The mere thought of wristlets conjures up memories of my first "purse", the Coach wristlet. <insert laughing/crying emoji> Who else lived in this glorious era and what did yours look like? Mine was the signature C monogram in green.

In the years since, my love for bags have grown, collection has expanded, and tastes have matured (I'd like to think so anyway). So it's funny to feel like I've come full circle with the latest purchase: Polene Numero Six.
The shape of this clutch/wristlet/small purse is simply stunning in its simplicity. I love the way the wrist strap loops through the gold hardware to keep the inner contents secure while maintaining its shape. Tangent: one of my pet peeves with traditional wristlets is the floppiness of the wrist strap.

With so many colors to choose from, I had a hard time deciding. Ultimately my eyes kept going back to the crocodile print, and felt the navy version fits with my wardrobe better than burgundy or black. If I were to choose between the monochrome colors, peach would be my pick (not a fan of the contrast stitching with some of the other color options).

As much as I loved the Numero Six, I couldn't hit the checkout button due to reservations of it fitting in with my lifestyle. You see, with the dimensions being 18 x 14.5 x 5.5 (in cm), would a smartphone even fit (I have the iPhone XR)? Let alone my other daily necessities like car keys and credit cards. In the Coach wristlet era, this would not even be a dilemma.
I scoured the Internet but couldn't find definitive answers. Some said only smaller iPhones would fit; others said bigger phones will have to be placed inside diagonally. I ended up spamming a handful of Numero Six Instagram photos asking if the owners can fit their phones inside (pats self on back for resourcefulness). Thank you to all who replied with assurances that though the clutch is small, XR phones fit fine inside!
As you can see, the right side is slightly larger, and I'm able to fit my iPhone XR with Casetify case snugly inside with no more room to spare. I actually placed my phone diagonally initially, but was not able to close the clutch. There is also an inner compartment for credit cards and bills. Then in-between fits my car keys comfortably. Whew! I'm happy to say this practically impractical clutch will fit in with my lifestyle just fine.

Lately I've been going through a pullover/fleece phase, as evidenced by: 1) already blogged about the Madewell one; 2) own the Frank & Eileen version; 3) and keeping my eyes on the Kate Spade one. Today I'd like to do a quick review of the popular Vineyard Vines shep shirt.

Vineyard Vines is a brand that I'm not too familiar with. I own a few long sleeve graphic tees in size S from seasons past (can never seem to pass up the goofy whale in costume). For shep shirts, I was torn between my regular size of S or downsizing to XS. The style I eventually bought is the "relaxed" version, so I downsized to XS. This version is roomier overall and is longer in the back -- perfect for wearing with tights. I'm still able to layer a button-up shirt underneath (this is a personal preference, but I prefer to wear these half-zip pullovers unzipped, hence layering with non-crewnecks). If I had bought the "regular" shep shirt, I would've stayed with my usual size S.

The other feature that caught my eye is the strip of red plaid underneath the hem. It can be purposely folded outwards (see first photo below) or left as is (see third photo below) for two different looks depending on your mood.

I have yet to wash the shep shirt, so fingers crossed that it won't shrink. Per directions, wash cold and I plan on hanging it up to dry.

A few years ago, Burberry released these black equestrian rain boots that my preppy heart fell in love with. I wasn't able to track down any in my size, so simply resolved to keep my eyes peeled for dupes. When I came across the Banana Republic version, I couldn't help but be excited that my search could potentially be coming to an end! I say "potentially" because I'm picky about the fit of rain boots. Now that I've experienced the perfect fit with Hunter Tour rain boots, I just can't go back to shorter and wider boots.

The BR boots turned out to be perfect in person. They are TTS, the same height as my Hunter Tours, and are snug against my small calves -- I'm wearing my usual tall boot socks over jeans and there is not much of a gap. The buckles are what initially sold me on the boots, but I have to say they are a bit disappointing in person. The straps have a tendency to uncross, whereas I'd prefer if they remain criss-crossed. I've yet to explore solutions, but have a couple in mind that I plan to try (double sided tape, tighten the buckle), so fingers crossed on that front.

I've been loving Massimo Dutti collections as of late. As Zara's older sister, their clothes are priced higher, so I typically only peek in around sale season. Their simple and clean lines remind me a lot of Theory, but at a more affordable price point.

