Persian red and ecru. Ring any bells? Remember my disaster with my Persian red and ecru breton from Saint James? Well guess what? I had a disaster with my second one .... and my third one too. Yes, there was a third.
The second Breton I ordered was not from Atterley Road but a company called Olive Clothing. I ordered what I thought would be the size down from the first one. Hmm. The two stores operate on different sizing for the tops - I didn't expect that one to come and bite me.
I ended up with a top two sizes down from the first one which I could barely get over my bootay. Snug as a bug with fat hips in a rug. So back it went.
The second Breton I ordered was not from Atterley Road but a company called Olive Clothing. I ordered what I thought would be the size down from the first one. Hmm. The two stores operate on different sizing for the tops - I didn't expect that one to come and bite me.
I ended up with a top two sizes down from the first one which I could barely get over my bootay. Snug as a bug with fat hips in a rug. So back it went.
There's snug and there's snug.
And then I spotted the size 8's had come back on Atterley Road - so I ordered the size 8 thinking, it's got to be right this time having ordered the size 10 previously! But no! Still snug as a bug with slightly less fat hips in a rug. And I was so hacked off this time, I couldn't even be bothered to take a pic. Pah!
Anyway my mistake was that I didn't check thoroughly the sizing according to the different places I ordered from and I also deliberately ignored the fact that the top is sold as a unisex item in some places. The thing to remember is men have big arms (hopefully muscled) and slim hips. Women have slimmer arms, smaller shoulders and child bearing hips, therefore making it quite difficult for the two to come together successfully. What's that saying - never the twain shall meet successfully in the Saint James Meridien II top?
Anyway, I've given up, I've surrendered. I slink away with no breton top on torso. But full marks for trying right?
But I did manage to satisfy the persian red and ecru colourway in the guise of another garment. Hallelujah! But that's another story.
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Last note :
- Still love Atterley Road. I sent them a tweet about my blog on the Saint James tee and they replied! I'm so used to tweeting in to the ether that on the whole I don't bother but I'm trying to get down with the young'uns and this social media gumph. Three tweets a day - I set my targets low and I still miss.
- And yes again - they are fast on the delivery front. Can't fault them on that at all.
Oh what a shame as the colours are gorgeous! It's such a pain when you think you have done your research, item arrives and its not right. So then you have all the returns hassle. Ah, the things we go through for our love of fashion...
ReplyDeleteThe colours on it were gorgeous which is why I kept trying but alas it wasn't meant to be. I am no longer pursuing this path ... for the time being. Other fashion thrills to chase :o)
DeleteNevermind Sue, full marks for trying! I live in dread of too snug things :-) Can't wait to see success story!
ReplyDeleteI definitely can't do this kind of snug where everything pulls and it's not the kind of material which really gives either. And for that price - I'd like something which fits as it should. The success story is a much better fit :o)
DeleteYou know I don't think it looks over snug, you could get away with that, couldn't you? However I do notice that it is quite baggy in the arm department. Such a shame and I love the top as well. I managed to get a similar colour way from Jack Wills (not my usual stomping ground) x
ReplyDeleteVery loose around the arms and I have fat arms so that's saying something.
DeleteJack Wills do really good Bretons actually, I have a yellow stripe one from there but the colours for the past couple of seasons haven't really done much for me. And Jack Wills is not that bad as long as you stay away from the logo'd stuff. It seems to be made quite well - going by my own experiences.
I haven't tried Saint James but with Armor Lux and Petit Bateau breton tops, I've always go up 2 sizes. I like them loose.
ReplyDeleteGenerally, I don't like anything too tight - if it skims okay, if it hugs - no thanks. This one was a bit overfriendly around the hips. I didn't know you sized up with the Petit Bateau or Armor Lux - makes it even more confusing knowing what to order!
DeleteI always go for the large. I mean me who's usually a size 8 has to wear a large! Crazy sizing.
DeleteYou really should try the one I got from Zara - the quality is surprisingly good, 3/4 length fitted sleeves and loose through the body.
