Friday, September 14, 2012

Checkered and Waffled



Colorblock check mini
Colorblock check mini
If you read my last post, you know that Colorblock check mini was one of the items that caught my attention in the recent J.Crew online rollout. I liked the colors and the concept and I thought it may be a fun skirt to wear with tights and sweaters in the winter. I was only afraid that it may be too short and I was wondering if I could size up to wear it lower on my hips.

Size 8

Well, I had a chance to try in on and, unfortunately, I don't think I can make it work :( 

The skirt is 18.5" long and it has a small, defined waist. I am wearing size 8 in the pictures, which is 2 sizes up from my regular pencil skirt size (4) but the skirt is still sitting pretty high. I think it is becasue the waistband is straight (same size at the top and bottom), so it tends to sit at your narrowest point.

Of course, the sample skirt that the model is wearing is a little longer. You can see it if you count and compare the caramel horizontal stripes. I would prefer that they use the actual retail items, at least on the website, if not in the catalog. Sigh.

I am 5'6, 33" inseam

It is a cute skirt and if you are shorter or can rock a mini it will look great. I would recommend sizing up unless you have a tiny waist, the skirt does not seem too voluminous.

I liked the top portion fabric better. The darker part seems a little more fuzzy and blanket like, which I don;t care for. Lining is nicely matched in color. It has no vent and side zipper. Too bad it has no pockets.


There is also at least inch and a half that can be let down. If you are about 5'4 I think the length will be just above the knee if you let the hem down. If you are 5'2 or under you can probably wear it as is. Of course all depends on your proportions.

For me personally, this skirt is off the list.

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Collection cashmere waffle colorblock sweater



I also tried the Collection cashmere waffle colorblock sweater.

Size Small
I was totally underwhelmed.

The fit is OK, it might have been better in Medium but they did not have it. I would say it fits TTS for J.Crew, I am usually in between Small and Medium. I would probably prefer Medium , I usually like my cashmere roomier, also to allow for some shrinkage (I hand wash it) .

The colors did nothing for me and I usually like grays. It may be the sand/beige neckline that was washing me out. I did not like the colorblocking effect. Maybe because it was subtle and did not feel intentional?  The red and navy version, on the other hand, was very Kindergarden to me.

The sweater was plushy and soft. For some reason it felt a bit scratchy but maybe it was just because it was hot.



I am pretty sure this sweater will make it to sale, I would never pay full price for it.

***
That's all folks!

What do you think of the checked skirt and the sweater?

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

I have more reviews coming up soon, including some interesting not yet online items, so please stop by again!

26 comments:

  1. That skirt would be fab with a jumper and boots if it was just below the knee, ( I don't like to see the gap between a skirt and the top of boots) it would be a perfect everyday autumn/ winter outfit, oh well.

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    1. You are right Tabs, I think they missed the opportunity here!

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  2. Agree w/Tabitha. That skirt needs length on it and it would be smashing. It's really too bad it's so short. I tried it on today. Shameful.

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  3. Darn it - I was really liking that skirt AJC! My waist is not the narrowest part of my body (god I think it is my wrists but my skirts won't fit there!) so I don't know what size I would take! an 8 or 10?? And I am like Tabs - I would prefer a skirt like this to go a couple of inches below the knee so that I could wear with my brown riding boots...

    I also admired the waffle sweater but if it doesn;t like great on you it is unlikely to look great on me as tha sand up by the face would wash me out as well.. Ah well!

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    1. hehe, the wrists!
      I cannot pull off long full skirt and I would not mind if it was above the knee, but I was thinking inch or two, not 6 or even 4.

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  4. So disappointed in the skirt, online it did look longer so I was hoping it would be. I am 5'2" but still I was hoping for longer:(.
    Thanks so much for your reviews.

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    1. I don't understand, apparently they do think it looks better longer, then why make it so short?

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  5. That skirt is so J.Crew, they start with a great idea and then mess it up by saving money on production. Than you for the detailed reviews!

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    1. so J.Crew, you are right fred! but I think what they save with fabric (pennies per skirt probably) they will loose with deep discounts, I am willing to bet...

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  6. Yes what a disaster. I agree with everyone, if it was longer it would have been GREAT with some brown boots for fall. The blocked fabrics will date it as well.
    Thanks for the review, I was curious about it!

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    1. Once I saw it on hanger, I knew it will be a disaster on me, I only tried it on for you guys...

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  7. I agree with everyone. A wider skirt needs a little more length. I wondered about the colorblock, because I noticed it in the catalog. You are right, it is too bland, especially with your delicate coloring. BTW I like your shoes!

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    1. Thanks KnitYarns! The shoes are from Sofft, I think you could wear these, they are well padded (in leather) and under 2 inches heel.

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  8. The skirt is beautiful but oh my, what a length shock from the website version. Why does J. Crew do that? Wonder if the model is wearing the waistband at her hips?!

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    1. The model is wearing a different, longer skirt. They do it all the time and it drives me crazy. I got into a habit of counting dots and stripes to compare...

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  9. Thanks for the reviews-both would be a pass for me. Can't wait what you have in the hopper ;-)

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    Replies
    1. You welcome Julie, more coming up soon...
      :)

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  10. Yes the skirt is lovely - but why don't they make it longer? That would be too short for me.

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  11. I'm 5'3" and this is the first time I wished I was shorter. I'd be able to wear this skirt and grab all the Jules dresses.

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    1. It is not you Marsha :) It is the crazy cost cutting, I don;t get it... Look at the prices the Jules/Allie dresses ended up with very soon after debuting on the website!

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  12. Thanks for the review. I also like the skirt but it would be a micro mini on me!

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    1. I want to see Jenna in the retail version of the skirt. Then again, maybe I don't ;)

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  13. I think this skirt is gorgeous but entirely too short. I'm 5'3". I sized up just for length, but then the skirt was too wide (and waist too big) and I didn't gain much length. Also, I have the reverse problem. In these kinds of skirts, I have to size down for the fit to look right.

    I think in these kinds of skirts sizing up too much gives them a boxier and wider look. Add a short length, and the look is all wrong to me.

    I don't care for the sweater because the colorblock lines makes it look like a sweatshirt (which may be what they intended but isn't my style). The previous version was nicer in my opinion.

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    1. I agree, sizing up does not work with this skirt. I've done it successfully in the past with the Deco skirt which was also 18" but the waist construction and drape were different. Not such luck here :(

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