Dressing Room Diaries: New at Chico’s January 2024
I haven’t been into Chico’s for quite a while, so I decided I better see what’s new in Chico’s for January 2024. The store was crowded with shoppers because their clearance sale is going strong so I only got to try a few things on. Any funny white blurs you see on the clothes are smears on the mirror.
If youāre new here, welcome. AĀ dressing room diaryĀ is when I go into a local store for a try-on session so you can see whatās new and how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5ā4ā³ and weigh around 146 lbs. I have broad shoulders with straight hips, a long torso, and long arms. I often buy one size larger on top. Youāll see me try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me because I want you to see whatās in the stores and get some styling ideas. I tell you what sizes I am wearing to help you understand how things run.
Chicoās sizes are 000(0/XS),Ā (0/2ā XS), 0 (4/6Ā S), 1 (8/10-M), 2Ā (12-14)-L,Ā 3 (16/18-XL) 4 (20/22-XXL. Chicoās also carries many garments in petite and some in tall. Iāll tell you what Iām wearing in Chicoās sizes so you can understand how things run.
I was pleasantly surprised to find several styles of pants on the rack in petite. Not enough, in my opinion, but these wide-leg jeans are crazy long on me in the regular length, so this was fun to try on. This is a very popular style at Chico’s, so they also make them in tall. The inseams are 32″ in regular, 35″ in tall, and 29″ in petite. They are intended to cover the top of your foot and shoe or bootie. They are nice and slim from the waist through the hip and have enough stretch to be comfy.
I’m wearing them with this sequin hearts cardigan. Hearts weren’t everywhere in the store, but there were plenty of items to choose from. This short little cardigan is petite friendly and a great proportion to wear with wider bottoms. It’s super soft, and the subtle sequins are a fun nod to Valentine’s Day.
Next up is this fun, fully-lined faux leather jacket in a pale ivory color. It’s very lightweight and comfy. I also spotted it in a gorgeous navy shade. There is button detailing at the side hem and on the patch pockets. The length is also shorter, so it goes well over these ponte flare pants with a side stripe that coordinates with the jacket.
These pull-on ponte pants are navy with plenty of stretch. They come with inseams of 29″ in petite, 32″ in regular and 32″ in tall. I get a slight retro vibe from these pants which you could play up with white sneakers.
When I put these jeans on, I got a flash back to when skinny jeans were popular. These aren’t a skinny leg, but they are narrower than I’m used to seeing these days. They’re a super soft cotton/polyester/2% lycra blend which feel very stretchy. They come in regular with a 29″ inseam and tall with a 31″ inseam.
I’m wearing them with this very soft sweater with soutache flowers on the top. It’s a blend of fibers that’s just kissed with 2% cashmere, but that seems to make it very soft. There are coordinating crop pants for this but they were either sold out of my size or they hadn’t been fully stocked yet. I’m not sure about cropped pants for winter unless you live in a mild climate or wear them with knee boots underneath. What are your thoughts?
I put these two fringed cardigans side-by-side so you could see a comparison in the sizing. The blue sweater is a size 0 and the green sweater is size 1, which it feels like I’m swimming in. With this much detailing and pattern, I think this sweater looks better when the front isn’t wrapped like a bathrobe.
I’m wearing them with classic black 5 pocket petite jeans. This petite version has a 28″ inseam and they also come regular with a 31″ inseam. The website lists them as having talls with a 31″ inseam but I suspect that’s a misprint.
First thing in the door, I made a beeline right for this camel and black leaf print cardigan jacket. The fabric is substantial and firm rather than soft like a cardigan. It fits beautifully and the asymmetrical print makes this a pretty unique looking piece in a classic color combination. There’s also coordinating pullover sweater with a similar print, but my store didn’t have it yet.
More of What’s New at Chico’s January 2024
Do you wear Valentine’s Day themed clothes and accessories? I’d love to know so please share in the comments.
I just am not into Chicos. I like Ann Taylor or the Loft. Way more my style.
Chicos used to have really nice styles, but something g has really changed.
Thank you for this DRD. I remain frustrated by the large variety of jeans styles with no way to know what the names mean. You tried a pair of girlfriend jeans that were almost skinny, while I own a pair of Chico’s girlfriend jeans that are so baggy in the legs (the entire length….no fitting in the thigh) that they look frumpy. And yet I love the wide legs of my Chico’s trouser jeans…..a different leg shape. Skinny jeans were so easy!!!
Most of these styles are not my style. I shop at Chicos a lot. I cannot wear their pants, they are always too big in the legs even when marked slim. I never wear hearts for Valentines or any other time. I really dislike the wild patterns that Chicos uses especially on the wrap sweaters. I would become tired of that style and design very quickly. My choices at Chicos are always more understated than eye catching. I did buy one long sweater coat/jacket this year in black with metal circles on it. that is about as daring as I get!
