Monday, March 5, 2012

Feeling the Blues


I noticed a pattern this year. All the stuff I like is in patriotic shades. I will definitely be all set for the Fourth of July this year ;)

Unidentified (store only?) Striped dress

I saw this dress and I though many of you may like it. First of all, it is striped. Second and it is white and navy. Third, it is simple and comfy.

Size Small, TTS
I think it is cute and not too short for a casual summer dress imo. Easy-breezy and feels like a nightgown. In a good way.

add red Repettos and watch the parade :)
I might have consider buying it, have I not already owned the Rowboat dress from last year. It is also similar to Maritime. Maybe even more so.

I managed the back view shot!
It is not too big in the hips, I think. Many times that's the problem with shift style jersey dresses on me. Now, if you are more pear shaped it will stretch. This will make the dress shorter. Just keep it in mind. I am 5'6, size 4 hips and I tried size Small.

$88
Too expensive now, but I would hope it will go on sale. Forgot to check the fabric content but it felt nice and soft against the skin.

Next is the new blouse in chambray. The shape is similar to Talitha.

At first I thought 'meh...'.

.
Nothing special, right?
 But then, I tried to style it 'J.Crew way', pushed up the sleeves, added a necklace and bright lipstick.

Size 6
 That's much better.
Makes me feel cool and laid back
Hmmm, I had a chambray shirt on my list for this year and I can never find any that I like.
Would this still work tucked in?

with the neon belt?
 Yes, I think it would!
$110
 I like it. But what about the price? Too high!
80% lyocel, 20% linen
OK, I bought it.  I had a $50 gift card and they offered me 30% on anything because the item I ordered was canceled (this was quite unexpected but nice gesture on J.Crew part).

What do you think about this blouse?  I can still return it...


That's all folks!

***

Do you like the chambray Talithian blouse or am I a fool to succumb to its charms?
What do you think about the striped dress, yay, nay or meh? 

33 comments:

  1. wow i really like the dress and the blouse. you look great in everything! i love the blouse all the ways you styled it so i think it might be worth the price b/c it is so versatile. the prices are shocking though. i also loved the crinkle skirt in your last post and i did not think it made you look dowdy. i also loved the blue and white blouse. see what i mean? everything looks good on you.

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  2. Love the dress maybe even more than the maritime, I like the narrower stripes. Nice gesture on JC's part to offer the 30% off so that makes the blouse a real deal and it looks like you can wear it lots of different ways! Thanks for all the reviews!

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    1. You know, me too, I like the narrower stripes better. 30% was sweet on JC part, I agree, hope this signals more of this for everybody!

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  3. A basic like the chambray is something that we should sometimes pay full price for because the cost/wear will be be pennies. If you feel good in it *and* got a deal then you are already ahead. I have waaay too many things I bought based on price and they sit in the closet. When I buy after getting 'the feeling,' and taking price into account if nesc, I wear the items right away. I'm trying to do more of that or not buy at all.

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    1. gigi, you are so right, many of my most beloved items I paid full price for and never looked back. I got some cheapies too that I wear to death. In the end loving something is what makes the difference.

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  4. Love the chambray blouse. I think you'll get lots of use out of it, and I'm hoping my local store will carry it so I can pick one up too. Thank you so much for the pictures and reviews, love that you started your own blog! I always looked forward to reading your reviews on JCA.

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    1. Decaf, I think this is basic item and I hope most stores will have it so you can try it.
      You know, it is so nice to hear that people like what you are doing. When I commented in JCA I thought nobody even paid any attention and when I started this blog I was shocked people would actually read it.
      So that's why I always encourage everybody to comment, sometimes it feels like nobody listens, but we do, we do!

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  5. I love both items. The chambray is a must and so versatile. And lucky you for getting a good deal on it. I'll be keeping my eye out for both of these items to show up in my own b&m. Thanks for the reviews!

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    1. Math teacher thank you! I tell you, I was shocked when they reached out to me. But I had the same item cancelled twice and they did not ship my order for a week. Then they shipped it Ground but again they apologized and put a note on my account to give me free overnight shipping on next order.

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  6. That chambray blouse is a total keeper, it's fabulous on you. I really like the darker shade of blue. It slouches in just the right way and polishes up great when it is tucked in. I think the price was reasonable with your discount!
    And as Gigi points out your CPW will be pennies.
    The striped dress is cute though I don't love the Zipper at the neckline. The length looks good though.

