SSIF purchases! [UPDATED]

Well I'm still recovering from this weekend's festivities, but for now I thought I'd share my purchases.

I started in on the shopping on day 2 (Saturday). First off, I have to say that shopping with a group as large as ours was Quite The Experience. I really enjoyed watching and helping others shop, as crazy as it was! I stuck with Angie's group (20+ of us?) after lunch for the Nordstrom run (great for the big group, as we could sort of split and re-meet as needed). Ann and I scoured the entire handbag department and had fun looking at all the pretty bags (and I managed to only knock over one display ;) ). After that, it was back to shoes to see what others were trying on. Once the group moved on from shoes, I popped over to Topshop and found myself a cozy black and white plaid coat (finally!!). I also ordered cream cropped pants, which Sveta also bought, as my size wasn't at the store. They look proper culotte length on Sveta, and I've got fingers crossed that they work out for me as well -- although I will be chopping off quite a lot of length.

After lunch we hit up several more stores (Ann Taylor, Loft, Club Monaco, Express, Nordstrom Rack, Zara... probably others that I'm forgetting). For the first time I didn't buy anything at Zara (!), although there was a cream quilted jacket that came very close to following me home. At Ann Taylor, several of us tried the marled short sleeve sweater which also comes in cream. Two sizes fit with different vibes, but in the end I chose to buy the shorter length specifically so I could wear it with my flares and skirts since I have less options there. Of course, I just had to wear the sweater immediately the following day for oysters. Mary and I also both bought a sandy tweed moto, though it's not really a need so I'm thinking it over.

Managed to be quite reserved on day 3 (Sunday) and not purchase anything, although the taupe booties that Mary bought were very tempting. Ultimately I decided that the toe shape just wasn't quite pointed enough for me so I left them. Also found BJ1111 a pair of navy booties, which was something she was looking for (I was tickled to have spotted them ^^).

On day 4 (Monday) we went to a different shopping area to start off, University Village, which included a stop at JCrew where I picked up a mixed-plaid scarf. At another store I also tried on the white/navy plaid shirt Angie recently featured, but unfortunately they didn't have my size there. Then we headed back to downtown where we stopped by Macy's; there I got some much needed sock liners, along with a taupe gold-studded belt (couldn't get a Find for it, but it was a total steal).

All-in-all, I'm very pleased with my purchases! Except for the tweedy jacket, everything else was on my f/w shopping list and fill various holes, plus they all make me very happy. Overall a bit darker than I normally go for, but they should all work quite nicely with the f/w pieces already in my wardrobe, particularly the lighter colored pieces. Looking forward to playing around with some new combinations!

UPDATES:

  • Tweedy Jacket - After wearing it around the house all
    morning, I've decided that I will take it back. It saddens me not to be
    twinnies with Mary, but I tried it with many of my tops and the body/arm
    lengths just weren't working quite  right.
  • Culottes - Arrived this morning and fit very nicely! I ordered a size up from my usual. Super duper long though, to my ankles, so they'll need to be massively hemmed before I can wear them. Now to figure out what length I want them.....
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31 Comments

  • jackiec replied 10 years ago

    Oh Aida you found your cream culottes!! Yay!! Can't wait to see how they work out! Everything looks very "you", I think you did so well! I am loving that plaid coat - wow uber cool! What a busy weekend - it sounds sooooo fun. Thanks for sharing your haul :)

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Wow, I can really see these playing well with the rest of the items in your closet! Great score. And you looked so wonderful in every one of the photos from the weekend. I smiled so hard to see you and Sveta in nearly identical plaid jeans and cream. 

    I am very tempted by the Ann Taylor moto, too, but worry because it is collarless. (For me, I mean; I know it will look amazing on you and Mary.) 

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    Fantastically successful shopping! I especially like the tweed moto and the scarf. Looking forward to seeing how you style everything.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Nice plaid coat!! I'd totally wear that :)  In fact, I would totally wear every single piece here.  I'll be looking to see what you do with the marled sweater (it looks so ultra fitted in the AT pic) and the culottes .  I cannot even begin to imagine shopping with 20 people - I can barely keep myself organized and on track :)  But it sounds like you went in with a plan, and stuck to it - and kudos to you for that!  

