Madewell Folktale Top

Wednesday 18 June 2014


Madewell Folktale Top, Zara Jeans, Hobbs NW3 Sandals


I made a special effort to get the tripod out and take this picture outside for my buddies Avril and Joanna. After all they played a hand in helping me procure this little Madewell number. The problem with Madewell is they don't ship to the UK but I do love their clothes so I stalk their site and sigh and coo over their perfectly cool clothes. I confess now - I prefer them to J Crew - they are a little more pared back in their styling. They are just more …. me. 

I played the dither dither game for a while with this before finally mailing Joanna in a panic saying "I think they are going to sell out - buy, buy, buy!" and had her and her hubs in hysterics at my panic when they woke up to my flurry of messages. I only sent her 3 but that time zone lag is a killer for the nerves! And Avril's part in this? She was my clothes trafficking mule :o) Hee haw! But she did offer to pick up from Joanna whilst she was out in New York for her Belfast Choir trip - have you seen the videos? Really really fab. Thank you - I luvs ya both!

As for the top itself, why did I go to so much trouble? Well I liked the simple food accommodating shape, it's 100% linen, the embroidery is beautiful. 



And it has more than a passing resemblance to the Isabel Marant Dumas top but infinitely more affordable for me. I also didn't get on so well with the Mango dress which everyone has been snapping up this season - the cut and lack of sleeves didn't suit me so well on the dress but the little sleeves on this top give me the coverage I need for the bingo wings and because it is a top - I will get more wear out of it. After all, I don't want to jinx the weather by getting the legs out too much do I now?


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Last Note :

  • (adopt bad fake Oriental accent) Ah - Madewell lah! I love your clothes so much lah but why you not ship to the UK lah? Me no happy lah! You get act together like J Crew lah and ship to UK please. Thank you lah!







60 comments

  1. Lovely top. I've contacted Madewell numerous times about UK shipping. I have to get my US friends on a mission too ATM. It's high time they started shipping over here.

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    1. Have you had any responses back as yet? I think I could blow all my money on their stuff if only they shipped to the UK.

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    2. Yes, just watch this space type replies. Well I've watched it, and nothing has happened! Pah.

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  2. This is just the most beautiful top - the embroidery is so pretty.

    Beccy ~ Bluebell & Bumpkin

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    1. Thank you Beccy. I was quite smitten too :o)

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  3. Yeah well said, and J Crew factory too while we're at it! Thank you very much.

    I need to get more food accomodating tops. Have you tried the oversized smock t-shirts from ASOS? Size down one or two if you do!

    Love the red sandals, too.

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    1. I've only just discovered J Crew factory but again, another one which I can't really indulge in … well I can with a little help but you do get to the point where you think, I can't possibly ask again, can I?

      And no, I've not tried the smock t-shirts - which ones are those?

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  4. The lengths we go to....it was so worth it Sue, you look amaze-balls x

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    1. Thanks Donna. I admit I can be truly bonkers about stuff like this but if you've got to do it, you've got to do it!

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  5. Lol Sue!! But what a beautiful top, really love it so it was worth all the effort!! x

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    1. It was worth it. To a certain degree, it wasn't that hard but it's nice to have friends to help you get what you want. In the right places.

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  6. Utterly divine top Sue! Absolutely worth the effort of going the extra thousand or so miles to track it down so to speak! You are so lucky to have friends in all the right places xx

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    1. I know - Joanna is a doll and she has been so kind about all this. Don't be surprised if I start tracking stuff to a store near you when I can't find it up here and asking you to collect it and posting it to me!

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  7. Hi sue, I have never heard of Madewell before, it's look super on you, and looks like a super useful top, definitely has an IM vibe to it.
    Sue x
    Bestfriendstyle

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    1. I was going to say, have a look through their site but then again, there's not much point as you can't buy from it unless you can get friends to purchase on your behalf and mail to you. However, there is a limited number of their pieces on Shopbop. They actually had this on Shopbop but it appears to have just sold out … again.

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  8. Just ordered it from Shopbop, it's adorable. They ship to the UK surely? Free international shopping to Ireland, usually arrives in 48 hours :)

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    1. They do ship to the UK and I was going to order via there until I got an offer to help with it's purchase from Avril and Joanna. Has your top arrived yet?

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    2. Due to arrive tomorrow, tracking eagerly on UPS. It's really cute on you, hope the size works out for me, planning on bringing it on holiday next week :) I loved that Mango dress too, but it was too short on me to feel comfortable, I actually think I prefer this top, I would get more wear out of a top anyway.

