goldenpig

I was only able to shop in store for 2 hours at the beginning of presale. I ordered a bunch of things online but am returning most of it after trying it on at home. Here is what I've kept. Some wild card UWP like pieces including the Zella jacket, Vince mesh tank, Karen Kane cardigan with leather sleeves, the silver puffer, and punk zipper jeans. The Paige Edgemont jeans were not on sale, but they fit the best of the many different pairs of jeans I tried (thanks for the recommendation UmmLila). My belly bulge limited a lot of items including the R&B gilet and Halogen sleeveless tunic and wrap dresses, which I guess is a good thing because I had to really edit. I ended up with four pairs of higher waist jeans (one distressed, one non-distressed, one burgundy (thanks for the rec Angie!) and one white--guess I'm into skinnies lately!) to accommodate my food baby, two graphic tees, two tank tops which skim over the belly, two cardigans, and two puffy jackets (one short, one long). It all looks like a black and white capsule, doesn't it? Let me know what you think of these pieces on me! Thanks!

1-2. Zella jacket
3-4. Vince mesh tank
5-6. Karen Kane cardigan and burgundy Jen7 jeans
7. Laundry silver puffer
8. Halogen sweater
9-14. Paige Edgemont jeans with zippered pockets
14-16. AG Leggings jeans with distressing

17. Vince Camuto floral top and white Kut Diana jeans (size up from my previous white Diana pair)

I know it's totally ridiculous that I already have two puffers (white and brown) and yet want another one even though it doesn't even snow here. (Calling Rachylou for support on this!) But this is filling my UWP gunmetal parka wardrobe hole (yes I am creating a hole to justify this). I like the fitted silhouette and the contrasting patterns on the side panels. It is quite light and not bulky at all, yet visually it feels like I'm wearing a coat of armor. I love it! What do you think? Is it a keeper? 5-7 is not styled at all, just threw it on before I changed out of my outfit. But I wanted to show a pic of it open, which is how I would normally wear it.

Laundry by Shelli Segal parka in charcoal (they also have a fab electric blue version). $99! Sizing info--I normally run between a size S and M on top (size 6-8) and sized up to a M on this which was perfect. 

1-4 is what I wore to shop at NAS--Tokidoki casual. DH hates these Rag & Bone pajama jeans. He calls them my "I've given up" jeans. I agree they are kind of sloppy but I've gained some weight and my regular jeans are getting pretty snug and uncomfortably digging into my sides and giving me muffin top. So I decided I would try to find a new pair of jeans at NAS. My current jeans that still fit are 15-16. Vigoss ripped jeans size 28 (my favorite but they're getting kinda snug), 17-18. Kut from the Kloth Catherine boyfriend jeans size 28 (below the knee length), 19-20. J brand size 30 (too long so I rolled the hem), and 21-22. Banana Republic cropped flare size 29 (I don't know why but these always seem kind of weird/frumpy on me).

I tried on three pairs of jeans in store--5-9. Rag and Bone Dre size 29. DH hated the turned up hem and yellow stitching and said it's too baggy on me (I agree the rear view is rather unflattering), 10-14. AG jeans size 30. OK but kind of boring? I kind of like a darker wash. And 15-16. J Brand size 29. DH does not like these ones because they "don't look like real pants". He doesn't like jeggings I guess! He also doesn't like ripped knees or baggy jeans. He's super traditional. What kind of jeans are "in" nowadays?

Anyways, I have a few more on order to compare, but what do you think of the first three so far? I'm not entirely sure any of them are the right one. I've got another two Kut from the Kloth ones and another Rag and Bone on order as well. I just think the ones I currently have look better but I wish they weren't quite so snug on me! Gotta get cracking with the exercise and diet again!

Thanks for your help! By the way, I got the Halogen cardigan below and a swimsuit and some underwear as well when I went in store. I have a lot more on order, but surprisingly everything is very drab and grey/black/navy (see my NAS finds collection). Where did all the color go?

Here we go! My turn in the lemming dress! Let me know what you think and whether I should keep it or not. Also K/R on the rest of my NAS haul as well. I actually ordered quite a bit online (two different sizes of everything, multiple colors etc.) and almost all of it went back. Very frustrating. I brought one huge box back and I could tell the SA was internally groaning (and she kept saying, "Wow you bought a lot of stuff!" to me) and I still have two or three more boxes to return. So these are the very few things that didn't make me look pregnant with my huge apple belly. Although even these you can still see the belly in the pics, but it may be the lighting as well. Trust me, these were the best of the lot. Thanks so much for looking and any comments/advice/styling tips!

