Sunday, February 19, 2012

Fitting Room Reviews - Mid Feb 2012 Part 2

More Reviews!!!

Striped cotton/linen sweater $75
It was was surprisingly cute on. I did not have any pants with me but it would be great with jeans or capris. Maybe one of the colorful ones? Any color pants would work and it would bring it to the next level. Or just add some accessories.  I am thinking saturated color little purse, chunky bracelet or brightly hued shoes.


Size Small

Runs TTS to Big

It is probably prone to snags and quite sheer as it is a loose knit.  It also feels a little rough against the skin. I am not sure if it is because of linen or nylon content? I think you can get away without wearing a cami but it would help with both the sheer factor and the roughness of the knit. Do you think I am drinking too much crewlade? Sure, I do.  Because with all the cons why even bother?

$75, 73% Cotton, 15% linen, 12% linen
needs some pop-of-color methinks
I still like it. I am hopeless :)

Linen Polka Dot Sweater $75
My PS was very excited about it but I was skeptical, because even on the hanger, I could tell it was SHEER.

Size Small, TTS
It IS very sheer. Indecently so. I am wearing a nude bra and it still shows. And you can clearly see the skirt underneath. This is really too bad, because otherwise it is even cuter than I thought. Since it is a sweater I would not mind wearing a cami so much, by now I am not surprised even by summer t-shirts requiring it, how ridiculous it that? Also, is it just me or linen always have this smell? Like wet grass or something? It bothers me.

Has potential
This would benefit from styling, of course. I would either go all neutral with a pop-of-black (is there such a thing?), or add a colorful pants. Again! This may be a polka dot top for those afraid of polka dots 'twee factor'. Since it is neutral, it seems more mature. What do you think? But the sheerness is a deal breaker for me. Too bad as it had potential.
$75, 100% linen

Enter-Rant. What's up with the 'all-things-sheer' J.Crew??? Seeing panties or other unmentionables on the runway it one thing, but irl, it may ruin otherwise perfect item. Unless you are into scandalizing your co-workers. Most of us would rather avoid it. Is it a surprise? Exit-Rant.


Red print cotton/silk popover $88
I like the color of this one. I also like the shape, longer length and the fact that the front is NOT shorter than the back (like it was in polka dot popovers, I had no idea why they did that). But it is sheer, possibly too sheer. See rant above. I also have a silk habotai blouse from couple years that I can substitute, it had a twisted placket and chinese-style ivory flowers on bright papaya background.  I forgot what was the name of it.
Size Small, it runs big

The placket is pretty long when you tuck it in

Slightly Sheer.  Color reads red with some orange tone

$88, 57% Cotton, 43% Silk

Black and White print cotton? popover  $?
I forgot to check the price and fabric, but I think this one is cotton.
Probably $88. I do like it. It would go with anything. Guess what I am thinking? Maybe I do need those red/orange capris after all? I do, I do!
Size Medium

I like the print

I would belt it

Big-shot dot dress $158
OK, so it is really cute and pretty, but I felt ridiculous in it, like if I was a seven-year-old going to a party. Since I am a mother of not one but two kids over the age of seven (one considerably so),  I think I am just too old for it (click here if you are curious just how old). This dress has an Anthro vibe to it, imo. Aside from the age factor, I just don't do full skirts well, but I can see many of you rocking the heck out of it and looking fabulous.

The ribbon bow could be tied better, I know. I was trying on so many things, so I didn't bother.

Size 6, decent length


Has pockets

Full Skirt
Gross grain ribbon sash is removable
Maybe you should NOT remove the sash after all :)
Sash lowered and bow in the back
It IS high waisted. It fits tight in the chest. It is one of those better-if-you-are-pear-shaped dresses. Again. Sigh.


$158, 70% cotton, 30% silk, lining 100% poly

That's all folks

* * *

For the purpose of judging how the items run I am 5'6, 135 pounds (on a good day), 34D, 30" waist, 37" hips. I almost always wear size 4 in J.Crew pencil skirts and city fit pants, 27 in denim, 6 in high waisted items, size 6-8 in dresses and tops, and I am between Small and Medium in non numerical items. Oh, and my arms are relatively short, many times the long sleeves are too long on me.


I had my rewards card with me but I did not buy anything. I liked the striped sweater the best, but it is sheer snag prone and feels rough against my skin. I also really liked the black and white popover but I probably don't need it, do I?

What do you think? Are you excited about something? Are you dissappointed with teh IRL looks?
Please share!

