Reviews - Ardennes Cardigan and Knit Baseball Sweater

Ardennes Cardigan

by Knitted & Knotted

First of all, let me say that apparently the camera adds 20lb, at least! And that's on top of the 20lb of post pregnancy weight I still need to loose. Second, judging from my generous proportions in the above picture, you'd be surprised to know that I squeezed myself into size Petite/Small. I'm 5"2 and wanted to make sure that the sleeves would not be too long. As it turns out, the sleeves are actually three quarter length, which is not apparent from the website pictures. 

The Ardennes Cardigan, is worthy of the Knitted & Knotted brand. It is one of those "special" cardigans, that you know you can only get from Anthropologie and that will attract approving glances everywhere you go. The front is embellished with felt applique and embroidered bullion knots. There are a few applique leaves in the back as well. The wool/cotton/alpaca knit is actually much lighter than I thought it would be. Since the fabric is so light, it doesn't have a lot of structure and would be prone to stretching. As you can see in the photo, the bottom front and the sleeves sorta hang, rather than hugging the body. The rest of the cardigan is pretty figure flattering with tailored darts in the front and back for shape. I would say that this cardigan runs true to size, only the sleeves being a little loose. 

If you were hoping to be able to open the buttons,

you can forget it about it. It can't be done. Instead of button holes, 

there are weaved loops that are way too small for the buttons to actually 

fit in and out of. I tried opening the buttons and they would not 

fit through the loops. It might work if you force it, which I didn't

want to do in fear of damaging the material. 

There's a little spool of thread and an extra button attached to the tag.

Overall, this is a very lovely and unique cardigan and for me, definitely a keeper!

Knit Baseball Sweater

by Sparrow

I was very attracted to this sweat when I saw it on Anthropologie website. It seemed easy to wear and very versatile, but with a few nice details like the buttons and mixed textures knit. Originally, I planned on ordering size Petite/Small. However, since it was out of stock, I decided to try Petite XS, which is what I'm wearing in the pictures. Though I would have appreciated having a little more room,  I wouldn't say that it's skin-tight.

This sweater is very comfortable, and I like that the sleeves on the Petite size end right where they should and don't need to be rolled up. You can't imagine how thrilled I am that Anthropologie started offering so many styles in petite sizes! 

Though I really wanted to love this sweater, I'm disappointing that the white portion is so sheer. I'm wearing a cami underneath and you can see it's outlines clearly. Also, the front and back knit is so delicate, it's one of those "will snag in no time" fabrics. I prefer not to invest into clothes that don't last. 

When Anthro Dissapoints

We all know, that when ordering from the Anthropologie website, you may receive an item coming from one of the stores, rather than a warehouse. Sometimes the items have been previously returned or tried on in the store and may occasionally have  an odor or other imperfections. Personally, I'm ticked off by this. Most major clothing brands only send brand new merchandise to online customers. If items are out of stock on-line, it should be my choice, whether or not I'd like to do a store search for an item, knowing that I may get something that is not perfect and willing to take my chances, especially for a sale item. However, I think this choice should be offered to me and it's completely unacceptable for a huge brand like Anthropologie to send me second grade goods that were ordered at full price. This has happened to me a number of times in the past, and with two of my latest orders in a row. I have not had this experience with any other brand.

My second to last order, I purchased a cardigan that was on sale. Though I ordered it on the website, it clearly came from a store and smelled! Ewww. I called customer service to try to order a replacement, but it was completely sold out in my size. The customer service rep offered me 15% off if I wanted to keep it and because I really liked the style, I agreed reluctantly. Still, there is a sense of disappointment. Even on sale and with additional 15% off, the cardigan was still pricey in my opinion and having to invest in dry cleaning before wearing it is most annoying. In all the times I bought Anthropologie clothes on eBay, I have never received anything that smelled. Yet, I'm getting a smelly item straight from Anthropologie.

My last order was a dress which I purchased during the 20% off dresses promotion. This dress is now back to full price. When it arrived in the mail, the inner plastic bag that items are usually sealed in was ripped and crudely scotch taped back together. The dress did not have any tags attached, leading me to believe that it was someones return. If I was keeping the dress, this might have been OK, but since it did not fit and I would need to return it, I hope I won't be given the third degree for the missing tags. Once again, I feel like I've just shopped at some closeout store and not Anthropologie.

