Striped Dress, Sz 6, $49.95
I've been on the lookout for items that mix blue with green lately and this dress looked absolutely gorgeous on the hanger. The color combination was exactly what I was looking for but the top portion was too puffy for me and the skirt really emphasized my hips. I think this dress would look much better on gals with a slimmer silhouette.
Verdict: No, makes me look big on top and bottom - yikes
Striped Top, Sz 4, $29.95
After the dress fail, I picked up this top hoping I could just recreate a similar look with it. It runs a little big since I've been wearing size 6 in H&M post-pregnancy and this size 4 fits with room to spare. I think I could have made this work by tucking it in but the only green it had was one tiny stripe by the belly button.
Verdict: No, but second-guessing myself
Striped Blazer, Sz 6 $49.95
This blazer looked so good on Kelly that I wanted to try it. It definitely runs small - I could barely button it and when I did, I looked like I was about to Incredible-Hulk out of it. The thought of sizing up hurts my ego which is admittedly more fragile post-partum :P
Verdict: No, but it is lovely on smaller gals
Blue Paisley Dress, Sz 4, $29.95
After seeing Jean (review post here) tweet about this dress, I fell in love with the paisley print and was determined to find it. I thought the print looked lovely in person but I felt like the dress made my top look too wide (this whole nursing thing makes me hyper-conscious because I'm so used to being completely flat). At least it did not call attention to my hips :)
Verdict: No
My shopping outfit to keep warm in the brisk Chicago weather:
Old Navy Plaid Shirt
Banana Republic Cowl Neck Sweater
Burberry Scarf
New York & Co Red Pants (slimmed, alteration post here)
Clarks Camel Flats
After shopping, we stopped by Mitsuwa, a Japanese supermarket with an amazing food court. Don't let the grocery-store looking sushi fool you, the fish was super fresh and everything tasted restaurant-quality.
Shoyu Ramen, Sushi, and Green Tea-ccino (sooo yummy!)
And so my search for the perfect paisley dress continues (holy grail being Jean's J. Crew here). I've also been trying to look for the perfect fabric to try a DIY version but so far only these sheets (from my uncle's house) have caught my eye. I will now be stalking paisley bedding as well :)
Thanks for the review! I happen to really like the paisley dress on you. It looks so nice and seems to fit from what I can tell in the pictures. I'm looking forward to seeing your DIY paisley project:)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Annie! I'm just mega self-conscious about anything that makes me seem more curvy than I am. Too used to being a rectangle / pear!
DeleteOoo a DIY from sheets. Good luck on the search.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Definitely still on the hunt :)
DeleteYou look lovely in all the pics SPW! Im waiting to see your DIY from sheets :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I can't wait to find the perfect paisley!
DeleteCan't wait to see the DIY project with paisley. I have been so in love with that print lately as well! Btw, I think that striped blazer looks lovely on you! - xo
ReplyDeleteThank you! I liked the striped blazer unbuttoned - very nautical, one of my favorite themes :)
DeleteThough I'm not 100% in love with paisley... I think that dress looks great on you. I've had no babies, but I'm a size 6/8 in that store because of my bust and shoulders, which are still below average. I like to think everything in that store runs small.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Laura! I hope it didn't come off sounding like I thought 6/8 was big. It's definitely not - I'm only griping because I used to wear one size and now have to size up 1-2 sizes. Deflates the ego lol.
DeleteI really love the paisley dress on you. And the blazer too! :) I think you can make it work if you wear it unbuttoned. I rarely buttoned by blazers.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patience! I don't usually button my blazers either but I like having the option :)
DeleteUh oh...I know what it's like when you can't get something out of your head. Let the paisley hunt begin! Excited to see a DIY if you find the perfect fabric. =)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I am fully in paisley stalker mode! Have been searching all of the typical websites but need to be more vigilant with eBay :)
DeleteI really like that striped blazer :) It would be a great DIY to see you do something with the paisley material that you find :)
ReplyDeletekatattack2000.wordpress.com
Thanks Katherine! Hoping to find the paisley in the near future :)
Deleteooo, i like that blazer!!! it's cute.
