Review: Ann Taylor Spring Tops (Size PXXS)

During the Ann Taylor “Buy One Top, Get One 50% Off” promotion, I went a little crazy online shopping. I used the SHOP30 code to get an extra 30% off, and free shipping on $150+. What a good deal!

I’ve got a taste for some silky tops right now, so I bought a bunch of silk offerings in size PXXS, in the hopes at least one of them would work. I also ordered one non-silk option that looked like it would be fun to wear under a cardigan or jacket. So, without further ado…here are the tops…

First up, the Petite Floral Front Shell in size PXXS:

The good: Nice drapey fabric that falls nicely and doesn’t swamp my shape. Cute front ruffle that I loooove.

The bad: Armholes could be smaller, as they show a bit of my bra from the side. Armholes are also a little wide towards the bottom so they flare out a bit (but they also flare a little on the model, so I guess this is as expected) Fabric is probably prone to pilling.

What I really like about this top is how it looks under a cardigan!

Verdict: I’m keeping this one. I need some springy colors in my wardrobe (I have a lot of dark, saturated colors), so this is a nice change for me. I also really like the front detail, and am willing to take the risk of pilling on the fabric. In fact, I might just dry clean this top to keep everything looking fresh and flowery.

More tops after the jump!

Next up, the Petite Silk Dahila Shell in size PXXS:

The good: Cool concept, and has potential. As far as silk goes, this was one of the slimmest cut.

The bad: Ann Taylor went a little crazy with the length, so it either has to be hemmed or tucked in. I’m not a big fan of tucking, so this won’t work for me. The straps on this were also a little long, as I had to be careful not to show my bra over the top of the neckline. The detail is also a little heavy, so it makes the top hang heavily on one side.

Verdict: Return. Pretty top, and cool detail concept, but the straps need to be shorter and I’d love a shorter length. I’d say a lady who wants to tuck it into a pencil skirt should give it a try, but if you need a higher neckline, beware of this one.

Next, the Petite Silk Perfect Shell in size PXXS:

The good: Nice high neckline isn’t showing any bra like the Dahila top was. Stretchy silk fabric means it cut slightly smaller.

The bad: Even though this top was a stretch silk, it wasn’t cut small enough for me. The armholes were also a little big, and again with the crazy long length!

Verdict: Return. This top is too boring to justify keeping to just wear under things. I even tried putting a cardigan over it, and the top bunched up because there was too much fabric.

Next, the Petite Silk T-Shirt in size PXXS:

The good: Great concept, great fabric, great color. This shirt would probably drape better if it were shorter.

The bad: Again with the crazy length! I think the length on this ruined it, because the weight of all that fabric made it drape more like a tent than along my curves. I played with folding it up and it looked better. The thing I didn’t like was the pocket. The pocket drapes, which is a great detail, but the drape is too dramatic for my frame. It’s hard to tell from the photo, but the pocket actually falls really far forward, so that from the side, it looks like I have a weird growth drooping from my chest. This was weird because the top I’m wearing below also has a drapey pocket, but with less of a drape, and works just fine.

Verdict: Return. I might have considered altering this top, had the pocket not been so dramatically droopy. Altered, this would be a really cool summer top, but I just can’t live with that pocket hanging off my chest the way it does.

Next, the Petite Silk Tank Top in size PXXS:

The good: Like the silk T-shirt, great concept and fabric. The pocket on this one falls nicely, unlike on the T-shirt. which add a really nice detail.

The bad: There’s that crazy length again! This top was the widest of all the silks, and the neckline was also dangerously low.

Verdict: Return. This was the one I liked the least out of the whole bunch.

Whew! All those tops and only one fit well enough to keep! Off I go to Ann Taylor to return the rest of the items. If anyone in the Los Angeles area is interested in trying these on, I’m returning these to the Ann Taylor at the Westside Pavillion mall.

More outfits with the Ann Taylor petite floral front shell:
Petite Outfit – Fun with the Ann Taylor Floral Front Top
Petite Outfit – Reunited and it Feels so Good…Vince Cashmere Cardigan
Petite Outfit – My Bosom is Abloom for Peplum Gingham