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Back to back blog posts about Scanlan Theodore – they’ve definitely wormed their way back into my heart after a hiatus of a few years. I relied heavily on their crepe knit when I was dressing more formally while in private practice, but these days my style leans far more comfy casual (and I suspect that shift has happened for many of us). Fortunately, Scanlan Theodore seems to have moved with the times. At this stage, my visits to their boutiques are becoming somewhat of a national roadshow (okay, Melbourne and Sydney – calm your farm Virginia).
Yesterday I legged it to Scanlan Theodore in the Strand Arcade during a lunch break to try on a few pieces I spied online – namely their shoulder pad tees and some different denim styles (given my recent success in Melbourne). Quick side note: the Strand Arcade boutique pales in comparison to the Melb Central store, based solely on the fact that there are no mirrors in the Sydney change rooms. Which means stepping out into the main area to properly assess things is always a slightly confronting experience.
Shoulder pad tees themselves aren’t entirely new territory for me. I owned a couple from The Frankie Shop a few years ago (with capped sleeves – here’s my blog post featuring one from the archives… Vintage Vee, hello). But I found the cap sleeve shape felt a little too trend-led. The longer sleeve version feels more timeless and more likely to have staying power.
Scanlan’s tees come in two different cuts – regular and oversized, which I talk about further below – so let’s see how they compared in person (paired with the various denim styles I had a play with too).
Oversized Shoulder Pad Tee
(Wearing a size XS)
Scanlan Theodore khaki oversized t-shirt (sz XS), Nobody Denim jeans* (not yet available, but the exact style & length linked here, sz 26), Bared Footwear flats*
This one definitely does what it says on the packet – it’s oversized through both the torso and the sleeves. There’s something quite sophisticated about the silhouette though. It feels sculptural and intentional, rather than just oversized for the sake of it. Size wise, I went with a size XS and it’s still very roomy on me. You might recall that I opted for a size M in my crepe knit shoulder pad t-shirt, so the cuts are different across the board.
Regular Shoulder Pad Tee and Tech Skirt
(wearing a size S and AU 8 respectively)
Scanlan Theodore navy t-shirt (sz S), Scanlan Theodore skirt (sz AU 8), Scanlan Theodore heels
I’m definitely a size S in the regular cut t-shirt (I found the neck opening on the XS quite tight when popping my head through). The navy is extremely dark – almost black – which makes it very easy to style. This one felt like a very strong contender for my wardrobe and arguably the more classic option.
At this point, this skirt is officially part of my Scanlan national roadshow – it was what drew me to the Melbourne store in the first place. I tried on the size 8 again and still really love the shape. It’s structured without feeling stiff, and it’s one of those pieces that instantly elevates a simple top. The only thing holding me back is the length of the skirt – it looks incredible with proper high heels (I’m wearing a pair of 9.5cm stilettos the sales associate fetched for me) but I’m worried the skirt’s a tad long for the mostly flats lifestyle I lead these days. Hmmm…
Cropped Cargo Jeans
(wearing a size 8)
Scanlan Theodore khaki oversized t-shirt (sz XS), Scanlan Theodore cropped cargo jeans (sz 8), Scanlan Theodore heels
I actually spotted these jeans on a sales associate (who was slightly taller than me) and immediately asked to try them on. I love the cargo pockets, the cropped length (no hemming – huzzah!), and how interesting they are overall. They’re also high-waisted and surprisingly dressy for a pair of cargo pants slash jeans.
I tried on both the size 8 and the size 6 – the sales associate was strongly recommending I go with the size 6 (featured in an image further below). The main differences being the fit around the waist and on the legs. You can adjust the waist with the side tabs – which is also really great as it means you’ll get a lot more wear out of them no matter how much you want to eat / where you are in your cycle – IYKYK.
High Rise Jeans
(wearing a size 8)
Scanlan Theodore khaki oversized t-shirt (sz XS), Scanlan Theodore jeans (sz 8), Scanlan Theodore heels
I had actually purchased this pair in Melbourne, so I asked the sales associate to bring me a cropped pair in a lighter wash to compare. While these aren’t the exact same style, they’re quite flattering. Scanlan tend to bring this silhouette back each season in different washes, and it’s easy to see why – it’s a great cut. That said, I personally found this wash leaned a little too 90s for my taste – and not necessarily in a good Carolyn-Bessette-Kennedy-90s-revival way.
Cashmere Tank
(wearing a size XS)
Scanlan Theodore knit tank (sz XS), Scanlan Theodore cropped cargo jeans (sz 6), Scanlan Theodore heels
The sales associate handed me this to try with the jeans. While it’s very luxe, I’m not really a knit-as-a-top person. I suspect my skin is a bit sensitive because I often find them slightly irritating. A lovely piece – just not one for me.
Meanwhile, I’m wearing the cropped cargo jeans in a size 6 here and it’s probably impossible to see any difference from the size 8 I’m wearing above. This is a total first world problem trying to work out which size to go for considering they both look perfectly fine and are both adjustable at the waist.
A closer look at the size 6 again:
FYI I think this is the winning outfit combo: –
Scanlan Theodore navy t-shirt (sz S), Scanlan Theodore cropped cargo jeans (sz 6), Scanlan Theodore heels
As always, thanks for stopping by!
P.S. Check out my daily outfits adventures here!
