Good morning, and happy Friday! I’ve got a new try-on haul for you today! This one is all over the map, both in style and price point. I’ve got everything from dresses to activewear and brands from Jenni Kayne to Gap Factory. Let’s get started!
As usual, I will provide measurements and fabric content on each item when I can find it, and I’ll share whether I plan to keep it or not. Just remember, even when I decide not to keep something, it doesn’t mean it isn’t worth checking out. I just may not need it, or it may not work for my body type or lifestyle.
Summer Fashion Try-On Haul
SIZING NOTES: I’m 5’5″ and I usually wear a small or medium in tops and dresses, a 29 in jeans and pants, and a size 8 shoe. Gifted items are indicated by c/o; everything else I purchased myself.
Eileen Fisher Cap Sleeve Silk Dress
at Nordstrom (S) // flip flops (8)
I went to Nordstrom last week, and I took a quick walk-through my favorite women’s departments, looking for a dress to wear to my daughter’s graduation (which is tonight… eeek!) I have several dresses in my closet, but none are exactly what I want, so I thought I’d see what else I could find.
This one is from Eileen Fisher, which tends to cater to an older demographic, but I’ve had some luck with their dresses on occasion. This washed silk dress looked shapeless on the hanger, but I was curious to try it. It’s got a funky drawstring waist that only gathers across the front, and it’s meant to hang loosely… probably more loosely than I had it here.
Also, I guess those strings are supposed to hang to each side, not tie on the front. Ooops! It’s hard when you’re in store and you can’t see a picture of what it should look like. I also don’t like the length, as it cuts right across the widest part of my calf. I feel like it should be longer to create a more flattering proportion.
VERDICT: I left this one in the store.
Eileen Fisher Sleeveless Belted Racerback Midi Dress
at Nordstrom (S) // flipflops
This is a little more casual than what I had in mind, but I tried it anyway, just to see how it fits. I couldn’t tell on the hanger if the tie is supposed to go in the front or back, so I tried it both ways. When I got home and looked online, I could see it should be in the front, as shown here.
I’ve never been a fan of a tie waist like this, as it highlights an area on my body that I don’t really want to draw attention to. Plus, my natural waist is an inch or so higher than where the tie is attached to the dress, but my waist is also very high on my body, so if I were to place the tie there, it wouldn’t look right. In all fairness, this actually looks better than most dresses in this style, and I like the length. But it’s really plain and would need a lot of accessorizing to be the mother-of-the-grad dress that I have in mind.
VERDICT: All that to say, I couldn’t get excited about this dress, so it also stayed at the store.
Reiss Lena Shirred Waist Cotton Midi Dress
at Nordstrom (8) // flip flops (8)
This one was a long shot at best, and I knew it, but I was curious to try it. I love the crisp cotton poplin, and it’s having a moment right now. Plus, this is a gorgeous shade of green. Our school colors are red and white, however, and I feel like this would really stand out in the crowd… and not in a good way.
I like the cut of the neckline and the sleeves, but that wide smocked waist is not doing me any favors.
Again, I am very high-waisted, and this seems to accentuate that fact. Plus, I just don’t have that much vertical space on my torso for such a tall waistband. If it were half that, it might work. There’s also way much material in the back above the waistband, which always happens to me when there is a defined waist in a dress.
VERDICT: I did not purchase this dress either.
Jenni Kayne Blair Dress
at Jenni Kayne (M) // raffia sandals (8)
While we’re on the topic of dresses, I ordered a few from Jenni Kayne during her Memorial Day Sale. I love her sweaters, but I’ve never tried her dresses, and I was curious after Meghan at Wit & Whimsy shared these in one of her recent posts.
This one isn’t really a contender for graduation because I don’t want to wear white, as most of the graduates (including my daughter) will be wearing white dresses, but I thought it could be a nice dress for church and other summer occasions. I think it has a nice overall fit, but I’m not crazy about that high neckline on me.
Also, the way the back is designed with that long keyhole slit in the back is kind of weird, but maybe it’s just because I was holding my arm up at an awkward angle to take this photo, lol.
This is a nice quality dress. It’s fully lined: and the 50% linen, 41% viscose, 3% elastane fabric has just enough stretch to be comfortable.
VERDICT: I just don’t think it flatters me enough to warrant the price tag, so I returned it.
Also, apologies for all the wrinkles… that goes for all the Jenni Kayne dresses. I was in a hurry that afternoon, but they would look so much nicer if I’d taken the time to steam them first.
Jenni Kayne Callan Dress
at Jenni Kayne (L) // raffia sandals (8)
I like the style of this one better, and the 100% linen fabric is really light and breathable. I feel like it’s a more interesting design, with the contrasting buttons, and I love the v-neckline. I ordered the large and medium, and the large barely buttons across the chest, so I never tried the medium, but the large is a little too roomy around the armholes.
