Dressing Room Diaries: With Cool-Tones

Happy Friday ladies. After our chat about the perfect white shirt on Monday, I headed out to do a dressing room diary at Chico’s, where I knew I would find some great white shirts. If you’re new here, dressing room diaries is when I go into a store and try on new merchandise so you can see how it looks on a woman over 25 who wears a size larger than a 2.

For reference, I’m 5’4″ and weigh 147+ pounds. I have broad shoulders and narrow hips with a long torso and long arms. It’s typical for me to wear a larger size on the top because of my wide shoulders.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life wearing Chico's white shirt
Coolmax No-Iron white shirt

I own several white shirts from Chico’s because IĀ  love their no-iron fabric. I prefer a long sleeve all year round so snapped this one up in case it’s gone by summer. The Coolmax fabric will keep me cool on the hottest days and it gives me the versatility to roll the sleeves or not. I’m wearing a 0 (2-4) which is too snug across my back so I ordered the 0.5. I love how the long darts slim the torso. It’s also available in black or vibrant red.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life wearing no iron shirt in Chico's dressing room
Coolmax all-season classic shirt –Ā  Pull-on jeggings

If you’re not planning to tuck your top in, I love a comfy pull-on jean. This jegging comes in 3 washes, in regular, petite, short and tall. I’m wearing a 0.5 regular which is a bit large around the hips on me so I would go down one size. These have back pockets and faux front pockets which prevents bumps on the tummy.

Long Denim ShirtCoolmax White shirtGirlfriend Skinny Ankle Jeans

Here’s the same white shirt, worn under a long denim shirt. I love this look! It’s fun to wear a denim shirt as the third, completer piece in a casual outfit. It’ll also look great over skinny pants or leggings. I’m wearing a regular in size 1, which gives me room for layering. It also comes in petite. I’m wearing it with their Girlfriend Skinny Ankle Jeans in a regular 0.5. They’re too large and too long so I folded up the hem. I would go with a 0 petite since this doesn’t come in short.

over 50 style blogger Jennifer Connolly in Chico's denim jacket
Classic Denim Shirt

This denim shirt is faded to the point of resembling chambray. The front buttons are covered with a placket that dresses it up a bit. I’m wearing a regular size 0, which is too snug so I would opt for a 1. It does come in petite but I like to tie my shirts in front and the extra length will make that easier.

Paisley Oblong ScarfOxford Button Detail TunicBridgette Printed Ankle Pant

I absolutely love the soft, cool blues in this paisley scarf! I should have bought it to wear with a denim jacket and white jeans for a fresh look this spring. I’m wearing the pull-on Bridgette pant in an 8 regular which is huge and too long. I have this style pant in a 0 and know it’s very flattering. The tunic is too long and one size too large so I look pretty swamped by this outfit;) To be honest, this tunic would never flatter my shape because it makes my shoulders look huge. My body shape looks much slimmer when you can see some waist definition.

Blue Paisley Swirl Jacquard Ruana WrapCoolmax White No-Iron ShirtSecret Stretch Jeggings

This icy blue ruana is a mix of the prettiest, soft ethereal colors. The wall color is really throwing its colors off here, but if you have soft summer coloring, this is perfect for you. I’m wearing it over a white shirt but think it would prettier with a soft gray top like this or this front tie one. These jeggings are a gorgeous soft gray. I’m wearing 8 regular which are too long.

showing difference between regualr and petite tweed jacket at Chico's
Cool-Toned Structured Notch-Collar CardiganĀ  – Pull-On Jeggings // Petite Cool Toned Structured Notch-Collar Cardigan / Petite Secret Stretch Jeggings

This cardigan is more like a knit blazer and super comfy. I’m wearing a zero in regular on the left and a 1 petite on the right.

I prefer the regular length jacket on me and here’s why. The button and pockets hit the same point on my body in both jackets. The difference in length is the amount of jacket fabric below the pocket flaps. It’s shorter on the petite which makes the petite jacket look boxier on me with my broad shoulders. Yes, these are infinitesimal details but I am persnickety:)

The textured yarn is a cool combo of purple, ivory, pink and navy. I predict this will sell out as fast as the pink and white version did last summer. It’ll dress up or down and looks fabulous with jeans. On the right, I’m also wearing the grey jeggings in 8 petite which fits me perfectly.

