Cheers to Friday! I'm sure you don't need me to tell you it's the last weekend before Christmas! I did a fair amount of gift shopping online during Black Friday and Cyber Monday (see my sale picks here & here), but that just gave me a false sense of accomplishment, and I haven't done any since!
So I'll be scrambling in the coming days to finish up! Fortunately, many retailers are offering expedited shipping, so everything can arrive by next Thursday. (See the end of this post for my list of top sales!)
But, today it's time for the next installment of Dressing Room Diaries. Y'all seem to like the occasional dressing room snaps I post on InstaGram and Facebook using #HSPDressingRoomDiaries, so I thought it'd be fun to expand it for the blog.
The shots aren't good, the lighting is bad, and many of the items aren't a good fit for me...but it's real life, real girl, real clothes...and hopefully helpful for you to see them this way, instead of perfectly styled on a model. And you'd think I'd bother to put on make-up and comb my hair before snapping these, but you thought wrong. Real life, right? ;)
Sidenote: Everything fits true-to-size unless I indicate otherwise.
This is actually what I wore to the mall one day, but made a beeline for this cross body bag and had to snap an immediate pic. #totallynormalbehaviorright Of course I'm a sucker for a tassel, and I love the fold over style. It comes in gorgeous colors and priced unbelievably low considering the quality. And how cute is the leopard one??
Crossbody Bag | Turtleneck Sweater | Jeans | Boots (on sale!) | Watch | Hoop Earrings
I'm having a moment with relaxed sweaters...they are just so comfy, not to mention, hide the evidence of my holiday indulging. This one is a soft, chunky weave, and great length for skinny jeans or leggings.
Fit Tip: I happened to be wearing a white tank that day, but I'd layer a dark one under this sweater. Simply because the weave is larger.
Slouchy Turtleneck Sweater | Jeans | Boots (on sale!) | Watch | Hoop Earrings
Plaid and stripes are my pattern-mixing nirvana, and this vest is two words....Dar. Ling. It's on the pricey side, but I haven't seen anything like it anywhere else.
Striped Top | Plaid Vest | Jeans | Boots (on sale!) | Watch | Hoop Earrings
This cute striped number is part sweater and part poncho. I love the loose turtleneck and peek of shirt under the shorter sleeves.
Fit Tip: If you're on the shorter side like me (5'4"), size down so it doesn't overwhelm your frame. I'm wearing a Small in this pic, but an XS would fit better.
Turtleneck Fringe Poncho | Striped Top | Jeans | Boots (on sale!) | Watch | Hoop Earrings
Lightweight sweaters are great for layering...either over a patterned collar shirt, or under jackets and vests...and this one has a fun zipper-back.
Fit Tip: Size down if you want a more fitted look than what I'm showing.
Zip-Back Sweater | Dark Rinse Jeans | Tassel-Tie Booties | Earrings
Now that I have the world's best leggings (which are back-in-stock and on sale!), I'm on the hunt for longer sweaters and tunics to cover the lady bits. This cowl neck is a soft, lightweight fabric, and fitted enough to still show your shape. It also comes in tons of great colors.
Cowl Neck Tunic | Dark Rinse Jeans | Tassel-Tie Booties | Earrings
This is another great tunic, and I love the pockets and roll-tab sleeves. It'd be cute with a plaid or chambray shirt layered underneath.
Fit Tip: It runs quite large, so size down. I'm wearing a petite and it's still long enough for leggings.
Knit Pocket Tunic (on sale!) | Dark Rinse Jeans | Tassel-Tie Booties | Earrings
You may recall this dress actually came home with me...I'm excited to layer it over a long-sleeve tee and tights. Love the big turtleneck and modest length.
Sweater Jumper | Booties
Is it still considered a cardigan when it's longer than your coat? Either way, this marled cardigan is super cozy and soft, I just wish I were a bit taller for it. If I did wear it, I'd opt for ankle booties in order to show more leg.
Marled Long Cardigan | Favorite Leggings (on sale!) | Boots (on sale!) | Plaid Bag
This sweater dress is a total winner...soft, slightly fitted through the torso, and great length. It'd be so cute with a vest and pendant necklace (like I styled this one). I'd pair it with tights and booties when the weather is chillier.
Update: Looks like this one is sold out already, but this one is similar, and this is a cute v-neck version.
Sweater Dress | Boots | Ring | Hoop Earrings
I loved the stripe and softness of this tee, but was on the fence with the sizing. I suggest either sizing up (and layering over a tank) to wear with leggings, or size down for a fitted first layer under sweaters and vests.
Striped Top | Dark Rinse Jeans | Tassel-Tie Booties | Earrings
For these Dressing Room Diaries posts, I'm typically just looking for things I want to buy in order to share them with you....but not actually buy them. Clearly I can't shop like this once a month! But every trip usually turns up at least one thing I can't bear to part with...and this cable knit cardigan was it this time. It just says 'Winter Chic' to me...something so Ralph-Lauren-classic about it. I'll wear it with jeans, skirts and pants all season long.
