Everyday Style: Winter Fashion Try-On Haul

As usual, I will provide measurements and fabric content on each item when I can find it, and I’ll share whether I plan to keep it or not. Just remember, even when I decide not to keep something, it doesn’t mean it isn’t worth checking out. I just may not need it, or it may not work for my body type or lifestyle.

Faherty Frost Cable Stitch Turtleneck Alpaca Blend Sweater

at Nordstrom (S) // similar MOTHER Dazzler – 30% off (29) // Splendid Liza Mules – 25% off (8)

DETAILS: Lightweight and luxe baby-alpaca yarns enrich a cozy turtleneck sweater knit in chunky cables and other textured stitches that make it perfect for layering over looks.

• 23″ length
• 70% alpaca, 23% polyamide, 7% merino wool
• Dry clean

Now that our weather has finally turned cold, I’m all about cozy knitwear and jeans, and I ordered a few new sweaters from Nordstrom to try. You may have seen a few of those in this post, but this is one that did not make the cut.

It’s a gorgeous knit, nice and thick and very soft and cozy, and I love the chunky cable knit, but… you heard that coming, right? I felt like the turtleneck was a little too much, not that it was too tight, but it was just a lot of bulk, and the overall silhouette seemed to make me look really broad in the shoulder area.

In looking at these pictures, I’m wondering if I should have tried a size down, but I still don’t think I’d enjoy such a bulky turtleneck.

VERDICT: I decided to send this one back.

Nordstrom Wool & Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater

at Nordstrom (S) // similar MOTHER Dazzler – 30% off (29) // Splendid Liza Mules – 25% off (8)

DETAILS: Let the cold winds blow while you stay warm in this turtleneck sweater that’s a comforting blend of wool and cashmere.

• Turtleneck, Long sleeves, Ribbed cuffs and hem
• 70% wool, 30% cashmere
• Dry clean

This is one of the sweaters that did make the cut, and you can read more about it in this post. This one didn’t feel so overwhelming on me, and I really love this color.

VERDICT: It’s a keeper!

Lucky Brand Fair Isle Turtleneck Sweater in Black Combo

50% off at Macy’s (also at Nordstrom) (S) // similar MOTHER Dazzler – 30% off (29) // Splendid Liza Mules – 25% off (8)

DETAILS: A classic Fair Isle style adds loads of charm to staple sweater knit from a wool-kissed blend.

• Turtleneck, Long sleeves, Ribbed cuffs and hem
• 65% acrylic, 30% polyester, 5% wool
• Machine wash, tumble dry

You also saw this one in my post with Nordstrom, but I just found it 50% off at Macy’s for 50% off! FYI, the cream version is 50% off at Nordstrom, and you can probably get them to match the Macy’s price on the black, as well.

This is definitely not the quality of the other two, but it’s soft and cozy and comfortable, and I really like the fair isle design and the black and white color palette.

VERDICT: Keeping this one too, and I’ve already worn it once. I actually kept it on the day I tried it on and took these pictures, but I swapped the Liza slides for my comfy UGG slippers since I was staying at home.

MOTHER The Roller High Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Work Hard

at Nordstrom & Bloomingdale’s (29) // Sézane Otis jumper (S) // Veronica Beard Lada (8.5)

DETAILS: Be anything but expected in high-waist jeans cut with wide legs from perfectly faded premium stretch denim.

• 30 1/2″ inseam; 27″ leg opening; 10 3/4″ front rise; 14″ back rise (size 29)
• 78% cotton, 16% modal, 4% polyester, 2% elastane
• Machine wash, tumble dry

To be honest, I’m not sure why I ordered this pair of jeans, because I have a similar pair with a finished hem that I like. Maybe I was thinking I could cut these off to wear with sneakers, since they have a raw hem? I think that might have been my thought process. I really don’t want to chop the hem off the pair that I have, and I like them with some of my boots, but I can’t wear them with sneakers. Also, I just hate to feature jeans that I can’t link for you.