The white twist neckline top is also from Chico’s but for the life of me, I can’t find a link for you.

More cool-tones


If you have cool, muted personal coloring like me, this collection was made for you. Have you shopped Chico’s lately?

Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.

28 Comments

  1. Paulette Levy says:

    Great cool colors and styles! Thank you Chicoā€™s and Jennifer! You look fabulous and the explanations are so helpful!
    Did not receive todayā€™s Would You Wear It? Help!

  2. Ramona Puckett says:

    Where do you go to get your colors done? That and figuring out what kind of clothes look good on you. Thank you for any information!

  3. Susan Byers says:

    You look fabulous ……fabulous……fabulous! A must have in my closet is a denim shirt. Thank you for visiting Chicosā¤

  4. Thank you for a great DRD! You look terrific in pale blues! I already have the long denim shirt in petite and I wore it under a crew neck sweater. (It’s still cold here.) Now I’m anxious to wear it with a white top under it once it warms up a bit.

  5. Pamela Lutrell says:

    You look so great in these cool tones, Jennifer! Chicos has some great designs right now.

  6. nanci sheeran says:

    Love your DRD and the clothes you modeled today. I especially love the “jacket-like” cardigan that would be perfect for a trip I have in March.
    I have a question that is off topic. I am built somewhat like you…broad shoulders, slim hips. It means that my waist is rather nonexistant, or certainly bigger than an hourglass shape would have. I was looking at Everlane jeans and they are measured by waist size. I normally wear an 8 or 10 in a jean, but my waist size puts me near the top size in the chart. I expect the hips and legs would be enormous. Do you have any thoughts on ordering in this case or should I just look elsewhere. I’m intrigued by their high waisted slim.

    1. I have ordered and returned several Everlane jeans because I couldn’t get the right fit. Next time I am near their store I plan to try all the options to find the one that’s right for me. I love Everlane so much, I know they have one for me, and you. I will report back.

  7. OK, so I can wear a denim shirt with blue jeans?

    I feel like we have the same coloring – Light, ash blonde hair and a light, neutral complexion? I feel like I “should” own a white shirt, but I look terrible in white. What’s up with that?

    1. Pure white isn’t my best color either but I love a crisp white shirt so I brighten my lipstick and go for it. I wear double denim all the time. I just make sure the colors aren’t the same.

  8. I really like the outfits you shared today. You look very comfortable wearing the long denim shirt over the long sleeved white shirt. Is it comfortable to layer them?

    1. Yes! It’s very comfy to layer. You will see me wearing it this spring.

  9. I just bought that cardigan/blazer yesterday. I pulled the lilac color in a top to go under it and wear with jeans. Later I will use a navy top and wear with white pants or jeans. So versatile. They had several things I may go back for.

  10. So glad you visited Chicos! It is my go-to for everything.

  11. Your hair looks especially nice in these photos! Wow.

      1. Was just here to say: what a great hair day you were having, Jennifer! šŸ™‚

  12. Frances09 says:

    I Love Chicoā€™s and own 4 pairs of the Brigitte pants ! I have tried on many of their white shirts but I find that in my usual size of 1P they feel too constricting and in a 2P they are too shapeless on me. I wish they had some stretch in them, none of the white shirts I have tried from Chicoā€™s has an spandex. Thanks for the post!

  13. Pamela Amendola says:

    I just bought those girlfriend jeans and the denim shirt during a great sale. I never thought to wear the shirt as a jacket. Iā€™m glad you suggested it. I hope it looks as good on me as it does on you

  14. I just bought a pair of their Secret Stretch Jeggings and I love them. I’m tempted to go back for the gray. I don’t wear a lot of cool colors, but the gray is a good base for a lot of colors in my closet.

    Another great DRD. Thanks!

  15. I love Chicoā€™s…especially when I can take advantage of a great sale

  16. Gail Schwartz says:

    Love Chicoā€™s, love this post

  17. Where did you get the white twist neck top? Love everything!

  18. Thank you for another good DRD post. These are so helpful.

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