Winter Fashion Try-On Haul: Sweaters, Jeans & Pants

I placed an Evereve order during their last sale, and I found some fun sweaters! And then when I was at the mall last week, I found some great work pants, an amazing pair of washed black flares, and a couple of blouses that are perfect for the holidays and beyond.

Design History Bobble Pullover

at Evereve (S) // AG Jeans (29) // booties (8)

This deep red sweater with the bobble knit details is nice for this time of year. The fabric is 62% acrylic/38% polyester, which is good for those who can’t wear wool.

The 22 1/2″ length is perfect for leaving untucked with jeans or pants, but I don’t know why the fit is so snug around the midsection. It’s like the part of the sweater that’s ribbed is stretchy and tight, but the top part where the bobbles are fits more loosely. It’s kind of strange.

Maybe I just need to size up; I see the model is wearing a size small, which is what I’m wearing, and she is a lot smaller than I am.

Anyway, I like the way the arms are designed, with the bubble sleeve and the narrow cuff. It’s got a lot going for it, but it misses the mark for me.

VERDICT: I decided to return this one, as I clearly don’t love the fit, but I’m sure some of you will like it!

Pistola Carlen Mock Neck Sweater

at Evereve (S) // AG jeans (29) // leather booties (8.5)

Speaking of missing the mark, haha! The oversized look is trending again, but it’s not a good look for me.

I’m not even sure what attracted me to this one, to be honest. I think I saw that it’s 24 1/4″ long, and assumed it wouldn’t look so oversized in person, but I was wrong. (Incidentally, I can’t believe it is 24 1/4″ long! it seems much longer.)

The fabric is 64% Acrylic, 13% Polyester, 8% Alpaca, 9% Nylon, 4% Wool, 2% Spandex… so beware of that bit of wool, if you’re sensitive. I found it soft and cozy.

Here’s how I think it’s intended to be worn, with a carefree half-tuck, for that slightly undone effortlessly-cool vibe. I can appreciate this look, but I know I’ll never reach for it.

I will add, though, these bold/bright colors are trending this winter, so this definitely will update your wardrobe if you’re looking to do that. It has to align with your personal style, though, or you’ll just look sloppy.

VERDICT: I’m returning this one as well… I have so many sweaters, I’m not adding another one to my closet unless I absolutely love it.

Faherty Jackson Polo Pullover

at Evereve (S) // AG jeans (29) // leather booties (8.5)

Now this one is much more my speed… although until I saw these pictures, I was planning to return it. I think I felt like it was too low-cut, but I do like the silhouette it creates. The length is 23 3/4″, and I love the set-in sleeves and the traditional close-to-the-body but not body-con fit.

That said, I feel like the arms and body are overall a little too long for me, like this sweater was made for a taller person. I don’t think sizing down is the answer either; I wouldn’t want it any tighter through the body.

I do like that the fabric is 53% cotton, 23% polyester, 20% nylon; as  I’m trying to keep only sweaters made primarily with natural fibers.

VERDICT: I’m debating keeping this one… even though I have some reservations. I love the color, the polo style collar, and the overall vibe is just really me… or what I want my vibe to be, haha! What say you???

AG Farrah High Waist Bootcut Jeans in 2 Years Dropout

at Nordstrom (29) // on sale at Zappos // leather booties (8.5)

Let’s take a break from sweaters and discuss these jeans. I found these when I was shopping in-store at Nordstrom last week. I wasn’t planning to buy more jeans right now, but this faded black wash caught my eye, and they’re the AG Farrah Boot — a style I have and love from the #NSale. (See me wearing them HERE.)

FYI, there are some blue denim washes on sale at Bloomies, and I found these exact jeans on sale at Zappos, but sizes are limited.

The measurements are 32 1/2″ inseam; 19″ leg opening; 10 3/4″ front rise, making them a classic full-length bootcut style. They’re slightly longer than the Mother Weekender that I love, so if you wanted those and were afraid the 31″ inseam was too short, these might work for you.