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  9. Gorgeous top Sue, it looks fabulous on you and was definitely worth the emails, the travel and the work if some fab friends. It looks such a beautiful crisp white and the embroidery is stunning xx

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    1. It's actually quite a thick linen and a pure white rather than an off shade. A lot of the linen clothing out there currently is quite thin but this feels quite substantial. It will probably look like a total dishrag after a days wear but hey, I'll be wearing a pretty dishrag!

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  10. ha-ha, sounds like it was quite a mission to get the top. Great result though!
    wow, I just discovered that you make your own jewellery - amazed!

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    1. Thank you Ekaterina.

      And yes, a little bit of a faff to get the top but oh so worth it. I have nice friends :)

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  11. Adore that top! I too sent the mango dress back but regretting it now as it looks so great on everyone else! Hx

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    1. I know what you mean. I had the dress, it looked okay, it was really comfortable, the fit was good. I just didn't feel right in it that's all. I think I made the right choice and I hope to get more wear out of it consequently.

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  12. Just perfect, sue. Very you! Love it. Lynne x

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    1. It is very me. I actually have a few tops in a similar shape - I hadn't realised how much I liked food accommodating tops!

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  13. I've never looked through the Madewell website, but that looks really pretty! Love the shape.

    Saskia / girlinbrogues.com

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    1. I adore their clothes and they have their styling pretty spot on. But alas - no shipping here!

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  14. Sue thanks for stopping by my blog. I am a frequent visitor to the states and thought I knew my American labels but Madewell is new to me. Having checked out the website I think it looks just my sort of thing. Whistles circa 2010 when Jane Sheperdson had just started to turn things around springs to mind. Your top is well worth the effort. By the way I think I want to like J Crew but somehow every time I visit a J Crew store I come out empty handed I don't think that would happen with Madewell.

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    1. Hi Sarah. I enjoyed going through your blog posts - I hadn't realised that you had started one up so when Michelle pointed me in your direction, I thought what an enjoyable read and I could really relate to a lot of the things you had pointed out. And yes, you should take another look at Madewell - I think of them as the edgier counterpart to J Crew - the younger rebel sister. And I like J Crew but I don't like the prices for what some of it is and I have the same problem, I get sent a code and I can't find something I actually want to spend money on! And when I decided to finally get round to looking at the infamous Tippi jumpers that they have, do they have any in my size and the colour that I want - no.

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  15. The shirt looks great on you! I just saw it not too long ago on the website and similarly thought it was very Marant reminiscent.

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    1. It is isn't it but without going too over the top. I do love the colours on the Marant Dumas top - the aubergine plum shade embroidery they have on that is totally my thing as well but I'm very happy with my Madewell score for this summer … and the next.

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  16. How have I never heard of them before?!?! I love this top, it's right up my street, the white, the cut and the embroidery, perfect. Worth the panic I reckon! And don't get me started on J.Crew and their DHL shipping, seriously....yep it's free but they've been the hardest to deal with as far as returns and being in Monday - Friday to receive it (won't leave at a neighbours, won't leave at a Service Point, won't deliver week-ends, miss the 3rd time they try and deliver and it goes back to the US!!!) x

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    1. Well, not popular over here at all - not very well known and why would they be if they don't ship over here. A bit like Everlane which I covet but again - no shipping. Pah.

      And I've not had any problems like you've had with J Crew - luckily, I have more flexibility than yourself hanging around for parcels but that sounds like a bit of a mare that you've been through. The only time I contacted then to arrange a return, they did come back to me and ask why which I wasn't expecting. And then when I had a change of heart, they asked me again why I changed my mind and I said there was a detail which I thought I could change and they credited me some money towards my alteration which was wholly unexpected but much appreciated. I have to say in my instance, I have had excellent customer service.

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    2. Wow - I'm jealous! I'm even more frustrated as the fairly expensive belt I bought has now been reduced further.....I did contact them to note my anger at this (as technically I could return and buy again cheaper but they would be at a huge loss) so will see if they are as kind to me with a refund!! Lets hope they restore some faith into me as what I've kept I absolutely love x

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  17. Wow! That beats my sandal dash to Lincoln! It's a really beautiful top and looks fantastic on you.

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    1. It does doesn't it? I win in the ludicrous shopper stakes!