Here are the items I am (potentially) left with:
1-16. Vince lemming dress. Size 8 (6 was way too tight around my belly). I actually liked this a lot especially the color and comfort. DH is definitely not a fan though. When I tried it on this morning and I asked "Do you like it?" he said. "No. Why are you wearing such a huge shirt and where are your pants?" He was kind of joking, but kind of not. (The last time this happened to me was in the '80's when I wore a baggy sweater dress to school in 7th grade and got teased for having no pants on...I was mortified). I think he doesn't understand the concept of a shirt dress and he thinks I look like a sack of potatoes in this. He said, "You need a belt or something because it's hanging straight down and just looking baggy." I don't know...I think belting it would just ruin the line of the dress and reveal the tummy I'm trying to hide. I'm inclined to keep it despite the negative reaction from DH. I capitulated on the faux fur jacket a few years ago and returned it because it was more of a date night only item, but I'm willing to go to the mat for this one if you think it looks good on me...kind of like the H&M floral pants. I still love them and wear them whenever I don't mind DH's ribbing me about the clown pants. I think this dress is versatile and would work for both work and MOTG. I'm showing it three ways...bare legged with bronze sandals for work (4-7 is styled with jewelry and handbag), with jeans and sneaker booties for MOTG (10-12), and with faux leather paneled leggings and peep toe booties for the date night that is not going to happen with this dress (14-16). LOL. All comments on this sack of potatoes dress welcome!

8-9. Munro Abby sandals in bronze. I have this in black suede and wear those all the time. They are super comfy. What do you think of the color of these with my skin? Should I duplicate the black with a metallic?

13. Timberland black booties. I ordered both the wheat and the black to try, but I think the black suits my coloring better (bookending my hair) and my clothing color palette, and I like the bronze coloring on the toes. They feel very comfy and I don't feel the wedge is too high, although I can tell my feet pronate more in these than in regular sneakers because the arch support is very soft. I don't really know what to wear these with other than the boyfriend jeans I have on...they look funny with full length jeans tucked in. I think these could be great casual shoes though.

17. Karen Kane asymmetrical wrap hem shirt. My white Pleione shirt is getting a little worn and pilled on the arms, so I thought I'd try to find a replacement simple white shirt. 

18. Vince striped shirt. DD says I always dress too fancy (because I wear the same clothes for work and MOTG) so I'm looking for more truly casual tops to develop my casual MOTG wardrobe.

19-20. Vince textured zip sweater (the same one Angie bought). Not sure if this is too tomboyish for my style? I found myself wanting to stand with my legs apart in this one, unlike my usual pose with legs together...is that a sign?

21-22. Vince colorblock shirt. Another casual shirt that doesn't cling too much to my belly.

I already posted these in other threads, but here are the rest of the items I bought at NAS, for the sake of completeness:
23. Vince chevron tank and Zella Inspire capris
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....-food-baby
24. Caslon polka dot shirt
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....-food-baby
25. Theory Jodi sweater that Angie has (I think I'm going to exchange for the larger size medium) and Bailey 44 tulle skirt (totally frivolous but I think I will keep, much to my kids' delight).
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....kirt-x2-kr

Speaking of impractical items...I haven't actually worn this outfit out yet, and am trying to decide whether to keep it. Tags are still on so let me know if I can pull this off, or whether it's getting into Bjork swan dress territory (8)...can I really wear a tulle skirt, or do I look ridiculous? The kids are begging me to keep it because they want to play with it. Sweater is also from NAS and also a K/R. I recently watched Black Swan on an airplane ride (love Natalie Portman) and was inspired to change up the jewelry and handbag and footwear to transform from pretty white swan to edgy black swan (7) and to put my hair up in a messy ballerina bun. The statement necklaces are both from Stella and Dot...the white one has tulle and leather "feathers" and the black one is harder edged. The gold bracelet is more delicate and the silver bracelets are spikier. Excuse the shadows...the overhead lighting really accentuates the lumps and bumps and I've gotten a lot lumpier and bumpier lately. And this pale grey and white and blush look is kind of a departure for me...does this palette work with my coloring? Thanks for your comments!

Theory Jodi grey sweater (NAS)
Bailey 44 ivory tulle skirt (NAS)
Ugg Izabel Mar nude lace up pointy ballet flats (I thought it would be a fitting match for the ballerina skirt)
Kate Spade perforated floral purse
Stella and Dot "Birdie" necklace
Stella and Dot "Gracie" bracelet

Skechers grey studded wedge sneakers
Michael Kors silver studded satchel
Stella and Dot Palladian necklace
Stella and Dot rebel bracelet
F21 bracelet
Karl Lagerfeld watch