M is for Madewell

I thought the lyric lace shorts in lighthouse, a crisp white, were adorable. It’s one of the better versions of a lace short that’s out right now (in almost every store). I love the scallop detailing on the hem. My photos are pretty bad so take a look at them on the site. The lace and overall quality is a step up from the waterlace shorts (review here), and they also fit better, but still about a half size big. I first put on a size 2, but then the sales associate recommended I size down, so I have a size 0 on. In either size I had the problem of the hip pockets bunching out like so and not lying flat. I also hate how my tan skin tone shows through the white fabric, so I think it’s best to save these white bottoms for lighter skinned women.

They seem to be sold out of most sizes on the Madewell site, but it is also available on Shopbop for the same price.

Saturday Sunday Sale Reviews: April 22, 2012

Forget how quickly Madewell churns items out to the sale section, so here are some fitting room photos to accompany this weekend’s reviews. And don’t forget that they are also doing 25% off spring favorites (certain items online) and free shipping over $100+.

The city guide shirt dress in size 0 was just okay on me. I dislike sleeves that short! The sales associate actually liked it on me, and she is usually genuine about her critiques when she helps me out. But I thought it was pretty blah - the color is just drab against my skin. I did like the utilitarian details though. On sale for $112.50 from $150.

I really loved these next two pieces. This is the silver lining sweatshirt in size XS. It’s hard to tell online, but it has this nubbly knit that intermixes lighter grey and white threads, hence the silver lining name. It’s not metallic though, and the sweater is more polished than a regular sweatshirt. It’s quite boxy on me, maybe not the most flattering, but I did like the how the sleeves were fitted enough to maintain some shape. On sale for $44.99 from $62.

The double dutch shorts caught my eye at first glance in the store - it’s a textured, lightweight, almost linen-like chambray in light colors with nice tailoring details like the front vertical seams. Very unlike the shorts that Madewell usually offers, and it’s probably because it’s not one of their house brands. (Can’t recall the name at the moment..) The size 2 fits nicely - maybe a bit too fitted for my fuller thighs in the leg than I’d like - whereas I’ve been trying on the size 0’s in Madewell’s shorts. This is the chelsea pink color, which is more of a worn in red. I also really liked the patina verte color, which is like a mint green, and the dark tobacco was a nice modern spin on a basic khaki short. On sale for $44.50 from $59.50.

I tried on the painted garden daydress (my that’s a mouthful) in a size 2 since that was the smallest they had available, but it looks a little big now that I am looking at the photos. I really like the print and color of this dress. I’m not really a floral print person, but something about this print works for me. Maybe that it’s not dainty but not loud either. And it’s a dress that would still work in the fall with its darker hues. On sale for $99.99 from $150.

The sales associate was really eager to sell me on the sandbar sweater, and I already knew from the look of it that it was going to be every kind of ugly on me. But I tried it on in marled sandstorm, a salt-and-pepper knit, for her sake. The thick knit, the cringe-worthy crop, the sad short sleeves, and that undesirable selection of colors did not appeal to me in any way. I think the pictures speak for themselves. BUT, if the sale price of $39.99 from $59.50 may inspire you to take a chance, I heard that sizing WAY up for an oversized fit is the way to go.

I really hoped the true love shrunken oxford was meant to be for me. I always hit up the boys’ section for shirts like these, and those colors with that fabric makes for such a great staple in your closet. But the fit in the torso is quite boxy. I’d even say it more like flares outward, which can’t be flattering on anyone. You can even see how it flares out on the model on the Shopbop website, where it is also $8 cheaper. I have on XS in that calypso green color, and S in neon orange, which is more of a pastel peach-pink. The XS fits fine but kind of stiff and awkward on me. I’ve seen this on other women who look great in this shirt though, so don’t let my personal experience deter you from trying it out.

Saturday Sale Reviews: April 14, 2012

It’s all about the denim today. Madewell’s got some of my favorites on sale, so grab them while you can!

I loved the fit of the Blank NYC skinny jeans in fuchsia. They are called spray on skinny jeans, and yes, they definitely fit like a second skin. They are thin and very slim, which I surprisingly found flattering. But I wouldn’t call the fit or the quality cheap in any way. I also love that their inseam runs 30” - it’s still not short enough for me, but I’ll take it over 32”, or 34” even. True to size, and a steal on sale for $49.99 from $88.

I think the heritage premium high riser jean in spur wash is the best looking distressed denim that I’ve seen from Madewell. I know it’s warming up and everyone’s grabbing the brightest, lightest, and loudest pairs of jeans out there, but this has a lasting look to it that you’ll be glad to have once fall comes around again. $89.99 from $150.

