Dressing Room Diaries – Great finds at Loft This April
I am increasingly impressed with the quality of what I find at Loft. I bought a blue sweater from a close competitor this last winter and it pilled the second time it came out of the dryer. I’ll have to go back and check the care instructions, but honestly, if a synthetic pullover can’t go in the dryer and come out looking fresh, I don’t need it. By comparison, I have a blue sweater I bought from Loft at least 3 years ago that has been washed and dried umpteen times and looks almost new. Neither sweater was expensive but the Loft sweater has given me way more bang for the buck. Today, I’m sharing a few great finds at Loft this April.
If youāre new here, welcome. A dressing room diary is when I go into a store and try on new merchandise so you can see how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5ā4ā³ and weigh around 138 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 whatās in the stores and get some styling ideas. I tell you what sizes I am wearing to help you understand how things run.
Here’s a little pattern mix of the safest type, a stripe with anything:) This striped shirt is 100% cotton and machine washable. It comes in regular and petite. I’m wearing the small petite. The sleeves are a bit short on my long arms, but honestly, I always fold my cuffs up so it’s not an issue for me. The pants are a wide-leg cropped style that comes in regular, petite, and tall. I’m wearing the regular which has a 26″ inseam so they’re ankle length on me. The petite has a 23 1/2″ inseam and the tall has a 29″ inseam. Loft has quite a few of the wide leg crops which are 100% viscose and machine washable which will be fun and cool in the hot weather.
MORE FLUID PANTS
This pretty, comfy, butterfly dress could easily be dressed up or down. It could take you to a casual summer wedding with dressy shoes and a wrap or go shopping with white sneakers and a denim jacket. Its lightweight viscose fabric is machine washable. It comes in regular and petite, sizes 00-18. I am wearing a regular in 8 and like the fit for me. The slit over one leg is low enough to be modest.
I tried it here with Loft’s popular denim trucker jacket and a loose open cardigan. The denim jacket comes in regular and petite, I am wearing a regular small. The cardigan comes in 3 colors in regular and petite. I am wearing a regular in small. This feels like an odd length for this dress so I would probably prefer something waist-length like this cardigan.
more dresses from loft
Since I always push up my sleeves, I appreciate sweaters with 3/4 sleeves. I am also a fan of cotton sweaters and Loft carries a lot of them. This cardi comes in 5 colors in regular and petite. I’m wearing the Peach melba in regular small. Since the sleeves are meant to be short, I’d probably like the petite version too.
The ruffled neck shell is airy and lightweight and a fun piece for hot summer days. The background is a bit less coral than my photos show. (my face isn’t this peachy either). It comes in regular and petite, I’m wearing a regular in small and the armholes feel a bit deep for me so I would personally opt for the petite. These Munroe slim chinos are hugely popular this spring and selling out fast. They come in 8 colors, in regular, petite, tall, plus curvy. I am wearing a regular in 4.
These high-rise crop jeans have a 12″ rise and a 27″ inseam so they’re ankle length on me. These are the straight cut and they’re also available in curvy in sizes 24-34. I am wearing a 28. Loft has gone all-in with frayed bottoms which I’m not crazy about for myself so they have less jean options for me this spring.
I’m doing some leg work to find the best white tees for us this summer and was delighted to find this tank. It’s a nice quality cotton, opaque, and the straps are wide enough to cover bra straps. It comes in regular and petite. I’m wearing a regular medium but opted to buy the petite so the armholes are a big shallower. When did my underarms become something I want to conceal? The v-neck option is here.
These Riviera Slim pants are a great cotton-blend pants with spandex and are machine washable. They come in 5 colors in regular, petite, and curvy. I am wearing the almondine in 4 regular. These will make a nice alternative to jeans on a warm spring day. The duster is just plain fun. Loft makes several of these every spring/summer at a great price point. I’m wearing the Rasper Red, it also comes in Whisper white. They’re sized XS/S- M/L, or L/XL. I am wearing the XS/S and it has plenty of room but it’s not overly voluminous.
These skinny jeans have a finished hem and a nice high rise. They come in regular, petite, tall, and curvy. The inseam is 27 1/2″ in regular, 25 1/2″ in petite, and 30 1/2″ in tall. The wash is the deepest indigo and they fit beautifully. They have 4% spandex so will spring back into shape after you sit down. I am wearing a 28. The cotton sweater comes in 3 colors, in regular and petite. I am wearing cornflower blue in regular small. It’s mid-weight cotton so works year-round for many climates. The 100% cotton jacquard top comes in regular and petite, I am wearing a small petite.
