25 March 2013

Fable for a Day

fables print  fables print

So this dress is a bit outside my normal style aesthetic but when I saw it on online, I knew that I immediately needed to have it. The mix of colors and patterns were just fun, the cut of the dress seemed like it would be super-flattering and it's jersey knit! I love that stuff! Stretchy knit clothes are like cheating when it comes to getting dressed because they're so comfy. It seemed perfect for easy weekend wear.

And when I donned this dress, I just felt like it would be the right thing to pair it with more Anthropologie - probably the most pieces from the retailer that I've worn together in a while. Because though Anthro is one of my fave retailers, I've really cut back on my purchases there. Partly because I think my tastes have changed - and partly because I think I'm a bit more wise about succumbing to outside influences.

fables print  fables print

I admittedly got caught up in the Anthro-specific style blog heyday of mid-2011 (wow, was it that long ago?!). When for a period in the style blogging community the brand was the thing, and we fans went seriously gaga over new releases, stayed up late or woke up extra early for sale days, bent over backwards and promised first-born children for highly-coveted pieces (scalloped dots skirt, winding ruffles boots, stormy seas necklace, mompos dress - remember the hysteria over those pieces?).

I ended up buying things that were popular or hard to find, so I could be " just like the Joneses" or "the First!" I ended up with stuff that was quirky and cute as heck, but honestly didn't fit into my lifestyle or would have been something I picked out on my own. I learned my lesson about succumbing to the hype via my wallet. Now I still look at the Anthro site often, but I'm smarter about the items I buy - I listen to myself more. So though I snatched this dress up as soon as I saw it, this dress (and the boots and the bag) are all me.

Have you been influenced by outside forces before to buy stuff that you may not have chosen on your own? What items have you tried because of the "hype?" What's actually worked out and what hasn't?

fables print

fables print

Dress: Pinkerton via Anthropologie fables print (sold out online, check stores - sim, sim, sim, floral)
Tights: Target
Necklace: Emerson Fry (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)
Bracelets: Glitterbox Jewelry via Etsy (sim), Betsey Johnson (sim), Asos, ON (sim, sim)
Ring: c/o INPINK turquoise polished (worn here - sim, sim, real deal)
Bag: Holding Horses via Anthropologie tasseled leather (worn here - sim, clutch, more brown)
Boots: Schuler & Sons via Anthropologie studded strap (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)

69 comments:

  1. I knew as soon as I saw your thumbnail this had to be an Anthro dress! Luckily it isn't as easy to get caught up in all the hype over here with only two shops in London (and now one in Edinburgh) so all the bits from 2010-2011 that I purchased from the EU site I still wear. Many of the hype pieces never made it to our site anyway :-)

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    1. One thing about living in overseas or in Canada where it is hard to find a store and shipping costs are sometimes staggering - you do get a lot more selective about what you end up buying from a retailer!

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  2. This is a perfect spring dress! I too love jersey material, it falls nicely and like you said, super comfortable!

    GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/

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  3. I feel like every time I go shopping I am drawn to something completely new and almost completely different than what I wear on a daily basis. ESPECIALLY when I go to Anthro! They always suck me in!

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    1. I think it's those scented candles. They must put something in them that makes you feel like you Have to buy something in there. ;o)

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  4. That is a darn cute dress! And even when I stumble across the anthropologie blogs, I already know what I like there (many of the hyped things would look terrible on me) and also know that patience there is important - I usually wait out my purchases until they appear on sale for half price or on ebay!

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    1. I don't think I ever got any of the really hyped Anthro items, but I def purchased more. Now I am a lot more choosy when it comes to shopping in general, even though it's evident I still like to shop!

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  5. This Anthro dress looks so awesome on you Lisa. I love the pattern and print! Those booties are perfect with it. Gosh, I've made fashion errors so many times. HaHa Like I can't wear a lot of print on top, but look much better with prints on bottom because of my size. Again, one size does not fit all.

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  6. I did flips when I saw your photo come up in my dashboard. Love the pretty hotchpotch printed dress, so beautiful by itself, but stunning on you! :)

    You know I definitely do not keep up with trends other than to enjoy items that are for sale now, which happen to be "trendy." I think at my age, station, and general disposition, dressing trendy would be false, and likely a bad example for my daughter, since I definitely want her to feel free to express herself as she is, and not feel pressured to be like everyone else. Right now, at 4, I see hints of "McKinley has those boots," or "Arianna wears this color a lot." That's fine, obviously, but as kids age, keeping up with the Joneses will be less about who she is as a person and more about her making choices only because she thinks that is what she is supposed to be like.

