a quick comparison between their "old" silk, the Crepe de Chine, and the "new" silk, the Georgette Satin. The Cap-Sleeve Top is one of the "new" Georgette Satin silk designs, while the Classic Shirt is made with the "old" Crepe de Chine. I like both equally and consider them similar, though I know this stance isn't universal. Elaine from Temporary Housewifey had more in-depth thoughts about this comparison here and preferred the Georgette Satin. She also did a more in-depth explanation of how to assess silk here, as well as a Grana Crepe de Chine versus Everlane silk comparison here. I've often mentioned that I'm not that discerning when it comes to fabrics: I can feel the differences between the two Grana silks, and that the Georgette Satin has a slightly more "plush" texture that suggests it may be a touch thicker. I can't really see visible differences in the two materials, however, and I like wearing both equally. Look in the item description on Grana's website to see which type of silk each design is made with.

Necklace: Porcelain and Stone Buoy Necklace

Top: Grana (c/o) Cap-Sleeve Top, M, black

Shirt: Ann Taylor Eyelet Skirt (old)

Shoes: Cole Haan Tali Luxe Wedge (similar with bow, also similar), 7.5, Tortoise

I can already tell I'll really like having the Cap-Sleeve Top in my work wardrobe. It's more suited for that purpose than the Grana Silk Raglan Tees that I purchased several months ago (discontinued, reviewed here), before the Cap-Sleeve Top was released. The Cap-Sleeve Top is more fitted, with less voluminous sleeves, and that makes it better for tucking in to skirts or pants and wearing under cardigans. The armholes are a little large, though, and a very full coverage bra may peek out at the armhole. For fit reference, I'm roughly 36''-26''-37'' with a "regular" sizing shoulders and torso and more "petite"-length legs.

As always, I found Grana's detailed product measurements to be accurate and helpful, with the caveat that, because silk has no stretch, the measurements for non-button-up tops (and certain dresses) need to be interpreted a little differently, at least if you have a larger chest measurement like I do. With silk tank tops especially, a chest measurement of around 38'' for the piece may still end up too tight on me depending on how it is designed to sit on the shoulders and chest (this happened when I ordered an Everlane Silk Tank Top that was supposed to fit based off the product measurements). With that experience in mind, I sized up to the M here, which was the right move, as the S in this top would potentially be uncomfortable at the chest on me.

Review: Grana Silk Raglan Tee

Top: Grana Silk Raglan Tee, Navy, S

Pants: Loft Marisa Fit Slim Ankle Pant, 4P

Shoes: Vans Slip-On in Perforated Leather, black, 7
Watch: Skagen Anita (exact, similar, I reviewed mine here)

When I ordered these from Grana (referral link: you get 10% off your first order as a new customer, and I get $20 store credit, thank you for your support!), this was their only silk tee. They've since expanded their collection to include a longer silk tee with traditional sleeves and a cap-sleeve top. I wish I'd waited, because while I love the more casual, cropped look of the raglan tee, the new designs are more suitable for work, i.e. for tucking in to pencil skirts or slacks. Because the last restock was weeks ago, the silk raglan tee is not currently available in all size/color combinations, but you can sign up for email notifications for when they restock. I'm wearing size S in the navy blue above and M in the mulberry below. For fit reference, I'm 5'3'' and roughly 36''-26''-37''.

Some general brand pointers: Between this tee and the silk blouses, Grana's product measurements appear accurate. Many r/femalefashionadvice readers report that Grana run smaller than Everlane, but I'm a S for most silk tops from both. (I need to size up for silk camisoles or tanks from either, because of how they fit on the chest.) The perception of Grana's smaller sizing could come from Grana's core designs generally being shorter and boxier than Everlane's similar styles. Quality-wise, the general consensus is that Everlane silk is nicer, but Grana is the better value. However, based on my Everlane silk dress (reviewed here) and these tops, both brands seem to be of equal quality when it comes to dark-colored silk clothing. Grana's pricing ($39-$49 for silk tops) is then a significantly better value. Grana does not, however, take a particularly clear stance on whether their clothes are ethically produced.