On a separate note, the dress I'm planning on returning is the Bottlegreen Dress. Everything about it seemed to be so right, but the fit is just all wrong. My regular size is too tight in the chest, yet gapes open at the neckline and too full in the skirt. If I went up a size to fit the chest better, the neckline and the skirt would look even worse. I can't even see how the neckline issue can be fixed by a tailor in an inconspicuous way. In the catalog picture, they've hidden the neckline with a necklace. It's really too bad because this dress is quite beautiful. Oh Anthropologie, why must you disappoint?

Amina Blouse Review

Lately I've become very attracted to the color yellow. I have a closet overflowing with various shades of aqua, and yellow feels like just the perfect antidote. It's like craving salty food after an overdose of sweets.

The Amina Blouse is a pleasant, sunny shade of yellow that can go with so many different colors. I like all the cute design details on it, like the rounded collar, the buttons an the texture of the cotton fabric. Unfortunately, no matter how much I wanted to love this blouse, the fit was all off on me. While the top portion of the blouse is well tailored, the waist is actually  higher than it appears in the picture. It ended right under my chest, with the bottom portion of the blouse flaring out in a maternity-like style. If you're a stick figure, perhaps wearing a maternity style top wont incriminate you, but if you have some curves and a bit of a belly, people will wonder.

Now I'm feeling grouchy, since I ordered a couple of other items along with this top, which I had high hopes for, but for various fit and quality reasons they are all going back. I'm out of $13.95 shipping fee for no good reason. I think I'm gonna make it a policy to order stuff only when I can get free shipping. So, so fed up with the high fees! Especially now, that they've cheapened out on the packaging (read Roxy's post). 

I actually complained to someone in customer service about the lack of flat rate shipping and the best answer she could come up with was "Well, many of our customers don't mind the shipping fees". Uhhuh. I would love to hear from an Anthro  customer who feels that ordering from Anthropologie is such a privilege, that the obscene shipping fees don't bother them. Perhaps Anthropologie should at least consider some sort of "frequent flyer" program for their most loyal customers. Place three orders withing some reasonable time span, the fourth ships free. Seriously, they should be paying me for all the advice I dispense.  

And don't even get me started on international shipping! 

Carolinae Top Review

I've been eyeing the Carolinae Top for a while, and when it went on sale, I caved and ordered it. What attracted me to this top was the graphic print that looks like a pen drawing. I also appreciate the fact that the top is 100% silk. I was not in denial about the lack of shape, but  was hoping to give the top some semblance of shape by wearing it tucked in.

So how can something that should have been so right, go so wrong? 

Well, for starters, this top is huge. Shapeless and huge.

The reviewer on the Anthro website who wrote that

she usually wears a size 8 but had plenty of room in a size 0 in this top, was not kidding.

Too bad her review was not up yet when I was placing my order. 

Here I am, wearing a 0 which should have been marked 10.

And my plan of tucking it in? No such luck!

The top is way too short even on my 5"1 frame and doesn't stay tucked in.

The website lists it as being 22 inches long, which cannot possibly be accurate.

I forgot to actually measure the top before returning it, but if it was indeed 22"

I would not have had any trouble tucking it in.

Did I already mention it's super wide?

And the gaping sleeves? Seriously, I think I could fit both my legs into these sleeves.

Sure, you would have a nice breeze going in the Summer, 

but do you really want to entertain the onlookers with a clear view 

of your bra (if you're the bra wearing sort)?

I still like the graphics on the Carolinae top very much and wish that Anthropologie would make a well fitting cardigan or at least a button down blouse in this color/pattern combo. 

Please Anthropologie, pretty please?

Reviews: Forever Hooked Cardi and Trifecta Cardigan

I'm a little late with this post. I tried on the Forever Hooked Cardi at the same time as the Marya Sweater back in March, but didn't get a chance to write up a review until now. 

What initially attracted me to this cardi was the color ( I tried on Sky, which is actually a minty seafoam), the delicate ruffles and the buttons going up the side of the V-neck. As for the gathers, I like them in the back, but could have lived without them in the front. Anyway, I thought it was worth a try.

Am I hallucinating, or do the ruffles and gathers make me appear 2 sizes larger? Either that, or the camera really does add 10 pounds. 

This sweater looks most attractive from the side, but let's face it, how much use do I have for a sweater that needs to be viewed at a very particular angle?

The cardigan is true to size (I'm wearing XS), but the sleeves are somewhat on the long side. Then again, don't take my word for it since I'm somewhat on the short side. The material is very lightweight, and sadly of poor quality.  Never mind the fact that it's see-through, that doesn't bother me, but it feels like the kind of fabric that will snag and pile after a few wears. A few reviews on-line mentioned that the sweater stretched out, which doesn't surprise me at all. Overall, taking into consideration the quality and the fact that this cardigan does nothing for my figure, I was not at all tempted to make the purchase. What seemed like a good idea on a hanger, really did not translate into a wearable piece for me. 