ANYWHO! I was surprised to discover how wide they are. I figured (hoped) they would fit much like my other pair. I guess I should have compared leg opening measurements before I ordered, because there’s a whopping 3″ difference. Here’s a side-by-side for comparison.

MOTHER The Roller High Rise Wide Leg Jeans – 30 1/2″ inseam; 27″ leg opening; 10 3/4″ front rise // MOTHER The Hustler Roller Skimp – 31″ inseam; 24″ leg opening; 11 1/2″ front rise

VERDICT: I’ll be returning The Roller and keeping my eye out for something closer to that 24″ leg opening.

Also notice how the rises are starting to come down. My older pair has a 11 1/2″ front rise, and the newer pair has a 10 3/4″ front rise. I think this is where trends are heading, although I just noticed that this pair—The Hustler Roller Sneak—has a 12″ rise, so who knows. Rises are all over the place these days! Speaking of which, I love that darker wash, and they have a 24″ leg opening, so I’m tempted to try them. I’m just not sure about that 12″ rise. I don’t mind the 11 1/2″ so it might be okay, but that’s reeeeally high.

Sézane Otis Jumper Charcoal Grey

at Sézane (S) // MOTHER The Hustler Roller Skimp (29) // Marc Fisher boots (8) (option)

DETAILS: Long-sleeved Baby Alpaca Jumper with a slightly raised neckline and cable knit on the neck, armholes, cuffs and hemline.

• Length from the shoulder: 22″ in” (size S)
• 68% Baby Alpaca, 30% Polyamide, 2% Elastane
• Hand wash in cold water

Okay, back to knitwear! Last week, someone asked me if I would review some Sézane sweaters. Twist my arm! I’ve been hearing a lot about this brand; in fact, I tried their Milo bag a while back and found the ordering and returns process to be very easy, so I took a look around and ordered three sweaters to try.

This one looked promising, with the raglan sleeves and cozy alpaca knit. When it arrived, I liked the look and feel, but when I tried it on, I felt like the band at the hem fit awkwardly. I tried it both untucked and front tucked, but I found myself wishing it was a boxier fit, so that it would more or less hang straight, rather than hugging my hips.

VERDICT: I returned this one. I just don’t love it.

Sézane Amiel Jumper in Linen

at Sézane (S) // MOTHER The Hustler Roller Skimp (29) // Marc Fisher boots (8) (option)

DETAILS: Long-sleeved Baby Alpaca Jumper with a slightly oversized fit and cable knit on the cuffs and hemline.

• Length from the shoulder: 22.2″ in” (size S)
• 68% Baby Alpaca, 30% Polyamide, 2% Elastane
• Hand wash in cold water

I have similar issues with this sweater. I just feel like it looks bulky on me. Something about the way these sweaters are cut add visual weight in all of the wrong places.

VERDICT: I returned it.

Sézane Betty Cardigan in Rosewood

at Sézane (S) // MOTHER The Hustler Roller Skimp (29) // Marc Fisher boots (8) (option)

DETAILS: Long-sleeved merino wool cardigan with chest pockets and a shirt collar.

• Length from the shoulder: 19.7″ (size S)
• 100% Merino Wool
• Hand wash in cold water

Now this one is more of a boxy silhouette, and I knew that 19.7″ length was potentially too short, but I wanted to try it because I love the color and collared cardigan style sweater. It really is pretty, but ultimately I decided it was too short. These jeans have an 11 1/2″ rise, which is the highest rise I own, and even with these, it looks a little skimpy, in my opinion.

VERDICT: I returned this one, as well. I guess I struck out with Sézane sweaters, but the quality is there, so I would try others.

BTFBM Oversized Sweater Maxi Dress in Army Green

at Amazon (M) // Dolce Vita Annika (8) (option)

DETAILS: Stay On-Trend With This Long Sweater Dress. Pair It With Sneaker For a Cozy And Chic Look, Or Dress It Up With Heels And Statement Jewelry For a Night Out On The Town.

