so what does one do upon leaving their job for the very last time? go to target, of course! after sneaking out of the office early last friday, i headed to the bullseye for a few miscellaneous toiletries. as what happens many times on a routine target run, i immediately got sucked into trying on a few pieces -mostly from their universal thread collection. i can’t lie, guys, target continues to blow me away with their clothing these days! though i ultimately left empty-handed, i’m definitely considering a return visit if only to snag this leather jacket.
if you’re looking for a few versatile and affordable pieces to get you through the last bits of summer and into fall, target has you covered! below are my honest opinions, sizing details, and a few styling recommendations for each item i tried on:
universal thread denim dress (2) not available online || sadly this dress doesn’t seem to be up on target’s website, but i’d check your local store to see if you can’t track it down. i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, universal thread gives me all the madewell vibes -especially when it comes to this denim mini. the 2 fit perfectly, so i’d say it’s pretty true to size. besides its dark denim shade and the fact that it has pockets, i appreciated the length (most of the similar styles i’ve seen boast shorter hemlines) and charming crisscross back detail (not shown in the photo). i actually like it styled with the booties, but i think i’d probably wear it more often with a mid-calf boot instead. as we transition into fall, i’d probably layer a long-sleeve tee or turtleneck underneath and top it with a loose-fitting cardigan or cotton twill jacket. for a dressier look, i’d pair it with black tights, a feminine blouse, and maybe a faux fur jacket. similar to overalls, a denim dress like this one could be remixed a zillion different ways for all four seasons.
size verdict: true to size.
universal thread tiered denim top (xs) || considering how versatile it is, i’m always a sucker for a good chambray piece. i love the feminine vibe of this tiered denim top and its swing silhouette that playfully pulls away from the body. while i front-tucked it in the photo to show off the waistband of the skirt, i’d probably wear it loose over a pair of skinny jeans. when it comes to looser-fitting tops, i usually like to counterbalance the volume with a style that fits closer to the body. i’d pair this one with white jeans (yes even after labor day) and cognac and gold accessories like these mules, this bag, and these statement earrings.
size verdict: true to size if not a little big.
universal thread black denim mini skirt (2) || one of the items on my fall wish list this year is a denim skirt. though i believe an a-line silhouette might be best for my body shape, i decided to try on this pencil-style anyway. as expected it fit snug around the hips but was gappy at the waist. however, the fit was the only thing i didn’t like about this skirt as its quality seemed to rival brands with nearly double the price tag. i opted for the black since i’m on a bit of a black denim kick right now (i blame these overalls), but it also comes in a blue wash as well. as far as creating an outfit goes, i’d style a denim skirt similarly to how i’d style a pair of jeans -with just about anything! i love the idea of pairing this skirt with a tie-front top and d’orsay flats or with a cozy sweater and suede booties. the possibilities are truly endless!
size verdict: true to size (despite the gap at the waist).
universal thread pocket v-neck tee (xs) || who isn’t on the perpetual search for the perfect t-shirt? this one is under $10 (!) and fits like a dream. similar to the popular madewell whisper cotton pocket-tee at half the price! i grabbed this tee on a whim so i had something to wear when i tried on this skirt but it fit so well that i’m considering going back to pick up a few to layer under sweaters this fall/winter.
size verdict: true to size, size up for a baggier fit.
who what wear floral print tiered skirt (small) || this skirt surprised me in the best possible way. as you’re well aware, i’m on quite the mustard kick this year so when i spotted this goldenrod and black floral print midi skirt, i made a beeline to it immediately (that feels like a pun considering black and yellow are the colors of a bee!). they didn’t have an extra small in the store but i was so curious to see how it looked on me that i grabbed the next available size. as expected, it was a little too loose in the waist for my liking, but other than that, it was probably my favorite thing that i tried on all afternoon. the ruffled tiers are so flirty and feminine and the midi length makes it appropriate for both work and weekend wear. for the office, i’d pair the skirt with a simple black blouse and matching pumps and for a more casual date night, i’d opt for a cashmere sweater and low-heeled booties. it would also be cute really dressed down with converse sneakers and a chambray knotted at the waist.
size verdict: true to size, if there had been an extra-small available, i think it would have fit perfectly.
a new day faux leather moto jacket (small) || ever since my trusty target faux leather jacket literally fell apart from a decade’s worth of wear, i’ve been on the hunt for a proper replacement. as i perused the rest of the women’s clothing section, i spotted this gorgeous moto jacket in the perfect cognac shade. as i held it up to assess the sizing, i could tell by its substantial weight that it was probably pretty good quality for the price. when i finally got it into the dressing room, my original assumptions rang true. this jacket is gorgeous and fits like a glove. i really don’t have a bad thing to say about it other than i probably should have scooped it up when i was at the store. even my husband who never really comments on my instastories mentioned how much he liked it when he saw me modeling it in the dressing room. at under $40, it’s an absolute steal! wear it with a simple tee and wide-leg cropped jeans or over a floral midi dress. similar to a denim jacket, a leather (or faux leather) jacket is a wardrobe staple that you’ll have for years.
size verdict: true to size.
universal thread faux leather moto jacket (small) || after i nabbed the above jacket, i spotted a similar style by universal thread. having had such great luck with the brand, i figured i’d continue the streak. unfortunately this jacket wasn’t nearly as swoon-worthy as the style by a new day. the fabric quality was sub-par and the fit wasn’t nearly as flattering. i did like the asymmetrical zipper and the oversized collar (perfect for poppin’, ha) but ultimately it was a miss for me. given the fact that both jackets are the exact same price -i’d say the first is by far the better pick for quality and fit!
size verdict: runs a little boxy, consider sizing down.
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