I'm back too!!

yublocka

Hi all, just wanted to write a little note saying I'm back too! I'm a bit sad that the holiday is over, but you have to return to reality at some time right? Can't complain about 2.5 weeks. It ended marvellously, seeing my cousins whom I hadn't seen for 11 years.

I loved SF/NY/Toronto each in their own way. I think I did the most shopping in SF simply because that's where I landed first. NYC was more about walking around/eating bagels/eating pizza/drinking way too much beer in seedy bars, although a bit of shopping happened there too. Toronto was all about family and Dairy Queen with a bit of shopping thrown in (it was great having some "fresh blood" in the Canadian stores). Oh and we made it to Niagra Falls on the first day of the season where the "Maid of the Mist" boat was open, and that was amazing (although cold and wet!!)

Brianna sadly I did not make it to Vancouver, as Qantas don't fly there anymore - grrrrr!! Someday though I would love to return there!

I'll try and do a complete shopping account later on, but the main highlights were:

- red trench at H&M (half price!)
- copying Brianna's and Shiny's S&K coat choice (40% off at Macys). My Mum actually forced me to buy it. Shiny what did you end up deciding about this coat???
- some basic cardies from Old Navy for a steal
- premium denim x 2
- replicating the Me Too Swann's x 2 at DSW
- and finally a purple leather moto jacket in Toronto. I dragged my brother and cousin into the store there for the 3rd time on the last day we were there for feedback I was so undecided about this one! I hope it is a good investment choice, I would really love ylf feedback on it!

I ended up passing on the CM microchecks (I think I tried them on in all 3 cities). By the time I was in Toronto they were on sale, but I just couldn't help but feel they weren't killer on me. After seeing new pics of Kari wearing hers that confirms my thoughts - they look amazing on you Kari!! Brianna what did you end up deciding about yours??

I think I mentioned it already, but I did notice significant differences in sizing between Australia and the US. I'm a 12-14 top/12 bottom in Australia, and in the US I was 10 top/8-10 bottom. Of course there were some stores/brands that were all over the place. And in S/M/L I am *always* a L in Australia, but in US I was mainly M or even S sometimes. Although some stores ran a bit small - I think my H&M jacket and the skinny pants I got there were both 12's. And for the S&K coat I went for an L. It was a bit frustrating always taking in 3 sizes of everything to the fitting rooms and even then not always getting it right. Luckily sales assistants there are *amazingly* helpful and even come and offer to get you other sizes!!!

At the time it felt like I bought a crazy amount of stuff (ok so I did). But now that I'm back I'm already thinking I should have bought a pair of black jeans, as my current black skinnies just seem dull and baggy by comparison now. Plus I really need to get some more tops that aren't plain t-shirts, but that is something I always struggle with. C'est la vie. At least I have a much better idea of my sizes for online shopping now muahahah!!!!

Angie I tried on the Clark Brulee's and would have bought them too if it wasn't for a massive problem packing my already overfilled backpack. And the weather was way too cold for sandals (although randomly they would have been perfect some days in Toronto!!) Of course now I just wish I bit the bullet and bought an additional suitcase!!!

Oh and upon return I also had a parcel waiting for me with the silver docs and Camper boots in it. Talk about being set for a while!!!!

I've already worn the red trench to my graduation yesterday, and I can't wait to start wearing the other stuff asap.

A lot has happened on YLF since I've been away!! I've tried to catch on some stuff, but way too much. Glad to be back though and you guys gave me invaluable help while I was away - thank you!!!

xx tam

16 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Vani

shana

Veteran

Wow, it sounds like a fun trip filled with a little bit of everything! Your shopping excursions sound fruitful and not too much at all considering all the versatile pieces you were able to pick up. The purple moto jacket sounds cool - can't wait to see it! Isn't it fun being able to see in the flesh all the fun finds that people talk about on the forum? I forced my husband to make a stop on our way home from a trip just so that I could see a Club Monaco store in person. Glad to have you back!

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

It's great to have you back Tam and it sounds like your trip was really wonderful. I trust we get to see pictures of everything (perhaps over the course of a few days...sounds like you got a lot of stuff). Can't wait to see that purple moto jacket. It sounds incredible!

I know what you mean about sizing. When I go abroad I get all paranoid that I have indulged too much in yummy foreign food and gained weight, but it is just the way our sizing is made. In a way it's a bit scary because it seems to directly correlate with our collective rising weight and obesity problems, but I can't complain about having the occasional XS in my wardrobe (even if I know logically that I am not an XS, and it's all arbitrary and doesn't matter, but I still take pleasure in it anyway). H&M runs small since it's European. I wear a 6 there and I do not wear a 6 anywhere else.

I'm dying to try on those darn Brulees now. I think I'm just going to haul myself off to the Clarks store tomorrow and get them on my feet.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. It's always fun to read Angie's travel posts so we can get a glimpse of other countries, but your post was interesting because of your perspective on us!

