...And Justice for All: Fitting Room Reviews and What I Wore

I may have figured out a way to satisfy my shopping cravings without continuing to steadily bankrupt myself: market research in the form of fitting room reviews. This past weekend, I tried on tons of things at Anthropologie (see my guest post on Roxy's blog here), but managed to restrain myself from making any major purchases.

And yes, I do realize that my guest post alludes to me buying the Field of Fancy blouse, but in my defense:
1) I bought that earlier in the week during a separate trip to Anthropologie so technically I didn't buy anything during my market research this weekend.
2) I was having a really bad day and the blouse made me feel better. Even the social worker in my office (who is a MSW) agreed that buying the blouse was acceptable "retail therapy".
3) I had a prearranged deal with RT that I could be in love with the blouse and do the sale dance for it. It's been out for a while so it is totally possible that I'll end up with a price adjustment. So I'm still doing the sale dance - I just happen to own the blouse in the meantime.
4) It's a freakin' adorable blouse and I look freakin' adorable in it, see Exhibit A below

I rest my case.

Moving on...

For some reason, trying on items with the intent of posting the pictures/reviews online made my fitting room experience much more clinical than emotional. As I tried things on, I thought about my readers and what they would like to know about the item if they weren't able to try it on themselves! How considerate am I, guys?

Feathery Tank, size Large in ivory

I grabbed the ivory in this top because I saw it first. In retrospect, I think I like the pink color better (I can totally see wearing it with some brown suit separates that I already own). Anthropologie's "ivory" reads slightly muddy to me and I have a hard time getting past that. The top is also relatively sheer which makes it not appropriate for work without layers. The detailing at the top drew my eye upward which was nice, but I'm not in love. I'd be interested to try on the pink, but even then I'm trying to limit my ruffle purchases and feathers should probably be included in that catagory! I'll be passing on this one.

Tassel Fronds Dress, size 12

I was looking for a pretty dress and this one caught my eye. I liked the lace cap sleeves and the ruffle down the front was subtle (and thus potentially excluded from my above-referenced ruffle embargo). On, however, I wasn't a fan. The ruffle runs all the way down the front so the belt buckles over it which seemed weird. The belt was also cheap and flimsy and positioned at not the greatest place (for me at least). The color also washed me out a bit. Next.

Present Paper Cardigan, size Large

When I first put on this top, I thought momentarily that I might have wandered into the loungewear section. The material is basically a t-shirt, but it's a cardigan with ruffles and really long sleeves (you can see them bunched up around my wrist). I'm a tall girl so if sleeves are long on me, that's pretty ridiculous. So you can imagine my surprise when the Present Paper Cardigan popped up on the Anthro site under New Arrivals: Tops. Honestly, I can't think of one nice thing to say about this cardigan. It looked awful on me and hit me in all the wrong places. I felt like this top couldn't decide if it wanted to be dressy or casual and for me, it failed miserably at both.

Aren't you guys proud of me? I tried so many things on and wasn't even tempted to buy a single thing. Granted, I wasn't in love with these three things, but I did like some things I reviewed in my guest post and I didn't buy those either! I did definitely add some things to my wish list and will be doing the sale dance every Monday night through the spring!

Today I have a trial scheduled. I already know we have a settlement agreement, but I still need to wear something "trial-appropriate". Since we've already discussed last week the shockingly few number of blazers that I own, I had to be creative.

Top, Banana Republic, size Large (from spring 2008)

Jacket, Ann Taylor, size 10 (from fall 2008)

Pants, Ann Taylor, size 14 (from fall 2009)

Shoes, Ann Taylor, size 9

Earrings, Kohls

Bracelets, Kohls (20 for $11)

Necklace, QVC (available here)

We're supposed to get 6-12 inches of snow tonight so I'm taking advantage of the non-icy sidewalks and wearing my Ann Taylor 4 inch heels. After this, it's likely going to be "boot city" for the rest of the week!