    I would like to think that I have always been fine with my own personal style, but I have to admit to a bit of blogger envy, seeing all the twenty-something thin blogging women wearing the same edgy/boho/luxe look, writing about their trips to NYC and Paris for fashion weeks, etc., but I come careening back to reality (and less envy) when I realize that my version of personal style definitely doesn't suit everyone, but because it suits me, I call that my own version of success.

    Thanks for this topic! I look forward to reading everyone's opinions!

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    1. I'm at the point now where even though I like trying new things (i.e., new trends), I have to remind myself that not all trends are age appropriate! Cutesy cat prints on really short babydoll dresses - probably not right for me!

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  7. How cute that the dress has built-in pattern mixing! Sometimes I'll see a trendy item on another blogger and really want it but then I'll realize the trend may not be around long and decide against it.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    $50 PayPal Giveaway!

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    1. One good thing about this dress - the pattern lends itself to the whole "less is more" deal. This will be a really easy warm weather piece for me - throw it on, call it a day!

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  8. Hi Lisa, when I first saw this post, I thought "that's an Anthro dress" and then, "strange, I haven't seen Lisa wearing Anthro in a long time!". But you are right, the dress is still very "you" in the sense that it's definitely your style and your personality still shines through. You look great!

    I was ruminating on this very issue of keeping up with the Joneses in the blogging world (I talked about it in this post here). Last year and the year before, I was constantly getting caught up in the hype over a particular item, because it was something that a big-name blogger wore. I ended up wasting a ton of money on stuff that wasn't really my style to begin with. I have since sold all of it on Ebay, and unsubscribed from all those blogs. I have been feeling a lot happier about myself and my wardrobe since then!

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  9. The colors on your dress are gorgeous! Perfect for spring!

    http://www.sincerelysammie.com/

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  10. You look so good in this dress! Those colours and patterns are just so "you", same with the booties and bag. Same with that Olmeda (sp?) pencil skirt you wore a while ago - it's the colours and how they work for you that I noticed, not that you were wearing Anthro - if that makes sense?
    I know what you mean about the Anthro hype, last summer I saw that boxy little jacket that was an army green anorak in the front and had sweater material in the back on all these bloggers, and I was like, "Oh swoon!" Tried it on in front of Victor, who pronounced it the ugliest thing he's seen in his life. Spent months thinking about it anyway, by the time it hit sale and I might have been able to afford it, I was so over the darn thing!
    If and when I do buy stuff from Anthro, I always force myself to stop and think first - will I really wear this, does it actually suit me and my tall, curvy body, how many outfits can I cook up in my head on the spot that this item would fit into, etc. And most importantly of all, can I afford this? They have so many weird things and such a universally high price point that it's easy to get lulled into a sense that this expensive mad stuff is totally normal, you know? Also helps to bring along my husband who hates 90% of what Anthro sells with a passion - for an instant reality check. ;)

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    1. Gwenn, I am actually on the lookout for that jacket because I missed the boat when it went on sale last year!

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    2. Gwen - I know what you mean, sometimes you get so used to retailer pricing that when they come out with something more affordable - OMG, a $58 tee shirt?! - suddenly we all feel like we need it ... except it is still a $58 tee shirt ...
      And I adore a ton of Anthro's stuff, honestly, but nowadays I really have to step back, like you, and really assess whether that skirt or top would really look good on me or fit in with my lifestyle.

      thedeadiaries - Just goes to show that we all need to listen to ourselves more on what we like (and not what the mass "like" is) and what works for us.

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  11. Ugh..story of my life! I've never been good at putting outfits together so I would often shop looks straight off the mannequins. Then when I first started looking at blogs, I would do the same - try to buy each exact piece from their outfits. Eventually I realized that while my body type is fairly easy to dress, I have these two (large) girls attached to me who don't always lend themselves to the latest fashion trends. I've learned to look more at colors & shapes as opposed to the EXACT pieces someone is rocking online. As far as trends go, I don't usually jump on right away; I try to wait & see how long the trend sticks around.

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    1. Haha, I have the opposite problem - I have two much smaller girls that don't lend themselves to the latest trends! ;o)

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  12. Ok, so I know for sure I've been influenced at some point in life but for some reason I can't think of an exact instance. The only thing that comes to mind are those graphic shirts that were in 3 years back - I bought a few and sadly, wore them only a handful of times.

    I'm very hesitant to try hypes - sometimes that's a good thing but other times, it's not. I've yet to try the bubble necklace trend. Sad, right?

    FashionEdible Blog

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  13. This dress looks fantastic on you. Love all the turquoise, of course. And LOVE jersey knit!

