However I will say I’m also loving the texture and the colors when up close with this sweater as well. My only complaint is that the sleeves are just a hair short so I went ahead and pushed them up and they looked fine. Still worries me that it might shrink but hopefully not!
#target #haul #clothinghaul they had light sweaters and other basics on sale/clearance so I decided to stock up. All this ended up being just under $60!
Navy and white striped linen blend Ellen Tracy sweater with 3/4 length sleeves. Great for layering over tanks.
So I went shopping at TJ Maxx Saturday looking for some simple business casual pieces that would work well in the hot summer heat and with my existing wardrobe. I was mostly looking for light layering pieces like short sleeved breezy cardigans and super light light sweaters that would work well over tank tops.
Let’s start with the items I passed on: (and then we’ll get to the good stuff)
Tribal print tank – peplum? It was a little too weird
Modern digital print tank
The pattern reminded me of something computer or tv based … but wasn’t quite right for an outfit for me
Peasant top – just didn’t cut it
Jeep tennis shoes slip on
Jeep tennis shoes on – the heel slipped off too much otherwise I really liked them
NOW on to the good stuff: (I went in thinking I might find one good piece but instead found a bit more!)
Navy and white striped linen blend Ellen Tracy sweater with 3/4 length sleeves. Great for layering over tanks.
Ellen Tracy navy and white striped linen blend summer weight sweater. Bought for $24.99
Pure & Simple rayon blend black tank with knit detail at the top. Great basic. Super stretchy and comfy.
Pure & Simple black tank top – spent $19.99 (more than I normally spend on a tank, but the fabric and unique details seemed worth it.)
Cynthia Rowley linen blend sort sleeve cardigan with a sort of crochet style detailing. Taupe / beige color so I expect this to be a very versatile piece.
Cynthia Rowley linen blend short sleeve cardi – spent $16.99. It was my lowest priced item.
Cynthia Rowley silk tank top and linen blend cardi. This is a second cardigan and lighter than the first. Again just too versatile to pass up.
Cynthia Rowley silk patterned tank top was $29.99.
Cynthia Rowley cardigan comparison photo. Just enough difference in color to change an outfit which is why I bought both.
I ALMOST passed on the silk tank top because of the price. It’s been awhile since I spent $30 on a single shirt. But it’s a good business meeting piece and comfortable so it came home with me. Really cute button top in the back that I didn’t take a better photo of too.
As for buying TWO short sleeve linen blend cardigans – I already own some long sleeve linen blend cardigans [seen here and here] and LOVE them which is part of the reason I just bought both short sleeve linen blend cardigans. I also have the same long sleeve jacket in black as well as the neutral shade.
I probably could wear the long sleeve cardigans in the summer they are so light but they look warmer than they are. They are also warm enough though to cut the chill on a cool evening.
A surprising amount of what I bought was Cynthia Rowley. I did not plan it this way as I tend to shop by look and feel of the fabric quality when shopping in a store like TJ Maxx (I also do this when thrift shopping.) I’m clearly attracted to rayon, linen and silk though….
Anyway – WAY more items than I expected to find shopping on Saturday but they were all such good wardrobe building basic that I didn’t want to pass any up!
On a recent shopping trip to Kohl’s I found a super cute blue a black stripe sweater. I had brought a bright orange tank into the dressing room and somehow the two complemented each other. Then I found a bright orange scarf that worked to bring it all together. Cute, a bit preppy and a bit unusual all at the same time! Sold.
I have my doubts about this sweater holding up well over time because of the loose knit but we’ll see.
Well people have been waiting for this for awhile – the ability to shop online with H&M in the US and it’s now possible. So I decided to go give the site a quick look through and create a shopping wishlist. What I ended up with is a lot of basics I don’t really need at this exact moment … but might buy sometime soon because they’re still basics. I think the other reason I’m not chomping at the bit to buy something is that all of the clothes are in dark colors and I’m still in a bright summery mood. Anyway here goes:
H&M Top $9.95 in Khaki Green (or black or white or grey …they’re super basic shirts and they’re cheap.) Fitted 95% pima cotton, 5% spandex Art.No. 75-0329. I like the v-neck shirts too but I need more shirts with this neckline at the moment.
H&M Top in Slub Jersey $9.95in grey (or red … other color options too) loose fitting. 88% cotton, 12% rayon. Art.No. 75-4225
H&M Jersey Tank Top $5.95 in white – I need a couple more white tanks for under certain items. Not likely to go wrong with these even though my favorite tank is from Chico’s. 95% cotton, 5% spandex. Art.No. 74-5150
H&M Sports Leggings $24.95 in black – I just need some new crop yoga pants and these look like a match for what I like. I’m a little iffy thought because I think I would rather have cotton spandex than poly spandex. Quick-dry, 88% polyester, 12% spandex. Art.No. 73-7039
H&M Sports Bra $14.95 in neon pink and neon green. These look dead on like the Champion sports bras I love (and haven’t seen since I bought the two I own.) Same price as what I bought previously too. Quick-dry, 95% nylon, 5% spandex. Art.No. 73-7068
So yes, my H&M wishlist is rather boring. Mostly I would be likely to buy basic tshirts from H&M but that’s pretty much what I’ve always wanted to buy from them I think.
I hate spending money on tshirts because they seem like such a crapshoot. I’ve purchased $30 shirts before that pill after the first wash and $5 (not on sale) shirts that have stood the test of time and numerous washes. Oh and then there’s still the likelihood that my cat will poke a hole in the shirt dooming it to it’s remaining days to be a workout or sleep shirt.
