Cheers to Friday! Thanks for all your great tips and insight on yesterday's post, I'm thrilled you liked it! It's been a whirlwind week speaking at the Bloom Workshop in Florida, and was inspiring to be around such creative and talented women. I hope to share some of the gorgeous images and ideas with you soon. But it was so good to get back home last night, and now I'm ready to spend a spoiled Mother's Day weekend with my people! (Hint-hint, Mr. SP!)
Today it's time for the next installment of Dressing Room Diaries, where I hunt down some of the cutest new arrivals from my favorite retailers, and review them for you.
The shots aren't good, the lighting is bad, my hair is usually past it's expiration, 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. You may want to grab a drink and a cookie...it's another doozy!
Sidenote: Everything fits true-to-size unless I indicate otherwise. And fyi, I'm 5'4"-ish, 115 pounds-ish, with a slight pear shape.
I spotted this floral romper from across the store, and couldn't get it to the dressing room fast enough! The colors are so vibrant, and it has a very feminine (but not little-girly) shape to it. I can see it dressed up with heels for a night out, or with flat sandals and a jean jacket.
Fit Tip: It's true-to-size, unless you carry more weight through your middle, in which case order a size up.
Romper | Strappy Wedge Sandals
It's ridiculous that I even tried this dress on, seeing as how I already own it in three colors...but hello, emerald green!!! If you follow me on Instagram, you know I took two of them with my to Florida this week. They just work for almost anywhere and anything, and pack like a dream.
Fit Tip: I'm wearing an XS. I do get lots of questions about what bra to wear, because the armholes are a little lower...I usually go braless #scandalous, wear a strapless bra pulled down a bit, a lacy bralette, or one of these nubras.
Racerback Dress | Tassel Bracelets | Reversible Blush Tote
The front straps made this floral maxi stand out, but the fit is better for taller girls with a willowy frame. My usual size was a little big on top, but tight across the bum. I loved the unexpected touch of lavendar.
Floral Maxi Dress | Watch | Bracelet
This darling fit-and-flare was a bit more midi-length on me than the model #shocker, but the lace overlay still allows it to show a little leg. The crossover neckline is unique and so flattering, and fabric thick and structured enough to hold 'the girls' in place. It's definitely a memorable little black dress for all your Spring and Summer functions.
Fit Tip: It's true to size, unless you're busty, in which case I'd suggest ordering up one.
Lace Fit-and-Flare Midi Dress | Strappy Wedge Sandals
This dress has a lot going for it...punchy color, pockets, and cute back-pleats...but the fabric too thick and voluminous for petite frames.
Fit Tip: The v-neck and armholes are generous, so I'd recommend sizing down one.
Pleat-Back Trapeze Dress | Strappy Wedge Sandals
I love all the color options of this ruffle-hem romper, and it fits well, but it felt a little young for me.
Ruffle-Hem Romper | Tassel Bracelets | Hoop Earrings
This is actually what I wore to the mall, with my pink striped bag...but loved it with the black and white stripe, too. My favorite white jeans have been getting a lot of wear!
Chambray Shirt | Favorite White Jeans | Sandals | Pink Striped Monogram Bag
Bag Charm | Black Striped Bag | Tassel Bracelets
Funny, I didn't know I was on a romper-streak until I put this post together...but clearly I've been drawn to them lately! I'm pretty much obsessed with the racerback cut of this one, and the comfy drop-waist.
Fit Tip: It's a tad big, but I think sizing down would take away the relaxed fit that makes it so cute.
Halter Romper | Tassel Bracelets | Hoop Earrings
Did you catch the off-the-shoulder top I posted to Instagram last weekend? I figured I'd give the trend a whirl with that $17 shirt, and now I'm smitten. This one is really soft and comfy, with a cute stripe...it's a little sheer, but not enough to rule it out.
Fit Tip: True-to-size and works well with a strapless bra.
Off-the-Shoulder Striped Top | Favorite White Jeans | Tassel Bracelets
Hoop Earrings | Sandals
Chambray stripes? Sign me up!! I pick up at least one pair of these shorts every year...my hands-down favorite fit.
Fit Tip: This year's style is a little big, but stick with your usual size because they will shrink a tad in the dryer.
Chambray Shirt | Striped Shorts | Sunglasses | Tassel Bracelets
The first thing I do when I get home everyday is change to PJs, so I figured they might as well be cute! Love the lightweight of these, and of course, the pink gingham.
