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Dressing Room Diaries- Rich Browns at Chico’s

Happy Friday, ladies. Before we left on holiday, I stopped into Chico’s to see what their newest collection had in store. There’s lots of mixing and matching in today’s post because the collection coordinates beautifully.

If youā€™re new here, welcome. A dressing room diary is when I go into a local store for a try-on session so you can see whatā€™s new and how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5ā€™4ā€³, weigh around 134 lbs, and have broad shoulders and straight hips. I have a long torso and long arms, so I often buy one size larger in tops. I try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me, so you can see whatā€™s in the stores and get some styling ideas.

Chicoā€™s sizing can seem confusing, but itā€™s actually quite simple. Most brands only go up to a size 12 or 14, and if youā€™re any larger, you are out of luckā€¦unless they happen to make plus sizes, which are fewer and far between these days. Chicoā€™s 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. Chicoā€™s also carries many garments in petite and some in tall. I’ll tell you what I’m wearing in Chico’s sizes so you can understand how things run.

PAISLEY V-NECK PULLOVER size 0Ā  / BOYFRIEND ANKLE JEANS IN BLUE MIST INDIGO regular size 0

This paisley sweater fits beautifully and is very soft. The colors are fun, and the V is a modest depth, which I always appreciate. I’m seeing a lot of boyfriend jeans in stores this season. They have a very relaxed (looser) fit through the hip and thighs. These come in 3 washes. I’m wearing a Chico’s 0, which is the equivalent of a 4/6 and my usual size. Because I have such straight hips, this size looks too loose for me. If you’re a curvy shape, your regular size should be very comfy and fit well. The fabric is a soft blend of 75% cotton, 10% polyester, 4% lyocell, and 1% spandex. The inseams are 27″ regular (25.5″ when single-rolled) and 30″ tall (28.5″ when single-rolled).

NO-IRON STRETCH SHIRT in 1Ā  / BOYFRIEND ANKLE JEANS IN DEEP WATER WASH in 00 / ADJUSTABLE CROSSBODY BAG

Here are the boyfriend jeans in one size smaller, in the equivalent of a size 2, which slims them down considerably. It also makes them shorter so I could unroll the hem. These are a black/gray wash. I am not a size 2 in anything, ever, so these do run large, and you could size down for a slimmer fit. I’m a big fan of Chico’s no-iron fabrics, which seldom need touching up. This one has crisp-looking contrast piping on the collar and an interlocking C monogram on the cuff. I don’t know what the website means by regular vs the fitted shape. My label said 1 (8/10) regular, and the sleeves are slightly cropped.

This crossbody bag caught my attention the minute I saw the display. The heavy chain detail has been very popular on bags for a few seasons. What’s nice about this quilted bag is that both the chain handle and the canvas shoulder strap are removable to customize how you like. It has several inner compartments and is large enough to carry quite a bit.

RIB-KNIT PULLOVER SWEATER in 4/6 / DEFINEME ANKLE JEANS IN DOVE GRAY in 0.5 R / FAUX LEATHER SHACKET in 1

I’ve been reading that brown will be very popular this fall and found lots of it at Chico’s. This rib knit pullover comes in four colors, I’m wearing Cocoa bean, which is a cool toned brown. It’s super soft and has fun directional ribbing that adds subtle texture. It’s a roomy fit, so I sized it down to a 4/6. I’m wearing the straight-leg Define Me jeans in dove gray, which looks more taupe than gray to me. They’re a super soft cotton blend with 10% spandex! They come in 3 colors with inseams of 27″ in regular and 30″ in tall.

The faux leather shacket comes in this light oak (bone) or cherry brunette (brown). I do love expressive names for colors, but since my pictures are fuzzy and taken in a tiny dressing room, I thought it might help if I explain what I saw. I’m wearing a 1 (8/10), so it runs TTS.

PONTE SNAKE PRINT BUTTON TUNIC in 0 / GIRLFRIEND JEANS in 00R

These girlfriend jeans have slim, straight legs in a super soft, stretchy cotton blend. They come in this cocoa bean or black. I’m wearing a 00, regular (in Chico’s sizing), and they’re a bit snug but not uncomfortable because they have plenty of stretch. The inseams are 31″ regular, 28″ petite, and 34″ tall. I’m wearing them with an animal print ponte knit tunic. This is 30″ long so will cover your backside if you wanted to wear it with leggings or slim, knit pants. It has gold-toned buttons on the sleeves.

FAUX LEATHER SHACKETĀ  / PAISLEY V-NECK PULLOVERĀ  / DEFINEME JEANS IN DOVE GRAY

Here’s the paisley pullover with the dove gray jeans and faux leather shacket in light oak. I like how these pale colors are picked up in the sweater for a colorful yet overall soft look.

NO IRON STRETCH ANIMAL PRINT SHIRT in 1 / GIRLFRIEND JEANS in 00 / ELONGATED PONTE JACKET in 1

Chico’s no-iron fabrics are so good, they’re great to travel with. This shirt is called “saddle,” which is a black/cocoa bean animal print combination. It has full-length sleeves and a subtle shirttail hemline that looks nice tucked or untucked. I paired it with coco jeans and this black elongated ponte knit jacket. The jacket comes in petite and regular. The petite is 29″ long, and the regular is 31″ long. I’m wearing the regular 1, which sort of swamps me, so unless I was going to wear it over long tunic tops, I’d opt for the petite one.

