Summer Try-On Haul: Tops, Dresses, Denim & Sandals

Summer Try-On Haul: Tops, Dresses, Denim & Sandals

SIZING NOTES: I’m 5’5″ and I usually wear a small in tops and dresses, a 29 in jeans, and a size 8 shoe. Gifted items are indicated by c/o; everything else I purchased myself.

First up, some LOFT Try-Ons!!! LOFT has 30% off full price styles right now, and 40% off + extra 25% off sale styles (prices as marked).

Stripe 3/4 Sleeve Sweater

at LOFT (S) // Paige Anessa (29) // sandals (8) // Joe’s shorts (28) // Talbots sandals c/o (8)

I feel like I’ve shown you this sweater before, but I can’t find it in my past Try-On Hauls, and I took these pictures, so I must be imagining things. ANYHOO. I love a lightweight sweater for summer, and this one has 3/4 sleeves and an open weave, which is perfect for pairing with shorts or crop jeans.

I was struggling a bit with whether to tuck or not. It’s really too long to leave out, but the front tuck didn’t look quite right to me. It kind of bubbled out funny, but maybe that’s because these jeans have such a high (11.5″) rise.

I like it much better with these 9.5″ mid-rise denim shorts from last season. I will most likely wear it tucked, but I don’t mind it untucked for a more relaxed vibe.

VERDICT: Keeping! In fact, I brought it with me on this trip.

Striped Scoop Neck Midi Dress

at LOFT (S) // Naot sandals (8) // white slides (8)

I already photographed this dress and shared it in this post, but I took these pictures so I’ll go ahead and include it here too. I like the mixed stripe patterns and bra-friendly straps, but something about this tank style doesn’t quite flatter me, and I can’t pinpoint why. It fits well, especially considering that I’m so short-waisted.

I prefer it with the slide sandals (above), but I also tried it with the Naot sandals that I plan to bring to Italy, to see if I like it works okay with them too. I can’t say I’m a big fan, but I guess it works if I’m doing a lot of walking.

I may bring a pair of slides for dinners or times that I don’t want to wear the clunkier comfort sandals. They don’t take up much room in a suitcase. Even my Tory Burch Miller sandals would work for that.

VERDICT: Keeping for now… I will decide before the return window expires.

Ribbed Button Tank

at LOFT (S) // shorts (6) // sandals c/o (8)

I thought this simple ribbed tank with fun button detail at the neckline might be nice to tuck into shorts and skirts this summer.

The buttons make it more interesting than a basic tank, and the v-neckline is flattering, but it’s too long to ever leave untucked, so I tried tucking it all the way around.

I think it looks okay in these pictures, but in person, I felt like it really accentuated the “spare tire” around my middle, so I decided to try it with higher rise (11.5″) jeans.

I don’t know, I just don’t love this either. I feel like it looks boxy and draws unwanted attention to my midsection.

VERDICT: Returning. At this point in my life, I’m more comfortable in tops that skim the body rather than clinging to it.

Striped Perfect Tank

at LOFT (S) // jeans (29) // sandals c/o (8)

I like the straight hemline and shorter length on this one, and the stripe is fun, but the way the arms are cut are not bra-friendly, nor do they flatter my boxy shoulders. Returning.

Lou & Grey Sandwashed Pocket Tank Top in Mountain Rosemary

on sale at LOFT (S) // shorts (S)

This set is a really cute way to get the look of a romper with the convenience of a two-piece outfit. I love the velvety soft sandwashed fabric, and the shape of this tee is really flattering.

Lou & Grey Sandwashed Shorts in Mountain Rosemary

on sale at LOFT (S) // top (S)

The shorts have a 3″ inseam, with a relaxed fit, and a wide elastic waist that isn’t binding or uncomfortable at all. This is such a cute set for warm weather car travel or relaxing on vacation or casual summer weekend days.

