Monday, May 7, 2012

Madewell reviews

Last week on my visit to the mall, I stopped at Madewell again and tried on a few things, mostly for this blog. I have had a pretty good luck with Madewell.  The few items I bought there became my favorites this spring, like the best mate belt or the Academy blazer, which I have been wearing non stop.

I was curious about this skirt ever since we saw it in the spring Lookbook several months ago. 
 
Size Medium
It is an interesting skirt, because although it has a pencil shape, it is a pull on, silk skirt with elastic waist and notched hem.  I took size Medium and it was very comfortable, although I could have probably sized down for less gathering at the waist.  I liked the easy fit for the summer, it is less formal and less restricting than say a No2 pencil skirt.

As you can see, it is shorter on me that it is on the model.  Don't let the CS tell you that it is because she has it pulled lower on the hips. If you count the number of dots going down, you will see that the number  of rows is 15 on the model and 13 on me. Yes, I am anal-retentive, I am first to admit, but it is a part of my job description.  I count number of stripes and rows of dots all the time. And I can tell you that a lot of sample items that the J.Crew models are wearing are longer that the retail versions, which annoys me a lot. I'd much rather account for the heigth of the models, I know they are taller than me and the clothes look different on them. Or, just hire the catalog models, which are shorter and closer to average woman height.  OK, end of rant.

Striped pocket t-shirt
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This t-shirt is pretty basic and nothing special, but I liked the colors and oversized, slouchy fit. The cotton is more substantial and less clingy than on most J.Crew tees. This is size Medium. I took a Small with me as well, but it must have benn mislabeled, because it was even bigger. I would probably get a Medium anyway, since I think it is not meant to be fitted. For now, I decided it was not worth the $29.99 sale price.  About $20 or less is what I am willing to pay for a basic t-shirt.  


Flower print square scarf

This is one thing Madewell does really well, their scarves are beutiful, interesting and worth the money, even at full price. I have too many scarves as it is,  but I was seriously tempted to get this one.


I was intrigued by this cami and it is indeed pretty, similar in fit to Natasha top at J.Crew.  I actually like the front placket and neckline better, but I was never a fan of Natasha's fit.  I was not sure about this color on me, but the mint one seemed too girly. This was a Medium again, and a correct size for how I think it should fit.  Not worth the FP of $98 imo, but maybe on sale?


Gauzy boho tunic top
Size Medium
Again, I cannot find it on website and it is hard to see the detail in black but it is made of gauzy cotton, sort of boho peasant tunic style with the embroidery and tie at the neck. I liked it but all those boho tops have a tendency to sit in my closet, this is a fantasy self buying for me. 




This shirt was just really meh on me. I think for button downs I would stick to J.Crew. They offer better selection, better fit(at least on me) and more interesting fabrics.


Basic slub cotton tee
Size Medium
I actually walked out with the t-shirt above.  It was $9.99 and they had it in several other pretty colors. Red shirt was on my list and the price was right. I like the slouchy fit and the weigth of cotton.  I already have this t-shirt in blue/turquiose color and I like it a lot, great for wearing with jeans and comouflaging the muffin top.  I was tempted to get a few more but I reminded myself that I don't need more t-shirts and only red and yellow were on the list. Sigh.

Btw, it is definitely an orange red but it reads more red than orange irl.


Blazer Size 4

I have already tried on the Charade blazer, last time it was size 8.  The one above is size 4 and I really need a 6, which was not available, both times.  I actually almost caught it on the popback last Friday. I put the 6 in my cart but I didn't want to pay for the shipping and by the time I found something to add to my cart, it disappeared :(

I should have just grabbed whatever just to go over $100, but I wanted to find something interesting to do a review. I guessed it was not meant to be...

But I was quite bummed about it,  I really like this blazer.

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That's all folks!

Have you bought anything from Madewell recently?
Is there any category of items you think they do well?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

20 comments:

  1. Ha on counting the dots! I'm type A too - I can relate. I completely agree with your rant. I also wish JC/Madewell would just publish the dimensions of all the clothes, without making you chat with customer service.

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    1. Dimensions would be great!!! Boden does it.

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  2. I p/u the striped pocket tee for $30. I agree with your assessment of how much a tee should cost but I'm never fortunate enough to get the cute ones for $9.99 from JCrew or Madewell. :( Thanks for the reviews!

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    1. of course I cave in sometimes, but I try not to.

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  3. LOL at your dot-counting. You're detail-oriented. If it were me, I would just say " oh, I have longer legs than the model" haha

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    1. Some call it OCD, but I take detail-oriented.

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  4. I'm sad that the polka dot skirt didn't end up being a true pencil skirt--that was what I was hoping for! I'll have to try it on in person to see if it works. Seems like the shape could be a pass on me, but who knows.

    Thanks for the reviews!

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    1. You have to try it AppGal, it actually is quite cute, different concept though.

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  5. Madewell is going in a direction that doesn't appeal much to me lately. Oh well, maybe next season.

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    1. They are definitely more trendy and less classic/preppy.

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  6. LOL, I love that you count dots! I love the silk dotty skirt. I ordered it last week in my normal size, but I needed to size up, so I'm waiting on the new skirt to arrive tomorrow. Like AppGal, I wish that it was a true pencil skirt, but I still really like it. As always, thanks a bunch for these reviews!

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    1. Rynette, I hope you will post a review, please let us know if it works out for you.

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  7. I don't have much from Madewell. A pair of boots, bootlegger jeans, and a necklace. I love them all, but for the most part, I find Madewell's clothes to be too soft and unstructured for me. Their customer service was excellent, though (the boots arrived with problems).

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    1. I agree, they do have slouchy, oversized, unstructured thing going on. I think this is what I like, as something different from classic, preppy, fitted and structured more typical of J.Crew.

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  8. Thanks for the Madewell reviews! My daughter wore her new Madewell dress yesterday, we had to travel back to my hometown for my Grandma's 90th bday, the dress looked amazing on her, the quality is great.
    I sent back the striped bookplate dress but I still think it's a good one!

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    1. I think fitted and structured looks better on you, highlights your great figure as opposed to loose, boyish fit of bookplate dress.
      Which dress did you daughter choose?
      I cannot wait for your hometown post...

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  9. Thanks for the reviews! MW has fast become my go-to source for weekend wear. I reserve JC for the office now. I picked up the same tee you got in 3 colours ;)

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    Replies
    1. I am doing the same thing...
      Aren't those tees great?

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  10. Thanks for the reviews! I'm a bit disappointed that the Dotty skirt has an elastic waistband...those generally aren't very flattering on me.

    I have the Charade Blazer in white and it is one of my favourite purchases this year!

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    Replies
    1. the elastic waistband can be a bummer, but I like the concept of pull on skirt for the summer.
      I think I will be stalking the Charade blazer...

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