Hello from San Diego! We’re here for the weekend, eating our way around town before headed to our next destination. I wanted to quickly share this easy look along with recent re-stocks & reviews on fall arrivals. First off, one of my favorite wool hats is back this year (see it on me in another outfit here). The taupe-gray shade is a perfect neutral and goes with so much.
I was browsing online and also saw that this autumn plaid scarf is finally back in stock – I love mine and would highly recommend it, so don’t wait ’til it’s gone again! It’s super soft and colors are beautiful and vibrant, easy to pair simply with a tee and jeans. And if you liked my white off-shoulder sweater from last year which I couldn’t stop wearing, I found a cozy flared sleeve version and also a sweater dress version in the new arrivals section (no petites, but both come in xxs and up).
I also popped into LOFT recently and thought they had some cute arrivals worthy of sharing:
This top has the lightweight drapey feel that I love in their staple utility blouses, but with the addition of a tie-neck bow which I always gravitate towards. The pine color is saturated and beautiful for the next few seasons. Most of their blouses like this one are machine-washable too, so I often recommend them as affordable and practical tops for work to weekend wear. The tweed skirt has pretty colors and texture but fit pretty loosely on my hips – I feel like LOFT skirts almost always run big.
If you’re a simple dresser and want to look polished without much effort, this is a dress for you. It feels like a light/medium-weight sweater dress in a gently flaring, A-line silhouette. Its very similar to one in my closet from years ago that sold out quickly. You can add pearls and pair this with pumps, tone it down with flats and a little cardigan, and also try layering collared tops underneath and a belt to change up the look.
Next up are two little black dresses that didn’t quite fit me, but I thought was worth mentioning for those who are taller:
– ruffle sleeve shift dress – the silhouette of this is like the J.Crew ruffle sleeve tee I’m always wearing except in dress format. It runs big and is straighter-cut, so perhaps size down, and maybe ladies who typically wear regular sizing can try the petites for length. The dress is unlined so I didn’t think there’s enough to it to be worth the full retail price. Despite all these little issues, with the right size / length, I think this would be a classic LBD that can be paired with cap-toe ballet flats and a statement necklace.
– Pleated swing dress – The pleats on here run along the full length of the dress, which is very elegant in-person but was impossible for me to capture in photos. Even with the zoomed-in images online, the prettiness doesn’t translate. It was also long on me for my liking – as with most swingy or shift silhouettes, I prefer a dress like this hit shorter near mid-thigh. With the right fit, this has the potential to look much more higher end.
Loft did pretty well this season with lots that caught my eye! Here’s a few I bookmarked online, but couldn’t find in-store:
– Plaid layered look sweater – dupe for my Treasure & Bond one from years ago that I always get questions about. I love these layered-look sweaters for throwing on over jeans and booties for an easy outfit.
– Fringed sweater jacket – little black jacket, a la Coco
– Navy cropped peacoat – very curious about the fit & quality of this one!
– Flippy skirt in some gorgeous hues like saffron yellow. The waist is listed as elasticized so it might fit a little better than Loft skirts without stretch.
In other sale news, Ann Taylor is having extra 60% off sale items right now, no code needed. This eyelet lace dress (see on me in navy) in a coral orange is left in 00p and up on sale for $50 (down from $150). It’s really beautiful quality and didn’t fit too big on me like many of their dresses. Wear it with large faux-pearl studs which are now $14 with discounts. I didn’t see any other especially great sales yet for the holiday, but will update this post tomorrow if any pop up!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Hi Sharmeen, thank you for your sweet message! I'm so happy to hear that, and appreciate you stopping by to read & comment : )
Hi Charlotte – yes I do have the sleeve but I don't always feel the need to use it. I have never checked this bag in, though! I will say my friend got the plastic cover for her bigger Bellagio and it got nearly destroyed upon first check-in, so it's not a super durable cover and probably still best for carry-on use.
Hi Jonalyn – oh gosh, I have so many different storage places for my shoes I might do a post soon. Mainly I have a behind the door hanger which works well for storing flats/sandals in small spaces, a fairly generic shoe rack by the door for most-worn pairs, and also an Ikea billy bookcase which I use as a display case for high heels.