Lou & Grey Sandwashed Henley Tank Top in Italian Plum

on sale at LOFT (S) // shorts (S)

These are the same shorts with a sleeveless henley style tee in a pretty shade of plum. I like the design of the green top better, but this color is really pretty. All three of these pieces are 40% off + extra 25% off.

VERDICT: I returned this set but kept the green. In fact, I brought it with me to Maine!

Moving on to some other retailers… White House Black Market has a sale on dresses, and I also ordered a few pairs of random sandals recently.

Matte Jersey Shirred Midi Dress

on sale at White House Black Market (S) // sandals (8)

I’ve shown this before, but I returned it, thinking I didn’t need it. Since then, I’ve wished I had it, so I ordered again when it went on sale. I actually like this one better than the one I had before because the floral pattern looks more even across the chest.

Here’s the first one I had… See what I mean? If this ever happens to you with a pattern, it might be worth trying a few of the same garment to see if you can find one that doesn’t look so awkward.

VERDICT: Keeping the one in the top picture!

Naot Pixie

at Zappos (8) // at Nordstrom (8)

These sandals come highly recommended by ladies in the Travel Fashion Girls Facebook Group for a comfort sandal that’s dressier than your typical walking sandal, and I thought they might be a good 2nd pair of sandals for my Italy trip in July.

(My primary pair is the Dorith in Gold Threads Leather that I’m wearing with the stripe dress above (more sizes HERE).

Here’s how they look with the black Gap Factory Splitneck Dress, one of the dresses I’m packing for sure.

What do you all think? I thought I wanted a black sandal for my dressy comfort sandals, but I feel like the black ankle strap chops up the line of the leg.

VERDICT: Deciding, I ordered in the Beige Lizard Leather/Silver Threads Leather/Rose Gold Leather to compare. I’ll report back!

Stuart Weitzman Strapeze 85 Slide

at Zappos (8) // dress (S)

I wasn’t planning on purchasing new shoes for the wedding this weekend, but when I came across this pair somewhere in my travels, I could not click away. It was actually a sale pair that caught first my eye, but when I saw this pair, I knew they’d be perfect with the dress I was planning to wear to the wedding last weekend.

I’ve had a longtime love affair with Stuart Weitzman shoes. I blame my mom, haha! She loved them before I did, and she bought me my first pair. I still have those black suede pumps because I loved them so much for so long, and now I can’t part with them, even though I haven’t worn them in a few years. But I digress.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the SW Strapeze Slides, so I did one of those things where I told myself I just wanted to try them and see, knowing full well I would never have the heart to return them if they actually fit well and were comfortable.

Well, they sure were! Even after wearing them all day on Saturday and dancing all night long, my feet were perfectly fine. I also felt like they were the perfect complement to my gorgeous dress, so I’m happy I kept them, and I’m sure I’ll find other opportunities to wear them.

If they’re in your budget, and you need a dressy sandal that’s as comfortable as it is gorgeous, I highly recommend trying these. They also come in gold and black and a gorgeous magenta.

rag & bone Brixley Knit Slide Sandal

at Nordstrom (8) // on sale at Bloomies (8) // jeans (29)

I realize these are pretty much the antithesis of the Stuart Weitzman sandals above, but I saw these sandals and the reminded me of an elevated version of those stretchy black platform slides we all wore in the late 90s and early aughts.

I really wanted to love these. The footbed is sooooo comfortable, and it practically massages your feet as you walk, but my bony feet swim in them. They’re better suited for those with higher arches or wider feet.

VERDICT: Returning, but sadly… they are so comfortable, and I think they’re cute too.

FRAME Le High Rise Straight Jeans in Eros

on sale at Bloomies (29) // old LOFT tee (S) // sandals (8)

These are basically the same jeans as the pair from last year’s #NSale that I’m wearing with the rag & bone Brixley Knit Slides above. I really like the fit and the medium wash, and they’re very stretchy and comfortable. They have a 10″ high rise, 27″ ankle inseam, and 14.5″ leg opening for a straight ankle fit that’s perfect for summertime.

