5 Recent Purchases + What I've Reordered in My New Pandemic Size

I tend to not share my new purchases until my end-of-season budget posts if they haven’t been featured in any outfit posts prior to then. Last fall, I started sharing these mini round-ups of recent purchases just in case anything I order sells out before the budget post goes live. One of these items has already sold out and for that I apologize! Everything else should be in stock in at least a few sizes, and you may even catch something on sale.

These past few months, I placed orders at Amour Vert, Madewell (via Nordstrom), Nordstrom, and Everlane. All of these retailers are tried and true favorites of mine that I shop at season after season. I picked up a mix of items that can be worn now and into the cooler months that will be here in no time, BUT I didn’t end up keeping all of these items. (FYI, if you’re new to Everlane, you can get 10% off your first order with my referral link, and I’ll earn a credit.)

At the end of the post, I shared the four items that I recently reordered in my new pandemic size! I would have typically shared a sale roundup instead, but I honestly haven’t paid much attention to the Labor Day sales…and not many have started just yet since it’s still a week out. Will you be shopping for anything in particular over Labor Day Weekend?

5 Recent Purchases | August 2021

Amour Vert Esme Organic Cotton Cardigan (sumac, size S)

I can’t resist a good sale at Amour Vert! In July, I placed an order for this cardigan (now sold out, but the Minka cardigan is similar or shop all sweaters) along with a striped tee (also pictured). I debated for far too long about whether to get size XS or S. I ended up asking Amour Vert for garment measurements to help me make my decision, and they just made me more confused LOL. (The items could only be exchanged, so I couldn’t buy more than one size and wanted to be sure!)

I ended up going with a size small because I didn’t want it to be too tight on my shoulders, and I didn’t want the sleeves to be too short. I don’t have either of those problems! The sleeves are actually quite long, and I love the fit around the body. I do think it’s the type of material that will stretch out with wear (especially around the elbows) and then snap back after being washed. It’s a great sweater for the transitional seasons or cooler summer days.

I would not say this sweater is soft. I don’t really know how I would describe it… it’s not scratchy but it’s not soft, lol. If you were to rest your head on your hand with your elbow on the table, your elbow would be indented with the knit and it wouldn’t feel good. Do you know what I mean? I probably wouldn’t have grabbed this if I were shopping in person just because I gravitate more towards soft things. But the color is absolutely gorgeous!

Also wearing: Amour Vert Joline Reverie slub tee, Madewell curvy high-rise skinny crop jeans in Lander wash, Earth Keren ankle boots (old)

Madewell Embroidered Sleeve Popover Midi Dress (lighthouse, size XS)

I ordered this beautiful dress for an upcoming trip. I ordered it from Nordstrom instead of Madewell because it’s final sale at Madewell and I wasn’t sure about the sizing, and then FedEx lost my package for a couple of weeks. I got a refund, thinking I’d never see this dress…and then it showed up a couple of weeks ago!

I absolutely love the floaty silhouette, and the embroidery on the sleeves and along the v-neck collar is gorgeous. Like other reviewers mentioned, it is not what I would consider a lightweight material. It’s a pretty substantial cotton. And if you’re sensitive to embroidery, you may find the sleeves itchy. The size XS ended up being perfect on me. It’s slightly oversized without being sloppy, and the v-neck isn’t too low. The midi length is also great on me even in the regular sizing!

Unfortunately, I ended up returning this dress because the pockets are too visible, even though it’s wonderful to have pockets. WHYYY do brands do this??? I should not be able to see the pockets, especially when it’s a thick cotton! I’m super bummed because otherwise this dress is amazing.

Also wearing: Everlane day crossover sandal

Zella Restore Soft Pocket Joggers (black, size XS)

These joggers were included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and I was so convinced they were going to sell out before the sale opened to the public because that’s usually what happens with the things I like and want lol. I’m so happy they didn’t! They. Are. Fab.

I ended up buying these joggers in size XS after reading the reviews. I think these would fit similarly to my Vuori performance joggers if my Vuori joggers were in a size XS instead of small. The joggers are slim along the legs but don’t constrict in the waist. The fabric is so smooth and soft! Plus, there’s functional front pockets AND a functional back pocket.

