Hollister
IRL
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April 6, 2005:
Balboa Island Sweater
> $39.5
> Hollister Co.
Isn't this top longer than you thought it'd be from the store pic? Well, I was definitely surprised when I saw the length. And it's pretty small too, so their target audience must be super tall supermodels. When I saw it online, I was planning to check out the Turquoise and the Ivory, but when I found it in the store, the turquoise ended up looking kind of cheap, so I went with the ivory, which is a more versatile color anyway. Since the retail price is so low, I certainly wasn't expecting nice soft and plushy knit material. I pretty much got what I expected. It's fine with me because I'd say it at least looks nicer than it probably is. Also, the "holes" in the pattern opened up a little more than I would have liked, but I'm starting to think that's cute. I'm also liking the shawl-collar, which is probably the main distinguishing feature of this sweater.
Hollister clothing usually runs small. I sized up one from my true size. As I said earlier, the length is really long. And as you can see in the pic, the arms are even longer. I have them folded over about 3" in my pic. There are three snap buttons down the front bottom. You can see it buttoned, unbuttoned, and with only one button in my closeups.
I'm seeing this worn lots of different ways. I'll prob be wearing it unbuttoned over my tops at the office most of the time. Another option would be with jeans and a wide brown leather belt slung around the hips over the sweater.
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Shopbop
IRL
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April 6, 2005:
Crewneck short-sleeve tee in Wintergreen by Vince
> $35 retail, $28 with code
> Shopbop
I'm loving this tee for casual everyday wear. It's very lightweight and soft--not as stretchy as others (like the James Perse one I reviewed earlier), but should stretch enough to fit many different body types. As I've said before, I have relatively wide shoulders...and these are prob best for those with average to narrow set shoulders. I sometimes need to pull at the sleeves to get the seams to sit smoothly. It's worth it to me because of the comfort and all the other pros about this shirt. Other pros--I like the sleeve length, which is far from being a cap-sleeve. They end about halfway between my shoulders and elbows, though if you have narrower shoulders, they will prob hit further down. Also love the longer length--no need to worry about stomach gappage, but not too long either. One thing I don't like is how it has a tendency to ride up on me--especially around my chest. I need to pull it smooth fairly often.
I'd say sizing is TTS. I'm normally a S (XS in vanity-sized brands) and the S fit fine on me. The XS also fit, but was more snug than I would have liked. The S is snug enough to hug my curves, but isn't glued to my skin. Size up if you'd like a loose T-shirt feel. Care directions say to handwash--I threw this into the washer (set for delicates) and it came out fine. I would be careful, however, since it does look thin and delicate enough to get holey. I'd handwash if you don't have a delicates setting or if you have anything in your wash that may snag.
I also have this tee in white and light blue--I'll be living in these and my Velvet tees this summer!
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Blaec
IRL
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March 30, 2005:
Medium Luxe Trigger Bag by Botkier
> Blaec
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this bag! It exceeded my expectations--and let me tell you, they were pretty high! This is now, by far, my favorite bag in my collection. I got it from Blaec (sold out now though) and it came with a dustbag.
The leather is a VERY rich italian cowhide. Soft and supple, thick and buttery. Botkier uses different leathers for different colors, so if you order a different color, your leather may be stiffer. I had only felt the Oxblood leather prior to this, and this Almond is certainly a lot softer. However, it is also floppier as a result--I'm guessing it took some careful positioning for Blaec to stand it upright so perfectly. Mine has no scratches (yet)--I don't think it will scratch that easily, and if it does, I agree that it will just add character more so than just looking plain old and beat up. As for color, it is somewhere in between the Blaec and Botkier.com pics...i think i captured the color more accurately in my pics, though it really depends on your monitor settings. It's a medium brown with a reddish orange tint. The color is actually pretty versatile, even amongst my wardrobe, which has a lot of stuff that goes with black. I was concerned that it wouldn't go with my many pink clothing b/c of the orange tone, but it seems to go fine. Even goes with black, IMO. At least, better than a dark brown would.
The size is perfect for me (5'5). This medium is 11" wide by 9" tall by 6" deep, 16" to top of straps. I believe the small is ~1" smaller on all measurements. The drop length is probably the most noticeable difference, as the small one was very hard for me to fit over my shoulder with a coat on. The medium isn't huge compared to the small, but gives that extra room in the straps.
This bag is incredibly roomy. I love how there are different compartments, which should prove to be convenient when I'm rummaging around for something. Please look to the side for links to more pics of these compartments.
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Shopbop
IRL
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March 25, 2005:
Washed Voile Shirt in Grapefuit by Vince
> $120 retail, $58 after sale + code
> Shopbop
This light-weight Vince button-up shirt is the perfect top to throw on for those warm spring and summer days. I can imagine wearing this as a coverup to the beach or with some more refined pants for a (somewhat) more formal look. It is very thin and quite sheer, so a nude bra is a must. Also, because of the thinness, the fabric does get a little crinkled when you wear it. The color is a pale yellow with a very very slight orange tint. It's yellower than the Shopbop pic shows. The con is that the side poofs out, as you can see in both pics, and the length is a tad short--definitely no tucking in here.
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Shopbop
IRL
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March 25, 2005:
Short Sleeve Jewel Neck in Tomato by James Perse
> $20 retail?? (may be typo--other stores list $50), $11 after sale + code
> Shopbop
Cute top, but boy is it bright! I sure don't know of any tomatoes this color. It's a bit of an electric pinkish orangey red, and not as orange as a real tomato. The material is soft and stretchy. Ribbed. The length is also nice--not too long, but def not too short. I wish the sleeves weren't so cap-sleeved though. That's the only gripe I have with this top. I got a size 1, which translates to an XS. A S is more my true size, so I'm not surprised this is a bit snug. May be going back because of the snugness.
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Saks
IRL
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March 5, 2005:
Ikat-print tote by Stephanie Johnson
> FREE! (GWP)
> Saks Fifth Avenue
What a cute free bag! I got this at Saks Beauty Event, which ends on Monday, March 7, so if you're interested, you will have to move fast. I believe the min purchase is $85 or so. Just enter SAKSBEAUTY1 at checkout.
The biggest surprise was the size--it's way larger than I expected, which is actually a good thing since that makes it more wearable as a real bag. The print is cute, with lime green, mustard yellow, black, moss green, and a sorta reddish brown clay-ish color. The strap and drawstring are in black leather--the side of the leather is also in that red clay-ish color, so that's what you're seeing in my pic. Hardware is silver-toned. Black lining all throughout with a pretty nice and thick cotton fabric on the outside. I don't think this bag pictures that well on me--but I did get a compliment tonite when I took it out to dinner, so it is pretty nice. Especially for a freebie!
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White + Warren
IRL
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March 5, 2005:
White + Warren Cashmere Wrap in Ivory
> $160 retail, $75 after sale + code
> IShopBlush.com
This cashmere wrap is incredibly warm and comfy. There really isn't much to say about this, since it is just a long rectangular strip of cashmere and nothing else. It's a lil thin and sheer, but that doesn't mean it doesn't keep you warm.
Getting this to look as cute as on the model's a bit tricky...and kind of not worth the effort to me. So here are the other two ways I choose to wear this--as a shawl and as a scarf (my boyfriend tells me it looks like I'm being choked though).
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Archives
February 2005: Cole Haan, C&C, Juicy, Splendid, Alice + Olivia, Diesel
January 2005: Anthropologie, Blumarine, Mint, Ruth, Anna Molinari, Mona & Holly, Plenty, Moyna
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