Top: Grana Silk Raglan Tee, Mulberry, M

Pants: Loft Marisa Fit Slim Ankle Pant, 4P

Shoes: Vans Slip-On in Perforated Leather, black, 7
Watch: Skagen Anita (exact, similar, I reviewed mine here)

I originally ordered M because I worried that S would be too short for my intended purpose of incorporating these into my work wardrobe, where I generally prefer to tuck tops into my skirts. I was also worried that Grana's products might run smaller than the measurements suggested, though that proved unfounded. Because this tee is designed to be boxy, sizing up actually results in a little too much extra fabric when I tuck it in. While I don't mind this terribly much because I like looser-fitting tops, it suggests that the new slimmer, longer tee and cap-sleeve top are more suitable for tucking in to work-wear skirts and pants. When I wear M untucked like I do above (my preferred way to wear it with pants) you can see the extra fabric and length are not quite as flattering as the slimmer-fitting S.

Note: this post contains a few affiliate links that may result in a few cents commission for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

The off-white silk raglan tee, my photo here, has strangely prominent shoulder seams (where two layers of the not-sheer-but-almost fabric are sewn together and more opaque in contrast than the rest of the shirt's one layer of material), which I don't love. This isn't noticeable on the mulberry or navy, but I suspect it could be an issue with any light color raglan tee. The design of the cap-sleeve and new tee look as if they won't have this problem.

Now that I own both sizes, I prefer the S and love the cropped, slightly boxy fit, which I even find rather flattering. I was shocked that something this shape worked for me, as I've always assumed  that something short and boxy would make my chest look awkward by hanging straight down from the widest point of my chest and making the rest of me look larger. It probably helps that silk drapes better on the body, which isn't especially apparent in these photos. It isn't suitable for being tucked in, as its too short and a fairly close fit for my chest, but I like the outfit above and it even works with some skirts untucked. 

Overall, I recommend the raglan silk tee for those that like that cropped, slightly boxy look. The new tee designs are, however, likely a better choice for more conventional and versatile business casual wear. The value is great and the quality reasonably good, with silk that's roughly equal to Everlane, a and a little nicer than Madewell. If you're interested in trying out Grana, shopping with my referral link will get you 10% off your first order (and I'll get $20 store credit). Thank you for your support! 

Review: Everlane Short Sleeve Silk Dress

Dress: Everlane Short Sleeve Silk Dress, black, size small

Shoes: Sam Edelman Sara, leopard, size 7.5

Buying the Everlane Short Sleeve Silk Dress ended up being more complicated than expected. I'm currently waiting for a replacement for the one I'm wearing above. Problems arose the first time I wore it: The fabric near the hem began pulling away from the seam that runs down the center of the dress in the front. I wasn't doing anything unusual, either. I wore it to dinner, and the damage occurred sometime between sitting down to eat and getting up after. You can see that the dress fits loose around the hips and thighs, so the fabric doesn't generally get strained in that area. I took an ultra close-up photo of the damage here. Everlane is generally known for good customer service regarding defective products, and my case proves no exception. They sent my replacement out before I even put the defective one in the mail, all free of charge. So all's well that ends well, though I confess to being a little nervous of whether the replacement will have similar quality issues.

Note: this post contains a few affiliate links that may result in a few cents commission for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

I'm also feeling some concern about how other silk products in my wardrobe might hold up over time. I've started seeing signs of wear and tear in some of my other silk items for the first time, now that I'm wearing them to work somewhat frequently. A gray Madewell silk tunic bought sometime in 2014 now has a few spots where the fabric is starting to wear thin, possibly because of the weight from the straps of my handbag (I carry either a Longchamp or the Everlane Petra Market, usually with a laptop inside). Both that tunic and the black Madewell dress from last June have some extremely faint but kind of large discolored spots that I assume came from being washed, the former by hand with some Laundress Stain Solution pre-soaking before using Laundress Delicates Wash, and the latter in the machine with my usual detergent. I've heard of people machine-washing silk with no issues, but with all this, I'll probably be sticking to hand-washing (without Stain Solution).

Now on to my actual thoughts about the Everlane dress! I like the casual design, and the unlined silk was enjoyable to wear in the hot and humid summertime climates I encountered while traveling. Being rather busty for my clothing size (I'm 36''-26''-37'' and 5'3''), anything this unstructured can make my chest (and the rest of me along with it) look larger than I like, but the flowy design and the way silk drapes means that this dress doesn't emphasize the chest too much or cause the rest of me to look bulkier. I would say that the fabric is nice and weighty enough (better than Madewell, equal to my recent Grana order) to make the design attractive, but it's not very thick. I still wouldn't have thought anything negative about the fabric quality were it not for the defects.