21 comments:

  1. Ooh, I'll join that rant with you: WTH J.CREW?!?! Why must that darling polka dot sweater be so sheer? Makes absolutely no freakin' sense to me either, especially when this is coming out in their spring rollout, when duh, it's warmer out. Why in the world would we want to have an extra layer underneath? Layering is for cold weather! UGH.

    I'm wondering if you sized up and then of course wore a cami underneath if it would give it that slouchy-cool look. I might try it anyway just to see...

    Totally agree with you about the polka dot dress. While it is cute, it is almost TOO cute and would look totally juvenile on me. It definitely looks better with the bow tied in the back.

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    1. Oh AppGal if you don't love the polka dot item I think it is doomed for a deep sale :)

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  2. i really appreciate seeing these clothes irl. you are a normal person of normal size and you are not pinning things to meake them look different - something i hate when retailers do. i totally appreciate your hard work. i really love that polka dot dress, i think it looks really good on you but i totally understand the too cute factor. and since i'm new to j. crew i'm guessing that their workmanship used to be better than it is now. i'm impressed with some things and totally disappointed with others. thanks again ajc.

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    1. Thanks Janet! Many times the clothes are so different irl, sad but true.

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  3. ok, now I'm totally bummed! and I'm joining the rant too! Totally ridiculous...they have a super cute sweater and make it too sheer to wear. Grrr!!
    The dress, I'm on the fence about...like you said, it might be a little to cutesy. It might look better to remove the sash and add a red belt for a pop of color.

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    1. Yes, the dress needs some cinching but probably not the giant ribbon bow!

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  4. I'm echoing the thank you for the hard work! And I'll add a rant - the first thing I think of when I see/try on most high-waisted dresses is MATERNITY WEAR. Been there, done that, burned the t-shirt.

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  6. I am ranting as well, I can't stand all the sheer stuff and unlike a lot of people I do not like to layer.
    I am so sad that the polka dot sweater is see thru and linen, I do not like linen and I agree with you that it always has a funky smell to me. I really like the polka dot dress on you, but understand that you feel it looks to child like

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    1. Ok, I thought it was just me with the linen smell. I feel bad to say it because I am all for natural fabrics.

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  7. I like both of the popovers, especially the black & white one. It is too bad about the striped sweater and the polka dot. I'm not layering in the summer when it's hot and humid. Plus, I bought a linen J Crew cardigan last year and wore it exactly once. It stretched out something horrible and the smell of the linen was unpleasant to me. Will not be sucked into the Crewlade again!

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    1. those popovers are great, I agree. But how many do you need? But I ma tempted by that black and white one.

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  8. Thanks for these! I just stumbled across your blog and love your reviews. Do you have any idea how long it usually takes before items you get in your store show up online?

    Now I'm debating between buying the black polka dot popover, which has been on my wishlist for months, and the white one you reviewed. Like you said, the white is more summery, but I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the white raised dots. Hmm....

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    1. Thank you Anne, it is great to have you here. Usually it is about 2-4 weeks before items are online/in stores. I love my black with cream polka dots popover, I did a post on it 'Polka dots make me smile'.
      The white popover may be in store only, I heard others reporting it in stores but it is not online.
      You can call Paramus NJ store for any of the items I reviewed and they will do a charge send for you.

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  9. Wow, so many great reviews! (So much work, thanks!!) Cannot understand the sheer thing -- beyond annoying, as that polka-dot sweater is really cute. The dot dress is lovely on you, but I completely get what you mean about the age-appropriateness. Perhaps with a different belt. Even then, the big dots and dark on white feels young. Flattering shape though. While the sweater is cute, I'm feeling like it will definitely make it to a much lower sale price.

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    1. Thanks M, I think it will be hanging in sale section forever.

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  10. I may be a little odd so I like the organic smell of linen (as I do raw silk) and love the feel of it too, though linen knits tend to be too sheer. Sigh on the polka dot dress. I returned the Claudine dress from a few seasons ago for the very same reason. The SA was so excited to get it back as she couldn't wait to buy it for herself. Maybe if it was belted with a wide navy patent belt and with a blazer over the dress?

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    1. maybe the smell is something you just get used to...
      I think the dress would look better with the blazer, but then you don't want to spend momey on something you have to 'fix' from the start.

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  11. They have a new cotton sweater at jcrew factory and I think it is supposed to be their version of the tippi. It is the sheerest piece of crap cotton sweater I have ever put on... I was really appalled. But I bought a sweater at old navy very similar to that polka dot one for $4 yesterday (and it is NOT sheer), so I guess that makes up for it! The polka dot dress looks so cute on you but I know what you mean about it having a young or childish vibe. Thank you for the great reviews!

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