Sunday, July 15, 2012

Crew Brothers

Today I wanted to show you my recent OOTD including Brooks Brothers Cotton geometric pleat skirt and J.Crew Perfect Linen Shirt in festival green. I am also wearing Madewell anchor belt and Bandolino shoes (my substitute for J.Crew navy Valentinas).

shirt size 4, skirt size 6
I got a surprising number of compliments on this outfit. I think this might be because I almost never wear green and rarely wear full skirts. Element of surpise I suppose.

Cotton geometric pleat skirt
The skirt was originally $198 and I have to tell you, it puzzled me a little why it was so expensive. It is made of cotton voile (woven in Italy) and lined in cotton and while I always thought it was pretty, it seemed way overpriced. It is now marked down to $99, which is still pricey, if you ask me, but since I had a gift card to use, I decided to get it. 


I am wearing size 6, which is a good fit on me, with some room left in the waist. I would have probably been fine with a 4, but they did not have it in store and I don't like full skirt to sit too high on my waist. I have to admit, the fabric feels dreamy, very light and soft, I would describe it as 'floaty'. Perfect for hot summer and easy to wear. I love the cotton lining and the fact that the fabric is not printed but the pattern is woven in. I also like that the side zipper has a silky loop and button closure as opposed to metal hook, so the top of the zipper does not rub against your body. Not sure if all of it justifies the initial full price, but worth noting.


The skirt has definitely old fashioned, vintagey vibe, so I like to pair it with a bold color to make it more modern. I like it the way it is styled on the website, but it does read a little school girlish to me. Looking at the pictures,  I think I could have used bolder, more chunky shoes, what do you think?

Perfect shirt in linen
                 Perfect shirt in linen

The shirt I am wearing is a J.Crew perfect shirt in linen. I love those shirts and I have several, including two identical white ones, because this is the kind of shirt that needs a backup. What if (oh the horror of it!) they  discontinue making them?


Those shirts run large and, in my mind, the key to a good fit is to size down. I am wearing size 4 and I am almost always a 6 and sometimes 8 in J.crew perfect shirts. A 6 still fits but it does not look half as nice. So it also means that some of you will be sized out, boo... The shirt is long and lean, so if you are shorter, definitely consider a petite size.

I do like how this outfit turned out. I think the shirt looks good both tucked in and untucked. The color is divine. I don't wear much green and I was hesitating whether to keep it, but I tried it with a few things in my closet and it emerged as a winner. It looks fantastic with Porcelain Paisley and Seersucker skirts. It is great with jeans and, of course, white or black, so I think I can wear it enough.

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That's all folks!

Do you like the BB skirt and is it worth the price?
Do you own any of the J.Crew Perfect Linen shirts?

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

23 comments:

  1. Too funny. I also have a BB gift card and have been frequenting the Riverside store as the sale percentage increases. I was tempted by the Madras skirt(there, I said it!) but they did not have my size, and the Liberty tote bag (at 100 dollars is still too costly imo). I may swing by tomorrow just to see.
    The skirt you are wearing is such a keeper, and I like it with the Valentina shoes- which sadly do not fit me. I like your styling with the belt better than the model photo. The green is gorgeous, and the belt is perfect.
    I wear skirts like that all summer with a tank top and flat sandals, because I think they are cooler than shorts.
    Pat

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    1. Thank you Pat. It has been hot recently and have been all the time in dresses and skirts, I may wear a pencil skirt to work but when I get home I immediately change into knit dress, you are right they fell cooler and less restricting. Now I reserve shorts for riding a bike, playing soccer with my daughter/working in the garden..

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  2. Yikes , Not the Madras that is still online. The brown and beige patchwork Madras mini!
    Pat

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  3. I love your outfit!! And, I love the J. Crew Perfect Linen shirt too!!!

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  4. I love green and full skirts, so this perfection in my eyes, Brooks Brothers have a store here in Edinburgh but everything is an utter fortune.

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    1. they are good quality but it is a splurge and most of their offerings are either too preppy/too stuffy/too frumpy for me but there are some gems as well.

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  5. Hi,

    Thank you for your reply to my questions. :) I would love to try the jcrew perfect shirt since you raved so much about them. Can I ask if there is any difference in the sizing for different materials for this shirt?

    I would also love to get a blazer for work. Which do you recommend? I would love to get the jcrew schoolboy blazer because the colors are soooo pretty. But I understand you don't really like them because they are boxy?

    I love the green shirt on u! In fact, u made me think twice about this color! :) I'm going to get something in this green color soon!

    Thank you again for sharing! :)))

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    1. I think the shirts vary a little but I am usually a 6. Sometimes I buy 8 to have more room and avoid gaping. These are exception were I wear a 4.

      Many people LOVE schoolboy blazers, I think it works better if you are petite (becasue of the shrunken fit), smaller chested or wider in shoulders. I am taller,have relatively bigger chest and narrow shoulders so when it fits my chest the shoulders are too wide and the blazer is too short, but that's just my body type.

      Personally, I prefer longer blazers, nipped in the waist with more room in the chest. Superfine cotton 1035 works for me. Actually, this year Madewell blazers were fitting me better and I bought two, both in size 6. For some reason, tipped schoolboy in linen seemed to fit me better and I quite liked it.

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  7. I love this outfit on you, ajc! Not only are the colors beautiful on you, but the entire silhouette is extremely flattering. I can see why you received so many compliments! :)

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  8. I haven't been to a BB for a while, but I've noticed they've been coming out lately with some more modern cuts lately. But you're right, they're pricey!

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    1. Totally! I love the scarf they had and I tried it on but it was $228, I dropped it like a hot cake, too rich for my blood...

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  9. The print on that skirt is really gorgeous! I'm such a cheapskate that I probably wouldn't spend that much on a skirt, but it's worth it with a giftcard :) I'm a new follower :)

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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    1. I don't think I would buy it without a gift card but now that I have it I really like it and I am glad I picked it. Thanks for joining, You have a beautiful blog Sharon!

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  10. Hiya again,

    I'm thrilled to report that I have places my Jcrew order online just now with the 40% off sale items. I'm very excited because this would be my first time ordering from jcrew! :) I ordered the Lucille silk cotton dress in pink, a lace stripe shell, a stretch perfect shirt, a pencil skirt (yes you inspire me to give this a try!) I have no idea if I need a size 4 or 6 for the pencil skirt so I'm taking size 6 for now. At least I can get it altered if it's too tight. I'm still very excited about this order. Hahahahh this will really make my day ahead! :))))

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    1. Oh, now I really hope everything will work perfectly for you, fingers crossed!

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  11. Sorry I meant if the pencil skirt is too loose, I can get it altered! ;)

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  12. i think you got a lot of compliments b/c you look fantastic! what a great outfit. so versatile. i could see the shirt tied at the waist and a pair of brown sandals too. xxx

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    1. Great idea Janet about brown sandals, and I did tie the shirt at some point :) I can see you in similar outfit too...

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  13. I can see why you got so many compliments, what a great outfit! So summery and fresh. I am also wearing tons of green and blue these days, it feels very cool and refreshing even if it is boiling hot outside. Well, I must admit I also bought two white linen Perfect shirts during the sales at JC. I am sure one or the other will get ruined with food stains - always a possibility with two young children around!

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