Hi, I don't normally make comments like this but I keep coming back to your blog and always find another useful hint or tip. I love your reviews of clothing with petite frames in mind, that you don't settle for what's out there and tailor items to fit you properly. I'm just under 5 feet tall and feel encouraged to find something that actually fits properly and not something that 'I can get away with' and not settle for less. I'm sure I'll be back again and again!
Hi Jean! I'm thinking of getting the Bellagio luggage… Did you buy the sleeve cover to go with it? How do you keep it from scratches and dents when you check-in your bag? I wonder if the transparent cover is worth getting or not.. Thanks!
I love seeing you in casual looks, Jean! Hope you had a great holiday weekend 🙂
xo, tasha
twenty-something blog
Hi Jean! I love your blog and style! I was trying to search through your past entries, but couldn't find anything…I'd love to know how you store your shoes in your home or tips for storing shoes in small spaces. Thank you!
Thanks for the tip! I will be sure to try that out!
Hi Susanna – yes that is a pesky little issue because the shirt fabric is so "slinky!" Since I almost always wear the sleeves cuffed up, I use tiny safety pins to secure the sleeves up (2 on each arm) and leave the pins in there.
Thank you for the tip! No I don't have the entire set…I have a hodge podge of suitcases including the Bric's, a Steamline, and a DVF larger one which I check. I have the clear cover for my Bric's carry-on and it works OK (has some wear and tear already) but the covers don't really last long if you check your luggage. My friend bought a cover for her bigger bric's and the cover got torn off the first time she checked it. I would just suggest using it without worrying too much about it getting banged up, and if it does, try removing marks with a magic eraser. Most of my luggage has scuff marks on it, but luggage is meant to be used and tossed around so I try not to think too much of it!
Yes it fits as shown and is not clipped back! It's not super fitted on me but is also not loose.
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Hi Jean! I love the Loft utility blouses as well but I have trouble keeping the sleeves up. The sleeves tend to fall down even though I buttoned the cuff. Do you have any tips on how to keep the sleeves up? Thanks!
Love the outfits in this post! And LOFT is one of my favorite stores–sometimes I wish I could just have LOFT as my closet!
Bryn || The Wine Chronicles
Omg absolutely love your suitcase. So chic and definitely matches with your style!
Enclothed Cognition
How awesome that you're in San Diego! Hope you're enjoying the Southern California weather 🙂
http://www.deasynoel.com
such a beautiful bow blouse!!
xx
http://glossandmagic.com
Adore that bow blouse! I gravitate towards that style as well — it's a detail that makes a difference!
Jen | affecionada
Beautiful look!
Blonde in Cashmere
Jean, after seeing your beautiful Bric's Bellagio carry on, I took the plunge and ordered a set but in navy. I was just too fearful keeping the ivory so clean. I wanted to let you and your readers know that Bric's online site is having an amazing sale, nearly 50% off the Bellagio collection. Question for you; do you use the entire set? What other sizes, if any do you travel with? If so, I assume you need to check the larger sizes. Do you use one of the Bric's clear covers? I'm wondering if they hold up well? Thanks as always.
The Prada tote is so timeless and elegant!
http://www.ofsilkandsatin.com
I post every Monday and Thursday, I would love it if you checked out my blog!
Beautiful as always 🙂
I really like the last dress! X
http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
Tho the 3 fitting outfits also look good, I love the first outfit featuring a hat the most! Cus I think hat is essentially a effortless chic item!
xo Margaret
http://www.maleemaleehong.com | http://www.facebook.com/maleemalehong
Stunning as always, babe!
Shall We Sasa
Hi Jean, thank you for the reviews! I have a similar Loft blouse from last season in pine/hunter green and love it! It doesn't have a bow tie like this shirred bow blouse unfortunately but is a great color and machine washable plus petite XXS fits great!
The Ann Taylor flash sale is great too! I got a couple sleeveless blouses for $18! And they even have a aqua blue mint lace eyelet skirt on sale for $12!
~Jessica | http://www.petitestylescript.com
does the tweed dress in xxsp fit as in th e pic? nothing clipped back or anything?