Dressing Room Diaries: Holiday Luxe
You may see me doing a few more dressing room diaries in the next few weeks because holiday clothes are out. I love pretty things so I’ll be sharing my finds with you. The window of the Banana Republic in downtown Vancouver was filled with them last week. It’s a smaller store than the one near my home and they have no petite garments so I struggled with the fit but you’ll get the idea.
If you’re new here, DRD is when I go into local stores and try on what’s new so you can see how things look on a woman over 25 who wears a size larger than zero. For reference, I’m 5’4″ tall and weigh around 145 lbs. I have an inverted triangle silhouette with wide shoulders and straight hips. I have a long torso and long arms. My legs are short, but proportional from knee to foot.
These wide-leg pants feel so old Hollywood and glamorous, plus they’re super comfy. They’re a great option for at-home parties or holiday events. I’m wearing an 8 regular and I’m guessing I’d have to hem the petite version as well. I love the soft champagne color and the way they swish when you walk. They’re also available in a soft blush color but seem to be sold out in most sizes.
This fuzzy long cardigan would have come home with me if my suitcase had an ounce of space for it. This eyelash yarn is fuzzy but not too “hairy”. It also comes in black or chestnut. I’m wearing a regular in a medium and would be better off in a petite small so it runs true to size. The turtleneck is a lightweight tee that comes in 4 colors. I’m wearing a small so it runs a bit large. It’s a great basic to wear with everything.
I love, love, love these jeans. The fabric is very soft and the rise is high. They’re straight through the hip and thigh then flare to a wide leg, which is a great balance for broad shoulders. They have an unfinished hem but are long enough to hem up if that’s not your style. I’m wearing a 30, regular which is too long so they run true to size. They also come in tall for you lucky statuesque ladies.
These high-rise jeans also have an unfinished hem and are a skinny fit. The fabric is fade resistant which is always great for black jeans. I’m wearing a 30 regular which is the right length but I needed the 29 because the hips and thighs are too loose. They’d be better on a woman with some curves. They’re available in petite, regular and tall. This sweater is wonderfully soft and cozy without being too warm. It’s a machine wash blend of cotton, nylon, and wool that’s available in regular and petite, in two colors. I’m wearing a medium in regular and like the fit. It has raglan sleeves which are flattering for broad shoulders.
I adore this sweater. It’s soft and not one bit itchy (I struggle with wool). It’s lightweight and versatile in 10 colors. I’m wearing a medium in regular and I would definitely be better with the petite. The V wouldn’t be quite so low and I’d have less sweater pooling at my waist. This pure red is cool toned and so perfect for the holidays. This picture shows how baggy the jeans are on my hips and thighs.
I topped the whole look with this sherpa bomber jacket. It has a classic zipper front, ribbed cuffs, and hem, and is also available in Ivory. It has a fabulous collar to stand up around your face in the cold or for dramatic styling. I’m wearing a medium in regular so it runs true to size. The petite might be better for me but there wasn’t one in the store. This is a great casual jacket for every day.
This picture doesn’t do this velvet blazer justice. It’s the most gorgeous sour cherry red color. I’m wearing a regular in medium and it’s too long for me everywhere! It comes in 4 colors in regular, tall and petite. The fabric is not stretchy but the lining fabric is which helps it move with you. Underneath is the Dillon Classic-Fit shirt in the warm white chain print. This shirt is an all-time customer favorite at the Banana Republic, which they make in multiple prints and solids every season.
Have you started to think about what to wear throughout the holidays?
Thanks for reading ladies and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Perhaps I need to try Banana Republic. I have recently ordered and returned (I live rural) 18 pair of jeans trying to find some skinny ones that do not fit like (as you described) sausage casing. The black ones you are wearing look like they might be a little looser, even in the smaller size you said you need. I love the wide leg jeans but it takes me a while to get accustomed enough to new looks to not feel like it’s a costume. Not that wide is really new, but it’s been a while and, last time, I don’t think I went from tunic to short top.
I love, love, love the Banana Republic wide-leg jeans on you! I’m also 5’ 4” and have not bought any wide leg pants because I thought I was a little short. The look is great on you. I went to the Banana website and the wash looked a lot lighter than the jeans you were wearing. Is the wash as light as it looks on the Banana website? Also, would you order a petite for yourself?
I didn’t see any pics, sad face…
As you are not tall (like me) I guess you look at your best in the small trousers. The velvet blazer and the
bomber jacket looks very good at you.
I go on a tangent once a year and swear I’m not buying anymore black. I’m getting older so I know I should lighten up my wardrobe a bit but I just feel right in black. I have a pink sweater like that one and I reach for it all the time. It looks great with my blacks and my greys but I especially love it with blue denim.
I love that champagne color but if they had the blush, I’d probably get that. But what I’m clicking on is that great sweater in ivory? I could really use that.
