Through K's Eyes

 Here is the cute B&W striped dress I bought a few weeks ago from Forever 21 for $22.80. I think a lot of their clothes are overpriced for the quality, but this dress is all cotton and has real self-fabric belt loops (although the skirt hemline is pretty messy). The belt is really poor quality but easily swapped out.


Striped Dress w/ Belt

I usually wear a 2 in dresses at Anthropologie (0 in tops, 4-6 in skirts) and the size S fit well. It's a tad too long in the shoulder, but I'm petite and short-waisted so that's a typical issue for me. It DOES pass the bend-over test on my 32AA chest. The length feels a tad longer than 33", probably closer to 34" or 34.5".

I picked it up immediately because it reminded me of Anthro's lovely Monochromatic Corset Dress, albeit minus the corsetry detail:



Anthro's version is more unique, of course, but also dressier and probably not machine-washable (line dry, and I'd recommend sticking to that unless you don't mind shrinkage).

Not all of these have pictures because I went in quickly/with friends, but I want to note fit comments regardless.

A-Bit-Unruly Top: I've heard that this top fits different in the pink and brown colorways. I don't particularly like those two colors, though. Tried the XS in green stripe, which is a gorgeous seafoam green color. However, the modal is rather sheer and it's fundamentally a casual top, which makes it hard to pay $30 for.

Expanding Horizons Tank: tried XS in cobalt blue, lovely color but the front gaped open when I bent over.

The Gathering Tank: tried XS in green, the color and fit were great, but I didn't like the slubby thin cotton and I hated the raw edges. Also gaps a bit if I bend over, but that might be fixable with a different bra. I would pick this up on second cut, but not for $30, and I don't expect it to last until $20.

Tupelo Dress: fits TTS, straps are on the long side for petites.

Heartease Habotai Blouse: extremely low-cut and will not fit an A cup, even in sz 0.

Darting Dragonfly Dress: too small in sz 0, but fit fine in sz 2 when I tried it the first time at full price, so I wouldn't size down. Kind of regretting not tracking this down via charge-send when it first hit $40, but it is only a summer dress due to the styling--would look terrible with opaque tights.

Gathered Hemlock Dress: orange floral colorway; fits tight at the waist in sz XS, similar to the Whirligig. I later tried the S in the blue motif and it fit better, so I would take an S in this, though I'd probably take the XS in the Whirligig due to the extra drape up top.

Alstroemeria Tee: didn't try on, the yellow in the print is brighter IRL.

Splashed Palette Dress: has an adorable black polka-dot lining! Fits TTS, as I tried on the 0 and the 4 and neither fit. (The 0 zipped, but was uncomfortably tight in the thighs.) I would ideally want the petite version.

Strappy Dandelion Dress: runs small, as it has a back zipper and I still couldn't zip up the 0.

Vervain-Mallow Top: in rust, sz XS, fits well and surprisingly works with my Asian coloring, but I was bothered by the shoulder ruffle sticking out of my shoulder.

Also tried on a sale top with rolled sleeves and a pretty corset-style laced neckline which looks like it runs small but is actually TTS (I tried on the S and it was too big). Finally, I tried on a bunch of sale pants and discovered that I'm a sz 2/4 in pants at Anthro... but nonetheless ended up buying sz 28 (=sz 6) Pilcro High-Rise Flares, because they fit loosely and I couldn't pass up $10 pants. At least if I gain even more weight, they'll still fit once I chop off several inches from the hem.

Whirligig Dress in magenta (which Anthro calls medium pink) and dusty purple (lavender, I think?): elastic waist has a tendency to snap threads when stretched tight, which makes me frown--I expect better quality at this price point, especially for synthetic fabric. I tried on both the XS and S; the XS fit but was tight in the waist, the S gave me a tad too much drape at the top. And after trying the Vervain-Mallow Top, I'm intrigued by the orange colorway that I initially dismissed. Still, first cut is a bit much to pay for a jersey dress.

I tried on the Reflecting Pool Dress in sz 2 in case I decided to order the Verdant Slip [in the original mint green, I dislike the new blue colorway] online. It fits TTS, but I don't feel like the fit is particularly flattering, and I would prefer strapless to these tiny straps.

Calliope Dress, in size 2: loved the print online. I definitely need to size down in this, even at the waist. However, the pockets stick out unattractively, and I forgot about my irrational hatred for henley buttons. Later tried this in a 0 and it still looks shapeless. Maybe at a super-sale price.

Ah, Artist's Rendering Dress... how you taunt me so. I never wear shift-style dresses and they don't fit my body well either, but I loved the landscape print on this so much. I couldn't zip up the size 2, but even holding the top closed, the neckline gaps. The size 4 fits but gaps unacceptably at the neck. Has a lovely striped plaid lining.

Unknown Tracy Reese Dress, attractively priced at $30 but not my style and too short, not to mention too big for me. In sz P. This has since sold at my local Anthro, and I have no clue what it's called.

Magdalena Peasant Top: way too baggy in XS.

I've been coveting the Sagebrush Skirt ever since I saw it hanging on a display rack in the middle of the store, months ago. The size 4 fits snugly at high waist, and my store didn't have a 6 to compare. In comparison, I took a size 6 in the Inkwell Skirt, which ran small for most, and also the Plaited Brushwork Skirt [since returned, I didn't love the print], which was just non-stretchy. I love the color and the detailed embroidery. Now it's on sale for $70... I'm tempted to buy it, but will depend on whether I keep the Carica Bag (in beige, charge-send arrives today!) and whether I buy the Blurred Hydrangea Dress from an EA seller.

This green top (name? picture pending) is way too big and I can't bend over. Euch.

