I realized it’s been a while (a year!) since I did a fitting room review. I really like fitting room reviews because they allowme to show you more items than I would be able to in a traditional blog post, but, they still allow me to give you my feedback on each item. For today’s review I decided to go with Banana Republic as they are one of the best retailers for work day items that also transition well into evenings and weekends. So without any further ado –
Overall: 5/5
Quality: Excellent. Love the fabric.
Fit: True to size (I’m wearing a S)
Thoughts: This is my favorite item of all of Banana Republic’s spring pieces. The blush color is gorgeous, the fit is great and it’s a ‘wear with everything’ item.
Overall: 4/5
Quality: Pretty good. It could use an added button or hidden snap to prevent gaping over the chest. I also found the fabric to be very clingly in the dry weather.
Fit: True to size (I’m wearing a 4)
Thoughts: This is a gorgeous dress, and it would be amazing on so many people. I am quite long waisted so I found that it hits a bit too high to be flattering on me, even when I put a belt on. It’s also already sold out in this pink shade, but it’s still available in a gorgeous orange.
Overall: 2/5
Quality: Decent.
Fit: True to size (I’m wearing a 4)
Thoughts: I really, really wanted to love this dress. It’s so unique and would be perfect for work. But, sadly, it’s not as great on as it is on the hanger. The top part is amazing, but I didn’t find the pleated side very flattering. It would look better on someone less curvy than myself. I was also disappointed with the attached belt. The material is extremely flimsy – it looks quite low quality. Also, it doesn’t seem to stay in place when tightened; it just wiggles itself loose. Hence the last photo – I wanted to show you how the belt sits in reality.
4. Cashmere Blend Crewneck Sweater
Overall: 4/5
Quality: Amazing
Fit: True to size (I’m wearing a S)
Thoughts: I am obsessed with how soft this is. The color I am wearing is “magenta sky” and I love the shade (I also recommend it in “watermelon” which is gorgeous in person). The only thing I don’t like about this sweater is that it is a bit shorter than I like. Again, being long-waisted I find that a longer length is more flattering on me and I would have liked another inch on the bottom. If you aren’t long-waisted or tall though – get. this. sweater.
Overall: 5/5
Quality: Good. Not as soft as the cashmere blend crewneck, but still really comfortable. The stitching is well done and the buttons are secure.
Fit: True to size (I’m wearing a S)
Thoughts: LOVE this sweater. This color is “aqua sea” and as you can see, it is a bit more blue than the online photo shows. I love it. This is about an inch longer than the crewneck, so I found this to be extremely flattering. The button detailing on the sleeves is an added detail that I just love, and the V is the perfect depth – not too high but also not too low for work. I bought this in both aqua sea and in bright magenta (it’s that great haha)
Overall: 3/5
Quality: Good.
Fit: True to size (I’m wearing a 4)
Thoughts: If you’ve been following my blog or instagram for a while, you know that I am a sloan pant ADDICT. I swear by these pants… I have four pairs. So, when i saw this bright color I knew I needed to try them. Unfortunately, I’m not sure the extremely tight fit of the sloan works as well in a bright color as it does in black/navy. I just didn’t like the look of these on. That said, the bright colors are stunning, so if you are bold enough to wear em, you can’t beat this fit.
Overall: 4/5 Quality: Good.
Fit: True to size (I’m wearing a 4)
Thoughts: These I LOVE. I put these on right after the sloan pants and was like ‘ahhh this is how a bright colored pant should fit to be flattering’. I love the length, they sit slightly higher on the waist than the sloan (which I really like), and the waist band stays in place and doesn’t gape. Such a win.
8. Floral Dress
Overall: 4/5 Quality: Good.
Fit: True to size (I’m wearing a 4)
Thoughts: This is one of BR’s new prints for spring, and I just love the print. I figured I would get the most wear out of a dress in this print (as opposed to the pants) and I was pleasantly surprised by the fit. It looks rather blah on the hanger, but on it skims the body and flares just enough at the bottom to create a really nice silhouette. I highly recommend this dress!
9. Shirt with Ruffled Hem/Sleeves
Overall: 2/5
Quality: Good.
Fit: Very large (I’m wearing an XS – I would go one to two sizes down in this shirt)
Thoughts: I love the ruffled sleeves but the ruffled hem sat a bit to high on the hip for my liking. The shapelessness throughout the body of the shirt was also just not particularly flattering. Not my favorite item, sadly.
And there you have it!! I hope you enjoyed this review and if you have any other questions about the items definitely leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer it. Now, go have some fun doing some serious retail damage at Banana Republic! 😛
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I sure hope you got that pink dress because it was made for you! Sooooo pretty. Happy Monday!
