L.L. Bean Scotch Plaid Shirt size XXS review

 L.L. Bean Scotch Plaid Shirt size Misses' XXS

Kennedy plaid ($39.95)

Background story: I've been obsessed with obtaining anything dark green with delicate red and yellow plaid design since I laid eyes on the James Tissot's The Warrior's Daughter painting awhile ago. I haven't found the perfect green tartan print (most have too much blue/navy in them), but these will suffice in the meantime.  

The L.L Bean Scotch plaid shirt came across my radar when I read Fast Food & Fast Fashion's review two or three months ago! I was excited as a puppy when I saw the deep green Kennedy plaid option, however almost all sizes were gone by the time I decided to purchase. I took a chance on the remaining size Misses (regular) XXS which was on backorder till January. So I finally received this shirt in the mail today and decided to do a review for anyone interested in the fit of size XXS. 

Measurement of size Misses XXS: 14" shoulder width (from seam to seam), 18" chest width (from pit to pit), 25.25" center back length, and 23" sleeve outerseam length. The regular XXS is a bit smaller and slimmer than Elle's review on size Petite XS of the Dress Stewart design. 

The Fit: I actually quite like the fit of this flannel shirt on me. I almost do not want to take this shirt off since it is so warm and cozy. I feel that this size XXS fits better than other flannel shirts I have tried in the past.

The Bad: the sleeves do look baggy, the material collects lint easily (typical of flannels though), the interfaced collar and sleeve cuff is a bit stiff, the shirt hem curls up a bit (maybe due to sloppy stitching), and the plaid print doesn't show well from far away (in photographs) as it does close-up...

Decision: I am keeping this shirt because I do love the quality, comfort, and overall fit. And it's pretty darn close to what I had in mind!

****Update 10/30/15**** 

I found an even better shirt at Uniqlo (on sale for $19.90 too).

Again, wish it had less blue, but the thin red and yellow lines are spot on to what I had in mind!

Actually, blogger Jean of Extra Petite has a Sole Society scarf that is a more perfect rendition of the Christmas-y plaid I had in mind. In fact her photo background (as seen here) even reminds me of James Tissot's The Warrior's Daughter painting with the black iron fences and dreary cold atmosphere. She must reads my fashion thoughts or living my dream world, haha! 

L.L. Bean also came out with a more Christmas-y plaid for winter 2015-16 called "Hunting MacLeod" but only available for men in flannel shirt, pajama set, and robe:

Celebrate!

At the beginning of 2014, I mentioned that this was the year I was to finish paying off my school loans. Month by month, I said good-bye to my paycheck...and I finally did it! Seven years of college costed me about $130,000, and then it took me seven years to pay it off (which became a bit under $180,000 with the interests, gah!) A weight has now lifted off me!

I thought I would celebrate by buying myself something grand or splurging on something crazy. But turns out, I can't think of a thing at the moment. Being thoughtful about all my purchases these past 7 years has now become my shopping habit, haha! For the first time in my life, I actually feel very satisfied with my wardrobe, love everything in it, and love re-wearing what I have!

Thank you everyone who have read my blog and followed me through these shopping and styling adventures!

For the coming new year....I'm hoping to maintain what I love, upgrade if appropriate, and maybe try something new if I get inspired! Cheers for the new year!

Some plaids are better than others?

When I realized that certain stripes (ie. Breton stripes) are more pleasing than others, I started to think...are some plaids better than others?  This retail season exploded with plaid flannel shirts everywhere. So many choices! But what makes a plaid pattern more "classy chic" and less "cowgirl on a farm"?

Which one do you prefer? :)

Holiday picks

I cannot believe it's November already! Ah, the holidays are approaching fast as my local mall spruces up for Santa's arrival....

They were chiseling and carving this holiday scene out of a huge mound of dirt/clay....pretty cool!

As for holiday fashion, I'm seeing lots of plaid, furs, black and gold, and I'm still wanting a red dress!

But a more practical clothing item I'm wishing for is a Tartan or Scotch Plaid shirt...inspired by another James Tissot painting:

The Warrior's Daughter (c.1878)