Runny Yoke Skirt in sz 4, black; the other is the Shaded Glory Skirt, also in sz 4 and on second cut $20, which comes in several colors besides taupe (I saw brown and purple for sure). Fit comfortably if snugly, so don't size up. I bought the Faded Glory Skirt, but ended up returning it because there was too much material in the hips.

Bright Bolts Sash, Slim, sz S/M... Caught my eye only because it was paired with the Eyeleted Corset Top in the May 2011 catalog. I returned that top, though, and I would never wear this belt otherwise. Since cut to $10 and my local Anthro still has a bunch.

Finally, an unknown brown belt that's way too big for my waist and drapes awkwardly on my hips. Pass.

I'm apparently too perfectionist to post unedited photos, and I have too many photos to edit; so if and when that gets finished and uploaded, I'm just going to do text reviews for now. I'm a writer first and foremost, anyway.

Purple shift dress, $20 (originally $70). The XS is too large and gives me the illusion of unattractive hips, which is pretty difficult!

White Cecilia dress in sz 00, which fits like Anthro 0 (can't-gain-any-weight snug). The top is cut badly for me, whether due to my petite torso or my flat chest, I'm not sure. Has a three-layer skirt for opacity. No size 0 was available, and I didn't bother trying on the 2 since the straps would just get even more awkward. This is a beautiful dress if it fits you, though.

A cotton bell skirt in army green (not J. Crew's actual color name) in sz 0, which is a little ridiculous because a 28" waist should not be size 0. The 0 fits at waist but is a tad too short for my comfort, so I would size up for length and to wear on my hips if I wanted to buy this, though I don't particularly.

Two pretty embroidered tops in white and sage green--both are opaque, which was a concern for the white. However, the bust gaps way too much to be appropriate even casually, and this is on MY chest. I can't imagine what this top would look like on someone who was busty and actually pulled the fabric taut, since this is the XXS and it's not very fitted, just poorly designed.

 Overall, I really like Heartsy.me (referral link), which is a group-buying daily deal site for handmade goods from Etsy and elsewhere on the web. It's different from Groupon in that there is no initial "tipping" point, but there's also a strict limit to the number of vouchers available for each deal.

I've purchased two Heartsy vouchers so far, both for Etsy, and it's really easy to check out with them. However, I ended up getting one of the vouchers refunded and had to argue with customer service by email for several days... so, I still recommend them, just be aware that they will make it difficult to get your money back and think of it as final sale. I did get my refund in the end by being persistent and aggressive. (The voucher was for custom-made clothing, and more expensive than most of Heartsy's deals, or I wouldn't have bothered.)



Secondly... somehow I managed to miss Anthro's Blurred Hydrangea Dress on second cut and only just noticed it on third cut to $50 from $400... obviously, it's all sold out by now. But I am willing to pay the second cut price of $100 for a size 0 or 2... maybe 4 if it's cheaper than $100 and will come out equivalent after alteration costs.

One trick I've found that works pretty well with clothes is to compare with Anthropologie: would I rather pass on this $30 trendy sundress and put it toward an $80 sale Anthro dress, or a $30 top at first cut? Usually, YES. I already have plenty of cheap sundresses in my closet, and I love the quirky, quality aesthetic of Anthro pieces. I don't see a ton of Anthro at my college, either, although I might just be hanging with the wrong crowd.

The challenge is only buying Anthro pieces that are appropriate for my lifestyle. For example, I adore the Overwhelmed Aster Dress, but the poofy crinoline makes it only appropriate for parties. I have way too many semi-formal dresses already in my closet. I keep going back and forth on the Verdant Slip Dress, which will certainly not make sale and comes in my favorite seafoam green color... I think it's a pass, pending try-on for amazing fit. The straight slip cut will fit but not flatter me, and I'm tired of dresses that require a strapless bra. (My strapless is far from my most flattering push-up, and it tends to slip down throughout the day.) The Eyeleted Corset Top is work-appropriate with a cardigan, but the colors are all brand-new to my wardrobe so I'd need to buy MORE pieces (like the lovely Anadyomene/Seashell Cardigan that the Anthro SA brought me to try on with the top) in order to make it work.

Recently, I've been thinking and comparing to the Anthro skirts that I ordered from the tag sale. $30 for an Anthro skirt or $30 for a sundress from Kohls (or H&M or F21)? I have a few H&M pieces that I love and are well-made, but in general, the quality difference is obvious. I also need to stay away from stores with a style that doesn't fit me and/or high prices for the quality: i.e. Express (except for their jeans, which I love), Forever 21, Urban Outfitters (returned a cardigan once for ridiculous stretching in the sleeves after just one wear), and others. Aeropostale clothes too, nowadays, though they still have good basics and I may pick up another sturdy fabric tote on sale. I can never resist wandering through F21 and UO, even though the clothes are always way too short and too tight at the waist. I've found that my "trend" price point is somewhere around $10-15, such as for a maxi dress; that means I'm limited to H&M and F21, which is fine. It will be a fun hunt!

Shoes are also on my purge-and-invest list. I've been searching forever for a pair of mid-heel black leather pumps. Being a size 5 makes it more difficult than usual. I have a ton of shoes stored away in boxes, but only wear the ones that are out on the floor at a given time. For Prom, I bought a pair of 4-inch silver heels, which I wore only once more at a photo shoot. However, the shoes look smashing in those photos, so they were worth it despite being horribly uncomfortable. Everyone needs one pair of impractical high heels.

Random sidebar: I can never remember the brands of my shoes. Clothes and bags are easy, most of my jewelry is non-branded, I don't own enough belts to make it difficult... but shoes, packed away in boxes, and in the downstairs coat closet instead of my own? They're tough. For example, I think those 4-inch heels were by Chinese Laundry because of the gorgeous box, but I'm not really sure.