Sale Alert: 50% Off Your Entire Purchase at Ann Taylor, Fitting Room Reviews + Advice For My Younger Self

Ann Taylor Mini Pebbled Signature Tote in white (review of black version here)
Ann Taylor Graphic Lace Tee, size XXS regular
LOFT Scallop Riviera Shorts, size 00 regular (review here)
Rifle Paper Co. Botanical Journal (it's excluded from their main sale but I was able to use the code ANNT3BE for 25% off during the last sale)
Cat Pen
Jack Rogers Liliana Sandals (review here)

Ann Taylor is offering 50% off your entire purchase until 3AM 5/19 with code SECRET50. Exclusions apply. Shop my sales picks here:

Ann Taylor Mini Pebbled Signature Tote in white (review of black version here)
Ann Taylor Graphic Lace Tee, size XXS regular
LOFT Scallop Riviera Shorts, size 00 regular (review here)
Jack Rogers Liliana Sandals (review here)

I ordered the above graphic lace tee last week in size XXS regular and it runs small after trying it on again. XXS regular fits more like XSP and it has a boxy fit. According to the care tag it's 79% cotton and 21% nylon and dry clean only but I'm tempted to wash it in cold on the gentle cycle.

Size XXS regular measurements are as follows:

14.25" shoulders
33" bust
22.5" length in front
23.5" length in back
34" waist/hips (measured before the split hem opening)

I also ordered the mini pebbled signature tote in white after seeing it in person and it's slightly different from the black version I reviewed here. The small front flap/pocket (which I find pretty useless) now has a button snap instead of a magnetic closure. This newer version no longer comes with a chain strap in white, dark sky (navy) and pale camel. The new strap is a more petite friendly length if you like to wear it as a shoulder bag you can adjust the strap to the following lengths: 30.5" (15.25" drop) , 31.5" (15.75" drop) and 32.5" (16.25" drop). I'm wearing the bag with the strap at the longest length in the picture shown above. The shorter strap also means that this bag doesn't work as a crossbody bag anymore. Note: If you're able to purchase the black version it still comes with a chain strap but the black version has been sold out online.

Striped Full Skirt Shirtdress
Clipdot Pleated Shirtdress
Sketched Floral Full Skirt Dress

I tried on these dresses at Ann Taylor last week since I was anticipating a sale this weekend.

Clipdot Pleated Shirtdress, size 0P (also available in pink and white)
Zara Flat Chain Sandals in gold (item no. 2660/001, review here)

I wanted to try on this clipdot pleated shirtdress last weekend back but my local store was so busy that the line to the fitting room was a long wait so I just left. However, I was able to stop by after work last week and try it on for size. Size 0P fits true to size and it's lined so it's not see through. It also has pockets which is a plus in my book any day. The shoulders cut in ever so sightly so your bra straps may peek through and it's noticeable above since I was wearing a black bra that day. See a live fitting room update of this dress that I saved from my Snapchat (username @whatjesswore) here.

Striped Full Skirt Shirtdress, size 0P

I also tried on this striped full skirt shirtdress in size 0P and this is more lightweight since it's unlined unlike the clipdot pleated shirtdress. I'd say this dress fits true to size as well but I wasn't able to button up the 3/4 sleeves around my forearms since they were much too tight. I had to make do with folding up the sleeves twice. My upper forearms have a circumference of 8.5" so perhaps I'm more big boned or something. See my Snapchat fitting room update of this dress here.

Sketched Floral Full Skirt Dress, size 0P

Lastly, I tried on this sketched floral full skirt dress in 0P but unlike the other two dresses I found that this one runs big and fits more like a 2P. There's a lot of room all over especially at the chest and waist. I'd say this dress fits similar to the floral eyelet dress I reviewed here in 00P and here in 0P. See my Snapchat fitting room update of this dress here.

Scroll Flounce Hem Dress, size 00P

Bandolino Mikea Sandals*

*Runs true to size to 1/2 larger; black available here and here; similar here

Zara Mini City Bag in lime green (item no. 4498/004, review here)

Update 5/18: I reviewed this scroll flounce hem dress on Instagram earlier last week and totally forgot about it since I returned it (when returning it the sales associate said that a lot of people were bringing back the dress due to the oversize fit). I actually ordered it since I saw it beautifully styled by Skirt The Rules. Unfortunately, I found that size 00P runs about 1-2 sizes bigger and fits like a 2P in my opinion. Fit-wise the dress is cut very similar to the LOFT tweed stripe tennis dress (review here) which also ran big. The dress is 100% polyester (made of a similar thin polyester material like the LOFT blossom shell (review here) and it's unlined. However, even though it surprisingly doesn't seem too see through in indoor lighting when you try it on I would recommend pairing it with a slip.