Although the unstructured and roomy tee dress shape is maybe a little too casual, in theory, for a white-collar NYC workplace, I could probably wear it there nonetheless, though only on days without formal meetings. My willingness to try it at work might or might not confirm that I'm indulging a growing preference for "dowdy" but comfortable clothing at work. The high-low hem is one possible sticking point for this dress's potential utility as office-wear. The highest part of the hem hits only a bit above the knee on me, but the high-low detailing emphasizes the "high" part, if you will, and makes it seem shorter than it is. The hem doesn't ride up in a problematic way when moving around, though, so it won't actually cause any risk of wardrobe malfunctions.

I really do like this dress. I intend to keep the replacement, assuming no repeat issues. Still, I can see the $98 price point being a little high for something that's mostly casual-wear, even if I can see myself wearing it to the office. I wouldn't have bought it so readily if I hadn't been under-budget for most of 2016 so far at the time of my initial order. Cuyana does a very similar design in what I assume is a much nicer silk (and made in the US), given the significantly higher price point.

Any suggestions or anecdotes you might have regarding how to launder silk without resorting to a dry cleaner would be greatly appreciated!

Review: J.Crew Factory Wool Sheath Dress

Wearing the Size 6 regular. apologies for the blurry side photo but I couldn't figure out how to best angle myself to show the gapping at the armhole and in back. You can click on each photo to get to the full size image.

This is a review of the J.Crew Factory Tailored Shift Dress in Lightweight Wool, which I will return. I wanted it to work so badly! I actually put in my order in mid-March, but it was back-ordered auntil now. I ordered more sizes (6, 8, 8P and 10P) than I usually would because I wanted to guarantee that I found the best size for me. While I'm fairly certain that my "best size" for this dress was included in my order, the design itself just isn't right for me. For fit reference, I'm 5'3'' and 36''-26''-37'' with "regular" torso and shoulders but "petite" short legs.

Note: the above and below text contains affiliate links that will result in a few cents commission for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

For those who find that the design and fit suits them, this dress could be a good addition to an intern or entry-level professional's office wardrobe. The price point for an all-wool dress (the full lining is polyester) makes it a good value: typically around $75, though I got mine for ~$65 during an additional percent off promotion. The style is right: It's a quintessential sheath dress that could be business formal with the right blazer or business casual otherwise. Unsurprisingly for the price point, the wool is not especially high quality. The texture is visibly rougher than that of the J.Crew Super 120s Paley wool pants I tried on a while back (discussed here), though the material is also not as paper-thin. Overall, if it fits you well, it's good for someone shopping at the summer intern or young professional <$100/dress via sale or promotion price point. That is, by the way, the price point I shopped at to build most of my current work wardrobe.

Wearing the Size 8 petite. I angled myself differently for the side photo here, so you can't see the gapping as badly, but you can see that my bra is peeking out at the armhole if you click through.

Sadly, there are so many details that don't work for me: Round necklines can emphasize my chest in an awkward way, which is happening here, and those little darts sewn in at the collar might exacerbate that. This design runs a bit small in the chest relative to other sheath dresses (both the 6 and 8P are just-right at the widest part of my chest while I'm often a 4 regular for the J.Crew and Ann Taylor sheath dresses I've tried on in recent years). Yet, mysteriously enough, there was also substantial gapping and wrinkling from extra fabric in the back and right underneath my chest for both the regular and petite sizes. Also, even my lower-coverage bras show at the armhole despite the armholes themselves being average-sized, which is odd. I like the thicker waistband and think its flattering, whether at the natural waist (with the regular sizing) or slightly higher (with the petite version). Either way, this dress just isn't good for my body shape.

The length of the petite size is a little more flattering than the regular for me, and I don't mind that the waistband sits slightly above my natural waist. The regular sizing is ultimately the better fit, though, as the neck and sleeves on the petite version are cut a little too narrow, when viewed from the front, such that my bra strap inevitably shows if I move around.

The Usual Formula

Sweater: White and Warren, size M, old (similar without buttons)

Dress: Loft, size 6, old (similar laser-cut dress from J. Crew Factory)

Tights: Mukluk fleece-lined tights

Shoes: Sam Edelman Sara flats, leopard print, size 7.5

Note: the above and below text contains affiliate links that will result in a few cents commission for me if you click. Thank you for your support!