I’m wearing them here after a few days of wear, so you can see that they don’t bag out that much around the knees. The black color is more like a marled grey. I looove these joggers so much! I hope they hold up in the wash and come out just as soft as they are now.

Also wearing: Aliya Wanek Ami sweatshirt, Earth Scenic Vapor sneakers (old)

Everlane Curvy Authentic Stretch High-Rise Skinny Jean
(vintage blue, size 26 ankle; white, size 27 ankle)

I jumped on Everlane’s recent $50 denim deal! I ordered the curvy authentic stretch high-rise skinny jeans in two colors, vintage blue and white, and I ordered white in two sizes because they were available. I took a size 25 and 26 in various other Everlane skinny jean styles before and during the pandemic, so I wasn’t quite sure what size I’d be now. I also own these jeans in the dark blue wash, size 26 (be sure to read my full curvy denim review!).

Much to my disappointment, the vintage blue jeans in size 26 did not fit. I could button them up, but there’s no way I could sit down comfortably. I’m sooo bummed, since I absolutely love the wash and they’re not available in size 27! Really hoping Everlane restocks these jeans. I’m tempted to try the size 28 but I don’t want them to be too loose…but maybe they won’t be…?!

I tried on the white jeans in size 27 and did not even open the size 26 pair. Size 27 fits much better than 26, but I found the denim to feel slightly stiffer in the white color than the vintage blue. I would have ordered Madewell’s curvy version of these jeans if they were available because I do find Madewell jeans more comfortable overall but I’ve checked the website for weeks with no luck. What I love about Everlane’s white denim, though, is they make the front pockets beige, so you don’t see giant white pockets from the front of your jeans.

As always with Everlane denim, the ankle length is perfect on me. I’m also wondering if I should’ve reordered the dark blue wash in size 27, too. Gahhh. It feels like I fluctuate a whole size throughout the month due to period bloat.

Also wearing: Everlane cotton-linen crew sweater, Madewell Louise sandal, Everlane organic cotton box-cut tee, J.Crew Gemma flats (old)

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What I’ve Reordered in My New Pandemic Size

I’ve made it quite clear that I’m no longer the size I was before the pandemic. And it’s okay!!! I used to be a solid XS/0/25 (sometimes S/26) and now I’m a solid S/2/26 (sometimes 27). As much as I wish I didn’t gain weight because then all of my clothes would still fit and I wouldn’t need to buy anything new solely because I have few things that fit, I’m not letting myself get down about it. I GET to buy new clothes. Isn’t that fun?! The not fun part is trying to figure out my new size! It’s been a lot of trial and error, as you can see above. Haha.

There are some items in my closet that I love so much I decided to buy them again in a new size. I won’t be counting any of these against my quarterly clothing budget because, well, I get to make the rules. 🤣 And I decided to not punish myself!

• Madewell Pull-On Shorts
  I just purchased these shorts in almost black in summer 2020 because I knew they’d be perfect lounge shorts and for WFH! I purchased the desert olive color earlier this year (reviewed in my previous 5 recent purchases post), and both pairs I owned were size XS. That size still fits but I wanted them a little roomier, so I reordered both pairs in size small when they went on sale. The smalls are much roomier than I was expecting but I do think they’ll shrink slightly in the wash like my XS pairs did.

• Madewell High-Rise Denim Shorts in Glenoaks Wash: Cutoff Edition (available from Nordstrom and in limited sizes from Zappos and Nordstrom Rack)
  I purchased these shorts two years ago and they’ve been my go-to pair of denim shorts since then! While I can technically still squeeze into my size 25, I decided to reorder them in a size 26 because they were still available at Nordstrom. I honestly don’t notice much of a difference between the two sizes, so I’m actually debating buying size 27 and returning the 26…

• Zella Live In High Waist Pocket Bike Shorts
  I also ordered these shorts at the start of the pandemic, in my pre-pandemic size, naturally (read my full Zella review)! When they were included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year, I ordered a second pair in size small. They fit much more comfortably!