Friday, October 15, 2010

Accidental Outlet Shopping Trip: Part I

Next week, I'll be starting an away rotation at another hospital, so I took a day off to go get my badge and various paperwork done yesterday.  And surprise surprise, the place I had to go to was literally down the street from an outlet shopping center!  Now I don't know how I made it to this age without ever going outlet shopping before, and this almost felt like some kind of divine intervention lol... I had to check it out!

There weren't as many stores as I thought, and I only ended up going to a couple of familiar names.  First was Banana Republic, which has been a major snoozefest lately... and to add insult to injury, I feel like they have been inflating their XXSP and 00P sizes compared to a few years ago.  But I gave them a chance and did manage to find a couple things to buy.

First was this top which fit surprisingly small in XXSP ($20):


I could've sworn I saw something very similar on Kelly from AlterationsNeeded a while back, and a quick search through her archives showed that while hers was also from a BR Factory store, the style was a little different.  This top also came in several different colors, but this was the only one that was still available in XXSP.  I'm not completely in love with the print, but in the end the slim fit won me over.

Next was this jacket, also in XXSP ($50):


I initially tried it on in the XSP size, and really liked the sweet and feminine style with the ruched shoulder detail, slight bell sleeves and cropped length.  But it ran big and was boxy on the side view (not pictured).  And even though it was fully lined, it was a little more expensive than I wanted to pay (LOFT totally spoiled me!).  I mentally told myself that I'd get it but if only there were an XXSP... and as I went to put it back on the rack, I discovered an XXSP that I had somehow overlooked!  How could I say no then? :)

Another item that I liked in XXSP was this jean jacket ($60):


The fit was pretty darn good... the sleeves were a tad long, but not terrible.  I was so tempted to get it, but it wasn't on sale and I couldn't convince myself to fork over the full $60.  I even texted pic to hubby to ask for opinion, and he responded that jean jackets are so 90's lol.  After much deliberation, I left it behind... but I'm kinda having some second thoughts!

Some other things that didn't work out include this print wrap dress:


I had it wrapped so tightly that I couldn't really move my shoulders/arms, and still it was cut too low for me and the length was also too long.  But with a hem job, I can see it looking great on someone like AN since I know she loves her wrap dresses.

This knit dress was also a bust:


The length and armholes were good, and the material was a substantial thick knit.  But it made me look so boxy and shapeless, and may be better suited for curvier gals.

The last BR item I found in XXSP was a miserable fail:


I don't know how they could conscionably call that an XXSP... baggy armholes, wide and boxy shape, and waist ties squarely on my hips!  Tsk tsk.

That's it for BR... I also got a couple things from Ann Taylor, but will save it for the next post! :)

23 comments:

  1. Epic fail on that tie waist (er...hip) sweater! Who cinches a sweater that low?

    Your print top is really close to the one I have. Those little BR Factory Store tops really do fit nice don't they? My printed one is slowly fading from the wash, but my green one is holding up well. Surprising for little cheapie outlet tops!

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  2. I didn't see any of these items when I went to the BR outlet last week! I really like the two jackets. I think denim jackets can be really cute over a casual dress and that one looks great on you. Too bad you didn't have much luck with anything else! I live close to one of the biggest outlets in the country an I love outlet shopping, probably half my wardrobe is from the outlets! Sometimes I prefer it to the regular mall :)

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  3. I really like the first picture :) The floral design/print is really pretty :) The style is so feminine :)

    I can't believe you haven't been to outlets before!! And you live in LA? Wow! I hope you go to some new outlets and find awesome things :)

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  4. DSK Steph - Good eye! I was just thinking that I forgot to mention the color and I'd be most people would think it was black!

    AN - Ooh I never even thought about prints fading in the wash... goes to show I don't own very many prints!

    TinyInTexas - That's what I thought too about denim jackets, but hubby has some strange convictions sometimes lol. You're so lucky you live so close to such a big outlet. I'm not as far as I thought from one, but it's definitely a "trip" if you know what I mean.

    Rainy Days and Lattes - That's what most people say too haha... This was my first trip, but probably won't be my last! :)

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  5. I love the first jacket! So cute and flattering :)

    MixandMatchFashion

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  6. Great finds- the jacket is adorable. So glad you were able to find an xxs!

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  7. My favorite item is your teal jacket. Hubby and I are going to the outlet in the next hour :) I definitely am going to look for these items. Especially the ones that fit you.

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  8. Glad you were able to find a few items that fit! The teal jacket looks great!

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  9. I love, love, love that teal jacket - it looks so good on you! I actually also really like the knit dress on you. I think you could "save" it with a wider belt, but not sure you want to go to that much trouble for it.

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  10. The teal jacket looks really good on you and once the first dress is hemmed, it would look fabulous. : )

    xx The Little Dust Princess

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  11. the teal jacket is such a pretty color. glad you went back and found the smaller size. great fit and price. i wished i had outlets closer to where i live, all the outlets require me to drive 1+ hr.

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  12. Never outlet shopped before!?? Girl, I don't know how you've made it!! Lol It's funny because I just tried on almost the exact same clothes when we were outlet shopping in Destin. In fact, I fell in love with that silk wrap dress and had to have it. I didn't see that teal jacket though, and it looks so good on you! I'd love to see how you style it. It's such a great color for fall. So, I guess since this is part one that perhaps you found some stuff at the Ann Taylor outlet as well.....? (hopeful)

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  13. Oh I love the teal jacket on you! Gorgeous! I was at a BR factory store just a couple of weeks ago and didn't see it. :( Maybe I will look for it when I return my oversized coat!

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  14. That teal jacket is gorgeous! One of my favorite colours! I liked the dresses you tried on. We have one BR outlet here but it's a bit far for me to get to. Wonder if they carry the same items as the stores in the US?

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  15. The teal jacket is unique! The sleeves' opening looks a bit on you, but the color is gorgeous. I also like the denim jacket on you as well. Can we expect more outlet shopping from now on? ;)

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  16. wow! those first few items fit so great. it blows my mind that there is even an XXSP .. I feel like I have to upgrade to a medium sometime soon if I keep eating at this rate hahaha. first top is definitely my fave!

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  17. Absolutely LOVE the print shirt and the jacket, especially the color! I went into BR (non-outlet) the other day, haven't been in YEARS because their sizing has gone to the dogs... and of course, none of the XXSP fit at all! So sad, because I definitely still have some old BR stuff that fits awesome. Great finds!! :)

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  18. I love that second jacket on you so much, it looks perfect on you! BR's things haven't really attracted my attention lately so I haven't been there in a while...I think I need to go. Great haul! Can't wait to see your AT things...I got a few items from both LOFT and AT this weekend too. :)

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  19. banana always have inconsistent sizing x_x quite a pain...

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  20. I like the print of the knit dress with the tie a lot, that's unfortunate about the fit. Sometimes I get frustrated with inflated sizes as well, but then I have to remind myself that the majority of America is not built petite, so can't really blame the big retailers...

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  21. jean jackets are tricky. you need to buy one that is snugly fitted and for a more modern style, I'd even say a little bit more cropped than the one you're wearing here. Unlike denim, go for a more lighter wash, which gives the jean jacket a more casual feel. Then, my trick: roll up the sleeves for a 3/4 length, and pair it w/a dress or khakis. American sports-wear @ its finest. and the last rule: NEVER pair it w/anything else denim!! There's always a better option than a Canadian tuxedo.

    Every year, A&F, AEO, Hollister, and abercrombie comes out w/a jean jacket around spring/summer. You must try it out next time!!

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