Weekly Sale Update: Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, ASOS Banana Republic, J. Crew, + Juicy Couture

~~Happy Monday, everyone!~~

I usually caution people against buying Forever 21 on sale because sale items are non-returnable. However, I know some of you, like me, have merchandise credit that you might want to spend so I am posting this deal anyway. Please please please think thrice before you check out.

Sale items are an extra 50% off at Forever 21 with code EXTRA 50. With the code most sweaters are $4-8 which, if they hold up for even a season, will be worth it.

I’ve bought a few knit/sweater-type items from Forever 21 this winter and think the quality is ok at times. I took a risk on the following sweater and a few other items.

I picked up two of the following sweaters (the two on the left), as well as the Longline Turtleneck Sweater, Fitted Turtleneck Sweater, and Duo-Toned Turtleneck Sweater.

Essential Relaxed Wool Sweater | Essential Wool Sweater | Essential Merino Wool Cardigan

I am sure I am going to regret buying the Faux Leather Wedge Booties but I am telling myself I am doing this as an experiment.

The last item I picked up is the Corduroy Trimmed Puffer Jacket which could also be a mistake but the two reviews painted a fairly rosy picture for me so I succumbed to the possibility of something better.

A few other things to consider if you want to make free shipping: Striped Open Knit Cardigan, Textured Duo-Toned Cardigan, Striped Swing Tank, Solid Sleeve Striped Sweater, Patent Pumps, Chain Trimmed Bouclé Dress, Striped Long Sleeve Sweater, Metallic Tweed Jacket, Pleated 3/4 Sleeve Jacket, Rugby Striped Sweater, Shagged Trimmed Leather Coat, and Plush Animal Pattern Jacket.

Retailer: Alice + Olivia
Discount: new markdowns on hundreds of styles; new email subscribers can sign up for emails to receive a $50 off $250 coupon.
Picks: I picked up the Birch Boatneck Midlength Dress and the Elise A-line Skirt Dress. The Ophelia Lace Dress was my NYE dress this year and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I am a huge fan of the Alice + Olivia aesthetic and wish I had the dough to buy out its collection every season. I also like the Cecily Military Jacket, the Nance Sequin Dress, the Lan A-line Dress, the Mariah Bustier Dress, the Gwen Collarless Jacket, the Indigo Dress, the Greyson Beaded Lace Dress, the Elyse Jacket, the Suzie Fitted Dress, the March Dress, the Beth-Ann Cap Sleeve Dress, the Hollis Sleeveless Dress, and the Amena Fitted Dress.

Retailer: Ann Taylor
Discount: 40% off sale styles, no code needed. Take an additional 10% off with code 10000008771.
Picks: Fun accessories (Shoe Print Silk Square Scarf, Accessory Print Silk Square Scarf, Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves and Pave Bow Bangle Set)

Ruffle Sleeve Dress | Zip Detailed Dress | Textured Jacquard Dress | Doubleweave Twill Dress | Peplum Dress

Retailer: Anthropologie
Discount: Hundreds of new markdowns; extra 30% off with code WOW30
Picks: $21 Bowed Halter Dress (originally $228), Button Back Pencil Skirt, Tap Dance Dress, Luella Dress, Nipped Brocade Dress, Martin Dress, Mirela Silk Dress, Pleated Ponte Dress, and Keyhole Dress

Pleated Tulle Dress | Sapphire Lace Dress | Ypres Tulle Dress

Retailer: ASOS
Discount: Up to 70% off numerous styles; use PERFECT10 for 10% off already reduced prices.
Picks: I picked up this Skater Dress that reminds me of a J. Mendel dress and this maxi skirt. I also liked this polka dot dress, lace dress, sequin skater dress, printed dress, military jacket, dress with applique flowers, and sequin dress.

Retailer: Banana Republic
Discount: 30% off your online purchase with code BRSAVE30; or 40% off two-full priced items and 25% off sale items in-store. An additional 40% off already reduced merchandise with code BRSALE40
Picks: Work appropriate pieces with a fun twist (Striped Button-shoulder Pullover, Textured Riding Jacket, Classic Belted Trench, Cotton Hacking Jacket, Ponte V-neck Sheath, and Striped Knit Dress)

Retailer: J. Crew
Discount: Take 30% off sale items with code STYLEFIND. Most sales final.
Picks: Girls’ Toothpick Cord in Ribbon Bow Print, Girls’ Tartan Bow Skirt, Girls Polka-dot Cashmere Sweater, Girls’ Wool-Cashmere Coat, Girls’ Jeweled Flare Dress, Collection Janey Printed Flats, Lady Jacket in Graphic Tweed, Sequin Bow Pant, and Wool-cashmere Peplum Coat

A few items from my last order arrived. I asked J. Crew’s live chat service to allow me to return these final sale items should they turn out to be a poor buy and I am so glad I asked to return these in advance because I did not like so many of them in person.

Here’s the Double-cloth Funnel Coat in 0P (in neptune green, which is seafoam-y). I think if you have wide shoulders or a long torso (relative to your height/size), you should order a size up in this style.

I really wanted to keep the Double-cloth Lady Day Coat with Thinsulate in golden sun (pictured below in 00P) because I like the Lady Day Coat in bright colors (and mute ones too) but have been on a buying rampage so I had to cut down on unnecessarily duplicates. I just noticed that the Lady Day Coat in black also went on sale, it’s a classic so I think it’s worth getting if you don’t have a black coat.

I had mentioned in a previous post that the Funnel Coat has a noticeable wider waistband than the Lady Day Coat, here’s a comparison shot.

And some gloves that I ordered as gifts for co-workers who also serve as my some time photographer. I also picked up multiple pairs of the Cashmere-lined Leather Gloves for my mom, who like me, has poor circulation in her extremities and these do a good job of keeping her hands warm.

Left: Stripe Merino Glittens | right: Cashmere-lined Leather Gloves

I last wore (in this post) the Hacking Jacket in Double-serge Wool with a thick sweater and was asked by a reader to post pictures of the jacket with less bulky layers. Here it is again, with a thinner sweater.

I ordered the Cashmere Tee Dress in XXS (was sent XS in error) for my mom but she didn’t like the awkward sleeve length after she saw pictures (specifically the ones below). For what it’s worth (and despite the unflattering potato-sack-esque fit), the material was very soft and warm.

I loved the Classic Mini in antique white (from this post) that I picked up in-store so much that I ordered the heather charcoal online. Unfortunately, I already have (and don’t wear) skirts in this exact shade of gray so I won’t be keeping this. The size 00 measures 13″ across the waist and is 16.5″ long. I think if you are normally between sizes, you should take the larger of two sizes. I think the style runs slightly smaller than usual but probably not enough to go down a whole size.

The Girls’ Polka-dot Cashmere Sweater (pictured below in size 12) is from a previous order but the shrunken torso and sleeve lengths probably won’t work for anyone my height or taller (I am 5’2). I also want to mention that the polka dots appear only on the front of the sweater, the back is just solid navy (I will never understand why retailers skimp on labor this way).

And, by reader request, here’s the Zigzag Sequin Dress (tee version here) in XXS (I bought it ages ago but it’s apparently popped back online several times in the last few weeks). I returned and re-bought this dress innumerable times but think it’s too unique to pass up. Yes, the dress is very itchy and yes, you will probably have to find some kind of slip to wear underneath it (a huge inconvenience considering the price of this item), but I still like it (even though most people don’t; I don’t want to know what kind of rock-bottom prices people paid in stores).