Fit Tip: Size up one, and plan on them shrinking a bit in the dryer.
Gingham Pajama Set | Tassel Bracelets
Shirtdresses are so easy, and universally flattering...and this one is no exception. The fabric is a soft rayon, so it drapes beautifully, and the geo pattern makes it modern.
Fit Tip: It's a good length for the office, but if you're shorter like me and prefer dresses to hit above the knee, then order petite.
Geo-Print Shirtdress | Hoop Earrings
Colorful or printed camis are an easy chic outfit when paired with jeans or shorts, and this palm print is very on-trend, yet still classic. The jewel-tone colors are so pretty in person.
Fit Tip: I prefer camis to have some length to drape, so I'd stick with regular sizing instead of petite on this one.
Floral Cami | Favorite White Jeans | Tassel Sandals
These pics don't even come close to doing this white fit-and-flare dress with emerald green lace overlay justice...it's so lovely in person. The material is a soft, thick knit, so even though it looks dressy, it's very comfy and could be dressed up or down. (Sidenote: Unheard of sale for Anthropologie...use code XOXO for 20% off this weekend!!)
Fit Tip: I also tried it in petite size, but it was much too short and made the dress look more cutesy than classic.
Lace Overlay | Hoop Earrings
Here's a closer shot of the overlay, with a darling striped bag worth sharing. I can't help pairing things and creating outfits...even in the stores!
Tote Bag
Another 'what I wore that day'...with the white jeans. Again. This tassel necklace has been getting overtime, too.
Scoopneck Tee | Tassel Necklace | Favorite White Jeans | Tassel Sandals
I spotted a handful of cute dresses online I wanted to try for myself...starting with this striped number. It's certainly darling with the cross-back, but too short and thin for my liking. It'd make a cute swimsuit coverup though!
Striped Cross-Back Dress
I really really wanted this dress to work, but it's just too much fabric for my frame. Definitely a looker for taller girls!
Floral Popover Maxi Dress
We have a big trip coming up, so I'm on the lookout for fun dresses that work for day and night...and I think this might be a winner. You have to see the back!! It'd be so cute with wedges and a jean jacket for day, and heels and jewels for evening. What do you think? Cute enough to go through the trouble of hemming it??
Striped Maxi Dress
I shared this swing dress in my last 5 Under $50, and was won over by the pockets. I tried it in a size small in denim blue, and XS in navy (the next pic). I much preferred the denim...for some reason, the fabric of the denim color is definitely much thicker and sturdier, even though it's not actual denim, than the fabric of the navy. It's a super cute Summer throw-on kind of dress, best paired with flip-flops or flat sandals.
Fit Tip: I'd size up for a bit more length.
Knit Swing Dress
My normal size felt too short to wear in public, unless you're using it as a cover-up.
Knit Swing Dress
I loved the rich pink of this maxi, and the halter makes it great for evening. It doesn't come in petite sizes, but the price is so good it's worth hemming for the shorter crowd.
High-Neck Maxi Dress
Again with the off-the-shoulder...I think I'm getting on board with it!
Off-the-Shoulder Dress | Favorite Nude Wedges
How cute is the scallop trim on this shift dress? I love the classy length, and it's wear-to-almost-anything-ness. And speaking of length, can we talk about how leg-lengthening my nude wedges are!? #obsessed
Scallop-Trim Shift Dress | Favorite Nude Wedges
This dress is pretty much my spirit animal...fit and flare shape, a bow, and pockets! The color makes me swoon, too. I'll wear it dressed up with these pink shoes, and more casual with my nude wedges or leopard sandals.
Fit Tip: I'm wearing a petite size for knee-length fit.
Tie-Waist Wrap Dress
I can never pass up gingham, especially when it's in the form of a popover top. It's even cuter paired with my favorite white jeans. #duh
Gingham Popover | Favorite Cut-Off Shorts
Whew! I told you this was a doozy! I hope you found this post helpful, and maybe discovered some new goodies. What's your favorite from this round of Dressing Room Diaries? You may want to check out the previous installment because many of the items featured are on sale! Happy weekend, lovebugs!
{Weekend sales worth checking out}
Nordstrom // Tons of sales going on, including a special Triple Points Event!
Loft // 40% off Spring new arrivals & extra 50% off sale.
GAP // 30% off with code SHINE
Old Navy // 30% off all women's styles
J.Crew // 30% off total order with code TIMETOSHOP
Anthropologie // 20% off everything with code XOXO...I adore this dress, too.