Sunday, March 18, 2012

J.Crew Fitting Room Reviews (Mid March 2012)

On Saturday I went to the mall to return the v-neck cotton pullovers and the drawstring skirt that I reviewed HERE. Right after I placed my order, the pullovers went on sale, so I have called to get price adjustments. I am not sure how they applied it and why, but it turned out that the size Small of the cobalt blue one was $19.99 (Medium was $39.99, isn't it strange?). Anyway, I decided that for $19.99 I'll keep it. You may think that it is a waste of money to keep something you don't completely love, no matter what the price is. But I was on a fence about returning it, since the color IS very pretty, so I thought that at least at this price, I will not worry if it fades in wash. What would you do?  

Anyway, since I was already in the store, I decided to grab some items to try on and review them for you.
 
Paintbox floral cardigan

I think this one has a horrible presentation on the website. I really don't like the look over the chambray shirt. It just reads messy or sloppy to me and while the model can maybe get away with it, I know I couldn't..


Irl it is a pretty print and I find it very flattering. The reddish flowers work with all shades of red and orange. They worked perfectly with light rose color of the pencil skirt, but also with true cherry red of the scalloped tank I reviewed HERE. It would be divine with casablanca blue/byzantine blue pencils or royal cave jardin. I also checked it with viridian green (it passed!), and of course it is prefect with denim. The colors are more vibrant irl, sort of impressionistic, happy vibe. Yes, that's it! This is one of those 'make me smile' pieces! Can you tell that I bought it?  If something makes me smile, I figure it is worth it :)

Size Medium
It is 100% merino and it fits like other 100% merino printed J,Crew cardis, I took Medium for roomier fit.


No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge cotton
I really like the color of light rose pencil skirt. It just a perfect coral  pink shade. I don't like unlined skirts, otherwise I would consider getting it. See it below with Natasha top.

with cafe trousers
Hearthrob shirt again

For those of you that were looking for Hearthrob shirt or Natasha blouse in wildcat, Hackensack store had plenty of sizes in the sale section. I tried the Hearthrob shirt before in size 6, but it was quite roomy and it was not a love for me, so I decided to give it a try in size 4 this time.

Hearthrob shirt in 4.
I think 4 actually works better for me, but it was gaping very sligthtly when I moved. I think this shirt looks better tucked in, otherwise the print overwhelms me (but I am easily overwhelmed). Anyway, it is a very pretty shirt, but somehow it does not speak to me, so I passed.

Unidentified cropped pants



Colorblock Maritime
 
My SA was all over this dress and was telling me how cute it looks.

Size Small

Too short
It would probably be longer in Medium, but way too roomy in hips. The top portion was indeed cute, but it would benefit from a long necklace, imo. You might have noticed that I really love the long necklaces  recently, but I did not have one with me (it is not unusual for me to carry an extra necklace in my purse, is that weird?) I think if you want this dress for casual weekend wear or beachwear and you are a little shorter (or younger, or both) and you wear it with sandals or flats (maybe Sperry's?), it will work. I like the colorblock concept.  Alas, it it is not for my lifestyle.

Sasha maxidress in skinny stripe

For some reason I am always drawn to maxi dresses, but they never work for me (this is the kind of fantasy shopping I am tempted by). Nevertheless, I keep trying. I am not interested in strapless ones, but the tank type always gets my attention. Enter Sash maxidress, curently on sale for $78 minus 30%, not a bad price for J.Crew .

The length works on me (5'6)

It works with blazer/cardigan
The jersey is very thin and very prone to show and highlight every imperfection. I decided I would be foolish to wear it. But if you are toned and have flat abs, it is a nice easy-breezy dress that you can wear with regular bra (yes!). I tried size Small which would be smaller of my two jersey dress sizes. I am often a Small because Medium tends to have to much volume in the hips, especially if the skirt portion has a straight cut.

like it with red sandals
Natasha top in wildcat

I know some of you have been stalking this top, you can try calling Hackensack store, they had plenty of them in sale section. I tried size 4 and it was a good fit.

neutral with cafe trousers
This top pairs with everything and seems well made and flattering. I don't like the neckline, as I prefer more open neck, but the print is very pretty. I loved it with double serge cotton skirt in light rose.

Natasha top in wildcat

Love the print, don't love the cut
Olympia leather sandals

I asked for these sandals to try them with the maxi dress, becasue the heels were just wrong with it, and I hate to wear a wrong kind of shoe, it ruins entire outfit.

These sandals have a very pretty color (radio red), but you know I love me a pair of red shoes. Seriously, they go with anything. Red shoes are neutrals to me.

The sandals fit TTS (I tried 8.5) and seem comfortable. They are all leather (they better be at this price). Neat thing about them is that you don't have to undo the straps, you can twist them around and slide you feet into them, but once on they sit there pretty secure. I have similar looking sandals from couple of years ago in brown leather, but the soles in mine seem heavy and the insoles are not padded at all. These seemed lighter and much more comfortable.

Overall, nice shoes but pricey. Will watch them for sales.