Next up is  the Trifecta Cardigan. I like all three colors that it comes in, but figured I would get the most wear out of grey. 

The XS that I'm wearing is slightly loose on me. Luckily, I have no liking for clothes that fit like a diver's suit, so just a bit of room to move is fine with me. Despite being a tad loose, I love the way this cardigan drapes. It curves in at the waist which makes it extremely flattering. The material is lightweight and perfect for warmer weather. And the color? Well, judge for yourself. I think it's just the perfect shade of grey, not a dull grey, but an "airy" grey . The yellow was pretty awesome too, the green a bit less so, but still quite nice. If I really had to nitpick, the one thing that bothers me about this cardigan is the way the buttons don't lay flat. They seem to be too heavy for the fabric and are pulling the placket down. I looked at every single one of these cardigans in the store and all of them had this issue. I still think this one's a keeper and I can get a lot of wear out of  it  but wish that for the price, the quality would be top notch. 

 Recently, I purchased the  Pointelle Tie-Waist Cardigan for $22 from Old Navy and quite honestly the quality was very much comparable to the Trifecta Cardigan, if not better. Of course the Trifecta Cardi is more, shall we say, original and sophisticated and that is why Anthropologie charges us the "big bucks". Still,  it would be just dandy if  the quality fit the price. 

Marya Sweater Review

Lately I haven't been able to get to an Anthropologie store as often as I would have liked. It's about 40 minute drive for me each way, and I have to orchestrate baby sitting and my husband driving me, because:

1. Who can savor Anthropologie with two kids following you around the store, touching everything breakable and whining when can we go?

2. I have a pathological fear of driving in Manhattan.

So you see, with all the challenges of actually getting to try something on at Anthropologie,  unless I have other errands to run in the area there's just not enough of an incentive.  

Well, last week, all the constellations finally came together, grandparent entertained the kids, husband was willing to drive and I had stuff to return to a few stores in the area, so to Anthropologie we went!

The first item that caught my eye in the store was the Marya Sweater by Sparrow. As you might or might not remember from my previous ramblings, I'm hooked on pointelles/open knits. I asked my husband what is it that makes  pointelle so attractive and he said "it's demure". Nice observation by husband. So that's the story I'm sticking to, I like everything demure.

 You know what's not demure? The big, fat camera I'm trying to balance in one hand. It's the only one I have. That's right, I'm one of those strange people who uses her cell phone for emergencies only and therefore did not feel the need to purchase one with a fancy camera built in. Don't judge me.

You can't really tell from the pictures, but this cardigan is two toned. The top portion is pale sky blue and the bottom is off white. Husband said it looks like it faded out, but I personally liked the effect.
I tried on XS, which still swallowed me up. This sweater is very long and I'm very short (5"1). Something about the length to shape ratio made me feel like I'm wearing a curtain. The gathers at the shoulders further emphasized the "curtain" effect. The fabric was a nice weight, not Winter heavy, but not Summer light either. Actually, just perfect for Spring. I also tried on the Trifecta Cardigan, (review to follow) and the fabric weight of the Marya Sweater was slightly heavier by comparison.
Though I like the color and the diamond pattern very much, this was a no-go for me because of the length. I think it would look so much better on  a taller lady. Luckily, Anthropologie currently has a nice selection of pointelle sweaters. The Pointelle Diamond Sweater Tee, the Trifecta Cardigan and the Ethereal Pointelle Sweater  are saved in my wish list and I plan on waiting patiently to purchase them when they'll hopefully go on sale.

Ugly and Uglier

Browsing through the new arrivals on Antho site, I ask myself, am I the only one who's not a bit tempted by this assortment of oddities? It seems to me that the styles have gone from bad to worse. With very few exceptions, the current stock is simply hideous! I'm sooo tired of all the grandma blouses, hobo sweaters and ugly prints that are seriously lacking in refinement!

To illustrate how bad I think the clothes have become, I'll share with you what my 15% birthday coupon was used for. A tablecloth! Isn't that pathetic?

I think it's very clear to all long term Anthropologie customers what's missing. What perplexes me, is why it's taking Anthropologie so long to catch on? I'm getting impatient.

Chubu Caftan

Lovely, if you're living off the grid and having 70's flashbacks.

Sofya Cropped Jacket

80's? No, please!

Well Spotted Blazer

What the ****?!

Quilted Eclipse Blouse

This looks like the uglier version of something my Grandma used to wear.