    I've also cut way back on Anthro purchases. It's a combination of my tastes changing, their aesthetic changing, and also being wiser about what I'm buying as well. It's so easy to fall into the hype (it looks so good on her! I must have it!) and then wonder why afterwards. Also, for the record, I never liked the Mompos Dress very much. :)

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    1. The thing about those really hyped pieces I listed in the post (for me at least) was that though I thought they were all really pretty, I think I enjoyed the idea of them more than the actual items.

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  14. That dress is perfection on you!

    I know what you mean. It's so easy to fall into the hype. I've tried hard not to let it happen with me because I allow my wallet to do the talking. And many times my wallet says nope, can't have it :).

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  15. I didn't want to get jeggings, but I tried some on and fell in love.

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    1. Haha, well sometimes this stuff works out! For as many Anthro pieces that I bought and then sold on blog sale or Ebay, there were pieces I still have and really adore, that I would have never tried otherwise.

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  16. What a fun dress!! Loving the prints and patterns on here.
    YOu look fabulous

    Stylejourneys

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  17. this is such a fabulous print - you really look stunning in it. the colours are really bright and perfect for spring.

    i've had to learn not to get embroiled in the hype. it's too easy to go there, and then regret buying because you're riding the fan-wagon. it took time, and sometimes though i still find myself being swayed. damn that peer pressure!! lol

    thank you again for guest blogging while i was away. you are the awesomesauce!

    xox P

    phiphi's blog

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    1. Oh yeah, like or not, we're all total enablers in the style blogging community!

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  18. That dress is really cute. I like Anthropologie, but don't shop there often since it can be expensive unless there's a sale.

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  19. I absolutely LOVE that dress! It's such an unexpected pattern and I would have never chosen it for fear of it being too bold but it looks fabulous on you!

    Evani

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  20. That dress has a fun print, which is quite you. :) I think I'm quite resistant to trends and or hypes as I'm more inclined to buy pieces that work for me and fits with the rest of my wardrobe. I've still yet to get on the cropped printed pants wagon or the peplum wagon for that matter!

    fauxionista.com

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  21. Tie front blouses. So many bloggers were wearing them last summer and I thought I'd give it a shot, even though it's not really me. Turns out that it wasn't really me and I've since gotten rid of the top I bought; thankfully I didn't spend too much!

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  22. Lisa, I love this dress on you!! I actually own it too and just wore it this past weekend:) We're twins!!

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    1. Ooh, I gotta go check it out - I bet you looked fantastic in it!

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  23. DANGIT Lisa!!! I had this on my wishlist, but it sold out when I went to order it! It looks great on you. Hoping for a pop back!

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    1. I was actually surprised this piece sold out as quickly as it did, I thought a lot of people would have felt it was way too busy.

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  24. Gorgeous, girl, like this mix of prints and colours were made for you!! I feel badly because I enjoyed watching some of the madness, though my non-anthro location helped ensure I could only take part if I really, really wanted something! I love shopping there, and I still find they make enough items that fit perfectly with my lifestyle without having to go crazy acquiring some of the big stuff...

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    1. Heck, I enjoyed watching the madness myself. I was right there oohing and ahhing with everyone and def did more a lot more Anthro items during that period, but I had not gotten to the point where I was waking up at 4am or whatever to buy things on sale First! or calling store-to-store-to-store to find an item.
      Plus some of those hyped items (like the field game cardigan) - I finally hunted one down on Ebay months and months and months after the piece was long sold out, tried it on, and it looked like crap on me!

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  25. The dress is very cute and you look adorable in it!

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  26. This is such a gorgeous dress, I am loving the fun prints!

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  27. i always buy something when i step into anthro. usually i end up wearing the stuff once or twice and selling it. not totally sure why, but now i try to avoid it. this dress is so cute, i think you pull it off perfectly :)

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    1. I know what you mean, their marketing folks are brilliant - it's one of those places you go into and feel like you Have to get something because there's just so much whimsy! and pretty! all over the place.

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  28. I love all the different prints together!

    xo,
    Angela
    headtotoechicblog.com

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  29. I just love your dress and what makes it better is that you say it's comfy! Love the pattern!

    Rebecca
    www.winnipegstyle.ca

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  30. I was really into crafts at the time and ran a craft blog. The big thing was to make Anthro knock-offs. I made a lot of knock-off Anthro necklaces and even some shirts. It was fun at the time, but a little silly as I look back. :)

    Aubree from look.feel.be

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    1. Seems like a smart thing to me - some of the resale prices on those coveted Anthro items were ridiculous!