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    <waving to my little twin sister :-) >
    Of course I saw almost everything in person (missed the scarf somehow) and everything is superb! Ann Taylor jacket is fab and I hope you keep it.
    I thought you also got the color black moto from Express together with Anna but it looks you put it back :-(
    It was so much fun meeting you in person Aida and thank you for being the Last Die Hard with me! :-)

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Squee! I must have those culottes! I have been waiting for a more affordable version of the CM pair Angie spotted. Are they true to size? (I am most concerned about the waist.) Oh yes, the rest of your purchases are fab of course Aida - I am tapping my fingers waiting to see them modeled. Having a sudden craving for blueberries too :-)!

  • deb replied 10 years ago

    It was so nice to meet you Aida!! You got some beautiful items.

  • Aida replied 10 years ago

    Thanks for the item love ladies!

    Suz, interesting on the collar. Collarless doesn't work for you? I think the color would be really nice for you. I don't know that I have any collarless motos, but I do have a collarless blazer that I like. Hmm, I'll have to give that a good look over when I get home from work.

    Lisa, the AT sweater is not nearly as fitted as the model shows, she has it tucked and pinned in back for sure. It's actually quite fluid.

    Sveta, hello big sister! I bought the scarf while you gals went over to Madewell ^^

    Jaime, you know I'm totally blanking on the size of the culottes. I want to say that I ordered a size up but am not totally sure. I'll PM you when they arrive and give you a better assessment of the sizing.

    Deb, it was so great to meet you! I hope there's a next time so we can chat more.

  • Style Fan replied 10 years ago

    Everything looks great.  I love the culottes.  What fun the shopping must have been.

  • Cerinda replied 10 years ago

    So happy to see you again.  Quite the haul you made (too bad I couldn't be in both places at once!) and I can't wait to see you put all those pretties into action!

  • MsMary replied 10 years ago

    Woo-hoo!  FAB haul!  And you MUST keep the tweedy jacket so we can be tweedy jacket twins!  ;)

    I didn't see your non-Ann-Taylor purchases, but I am drooling over each and every one of them!  Can't wait to see them in action!

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    Fantastic haul Aida! The checked coat is especially fun! And can't wait to see you in those culottes. They are such a fab color for you!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Great finds, Aida! I especially love that coat on you.

  • Ornella replied 10 years ago

    Coming from Sveta's thread, this is another great selection. You ladies know what you like and I can't wait too see you modelling this for us. The scarf is beautiful, so is the tee, but the jacket and coat are amazing.
    I wish I could see Sveta and you side by side in the culottes ;-)

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    Hey from the thumbnails it looks like everything will go together!  Loved every minute of SSIF I hope we can do one again next year.  I especially enjoyed all of the time spent with you Aida, you are smart, funny, beautiful and have a borderline intimidating knowledge of baseball.  :-)

  • Mona replied 10 years ago

    Such wonderful items, Aida! The coat and cullottes just took my breath away. Will you be wearing these cullottes in winter with tall boots?

  • texstyle replied 10 years ago

    Everything looks and sounds great for you Aida!  So happy to read everyone's fun shopping reports and looking at the Finds!

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    I love your stuff, Aida. And you - along with Sveta - were a real YLF die-hard at the SSIF. 

    I always enjoy being with you, and miss you already. xo

  • Angie_T replied 10 years ago

    I can't WAIT to see what you do with these pieces Aida. :)

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    Oooh!

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 10 years ago

    Good choices. I got that checked scarf from jcrew the week before last. It's a bit larger than I was expecting. I'll be interested to see your plans for it.

  • Jenava replied 10 years ago

    i've been curious about those culottes, although I think I'm in love with the ones Mary bought at Club Monaco!  I didn't have the stamina (or budget) for shopping, so I'm living vicariously through you guys (well, plus, no sense shopping for clothing since I'm pg and will be going through a lot of shape changes soon anyway, so no idea what will work!)

