Reiss Rhodes Cream and Blue Sweater ($145)
When shopping, you need to be looking for pieces that fall into one of three categories: 1) I want to wear this for three months and then donate it; 2) I want to wear this classic piece now and next winter; or 3) I can wear this now and in April.
I’m focusing on the latter category, the spring transition with this pretty pastel print. I like the way it looks like shattered glass.
Reiss is also having a tremendous sale, and styles are going fast. If you’re looking for an incredibly stylish winter coat, I would start with this Alsace belted coat (half-price). I also love this short cream jacket with a funnel neck.
Looking for dresses? This leather collar dress is a phenomenal choice for parties. This Cadiz dress is a good choice for both work (under a jacket) and dinner dates. And this combo dress is a vintage-inspired office choice that is easy and chic.
Reiss also has amazing accessories; I never miss a shoe sale. These sleek animal-printed pumps are great for work. These wrap-around sandals would be so much fun with summer dresses. And lastly, this deep burgundy satchel brings the drama to your work attire in the best possible way.
Terrible news about the Reiss Alsace coat. It’s not lined! Literally exposed seams on the inside. And it’s flimsy sweater-like wool! I was livid when I bought it on super sale at Bloomingdales. This thing is going back.
Seriously? I had no idea. That is terrible news.
Um, sorry, but why would you spend money on anything you plan to only wear for three months and then donate? Your entire first paragraph is confusing. “Now” (January?) and “in April” only, but no other months? Classic pieces only for winter? Why only these three categories & not others (“classic pieces I could utilize year-round”)? ….and so on.
The paragraph is not confusing. January and April were used as signifiers for winter and spring, I’m sure you realized that.
Plenty of people buy a piece because they want something new to wear now but don’t want to spend the money on a piece that they will wear in the long term. This is why retailers like H&M exist. You wear it while you love it, while you feel good in it, get your money out of it, and then move on.
I was also quite confused by your first paragraph. Maybe I’m thick. But, do you consider January to April to be longterm? How is January-April (4 months) a different category from 3 months and donate?
I think the point is I can wear this now and in the season that begins in April – so through the Spring – so more like 3 months v. 6-7 months. Though given DC weather I find that very few pieces fall into that camp for me. I just store away half my clothes at any time of the year.
Year-round is fairly impossible in DC. I do not miss DC in August. Though when it’s -48 in January, I think 3-degrees sounds pretty good.
How is the sizing with Reiss? 8 in Elie Tahari (I tried because I saw it here and now a staple for me); 4-6 in AT, Banana etc (I am not a 4 just crazy sizing)
Thank you
Can run a smidge small. I still buy my usual size but it’s a bit snug. You can check to see what sizes the models are wearing to give you an idea. Sometimes it’ll say the model is a 4 but wearing a 2, etc.
I buy one size larger in Reiss sheath dresses than I do in J Crew, Banana Republic and Theory (which I also do for Diane von Furstenburg dresses). In their a-line and fit and flare styles, I take my usual, mass-market size.
BTW, not sure if I should curse or thank you, Belle. I just bought 3 items from the sale!