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  31. Yes, I totally remember all the anthro-hype and maybe even fell victim to a little of it! It's so easy to lose track of what you really love and just want something because of the crazy mob mentality.

    Chic on the Cheap

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  32. I wanted to wear Anthro so bad. I bought a lot of pieces and many ended up going back. It took me awhile to accept that the flowy, pretty look just isn't my everyday style. I'm preppy and that's more than ok. I still buy the occasional thing from there and look regularly, but the fiendish days are over. lol

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    1. I'm with you. The ruffles and embellishments were a little too much sometimes.

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  33. This is a great print dress - I can see why you are drawn to it. I have never really shopped at Anthro though I think they have very cute items but just a bit to boho for me. I am always tempted by what other fashion bloggers are wearing but I do stick to my guns and make sure it's me. But because of blogging and reading other blogs, I have taken more fashion risks than before.

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  34. love this dress on you! it's so fun and funky :)

    ~Chioma
    C's Evolution of Style

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  35. I wasn't blogging during 2011 so I missed the Anthro phase! Thank goodness! haha...my wallet would have hated me! I am definitely influenced to buy things I see on other blogs. I actually just bought my first Anthro necklace on sale and it's my favorite piece right now! That dress is super cute! It's nice to have some unexpected pieces in your wardrobe.
    ~Jessica
    Jeans and a Teacup

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  36. Lisa! This is an adorable anthro dress! I knew where it was from before I even scrolled to the bottom! We all go through our phases and/or dress according to our moods! I think this look is perfect for Spring!

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  37. that's an awesome dress! I love the funky and retro vibe, and the colors are gorgeous - especially with that ring! I try not to buy anything outside my style - but blogger can make it tough!!! You want what everyone else has!

    XO
    Pearls & Paws

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  38. It looks absolutely amazing on you!! You're totally pulling off like that pattern like a boss!

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  39. Oh Lisa I can see a hippy vibe going on there :)!
    Very nice and I wish I had such a dress.
    XOXOXO

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  40. This sounds awfully familiar... I have the same thing happening right now, but with J.Crew :) It's expensive, and as a student I do really watch myself and it all stays withing my financial limit. But still, I do feel bad sometimes, because for the money I spend on one J.Crew shirt (even in their Factory!) I could get three dresses are Zara. And I have yet to make up my mind about which option I like better :p

    Anyway

    I love this dress :) It has a busy print and vast mix of colors, but it's SO fun and SO pretty that it all just works. I love Anthro for their lovely prints and patterns. This dress looks fab on you :) x

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    1. I love J.Crew myself - good thing they have a lot of sales!

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  41. I love your dress! You are so right that it is easy to be influenced by other bloggers and get caught up in the hype. After all, we all want to be cool. But, learning to avoid the hype makes finding your own personal style that much better :)

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  42. Great style instinct! I totally adore the print and the style of that dress! :D

    Abi
    http://thebelatedbloomer.blogspot.com
    twitter and instagram: @BelatedBloomer

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  43. Oh wow, you look so pretty! Is it the neckline, the shape? Whatever it is, the dress is super perfect for you.

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    1. I have a short neck - I think I need to remind myself to wear v-necks more often!

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  44. I like this post so much: these pictures are wonderful!
    What about following each other? Cosa mi metto???
    Win 100euros to spend a Zara"!!

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  45. Lisa, I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. I think we started blogging around the same time and were checking out similar bloggers and their styles. Like you I was so excited about this new concept (blogging) have styling help through reading blogs and thought that if I acquired all these items that were being showcased I would be just as stylish/hip/up-to-date. Totally missed the boat! Instead what's been happening is that I've been slowly but surely selling the items that I had once purchased due to being influenced. Now that I work there it's so much different because I'm around everything often so the appeal can wear off much quicker and I never have to buy a thing. But I still buy! Only now I'm more in tune with what I really like and will really prove to be versatile with my lifestyle and personal style. Great topic!

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    1. We probably rode the tide together, hehe. Yes, I've been selling off stuff slowly but surely myself - but the Anthro hype did also get me to buy some pieces I would not have noticed otherwise and still adore to this day.

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  46. I just wanted to let you know that I loved this outfit so much I've included you in my Favourite fashions.

    Have a great holiday weekend!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  47. Even though this dress is a little bit outside of your style aesthetic, it is FABULOUS on you! Great buy. I love the colors and pattern and it is overall very flattering on you.

    Oh yes, I remember all of the anthro hype (fun!). I am certainly guilty of buying into that a bit, but like you, I have become a much smarter shopper.

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