Olympia leather sandals

All leather and slight padding
Cotton cable sweater 

I also tried Cotton cable sweater again, in Medium. I thought that maybe it would be nice in more neutral color (I tried blue before). Well it is a pretty sweater but not on me. I thought it makes me look bigger and like I have a major case of muffin top. I am definitely not flat there but I think I can get away with low rise jeans and t-shirt most of the time, but not with this sweater. I don't understand why would a chunky cotton sweater be worse than jeans and t-shirt but it is. Sigh.

Cotton cable sweater

That's all folks.

After J.Crew I went to Banana Republic where I found some very interesting items, I will share with you tomorrow. I think with J.Crew sticking to basic colors this year Banana offers some interesting alternatives. I will have some comparisons of similar items and guess who is a better value? Check it out tomorrow...

***

What do you think?
Would you keep the blue pullover for $19.99?
Do you buy things if they make you smile?
Do you like any of the reviewed items?

20 comments:

  1. Phew! Though you did not buy the light rose pencil skirt, I love it on you and am glad I ordered it today!!! I wish I could wear the cotton cable sweater - it is lovely! My experience is that someone really busty looks awful in the cables... sigh...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The light rose color is beautiful!!! The light rose skirt is one of my favorite J. Crew purchases of the year!

      Delete
  2. WMM, I was thinking of you when I posted about the skirt because I remember that you said you ordered it. I think you are not going to be disappointed, I loved that shade.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I cannot wait to get it now. I actually own the natasha blouse - you definitely have to find a way to keep it open - sometimes, I use a necklace and that helps!

      Delete
  3. Thanks for all the reviews and pix, ajc! I agree that the coral of the pencil skirt really is such a pretty shade. I wish they would offer it in another skirt silhouette, like the Sterling skirt. I was really hoping for that one in different fabric and colors for spring, but I'm not so sure one is coming this year.

    As for the maxi dress...I think if you were to find the right silhouette for your body type, then you would love them. Perhaps start out with one that isn't overly expensive? Target has some cute ones right now. I included a couple of them in my blog post today about non-strapless maxi dresses (that Joelle was asking about a couple days ago). :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just checked your post and you have some great pics, I will check the ones from Target, like you said, it may be a good way to try it out. Thank you!

      Delete
  4. I shop in the Riverside store too, wonder if we have been there at the same time

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kate, maybe we did, I am the crazy lady with 20 items in the fitting room asking for the right shoes and belts to go with them. I go to Riverside when I want to stop at BR also, because they are so close there, it is very convenient, contrary to GSP where they are so far.

      Delete
  5. Thanks for these great reviews, as always!! I am revisiting that floral cardigan because it looks great with the light rose skirt!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am thinking the same thing!

      I also scored an amazing cobalt blue Joe Fresh trench yesterday for $29. It really looks amazing on and is fun for spring! I have inherited Dani's hot weather finally!!!!

      Delete
  6. I saw that cardigan yesterday, it's very pretty.
    Have you seen the crazy silver slicker? I must score it on EBay or beg a JCA to get it for me in the sale, it's glamorous, sci fi and a bit tacky with all the gold hardware but je l

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No I didn't see the slicker, but I am intrigued. But if you ever want me to ship anything for you, just let me know :)

      Delete
  7. I like that cardigan sweater and the pink skirt, vey nice!
    Tabs I like that crazy slicker too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for all these reviews. I'm not feeling much from J.Crew lately and nothing here made my list. I'll chime in and say that the rose pencil skirt looks great on you. This is one that I didn't pick up because I have coral and rose cotton pencils already. Now if this were a pink with more blue undertones, that would be another story. I am powerless against blue undertones. LOL

    I would keep the sale top. I do that sometimes and wear those things when I'm out with the dog, going to the market greenhouse or other activities where my clothes could get dirty or even ruined. I still want to look decent when I'm out of the house but something "sacrifical" can be handy. Often, I end up wearing those items a lot more than I expected.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me again. I wanted to mention that I find it difficult to wear maxi dresses as well. They just don't look "right" on me. I do have one midi dress that works better and I have a few maxi skirts that also work. Maybe one of those options would suit you.

      Delete
    2. I tried the v-neck blue pullover with my silk indigo skirt and it works! For that alone I will keep it because as you mentioned it is very hard to match it to that skirt.

      And you know, it is true, maxi skirts look better. I have one from Anthro that I like but my husband hates it (he says it reminds him of my mother - why would that be bad?? lol) so I never wear it. I think this is really fantasy shopping for me and I will never actually wear maxis, also because of hubs. He likes mostly everything I wear, so if he hates something I usually just don't wear it.

      Delete
  9. Great reviews!! I posted a line on my blog recently that mentioned if you love it and it makes you happy, then you should wear it.
    I went to the store this weekend and tried on that color lock maritime dress and although it doesn't have much shape to it, I though it was a cute dress. I'm still debating if I should get it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi fshnonmymind, you know when I look at your blog, I am always cheered up by your beautiful, happy outfits!
      I guess you do live your mantra :) I never regretted buying those happy pieces and I notice they make others smile as well.

      Delete
  10. Great reviews. The sweater is really pretty. Glad you were able to get it and it makes you smile:)

    ReplyDelete