This is a rather simple work outfit, but it's comfy. Although I wear a range of different things to work, especially now that I'm a recent convert to wearing dress pants, I tend to reach for various dress and cardigan combinations the most, especially in winter. Those fleece-lined tights are warmer than my dress pants from Loft or Uniqlo, so it actually makes more sense to wear skirts or dresses this time of year.

That White and Warren sweater I bought at deep discount on Gilt last December runs rather big, which you can probably see above. Even with mall brands known for a fair bit of vanity sizing, like J. Crew or Ann Taylor, a size medium sweater is rarely noticeably big on me. Here, the White and Warren size medium is maybe too big, such that it's a little too baggy even if one has a trendy, slouchy look in mind. Nonetheless, I enjoy wearing this sweater: It was designed to be thin and has an open knit, but it's still fairly warm because it's cashmere. 

Although it might not be clear from the photo (someday I'm going to need to learn how to take better-quality photos), this Loft dress from quite a few seasons back is a black eyelet lined with beige fabric, all 100% cotton. It isn't the most suitable fabric for winter, but because I'm always bundled up in a heavy coat while I'm outside, I still wear some of my summer dresses to work in the colder seasons. 

Casual Friday

 

Necklace: Gorjana Taner Small Bar necklace

Sweater: H&M Premium Quality cashmere sweater, M

Tank Top: H&M Basics tank top, S

Skirt: J. Crew No. 2 wool pencil skirt, 4P

Tights: Mukluk fleece-lined tights, S

Shoes: Sam Edelman Petty booties, 7.5

I call my office dress code "casual business casual" because, in my experience, almost anything remotely reasonable goes. Jeans are almost the only item that is off limits. For further context, all of Adina's office-wear would work perfectly at my workplace. In fact, many of my colleagues like to push the envelope towards a slightly more casual direction. A majority of the work outfits on Nine-Thirty to Five are also on-point, though they might work in Southern California, so certain items they can wear wouldn't be suitable for NYC corporate offices.

I wore this outfit last Friday, though in practice, it'd be okay any day of the week. This outfit is about as far on the casual side of the business versus casual spectrum as I go. All of the elements: sweater, pencil skirt, even the ankle boots, are solidly in the middle of the spectrum for my office. It's the design of that H&M cashmere sweater (a birthday gift) that skews extremely casual, and it's made even more so by being slightly big for me on top of being designed to have a slouchy, oversized fit. The rest of it is fine and dandy: that pencil skirt from J. Crew sits a tiny bit higher on the waist and is a little slimmer than my other pencil skirts, which helps balance out the outfit a bit, but either way, none of the other elements would ever raise an eyebrow.

The sweater is one of those things that brings me joy despite being a less than perfect fit. I like that it feels like I'm wearing a cashmere blanket, and that's the only selling point I need to incorporate it into my work outfits. The cashmere is decent-quality for the price - a bit plusher and thicker than Uniqlo's. Some of the design elements might seem strange though, especially the very pronounced dolman sleeves and rather extreme high-low hem along with high side slits.

My Sam Edelman Petty booties are fantastic: very comfortable, true to size, and took absolutely no time to break in. I wore them to work all the time with skirt suits when I was interning in a very formal government workplace earlier this calendar year. After a full fall/winter season's worth of heavy wear last year, I had them reheeled last month ($22 at a moderately expensive cobbler), and they look almost new (there is a tiny scuff in one toe that couldn't be completely fixed, but can be covered when they're cleaned, shined, and polished). I wear them throughout the winter, avoiding only the very wet or snowy days. 

Bundling Up: the Elie Tahari Paula Coat

Coat: Elie Tahari Paula down coat*, M 

*(Bluefly discount in limited size/color combos)

Skirt: The Limited pencil skirt, 4

Tights: Mukluk fleece-lined tights, S

Boots: L.L. Bean boots w/ Goretex and Thinsulate

Well I suppose I should stop being in denial about my outfit photography being, er, noticeably lower-quality than that of the blogs I was reading in 2008 or so. (I'm mainly thinking of the super-cool Fops and Dandies, who took the best mirror selfies in a time before selfie was a word. I miss her blog to this day.) Also, happy Thanksgiving to those in the US! I'm fairly certain that my only Black Friday sales shopping plans are entirely online and only for gifts for others this year, because well, I've spent plenty on myself this fall/winter already. 