And the fabric is the iconic AG 98% cotton/2% polyurethane, which I typically love in denim, but black washes never seem to fit as well as blue. I learned not too long ago that when they dye fabric black, it shrinks it a bit, so black fabrics tend to run small.

That is definitely true for these jeans; I have the 28 in the AG Farrah Boot from the #NSale, and these are snug in the size 29… like, almost too snug. For that reason, I’m not sure I’m keeping them, even though I do love how they look on.

VERDICT: I’m keeping the tags on, and I’ll see if I reach for them. I don’t have a full length black bootcut jean, and I’ve been wanting a pair, so I’m hoping they loosen up some if I wear them around the house for an hour or two.

Evereve Elliot Scoop Neck Tee

at Evereve (S) // Paige jeans $50 off (28) // leather booties (8.5)

Okay, so this is clearly not a sweater, but this striped top caught my eye. It’s giving me all of those French girl vibes. Speaking of which, I’ve been watching The Lost Kitchen with Erin French. Is anyone else into that?

She often wears a striped top, which has been making me think I need one, and this one has a lot of nice details like the scoop neck and extended length sleeves with thumbholes. The fabric is also a nice weight, and the length is nice too. The striped tees I’ve had in the past were always too long, and I ended up parting with them.

Even though the length is fine for leaving out, I felt like it needed a little styling, so I tried it with a front tuck. I like this much better.

Also these jeans are the Paige Claudine, which is an ankle flare with a 28″ inseam… as opposed to the AG Farrah Boot that I was wearing with the sweaters above, with a 32″ inseam. I feel like they look a little more casual, which complements this top.

This top in the rayon/spandex blend has a nice fit and feel, but it’s a little plain without a 3rd piece, so I tried my faux leather puffer on top.

I don’t know… something seems a little off about this, but I can’t put my finger on it. The boots, for one thing, are probably too dressy. I should have tried lug sole booties, or maybe my Veja sneakers.

Then I threw my leather jacket on top — I was wondering how a full length sleeve would look over the t-shirt with the thumbholes, and it does look kind of odd.

VERDICT: I like it, I just need to figure out if I’ll actually wear it.

Evereve Aria V-Neck Pullover

at Evereve (S) // Paige jeans $50 off (28) // leather booties (8.5)

Getting back to sweaters… this is another Evereve find, and I love the concept. I think the neckline is really cool, and I love the color.

The knit is soft and stretchy, but rather thin, so not super warm — maybe a nice one for those who live in warmer climates. It’s made of 98% recycled polyester/2% spandex.

I thought it looked a little overwhelming, though, so I tried a front tuck, but I’m not sure I like this either.

Next, I tried it with white straight ankle jeans… I think this teal color is so pretty with white. It still looks a little boxy, but since lighter colors make those areas look bigger, maybe the white on the bottom helps balance out the more bulky top half.

I also tried it with loafer mules because sometimes I just don’t feel like wearing a heel. I think I like this look! I’ll definitely pair this sweater with white more often than black; I don’t really care for it with blue.

VERDICT: I think I’m keeping this one. It might not be as flattering as the purple polo neck sweater, but I like the color and the details, and it pairs so well with white jeans and taupe or beige shoes. It’s fun for a change. Here’s how it looks photographed “in the wild” so to speak… haha!

outfit details

Evereve Stella Stripe Pullover

at Evereve (S) // AGOLDE jeans (29) // Blondo boots (8)

This is the last Evereve sweater, and I love this color palette. I’m always a fan of black, and I also think the colors in the stripes are so pretty. The tipped cuffs are fun too.

Plus, I like how they sort of slant upwards on the arms; it helps to de-emphasize my broad shoulders. It also has raglan sleeves, which are the most flattering style for me, and I love the ribbed fabric and how it sits close to the body without being too body-con.

First, I tried this sweater with the AGOLDE Riley Long Jeans and my Blondo lug sole boots. I like how the black boots and black sweater bookend the look.