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome back Tam! I have missed your upbeat spirit and lovable self. It’s good to have you back safe and sound. I’m so impressed with how you actioned our shopping suggestions. Tickled in fact. Well done!

Thanks for giving us a breakdown of your trip AND purchases. They sound AMAZING and FABULOUS. I can’t wait to see you sport your stuff. I bet your goodies are KILLER. (I ended up getting the CM check pants btw and I love them). Bring on that purple biker jacket – I’m flying around the room with excitement thinking about it!

16 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Woohooo, welcome back! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip full of food, friends, family and shopping!! Can't ask for more than that.

16 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the welcome back, it is nice to be home! I couldn't resist taking photos of the purple jacket today so you will get to see it soon!!

Maya I'm glad you enjoyed hearing my perspective on the US Good luck with the Brulees. I'll be crossing my fingers and toes for you!!

Angie are you going to post pics of your CM microchecks?? I have no doubt they are killer on you - esp. if you broke your ban for them after all!!!! I missed that one!!!

16 years ago

Lena

Active Member

Welcome back, Tam, it's good to have you back!

16 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Tam, thanks for the shout-out. You made me blush! I love the microchecks, and I loved them on you too, but it sounds like you ended up getting an even better bunch of clothes.

I get the impression that you are a much smarter and more strategic shopper than I am while traveling. When on vacation I tend to purchase what is pretty but not necessarily what will work with my lifestyle or clothes back home.

Is your H&M trench the one you posted on your Flickr photostream? The color and shape are so pretty on you and I love the lining.

I always forget about the strange American vanity-sized clothing system until I travel to the UK (or shop in a European-sized store.) Tam, though our body types are different, you and I take roughly the same clothing size, and I share your frustration with sometimes having to grab 3 sizes of each item to take to the dressing room. I think that's why I tend to get to know a few brands/stores very well instead of shopping in a wide variety of locations. I have a better idea of how pants in, say, Ann Taylor will fit (and where they will stretch out) so I can accurately predict what size I need. When I bought the CM microchecks it was my first time in the store, so I tried on 3 different sizes (luckily they were all available on the sale rack!) and really scrutinized what would fit best. Estimating the best size was even harder since my legs are much shorter than yours and I had to imagine how the pants would drape when hemmed to the proper length.

It's also fun to hear about your travels to San Francisco, Toronto, and New York. I have never been to any of those locations, although my family has talked about doing a short trip to SF, and there are tentative plans to go to NYC with my aunt next year. Your post is making me itch for travel!

16 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

Tam, welcome back! Though I didn't get to see you on your travels it was fun to know that you were so close. It'd be interesting to get your take of the "fashion on the street," in addition to your take on the sizing. So glad you had a fun trip.

16 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Welcome home, let us Californians know what your take is on S.F.

16 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Lena!!

Kari I can see why you get so overwhelmed - you guys have ALOT of shopping choices of both individual retail and large department stores. I am not a strategic shopper at all really! Well I knew I wanted to get jeans, boots and tops before I left. I had been watching and taking notes of brands mentioned on ylf for the previous few months so I would have an idea of where to start. You ladies are my shopping inspiration!! Yes the H&M coat is one I bought too - and again was convinced by the lining!!! Plus at 50% off it was only $30, so I don't feel too guilty about that. I did feel a bit silly carting around 2 red coats though (I brought my existing one from home). I'm hoping to have all my pics up on flickr soon - just did the NYC lot tonight!

Alecia, you ask about fashion on the street. Hmmm one thing that did indeed stand out was the number of Ugg boots - I have never seen that many people wearing Uggs in the CBD of big cities in Australia. To the local mall, perhaps!! I did see plenty of other gals wearing awesome boots though, some of the slouchy brown boots I was seriously envious of and tempted to ask them where they were purchased! The main thing I noticed (mainly in SF and Toronto) was that people seemed not to adjust their clothing to temperature day by day. One day was ~13 degrees celcius and many people were wearing tshirts and bare legs while I was bundled in a winter coat with multiple layers underneath. Another day was nearly 30 degrees and I still saw people wearing coats and pants.

And Taylor to give you my take on SF specifically: I loved it!! I think it truly is a very liveable city. Good size, beautiful views and has a real character. Amazing food too!! We stumbled across an awesome Mexican cafe that we seriously went to at least 5 times. And had an amazing Indian dinner one night. That was definitely the best eating of the trip!!!

16 years ago

Vani

Veteran

Tam, that purple moto jacket looks absolutely fabulous on you. I haven't done much shopping in any of my few trips to other countries except when I have gone back to India to visit family. The sizing there is what I grew up with but after having lived here 10 yrs, it is VERY confusing to say the least. I'm mostly a medium here but there I range anywhere from a medium to an extra large. And some of the little itty bitty stores don't even have any sort of sizing! And they don't even have trial rooms, so I have had to develop a trained eye for spot evaluating sizing. It still only goes so far.

16 years ago

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