James Perse gauze shirt dress | size 2, on sale at James Perse
Everlane cashmere cardigan | size large, sold out, they might bring it back?? hopefully?
James Perse leggings
Everlane loafers | get on the waitlist for re-launch – I took my normal size and they’re perfect
3.1 Phillip Lim large ryder satchel | in burgundy for 40% off at Forzieri with code HOLI40
James Perse guaze shirt dress
Inhabit NY cashmere sweater | SOOOOOO old, but still great 🙂
DUO boots | gift from DUO to review (full review here)
Spanx tights
3.1 Phillip Lim large ryder satchel | in burgundy for 40% off at Forzieri with code HOLI40
Never one to leave things unworn as soon as I buy them, of course I had to try and wear my new James Perse shirt dress yesterday, even though it was quite cold here (and this is definitely a summer dress…). I actually wore it with the cardigan and leggings, but also wanted to try it with a pullover, so I tried it on with the turtleneck sweater to snap a few pics for you.
First, a review of the dress. I had tried this on in the store and wanted to buy it full-price late in the summer, but they’d already sent it “away” – which is their version of setting it aside for sale, or sending it to the outlet. Anyway, I tried on the Quarry color, but decided to buy the black one thinking it would be more versatile. I love it, and of course, am thinking about also getting another color, but I won’t.
I ordered the size 2, which is my “normal” James Perse size. It fits nicely overall, if a bit oversized. And it does stretch with wear; it’s a lightweight gauzy-cotton. For spring/summer it will definitely need another layer underneath (for this, I wear a long black James Perse tank top that fits like a mini dress), and for now too, just for warmth. After wearing it all day, I wondered if I should have ordered a size down, and if I should recommend ordering a size down, but I won’t.
Shirt dresses are tricky. The “slim” fitting ones look great when you’re standing, or posing for pictures, but they’re hard to sit in, or do much in because they’re more fitted. I had a chambray H&M shirt dress that I loved, but I couldn’t wear it much because I would sit in it and it would ride up, and open at the buttons. Not good. So, while this one is a bit oversized, and may look a bit “messy” just wearing, or posing, at least I can actually WEAR it and LIVE in it, you know? It’s not too short and I can sit comfortably in it. So, for that reason, I don’t recommend sizing down.
I can’t say I’ll wear it much more now, because it’s not very conducive to layering; it looks better on it’s own. But as it warms up, and I don’t need any other layers with it, I know I’ll live it. There’s nothing much easier than a shirt dress, and I love that just the collar and buttons “elevates” it from just a “normal” dress LOL
Do you wear shirt dresses during cooler weather or save them for warmer? How do you like to layer them?
**who’s received their JP sale orders yet? Are you interested in my doing a swap post again? Did that work out for anyone last time?
I would be interested in a JP swap–I purchased a final sale gorgeous black sweater from the Gilt sale, and, believe it or not, it’s just TOO WARM for me (it’s a merino and yak hair blend).. I love it but doubt that I will end up wearing it. 🙁
I look terrible in shirt dresses, they’re always too baggy at the top and too tight at the bottom, it’s a shame because I really like how they look, and like you say they’re so easy to wear! I love how you’ve teamed the dress with a pullover, I woulen’t have thought to do that, and it looks great!
I bought 2 t-shirts and both are perfect 🙂 — a s/s casual v neck in Quarry and the high-gauge l/s t in white–both to replace similar JP t’s I’ve worn and loved. Thanks for the freeship code! I never want to pay shipping if I can avoid it.
As for shirt dresses–I love the idea of them but agree they are difficult to wear in reality, for the reasons you mention. I have one chambray/tencel shirt dress I sometimes wear in the winter–I layer it over a tank dress (which is, basically, a slip since I don’t wear it except to layer) or sometimes over a camisole/half slip. I then wear a big cardigan or a pullover over it and usually leggings or boots. But mostly I wear that one spring or fall and a linen one in the summer (without layering, which is its own problem–hello fashion tape!)
I love the styling in the top pic with the leggings and loafers, but I’m CRAZY about how it looks with the INHABIT turtleneck, boots and tights! I never think of doing that with dresses, but I’m going to remember next time, Cuz I love this look!
Well then, Lord knows it won’t work for me!!! 😉
thanks 🙂 that’s the hardest to pull off in real life though (with a shirt dress at least) because the bottom of the dress wants to ride up with the sweater on top, and it looks funny from the back/side. but i do like the look – i will re-create it with a basic shirt-dress or my james perse pencil skirt…
totally agree with you on shipping, and jp shipping is $10! sometimes i’ll use the trick i found to add something to my cart and wait until they send me a free overnight shipping code after a few days just to get $10 off. so cheap… 😉
that is generally a problem for me too niki – but this one is oversized enough not to be a problem, and it fits really nicely up top, actually, better than the bottom! which is a nice change!!
yes, i’ll do a swap post early next week i think…