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  18. Hello there, yes, it's utterly gorgeous! I've never posted a comment on a blog before but am definitely inspired. I have also just realised that my brother, who lives in Canada, is visiting next month, so I might ask him to be my shopping beast of burden. Do you mind my asking which size you went for? Always hard to tell in a piccy what the sizing might be like. Thank you, and you look gorgeous! x

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    1. Hi Louise and thanks for leaving a comment! And yes, get your brother to be your clothes mule! I am a UK size 10 and I am wearing the size small. I would say it was pretty true to size. I went through a bit of a panic wondering which size to order but I queried with Shopbop as I read somewhere that I should be ordering the medium but they sent me the garment measurements and I went with the small. I don't have the email anymore but if you want more details, I can measure my top for you. Hope that helps and if you want any more info, let me know.

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  19. Gosh, thanks so much. If you could measure the top, that would be incredibly helpful. I'm a UK 8, but am a bit curvy so never quite know what size to go for. I won't be able to return it (the thought of doing that would probably send my brother into a tailspin) so would be great to have more information to go on. Thanks again! x

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    1. I laid the top flat on the floor and the measurements are as follows.
      Straight across the shoulder = 15" or 38cm approx
      Under the arms = 17.5" or 44cm approx
      Across the bottom = 23.5" or 59cm approx
      Length of top (back of neck to bottom) = 23" or 58cm approx.

      The top is very comfortable on - no pulling under the arms or across the shoulders. I would take a similar top of your own and compare measurements and see how that goes? That's what I tend to do to get a good idea of what kind of fit something will be like if I'm ordering on line. Good luck and do report back if you get one!

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  20. You get it so right all the time Sue. This looks amazing on - it is perfect for you! You really know your own style - I need to take a leaf out of your book this year and be more discerning as it always pays off for you! Happy to be your USA mule any day - especially now I've discovered space bags for packing:) xx

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    1. Do you think? I actually think I'm hugely susceptible to most things and get swept up with lots of trends but just don't have the guts to wear a lot of them … or the height.

      And glad to hear about the space bags - you having more trips over then?

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  21. That top is worth the round the world trip to get it to you - how fab that it has lived up to your expectations!

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    1. It was a bit of a gamble knowing very little about the brand and it's fit but it paid off this time. It really is very comfy on - creases like anything thoughn- it is linen after all.

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  22. Gorgeous top Sue, really suits you (sir!) - it's a good job you have friends in high places! And can I also say that I have serious hair envy - your barnet looks amazing - don't even tell me you hardly do a thing to it, don't want to know! x

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    1. Err … I hardly do anything to it. There are mornings when it doesn't even get a brush. I just shake and go. I am the final word on laziness!

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    2. I knew it - how irritating! ;)

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  23. It really is such a lovely top, everything about it from the linen to the embroidery and in fresh blue and white is just so cool looking! xx

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    1. It's really pretty and the embroidery is pretty spot on. I saw it modelled on someone else and thought, uh oh - it creases but hey, it's to be expected of linen and I kind of like the relaxed (crumpled) look of linen after a days wear. I'm just weird.

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  24. Love the top Sue and loving your last paragraph even more, totally wetting myself but agree this brand needs to ship here! Sorry I missed this post, I don't know how but just saw it on someone else's comments - I've got a lot on at the minute! x

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    1. I bet you've got a lot on - that wedding is looming fast isn't it?

      And yeah - they need to get their shipping over to here sorted - lah!

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  25. I can see why you were in such a panic, it's stunning on you Sue, not really sure I can pull off these tops but after seeing you I might just give it a go! X

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    1. I wouldn't have put it as one of your styles Trea - a bit too "safe" for you. You're a modern girl - that's how I see you and this is a little retro. Would look fab with some seventies flares if you have the long legs for them!

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  26. I totally understand why you went to all that trouble, it's really lovely and looks fab on you! This style of top I can't wear because it just looks like a maternity top - I think it might be because of my broad shoulders :-(

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    1. I totally get you on the pregnancy front - smock tops are very reminiscent of maternity wear but I just like them as they don't cling. Anything which doesn't cling is good in my books. And I don't think it's to do with the shoulders - it depends on where the yoke bit finishes as to how it hangs over the boobs. Some make you look very big chested if you're not careful.

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  27. It is beautiful, Sue, but what an a**e. Madewell are missing a HUGE trick! I have been stalking them, on Pinterest, and I would be a willing customer. I am so glad you managed to aquire this top as it is just perfect on you.
    H xx

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  28. Omg how did I miss this!! Love love - must confess to considering various 'losing' it scenarios en route (kidding)!
    It was my pleasure being your mule x

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  29. One word.... Gorgeous! You so will get more wear out of it, than the Mango dress. I am off to check them out. X

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  30. Love this top, Sue! We need a Made well over here, for sure x

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Susie So So