Dressing Room Diaries-Florals, Jeans, and Fit

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Happy Wednesday, ladies. Yesterday’s post brought up lots of interesting comments. People have very strong feelings about wide vs slim pants so I’ll be exploring those ideas again. In the meantime, I have a small dressing room diary with florals, jeans, and thoughts on fit today.

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 135 lbs with broad shoulders and straight hips. I have a long torso and arms so I often buy one size larger on top. I try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me so you can see what’s in the stores and get some styling ideas. I tell you what sizes I am wearing to help you understand how things run.

As always, you can click the red text for more info and to shop the item at no additional cost to you.

I am not a fan of shorts for myself, but it’s a staple in many women’s warm-weather wardrobes so I thought these cotton ones looked nice. They’re a great everyday cotton short that comes in five colors, sizes 00 to 18.  They have a small amount of spandex for stretch which just makes everything feel comfier. I’m wearing size 6 so they run true to size. I think non-fitted shorts like these look better with a tee or top that is more streamlined to the body.

This lightweight crepe blouse comes in about 30 colors and patterns and is a perennial bestseller. I’m wearing the “Riviera Blossoms” pattern which happens to be on sale. This blouse has a roomy fit and a high/low hemline that looks nice tucked or untucked. I’m showing it tied at my waist because it creates a better proportion with shorts. This top comes in sizes XXS-XL, I’m wearing a small and find these run large so you could size down for a more streamlined look.

Here’s the same floral blouse, this time with some color-coordinated blue jeans. These Sheri Side Slit Slim ankle jeans are a very popular style for NYDJ. They have a 27″ inseam and 10″ front rise. They make this style every season in multiple colors in sizes 00-18. They will stretch with wearing so I suggest you go down one size. I’m wearing a size 6 in this Parisian Blue which happens to perfectly match the blouse and is also on sale!

The gingham shirt is mine and helps explain why I wore black mules this day. DRD’s are always a gamble in the shoe department because I never know what I will find and so my shoes usually look out of place :). Just know, they usually make sense for what I wore into the store.

I’m a big fan of Liverpool Los Angeles jeans because they fit beautifully and have enough spandex to retain their shape. This high waist skinny crop has a 25 1/2″ inseam so they’re not very cropped on me. Pull-on jeans are just so comfortable when I prefer to not mess with zippers, snaps, belts, etc. These are a nice mid-wash blue that feels fresh for spring. They come in sizes 0-16  and run true to size. I am wearing 6 which fits perfectly so I would not size down. The hem also has a side slit which is very popular this spring.

Here’s another Liverpool Pull-on Jean, this time full length. These have a 29-inch inseam and an 11 1/2 inch front rise which is very slimming. Petite ladies may not like to have to hem pants but, tall gals are just out of luck if pants are too short so I love to find variety in the stores.

This cotton button up shirt comes in this teal and white stripe or a soft blue and white. It’s 100% cotton, and machine washable. It’s the kind of shirt that could serve many purposes in a spring wardrobe. At 30″ long, It could work as a bathing suit cover-up for shorter gals. It’s long enough to wear over leggings and cover all the important parts plus it’s thin enough to tie or tuck. This easy cotton shirt comes in sizes 00 to 18 I am wearing a small.

I could not locate this floral Halogen blouse online to save my life! I walked past it in the store for 2 weeks before I finally decided I loved it and wanted to try it on. A reader found it for me here! Thank you!! It comes in several colors plus this print, I am wearing a small.

Here it is the same print in the long sleeve option. The jeans are AG Mari crops with a 26 1/2″ inseam and 10 1/2″ front rise. I’ve never been one to spend a lot for a pair of jeans, but these fit so well, I would have brought them home if they’d had a finished hem. Unfinished hems are very popular but my personal preference is a finished hem on my blue jeans. The denim is substantial and soft with a slim leg that looks streamlined. They come in sizes 23-32. I am wearing a 28.

Floral blouses are everywhere this spring, here are a few more I found at varying price points-

I’d envisioned this floral blouse with many things, but not this jacket… until I put it on. I have a thing for these types of boucle jackets that have a subtle Chanel vibe. It comes in sizes XS-XL, I’m wearing a small. I always suggest you read item reviews to get sizing and fit ideas, but the ones for this jacket puzzle me. All 3 reviews say the shoulders and sleeves are too snug, yet on my broad shoulders, this small fits fine! Online shopping is a challenge for many reasons but sizing seems to be the hardest.

This linen blend cardigan is one of my favorite types of toppers for spring. It comes in 11 colors, 2 of which are marked down.  Much like many of my summer cardigans, this does not button closed. It’s available in regular and petite, sizes XXS- XXL. I am wearing a regular small. The petite is 2 1/2″ shorter.

These high-waist straight-leg jeans are by Caslan and they’re under $60. They have a 27″ inseam and 2% spandex for comfort. They’re selling very fast at my store so all I could try on was this 8 which is too baggy on me.  You can check out more Caslon denim styles here.

 

Have May flowers shown up in your neck of the woods yet?

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