Quick update on my warm-weather trying/buying:

Uniqlo:
I ordered a pair of the boyfriend jeans from Uniqlo and, holy cow, they are SO comfortable! I ordered a 25 (probably my "true" size these days?) and they are not tight anywhere, but the waist fits perfectly and stays put without any gapping. They don't taper much at the hem and are loose right down to my ankles, no calf-grabbing at all. If you are a pear or hourglass looking for truly slouchy jeans, these are worth considering. I could probably size down to a 24 for a more fitted "girlfriend" look. I already picked up a second pair in the dark wash. I'm literally wearing them instead of sweatpants at home, they are that comfortable...

I also tried the IDLF linen skirt. The length was perfect and I like the red micro-check pattern, but the fabric was so thin! (And not lined.) I have other linen-cotton blends from Uniqlo (shorts and pants, plus several shirts for my husband), which are all nice and thick, so I was really disappointed in the fabric quality of this piece. I returned it.

I did end up with one wildcard piece -- one of the 3D-Knit sweaters (mine is pale grey, but only the periwinkle was available for me to Find). It isn't eye-catching on its own, but when you put it one you realize how well-designed it is. Beautiful drape, perfect length and proportions for wearing with wide leg pants, full skirts, or even layered over dresses. They have a sleeveless dress version now that I'm totally intrigued by.

Madewell:

The Madewell cami and socks both went back. The socks, because they were primarily modal despite being described online as a “cotton blend” -- oh well. The cami, because it was SUPER SHORT. I am not particularly tall, and it hit perhaps an inch below my navel. I would have had to shorten the straps significantly, meaning that in the end it probably would have been a belly shirt on me, and too short to wear with all but the highest-waisted pants. Ah well. I also tried on the Madewell Palisade skirt in rust at my local J Crew the other day (they're stocking Madewell items now -- who knew?!) but I wasn't quite sold on it. Again, the material felt kind of flimsy, and like it will need to be steamed/ironed all the time...

Footwear:

I tried the Poppy Barley lilac oxfords, but the fit was not quite right for me -- loose heel, narrow toe box. Like pants, I often find shoes are cut too “straight” if that makes sense. I have a pair of lilac Doc Marten boots on the way which might be just the thing to satisfy my pastel footwear craving this time of year. In all honesty, I don’t need more fair-weather footwear. What I need is stuff that can stand up to several inches of snow and mud without looking/feeling like a winter boot -- tall order! After striking out on those Naturalizer Motley sneakers, I still have my eye out for a cool pair of sneakers. Not a necessity, but always on my mind. I've seen some nice seafoam/mint footwear (like the Adidas below) that I find very tempting.

And I am still on the lookout for a midi skirt. I'm even contemplating springing for the Hackwith Painter Skirt and hemming it a few inches if need be, but it is so far outside of my normal price range... The Elizabeth Suzann Billow Skirt is also super tempting to me, and probably a better length, but again, $$$. I have yet to place my Not Perfect Linen order (still haven't taken my curtain measurements!) so a linen skirt from them might be my best non-budget-destroying option.

Great loot! Good to know about Uniqlo pants. I always eye them but never try... I find the Uniqlo dressing room a bit of an ordeal for some reason. This encourages me to try.

Hahah, Rachylou, I never try things on at Uniqlo because the closest one is 3 hours away. I order online and try at home; I actually managed to be organized this time and got my order right before I went down to Boston for a weekend, so I returned my rejects in-store and saved myself a shipping charge.

One other thing -- the lilac Docs came today (super fast for Nordies!) and now I remember why I gave up on Docs. The instep is so, so tight, even before I lace them up! The stitching at the base of the tongue and the stiffener for the forefoot are absolutely a no-go for me. They are very, very pretty. But if I'm going to buy a super-casual shoe right now it has to be 100% all-day comfortable.

That’s too bad about the docs. They look nice but they sound very stiff, right and uncomfortable. Not worth it!

I hope you’re able to find another cute pair of lilac shoes. Really neat colour!

It’s good that you are being fussy,
and waiting for items that fit perfectly. Pity about both those lilac shoes.

I love the look of the Doc Martens. Very sad that they are not comfy. Good news about the Uniqlo BF jeans. When I am in Toronto I will try them on.

NICE.

I want to see the '80s jeans in action, La Ped.

The UK-made Docs tend to be more comfy.

Angie, I tried the made-in-UK Docs a few years ago, and while I agree the leather is much nicer, they felt like they ran a bit narrower, even, than standard Asian-made ones. The real problem, though, is that in all Docs the stiffener goes all the way to the middle of the shoe (it ends right at the arch, and then sort of curves up along the base of the shoe's tongue, if that makes sense). I can usually deal with a stiffener if it's just in the toes, but not the entire front half of the shoe (and honestly I try to avoid shoes with stiffeners as mush as possible). Even once the leather breaks in, that stiffener remains too tight on my instep, which I guess is higher than average.

I'll try to get some WIW's with the new jeans and the new Uniqlo sweater too!