This has been an incredibly spend-y month for me. I blew past my monthly budget number when I bought the Everlane Trench and then I just kept on going by buying the Elie Tahari Paula down coat (on super-sale from Bluefly with an additional percent off coupon on top, but the current Bloomingdales price on top of their Thanksgiving sale will get you close to the price I paid). I stayed under budget for quite a few months this year, so I can actually overspend in December without going over my limit for the year, but I hope to do minimal shopping between now and New Years.  

Because this coat was originally too pricey to be practical and isn't a particularly sought after style, there probably isn't any actual demand for a review. Still, I enjoy talking about my purchasing decisions, so here goes:

This isn't the down coat I thought I would buy. I was envisioning something more utilitarian, and likely in an olive green, which would match my brown L.L. Bean winter boots well. Honestly, the main factor in my decision to order this for trying on was the dramatic discount, which isn't a particularly wise starting point for any shopping decision. I ended up paying around $220 at Bluefly with tax and shipping included, which is a little less than I likely would have spent on the North Face or Columbia coat I originally planned on and certainly much less than this coat's $550 full price. (The best price outside of Bluefly is currently $330 at Bloomingdales, $275-ish with the Thanksgiving sale code.) I took it out for a road test this past Tuesday, one of the first truly cold days in this unseasonably warm fall we're having in NYC.

For context, I'm not actually particularly picky about my winter coats. I picked out the Larry Levine one I've been wearing for the last three years (in different color) on sale from Amazon with the moderate price being my main criteria. That coat was plenty warm for me, even in the brutal winter NYC had last year and remains in generally fine condition. I'd even just stick with it, were it not for the sticky zipper and the minor annoyance of a hood that doesn't stay up on its own. Sizing-wise, I tend to stick with a M in pretty much all down coats I've tried, for fear that the chest would get a little snug when I have a thick sweater on. Keep reading behind the cut for my thoughts on my new coat.

Review: Everlane Trench Coat

Coat: Everlane Trench, XS

Top: Equipment Lynn blouse, peacoat multi print, S

Pants: Loft Marisa Fit slim ankle pant, 4P

Shoes: Louise et Cie flats (old, similar in black)

Forgive the mirror selfies in low lighting and the wrinkled fabric, but I haven't seen any online reviews of Everlane's new take on the classic trench coat, and I thought that it might be a helpful review. The weather in NYC has been strangely warm this fall, and I desperately wanted a mid-length or longer coat that would be suitable for the only slightly cool temperatures. I have a short tweed-like moto-inspired jacket from Ann Taylor (similar to this one) that is just right for this weather, but the short length can look awkward when I wear it over my many long cardigans and sweaters.

I'm not the most knowledgeable consumer when it comes to trench coats. The only other ones I've tried are the Uniqlo Ines de la Fressange one from last year (now deeply discounted at $39.90, but it runs quite big and is only available from sizes S to L) which I thought was too heavy and unflattering on me and a single-breasted Calvin Klein design that I nixed because the shiny plastic buttons looked cheap and I objected to the 100% polyester fabric. 

There are a few not-so-good things that you should know about Everlane's classic trench if you're considering a purchase:

• First, it runs very big compared to Everlane's other items. The measurements on their site are accurate (as they usually are), but before I received the item, I thought there was no way that an XS at Everlane could ever measure 20'' across the chest. Lo and behold, it does. I'm roughly 36.5'' around the chest, more than most women around my general height and build, but this coat is a bit big for me despite being Everlane's smallest size. 
• Second, it is (unsurprisingly) designed for a taller woman, though I find it workable at my 5'3'' height. It hits right at my knee when its buttoned-up and belted, covering just the upper half of my kneecap. The sleeves are not particularly long, but other details are problematic. The belt loops and pockets are both intended for someone differently proportioned. 
• Third, it is only partially lined, in the sleeves only. I'm not sure how typical this is at the price point ($175) because, as far as I can tell, very few competitors offer a classic trench in 100% cotton for similar or lower prices. The lack of a full lining bothers me quite a bit.

I ended up keeping this coat despite the issues I mentioned above, which might not be the wisest shopping decision I've ever made. I do plan to get a few alterations done, starting with maybe slimming the sides and having the belt loops moved up. I'd also like to get a lining added, but I suspect all of these alterations will easily add up to more than the price of the coat, given the high prices at NYC tailors. The 100% cotton fabric tends to wrinkle, and the belt in the same cotton material has a little trouble staying fully tied if I run to cross the street before the light changes. More photos and thoughts can be found behind the cut.