Dressing Room Diaries: It’s All Soft
The dressing room was one of the most opulent, clean and well-stocked I have been into in years. It made the dressing room at the local Nieman Marcus look pedestrian. Ice cold water, tissues, and aromatherapy are my idea of a welcoming dressing room. Oh, and clean carpets and scrupulously clean mirrors. Way to go, Soft Surroundings!
If you’re new to dressing room diaries, it’s when I go into stores and try on clothes so you can see how they look on a woman larger than size 2 and older than 25. For reference, I’m 5’4″, weigh 147 lbs and am an inverted triangle. I have large shoulders and straight hips. This was not a good hair day for me and pulling my turtleneck on and off made it even worse.
This classic white shirt is a beautiful cotton sateen with a touch of spandex. I’ve never tried one of their shirts before and am impressed. I’m wearing 10 misses, which fits perfectly so it runs true to size. They don’t have petite but they do have plus up to 24 women. The pants are a ponte knit pull-on style in a subtle python texture. They resemble faux leather to me. Don’t ask me why they call them a foil print because I don’t see it. This is the petite medium which I think is too short so I bought the regular length.
This velvet jacket with 3/4 sleeves was being tried on by every woman who came in the door. I was lucky to snag this medium which is too large for me. Two men bought it and had it wrapped while I shopped. It’s a gorgeous black with red, has pockets and would dress up jeans or go all-out glam. I would wear it over a knit top in a deeper color with jeans or black pants.
These black pants and gold pants are a pull-on ponte knit. They’re a mini-bootcut with a wide stretch waistband. I’m wearing a petite medium which is too large and too short on me. I prefer a bootcut to cover the top of my shoe or boot. They’d be great for the holidays with a black cashmere sweater and suede shoes for a comfy party look or dinner out.
This cape is pretty fabulous.
It’s an easy to toss on, poncho shape with faux fur collar and cuffs. It’s not bulky but feels substantial because of the collar and cuffs.
I put my own clothes back on, then spotted this awesome sweater. It has a richly embroidered hem and back which makes a dramatic statement. This is a misses in small, which is too snug on me over this turtleneck. It also comes in petite and plus.
As I passed the register I noticed these Parisienne Faux Fur Blankets. They are unbelievably soft and such an amazing price, I bought two! One for the back of the couch and one for the end of the bed.
The entire store felt warm and cozy…like I was in someone’s home. It’s a small store, so the selection is limited and makes me wish we had a larger one nearby.
Have you shopped inside a Soft Surroundings store?
Thanks for reading ladies and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I enjoyed your trip to Soft Surroundings. I especially loved those black and gold pants.
There is no store near me, so I’ve shopped from their catalogs and online with them for several years. I’ve always been more than pleased with the items I’ve purchased, but sure would enjoy shopping in a store and utilizing one of those gorgeous fitting rooms!
Soft Surroundings has excellent sleepwear.
I just bought two ivory faux fur throws for Christmas gifts. Online they are back ordered but I phoned around to stores and found them. Thanks Jennifer. Also, my favorite lipstick is now Tarte in salt lyfe as recommended by you. Love the dressing room diaries.
I’m so happy you found them!! SO glad you like Salt Lyfe as much as I do
Have visited the Missouri store and it is truly beautiful and inviting! I loved that the beauty products had their own section.I just wish I could afford more!
Interesting pieces. I too love soft but can’t tolerate flappy, floppy or bulky clothing. I prefer streamlined, classic shapes and fabrics that move with me.
I really like your ideas on how to wear those fun black and gold pants.
Love, love the Verona weather coat!!
I visited a nearby Soft Surroundings a month or so ago … I felt like royalty. Their customer service is top-notch.
The store was just beautiful — and I’ve never seen such lovely dressing rooms. There was absolutely no pressure for me to purchase, which I really appreciated. It was a great experience and I will return.
How amazing — I did buy that exact classic white shirt … isn’t it great?
It’s great!
We don’t have Soft Surrounding stores in Canada. I like to try clothes on as I vary from a small to medium in tops and am particular about my fit of pants. I’m not even sure if they ship but know returns would be a cost to myself.
The gold & black pants would be sharp with a lovely black top and heels. Love them!
The physical store sounds just lovely; I’m just not a Soft Surroundings devotee. I have a friend who would love the clothes you showcases today but I’m more a classic, preppy type. At almost 6’ tall it’s hard to miss me to begin with…Carol Channing just came to mind she could pull off that flamboyant look with such aplomb…alas I can’t.
Great fun to see your selections, dressing room diaries is a favorite of mine!
I am so happy to see you at Soft Surroundings for Dressing Room Diaries! I have shopped there for a number of years. Always a pleasant experience, and their mail order is great too! I really like that the corporate office provides a fresh flower arrangement to each store every week or so, and their stores are always spotless and welcoming.
I love the choices you have shown us in your post. You look great in everything, as usual! I particularly fond of the long black sweater. I could get a lot of wear out of that here in the northeast.
I am usually a petite in their clothes, at 5’2″‘, however, I often take a regular XS in their tops as I am long-waisted. I have two of their throws, and have given several as gifts…the recipients love them!
Thanks again for all you do, and Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays, Nina
That was such a fun, festive blog!
I don’t think we have Soft Surroundings in Canada ??
You looked great in it all!
The white shirt was perfect.
I also loved the fancy pants.
Thanks for showing us SS, I didn’t know there was a store. I have had one interesting experience in a Nordstrom, when I hired a stylist. I was there for one hour, and water, pastries, and coffee was offered to me! But mostly I would like a vacuumed floor, clean mirror, great lighting, natural if possible, a three way mirror, spare shoes, and pins!
Sadly, in Canada, there are no Soft Surroundings Stores nor do they ship to Canada. That being said, I discovered the store on El Paseo in Palm Desert last March. It was exactly as you describe it! The dressing room amazed me with its calmness and opulence. Service was excellent. All personnnel were incredibly knowledgable, not intrusive, made suggestions – hmm – softly. I bought two items there and could have bought many, many more. It is the first and only store I had found that caters to the more mature woman in a most fashionable and comfortable way at a reasonable price point including the exchange on the US dollar. On my first visit, I was astounded at the number of women and men and almost all purchasing. It will be my first shop to visit in February when we return to the desert. This store truly is a winner!??