I resisted the whole Forever 21 thing for awhile- I mean, I've wasted so much in the past on cheap basics at these kinds of stores. Yes, there were the occasional classic finds, but so much just useless stuff too. You buy it because it's a neat pattern and cheap, but then never wear it.
Well, having pledged to be more careful about my wardrobe, where do I find myself recently but haunting the ol' 3-storey F21 that just opened downtown (and the smaller store that opened a year or so ago down the way). I still think I'm more careful about what I'll buy, but dang it there be some pretties. I am also addicted to their inexpensive silk tanks!
Last week I committed the ultimate crime by purchasing a striped romper (oh dear, oh my) with the intention of turning it into a sweet little blouse. However, unlike in the past, I HAVE already accomplished said plan so I don't feel so guilty! When I went in yesterday to return one of the sizes (wasn't sure which would work best) I found just the prettiest little white lace dress, with a peach-sorbet trim. It's so gorgeous I had to share- I mean, for $35, it's well-made (the lace feels cottony rather than polyester, while the trim feels like a soft hammered silk) and fits rather nicely (and knee-length! with the sorbet underlayer all the way through!) and the pictures just don't do it justice! I can't wait for some summer...won't this be cute with some bright orange or mint accents?
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| Lace overlay dress, F21 US and Canada- this is an XS, fits true |
As for said romper-become-blouse, I haven't figured out the best way to wear it yet. I was enamoured of the large peter pan collar, and the drape of the fabric (um, and the navy stripes...and the brass buttons up the back) I think it may work best with skirts really, as a tucked in option.
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| Striped Romper, available F21 US and Canada, wearing a small (no xs made) |
oh dear, and while we're confessing, a few other spring items I was unable to resist over the last while:
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The 'Kate Spade' dress
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| scalloped orange skirt? 'nuff said |
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| Prada-y striped tank |
I do promise to stay away now- I haven't even switched my closet over to spring clothing yet!
your diy looks great! much better than a romper IMO. and the dress is quite pretty.
ReplyDeletei can't wrap my head around f21 or even h&m; the stores are loaded with merch and i don't have the patience to sift through the racks (i save that for thrifting!).
ooooooo, you look absolutely gorgeous in that Lace dres, though it's not green, hehe :)
ReplyDeleteOh nice! I saw that dress online, and was hoping someone would pick it up and show some pictures. It is really cute on you, looks great with your short hair :) The striped tank is lovely too. I understand the frustration with their cheapy clothing, but a few pieces here and there to offset outfits are a great way to mix them in.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is to die for. And I would be tempted to try to find a white vest for the striped top. It would play up the collar more. So cute!
ReplyDeleteTHe F21 dress is amazing on you! Great pick! If I didn't already own too many white and lacy things, I would have picked that up in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteI love the lace dress! It looks really nice on you. Great find!
ReplyDeleteGreat job with the romper too. What a cool collar. I would love to be able to alter clothing like that.
I normally hate f21 due to the poor quality and fabrics, but I really think you've scored some gems here!!! Maybe I've been too hasty hehe!
ReplyDeleteOoh, you look lovely in the lace dress! vAnd I've been looking for the yellow stripey dress for weeks- no luck >:(
ReplyDeleteI'm a-ok with shopping at F21, in fact, many of my go-to items are from f21. if you are picky about what you buy there and take good care of it, the stuff will last!
ReplyDeleteI love that dress on you and the romper you made into a shirt- awesome!
Thanks guys-
ReplyDeleteJudy, I'm totally going to root around in my closet for some lighter cardigans to match with that collar!
It's funny- I always kind of feel like they 'screwed up' when better fabrics or cuts slip in (since there are so many misses...tragically so at times. y'know, when they have the right idea but just the wrong execution!)
I love that yellow and white striped dress.
ReplyDeleteI never used to go to F21 until they opened one up near my house. Now I go there just to look around quite often. The quality of most of the stuff there dreadful, but every now and then I find something really great (and cheap). That lace dress looks great.
Wow, the lace overlay dress is so amazing on you! I never shop at F21 but may just have to start, right now!
