Happy Friday! Whew! It’s been a tough week for me. So I’m glad it’s coming to an end. And we’re anticipating some cool temperatures this weekend, too, following a week of highs in the 90s. Yay for the weekend! And speaking of YAY, that’s exactly the code that will land you 50% off (and sometimes more) on most of the peplum tops and shorts I’m sharing in today’s summer try-on haul from Loft.
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I placed an order with Loft recently and rushed the shipping so I could share with you the shorts and peplum tops I’d chosen. In full transparency, I placed this order for you, my Dressed for My Day community. Even though I actually love everything that came in this order, I will probably only keep one or two pieces at most. I’m pretty set for summer shorts. But these peplum tops? Love!
Sizing
I weigh about 155 on a good day and I’m holding steady so far at 5’8″ tall. I have a pear or hourglass shape and balanced proportions. That’s just to give you reference when you’re looking to see how these items fit on me.
I generally wear size 8 in tops, bottoms and dresses. But I sometimes wear the curvy fit size 8 if they are available. I generally wear a medium in all of those pieces, too. So unless I tell you otherwise, those are the sizes I’m wearing. I’ll also alert you if something runs small or large; otherwise, assume it runs true to size. That way I can focus on other factors.
6″ Monroe Chino Shorts & Medallion Peplum Top
First up I’m wearing the 6″ Monroe chino shorts in candied orange. Here I’m wearing them in the curvy fit. I ordered two pairs of shorts in the 4″ inseam and two in the 6″ inseam. And one each of those is regular fit and one is curvy fit. Make sense? That way you can see how the different fits and inseams work on me. And maybe that will help you know how they might work for you.
Of course the 6″ Monroe chino shorts do come in other colors. There are more available in the regular fit than the curvy fit. I think this candied orange reads more like a warm red in real life. I’m wearing a size 8 in the curvy fit. So my conclusion is that the sizing is true to size, but I don’t need the curvy fit after all. They are quite roomy on me. And I predict that these 97% Cotton, 3% Spandex shorts will stretch a little with wear. In fact, they have a lot of give in them.
Just a few more words about the Monroe Chino shorts in general before I move on and I won’t repeat myself with every set I share. I love the weight and texture of these shorts. They’re a light to medium weight cotton blend and feel very soft. I also like the generous leg opening on these shorts, especially for us gals with a little more weight in our thighs. I think the room in the leg opening helps create a visually slimmer leg. So if you have thin legs, you may prefer a short with a more narrow leg opening.
I love this medallion flutter peplum top and it fits true to size for a very comfortable fit. It does have a slightly low neck, but it works on me because I have a small bust. It also has a v-neckline in the back. The fabric is a lightweight, breezy 100% rayon, which I’m not usually a fan of. But this one feels good. I’m seriously considering keeping this peplum top.
6″ Monroe Chino Shorts & Henley Tee (from Banana Republic)
Next I’m sharing the 6″ Monroe Chino Shorts in the regular fit (not curvy). These fit me much better. They still fit true to size; I’m wearing my usual 8. But the regular fit affords me plenty of room in the hips. They don’t pull at the front, gape at the pockets or look too tight in the rear. I don’t have rear view photos, but I am sharing a reel with these shorts later today in which I do turn around for “rear inspection.” Ha!
I had intended to show all the Loft shorts with the Loft peplum tops, but had to make some adjustments because one that I ordered didn’t come in and the 4″ inseam shorts (coming up) didn’t look quite right with some of the peplum tops I’d chosen. So I decided to top these almondine 6″ Monroe Chino Shorts with my new cropped length Henley Tee from Banana Republic. It’s not on sale, but this 100% Supima cotton Henley Tee is very soft and versatile. It’s supposed to be a boxy silhouette, so I’m wearing my true to size medium.
I showed the Henley Tee with a bit of a front tuck above. But, because of the cropped length, you can also wear it untucked very nicely.
4″ Monroe Chino Shorts & Eyelet Peplum Top
Below I’m wearing the 4″ Monroe Chino Shorts in the regular fit in soft moss. I’ve not worn 4″ inseam shorts much lately, so I thought I should probably give them a try again before ruling them out. I actually like the look of them on me (remember, I’m 5’8″). But I’m not sure I’m comfortable in them. I feel a little exposed. And I’m not really talking about modesty as much as I am comfort with the appearance of my legs. Anyhow, I’m still debating on this personally. I think inseam choices – as long as we’re not talking scandalous lengths – are really about body proportions, height and, ultimately, personal comfort levels.
But at least you can see here what the 4″ Monroe Chino Shorts look like on a 5’8″ frame. They fit true to size in the regular fit here. And I do love this soft moss green. And of course they come in a variety of other colors, too. Oh, and all of these regular fit shorts do come in petite sizes, too.
