WHAT “STYLE SHOPPER” IS…
I’ve started just taking Instagram shots of the items I order online, have shipped to me and then try on at home.
So I figured, why not share what I think about what I ordered, why and what it actually looks like in person, along with pros and cons?
I also (unless otherwise noted) have spent my OWN MONEY AND TIME doing this, it is UNSPONSORED and UNSOLICITED.
..hence why the reviews will be super honest.
WHY ONLY ON INSTAGRAM?
I will only do this via Instagram because it is just too much work to take pictures with a camera, upload them, crop them, etc.
I want this to be quick and painless for both you and me.
If you have any questions about any piece, just shoot me an email or get in touch with me in a billion of ways and I’ll elaborate.
WHY I SHOP ONLINE
I do this because I’m all too lazy, tired and pressed for time to go to the store but am intrigued by what I see online.
So far, I have ordered from Banana Republic, Mango and Zara because I am located in Canada, I hate paying for shipping and they are the only stores that offer free shipping & returns, like my lucky American readers.
Note:
I will never order from Mango again because their returns policy is such a hassle; you have to print all these forms, call DHL and have them come and pick up the package between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a weekday (!!) to get it shipped back.
WTF?
Banana Republic and Zara (my new fave) just give you a prepaid return label you can drop off at Canada Post.
Way easier.
On to the reviews!
AN IDEA OF MY SIZE & SHOPPING PERSONALITY
I’m an inverted triangle and normally wear an XS or 00 (smallest sizes in all mainstream brands except for designer brands where I usually take a US 4 or US 6).
I am super picky and hate itchy items, too-tight things and anything that doesn’t look or feel expensive and wonderful.
$9 is $90 is $900.
The price makes no difference to me.
MANGO PRINTED MAXI DRESS
COST: $120
SCORE: 4/10
I have been hunting for a graphic printed maxi dress for a long time. This one looked fabulous and it fit the bill.. except it didn’t when I tried it on the realized the fit was terrible.
Size
I took the S but the XS would have fit better but not by much. It was HUGE. The bust section was too loose and it looked terrible.
The fit was really terrible. You need to be super tall and busty to wear this.
Colour
Gorgeous. I love the print, the gradient of blue down at the end.. it’s really a nice print.
Quality
The quality is good. I’d say the jersey material itself is pretty good, so it’s SO disappointing how badly it fit, and how cheap those silly gold accessories looked on the shoulders (easily snipped off)…
Fit
Terrible. The fit was too huge in the S but the XS I don’t think would have fit me like the model in the photo. She is CLEARLY being pinned back in this shot, there’s no way it was a fitted, skimming dress.
INSTAGRAM SHOTS OF THE PRINTED MAXI DRESS
MANGO SUEDE CROPPED MOTO BIKER JACKET
COST: $160
SCORE: 7/10
I loved the tan, neutral shade of the suede jacket and it LOOKED soft in the photos. I also really like the cropped moto biker style, it looks awesome on me.
Size
The S was perfect. It fit perfectly in the shoulders. It’s the right size.
Colour
Beautiful. A gorgeous, pale, nude suede shade.
Quality
Not bad. It’s a cheap suede but it is soft. Felt a bit like a stiff pigskin but a soft one…. unfortunate but true. Good suede costs thousands not hundreds.
Loved the functional pockets.
Fit
Excellent, except the suede was too stiff unfortunately. Otherwise the sleeves were fine, the pockets were cute, and the placement of the seams was nice.
INSTAGRAM SHOTS OF THE CROPPED SUEDE MOTO JACKET
MANGO DETACHABLE HOOD QUILTED MIDNIGHT BLUE COAT
COST: $70
SCORE: 9/10
I need a quilted jacket to travel with that is easy to fold up and has a hood for the rain. This seemed to fit the bill and be slim without being too cold to really travel with.
Size
The S fit perfectly as usual. The XS was a PERFECT tight fit on my body but if you want to wear layers or a sweater underneath, the S is better.
Colour
Gorgeous. Love the midnight blue. It’s deep and pretty.
Quality
Not bad. Quilted polyester is hard to screw up but the hood is kind of strange in that it seems to detach very easily. That said, I like that the hood is curved and it really hugs your head when you wear it.
Fit
Excellent fit, not much to complain about, great pockets on the side, and it was long enough to cover your waist.
INSTAGRAM SHOTS OF THE QUILTED COAT
MANGO PREMIUM LONG WOOL COAT
COST: $330
SCORE: 7/10
I’m a sucker for coats. Wool coats especially. Love the wrap style and this looked great without being a bathrobe. Very pretty. Nice oatmeal herringbone colour too.
Size
The S fit perfectly. I would take your actual size.
Colour
LOVED the oatmeal herringbone and it was a very pretty brown to be honest. I hate wearing brown but this one was good.
Quality
Low low low. For sure after a few wears it would fray, pill a little and get fuzzies all over it.
I am unable to trust that this wool would stand the test of time, no matter its $330 price tag which is unfortunately.
I also found it itchy. Then again, all wool tends to be itchy for me, but this was itchier than most, even the 100% Cuyana coat. I really FELT the itch rather than having to really work to rub up against it to feel a light itch.
Fit
Excellent fit. Looks great, I only wish the quality matched the styling.
INSTAGRAM SHOTS OF THE LONG WOOL COAT
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