ReplyDeleteShoetopia Giveaway -- 3 winners. Come and join!
:)
Carrie
http://readmylifeascarrie.blogspot.com/
Thanks Carrie! :)
DeleteI am up one size in H&M as well. I'm sure they are cutting smaller ;). Thanks for sharing pics. It really helps me decide what I'll bother with or not when I visit the store.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I think you may be right! I do like the nautical looks - classic and fun :)
DeleteMy bottom is a size 6 at H&M. It kills my ego since I'm usually a 4 (a true 27) and sometimes a 2 (if the vanity sizing is out of control) but... I just remind myself that not so long ago a size 6 was today's 0/2. In other words, who cares what the tag says as long you're fabulous. That said, I'm not a fan of this jacket. It reminds me too much of a jail bird; a fleeting trend that will set you back a good $50 that you can spend on eBay (do you realize what $50 can get you there?!)
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of the first dress on you but too bad it didn't fit :(
LOL about the jailbird!! And yes about sizing! Whenever I look at vintage items, I'm floored by how tiny everything was. I think we're better nourished now :)
DeleteThanks for review. It is really helpful. I think you look great in paisley dress.
ReplyDeleteGood to know you enjoyed Mitsuwa. Mitsuwa is one of places where I'm looking forward to go some day...
Thank you! I LOVE Mitsuwa!! The food court is my favorite part :)
DeleteLove the striped blazer! The reviews are great - I always have trouble finding stuff that looks good on me from H&M for some reason :)
ReplyDeleteAnnie
The Other Side of Gray
Thank you! I think H&M can be hit or miss. Sometimes they have cute things but not so great fit but then there are the days when things are cute, fit well, and priced nicely :)
DeleteOooh I heart Mitsuwa! I try to make a stop when I'm up in NJ (which I believe is the closest one to me). I gotta remember to try the yummy looking reen tea-ccino next time *drools*
ReplyDeleteI have the worst luck with new H&M items. I think my store is the slowest to receive new shipments -- or they all just get snatched up really quickly, haha. I do like the striped top on you the most, but can understand why you passed. No worries, I'm sure you'll come across a similar (or better) fabric and can recreate your own ;)
I highly recommend the green tea-ccino! I love green tea so much and it irks me when I buy green tea to make at home and find it is NOT green. The brown variety just doesn't taste the same. I'm waffling still on the striped top - might go back to buy it.
DeleteHouston does not have an H&M yet. Supposedly Fall 2012. I have a striped blazer from Banana Republic that is very nice. Try BR. I like BR's fit, mostly RTW on me.
ReplyDeleteHelen
Hope you get your H&M soon but at the very least, I think they will have online shopping in that timeframe as well.
DeleteLove these outfits! Love the green!
ReplyDeleteMinted Magazine
mintedmag.com
Thank you! :)
DeleteGreat outfits !!
ReplyDeleteDear, I am hosting FoxHouse international giveaway currently, where you can win $50 worth of Apparels and Shoes...Would mean a lot...Just click the link below to enter :)
Enter FoxHouse giveaway and win $50
♡ StylishByNature.com
Thank you! :)
DeleteI wanted to try on that paisley dress too but they didn't have my size at my h&m ;(
ReplyDelete:( Maybe a return or more stock will pop up!
Deletei looove your outfit, it's so chic!!! :D
ReplyDeletep.s. i want some sushi. ;)
<3, Mimi
http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
Fashion To Figure Giveaway
Thanks Mimi! Looking at this post again makes me want sushi and green tea too :D
DeleteGorgeous pics!!! love that striped dress and blazer!!! so chic!
ReplyDeleteKisses, Lucy:)
Thanks Lucy! I wish the striped dress had worked out - I loved the combo.
DeleteHow come I never find good stuff at HM? LOL. And totally understand the self-conscious thing (from nothing to sumethin'). Love that striped blazer!
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not alone on feeling self-conscious! My husband thinks I'm being weird LOL
Delete