I was drawn to this striped dress with gem detail (wearing size XS). The knit material has good weight and is super comfortable when worn. The dress slips on easily (no zippers) and comes with two side pockets! Just slip on sandals for a casual look, or throw on a blazer and heels for a more formal outfit. The jeweled neckline makes accessorizing easy -- nothing else is needed ;)

I find myself attending too many meetings at my new job and not having the means of telling time. I don't carry my phone everywhere with me because 1) I don't want the temptation of the phone beckoning me to check my texts/Google Hangout sessions during the inevitable lulls at meetings and 2) I'm not important enough where others need to reach me asap. Unfortunately, clocks are a scarcity at meeting spots for some reason. So my solution? A watch. I actually used to wear one daily in my younger years, but don't recall the exact reason I stopped... perhaps the invention of cell phones for the masses? Anyways, I no longer have that watch from years ago, so starting from scratch it is.

I'm currently going through an obsession with rose gold (as evidenced by the cuffs below), so that was pretty much my only requirement. My top three contenders were the Burberry City watch (really loved the color scheme and the subtle iconic pattern) and two watches from The Horse: the Classic and the Original.

The gray watch (the Classic) lives up to its name, from the leather strap with stitching to the size and clean look of the case. The pink watch (the Original) is the more trendy of the two, with an oversized case and casual leather strap. The gray watch's 36mm case was the perfect size on my 6" wrists compared to the pink watch's oversized 42.33mm case. DH was not a fan of the pink watch on me, saying I looked like a little kid wearing a chunky toy watch, hahaha.

I briefly contemplated the idea of keeping both watches so I would have an option for both dressier days (gray watch) and casual days (pink watch). In the end, I thought that was a bit silly. Here I am, new to watches after a decade hiatus and about to jump in with multiples?! What if watches are just a phase and I tire of them quickly? So I sent the gray back and kept the pink. It ultimately came down to which one I loved more. I felt like I was settling with the gray watch and only keeping it because it was more "classic." With the pink watch, I didn't have those feelings. I loved the simpler and cleaner overall look. The rose gold and blush color scheme is actually very similar to the first watch I seriously considered (Burberry City). I thought the Burberry watch was the one until I compared the watch face side by side and found myself preferring the cleaner look of The Horse over the busier plaid pattern of Burberry.

Will the pink watch with its casual vibe go with every outfit I wear? No, and I'm okay with that. I may find my fickle self refusing to wear the watch on some days because it just does not complement my outfit. I'm sure there will also be days where I do not care about clashing accessories. The best days will be the ones where my watch proves its usefulness as I go from meetings to meetings and is the perfect outfit accessory.

There are holes in my work wardrobe that I've been meaning to fill, but my eyes keep wandering to non-practical items (ie: a pretty cornflower blue coverup when I have zero plans of vacationing anytime soon, let alone at the beach). I finally buckled down once I started working again, so as a result, I've been on quite a shopping rampage as of late.

A crisp, classic white button-up shirt has topped my wishlist forever. I've tried on a few but none looked quite right. Not slim enough, easily wrinkled, too short, etc. I love the J.Crew Factory infinity shirt ($24.15 + free shipping w/code PICNIC) that I'm wearing today. The shirt lives up to its name and I could realistically wear it as a tunic over leggings in the coming fall months. For everyday work wear, I simply tuck in the excess fabric for a polished look. Granted, this is easier done with skirts than pants due to the longer length. I also like the hidden button placket. For reference, I'm wearing size XXS.

The J.Crew Collection mixed Italian jacquard faux-wrap skirt (40% off w/code SUMMERSALE) is an item that was not on my wishlist. This purchase fell into the, Whoa I love the print! ...and J.Crew's having a sale?! Ok, bought! category. I'm just so happy that I guessed my size correctly. I'm wearing 0P (typically wear 00-0 in J.Crew skirts) because I figured the regular length would be much too long judging by the stock pics. The skirt is made of thicker material and the brocade-like pattern is simply beautiful in person. The only con? The skirt tends to fall open when I sit, so I have to consciously remember to act more ladylike.

Every year I tell myself, "summer is really not that hot in DC." And every year I chastise myself for my short term memory. There's really no other way to dress for both the indoors and outdoors besides layering. A sleeveless top and lightweight pants really do help during my commute (I use commute loosely because mine is about as easy as it gets, except compared to telecommuters). Then after I arrive at work with the AC on full blast, I simply shrug on a cardigan or blazer for the rest of the day.