Liz
http://Www.lizzieinlace.com
Haha you are so sweet Liz, thank you!!
XOXO
love these kinds of posts!
b
Yay! Thank you!! I've been wondering if people enjoy them or not – if it seems popular I will definitely try to do them more frequently – I'm thinking one per season.
XOX
Love the concept of doing fitting room reviews!
Thank you!! It's hard because the photo quality is never as good as I would like for a blog post (WHY must stores always have terrible lighting?!?! haha) but, I love to be able to show you all how things like on and what theyre really like so you can shop online with a better sense of what to get!
P.S. I really love the ruffle dress, but seeing it on makes me have a change of heart for sure. Thanks for sparing us the heartache and disappointment. I couldn't imagine waiting days for a package only for it to arrive as a complete disappointment.
You're welcome! Im sorry to be the bearer of bad news! But you're right, it's great to see what things actually look like so you don't fall in love with an item based on it's stock photo online and then get disappointed.
XOXO
I'm loving that pink coat xx
Caitlin, Beauty & Colour
Thanks Caitlin! It's definitely a perfect item to add for spring!
XO
So I'm super obsessed with your glasses. I know they weren't actually part of your post but they are uber chic:) I'm also really sad the pink pleated dress is sold out! Super cute finds:)
Haha thank you so much! I love them too- I'm on a bit of a "wearing glasses" kick lately.
And I know – it sucks it sold out so fast in the pink. The bright orange color though is also really pretty – it would be great in the summer.
XO
I love that pink trench coat! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on all these items. It's so helpful!
Cheers, J
http://www.cheersj.com
It's so chic right?! I just love it. And thank you for reading! Glad you found it helpful. XO
Lee
That trench coat is perfection!I feel like that is a piece you will get a ton of wear out of!
Julie
https://scorseofstyles.com/
Exactly my thoughts! It's just so versatile!
XOXO
Lee
love the fitting room reviews!! but that pink trench coat is the best!!! so pretty!!!
Thank you! And I so agree – definitely a gorgeous item!
XOXO
Here is my comment without typos! I wanted to catch you before morning carpool rush! xo –> Hi Beautiful! I love this thorough review! You are so good at this! You look so beautiful too! You are tiny, a size 4! It is probably really important for your petite frame to find something that compliments your body shape perfectly! Well, I think you look amazing in everything! In my eyes nothing can look bad on you but I would have to say #6 the top and spring colored pants are my FAV!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
Aww you are so sweet Debbie, thank you so much for your kind words! Haha I would definitely not describe myself as petite – I think thats more the fact that stores are all "sizing down" now so women feel smaller and buy more clothes (it's crazy theyre doing that). Im really curvy so I have a hard time finding clothes for my thighs and hips. Ugh.
Im so glad you liked some of these items! I can definitely see you in spring colored pants!
XO
That pink trench is by far my fave piece! Banana has some really cute stuff right now!
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
Right?! It's such a good item! And totally, I was really impressed with their bold and bright color choices for the spring collection!
I love this post! Banana is one of my favorite stores & you picked the cutest items. I really wanted to love that plaid dress too, but I can see what you're saying. Your review/feedback is so helpful! Unfortunately, I now believe that I need that pink trench. Like, NEED it! 😉 XO
Thank you so so much!! I'm really glad you found the review helpful. Hahaha sorry for feeding your "need" 😛
XO
The pink trench coat is my favorite! I feel like my closet is missing it!
Emily
withstyleandgrace.net
Haha I get that feeling! It would be a great addition to your closet! Just make sure to grab it today while it's still 40% off (prices go back up tomorrow!)
XO
I am so in love with the pink Banana dress and need it too!
I can SO picture you in that dress. You look stunning in bright summery colors!
XO
I love fitting room posts and you did such a good job with this one Lee! All of these items have me wishing spring was here already haha. Absolutely dying over the pink pleated dress and trench coat!!
enchantingelegance.net
Aw thank you Amanda! I find it so hard (and time consuming) to do fitting room reviews because the lighting is always terrible!!
You would look amazing in both those items – especially the bright pink dress. It's so you!
XOXO
I really love the second and third dress! They fit you like a glove and such fun designs! I need to go shopping there now.
victoria | http://www.thesoutherntrunk.com
Thank you so much Victoria! And you totally do! They have the best stuff for spring!
XO
Love this concept of reviewing lots of different clothes at once! I have to stay the sloan pants look amazing on you. Thanks for the post, have a lovely day.
xo,
I AM YASMIN
Thank you so much! I think it's a great way to show you all items that would otherwise take weeks to show you if I did regular outfit posts. This way you can get a sense of whats available at certain stores and shop your heart out! haha
XO