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Dressing Room Diaries: Linen, Cotton, and Prints


Happy Tuesday ladies. I’m back with a dressing room diary today. It used to be that I could bring you one on a regular schedule, but with the state of retail, I’m grabbing them when I see good inventory. Today I’m sharing causal looks in linen, cotton, and prints from Nordstrom.

If you’re new here, 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. I’m not shopping for myself, but rather, so you can see what’s new and ways I might combine things.

WOMAN WEARING TWO VERSIONS OF THE SAME OUTFIT WITH PEACH CARDIGAN AND WHITE LINEN PANTS

For reference, I am 5’4″ tall and weigh around 136 pounds. I have broad shoulders and straight hips (inverted triangle shape) with very few curves. My arms and torso are long so I often wear a larger size on top than the bottom. I shop in both the petite and regular departments to get the fit I desire. My shoes are what I wore into the store and were never intended to coordinate with what I am trying on for you.

 

women trying on denim skirt and green sweater in dressing room mirror
WEARING –Ā  SCALLOP V-NECK SWEATERĀ  –Ā  DENIM SKIRT

I love so much about this sweater that I tried it on first. Itā€™s a cotton viscose blend that comes in three colors plus a stripe. Itā€™s sized XXS-XXL. Iā€™m wearing a medium so it runs a little small. I love the pretty scallop edge around the neck, cuff, and hem. We chatted about this denim skirt in a recent would you wear it so I couldn’t resist trying it on. Itā€™s a cotton polyester spandex blend that runs true to size. itā€™s available in sizes 0 to 18. I am wearing a four which fits but it’s way too long for me so I’d need to chop at least 4 inches off the bottom.

 

blonde woman in dressing room trying on green sweater and beige linen pants
WEARING –Ā  SCALLOP V-NECK SWEATERĀ  –Ā  Ā WIDE LEG LINEN TROUSERS

 

Here’s that same sweater tucked into NYDJ stretch linen trousers. They come in this straw color, or blue stripe, sizes is 0 to 16. These have a nice high-rise and are machine wash, line dry. I’m wearing a 4 which is too large because this brand always stretches out with wearing and I suggest you size down. They have a classic 5 pocket styling with a wider leg that’s not too full. I am standing on my tippy toes because they are super long on me.

 

woman trying on crop pants and ruffle sleeve blouse in dressing room
WEARING – COLD SHOULDER RUFFLE BLOUSEĀ  –Ā  CROP DRAWSTRING PANTS

The pattern is so pretty on this cold shouldered blouse, I shoehorned myself into this XXS so you could see it. It has open shoulders and ruffles along the outside of the sleeves for a very feminine look. It’s sized from XXS -XXL but obviously selling fast because my store was cleaned out.

These crop drawstring pants have a crinkly texture and definite vacation vibe. They have an elastic waist so you could easily remove the drawstring and they would still stay up. I don’t know why brands keep adding a drawstring to waistbands that don’t need them and I usually snip mine out. They come in three colors sized XXX to XXL. Iā€™m wearing an XXS and so I suggest you size it down.

Linen

woman taking selfie in mirror wearing black sweater and striped linen pants
WEARING –Ā  COTTON BLEND SWEATERĀ  – Ā LINEN BLEND PANTS

I have several pairs of these linen blend pants from previous years and love them. They come in three different stripes sized XS-XXL. They have an elastic waistband with a drawstring which I would use because these have a sporty look. They’re machine wash, tumble dry, and will shrink a tiny bit so I recommend that you don’t size down.

I paired a simple cotton blend crewneck with the linen pants for a season-spanning look. This classic shape goes with everything and is a great basic to have in your wardrobe. The sweater comes in seven colors sized XS-XXL. I’m wearing a small and could easily have worn a medium for a slouchier look. The sleeves have a really pretty button detail at the cuff and at this price point, you canā€™t beat it.

 

blonde womn taking selfie in mirror wearing striped shirt and dark denim
WEARING – WATER IVORY ROSETTE BLOUSEĀ  –Ā  SUPER STRETCHY HIGH RISE SKINNY JEANS

Iā€™m styling several of these lightweight chiffon blouses in this post because the prints are just so pretty. They have long sleeves which you can roll up and button in place with the tab.Ā  They have a shirttail hemline which is long enough to wear over leggings plus thin enough to tuck or half tuck into a waistband. They’re sized XS-XL. I’m wearing a small so they run TTS.