PS - I'm in love with these navy pants! They're lightweight, wrinkle resistant, with functional pockets, and so comfortable. They are unlined and mine came with a shiny silver button closure (neither of which are deal-breakers). For reference, I'm wearing size 0P. I usually wear regular length in pants, but the petite sizing surprisingly hits me at the perfect spot right above the ankles.

I love the color white. I already own a white skirt, two pairs of white shorts, white skinny jeans, a white dress, and multiple white tees -- all of which I wear on a regular basis. I can now add another to my ever-growing white collection: a pair of wide leg trousers.

I saw the Chelsea28 pleated wide leg pants on Taylor and Julia awhile back. I was immediately smitten with the flowy look. It gave off such a sophisticated vibe a la Lauren Bacall. Being the casual dresser that I am, I didn't know if I could pull it. I also had doubts about my ability to keep the pants clean -- a long hem nearly touching the dirty ground?!

I couldn't stop thinking about the pants, so what the heck, I had to see it in person myself. Not surprisingly, I loved it. The pants are fitted through the waist, then straight down the legs, which makes it so comfortable to wear. I'm used to wearing skinny jeans, so it's always an adjustment to wear items that aren't restrictive at all. For reference, I'm wearing sz 00.

The pants were very long on my 5'4" frame (~35" inseam on the pants, iirc?) Nordstrom offers free alterations on select services for full-priced items, which happens to include hemming pants. I had bought the pants online, so I just walked in to any of the women's departments at my local store. A sales associate will call someone from the alterations department to come up while you change. He/she'll then just pin the pants to the correct length (make sure you bring the exact shoes you'll be wearing). I was handed a slip with a pickup date a week later. It's seriously so convenient and hassle-free.

I definitely saw wrinkles appearing throughout the day, mainly around the thigh area. Sigh. Unavoidable I guess, so I've come to terms with that. My worries about keeping the pants clean? Perhaps I was overreacting because they were just as clean at the end of the day as they were at the start.

P.S. - Thank you Jean for introducing me to the H&M top and Suddenlee for tracking down my size for me!

I'm veering solidly into the ladylike category in today's ensemble. I picked up this H&M one-shoulder dress recently because the silhouette reminded me of togas -- which I'm oddly fond of. The draping, the one-shoulder design, the cutout at the waist (not visible in my photos), and even the longer midi-length are all features that I really liked. Unfortunately the cotton material wrinkles easily, so I'll probably be dry-cleaning often when I'm too lazy to steam. For reference, I'm wearing size 2 (typically wear 2-4 in H&M), which fits a little loose in the bust and a little tight around the ribs.

Perhaps my favorite pattern from Ann Taylor/LOFT over the years is their floral lace. I own the dress version from a few years ago, wore it to death, but have stopped reaching for it as of late. My aging self now finds the length to be too short and do not want to deal with the skirt hiking up every time I sit down.
I was excited to see this year's floral lace pattern in a pencil skirt. The skirt's lace detailing is less intricate compared to my dress' from a few season's ago -- less chances for random snags? It also uses a white lining instead of gray from my dress, so the pattern doesn't stand out as much. The material on this year's version is just as heavy as prior seasons', which is nice.

Here I am trying on the LOFT floral lace pencil skirt ($47.70 w/code SHAREIT) in 3 sizes, all regular length:
Sz 00: My usual AT/LOFT size. I felt this size looked the best in photos, but fit much tighter across the hips than it comes across. There was no way I could sit down, and keeping a standing up-only skirt is just silly.

Sz 0: The size I ended up keeping. It had enough extra room to accommodate my hips without too much of a waist gap increase. I could also sit down and stand up without exerting myself.

Sz 00 Curvy: LOFT doesn't offer a curvy version on all their items, but after seeing the option for this skirt, I was curious to see what the fit was like. The waist fits a tad smaller than sz 00's and the hip area is roomier than sz 0's. Comfort-wise, it's on par with (if not slightly better fitting than) sz 0. I just did not like the way the skirt made my hips look wider but tapers down more narrowly towards the knees. I prefer more of a straighter up-and-down silhouette.

The skirt runs small, so size up. The curvy version is worth considering for larger-hipped ladies.
I took these photos after a regular work day at the office, so lots of sitting and standing over the duration. There were noticeable creases across the front of the skirt by the end of the day, though not as bad as what I've experienced with other skirts/pants. I did run my hand over the front a few times right before posing for photos and that seemed to help smooth out some of the more shallow creases.