But since the stripes give this sweater somewhat of a sporty vibe, I tried it with my white and black Veja Esplar sneakers. I also have the solid white ones, but I chose the ones with the black accents to pick up on the black in the sweater. I also think they look more wintry.

I like that look, but I don’t love the bunching around the hem of those jeans. I decided to swap them for the Mother Dazzler to see how they compare.

Yes, I like this… they just have a cleaner look to them. I added the AGOLDE Riley to my closet because I feel like they look a little more current and on trend, but I always end up wearing the Mother Dazzler instead. Plus, the Mother Denim is softer and stretchier and generally more comfy.

I like to have multiple styling options if I’m going to keep something, and I was curious how this sweater would look with black jeans, so next I tried it with my Frame Le High Straight washed black straight ankle jeans. I thought the contrast with the washed black denim would look better than with a more inky black pair, and I do like this.

I like the sneakers with the black accents for a sporty/casual vibe, but I also wanted to try loafer mules.

I’m not so much a fan of this. There’s something about the contrast of my pale skin in between the black pants and black loafers that seems a bit incongruous with the winter sweater. I feel like it needs a top that also exposes some skin — something more open at the neck or with short sleeves.

So then I tried my Dolce Vita Vikram Booties… this definitely works. I like this look, but I think I would prefer jeans with a slightly longer inseam to elongate the leg and cover a little more of the boot.

I recently ordered the AG Mari in this Melodic wash (with the 29″ inseam) to see if I like them better than these Frame Le High Straight (27″) and the Fidelity Cher (also 27″ inseam) with boots this fall.

At the time I was doing these try-ons, I didn’t have the AG Mari yet, so I tried the Paige Claudine raw hem ankle flares (with the 28″ inseam) with the Dolce Vita Vikram Booties, and I definitely prefer this combo.

The extra inch in the inseam creates a better vertical balance and looks better with the boots, in my opinion. Plus, the flared leg helps balance my broad shoulders and wide hips more than the straight silhouette.

And I don’t mind the low contrast between the black jeans and black sweater. While these jeans don’t have as much texture to the wash as the Frame pair, they are a little bit faded and lighter than the sweater.

VERDICT: Definitely keeping this sweater. I like the variety of styling options, and it’s different than anything I have. In fact, we took pictures with the Mother Weekender Flares last week…

outfit details

AG Mari High Rise Slim Straight Jeans in Melodic

at Bloomindale’s // sweater (S) // boots (8)

Okay, so these are the AG Mari in the washed black. I ordered these to have a longer option for washed black straight ankle jeans because I’m not loving the 27″ inseams with booties this fall.

These are a size 29, and I thought I liked the fit until I tried the 28. They actually aren’t too tight in the waist because the fabric is really stretchy. Unlike a lot of my AG jeans that are 98% cotton, these are 87% cotton/10% polyester/3% spandex. (This is the info in the jeans themselves; for some reason, the website has it listed incorrectly.)

These jeans have a 9.75″ rise and a 29″ inseam with a 13″ leg opening, so they’re a very slim straight silhouette… almost too slim.

I feel like they almost read as a skinny, especially in the size 28. Take a look…

VERDICT: I’m definitely undecided on these. I like the silhouette with some of my boots, but I’m conflicted on the sizing, and I want to be sure I’ll actually wear them. Plus, I do have one more option to consider…

Paige Cindy Raw Hem High Rise Cropped Straight Leg Jeans in Black Lotus

at Bloomingdale’s (29) // sweater (S) // boots (8)

I haven’t always loved the Paige Cindy on me, but this time, I think they’re exactly what I’m looking for. I went to the Paige website to get these measurements because I knew the ones on Bloomingdale’s weren’t right.

They have a 10 1/2″ rise and a 28″ inseam with a 14 1/4″ leg opening. So they’re an inch shorter and an inch wider than the AG Mari and an inch longer and an inch wider than the Fidelity Cher.

The fabric is 93% cotton/5% polyester/2% spandex, so it’s soft and stretchy, just how I like it! And while I think I like the wash on the AG pair just a little better, the slightly wider, slightly shorter silhouette is going to work better for me, I think.