• 50% Viscose, 22% Nylon, 28% Polyester
• Machine Wash

Okay, I took a chance on an Amazon sweater dress, and what a happy surprise! This turned out to be a really nice quality, and the fit is even quite flattering. The knit is thick and soft, and not too clingy, and it even has some subtle shaping through the waist.

I thought the green in the size medium was a nice fit, but then I pulled on the black in the size small, and I think it looks even better!

VERDICT: I’m definitely keeping this one. I always like to have one black dress in my closet for potential funeral events… which may sound morbid, but as we all know, we often have little notice of such things, and it’s good to be prepared. I don’t currently have a good black winter dress, so this one is it.

CeCe Fair Isle Funnel Neck Sweater Dress in Light Heather Grey

at Nordstrom (M) – Limited-Time Sale $39.79 (59% off) $99.00 // Paul Green sneakers (8) // J.Crew earrings

DETAILS: Fair Isle patterning brings folkloric appeal to a cozy sweater-dress enhanced with a warm funnel neckline.

• Funnel neck
• Long sleeves
• Ribbed cuffs and hem
• 73% acrylic, 24% polyester, 3% spandex
• Machine wash, dry flat

This sweater dress is also really cute on—one of you actually made me aware of this one, and I was pleasantly surprised by how nicely it fits, and it’s an amazing price!

My only issues is, I don’t know what shoes I’d wear with it if I don’t wear the white sneakers, which I think look really cute. But it’s a cozy dress, and what if I want to wear tights and boots? I have nothing in my closet that is light enough (at least, not in cool tones that complement this dress—my caramel Sam Edelman pair is too warm of a color, I believe.)

I tried it with silver ballet flats, which I think works if I want to dress it up a bit more, but I still would like an option for tights and boots.

VERDICT: I’m tempted to order another color, so I can wear those caramel boots I have, but I do really like this one. What would you do?

AGOLDE Valen High Waist Organic Cotton Ankle Straight Leg Jeans in Hitch

at Nordstrom (29) // Jenni Kayne sweater (S) // rag & bone Walker Boots (39)

DETAILS: Nonstretch denim lends soft structure to high-rise, relaxed-fit straight-leg jeans that end at the ankle for styling versatility.

• Machine wash, tumble dry
• 28″ inseam; 16″ leg opening; 11″ front rise; 15″ back rise (size 29)
• 100% organic cotton

One of you, dear readers, also turned me on to these jeans. I swiftly ordered them because I wouldn’t mind having another pair of black wash jeans I can wear with flats.

I like the silhouette quite a lot; it’s more of a modern fit than my AG Mari slim straight leg jeans. But they are too tight in the waist, and the 100% cotton is not comfortable to me. They also seem a little too short. I’m wearing them here with my favorite rag & bone boots, which is definitely one of the pairs I’d want to wear them with. I think it works, although I wouldn’t mind another inch in the inseam length.

I also tried it with the Adidas Handball Spezial sneakers, to see how they look with the type of sneakers I would likely wear with them, and I find it annoying how the hem of the jeans gets caught on the back of the shoes.

VERDICT: I decided to send these back. While I like the silhouette in theory, they aren’t comfortable, and I’m not sure they really flatter me.

Adidas Handball Spezial Sneaker in Alumina/ Black/ White

at Nordstrom (8) // AGOLDE jeans (29)

DETAILS: A low profile maintains the range-of-motion comfort of a handball shoe reborn as a sneaker that pairs an upper of soft suede with a classic gum-rubber sole. A flexible rubber outsole provides superior traction wherever the day takes you.

Since I’m showing these sneakers, I wanted to give you a little more info. You may remember I got the brown pair from Farfetch, and I like them so much, I decided to order this black and white pair from Nordstrom. They’re kind of an off-white, which I like for winter, and they have a nice arch support.

VERDICT: Keeping, love these.

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