The super-stretchy jeans fit like a second skin but they don’t feel tight. The fabric has so much stretch they feel more like a legging on. They are a midrise which I notice on my long torso. If you’re petite or have a short torso, I don’t think you’d even notice. They’re sized from 00-16. I’m wearing a 4 and they fit TTS.

 

WOMAN TAKING SELFIE WEARING STRIPED JACKET AND NAVY LINEN PANTS
WEARING – ELBOW LENGTH COTTON TEESTRIPED JACKET SOLD OUTĀ  –Ā  LINEN JOGGERS

Iā€™ve never been overly fond of the jogger shape in pants but couldnā€™t resist this gorgeous navy linen and was surprised to love them! They come in six colors sized XXS-XXL. They have a nice high rise and are 100% linen. Iā€™m wearing a medium which I like because you wouldnā€™t want something like this to be too tight, and 100% linen usually shrinks a smidge.

I was sorry to discover that this striped cotton jacket is sold out online. I hate when that happens because it’s a great jacket. This ballet neck white tee comes in 4 colors and one stripe. It has nice elbow-length sleeves which many women love for arm coverage. It’s sized XXS-XXL and is in a thin fabric so I recommend you size it up. I’m wearing a small and would prefer the medium so it was a bit looser in the torso.

Prints

blonde woman taking picture in mirror of her wearing floral blouse and tan jeans
WEARING –Ā  FLORALĀ  BLOUSEĀ  –Ā  HIGH WAIST SKINNY ANKLE PANTS IN FLAX COLOR

This is another one of the ultra-feminine chiffon blouses that I showed you before. This one is the Potenza Dust Blue pattern in small. The high waist skinny pants are by Wit & Wisdom with their ab-solution technology to shape and smooth you in all the right places. They come in 8 colors sizes 2P-18R. I’m wearing a 4 petite.

 

blonde woman wearing white linen pants and navy cardigan
WEARING –ROUNDED V-NECK FLORAL TEE –Ā  LINEN BLEND CARDIGANWIDE LEG LINEN TROUSERS

These linen trousers are the same I showed above, this time in white. They’re very long on me so I’m standing on my tippy toes. They’re a classic 5 pocket style like a jean but cut like a trouser. They have a beautiful high rise and lots of ‘give’ so they feel amazing on. They’re available in sizes 00-18. As with all NYDJ, I suggest you order down one whole size.

This rounded V-neck tee comes in 14 colors or patterns in sizes XXS-XXL. I am wearing a small which has plenty of room so you don’t have to size up in this one. The linen-blend cardigan is a perfect basic for all spring and summer. It’s available in petite and regular sizes XXS-XXL in 3 colors. It runs large so I recommend you order one size down. I am wearing an XXS.

 

woman taking selfie wearing floral blouse and skinny jeans
WEARING – SMOCKED DETAIL FLORAL BLOUSEĀ  –Ā  SUPER STRETCH SKINNY JEANS

These are the same super-stretchy jeans I shared above. This time I am doing a half-tuck with this smocked detail floral blouse. It’s beautifully made and fully lined. It’s sized XXS-XXL. I am wearing a small so it runs TTS. Smocking was discussed in another previous ‘would you wear it’ post so I have been anxious to try some on. Placement is everything with smocking so you shouldn’t rule it out without trying it on.

Cotton

WOMAN WEARING TWO VERSIONS OF THE SAME OUTFIT WITH PEACH CARDIGAN AND WHITE LINEN PANTS
WEARING –Ā  WATERCOLOR FLORAL TEEĀ  Ā –Ā  LINEN PANTS Ā  –Ā  CREWNECK CARDIGAN

Here is the same rounded v-neck tee as above, this time in watercolor. These linen pants are the same shape as the striped ones above but I am wearing an XS petite which is too short and snug on me. Because I have a long torso, I’d be better in the regular small. I always leave room for some shrinkage in linen so I don’t suggest you buy it on the snug side.Ā  The cardigan is a wardrobe-friendly classic at a great price. It’s available in 7 colors sizes XXS-XXL. I am wearing the Pink Chintz color in small so it runs TTS.

Have you started to assemble your spring/summer wardrobe?

