Saint James Meridien Top Update

Monday 15 April 2013


Ahhh. The Saint James Meridien II.



The colour is actually persian red and ecru. How could you not love a colour combination like that? The top is lovely and is a thick heavy weight cotton - almost a little coarse. It's a good well made top though - solid and well finished ..... and an oversized fit which is why I had to team it with skinny jeans or I would look like little Orphan Sue.

Fresh from the box complete with tags and tramlines down the front.

Worn with Topshop Jamie Jeans and Carvela Krimble Sandals


It doesn't look too bad on the above two pics but I did have to jiggle and wiggle it to get it to look like that because it's actually 

HUGE!


Did I mention previously that I thought the sleeves were going to be a bit long?


Err ...  as you may have guessed, I am not keeping it. Infact I've already returned it. The top basically was in my house all of four hours from delivery to exit. Sometimes it's just not right - no matter how hard you try to make it right and you want it to be right.

However, I still really like the top so I think I'm going to hunt one down in a smaller size :o)  What's that infamous saying (from Space Quest) - never give up, never surrender!

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Last Note :


  • For anyone interested, I ordered the top from the Atterley Road site in a size 10 as there were no size 8's left but I took a gamble. This equates with a size medium on the label which I didn't know about and an european size 38. 

  • Love the free delivery and returns service from Atterley Road. I opted for free standard delivery - ordered on Thursday late afternoon. Arrived this morning (Monday). That's pretty good as I don't count weekends. Easy drop off to Post Office with pre-paid label for returns. Big love.






40 comments

  1. That is funny Sue! Good luck with your search

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  2. Such a shame to see that it was so big on you! Seemed like such a good option for what you were looking for, although I do implore that you try Zara (one I wore here: http://www.mademois-elle.com/?p=576 ) is a pretty good option until you find a more permanent one. Either way, good luck with your search and I'll let you know if I come across anything else! xx

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    1. It really is a lovely top which is why I'm going to try and track a smaller one down. I do like the Zara one you have - it's on my backup plan but it's gone from the website and the last couple of times I went to Zara - it wasn't around anymore - aarrghgh. This might be a case of I snoozed and loosed!

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  3. Lovely colour combination Sue, but yes - HUGE! Looking forward to seeing it in a smaller size very soon :)

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    1. I know the colours on the top are gorgeous but just how seriously BIG and HUMONGOUS is it? Let's hope I'm lucky in my search.

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  4. It's a gorgeous top hope you can track down a smaller one Sue as I'm sure you'd get great wear out of it!

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    1. I think it will be a wardrobe staple if (1) I locate a smaller size (2) it fits.

      And then I will be a happy bunny.

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  5. Ha! I was actually totally routing for it until I got to the final reveal! I actually think it's fun to see you in an oversized top now and then, and with the skinny jeans I think it's a fun silhouette. But those sleeves! Man! And not even just the length of them, but the width! Ridiculous. You let us know when you get the smaller one though...

    www.nomadicd.com

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    1. So was I - I really wanted it to work but this baby had to go back. I love oversized tops but on the whole, they don't love me too much. Being a titch - oversized just looks big usually and not in a good way. I just end up small and squat if I don't get the proportions right but the skinnys didn't look that bad for a change so that's totally changed the way I want to wear the top now. Cool :o)

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  6. Oh, I hope you can get the smaller size because the colour and quality look fab. Love the colourway of it ... nice change to the usual navy & white Breton.

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    1. I do really really like the colour. It's colour without being in your face colour if you know what I mean. I shall hunt down!

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  7. What a shame I love the colour combo! Actually really like it on you with the skinnies. Hard lesson I learnt is that I can't do loose tops either because it means I have to go 'skinny' on the bottom although my Chambray shirt was fine. Good luck with your search!

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    1. I actually really liked it with the skinnies too which quite surprised me. I don't really like doing skinnies but will do them at a push with a longish top. If the smaller sized version of the breton turns up, this might be a new look for me. Only problem is I keep having the jean yank ... they keep trying to work themselves down. It's not elegant.