Here’s a picture with the Vince Henderson boots from last season, anohter pair I’ve struggled with when I want to wear them with washed black straight ankle jeans.

Gola Chicago Sneaker

at Evereve (9) // at Zappos (9) // sweatshirt (S) // Mother Insiders (28)

I ordered these sneakers to have another retro sneaker option in my closet. I love my rag & bone pair, but the warm beige doesn’t always go with my outfits, and I thought this grey/blush/white color palette would be more versatile for me.

These are remarkably comfortable, and a nice option for under $100! My only reservation is the white is a very stark white, and it’s nylon (not leather) so it might get dirty easily. It seems like it would wipe off, though.

VERDICT: Keeping! They’re comfortable and I like the color palette, and since I wear sneakers so often, I think I’ll get a good cost per wear.

Halogen Floral Long Sleeve V-Neck Blouse

at Nordstrom (S) // Vince pants (M) // pumps (8)

Now, for a few blouses… this is one I picked up in-store. I think the colors in this painterly floral pattern are so pretty, and I really like the fit as well. It has a modest v-neck, long blouson sleeve, and a versatile 24″ length. It looks good both front-tucked and untucked.

And here’s a view of the side and the back. These are those Vince Front Seam Pants. The fabric is luxe and such good quality, and they have an amazing fit. These are my go-to black pants when I need something dressier than jeans.

Cece Ruffle Crepe Top in Peacock Teal

at Nordstrom (S) // Vince pants (M) // pumps (8)

I ordered this top a few weeks ago to have a conservative, dressy option for pairing with these pants or black jeans for holiday events, dinners out, church, or what-have-you.

I have a love/hate relationship with CeCe tops. They do such a nice job with colors and styling, but I always feel like the fabric feels a little cheap. I don’t think it looks that way, though, and the price points are great. This top comes in some more colors at Bloomies.

I like the styling of the neckline and the sleeves, but I’m not such a fan of the length. I have a CeCe blouse from last year that I like a lot, so I threw it on to compare, and it’s definitely a smidge shorter…

CeCe Tie Sleeve Top in Claret Red

at Bloomies (S) // at Nordstrom (S) // NYDJ ponte pants (4) // pumps (8)

See? It’s just that much shorter, and it also has a bit of a curved hemline in the back, which I find flattering. It also has a really pretty neckline, and I love the tie sleeves.

I added jewelry to show how I might wear it to church or out to dinner.

NYDJ Marilyn Straight Ponte Pants

at Bloomies (4) // at Nordstrom (4) // pumps (8)

These are the work pants I mentioned above. I love this classic full-length, straight fit, and they come in some nice neutral colors… as opposed to just black.

The fabric is a machine washable 54% polyester, 43% viscose, 3% elastane; and they have a 32 1/2″ inseam with a 16″ leg opening, and a 10″ front rise.

They’re stretchy and comfortable, but they run big. Definitely size down.

VERDICT: I think I’ll keep these. I don’t wear non-denim pants very often, but I like this silhouette, and I love this charcoal grey color.

Treasure & Bond Women’s Marled Mock Neck High-Low Tunic Sweater

at Nordstrom (S) // NYDJ ponte pants (4) // similar Aquatalia booties (8)

Aaaaaand, we’re back to sweaters! These last two are from Nordstrom. This one is the Treasure & Bond brand, and it’s very chunky and warm. I don’t care for that hemline, though, or the silhouette it creates. It’s going back.

Halogen Stripe Mock Neck Sweater

at Nordstrom (S) // NYDJ ponte pants (4) // similar Aquatalia booties (8)

This is a nice option, though. This one is Halogen, and it’s a ribbed knit made from 52% recycled polyester, 45% acrylic, 3% spandex. It’s the perfect 23 1/2″ length, and it has my favorite raglan sleeves!

It comes in some solid colors, but I really like this color block style.

VERDICT: I’ll hold onto this one for a while, and see if I reach for it. It could be a nice addition to my winter wardrobe.

And that’s a wrap for this week!