Let’s Go Through My Unhinged Anthro Haul And Figure Out What I Should Keep And What I Should Return
by Audie Metcalf
Oh. Hello. I did sort of a bad thing. I was scrolling on the Anthro app one night (it’s just so very good and easy to use, it’s like the grown up’s version of social media) and … I went a little bit crazy. But knowing some of the pieces were total wild cards and “outside my comfort zone” meant I already knew that half would probably be going back.
But.
Anthropologie has been so impressive and gorgeous, and for the most part, their prices are excellent, and nearly everything I buy from them I keep and wear forever. So it always feels like a smart investment. And no, this isn’t sponsored. But man, I wish. Anthro? Call me?
So let’s begin the unhinged try-on tour. First, the 7 pieces I’m definitely keeping, because they’re all special and pretty and flattering. The remaining 5 I’m … on the fence about. Or in some cases they’re VERY clear returns. You’ll know when you see them.
1. The prettiest color sweater
WHAT: The Blake Slouchy-Sleeve Crew-Neck Sweater by Pilcro
Welp. We are starting with QUITE the banger. This color is the only color I ever want to wear, or see, again. The material is deliciously soft (and not at all scratchy), the sleeves are a full dream, and the slightly cropped waist means that even though it feels gloriously oversized and slouchy, it’s still wildly flattering. It also comes in THIS yummy oatmeal color and THIS stunning blue, both of which I’m going to buy. Because I’m sick. KEEPING.
Price: $128
2. The Curve-Creating Dress
WHAT: By Anthropologie The Soleil Slim Strapless Ruched
WELP. It’s a second banger. Maybe even a bang-ier banger. This dress. This. Dress. It’s so hard to photograph black clothes but it has this amazing ruching all around the waist area so it both cinches you in to create gorgeous curves, WHILE completely hiding a belly pooch. And it’s this easy, non-wrinkle material that you can scrunch up and throw into a suitcase. I know you’re going to ask about those insanely insanely beautiful shoes, and you should because they’re the prettiest shoes I’ve ever seen or owned. And I can walk in them! But back to the dress. My god. I wish my hair wasn’t an unwashed grease pile so you could really see how magical this is. But you get it. KEEPING.
Price: $170
3. The “Cool-Girl” Trousers
WHAT: The Avery Elastic-Back Trousers by Maeve
Anthro’s pants just always fit, and these are no exception. Slouchy and perfect and plaid and they sort of have that “cool girl” vibe that I absolutely do not have as a person, but which I rely on pants like these to exude. It helps to pair them with an Adidas sneaker re: coolness. I also wish to god this truly darling cropped sweater was still available but I don’t think it is. KEEPING.
Price: $90
4. The True Maxi Skirt
WHAT: By Anthropologie The Tilda Maxi Slip Skirt
So this isn’t really “giving” a lot here (as the kids say) but this FULL LENGTH maxi skirt is so unique because it fully skims the floor which makes everyone look amazingly lithe and tall. I tried on this semi-interesting tuxedo strapless thing but it fit weird so it’s going back. I’m going to wear the skirt with THIS blazer or THIS sweater with flats or sneakers for a casj look. And then boots for a non-casj look. Plus, it’s incredibly comfy. KEEPING.
And here it is in “neutral” and it’s also perfection.
Sorry I look sort of possessed here. I think I was going for “sexy” and failed woefully. Also the skirt just came out of a box, hence the wrinkles, and I was too lazy to deal with it even though I knew I was taking photographs of it because I am bad at my job.
Price: $98
5. The Wild Card
WHAT: Favorite Daughter The Date Blouse Bodysuit
I don’t want to love the brand Favorite Daughter because it seems like a trendy, cool brand and I hate things like that but I just cannot deny that everything I try of theirs is perfect. Including this BODY SUIT. Yes. It’s a body suit. Which is just a genius idea all around. The entire reason I hate silky shirts like this is because they never stay tucked and you inevitably look sloppy which is of course the opposite intention when wearing a shirt like this. So then you just tuck and tuck and tuck your shirt all damn day and then you vow never to wear shirts like that again but THIS. The bottom of the shirt is basically just underwear (which is lightweight and lovely) so it allllllways stays tucked. It’s quite low cut so if you love a revealing moment, this is ideal. Otherwise you’ll need a little cami or bralette as I’m wearing which I think has the slightest sexiness but in an 80s secretary way. Aka the ideal. Also look at that cuff!! KEEPING.
Price: $198
6. The shirt you don’t like but stay with me
WHAT: By Anthropologie Shine Buttondown Shirt
Ok, I know you hate this. I hate this, too. BUT. It comes in a cream color that I think will give this look but in a non metal-melting way. Also these are the totally wrong jeans to wear with it. Maybe a tight pencil skirt? Either way. EXCHANGING.
Price: $60
7. The Skirt That Has A Secret
WHAT: Maeve Sculpted Bow Midi Skirt
This is the most interesting thing on the list but sadly I just couldn’t get it to photograph well.
Why is it so interesting? This is why:
Yes that is a giant bow. It’s removable. And it’s spectacular. Here’s the product shot from the site which allows its full glory to be seen:
It’s the perfect, joyful, unexpected party skirt, and I’m wearing it to every party I ever attend from today until the end of time. KEEPING.
Price: $148
8. The Formal Jumpsuit
WHAT: Maeve Strapless Twofer Jumpsuit
Annnnnnnd there had to be a miss sometime. Who among us doesn’t adore a jumpsuit, but this one is … a bit ill-fitting. I do love the concept, though. RETURNING.
Price: $120
9. The Flowy Bow Skirt
WHAT: The Jacie Poplin Printed Midi Skirt by Maeve
I’m torn! A full skirt has my heart. But are bows too ... something? It also runs huge. This is a medium and it’s falling off. It also comes in THIS, which is obviously more sweet, but maybe perfectly so. ON THE FENCE.
Price: $148
10. The faux fur cuff shirt
WHAT: Maeve Faux-Fur Cuff Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater
I know, I know. Who am I? It looked sort of fabulous on the site but so far, I can’t really imagine a “place” I could “go” while wearing gigantic faux fur wrist cuffs. But who knows? 2025 is a new year. RETURNING.
Price: $148
11. The Maxi Dress
WHAT: By Anthropologie Long-Sleeve Off-The-Shoulder Knit Maxi Dress
This is incredible as a concept. Such soft jersey, the wrap means I don’t even need to wear a bra, the full skirt hides all manner of stuff, and the neckline is a dream. And yet, I don’t think it’s flattering on me. RETURNING.
Price: $100
12. The stretchy, wearable secretary skirt
WHAT: The Colette Skirt by Maeve
I know. It’s great. It’s the “Collette” skirt which is the skirt version of the pants we consttttttantly write about because they’re the best pants on earth. Oh, and THESE are the boots I’m wearing which are, incidentally, the most comfortable boots on this or any other planet. Ok, but will I actually wear these polka dots? I feel like I’d wear THIS version more. But the fit? Perfection. The comfort? Perfection. The length? Perfection. EXCHANGING.
Price: $60 - $148
This was fun. If you have any passionate feelings about what I should keep or return you can dm me HERE. I’m always there and available. All I do is work.
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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