H&M Fall Collection Fitting Room Review

First day of September! I'm a victim of online-window-shopping addiction. Every since the beginning of August, stores have been bringing out their fall pieces in resplendent thicker fabrics and neutral earthen tones. I have also been drooling nonstop wondering when this weather will dip below 90 degrees (like right now, It's 104 Fahrenheit - I walked in that for 1.5 miles on the way to school and ended up sopping sweaty in my first class). H&M has a gorgeous lookbook online and I've been wanting to try out some of the popular pieces other bloggers have been featuring lately, like the lace shell dress and orange swing jacket. Thus, commence fitting room review, H&M Fall Collection 2011 edition.

Bonus: If you sign up for H&M's online newsletter, you get a 20% coupon off a single item! A bunch of brand-new items right now is $10-20 off right at the counter.

1) H&M camel tweed double-breasted coat (Euro 4), $30 USD
Reminiscent of Burberry but at a fraction of the cost, I initially thought this coat would be too light and thin for St. Louis colder weather. However, fall is a gorgeous time and there's room to layer underneath this (I've figured out by now wearing 4 thin layers is warmer than 2 thick ones). It's nice and structured with a bit of A-line which flatters small petite frames. I also like that it emphasizes my shoulders. It will even look great over a short skirt and knee high rider boots.

- Verdict: Buy! With my 20% coupon and $10 in returns (pretty sale pleated chiffon dress but unflattering chest-area poofing), total = $14! What a nab for a stylish fall coat, right?

2) H&M black lace shell dress (XS), $35
The fit is great - there were many back buttons that I couldn't reach, but regardless this is a flattering shell dress with a hint of drama. It looks much better belted to accentuate the waistline (found a cute bow detail camel ultra-skinny belt for $13 that snaps into each hole) but H&M has this "no accessories inside the fitting rooms" policy they're not enforcing - most inconvenient.

- Verdict: Pass. I do have way too much black lace and dresses, so I reluctantly put this down. It's just not "everyday" enough to get enough wear in before winter starts.

3) H&M orange cropped swing jacket (S), $40
Fit: this store ran out of XS and S is boxy on me. However, the little gold buttons are endearing, and this piece looks nice over a dress, but I have wayyy too many orange pieces in my closet from summer. There's no need for another pumpkin piece. It can be worn many ways. It's also expensive for a tiny jacket, though the fabric is nice quality and thick.

- Verdict: Pass, pricey and already have lots of orange

Open

 Buttoned up

 

 Swinging (weirdly bluish tinge due to yellow lighting correction)

4) H&M navy lace shell top (S), $25
This is the shirt version of the lace shell dress. It's less elegant as a top, but still nice with a Victorian touch. Again, S too boxy, XS good.

- Verdict: Pass, don't love

Boxy, not foxy

White/cream version in XS

5) H&M butterfly print summer dress (Euro 4), $25 ($10 off), $15

Mainly tried this on for the price. It's light, not tooo revealing, pretty for summer.

- Verdict: Pass, too many sundresses.

 

6) Forever 21 curly pink tulle skirt (S), $18
Very cute, poofy, super girly. Tried it on for fun and the twisties.

- Verdict: Pass, already have a similar one but wish I would have gotten this one instead!

 So I walked out of there happy with a new fall coat and nothing else that I didn't need *proud* Have you browsed the H&M Fall Collection or seen other fall pieces that you're coveting?