Other picks from LOFT's 40% off F&F event through 4/21 with code SHAREIT:
$70.80 floral lace dress, $20.70 mosaic lace hem tank, $47.70 blouson sleeveless maxi dress, $53.70 henley sleeveless shirtdress.

I've become quite accustomed to (and thus spoiled with) customer reviews on retailers' websites. Though googling for reviews/sizing info on a particular item isn't a hardship, I'm all for convenience when browsing through my favorite retailers' sites. J.Crew Factory, please get with the times!

A recent favorite purchase of mine is the J.Crew Factory long-sleeve stripe boatneck tee (on sale for $29.50). Thank you to both Fran and Jess for their reviews and sizing tips! I ended up keeping the tee in two colors. I know... duplicates, really? And stripes, again? *sheepish grin* I was originally drawn to the Forever 21 heathered striped top for the bright blue color, but the material was thin (doesn't feel like it would hold up in the wash) and the fit was off (sz S was too tight in the torso, sz M too loose everywhere).

Back to the J.Crew Factory tee. I love the thicker material, bright color, spacing between the stripes, and most of all, the looser (but not baggy) fit and longer (but not too long) length. For reference, I'm wearing size XS which measures: 15" shoulder-to-shoulder, 23.5" length, 24" sleeve length. I'd say the tee is TTS, or go up if in-between sizes. If I were to nitpick, the sleeves are tighter than usual around the forearms. It was slightly bothersome at first, but now I'm fine with because the sleeves stay in place when I wear it at three-quarter length.

My "heavy duty" coat for the extremely cold winter days is an old Columbia ski jacket from the late 90s (15+ years old!) It's a size medium -- roomy on me then, roomy on me now. Oh, let's buy you one a couple sizes bigger for you to grow into, said my Mom. I guess she never fed me enough, lol. The coat has served me well throughout the years and didn't start to show wear and tear up until about last season. I figured it's probably time for an upgrade. I had my eyes on the LOFT packable puffer jacket as a potential replacement. I loved everything about the jacket online, but not so much in person. The quilting on these puffer jackets made me look top-heavy and too much like the Michelin Man. Not flattering whatsoever, so back it went. For reference, I found the puffer jacket to run small, so size up.

Katherine introduced me to Canada Goose coats with her recent post on the Kensington parka. Intrigued by her rave review and the cool details CG put into their coats (interior shoulder straps!), I started exploring around. My only requirement was to stay far away from quilted patterns. Three styles stood out enough that I took under serious consideration:

1) Trillium - $695 (buy at Bloomingdale's / Nordstrom / NM / backcountry / Shopbop)
The warmest of the three, this coat is rated a 4 on CG's thermal index (1=lightest, 5=warmest). A 4 is supposed to keep you warm even between 5℉ and -13℉. I also liked the longer length, which helps trap in the warmth. This style is also the least fitted of the three.

2) Kensington - $745 (buy at Nordstrom / NM / BG / Bloomingdale's / Shopbop / Moosejaw / Revolve Clothing / backcountry)
This coat is rated a 3 on CG's index, so should keep you warm between 14℉ and -4℉. It's slightly longer than the Trillium and has more hardware details, but the fit is supposed to be slimmer. I tried on sz XS and thought it fit very comfortably with a shirt and sweater underneath without movement restriction (for reference, I'm 5'4", 107 lbs). What I didn't like was how the coat flared out from the waist down (didn't even cinch the drawstring waist), which made my hips look huge. This style is probably best for straight figures. I did like how the front pockets were fully lined (the Victoria only has half-lined pockets).

3) Victoria - $695 (buy at Nordstrom / Bloomingdale's / Saks / Shopbop / Revolve Clothing / NM / BG / SSENSE / Blue & Cream / Intermix)
The coat that I ended up buying and keeping! Like the Kensington, this coat is also rated a 3 on CG's index. Of the three, this one's the shortest in length and hits me about mid-thigh (see photos below). Unlike the previous two, this one has a minimalistic style with a lack of hardware down the front. I really like how the look is streamlined and less "parka-like", which meant I could possibly pull double duty between casual-wear and business-casual looks. I chose black also for its versatility, slimming effect, and because I don't own any coats in this color (I know, I'm an odd one).

