Dressing Room Diary: Spring 2023 New Arrivals at J.McLaughlin

It’s become a bit of an obsession for me, but I can’t pass a dress without trying it on. I recently stopped into J.McLaughlin to see what they’re offering this season. While higher in price point than many of the things I tend to feature, J.McLaughlin really does have quality, classic pieces that can be in your wardrobe for years to come.

What is a dressing room diary?

If you’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 what’s new and how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5’4″ and weigh around 140 lbs. I have broad shoulders with straight hips, a long torso, and long arms. I often buy one size larger on top. You’ll see me try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me because I want you to see what’s in the stores and get some styling ideas. I will tell you what sizes I am wearing to help you understand how things run.

Spring 2023 New Arrivals at J.McLaughlin

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the store was the wide assortment of prints. I seldom wear prints, but if I do invest in one, I want it to be classic. I tend to shop for timeless pieces that I can wear season after season (especially at this price point). This means I pass on trendy prints that are going to feel dated very quickly.

The first dress I reached for was this gingham belted dress in deep pink. Gingham is always popular for spring and seems to be trending even more lately. This dress has a shirt collar neckline and a 3/4 sleeve. The included belt is nice, but if I’d brought this home with me, I would probably trade out the belt for a different one. I’m wearing a medium, but I could have sized up to a large to make sure no gaping occurs at the buttons. It comes in an XXS-XL.

The next dress I tried on was this navy and white stripe dress. The fabric has stretch making it very comfy. Navy and white is such a classic spring combo with a fun nautical vibe. I love that side tie-belts help hide problem areas in your mid-region. I could see wearing this dress again and again, so it would be worth the investment. It comes in sizes XXS-XXL.

For those of you who like to cover your arms and have a longer length, here’s another dress that’s made with a little bit of stretch. The retro-looking print on this dress is called Islet Link. It’s subtle and could go to the office or be dressed down. I think this would be pretty for a graduation, shower, or casual wedding. This is a warm color combination. Available in sizes XS-XL.

Surprisingly, this is the only solid dress I tried on. I love this feminine take on a typical shirt dress in rich navy. It’s a straight fit and might benefit from the addition of a belt. I love that it has side pockets, which is always a plus in my book. It also comes in a taupe/off-white pattern in sizes XXS-XXL.

Next, I tried this sheath dress with this fun, retro feelling print. The warm color palette with red, orange, pink, and tan seems great for year-round wear. This classic sheath dress has princess seams which are figure-flattering and add nice shaping. This dress comes in sizes XS-XL.

This shirt dress almost came home with me. I can see it with casual sandals and a neutral crossbody for a casual dinner out, or with white tennies for running errands. You could also dress it up with a pair of white, nude, or navy heels for an elevated look as you head to work or a fancier meal out. Available in sizes XXS-XXL.

This utility-style shirt dress felt quite casual to me and would be effortless to slip on for a summer day. I’d probably pair it with my favorite Jack Rogers sandals or white tennies. It also comes in this honeycomb pattern in a pink colorway. Available in sizes XS-XXL.

J.McLaughlin Try-On Thoughts

I was pleasantly surprised with the dresses in this try-on. They were all well-made and fit beautifully. Many have a classic, preppy vibe in great-quality fabrics and a variety of prints and silhouettes. BTW-If you’re looking for a rattan or wicker bag to invest in, J.McLaughlin makes gorgeous, high-quality ones that won’t go out of style like this one and this one.

Have you ever shopped at J.McLaughlin?

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