The back view checks out too. I just don’t care for that weird distressing at the hem of the one leg. It looks like a mistake with the dyeing process, not intentional distressing, which it is.

VERDICT: Returning because I have a similar pair, but I’ll continue to link to these as a similar version since mine are sold out.

AllSaints Allington Straw Tote

at Nordstrom // Frame denim (29) // old LOFT tee (S) // sandals (8)

This is clearly not a pair of sandals, but I’ll throw it in here. This is the straw bag I keep talking about, and I finally had to order it to try. It’s not as big as I had feared; I actually really like the size. I also like the multiple carrying options…

The short straps fold down when you want to use the long ones, and the brushed silver hardware gives it a hint of edge to it.

VERDICT: I really don’t need this, but I’m tempted to keep it… it’s light and summery without being too sweet.

Zella Ava V-Neck Active T-Shirt

at Nordstrom (M) // shorts (M) // sneakers (8.5)

This is the NEW Zella Ava T-Shirt that I have in 3 or 4 colors from years past. It’s always been my favorite workout shirt that doesn’t look like a workout shirt, if you know what I mean… They redesigned it, and it did not get great reviews, so of course I had to check it out.

Here’s how it looks untucked. I do miss the split hem; I liked that feature, and the fabric is slightly thinner, but it’s every bit as soft. I did need to size up; it’s not cut as generously as the original, but otherwise, I don’t know… I don’t get the hate.

VERDICT: I’m only returning it because I have this exact color in the older version so I don’t need it, but I definitely recommend trying it if you like the style.

Zella Hana Studio T-Shirt

at Nordstrom (S) // shorts (M) // sneakers (8.5)

I’m so happy to see more performance tees that don’t look like workout gear. They’re perfect for athleisure looks, and you can work out in them too, if you want. This one has a really nice sleeve design; I always love a dolman!

It’s also buttery soft and stretchy, and it comes in some really pretty colors. I thought this bright pink was fun for a change, but there are some other color options to choose from. In this case, my usual size small fit just fine.

VERDICT: Keeping this one! In fact, I wore it traveling  yesterday with my Vuori Halo Wide Leg crop pants.

SPANX Air Essentials Half Zip

at SPANX (M) // pants (M) // sneakers (39)

I keep hearing about the Spanx AirEssentials line for travel, so I ordered this half zip and the coordinating crop wide leg pants to try. The fabric on these is extreeeeemely soft and comfortable, and it almost has a cooling feel to it, even though it’s fairly thick.

I like the idea of a matching set, but I don’t care for the large collar. I notice they have it zipped up higher on the model, maybe I should try that. It’s also a little heavy for summer travel, but I like how it makes a set with the pants. Here it is front-tucked, which looks much better.

SPANX AirEssentials Crop Wide Leg Pant

at SPANX (M) // at Nordstrom (M) // Vuori tee (S) // sneakers (39)

As far as the pants are concerned, they are verrrry wide, and not as much of a crop on me. They’re more of an ankle-length, but I don’t think I’d like a petite. I actually don’t mind them a tad longer than cropped, and they may shrink.

Here’s how they look with a non-matching top. This is the new Vuori Sunset Easy Tee, which I love.

And here’s the outfit with a denim jacket… my travel uniform!

VERDICT: I brought these with me to Maine. I think they’ll be perfect for casual days at the lake, and I might wear them to travel home as well.

Mid-Rise Pret-A-Pedi Crop Pants

at White House Black Market (6) // Gap Factory Dolman Tee (S) // Naot sandals (8)

I ordered these pants after seeing someone include them in her travel capsule wardrobe for an Italy vacation last spring. The lightweight white fabric is really nice for summer in Philly, but I may not want pants when I go to Italy in July.

VERDICT: They fit well, and they’re comfortable, but I can’t decide if I like them enough to keep them. I think if I want white pants, I will probably reach for one of my many pairs of white jeans.

And that’s all I’ve got for today! I hope your week is off to a good start, and don’t miss my Bloomingdale’s Sale Picks!