POLKA DOT V-NECK PULLOVER in 1 / BOYFRIEND SLIM ANKLE JEANS IN SYCAMORE in 00R

Here are the boyfriend jeans in sycamore wash in size 00R, which I personally find more flattering on my shape, but they’re probably meant to be looser :). I paired them with this super soft and comfy v-neck pullover with large polka dots. I almost didn’t try this polka dot top on. I was afraid the dots would be in awkward spots, if you know what I mean, but they’re strategically well-placed, and I brought this one home with me. The weight is perfect for spanning seasons, and I love the blue and black combination. I opted for the 1 to have extra space through the shoulders. Here’s the same sweater in vintage saddle with tiny studs.

OMBRE CREWNECK PULLOVER in 1 / DENIM PULL-ON JEGGINGS IN DARK RAINER WASH in 0.5 P

I’m a big fan of pull-on denim jeggings. They’re very comfy, don’t have a zipper or button to bulge out my tops, and look totally like regular jeans when the waistband is covered. These have a nice super-dark wash for fall. The petite has a 27″ inseam, and the regular length is here with a 29″ inseam. I’m wearing this ombre crewneck tunic over them with shades going from the deep navy through turquoise to pale aqua. It’s super lightweight and great for layering. I think these colors would also look great over brown jeans or pants.

Have you spotted much brown in fashion these days? Do you wear it?

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

 

17 Comments

  1. Love all the jeans and the especially like the paisley and polka dot sweaters. Thanks for the post. They never seem to have anything in petites at my store but they say they can order them so I might try that.

  2. Longtime chicos fan ! Altho I wait to buy till things are on sale ! ā˜ŗļøBecause they are pricey .They also send you $25 off coupon if you are a rewards customer . I am about your size , wt .too and have switched to 00 pants from 0 as they all run very roomy . I wear 0 in tops , as Iā€™m top heavy (unless I want to wear layers under or buttons might gap or 100% cotton, Then I order 1 !)
    1 s are a bit big for my 5ā€™2ā€ frame but I have a few 1s .
    . I wear regular length pants and ankle length are als perfect length on me , petites will be too short for my liking . You can count on your size fit in chicos ! Which is why I keep buying .. they fit !
    . I also wear 0 in dresses , skirts and they are loose enough in bust area and not tight . Also chicos has excellent reviews by customers who explain fit and any flaws in the look . The reviews are very helpful . I never order without reading them .chicos clothes last ! And have affordable JewElry and other accessories and great sales. ILOVE BROWNS and their wonderful jackets and reliable LASTING , rarely wear out basics ! I HAVE microfiber or travelers tanks in several colors .l I donā€™t iron anything from chicos and most all their stuff has some stretch ! I need
    . They never look frumpy or dowdy ever ..
    Ez returns ,

    1. Thatā€™s a wonderful explanation Susan!! Thanks for sharing your experience with Chicos. Things do run roomy on me too.

  3. retro-roost says:

    Your posts are always inspiring. Thank you. This morning I read your post via my phone and it was difficult to view primarily because of a video ad. I accidentally clicked it several times and it took me out of your post each time. I will re-view your post via my laptop. : )

    1. Sorry they got in the way. Iā€™ll email my tech person!

  4. Love the brown and black together (also separate).
    All the outfits were grand. The polka dot sweater, navy to aqua (very smart) and the paisley sweater (just beautiful).
    Thanks for a lovely Fall Peek šŸ

    1. The weather is feeling very fall-like here which is getting me in the mood.

  5. Jennifer,
    Thank you for your hard work. I love the polka dot sweater. Perfect for my travel capsule wardrobe.
    Thank you

    1. Itā€™s just getting breezy enough here to break out that polka dot sweater.

  6. I love seeing the autumn colors on others, I just canā€™t carry it off myself.
    I bought two pairs of ā€œdenimā€ jeggings early in the pandemic, one dark wash, one light, and couldnā€™t be happier. No one can tell theyā€™re not jeans, and so comfy.

    1. Thatā€™s what I love about jeggings!!

  7. Thanks for this beautiful post. I love everything you are showing. I also like that cute polka dot pullover. I appreciate your hard work pulling all of this together. Hope you are enjoying your cruisešŸ˜Œ

    1. Thanks Melinda. The lack of Wi-Fi on this ship is a challenge but weā€™re having a lovely time.

  8. Nice outfits! I particularly like the polka dot sweater and am curious about the jeggings. I never thought I’d like them but these do indeed look like regular jeans. I rarely wear brown – don’t know why – but I just bought a cinnamon brown maxi dress at Nordstrom Rack. Thanks for all your postings; you’re a hard worker!

    1. I donā€™t have much brown either but Iā€™m going to add some to my wardrobe this fall. It goes with so many other colors!

  9. Jennifer The browns are beautiful and a welcome change.
    What is the brand/name of the eyeglasses you are wearing? I love them!
    Thanks for all you do.

    1. My glasses are a brand called Aspire. If you check the Aspire website, they usually show which optometrists in you area carries them.

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