Placed Pixels Blouse

Bozo wants his shirt back.

Metamorphose Poncho

Another one of those hobo styles Anthropologie is currently so fond of.

Critter Carnival Tunic

Maybe if you're the mustache lady at a carnival?

Checker Table Cape

No, it's not cute. Yes it's ugly.

Dear Anthropologie, please refer to your catalogs from 2002-2008 for a reminder of what it is your customers have come to expect from you, and ask yourself, are the current styles consistent with our original vision? Heck, I really don't mind if you just recycle your old styles, it would be a big big step up from what is being currently offered.

Saw It, Touched It, Left It

Finding myself yesterday in close proximity to Anthropologie, I went in, hoping to finally lay eyes on the most coveted item on my wish list, the Aestival Zenith Cardigan. No such luck, the cardigan was not to be found in the store on 5th Ave, but I did accomplish scratching the Geste Cardigan off my wish list. When it first appeared on the website, I was very tempted to throw caution to the wind and order it. The scalloped edges and the shell-like knitted pattern/texture really appealed to me, but on trying the cardigan on, I found that it fit all wrong. The belt loops were way too high (and I'm only 5'2!) and so the belt, which should have been on my waist, was somewhere on my ribs. The sleeves were too wide and my skinny arms looked funny sticking out of them. Sight. At least my wallet didn't have to suffer.


I also tried on a new skirt by Odille, which is not yet on the website. Sorry, no pictures to show off since I didn't have a camera with me, but I'll do my best to describing it. The skirt was knee length, shorter in the front and longer in the back. The back of the skirt had a ditsy floral lining that was meant to peek out when you walk. The skirt had a diagonal plaid, autumn hued patter and full, swing shape. Very pretty and very well made. I tried on size 0, and, what a shocker! I could barely zip it up! Previously, Odille skirts in size 0 were all loose on me. Wonder if this is a fluke or if the sizes are shrinking.

Finally, I tried on In The Trees skirt, which is so cute and whimsical. I would have definitely purchased this one if it wasn't for that wing thing attached at the hip. I just couldn't get past it. To me, it looked completely unnecessary and out of place on an otherwise perfect pencil skirt. Bummer. Sometimes, when Anthropologie tries too hard to be original, they overdo-it. Still considering if this skirt is worth taking to a seamstress and having the wing removed. Definitely not at full price.

Show and Tell

My daughter turned eight on Sunday, and in honor of her birthday we headed to the city to purchase a long coveted American Doll. Mind you, hubby and I are not the type of people who believe in purchasing cult-dolls that cost $100, but luckily for our daughter, she has grandparents who were willing to oblige. Since the doll store was only two blocks from the Rockefeller center Anthropologie, and my mom had a gift card to empty out (does one really need a reason to go to Anthropologie?), the three of us had a grand time of it.
In honor of the occasion, I had my sister's point-and-shoot-camera on me, with which I was able to snap away inconspicuously, unlike my chunky SLR, which they always make me put away in the store.

Cardboard Chandelier

Couldn't quite capture the full beauty of this set up
with the crappy point-and-shoot, but this shelf,
displaying an assortment of glass perfume bottles with metal lamps over them,
looked like something out of a period film.

My little big girl posing in a cozy nook, reminiscent of a tropical Paradise.
Wish I had the skills to construct something like this in my house.

I don't do this "pictures of me in the dressing room, review thingy" too often, but having a camera on me and finding something surprising and delightful, I felt it my duty to share.



This sweater jacket by LiaMolly is not on the website, hence I was pleasantly surprised to come across it. It fits my taste perfectly; amazing quality, flattering, unusual yet not too overdone. It looked like something Anthropologie would have carried 4-5 years ago when their clothes still had timeless appeal.
The sweater is a chunky cotton knit and the buttons are knitted too! I'm wearing size XS which I still had a little bit of room in, not too much, but just enough to make it comfortable.
On researching the brand, I learned that this sweater is from LiaMolly's, 2009 collection. Not sure how and why it made it to the Anthropologie shelfs now, but I'm glad it did.

When I went home, I browsed though LiaMolly's website and came to the conclusion that I am completely in love with practically all their designs. Wish Anthropologie would carry more of them. I'll put up pictures of more LiaMolly lovelies in my next post.