They do seem to carry something for all style tastes
My husband asked me to marry him on Valentines Day 31 years ago and he is still my Valentine. I donāt wear red and I have never worn hearts on Valentines Day. I like the faux cream leather jacket you tried on. It is classy yet casual. I have 5 pair of jeans now from Chicos. Their sizing of 2P is very comfortable on me. I bought the trouser style jeans in different colors and I love them. I can sit for extended periods of time in comfort. The waist fits, the hips are perfect and the wider leg allows me to move without restriction. People didnāt like it when I wore leggings and I donāt really care what they think about my trouser jeans! I love them.
I am so happy to read that you don’t care what people think of your trouser jeans because you love them. Bravo! I think they’re very flattering.
Chicoās has really fallen off my shopping list. Maybe it was when they dropped all the special coupons or just fell into a style rut. Everything seems to look the same with too many big florals which donāt do any of us any favors.
Iām not a Chicos fan so was just scrolling through your post without reading it. As I passed the pics of the fringed sweaters (?), I thought āoh, they sell bathrobes nowā, then laughed at your comment about styling the sweaters so they donāt look bathrobes.
A while ago you had mentioned Paulas Choice exfoliant. I wrote it down and have since lost the paper. It was for us mature ladies to help with pores and brightening the face. I noticed at Sephora there were 2 products to choose from.
Please let me know
Hi Carole, I like her Skin Perfecting BHA liquid. You can buy the mini size to test it out.
Love all the outfits you have shown today, with the exceptions of the wrap sweaters, they are pretty but I am not a fan of that style. I gave a Chicos store about 10 minutes from my home, looks I like I will be taking a look in there very soon. Thanks for the fashion show
I don’t normally care for structured blazers, but that camel and black one is really beautiful. I would be tempted to get it.
It’s so beautifully made and the knit fabric makes it really comfy.
Thank you for getting out there and doing an extensive try on of what Chicos has to offer. Other than several double v tanks, I havenāt been drawn to what they offer for seasonal clothing. I realize that my style choices are probably more conservative and I like to add interest with accessories. Itās just a much easier way for me to develop a wardrobe that fits who I am today. My goal for 2024 is to be very intentional about any new items of clothing that I may purchase.
My goal is to be much more intentonal too. I want my wardrobe to be easy and work for me while making me feel confident and stylish.
I donāt wear hearts on Valentine Day. Too sweet for my style. Iām more of a classic dresser, so I prefer wearing a red sweater that doesnāt scream Valentines.
I like the leaf cardigan/blazer. I would wear it just like you showed with black pants, a tan/beige top and black booties.
I really like that blazer
I like the Chico’s clothes but the designs on the fabrics are too big for you. You are too tiny. I like the navy sweater with the white flowers on you best. What will you keep for your closet?
I’m not buying any of these clothes, this is just a try-on session so my readers can see what’s new in the store. If I purchased at every try-on my wardrobe would be burstong at the seams:)
I have a top from Kohls with small hearts on it but I never really wore it. I guess I prefer to stick with red or pink on Valentine’s day. I like the jeans you tried on. I’m still wearing narrow ones. I think they look better on short ladies. š
While I like the cardigans shown here, they are memorable. You may very well “see yourself” while out and about.
Like any print, hearts can be done in an aging way or a modern way. I own a classic white silk blouse with a small black abstract heart print.
I agree about ways to wear hearts.
I do not wear clothing with hearts for Valentine’s Day, but I have a lot of jewelry that are hearts and several pins, so in February I use to wear a different one each day to work as I was the head librarian in a high school.
I will have to go to Chico’s as this is my birthday month and they send me a $50. off coupon. Have not worn their clothes when the sleeves were so crazy, but will have to see what they have now.
The jewelry is fun!
I love the leaf print jacket. You look amazing. Thank you for inspiring me with your posts. So much information and advice
I wear a pullover sweater from Talbots in navy with pink and red hearts on it, with jeans. I do not look great in reds.
I love your Chico try on session I have not looked there in awhile.
Wow- you really showed us some inspiring winter clothes! Thank you.
I really liked most of the tops you modeled except tfe wrap sweaters you compared for us. I do have a few here but rarely wear them.
I love the work out pant style/cut with white side stripe. As I’m back to our center for yoga and Tai Chi classes
I could use them. On wearing hearts etc, I don’t do that, but I do wear red or deep pink on the day! Hope I’m somebody’s Valentine!ā¤ļø