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    1. Those were exactly my thoughts (about the blouse). My only reason of hesitation was that I budgeted $60 for chambray shirt, I am also pretty sure it will go on sale eventually, but oh well, you cannot always get the best price (I do have a problem with letting go of it though, lol).
      The zipper is pretty heavy duty and feel a little cold against your skin, I would prefer buttons, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

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  7. I really like that shirt on you. It would look great with so many buttoms. Enjoy!

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  8. A yes to that chambray blouse - it looks great on you! Gigi is totally spot-on with her cost per wear analysis, and there is no reason that a sturdy chambray won't last you for years. I already have two (the J.Crew selvedge chambray, which I LOVE, and a chambray popover from Emersonmade) so I'm all set.

    That stripe dress is cute, but I have placed an official closet embargo on striped tops and dresses. There are too many, especially in navy/white. I need to branch out with my patterns.

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    1. Thanks Whitney! Closet embargo on stripes, I should have one too! How do you like Emersonmade? I was always curious about them. Worth the money?

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    2. So far, yes, totally worth the money. And I get such a thrill when I see "Made in NYC" on the label. In the past year, I've bought the following items from Emersonmade: Silk Tiny Stars dress, Red Robin dress, Trench dress, Scalloped Dots miniskirt, Beautiful Blue chambray popover, Le Stripe tee, Lion Gold Coin necklace, and three of the Little Poppers flower pins. All of these items are very well made and look just as chic in person as they do online. The dresses in particular are SO wearable. Size-wise, just go with the measurements that they have posted on the website...they're accurate and pretty standard across the board.

      Oh, and their CS is awesome. The first time I ordered the Scalloped Dots mini, they sent the wrong size and I e-mailed them to let them know about the mistake. 10 days later, I received the correct skirt along with an apology note and a FREE graphic tee as thanks for being a valued customer.

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    3. Thank Whitney, this is very helpful!

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  9. I love that top on yoU! And very nice to hear of the 30% off from J Crew. Years ago, Talbots would offer that on a regular basis. Even during their big catalog sales, if you ordered an item online, and it was out of stock, you would get a message that said order a second choice item and get 25% off. When J Crew cancelled my order for the blue tote, since they were canceling all of them due to a quality issue, my PS did offer a % off on the other color. Nice to hear J Crew being kind to customers again.

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    1. Suzy, thank you! I totally agree. I had quite a few items canceled and they never offered me anything. I am happy for the discount and hope they are changing their policy.
      I am not sure they were able to see but I have the same shoes canceled twice, once in December and second time now. I guess this is not meant to be.

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  10. I love the dress on you ajc! I definitely think you should consider getting it in the future. :) What a fabulous deal on the chambray blouse, but it seems that you are a bit 'iffy' about it. I say that if you are indeed now 'loving' it then keep it, but if you are just unsure about it, then return and reassess it later once it goes to sale. If you don't love it and wear it frequently, then even a great price on it ends up not really being a good deal in the end.

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    1. Thanks FFM! The reason I was iffy was that I only had $60 in my budget for a chambray shirt, I thought this was reasonable. This came to about $77 with the discount. It is not a big difference but I am trying to watch it.

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  11. i agree with everybody else,both items are fabulous!
    i am glad jcrew offered you the 30%.

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    1. I think J.Crew should give everybody 30% off on one item when your item gets cancelled, it definitely sweetens the disappointment.

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  12. LOVE the dress and top on you, ajc! Both fit you perfectly! The length of the dress hits you at a very flattering point on your leg. I totally agree with Gigi's assessment, too!

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    1. Thanks Kittywitty, this also shows what a difference and inch or two makes when you compare with Fanfare dress for an example. I felt comfortable in this one. Of course this is also different because I would only wear it casually.

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  13. So glad you purchased the blouse it looked great on you!!! I also loved the dress as well very flattering length as some of the other ladies have noted. When you rock the look you have to go for it!!! Enjoy and let us know what else you where with the blouse!!!

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    1. I am happy with the blouse. I actually wore it to work today! It's a keeper.

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  14. That striped dress is adorable! But for some reason I would prefer it if the deep scoop and zip was in the back though - but the overall fit on you is fantastic!

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    1. Lisa, it would be really cute with the zipper in the bag, I agree. However, it is probably more comfy with zipper in front.

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  15. Love the outfits. I really especially really like the second one. Love the dress pants.

    http://myminibag.blogspot.com

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  16. Love the chambray, especially the "J Crew" way! The dress is not J. crew-ish enough for that price, forge on. Thanks so much for your reviews, they help me plan.
    Mary

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