ReplyDeleteAnd the romper/blouse turned out so perfect, you are one beautiful and talented lady :)
Steph
Oh, that dress is great! I totally understand what you mean - when I was in my early 20s, I spent WAY too much money in F21 and stores like it. I stopped when my mom finally sat me down and pointed out that I'd get much more bang for the buck by buying more expensive but better quality things that will stand the test of time. I took her advice, and (mostly) haven't looked back.
ReplyDeleteBut that dress is still great. =D
Oh, you'll get lots of wear out of the lace dress and I know exactly why you like the romper. It's been several years since I've bought anything new for myself at F21, though I have bought items for my daughters there. However, the last items I bought there actually lasted quite some time. I was surprised.
ReplyDeleteOh my, the lace dress is absolutle darling on you. What a great buy! The romper is really cute and good on you for turning it into a blouse - it's indeed more wearable. Love the peter pan collar!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean wasting money on cheap stuff...however, there is such a thing as decent cheap items (as opposed to nasty/tacky cheap items), which you have shown us here. Your items look more expensive than they actually are.
For sure, you scored with the lace/peach number. I actually am now entertaining the idea of venturing in there to hunt one down. I agree, the quality is always what keeps me away. That, and the disorderly store, clueless employees, and nonexistent return policy. That romper turned shirt, is totally amazing. Endless styling options! You're keen eye for a piece's potential is spot on!
ReplyDeleteThat scalloped skirt is divine and I love what you did with the romper. (They seem wearable together, yes/no?) Really love these purchases and I'm envious of the way you make conscious decisions about your wardrobe. I never do that.
ReplyDeleteAH. I am like that too! But with Value Village. I always buy a bajillion things (even of things I already have.) But you know, I'm such a hoarder, so I justify it by saying that I'll have it forever... Errr.
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing though! I love your purchases. Especially the dress! It's so perfect for spring!
Check out mine?
QUIRKYEXPLOSION.blogspot.com
Love what you did with the romper! Inspiring! Brillliant!
ReplyDeleteI saw that lace dress online but didn't think much of it - it looks so much better IRL on you! What a pretty retro piece!
ReplyDeleteThis dress is gorgeous on you. I am tempted by F21 for a while now but never really made any purchase because of the same fear....
ReplyDeleteOh my GOODNESS! I'm so with you! I've gotten burnt by cheap clothes soooo many times that I don't even walk into those stores anymore, but YOU, you tempt me, darlin'!
ReplyDeleteKristina J.
That dress is love at first sight!!! I'm so glad that they made it knee length--it looks terrific on you. The romper looks awesome as a shirt--you did such a great job on it! Great finds (and now I know who to blame when I start to search the F21 site!).
ReplyDeleteTHat lace dress is too cute. F21 is the bane of my existence. Just as I write it off as a "cheap" store, I find something I absolutely love. Confessions indeed!
ReplyDeleteOh my, what a beautiful lace dress! I have to admit I've only been in F21 twice. It's so overwhelming! And great job on the romper-turned-shirt! so impressive!
ReplyDeleteWhat the...!? You found this lace dress at f21? I can't. I have a love/hate relationship with that store. I never find anything worthy of my money. Argh! Ok, maybe I should give it one more go...
ReplyDeleteCame here via Gigi's Gone shopping blog...and I shouldn't have because now I've ordered that dress from F21! Your picture is so much better than the stock photo!
ReplyDeleteI love the bigger size of your photos. I can see all the deatis so much better, ahhhhhhhh.fantastic
ReplyDeleteI love the dress and romper better on you that the models.
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Right? Forever 21 is at least way better than stupid freaking H&M. Except, maybe you've noticed, Forever 21 went through and literally tacked on like $10 to the price of virtually everything in the store. I saw a shirt I KNOW I bought for less that $15 marked at $27 the last time I was there. Anyway, that lace dress is amazing, so is the romper and the Kate Spade dress and the scalloped skirt, I don't think you can go wrong with classic pieces like that. Forever 21 can get a little dicey if it's too trendy, but honestly? I can not even imagine a time and a place where that gorgeous lace dress wouldn't be in style. Sometimes you just hafta Forever 21!
ReplyDeletehonestly, you're right, I mean Christ, that's actually a clever little quip, especially for the stunted minds of prepubescent boys... those little shits... :)
ReplyDeleteI have that dress!! Just got it last week in Chicago and wore it this week. I just love it and was so excited that it covered my bum, as I have trouble with that at F21. It looks beautiful on you!
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