I really like the overall style of this dress, but it isn’t lined, and you can see right through it, especially with those pockets on the front. I know I could wear a slip, but I don’t have one that is long enough, and at this price, I really don’t want to have to purchase an undergarment for it.
VERDICT: Given that, and that it doesn’t quite fit right, I decided to give up and return this dress.
Jenni Kayne Rove Dress
at Jenni Kayne (M) // raffia sandals (8)
I’m also not typically a fan of spaghetti straps, but I like the way this dress is designed with a structured bust and fuller skirt that cut in more of a straight silhouette than A-line, and I wanted to give it a try. Of course, I would need to wear a strapless bra, but I didn’t bother for this try-on sesh.
I rather like it, but the medium is just a tad too snug. I feel like I’m in between large and medium in all of her dresses, which is really annoying. (I didn’t order the large to compare in this one.) This dress comes in four colors, and I chose the black because it’s the color I tend to reach for the most.
Here’s how it looks with a cardigan on top… Some of the reviews recommended purchasing this along with it.
Jenni Kayne Finley Cardigan
at Jenni Kayne (L)
This cardigan fits nicely, but the fabric is kind of rough, and the color is darker than I was expecting. It works with these sandals, but I can’t get excited about the overall look.
VERDICT: Since the dress is too small, I sent both it and the sweater back.
Evereve Jane Pullover
at Evereve (S) // KUT Porkchop shorts (6) // Seychilles sandals
Okay, moving back into my comfort zone… summer sweaters! This Jane Pullover from Evereve is the same style as the James Pullover that I have and love, so when I saw this new color way, I knew I had to try it. This color palette is really fun for summer; I love the bold coral stripes on the more subdued salmon pink.
It is 22″ long, which is right smack dab in my sweet spot range for leaving untucked, so it’s just super easy to throw on and go with shorts, jeans, skirts, etc.
VERDICT: Keeping this one, for sure! I actually wore it yesterday with my Frank & Eileen Gaucho Jeans.
FIT TIP: This sweater is 100% cotton and runs true to size, or size down if in between. The small is plenty roomy, and it does grow a bit as you wear it.
Yara Midi Skirt
at Evereve (S) // Splendid tee (M) // flip flops (8)
When I was at the mall last week, I also stopped into the Evereve store, and I tried on this fun skirt. Rust and brown are coming in hot and heavy for summer, and I see them going strong right into fall.
I’m not much of a skirt girlie, but I do like this one. The print is fun, and I really like the faux wrap style.
It has some elastic in the waistband, just enough that you can pull it on and off without a fastener, but it lays flat so it doesn’t create any extra bulk.
VERDICT: I bought this one! The small fits me perfectly, so it’s TTS or size down if in between.
Mila Rib Tank
at Evereve (M) // skirt (S) // flip flops (8)
This tank is super cute. It’s 22 1/2″ long; and the fabric is 95% Cotton, 5% Spandex Knit.
I love the contrast crochet stitching, and it looks great with this skirt. It does need a racerback bra, but I like the cutaway style, especially from the back.
VERDICT: I left this in the store, but I’m re-thinking that now. I do recommend sizing up in this one, though. I needed the medium.
Gap Factory Relaxed Linen-Blend Scoopneck T-Shirt
at Gap Factory (S) // utility crop jeans (29) // flip flops (8)
Okay, back at home, I tried on a few items from my most recent Gap Factory order. I always vet the items I feature in my brand sponsorships, so some of these items you probably saw already in this post, but others are the ones that didn’t make the cut.
I love this linen tee, so I wanted to make sure to give it another shout-out. Also, this is how it looks with the wide leg jeans. (I styled it with the kick flares for that post.) It has a seam up the back, which is a nice extra detail, and it just has a really flattering neckline and sleeve length. Plus, the fit is relaxed but not too loose. I do not have an exact length measurement, but I’m going to guess 24″.
VERDICT: Keeping! This top will come in handy this summer, and red is a trending color. It also comes in other colors, and it is true to size.
Gap Factory Sarong Dress
at Gap Factory (M) // slides (8)
This dress also made the cut to be featured in my Gap Factory post earlier this week. I almost didn’t wear it because I felt like it was too tight at first, but then I realized it’s actually so soft and stretchy, it actually works. I know I couldn’t wear a large, as it would be too long in the waist and the armholes.
It’s really a cute design, and it comes in other colors, if blue isn’t your thing. It also comes in a stripe.
VERDICT: Keeping!
Splitneck Flutter Sleeve Top
at Gap Factory (S) // linen blend pants (S) // flip flops (8)
This top is cute, but it’s very thin and pretty see-through. That doesn’t always bother me, but I know a lot of ladies don’t care for that.
I actually rather like this top, but I did not love the pants, and I didn’t have anything else in this order that I wanted to wear it with, which is why I didn’t photograph it.
VERDICT: I returned this top; I have other gauzy white tops that I like better, so I don’t need this one.