I’m wearing the Floral Eyelet Ruffle Peplum in my usual size medium and it fits nicely. By the way, sometimes I struggle getting these types of tops on and off over my head. Anyone??? But with all of these the neck opening and gathered waist are wide enough for easy on and off. They are true peplum tops, but feature a trending loose fit. I think they’re such a great option if you don’t want to tuck in your top and you want something cool and breezy. Plus they’re so feminine.
On the other hand, I’m not sure I like the length of the peplum tops over the 4″ inseam shorts. At least I didn’t think I did. But looking at the photo above I think it looks good. What do you think?
4″ Monroe Chino Shorts in Curvy Fit & J.Crew Vintage Rib Polo
When deciding on which shorts to order in the curvy fit and which to get in the regular, I decided it might be wise to opt for the white shorts in curvy since I don’t want them to fit too tight at all. While I might could have worn the white 4″ Monroe Chino Shorts in a regular fit, I think this proved to be a wise choice. Yes, they’re a little roomy. But I definitely don’t want tight white shorts!
Of course they do come in regular fit, too. But because of the inseam length, and since they’re white, I chose not to pair the white 4″ Monroe Chino Shorts with one of the longer peplum tops. Instead, I’m wearing J.Crew’s new vintage ribbed polo top.
The vintage ribbed polo top fits very close to the body, not tight, but definitely snug. I’m wearing my true to size medium. So if you want a looser fit you might consider sizing up. But I wonder if that would make the shoulders too wide? I have fairly wide shoulders and this vintage ribbed polo top definitely fits me in the shoulders. If you purchased the silk blend polo from J.Crew I’d say this one fits a little snugger, but still comfortably. I also have the white (it’s not sheer), and it comes in soft lavender, black and a blue stripe.
High Rise Straight Crop Jeans & Fuchsia Eyelet Ruffle Peplum Top
I pulled out my Loft High Rise Straight Crop Jeans to try on the Fuchsia Eyelet Ruffle Peplum Top. I’d originally meant to show it with the white 4″ Monroe Chino Shorts, but it just didn’t look right to me. But I love this bright fuchsia with denim. I know those High Rise Straight Crop Jeans look, ahem, a little bunchy in the front. Hahaha! But they’re really not. You have to remember I’m quickly taking clothes on and off for these try-on sessions and then running up and down two flights of stairs to get from my office to the basement studio, so sometimes things don’t get “arranged” correctly. *sigh*
Anyhoo! The High Rise Straight Crop Jeans are really great jeans, and I can highly recommend them for a trending but still fairly “conservative” jean silhouette. I’m wearing my true size 8 in the regular fit.
I hadn’t tried a lot of the trending peplum tops until this try-on haul, and I’m so glad I did. After putting them all on multiple times I’m starting to like the look. I think anytime we want to try out a new silhouette, color or style we have to give it several tries and we have to give our eyes time to adjust to how it looks in the mirror. This ultra feminine and youthful silhouette may not be for everyone, but I’m definitely keeping one of them. Which one do you think I should keep? And will you be trying this trending style?
Remember, Loft is offering 50% off all of the styles I’ve shared with you. Just use code YAY at checkout. And they have lots of other great summer styles, too.
Also I wanted to alert you that Nordgreen has discounted many of their beautiful, classic, modern watches up to 50% off, the most ever. That includes the watch I wore in today’s post. It’s actually a part of this gift set, which has been marked down over 33%. But you can still get another 15% off the sale prices with my code KAYHRMS. (However, you won’t be able to use my code an another code, for a free strap for instance, at the same time.)
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Did you see my video on wearing shorts?
If you need some help with choosing the best shorts for you and with styling them, be sure to check out my recent YouTube video. I offered tips to help you look fabulous in shorts this summer.
Let me know if you have any questions about today’s try-on haul in the comments section. Click on “join the conversation” to open the comment feed.
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Blessed for My Day
At what point do you stop wrestling with your role in a misunderstanding with another person? That’s a hard question. We can beat ourselves up senselessly or we can move on hastily, and neither serves us well. When we’re at odds with another person it is important to examine our behavior, our words and even our attitudes and motives. More importantly, we must be willing to spend time before the Lord in humble prayer so that He can show us if there is some hurtful way in us. I think it is also wise to spend systematic time in the Bible during these soul searches as well. It’s during our regular daily Bible reading or study that the Lord can illumine the darkest recesses of our hearts with the light of His Word.
Of course we can also seek wise counsel from someone who knows us well and has our best interest at heart. We certainly want to do due diligence examining ourselves when conflict arises. But there does come a time when we can also walk in the integrity that the Lord has confirmed upon us. Otherwise we will continue on in self-defeat, shame and misery. Which is exactly where the enemy of our souls wants us to be. Yes, this is a hard call. But when God releases you to walk in integrity, don’t hesitate. Get up and move on. Graciously, humbly and in step with Him.
Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. ~ Psalm 26:1
Miss Kay: I respectfully suggest that you totally DITCH (!) the peplum tops . . . ALL of them. The straighter ones look like maternity tops from another era, and the ones with ruffles are way too trendy and not at all flattering . . . they look “butterfly-ish!” They also make most anyone look larger. My suggestion: Stick to classic tees and/or classic, button-front shirts. And these shirts can be whatever we prefer: sleeveless or short-sleeved or long sleeves, which look classic and “with it” with the cuffs slightly rolled or turned up! For reference, I am 5 ft. 5 inches tall, weight about 140 pounds, and size 8 in pretty much everything. A general comment about sizing these days: INCONSISTENT! My regular size 8 in a skirt at Ann Taylor is HUGE! I enjoy your blogs . . . you seem very friendly and down-to-earth. I’m a Southern “girl” from Memphis, TN., now living in Michigan. My ancestors were from Gwinnett County, GA.
All good wishes to you! From Cynthia
I agree with you!
Loved the depth of your devotional!
Thank you Charlotte. 🙂
Obviously you should wear whichever shorts you feel best in but in my opinion the 4″ ones make your legs look slimmer. I’m going to order a pair and see if I like them!
They’re growing on me! 😉
I think that the floral peplum top would be the most versatile. I do think the longer shorts are more flattering on you. Have a fantastic day!
Not a fan of these peplum tops at all! Definitely think they’re meant for younger girls and teens. I agree with another reader that they remind me of maternity wear. About the shorts, both lengths look good on you because you have long legs with no blemishes. Most women our age are showing our battle wounds from pregnancies & aging & often just want to find coverage with flattering styles. I’ve been wearing the Talbots 9 or 10 inch shorts & find I can go from golf to dinner & feel respectable. The 4 & 6 inch shorts have a place, maybe the beach or around the house, but I don’t think most mature women would wear them. It seems many of the bloggers I have been following are promoting J Crew & Loft this season. I guess they are attempting to draw in the mature woman but I don’t think they offer much for the over 60 crowd. Definitely go to shopping for my 42 year old daughter but the last thing in the world I want to do is to show up in an outfit she would wear. Thanks for all you do Kay!
I think you look nice in the 4 inch shorts and the peplum tops! I am glad to see peplum tops- they are one of my favorite silhouettes, if the fit correctly.
Kay – just a note to say that I consider you a friend and want to ask for you and James to include my family in your prayers. My husband was killed last week in an accident. He was the best. Me and my two kids (grown son and daughter) are of course devastated. It is only through the prayers of others that we have made it through each day. Incredibly hard each day but we are making it. Thank you for the distraction of your blog. You are lovely and I love your Blessed for my Day feature.
Merri Lynn, I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband. May the Lord hold you and your family close. Praying for your and yours.
Terry in TX
Thank you sweet Terry in Tx. We live in Texas as well.
Oh my, Merri Lynn. I am so sorry to hear this. Life is truly fragile and we just never know how long we have with those we love, do we? Bless you and your dear family. I know you are hurting. In time God will heal your broken heart and He will walk with you through this journey of grief, for that is what it is. But rest assured that James and I will be praying for you in our morning prayer times. I wish I could give you a hug and bake you a cake. But please know that my heart breaks for you and I care so much.
Kay – thank you and James for the prayers. They are proof that we can go forward in God’s love. And you made me laugh….I’d certainly take the hug and “baking a cake” is truly a Southern thing! Thanks so much!
You look great in both lengths of shorts but h prefer the longer one.
The peplum tops are not my favorite look on anyone unless they are very young. Personally I wouldn’t keep any of them.
Thank you for your body positivity Kay. We have similar shaped legs and I share your insecurities although I carry more weight than you do. You encourage me to accept the beautiful strong legs that I have! The 4” shorts make your legs look longer. You can truly whatever pair you wish to wear in whatever circumstances. I have a very different style and I will not be wearing peplum tops or shorts but I revisit your coloumn for your positivity and words of inspiration.
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement. I really appreciate your positivity, too!😉
Just found your blog from Sandi – I majored in Home Ec. – I love your shorts, especially the orange! You have a cute/classy style.
I’m so glad you found your way here. Thanks for saying hello! 💕
I like all of the peplum tops, but I say keep the fuchsia top. It is super-flattering on you 🙂
I will pass on the peplum tops, really not a fan. Your legs look great and either length is good although if you do keep a peplum not the 4 inch shorts.
I am having a hard time finding clothes that I like this season. It seems they are geared to the younger woman. My friends around the same age (50-60s) say the same thing. I go back to plain tees. I am not a fan of the peplum in me but I like the colors. Thank you for featuring Loft!