SHOP THE POST

 

26 Comments

  1. Every time I see you in the black tee and striped linen pants I like that outfit more and more!
    Really becoming and I think it would be good on me too..
    .No, I know it would!

  2. Loved the blue and the pink watercolor t shirts. Would love to see similar options in all cotton

  3. You look great in all the outfits! Such good taste! Hair is looking good, girl!

  4. Hello Jennifer, Do you remember we discussed finding a lipstick colour to replace the discontinued ones we loved so much? I just found an excellent site that helps you narrow down the search. The one I used for so many years was Maybelline pink pop. The closest Iā€™ve found so far is Mac St. Germaine, but itā€™s not quite as bright as pink pop. This gives me new options. Iā€™m so happy to find this! I hope this helps. BTW, you once mentioned you were born in Regina. I find that so interesting, because I live in Saskatoon (my hometown) and lived in Regina for my first year of college.

    https://www.temptalia.com/

    https://www.temptalia.com/makeup-dupe-list/mac-cosmetics-lipstick/

    1. What a small world!! Thanks for these resources. Xx

  5. Love the striped and the blue floral tops.
    I wish I liked the wide legged pants. Canā€™t seem to get my
    head around that look šŸ‘€
    Like the draw string linen pants and the idea of cutting off the string. ( Donā€™t need any more frontage ).
    Thanks for sharing all these great styles. šŸ‘Œ

  6. I love that pink cardigan!

  7. I love all these looks and I definitely love linen and cotton, drawstring pants come summer. I love the pattern and shape of all the blouses but I just canā€™t wear something that is see through. I know a cami covers the chest but I donā€™t like the sheer on my arms either. You expect chiffon to be sheer but clothes are just getting so thin and donā€™t hold up to washing. My rant for the day.

  8. You look great in all the clothes. I love the look of linen on you but when I wear it, I look a hot mess in just a few minute!!

    1. I look wrinkled in a minute too but itā€™s so hot here, Iā€™ve learned to accept it.

  9. So many wonderful options here its difficult to choose a favourite, particularly in the pants. As to drawstring ties so agree with you about snipping them off. (I have been doing so and use them to trim my face masks that I make for myself.) Do hope you purchased the linen trousers which IMO look REALLY amazing on you. Very polished yet also casual depending upon what top/accessories they are worn with.
    -Brenda-

  10. Your hair looks wonderful! And I notice new glasses — very contemporary, youthful and becoming.

    1. Thanks Nancy. I had to get another pair. If my others broke Iā€™d have a hard time getting from point A to point B:)

  11. I like much of what you’re wearing especially the striped linen pants and the wide legged cropped linens which look good on you. I’m done with skinny tight pants which are also uncomfortable in hot weather. The watercolor tee is beautiful and at a great price. Nordstroms is my go-to for shopping online although I often wait for their sales. Nice options in today’s post!

  12. Jennifer, love the floral tops and linen pants! May have to give them a try with our hot California summers! šŸ”„

    1. Iā€™m needing more and more linen with our hot summers here. They feel hotter each summer.

  13. Love the floral tops. I’ve been wanting one! Lovely post!

  14. Francesca B. says:

    Thank you for the post Jennifer I love the Jasmine top and the floral blouse beautiul colors!

    1. I thought the colors were so pretty!

  15. Terri Webber says:

    Those wide leg trousers make your legs look very long. Theyā€™re really flattering.

  16. Wow, what great selections today. So many are a flattering fit and great colors on you. Thanks for the post.

  17. So much to love here, but I adore that watercolour floral tee. I am really liking the straight leg trouser style bottoms that are showing up more this year. I must go sorting my options before I buy more, but these are so tempting.

  18. I feel that the crop drawstring pants and the linen pants would be great additions to my summer wardrobe. I couldnā€™t help but smile when I saw you in the stripe linen pants and black, cotton sweater! You can wear a patterned pant so well. It seems to balance your total look. Love it!
    I have spotted a pull on linen pant at Old Navy for maybe half the cost. With cautious laundering, these would give me repeated wear.
    Once again, thank you for keeping us current on all the new styles and colors!

  19. ā€œI donā€™t know why brands keep adding a drawstring to waistbands that donā€™t need them and I usually snip mine out.ā€
    Same here!

  20. I love the outfit with the long cardigan. It looks great on you.

  21. I love the stripped jacket and linen joggers! What a fun outfit to wear.

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