A sales associate told me that their legging jeans in chasm wash are now discontinued, so grab them when they pop up on the site because I’m a big fan of them. Thin and stretchy, but definitely hug and hold in the body. I’ve worn mine constantly with flat boots while the weather was still cool and they’ve held their shape well. $69.99 from $95.

Images are from Madewell.com

So to make up for the lack of reviews lately, I have what is essentially three pieces to review today. I saw this outfit on one of the mannequins at the store and had to replicate it. It’s kind of ridiculous, but it works in my book.

The spot show cardigan is about the cutest thing ever. I tried it on in chilean flower, this hot pink with white dotted print. It’s a lightweight cardigan, very fitted. It would work better with sleeveless tops and tanks. I usually take Madewell’s more fitted cardigans in a size bigger, so I have a small on. I also tried this on in the black, which I probably would have preferred, being that it’s a basic color. The beige one with the bright yellow dots was also really cute - it seems to be sold out online already. I don’t love it enough to justify the $75 price though. Unless you really like the beige/yellow one, I’d wait for the pink and black one to go on sale.

The carousel shorts are my kind of shorts - loose fitting in the leg, with pleats to keep it interesting, in this burnt brownish-red color. Fits true to size. But again, not in love with them, just because they don’t go with what I currently have in my closet. On sale for $39.99 from $88.

I really hoped the true love oxford shirt was meant to be for me, but no. I have a more in depth review for later, but for reference, I have on a small here.

Saturday Sale Reviews: April 7, 2012

Have a bunch of fitting room reviews to catch up on, but for now here are some Saturday sale picks. The sale section is full of a ton of goodies this weekend, made even better with an extra 20% off of sale items.

Monochromatic lovers will love the cloudtrail kickpleat skirt. The print looks a bit animal print and a bit watercolor, and I am a fan of both. True to size. My only qualms is that it is more voluminous than I’d like, and it is also linen, which I do like but wish it didn’t wrinkle so easily. The fabric is quite thick for being linen though, and it helps to weigh it down. $59.99 from $78

The sales associate recommended the spotted pictureshow tee to me, and while not something I would chose for myself, it is cute. And many people seemed to think so because it was already sold out in my local store in just a few days. It’s adorable, and makes a good transition piece towards warmer weather. How can one go wrong with bright blue polka dots? I should note that the dots are the right size - not huge to where it looks cartoon-y, but not too tiny that’s it’s still noticeable. It fits true to size, but a bit more fitted than I’d like in the sleeves. And dry clean only for a basic? It’s also a bit sheer. $39.99 from $48

I’m hoping they still have the shrunken treeclimber boyshirt at my local store and on sale, because I loved this shirt when I tried it on. The color looks more saturated in person and much better than its online depiction. If you love wearing blues and greens, you’d love this shirt’s color palette. It’s a thinner material, much like the shrunken paintchip boyshirt. Again has the problem of fitting too tight in the arms, but I like my plaid button downs a bit looser, so size up if you do too. The good thing about this shirt is that it didn’t look boxy in a size bigger. $49.99 from $69.50

Images are from Madewell.com

I professed my love for the solid color telephone, or keepsake (still hate it) tee in a previous review. I love the keepsake stripe tee in optic white just as much, but for a different reason. The fabric, a linen jersey, feels completely different - they are going for a worn in, vintage feel here. It’s thinner and softer. It also looks like it has a slight v-neck going on. It fits true to size, with that perfect relaxed fit. I wish the price, at $45, were closer to the solid color’s $29.50, but what can you do. I’d still pick it up because it reminds me of beach days and being closer to the ocean, and I’d like to be right now.

With all the differences I listed between this stripe version and the solid one, I’m wondering why they are both called the keepsake tee? (#bringbacktelephonetee)

The telephone tee (called the keepsake tee online - I like telephone, because it’s like, hello, telephone tee) is rather unassuming unworn, and with its higher crew neck and longer short sleeves, presumably unflattering. On however, it’s a different story. The neckline scoops low enough to show some collarbone and the sleeves are not tight like a throwback to 90s bodysuits, so therefore flattering. Another top that you can take in your regular size, or go up in for a more loose fit. I still found it perfectly relaxed in my regular size. It has that right balance of thick and thinness, though it is thicker than Madewell’s v-neck tees. I’ve seen it worn on girls thin and curvy and it’s equally flattering.

It comes in a rainbow of bold colors that still somehow work with all their denim washes. Me, I’m a neutral girl all the way. Bought it in true black. I am wearing it in optic white and this medium grey color that’s not online. It’s that perfect worn-in vintage rock tee shade of grey that had me adding it to my wish list.