The Great Nordstrum Try-On Session

Alternate Title: How My Home Office Became My Dressing Room

Tonight was my big NAS try-on session.

Michelle kept me company, and buoyed me up with encouragement and helpul questions. Thanks Michelle!

I shopped almost entirely from Angie's top picks, and the quality is amazing!

The Quick and Dirty:

Keeping - Zella Inspire Capris, TopShop Check Topper, Karen Kane Handkerchief Hem top
Returning: Munro Lexi Boots (don't worry; I don't hate them), Halogen Photo Florl Sweater, Louise et Cie Oxfords
Considering different sizes: NYDJ Ponte Pants, Halogen Asymmetric Hem Tunic sweater
Considering Different Color: Franco Sarto Granite Booties

Zella Inspire Capris: These are wonderful! Definitely a keeper, and I have to talk myself out of getting another pair. They're comfortable and have pockets - and actually feel like they might be stylish!

Karen Kane handkerchief hem top in black: I can only describe this as bohemian luxury. The fabric is lusciously soft, and the fit seems really flattering and fun. ON me, it's fitted through the shoulders, arms, and bust, then is fnu and flowy the rest of the way. I'm a little concerned that my shoulders don't quite fill in all the fabric - I can pinch about half an inch of fabric above each shoulder - but feel like it fits me so well everywhere else that maybe this isn't too much of a problem. NO pictures, unfortunately. The sleves on this will probably need to be shortened, since they're halfway between three-quarter and long-sleeve, and I can't imagine that's a flattering length. I imagine it looking like too-short long sleeves. General thoughts about sleeve lenght?

Munro Lexi boots in black leather: I got these in 7.5 medium, and they didn't quite work for me. They fit well in the toe, but were too big around the top of my foot and ankle. Would love to see more by this brand, but think I'll wait to go into a store and shop a whole range of styles/sizes.

Halogen Photo Floral Cotton Sweater: Such nice soft fabric, and a simple design, but this just didn't work on me. The shoulders were so roomy I'd have to stick shoulder pads in to even start to make it look neat and tidy. These small shoulders of mine are a bit of a problem!

Halogen Asymmetrical Hem Tunic Sweater: Love the fabric on this. It's also nice to have a playful, arty top in a fall-weather-appropriate fabric. The small was too big for me though. It's a little baggy around my chest, and the shoulder seams land about a third of the way down my upper arm. I thought of trying an extra-small, but am thinking now that this one just might not work for me since it doesn't come in petite sizes. Thoughts?

Topshop Check Topper: Again, wonderful fabric! This is a keeper. Since my neck is short, I like that this one doesn't have a collar. I'm a little baffled by the description as a cocoon shape. It's fairly fitted, but drapey, on me. I definitely feel wrapped in lots of yummy fabric, but the fabric is wrapping me, not curving away from my body.

NYDJ 'Ski' Zip Pocket Ponte Knit Pants in black: I'm trying to decide whether to go down a size in these. They fit well around the waste, but there's some wrinkling and bagginess in the crotch area. They need to be shortened, but that's not unusual. Overall, they're made beautifully and I love the cut and fabric. Still thinking...

Franco Sarto 'Granite' Bootie in truffle: Fell in love with these as soon as I pulled them out of the box. Fell in deeper love as soon as I put them on my feet. The heels are higher than I thought I could wear, but I can walk in them. These would definitely be special occasion shoes; my balance is bad enough that wearing any sort of heel higher than, say, half an inch, for everyday walking just isn't wise. But oh, they're so wonderful! My sweetie encouraged me to keep them. Question is: Should I trade the truffle in for black? Would black be more versatile if I'm going to wear them as more of an evening-out shoe?

Louise Et Cie 'Franny' Oxford Flat: Didn't even try these on. They're so pretty and dainty looking for a lace-up shoe, but something just made me decide against them. Gotta go with my gut, you know.

So, that's the run-down. I'm still waiting or a denim shirt, and I already got some underwear (haven't checked it out yet), and then I'll be done...

Now I just have to go through the return process. it's feeling a little daunting right now...So many boxes!

Your post

10 years ago

Jeanie

Veteran

Sounds like you really did it up! It's a bit of work but so worth it!

Peri

Robin, on the Halogen tunic, the shoulder seams do hit on your arms! That's the way it's designed....not to meet actual shoulders. Give it another try!

kerry

Great review, Robin. I love how you detail each item's fit and fabric and why you plan to keep or return. Here's hoping I like the KK top as much as you do and that the Halogen tunic works (I agree with Peri to give it another go).

Suz

(website)

Great job, Robin -- it's a big job to try it all on and make decisions, especially when it's hot outdoors and you are trying autumn clothing.

I vote to try that Halogen tunic again and see if you can get some pictures. If there's anything you're wondering about, photos will help us help you!

Re the black boots -- are your bottoms mostly black? If so, black would probably be more versatile, yes.

Anonymous

Congratulations, Robin.

I hope you are happy with your purchases. NAS is such a fun and exciting event for me. Sometimes the most difficult decision is what to keep and what to return. I returned the NYDJ ski pants for the exact reason you mentioned. It seemed to me that the rise was too long and there was this weird bunching of fabric. Very unflattering on me.

Joyce B

That's a great review, Robin.
I agree with what you said about the Franny oxfords. They have a very strong smell from the dye, that gives them a bad feel to me. Plus they are quite stiff, I also returned mine.
I have to check the KK top again. I don't think the sleeves need shortening, they seemed flattering to me when I tried it on.

Robin, I enjoyed reading your review. Looking at the Halogen assymetrical top find photo, the shoulder seam (or some seam) hangs several inches over the model's shoulder. It is hard to tell because she has sleeves pushed up in all the photos

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Wow. You did really well, Robin. And big kiss for Michelle for keeping you company in the virtual dressing room.

Try the Halogen sweater in a smaller size. Suz and Peri are right. The shoulder seams are dropped by design.

There are a few more really comfy Munro booties in stores so I'm sure you'll find a great pair. Try Born too. Brown or black are a good way to go.

Robin

Active Member

Thanks everyone for the encouragement! I had no idea the seams for the Halogen tunic were supposed to sit on the arms rather than around the shoulders. How does the tunic fit on the model? (Yes, I know I can choose my own fit, but knowing how they're showing it helps me make decisions.)

For the KK top: I have short arms, so the sleeves end about an inch above my wrists. Going to try to get a photo for you, but, in general, do people wear their sleeves that length? I've always thought of three-quarter sleeves as ending a couple of inches past the elbow.

Suz: Oh yes! My first thought on trying each piece was: Very nice, but the fabric is too heavy! I prevailed though.

As to whether my bottoms are mostly black: I mostly don't have too many bottoms right now. Really am building my wardrobe from almost nothing right now.

Does anyone have any insight about what colour bottoms the franco Sarto boots in truffle would go with? I don't have a sense of what looks good with brown footwear.

Your reply

About the tunic, on the model they also show the seams on the arms, about 4 to 5 inches down from the edge of the shoulders. I personally love that look because it softens my IT shoulder line!

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