  • LACeleste replied 10 years ago

    Super great finds and very fun to read!

  • viva replied 10 years ago

    Aida, I love all of your choices! I can just imagine them on you, especially those dramatic culottes. Cannot wait for a WIW.

    What's the stiffness factor with the AT jacket? It looks very cute, but I've been having trouble with all the knit jackets I've tried lately. Small ones feel  constricting, and if I size up they are too stiff and boxy. Just wondering if it's soft and fluid-y?

  • replied 10 years ago

    You had a fabulous haul! I especially love the plaid coat and the cream culottes.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Aida! It was so good so see you beautiful self again. I was glad we were able to sit near each other for breakfast on Saturday, and that we were in the same group (horde?) for shopping! You always have the best advice when shopping, and are able to see things from different angles. That makes you an excellent shopping companion (well, that and you're terrific sense of humor)! 
    You bought some wonderful things. I got to see the cream culottes and that amazing plaid coat. I had no idea you'd been searching for a B&W plaid coat for some time. That one certainly checked all the boxes, and I love it's trendy, generous cut. You look stunning in everything I've seen so far, and I can't wait to feast my eyes on the rest in your WIW's. Cheers, dear! :D

  • Aida replied 10 years ago

    Oh thank you ladies so much! I've an update on both the tweedy jacket and on the culottes (I'm including it here and up in the main post):

    • Tweedy Jacket - After wearing it around the house all morning, I've decided that I will take it back. It saddens me not to be twinnies with Mary, but I tried it with many of my tops and the body/arm lengths just weren't working quite  right.
    • Culottes - Arrived this morning and fit very nicely! I ordered a size up from my usual. Super duper long though, to my ankles, so they'll need to be massively hemmed before I can wear them. Now to figure out what length I want them.....
    Denise, hah! I had to show the baseball comment to hubby, to which he replied "See, we definitely watch too much baseball." ;)

    Mona, the culottes will absolutely be worn with tall boots! That's the main way I hope to wear them, actually.

    Ummlila, how interesting that you found the scarf larger than expected! I almost didn't buy it because I didn't think it was big enough. I mostly plan to wear it with my outerwear when it gets cold, but I'm sure it'll pop up in normal indoor outfits too. Plaid is my print after all.

    Vivian, the jacket is quite lovely. Very comfortable, and feels like a proper knit jacket even though it isn't quite -- it has a woven lining with plenty of give, and the tweed is a bit stretchy. I felt very cuddly wearing it. Would be lovely with your coloring, though it borders on the cool end.

    Claire, heee yes I'd say we were a shopping horde ^^ It was great fun getting to see you and shop with you, I hope your reconnaissance was a success. I've been on the hunt for a short plaid coat for some time now, though I was expecting to get a colorful one. Totally thrilled with the black and white, the cut feels so fresh.

  • Jjsloane replied 10 years ago

    You have chosen wisely I think. It's so easy to get caught up in all the fun (and peer pressure) but having an after event think is important. I totally see the Topshop plaid coat working great for your style and dare you to wear it with the mixed plaid scarf. 

  • Aida replied 10 years ago

    Thanks JJ! Playing around with your actual closet items helps a lot too. I often forget to do that and just set the items aside.... Then pull them out for the season, something doesn't work right with my items, and I've missed the return window. I'll do you one better on the plaid coat, I'll wear it with the scarf AND plaid pants :D

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    Yay - culotte twin! I am so glad they worked out for you. Too bad about the jacket but I am sure you will find something even more fabulous for you!

  • Vicki replied 10 years ago

    So you and Sveta are culottes twins!!  I love it and want to see you two dress alike again at the NEXT meet-up and you'll both probably get shout-outs from pedestrians and it will be well-deserved fandom and appreciation.

    Seeing your purchases in the thumbnails shows how all of these will come together seamlessly for your next season of wearing.  Miss you and Seattle.

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