Type: Dressing Room Diaries- Wealthy Browns at Chico’s

Happy Friday, ladies. Before we left on holiday, I stopped into Chico’s to see what their newest collection had in store. There’s lots of mixing and matching in today’s post because the collection coordinates beautifully.

If you’re new here, welcome. A dressing room diary is when I go into a local store for a try-on session so you can see what’s new and how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5’4″, weigh around 134 lbs, and have broad shoulders and straight hips. I have a long torso and long arms, so I often buy one size larger in tops. I try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me, so you can see what’s in the stores and get some styling ideas.

Chico’s sizing can seem confusing, but it’s actually quite simple. Most brands only go up to a size 12 or 14, and if you’re any larger, you are out of luck…unless they happen to make plus sizes, which are fewer and far between these days. Chico’s sizes are 000(0/XS),  (0/2– XS), 0 (4/6 S), 1 (8/10-M), 2 (12-14)-L, 3 (16/18-XL) 4 (20/22-XXL. Chico’s also carries many garments in petite and some in tall. I’ll tell you what I’m wearing in Chico’s sizes so you can understand how things run.

This paisley sweater fits beautifully and is very soft. The colors are fun, and the V is a modest depth, which I always appreciate. I’m seeing a lot of boyfriend jeans in stores this season. They have a very relaxed (looser) fit through the hip and thighs. These come in 3 washes. I’m wearing a Chico’s 0, which is the equivalent of a 4/6 and my usual size. Because I have such straight hips, this size looks too loose for me. If you’re a curvy shape, your regular size should be very comfy and fit well. The fabric is a soft blend of 75% cotton, 10% polyester, 4% lyocell, and 1% spandex. The inseams are 27″ regular (25.5″ when single-rolled) and 30″ tall (28.5″ when single-rolled).

Here are the boyfriend jeans in one size smaller, in the equivalent of a size 2, which slims them down considerably. It also makes them shorter so I could unroll the hem. These are a black/gray wash. I am not a size 2 in anything, ever, so these do run large, and you could size down for a slimmer fit. I’m a big fan of Chico’s no-iron fabrics, which seldom need touching up. This one has crisp-looking contrast piping on the collar and an interlocking C monogram on the cuff. I don’t know what the website means by regular vs the fitted shape. My label said 1 (8/10) regular, and the sleeves are slightly cropped.

This crossbody bag caught my attention the minute I saw the display. The heavy chain detail has been very popular on bags for a few seasons. What’s nice about this quilted bag is that both the chain handle and the canvas shoulder strap are removable to customize how you like. It has several inner compartments and is large enough to carry quite a bit.

I’ve been reading that brown will be very popular this fall and found lots of it at Chico’s. This rib knit pullover comes in four colors, I’m wearing Cocoa bean, which is a cool toned brown. It’s super soft and has fun directional ribbing that adds subtle texture. It’s a roomy fit, so I sized it down to a 4/6. I’m wearing the straight-leg Define Me jeans in dove gray, which looks more taupe than gray to me. They’re a super soft cotton blend with 10% spandex! They come in 3 colors with inseams of 27″ in regular and 30″ in tall.

The faux leather shacket comes in this light oak (bone) or cherry brunette (brown). I do love expressive names for colors, but since my pictures are fuzzy and taken in a tiny dressing room, I thought it might help if I explain what I saw. I’m wearing a 1 (8/10), so it runs TTS.

These girlfriend jeans have slim, straight legs in a super soft, stretchy cotton blend. They come in this cocoa bean or black. I’m wearing a 00, regular (in Chico’s sizing), and they’re a bit snug but not uncomfortable because they have plenty of stretch. The inseams are 31″ regular, 28″ petite, and 34″ tall. I’m wearing them with an animal print ponte knit tunic. This is 30″ long so will cover your backside if you wanted to wear it with leggings or slim, knit pants. It has gold-toned buttons on the sleeves.

Here’s the paisley pullover with the dove gray jeans and faux leather shacket in light oak. I like how these pale colors are picked up in the sweater for a colorful yet overall soft look.

Chico’s no-iron fabrics are so good, they’re great to travel with. This shirt is called “saddle,” which is a black/cocoa bean animal print combination. It has full-length sleeves and a subtle shirttail hemline that looks nice tucked or untucked. I paired it with coco jeans and this black elongated ponte knit jacket. The jacket comes in petite and regular. The petite is 29″ long, and the regular is 31″ long. I’m wearing the regular 1, which sort of swamps me, so unless I was going to wear it over long tunic tops, I’d opt for the petite one.

Here are the boyfriend jeans in sycamore wash in size 00R, which I personally find more flattering on my shape, but they’re probably meant to be looser :). I paired them with this super soft and comfy v-neck pullover with large polka dots. I almost didn’t try this polka dot top on. I was afraid the dots would be in awkward spots, if you know what I mean, but they’re strategically well-placed, and I brought this one home with me. The weight is perfect for spanning seasons, and I love the blue and black combination. I opted for the 1 to have extra space through the shoulders. Here’s the same sweater in vintage saddle with tiny studs.

I’m a big fan of pull-on denim jeggings. They’re very comfy, don’t have a zipper or button to bulge out my tops, and look totally like regular jeans when the waistband is covered. These have a nice super-dark wash for fall. The petite has a 27″ inseam, and the regular length is here with a 29″ inseam. I’m wearing this ombre crewneck tunic over them with shades going from the deep navy through turquoise to pale aqua. It’s super lightweight and great for layering. I think these colors would also look great over brown jeans or pants.

Have you spotted much brown in fashion these days? Do you wear it?

Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.