I shop Banana Republic but I feel like they are cutting corners. I won’t buy un-hemmed pants. I like the chunky knit sweater but it is $98 and a cotton/nylon blend which will quickly pill. I do like the velvet blazer. It’s casual, but taken up a notch. In my climate I have to consider pieces I won’t freeze in.
I really do enjoy your dressing room blog, I love your attention to sizing choices
Thanks so much !
Dianne??
I always enjoy your dressing room ideas. A small suggestion, the clothes would look better if you modeled them while wearing shoes. I know that is not always so easily done. But honestly, I personally would never go barefoot around a dressing room. Just think if everyone did the same.
Just a thought.
I hear you. I wore lace-up boots into the dressing room which take too long to put back on each time. If I intend to do DRD I try to wear slip on shoes for just that reason.
So enjoy these ‘dressing room diaries’ and appreciate your time and effort Jennifer in sharing what is new and how they look on a real person. As to holiday wear; since I do have a few events to attend I’m working on putting together double duty outfits. For example; taking a cue from Saks 5th Avenue and what they are featuring in holiday wear I have — resurrected one my velvet blazers that is identical in style/cut to what you are showing (however with no flaps and has an ornate metal ‘n beaded button), is black and textured giving the illusion of a velvet and satin combo. Am pairing it up with a black sheer, silver (square) sequined and black seed-beaded camisole top with a satin underlay, blk. fitted straight leg, ankle length satin trousers and dressy low heeled strappy peau de soie shoes and appropriate clutch bag. This outfit will be for an evening cocktail party whereas plan to wear it also on Xmas Day changing out the top for a plain crepe scooped-neck top with coordinated satin trim at the neckline, similar to Pantone’s Mulberry Wine in color and black suede flats (goes well with the velvet) and a long black beaded necklace.
As for the other outfit both for luncheons; a tweed Chanel styled jacket( in black off white and silver) with a metallic silver thread running through the fabric paired with fitted (slim ankle but not skinny cut) trousers in a black velveteen fabric to tie in the jacket’s fringe. Tops again will be changed out to suit the occasion (as one is in a upscale restaurant) that will be a light grey low neckline tank top that has a slight silver shimmer to it, in a fine gauge weave and will be worn with black dress suede shoes and small scaled handbag. Whereas, the other being a luncheon with friends (to celebrate my birthday) is a plain turtle neck sweater almost identical in color, similar weave but no shimmer. As for footwear since it will take us just beyond mid December (no doubt with plenty of snow) I’ll probably just wear my high-shafted (dress) suede boots (as avoid toting shoes when I can) with a different style of suede handbag which is more casual.
Fortunately; no formal events to attend however am helping a friend with an outfit and since she is having the worse time finding an appropriate dress shoe, we are toying with the idea to dress up the badly scuffed heels of a pair she already owns. ( I say bring on the glue, pick your choice of adornment as feel, ‘hey what do you have to loose, the sky is the limit and you don’t have to go through the process of breaking them in.’ LOL! )
-Brenda-
Those sound like great looks Brenda! You’re a woman after my own heart. Comfort trumps style in footwear and adding some sparkle is a great idea!
I love the wide leg satin pants and jeans. I bought a pair of the jeans. What kind of top do you suggest if you don’t want to tuck in your tops because you want to hide a little tummy.
With wide-leg pant I recommend a top that is short and slim. You don’t need to tuck it in, but keep it above your hipbones. If you wear a wide top with wide-leg pants, you will look bigger than you are.
Please please tell me how you take the pics for DRD? I’d love to be able to snap a pic like that just to see what the outfit looks like on that I’m trying. It looks like your phone is upside down? It would be very helpful to analyze right there in the dressing room.
Thanks so much! I Love the wide leg pants that are so glam…what an outfit that would be for the holidays!
Yes, I hold my phone upside down because it’s easier to keep the phone straight. If the phone is tilted the proportions are wrong. I highly recommend taking selfies to see how things look on you.
Thanks!!
You look absolutely darling in everything you put on! Thanks again for sharing.
Thanks, Carolyn
Thank you for sharing:) You selected great options!
The velvet blazer looks beautiful! Thanks for showcasing it, Jennifer!
Oh, I love those wide bellbottoms! I’m so glad they’re coming back into style as I still have a pair of wide bellbottom cuffed khakis from the late 90’s early 2000’s! I’m pretty sure I can still get into them, but I’d look better if I lost 5 pounds.
The velvet blazer is lovely, and who doesn’t love a washable Merino sweater! Nice finds.
I love that sweater! I never dry clean and hand washing is a pain!
Love the wide-legged jeans! It’s fun to see something different besides the skinny leg option.
I agree, I love them for a change
Fuzzy long sweater YES!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll take it and the satin pants and the high neck crew. Lots of great items today.
I love love the velvet jacket!!!
It’s a stunning color
Thank you for including tall!! These are all great looks. How oh how to choose?
My pleasure, I sure wish I was taller