Dressing Room Diaries: Red, White, and Blue
Happy Thursday ladies. We’re supposed to be in for an early spring. Fingers crossed but many of you will still need warmer clothes for a while. Today I’m sharing a dressing room diary in the classic spring combo of red, white, and blue in garments you can wear now and later.
If youāre new here, dressing room diaries is when I go into a store and try on new merchandise so you can see how it looks on a woman over 25 who wears a size larger than a 2. For reference, Iām 5ā4ā³ and weigh 147+ pounds. I have broad shoulders and narrow hips with a long torso and long arms. Itās typical for me to wear a larger size on the top because of my wide shoulders.
This little cotton cardigan comes in several colors, in regular and petite. I am wearing a regular in a medium. The 3/4 sleeves are a favorite look for me because they help me look taller and have a casual vibe that’s right for my lifestyle. The stretch pants are amazingly comfy. They are navy with a tiny white pin dot print. They come in petite and regular to size 16. I’m wearing a regular 8 and like this length. They also come in a bright warm-toned red.
This classic button-up shirt is great. It comes in tons of colors and stripes in XXS – 16. I’m wearing an L which is too large but I like how it looks with 
Here’s the same shirt in red gingham in a small. This size is too snug across the chest so the medium would be perfect. It runs true to size.
Here’s the shirt tied at the waist and straight. You can see how this change of proportion makes my legs look longer so I look taller.
More on making legs look longer here.
I really love 
Here are the same shirt and pants with a navy and red striped jacket.
Nic+Zoe made several tops in this vivid giraffe print. The sleeveless one has front buttons in a hidden placket. It comes in petite and regular length. I’m wearing a medium in regular that fits well under my arms so it runs true to size.
This top is wrapped and cinched at the waist so it gives some waist definition. The sleeves are 3/4 length and have a fold-up cuff which I left unfolded. It would look better folded up. It doesn’t appear to come in petite so I am wearing a medium in regular. The front has hidden buttons to keep it closed.
These cotton, rayon and spandex stretch pants are super comfy. I love the side zipper which keeps your tummy free of lumps and bumps. The chambray shirt is fabulous and came home with me. It’s available in petite and regular. I’m wearing a medium in regular.
This Nic+Zoe jacket is a fit and flare shape in deep indigo blue. I’m wearing a medium that is too snug across the chest. I suspect it is meant to be worn open which I could and would wear in this size.
This classic knit blazer comes in six colors, XXS – XXL. I’m wearing a medium in beige oatmeal heather. It’s a great piece to dress up or down. I love the idea of this with blue jeans and a white tee.
This side by side image shows how the fit and flare blazer helps balance my wide shoulders and makes my legs appear longer.
There are a lot of sweater blazers in the stores these days and I’m pretty sold on them. They give a polished look and are very comfy.
Have you tried a knit blazer?
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Love the fit and flare jacket on you! It’s lovely to see some spring things. We are still into parkas. Xx
I love all of these, but the red & white gingham blouse with the ivory blazer and navy pants is my favorite!
I love how you showed the red gingham blouse tied up vs straight with the white jacket. It made a great lesson. You do look more tailored and longer legged with it tied and it gave me courage to try the same thing.
The blazer looks wonderful with the gingham shirt tied. LOVE itā¤ Still need those blazers for cooler mornings in northern california!
Do love the pin dot pants on you and feel they are very versatile due to their print, cut and neutral color as could be dressed up or down and be a great addition to a capsule wardrobe. i.e.: Worn with a strappy sandal and a blouse/camisole/tank top /blazer in a variety of fabrics or with a pair of laced sneakers and a casual cotton knit T. Re the white blouse; I do wear them however when not opaque prefer to have an underlay when not tucked in as otherwise feels it distorts their appearance. i.e. I have several ‘very light weight all cotton’ spaghetti strap camisoles (much cooler than lingerie ones, all in white and in the same style) that I’ve shortened to various lengths just for this purpose. Also use them under light color, fine or more open knit pull-over sweaters as well. Price wise they were extremely cheap and though something I would not wear by themselves, they certainly serve their purpose.
-Brenda-
P.S.: Envy you as we are still in winter mode and it appears Spring is still a distance away where I live.
Camisoles are so helpful. I have a drawer full too. I prefer opaque white shirts so Iām still hunting
I love the idea and comfort of a knit blazer, but got rid of mine because it bagged out after a short while. Is there something in the fabric I should look for that prevents the problem?
I only wear shorter blazers because at slightly under 5ā (sigh) I look like Iām a kid playing dress up – just ignore the 70 year old face!
Look for a tighter knit and one with plenty of spandex so it bounces back.
I really like the chambray shirt with the knit blazer! Adding a knit blazer allows you to dress up a pair of jeans with either a simple T-shirt or the chambray shirt that you just displayed. I like that option a lot. Thankyou for the inspiration to try something new!
Have fun
Love knit blazers. They are the only ones I feel comfortable wearing as I1 am very busty. I feel like tailored jackets do not drape well on me. Talbots and JCrew make great ones.
They sure do. Iām a huge fan of knit blazers
The knit blazer is a very nice fabric but the length was too short and just didn’t work for me. It looks nice on you.
Thank you! I really love the way you explain why something works and doesnāt work.