ReplyDeleteI did actually. But the colour was a little too bricky and the neckline on the one I tried wasn't playing ball. If I remember, it's a boat neck and for some reason it was twisting a little and wouldn't lie flat across - other than that, the fit was actually good. But it wasn't the one this time which is a shame as it was a good price and looks fab on you.
DeleteWhat a shame about the top - and I love the colors on you! My Husband has a blue one as JCrew were partnering with Saint James a while ago - he never has it off!:)
ReplyDeleteI think this particular Breton was designed for a masculine body - I have too many lumps and bumps to fit in to this nicely. Be keen to find out how other people have found this top actually in terms of fit.
DeleteI would stop searching and then you'll find it unexpectedly........another of my stupid fashion rules!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of mine - hence the giving up - then it will turn up!
DeleteSue, it's me,ClaireH, don't know where my name's gone!!!
DeleteClaire - that's hilarious. You being renamed as Crazywalker! I couldn't stop laughing.
DeleteSue, was it the t shirt in the first photo which was too tight...? It looks great from the photo but that's can be misleading I know. Agree with the previous comment though - you'll find one when you've stopped looking!
ReplyDeleteAll four photos are of the same shirt. And the last photo shows exactly how much it pulls but you can see how big the rest of the body is. This one's not for me I guess. Hunt given up.
DeleteGorgeous colours - look fab on you, shame it wasn't meant to be this time! X
ReplyDeleteHonestly - the red is such a lovely raspberry and so sharp - I'd be hard pushed to find another in the same shade. But like you say - it wasn't meant to be!
DeleteI'm a great believer in fate!
DeleteI remember the last time you had problems with the tip! I do like this colour combination - a change from stripes with white.
ReplyDeleteI know - I'm a bit like a dog with a bone when I get it in my head about something. Never fear - breton bone buried.
DeleteThe colour is good on you though - what a shame you couldn't find one you are happy with. Atterley Road is fabulous - worth the extra pennies and the service is great. The Frugality has done a feature this weekend on them as well! You are in good company! Hope you have a had a lovely weekend Sue. X
ReplyDeleteThe Atterley Road service is fab and they are so polite. I saw the feature from Alex and she has shown some lovely picks from the new season. I wasn't sure at first as it was a much smaller selection but I really like what they are doing now.
DeleteHope you're having a good weekend too! Hope this week is a bit less hectic for you but am pleased that you're enjoying your work.
I don't see at all why these shirts don't work. I think they look great. Maybe there is something you are seeing that doesn't show up in the pics? Whatever it is, I don't see it here!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a bad fit and not flattering at all. Arms too long and too big. Shoulders don't fit properly. Too snug and pulling across the belly. I can look better for that price.
DeleteYou get full marks for trying, of course! St James on the other hand gets pretty poor marks in my opinion. I know it's iconic and all, but it must just be for twiggy folks? What is the point of that? There's a better breton out there for you, I'm sure of it.
ReplyDeletewww.nomadicd.com
Agreed, I need something that will skim gracefully across my hips! ;)
DeleteIt's just not the Breton for me unless I have a sex change and that's not likely to happen.
DeleteHa!
DeleteI really like the slim fit here, perhaps just 'ruffle' it up around the hips or do a semi tuck (haha!!) to make it look more slouchy? I always have issues with tees fitting great in one place and crappy in another - and don't have a great deal of luck with bretons either, however cute they look on the hanger.
ReplyDeleteThat said, there's a nice on at COS at the moment. I bought a simply cotton vest from there the other week and am really happy with the quality. x
*nice one at COS*
ReplyDeleteIt's too tight to do a semi tuck. It would drown you totally on top but would probably fit your hips.
DeleteI've not bought from COS yet but from what I saw in the shops in London, the quality and finish looked pretty good. I do like their styling but I keep thinking it's for tall people.
You know I'm a huge COS fan, and while I'm not really petite myself, I am pretty short in the torso. Their stuff fits me totally fine, give it a shot.
Delete