Mid Rise Easy Linen-Blend Pants
at Gap Factory (S) // split neck top (S) // flip flops (8)
So these linen pants… I wanted to like them, but they’re suuuper thin, and you can see the pockets through the front of the pants. Then they have that drawstring waist, which I’m never a big fan of. You pretty much have to tuck into it or wear a crop top because it will look bulky underneath an untucked top.
I also don’t care for the tapered leg and the placement of the cargo pockets on the side of the thigh. Those flaps just look out of place to me.
VERDICT: All that to say, I did not feature these pants, and I returned them.
Gap Factory Utility Shirt
at Gap Factory (S) // utility crop jeans (29) // linen blend pants (S) // raffia slides (8)
I like the idea of this top, but it is soooo long. I played around with styling it a few ways, but gave up and returned it.
I also tried it with the linen blend pants from the look above, but no.
VERDICT: I returned the top and the pants.
Zella Breathe Active Tank in White
at Nordstrom (M) // Vuori Performance Jogger (M) // ON Cloud sneakers (9)
I’ve been needing some new athletic tops to wear with joggers for PT. (Yes, I’m still in PT! My ankle is coming along, but it’s got a ways to go.) This Zella Breathe Active Tank reminds me of the Vuori Energy Top that I like so much, but it’s less expensive, and I was hoping it would be a little longer and not cut so low under the arms.
Well, lo and behold… it’s perfect!!! (The length is 22″ length, for reference. The Energy Top is 20.5″, although I notice that they now have it in long sizes, so I might revisit that one. The fabric is a bit nicer, but the price is not, lol.)
ANYWAY! I love this top. It skims the body without clinging or being too voluminous, it’s lightweight and breathable, and it protects my chest from sun damage when I’m outside walking.
I also ordered the Zella Breathe Active Tank in the black in a size small. I kept both, the white in medium and the black in small. I think the small is the better fit, but I don’t mind a little looser fit in the lighter color.
VERDICT: Kept both!
Zella Propel Seamless Tank
at Nordstrom (S) // Vuori Performance Jogger (M) // ON Cloud sneakers (9)
This tank is similar, but it has cutaway shoulders in the back, which requires a racerback bra, and it’s longer, at 24″. If I hadn’t discovered the Breathe Active Tank, I might have kept this, but I like that one better, so I returned this one.
Zella Breathe Active Tee
at Nordstrom (S) // Vuori Performance Jogger (M) // ON Cloud sneakers (9)
This is the same fabric as the Breathe Active Tank, but in a v-neck t-shirt. It comes in a bunch of colors, and it’s 25 1/2″ long. That’s a little longer than I like, but it front tucks nicely, so I kept it. The small fits fine, although I might prefer the medium for a little more wiggle room. I may order another color, and try the medium in that.
Zella Live In Sleeveless Dress
at Nordstrom (M) // Birks (39)
I like the idea of an athletic dress like this, but this one is waaaay too short. I also think the medium is too big, but the small would be even shorter, so…
VERDICT: Returned this.
Michael Stars Cassie Binded Cotton Tank
at Nordstrom (O-S) // Vuori Performance Jogger (M) // ON Cloud sneakers (9)
This is more of an everyday tank, but I tried it on with these joggers in the interest of time. I do like it a lot. Michael Stars does such good tank tops. The fabric is nice and thick, but soft and comfortable.
It’s made in the USA out of 100% cotton fabric, and it’s 24″ long. I kind of like that higher scoop neck. This makes a great layering piece, but it can also stand alone, and it comes in a ton of colors.
VERDICT: Kept this one.
MOTHER The Thrasher Skimp High Waist Straight Leg Jeans in Let Them Eat Cake
at Nordstrom (29) // grey tank (S) // Birks (39) // Vince sneakers (8)
One of you suggested I order these jeans when I said I was looking for a more relaxed version of my MOTHER Dazzler slim straight ankle jeans in last week’s Try-On Haul. These are waaaaay more relaxed, but they do lean into the current trends, so I gave them a try.
I mean, I can kind of appreciate this look. They’re certainly very comfortable. It’s an ultra casual, but also modern look that appeals to me in a way. I think they look better with these soccer-style sneakers.
VERDICT: I dunno… I am probably not ready to embrace these just yet. I also wonder if I should try a size down. They’re actually a little roomy in the waist. What say you?
PAIGE Drew Straight Leg Utility Pants 29 Emery Pocket Tank S
at Nordstrom (29) // grey tank (S) // Birks (39) // Paul Green sneakers (8)
Finally, I’m a long-time fan of PAIGE cargo pants, harkening back to the cargo joggers I had several years ago. These are a nice, modern update, in a slim straight ankle style. The fabric is super soft and comfortable.
I also tried them cuffed, but I’m not such a fan of this. I don’t think they need it; they’re already a good ankle-length as-is.
Here’s how they look with sneakers…
VERDICT: I’m tempted to keep these, but I might try the 28, as these seem to run very big.