Ann Taylor Striped Shirttail Tee, size SP (review of XS regular here)

Zara Mini City Bag in lime green (item no. 4498/004, review here)

Ann Tayor Mini Pebbled Signature Tote in white (review of black version here)

Ann Taylor Luxe Solid Scarf

Banana Republic Indigo Skinny Jean, size 0/25 petite (review here)

Bandolino Mikea Sandals*

*Runs true to size to 1/2 larger; black available here and here; similar here

Zara Mini City Bag in lime green (item no. 4498/004, review here)

Update 5/18: I ordered this striped shirttail tee last week in SP (review of XS regular here) and I finally received it today. For a single item it arrived in a ginormous box. I've been looking for it in XXSP or XSP but after not seeing either size after a few sales I gave in and ordered SP which fits a lot like the XS regular I reviewed here. In my opinion, it fits about 1-2 sizes bigger depending on how loose you prefer to wear this type of raglan tee shirt style. I tried doing a half tuck on LEFT in the above picture (also refer to this picture) but there's just too much extra fabric on the sides. I asked my sister and she loved it so I'll be bringing it home for her this weekend.

Size SP measurements are as follows:

21.5" shoulder seam to seam for a  drop shoulder fit and 3/4 sleeves
43" bust/waist/hips (boxy, loose fit)
26" length in the front
27" length in the back

LOFT Striped Strappy Flare Dress, size XXSP (LEFT)
LOFT Ottoman Strappy Flare Dress, size XSP (RIGHT)

Update 5/18: The LOFT First Look Event has been extended to today (online only). Get 40% off EVERYTHING at LOFT plus two cash cards for every $50 you spend. Since no code is needed you can use the stackable code INSIDER328 for an additional 25% off full-price purchases of $100+ (includes Lou & Grey). That's 55% off full-price styles after discounts! Note: I also updated my previous post with review and measurements of the LOFT stitched palm dress and LOFT fringe trim shift dress.

On Sunday we went to the mall to walk around indoors for a bit since I'm still suffering from really bad hay fever. I decided to try on this striped strappy flare dress at LOFT. I also grabbed the black version to try on but size XSP fit really big on me (the material is very stretchy) and the straps were much too long exposing my bra particularly in the back. Size XXSP fit me much better but I thought it made my boobs look weird  so I passed although it is really cute if it fits. See my Snapchat fitting room update of this dress here.

LOFT Striped Strappy Flare Dress, size XXSP

To end this post I wanted to share some advice that I would give to my younger self since I was tagged by the smart and beautiful Jenny of  Stuff I Love.

1) Teach others how to fish so that you can catch even bigger fish - You learn and grow the most by sharing what you know both personally and professionally. There's no such thing as job security and you and your team are stronger if you share your knowledge and best practices. It's all about working smart.
2) Learn to listen - Most importantly, listen with an open mind. It's easy to immediately shut your mind off when someone talks to you about a subject you don't want to discuss but learn to practice patience and try to listen to their point of view. This includes holding your comments until the end instead of interrupting someone while they're talking. People like to be heard and you'll understand and hear more if you stop thinking and just listen instead of being defensive and thinking about what you want to say while they're talking. It's okay to take in what they said for a moment before you reply back when they've finished saying their part.
3) Never buy full price - I love a good deal but I wasn't always so cost conscious about shopping. In fact, I'm afraid to admit that I used to pay full price when I was younger and wasted a lot of money whether it was spent on groceries or clothing.
4) Don't be afraid to ask for help - I hate asking for help but I've found that you get more done and done quickly when you talk to someone else as a sounding board.
5) Wear heels sparingly - I wore heels a lot in college and up until 2010 when I developed Achilles tendonitis which isn't something I wish upon anyone. Foot issues make you realize how you can take the simple act of walking for granted. Commute in flats and wear heels only when you know you'll be doing more sitting than standing/walking.
6) Read this article.

Thanks for reading!