Are you a fan of cotton chinos and pants this year?
You look great in everything! Amazing even! And you look a bit tanned too. Is that a tanning cream or au natural? Iām not looking forward to a Mohs surgery on my face in June so am avoiding the sun and still using my Isdin sun block (11% zinc oxide) frequently and especially first thing in the morning, as always. Iāll have to check out our closest Loft!
Great suggestions for outfits. Thanks for the sizing info.
Can you share the shoes you are wearing?
Yes my favorite ballet flats! They are linked under the photo of the blue dress.
Pink is lovely on you. I look for pajamas in floral prints like those pretty pants.
Enjoyed you choices of Spring Fashions.
They were all winners.
Thanks, Lin. Happy Tuesday
That dress looks lovely on you!
Hi Jennifer, Love your blog and Dressing Room Diaries is my favorite part! A question not pertaining to todayās outfits please? What style/brand/color are your eyeglasses? They look great on you and I would like to give them a try please!
Cheers!
These are by Aspire which you can google to find an optometrist who carries them near you.
Out of all the pants, IMHO the slim fit Riviera ones are the nicest cut as feel they could be dressed up or down starting with your footwear. As to the slim chinos I think I would be rolling them up to form a cuff as not fond of the ‘slight’ flare in the hemline. (Also might even use the old elastic hack and rush them for placement above the ankle similar to that which one do can with their sleeves.) In summary, did browse their site and they do have a lot to offer. -Brenda-
I bought the Monroe Slim Chino pants through your blog when you featured Loft recently and I love them! Comfortable and a perfect fit. I just know I am going to wear them a lot this summer. Like you, I am really impressed with Loft’s quality. I wear their pieces that I own over and over. You look fabulous in that blue dress!
Thank you, Debbie
I purchased a printed blouse from Loft earlier this year and it has become one of my favorite wardrobe pieces. The quality was fabulous for the price.
You look so nice in that dress — it’s a great style and color for you. I like how you showed it styled two ways.
I’m going to shop more often at Loft I think!
I am shopping there more often these days too. The quality is lovely
Love the blue dress on you! It is very flattering in shape and color.
Thank you Lynne
Hi Jennifer, those outfits look great, and I am completely envious you can still wear something that shows your upper arms. Appreciate it while you can!! Have a good one.
Thank you but don’t look too closely. They happen to look better in these pictures than IRL because I struggle with crepey skin.
Good morning Jenniferš¤© love all the outfits you showed today. I do like chinos but havenāt been able to find any that really look good on me. The blue and pink outfits look so beautiful on you, go to colors for you in my humble opinion. Have a wonderful week Jenniferšš
Thanks, Dianne. I love all blues and pinks pretty fun too.
I like chinos for the spring but I do think you have to be careful. Chinos are inherently masculine-looking, so they look best when styled with a feminine top, as in what you have shown here (floral tops, ruffles), and soft shoes (as in the ballet flats). Beware oxford button-downs and loafers paired with these pants, unless you want to match your husband š
I think the dress and blue top with jeans look great on you. I also like the cardigans but I’m not a fan of chinos. The legs are always too big on me.
I need slimmer legs on chinos too
We have a Loft near my home. I have bought several tops, and a sweater there.
You look good in the blues. I look better in peach and coral colors. I have to wear petite in pants and dresses, not necessarily in a top unless it is a long style .
I am not into frayed pants or jeans with holes in them either.
You look good in skinny jeans.
I prefer straight jeans this spring š
pointelle sweater yes!!!!!!!!!! I have been looking for something like this. I just ordered it. Thanks!!!
It’s a beautiful spring sweater
Iām fairly new to shopping at Loft but so far, itās been a fun and successful experience. I added one of their striped everyday shirts and a denim shirt with some ruffle detail to my closet. I have not bought anything āruffledā (is that a word) for years! Lol Now I just saw a darling gingham shirt and a line of seersucker pieces that all look so nice.
I love the little denim trucker jacket with the blue dress! So many possibilities!
The blue dress and blue tops look great on you!
Your postings are very clear and helpful! Thank you
Indeed, a great collection of clothes and bags !
I love totes , they are some sort of a staple for me and , unfortunately for my back, I cannot get used to the small crossbody bags.
Please, keep going on with your wonderful letters !
You look great in that blue dress! I noticed that you look best in all the blue options you post.
Love cotton pants for the summer especially if the fit is more relaxed. Going to visit the Loft store soon.
You’ll find lots of treasures there
Really cute options! It almost looks like blues and corals are both equally big colors thus Spring- Iām seeing lots of clothes in the two colors. Green too!