Plaid Shirt (similar) | Cable Knit Fisherman's Cardigan
Distressed Jeans | Tassel-Tie Booties | Necklace (on sale!) | Hoop Earrings
Another cute open-cardigan, this one with fair isle trim. It's a good thing this plaid shirt wasn't in my size because I'd have surely brought it home. And Lawdy knows I don't need another plaid shirt!
Plaid Shirt | Fair Isle Open Cardigan | Distressed Jeans | Tassel-Tie Booties
How perfect is this sweater for Christmas day, and the months after? I love a big chunky turtleneck!
Fit Tip: This is a generous fit, so size down if you prefer it more snug.
Snowflake Turtleneck Sweater | Distressed Jeans | Tassel-Tie Booties
You'd think I lived up north the way I love coats...if I needed another coat, I'd get this one for sure. The toggles, the fur trim, the hood, the length....all greatness. And yes, people saw me snapping this pic. #noshame
Fur-Trimmed Toggle Coat | Distressed Jeans | Tassel-Tie Booties
The website shows this cocoon cardigan (which is just a fancy word to say it hugs the front, rather than hangs or drapes) with pajamas, but I think it's just as cute (not to mention soft!) with jeans. I also liked the fitted sleeve with draped shoulder...gives it a relaxed, yet chic, look.
Open-Front Cocoon Cardigan | Distressed Jeans | Tassel-Tie Booties
I really wanted to love this top, and the reviews are great, but it's just too big for me. The lace sleeves are a fun touch...comfy like a tshirt, but jazzed up a notch. I'd wear it with a gold pendant and leopard heels for a night out.
Fit Tip: Size waaay down unless you want a boxy, off-the-shoulder fit.
Lace-Sleeve Top | Distressed Jeans | Tassel-Tie Booties
I can't believe I actually tried on PJs...I've wanted a matching set for three years, but am always shocked by how pricey they are. These were definitely a great find, and I can't wait to wear them Christmas morning!
Flannel Pajama Set
Pink is pretty much my signature cullah #namethatmovie but I love the unexpectedness of it this time of year. Obviously, since every sweater I gravitated to at Loft was shades of pink. This one was particularly soft and stretchy, covered lady bits, and had a fun side slit.
Side Slit Sweater Tunic | Jeans | Boots (on sale!) | Watch | Hoop Earrings
The color of this one isn't as intense in person as my crapball phone pic...but I loved it. I'd totally wear it with a black striped turtleneck and black leggings. It's part of Loft's Lou & Grey line, which is all on a rare sale!
Long Banded Sweater | Jeans | Boots (on sale!) | Watch | Hoop Earrings
Does it get any cuter than fair isle in the Winter? How about pink fair isle!
Fit Tip: Size up on this one, it's a tad short.
Fair Isle Sweater | Jeans | Boots (on sale!) | Watch | Hoop Earrings
This one has the opposite problem...it's crazy long. I want it to work so badly, but am still on the fence about the fit. It's slouchier than I anticipated, but would be awfully cute with leggings! #twistmyarm To be fair, this is a size up from my normal.
Fair Isle Sweater | Jeans | Boots (on sale!) | Watch | Hoop Earrings
Someone tell Mr. SP he already got me this tunic. The website calls the fabric a lovechild of your favorite cashmere sweater and beloved sweatshirt. Okay, the lovechild part was mine. But it's a perfect descriptor...I don't know if I want to wear it everyday, or sleep in it. Likely both.
Fit Tip: I sized up for a more relaxed & longer fit.
Cowl Neck Tunic (on sale!) | Jeans | Boots (on sale!) | Watch | Hoop Earrings
Sorry no Mr. SP photobombs this round...no way he was going near the mall during holiday season! And you may have noticed my frequent wearing of the tassel-tie chukka booties...obsessed is all I can say. They are truly the most comfortable shoes I own. Even more than tennis shoes! I'd scoop them up in taupe if I didn't already have taupe booties. My mom actually has the orange ones and loves them!
So what are your favorites from this installment of Dressing Room Diaries? See anything you want to try for yourself? Are you just about done with your Christmas shopping, or just getting started? Maybe some of these things will be a good match for someone on your list!
We're hosting our first big party in the new house tonight, and I haven't decided if I'm wearing this dress, or this one. But as long as we don't run out of wine, no one will care, right? Happy weekend, lovebugs!
{Great Holiday Sales}
NORDSTROM // Huge selection of sale items + free shipping
LOFT // 40-50% off everything
OLD NAVY // 30-40% off everything + extra 10% off with code ENJOY
GAP // 40% off total purchase with code GIFTS
J.CREW // 30-40% off everything + free shipping
BARRINGTON GIFTS // MERRY10 for 10% off entire order
ANTHROPOLOGIE // 40% off all sweaters + free shipping
POTTERY BARN // Free shipping on all orders + new sales announced everyday
ONE KINGS LANE // Blowout clearance deals