Cinched Medallions Blouse Review

For a long time, I have been very strong in resisting the urge to order the Cinched Medallions blouse. There's just no denying how gorgeous it is. I love the Art Deco feel, the color, and I'm a huge fan of embroidery. All the right ingredients are there. I've been battling with the frugal side of me that just refused to let me pay the full price of this blouse, but the blouse wouldn't go on sale and so the frugal side finally lost to the "I have to have it because it's perfect side" (yes, it's a side of mine that just refuses to be pushed down. Luckily this side is very selective and very few things are perfect after all).
So, I headed to my not so local Anthropologie store on 5th Ave to try it on. In person the blouse is everything you'd expect it to be and more. The fabric is beautiful with a hint of shimmer. The blouse was very well made and almost flawless. I say almost, because the front medallions did not line up with the back medallions to form a circle as I thought they would. I'm not sure if this was intentional or just a fluke. Still, I was not deterred.

OOH

AHH

I tried on a size 2, which is what I usually wear. It was completely loose on me. Hmm. I tried size 0 next. It fit perfectly in the waist and was a perfect length on me (Ok, I'm on the petite side), but it still hung completely loose in the chest, which is strange because without going into details, I am not flat chested by any standards. Where does one go from a size 0? As my sister put it, "maybe if you were shaped like Dolly Parton".
Still, I refused to give up and stood there in front of the mirror trying to figure out where a seamstress might take the blouse in. There was no place as far as I can see. The blouse cannot be taken in by the side seams because of the embroidery, and there's no meddling with the front pleats. Why?! Why?! I want it dammit!
As you have probably already guessed, I left the store without my beloved medallions blouse. What a disappointment. I miss it. Not sure why, but I still visit it on Anthropologie.com (In hopes it will shrink?)
Any volunteers out there who would like to take up reconstructing this blouse for me?
Didn't think so...

Mystery Sweater

On my recent trip to Anthropologie I made a little discovery, which lead me to a bigger discovery.
The little discovery was this pretty mystery sweater. The reason I call it a "mystery" sweater, is because I'm pretty sure it never appeared on Anthropologie website or in any of the catalogs. I was under the impression that all Anthropologie merchandise appears on the website, but it seems I was wrong.


This sweater is phenomenal quality with lot's of little details and it can be worn in a variety of ways. It's made out of a very soft woolly blend with velvet trim and velvet covered buttons with little embroidered buds.
Now I have a confession to make . I'm a sucker for velvet. I haven't seen enough of it this season at Anthropologie to satisfy my velvet cravings.

button detail

I like how the bottom curves to show a triangle of the velvet placket underneath.

The funnel neck has the same embroidered velvet on the outside and you can wear it up, rolled down, or opened.
Though you can't tell from my pictures, this sweater is semi-fitted with princess seams in the back. When I tried it on, it was figure flattering and felt soft and comfortable.

If anyone has any idea what this sweater is called, I'd love to know. Being that Anthropologie is big on giving all their articles of clothing a name, I'd prefer to continue the tradition and be on first name bases with this one.


As I've mentioned in the beginning of this post, this little discovery has lead me to a greater discovery, but as I have a limited attention span for blogging, I will tell you all about it in my next post.

Show and Tell - Fainting Sofa Blazer

Well, I've finally caved and ordered the Fainting Sofa Blazer from Anthropologie. As I mentioned in a previous post, this blazer was not available in any of the Anthropologie stores in my area.
It was delivered today. So, I open the box and, surprise surprise, the first thing I notice is that the buttons are different from the picture on Anthropologie.com.



This is the second time this has happened to me with Anthropologie items and it's really starting to piss me off. Why can't Anthropologie get their act together and make sure the pictures on their website are a true representation of the products they're selling?
I'm sure some people would not mind the floral buttons, but to me personally they look a bit juvenile.
I also have a difficult time actually getting them into the button holes; it's a very tight fit and I feel like the button holes are stretching every time I try to button up the blazer.
Aside from the buttons, I have very mixed feelings about this blazer. I like the color very much and the silk applique adds a unique touch. The lining is pretty in swiss dots and there's a little applique under the tag. Not that anyone ever sees it, but I like knowing it's there. I'm still weirded out about the sleeves though. Something about the poofy shape does not sit
well with me. It makes me feel kinda butch. Also, the
blazer fits me OK in the front, but the back is loose. It doesn't seem to be tailored too well. If I would have gotten a smaller size, I wouldn't have been able to button it up.
Also, the little paper pouch that holds the spare button came torn and scotch taped back together. This makes me think the blazer was previously purchased and returned. Now I might be wrong, but it seems to me that nice stores usually don't resell returned merchandise at original prices. Shameless! How am I supposed to feel knowing I got someone's discarded jacket?

I haven't yet made up my mind whether I will be keeping or returning the fainting sofa blazer. Here are some picture of me wearing it. What do you think?