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  8. It's a lovely top - colour, finish etc - pity you're 'swimming' in it - as my mum would say! Really like the Top Shop jeans! x

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    1. Thanks Jenny. I decided that the only skinny jeans I could do was the Topshop Jamie ones and I managed to find this pair in a good colour on Ebay new. I wasn't getting on with the current shades in store currently. Seek and ye shall find.

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  9. Hilarious - but a fabulous top - seek it out now in a smaller size!! xx

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    1. I'm on the case! I've found it already ... and cheaper.

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  10. I've been looking for a good quality striped top and was thinking black or navy and beige but having seen this one I think I should be more adventurous - I love this colour combination and it's not too red, if you know what I mean! I hope you manage to get a smaller one
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. I know exactly what you mean - the colours are strong but subdued? Which sounds like an oxymoron but is exactly what it is. I just like the change - it's fresh.

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  11. Aw man! It's enormous, but I do love the colour and shape of it. Do you think their sizes run big or might the medium fit me (a tall size 10)?

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    1. Kate, I think it will actually be fine on you. It's meant to be oversized but it overwhelms me as I'm actually only 5ft 1.5" and I was thinking if only I was a bit taller, it would actually work. I think the medium (size 10/eur 38) should fit you fine actually. I need a size smaller to bring the shoulders in a little to balance the look. If you're taller, you have more legs on show and you will have a better silhouette and it all works better. If you're really interested, there is an online store called Olive and they have them in stock at £44. They actually order in from Saint James from France so it takes a bit longer to arrive - they quoted about 10 days but they say the usually get it in within a couple of days and despatch immediately. As you can tell, I have been on the case most definitely! Link below :o)

      http://www.oliveclothing.com/-saint-james-meridien-ii-ecru-persan

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  12. Hi there! The colour way is excellent so I hope you find an alternative in your size xxx

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    1. Me too Sharon. Never give up, never surrender.

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  13. Perfect for my long arms! Lovely colours though x

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    1. Might swamp your frame though - you are teeny though tall.

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  14. Love the top - shame it was too big. I also have big love for Atterley Rd free postage and returns but I think their refund policy is a bit too long. I bought and returned a top in early April and no sign of a refund yet - it could be up to 21days.... starting to panic they havent received my package! eek

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    1. Eeek indeed. I hate it when I'm hanging around waiting for the refund to go through. However, you can't beat Zara for refunds. Sometimes, the refund comes back the same day and at the most by next day especially if it's going via paypal. You can't beat that for service! I'll keep an eye on it and see how long this takes. It shall be an interesting exercise - I like to get my measure of the stores out there.

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    2. as it happens, AR refunded me today! so it was 17 days from returning the package to post office to receiving the refund. Zaras return policy sounds ace! i normally am not that bothered waiting for refunds but it does irk me when i want the money back in my account so i can spend it on something else.... ;-)

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  15. Also sounds like it was a bit thick, I have a Gap one like that, prefer a thinner one if I'm honest x

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    1. It's definitely sold and thickish. It's the thickest out of my stripy tops. Might mean I need two - one for hot days and one for cold ;o)

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  16. I do like the color. Sometimes red is just too bright for me, but this is a really nice shade. The Saint James quality is really great, but they run very big. I've been lucky to find two styles that are cut for a smaller frame and drape nicely.

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    1. Hi Lindsay. I quite liked the shape on this one but I've seen the more fitted ones as well. I thought I'd have a change and go for a looser fit and means I can layer up underneath should I need to. However if the smaller size comes along and that is a fail, I think I might have to give in to a neater shaplier fit. But it's all fun getting there.

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  17. Oh no, you are swimming in it! From the sounds of it it would fit me perfectly though, so I might have to keep my eyes on it for a little while. I'm a 5'11 size 10, so the longer the better!

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    1. I think it would be lovely on yourself if you're 5'11" and a size 10. I never knew you were so tall - it's funny how pictures can be so accurate but so misleading at the same time.

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  18. I does look a touch on the large side but always better to be down sizing than up.. Good luck with the smaller size search. x

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    1. Fingers crossed for the smaller size :o)

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  19. Such a shame the fit isn't right as the colours are fantastic! Just my kind of top!

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  20. Arrrgh... pity about the size. Good luck hunting, Sue!

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Susie So So