It recently occurred to me that in the six months that I've owned this dress shirt, I've yet to wear it as it's intended to be worn, all buttoned up for work. I've worn it casually, as a cardigan substitute, and for extra layering purposes. Well, no longer! For today's outfit, I added a black vest and blue suede pumps so it's not simply the typical dress shirt and pants combo.

PS - Can I gush over these Ann Taylor ponte skinny ankle pants real quick? I love LOFT jeans but never have quite the same luck with AT pants for some reason even though they're sister brands. The length is perfect and hits me right at the ankles. Yes, there is bunching around the knees, but no creasing anywhere else! With most pants, I usually look like a wrinkled mess around the thighs after a full day of sitting at work. Also, no butt sagging either. I'm loving the thick, stretchy knit material. There's a side zipper and the pants are dry clean only. For reference, I'm wearing size 00, my usual AT size.

Another one of my outerwear purchases from over the summer is the Stella McCartney trench cape coat (no longer available). I've loved it ever since spotting Anh and Wendy's camel versions from years past.

I'm wearing size IT 40, but really should've gone down to a 38 so it's more "fitted" like on the model (an oxymoron since it is a loose-fitting style.) From certain angles, it does look like there are too much fabric, and I certainly sometimes felt that way as well depending on how I "drape" the fabric. I keep changing my mind about taking the cape to the tailors because I just don't know if it's worth it. Ideally, I'd like the sleeves to be shortened to bracelet length and maybe slim the sides a bit to get rid of excess fabric. I also wonder if the cape needs to be shortened by 1-2". Any thoughts? Am I just over-thinking this?
This was my first experience with the Stella McCartney brand and I'm underwhelmed. I should've stopped lumping amazing quality, $$$, and a "brand name" together long ago... I suppose the markup is still a hard pill to swallow. I was surprised to find the cape to be unlined on the inside and with loose threading in multiple places. The more I wear the cape, the more I find myself starting to come around to the lack of lining because of how easily the fabric moves and drapes. I suppose it would be unsightly to see lining peeking through? Then again, the pockets are visible in the first photo above.

Capes are very trendy this upcoming cold-weather season, but I think they're something only girls would like. DH hasn't seen me wear my cape yet, but I can already picture his WTF-face and liken me to wearing a garbage bag due to its bagginess. Girls on the other hand, I feel like can appreciate capes more. One of my female coworkers complimented me on my cape the first time I wore it to work. I then started effusing about how it's like I'm all wrapped up in a cozy blanket. Can you tell we've commiserated over the cold office one too many times.

I stumbled across a great "look for less" option in Rebecca Minkoff's Pierre cape coat. This cape is the closest I've seen as a dupe for Stella's (believe me, I've done my share of window shopping trying to hunt one down.) There are a few noticeable differences: RM's lack the shoulder epaulettes, has more buttons, and looks to have "real" sleeves which might make for a sleeker silhouette by cutting down on excess fabric. This cape retails for $498 and comes in two colors:
1) blush [photo left below] - available at Shopbop
2) noble green [photo right below] - available at Nordstrom, NM, Cusp, RM

When I was in London earlier this year, I inquired about trench cape re-releases because the camel and pink versions were from two different seasons. The SA at the Stella boutique said she doesn't know about this particular cape style, but capes in general are usually available every winter season. I don't know if the waiting game is worth it since RM's is such a great dupe. If I hadn't already gotten my hands on Stella's, I would snatch up RM's in a heartbeat. Patience is not always my strongest virtue.

I bought my Everlane swing trench jacket back in April of this year. I only wore it a handful of times before putting it away until fall. In the middle of the summer, I received an email from the Everlane team saying that while the trench I bought is water-resistant, it isn't as water-resistant as they'd like. They've fixed the problem and is sending me a new one free of charge. Wait, what?! This kind of customer service is unheard of! I was completely.blown.away. I already valued Everlane's business approach, but standing behind their products like this? I'm a customer for life.
So now I have two almost-identical swing trenches in my possession. From what I can see, the only difference between the two is the color. The current trench is one very slight shade darker than the previous version. Everything else remained the same -- black buttons, material used (fairly wrinkle prone), lined in the sleeves only, nice craftsmanship.

For reference (not included in my April post), size XS measures approximately: 14" shoulder-to shoulder, 24" sleeve length, 27.5" collar-to-hem along the back.

Along with the sage green color, the 2.0 release of the swing trench also comes in navy and tan.