Sorry in advance for the novel!
I thought I would post my thoughts on my purchases, in case they were helpful to anyone!
I knew from years past to avoid placing very large orders, so I placed several medium orders (15, 17, 10, and 8 items) on ambassador night. I also had all of my items shipped to a nearby store for order pickup.
For reference, I am 5'4 and am a 6 (but sometimes a 4 and sometimes an 8 since I have wide hips and short, thicker legs).
My returns (will be returning to the Irvine Spectrum store in southern California tomorrow morning if anyone is interested. I know a lot of these items are sold out).
-I ordered this Zella
sweatshirt and
jogger set in the light grey color. I didn't order black because I wear too much black but also black works on me. The grey looked awful on me. Quality was fine, if you are looking for a very casual sweatsuit set. They grey looks especially casual. Ordered smalls in both and they fit fine.
-These black
Zella wide leg pants were not flattering on my midsection. I also did not love the fabric. It felt very slick. But I understand why others might like that feeling because it did feel cool to the touch. I got a size small.
-The
live in pocket joggers were so cute when I was a size xxs but are not as cute in my current size. These
ankle pants without the band at the hem are much more flattering on my stubby little legs. I ordered both in size small in black.
-These
wide leg zella pants run super small in the black size (maybe I got a defective pair) but true to size in the light silver color. The light silver color is sheer, so I will be returning. The black I would like to keep but way too small. Might stalk the size medium. I ordered both in size small. The material is a very thin sort of technical fabric. Reminds me of these men's
vuori pants. Now that I think about it, I don't think I walked much when trying them on. Maybe they would make an annoying crinkling noise when I walk.
-I ordered the infamous
327s in the off-white colorway. I did not realize that the "synthetic upper" portion would be some sort of nylon material. It reminds me of a parachute. It definitely crinkles. I will be returning a 6.5. True to size.
-This
Varley sweatshirt is cute but tbh a sweatshirt this heavyweight that you cannot dry in the dryer is a little too high-maintenance for me. I already have to hang work clothes, undies, and workout clothes but it is such a chore. I object. Will be returning black in size small.
-This R
alph Lauren herringbone coat holds itself out to be 100% wool but that is a LIE. I knew 100% wool at this price point was too good to be true but tried just in case it was the deal of the century. The actual composition is 56% polyester, 40% wool, and 4% "other fibers." I don't need a mostly-poly coat. I ordered a 4 and it fit with a fitted long-sleeve tee underneath, but I would need a 6 to wear a sweater underneath. Returning the dark grey/black color.
-The Good American suit set is ITCHY. The lining material is absolutely awful. Returning size Small in
blazer and 4 in
pants.
-This
French Connection dress I wanted to love sooo much but it was too short and way too fitted. I bought a small but a medium would have been too big up top and the straps would fall down. Someone with long legs please buy this because it is truly so stinking cute and would look great with knee high boots.
-This
Halogen dress is nice but a little too clingy in the midsection for me. Returning a small.
-This
grey vest I wanted to love but it wasn't meant to be. Square necks are not the most flattering on me (v neck works so much better) and this made me look like a waiter. Size small.
-I also really wanted to love this
polo "sweater" but it definitely is not a sweater - more like a very thin tee. It looks lovely on but I can tell the fabric would pill in a heartbeat. It is also fairly sheer. Returning size small.
-This H
alogen tank top looks nice but I think $55 is a lot for 100% polyester. I also think this is something that will end up being 60% off in mid-September. Will return my size small but will keep it in a wish list so that I can wait for a better price.
-These
Good American wide leg jeans were just a little too bulky around my midsection. Returning size 4.
-This
Halogen long sleeve blouse in the blue with silver metallic stripes is beautiful but, again, $62 for 100% polyester. I would gladly pay $200 for 100% silk. Also the stitching was coming apart at the hems on the wrist. I will return and see if it goes down to $40 or $30 later on. Ordered a small.
Some of my keeps:
-These
collared tanks were a sleeper hit! I don't think I've seen anyone mention these! They would be perfect under blazers for work and they would not add any arm bulk! They feel like the exact same material as the
Halogen compression tees, which were probably my favorite purchase of last Anniversary. I ordered black and white in the sale last year and neither has pilled. I wash them in cold and hang to dry. I ordered black and white of the tanks in size small.
-The
Maggy London blazer midi dress is very flattering and I am typically a pants-only girl in my day-to-day life.
-This
Nordstrom cropped poplin blouse is 100% cotton and the stripe is a very nice color. The style looks way more expensive than the $66 it cost. It runs a little bit large. I got an xs and it fit me fine.
-for a nice-looking sneaker that you could wear with business casual clothing, I really like this
Cole Haan sneaker in the white color. I think all-white leather sneakers can be dressed up the easiest. True to size.
-The
flare GA jeans fit beautifully on my body type and the super dark color is very slimming. Obviously I will need to have them shortened a bit but they really do hug the curves. I purchased a size 4, so I think they run slightly big.
-I am slightly skeptical but also very hopeful about the
100% cotton pajamas. I was a die-hard fan of the moonlight pajamas of 8 to 10 years ago and I had a pair of the long sleeve moonlight pajamas in black for just about 9 years but had to toss them because they were getting threadbare from all the washing. They never pilled once. 5 years ago or so, I bought a pair of moonlight pajama shorts and they pilled the very first wash and kept getting worse with each wash. I threw them away after a year. I don't know if the material from 5 years ago is the same as their "eco moonlight" material that they have now, but if anyone has had good experiences with their recent moonlight pajamas please let me know. I just don't want to shell out the $120+ for Eberjey pajamas because I don't even sleep in pajamas -- I just wear them when I am lounging around the house (which is very infrequently). I love the softness of the moonlight pajamas but I don't want to throw my money away.
ETA: The cotton pajamas are ever so slightly scratchy, similar to cotton poplin, but I think they would soften after a couple of washes.
I am still waiting on a few things but I received the vast majority of the items I purchased. Hopefully, my feedback helps at least 1 person.
Also, I emailed to enter the "daily scratcher" contest on Icon day and never even received the courtesy of a response. I got a scratcher when I went to the store on Ambassador day, but they market the scratchers as a "daily" thing (the rules say limit 1 per day). I know someone on here got a response, but I emailed even on day 1 and got no answer. Very lame.
oh..and the Monica Vivander silver hoops have a great secure clasp so maybe I can keep these for awhile. Sorry..no try on pics cuz it’s 104 here and I’m a mess
.
