Thursday, July 25, 2013

Musing on J.Crew newest arrivals and Free People OOTD

Have you checked the new arrivals at J.Crew?  I went to the store yesterday, checked the website and browsed the newest catalog.  I liked some of the looks, but have nothing really on my wish list.  Sure, I liked some of the new button downs, but I already have way more that I am able to wear. I also like some of the jeweled sweaters but it is too much pain (and money) to get them cleaned, I'd stick to providing my own jewelry over the regular sweaters.

Crepe racer tank
Crepe racer tank

In the store I tried on the Crepe racer tank in Brilliant Fuchsia and I quite liked it. I would say it fits big and still had plenty of room in size 4.  I have noticed that recently I have been taking 4 in tops and 2 in bottoms (as opposed to 6 & 4) but still, I would say size down or take the smaller of your sizes, if you are in between.  The exposed shoulder silhouette has been going strong recently and it works well for me but I am getting saturated on this front. The fabric does feel a little stiff but it did not bother me.  It is not a see through, even in ivory I think, a definite plus. The brilliant fuchsia is a very nice berry toned shade, not to bright or neon-y.  You will need a strapless bra with this one. 

Pleated chiffon blouse
Pleated chiffon blouse
I also like the pleated chiffon blouse, its clean lines remind me of something from Vince, at a better price point. I will wait for sale on this one, I don't really need it, but it may be a good buy eventually.


Tipped gamine dress
Tipped gamine dress
Since I was in the store I also tried the Tipped Gamine Dress. I wasn't really interested in it but I thought I would give you some feedback. It fit TTS, I have tried a 6 and it was a little big but they did not have a 4 to compare. I thought it would be better in 4, which seems to be my size these days in dresses and tops.  I don't like pointe fabric for summer and it felt too heavy and thick. it also had a weird and unflattering puffing in the back which was an instant deal breaker but maybe it is just my body. The length was just before the knee in regular size. The dress felt very preppy but not in a good way, more like some kind of costume I would wear to a party at a place with a swimming pool, gardens AND a private tennis court, not exactly my usual crowd, lol. 

Gwen dress in colorblock
Gwen dress in colorblock
The Gwen dress in colorblock looked good on a hanger but I really do not need it. My new office seems to be very casual,  most people were in jeans, sleeveless dresses and sandals so I don't think I would get to wear a suiting dress, plus I will be working 2-3 times a week from home. This is great because outside of the convenience, I discovered that almost all my pencil skirts and slacks are too big and hang in unflattering way on me.  I am a little torn about what to do about it. Should I alter some of my clothes to fit better and hang on to them in case I gain my weight back?  I have been lucky to be very consistent with my sizes over the years and this is something new to me.  Of course, this is a great excuse to buy some new things but I don't want to replace everything.  In any case, at least I don't have to immediately rebuilt my work wardrobe. I think I will wait through the winter and see where I am then...

No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge wool
No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge wool

In the meantime, I tried on the double serge wool pencil skirt, to confirm that I need a size 2. I thought it was cut very straight and it was still a little too big in the waist and not tapered enough towards the hem, I did not think it was flattering at all, just really blah. The wool seemed plush and substantial and finishing same as last year. But the fit just left me cold and I think I may prefer altering my older skirts and having them actually follow my curves (or lack of them).   



For now I am enjoying the last days of freedom from work. Here is my OOTD: Free People top (how appropriate), Paige boyfriend jeans, Kate Spade purse and Steven sandals.  

I did buy something from J.Crew recently and I will review it next. I also got a new blazer, that I am VERY excited to show you, but I need somebody to take my pictures and my 10yo is at the camp until mid August. I will try to get my older daughter to be the photographer.  She has been taking the recent pictures but she is always running around during the day...

***
What are your new arrival favorites?

How do you deal with weight fluctuations when it comes to your wardrobe? Do you alter or do you keep multiple sizes?

 

19 comments:

  1. The pleated chiffon blouse is lovely, if I was shopping just now I'd snap up the navy. We really have the same figure type, I think WMM is our triplet too

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    1. I love to be in the club with you! Yes, I really like the blouse and I put it on my list to try on.

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  2. Tabs - you are a darling - I would be your triplet with 20 extra pounds! However, ahem, I am on a new regime and hope to be your triplet with only 10 extra pounds!

    AJC - I agree with you on the clothes this rollout - I am so unsure as to what my workplace will be this fall that I am afraid to purchase anything overly dressy. I find most of the JC pencil skirts fit boxy on me and the couple that I have kept for fall/winter will be finally altered so it makes me look like I have hips!

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    1. Lol about the triplets, I think xoxo is another one but with longer legs...
      Yeah, I don;t think I will need anything dressy, some people were SUPER casual which I have mixed feelings about. I like to be able to be in casual clothes but I think I may miss dressing up a little, we shall see. Definitely better for my budget though.

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  3. It's a downer to see fall rollouts already. I want summer to last forever.

    I like my pencil skirts a bit loose. The one you wore in your last post doesn't look like it is too big so I don't know that you need to have them altered, especially if you're not planning to wear them at the new job.

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    1. Agree about the summer, it is still July after all... I like my pencil skirts a little loose too and yes, the inkblot one is OK but some other ones look shapeless and dowdy now. But I think I will wait until spring before starting to alter too much.

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  4. Just stopped by to say Hi! since I can comment sporadically these days (but always reading your post).
    I am in a minimalist mood so I liked the pleated chiffon blouse too (even if it is a bit deja vu, Theory and as you said Vince had very similar styles). I also liked the silk-mohair sweater, hopefully I will be able to buy on sale since I am leaving and not buying anything from this (and the next two probably!) rollout.
    Good luck with your new job and I hope to see you in September!

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    1. Hi Ema, definitely want to get together in September! It will be a good break for you to be with your family and away from J.Crew rollouts. And of course I will wait for your reports from Italy, always fun to read! I am pretty sure anything from JC we can get on sale at half the FP :)

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  5. stopped in today @ Riverside, they are redoing the tweed tshirt from the spring, in black/white and a brown combo. I really like them although the opening price is steep. The spring version went to markdown quickly and I missed it.

    The HighLine T is nice too.



    Tweed-front tee in black
    item 05936

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    1. I liked the tweed tee and actually it will be better for the fall, I could not wear tweed in the spring/summer, no matter how styled.

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  6. I am eager to hear how you deal with the problem of a wardrobe that's now a little too big for you. I am losing weight too--I've regained my health sufficiently that I've been able to get back to exercising as I used to do a decade ago, and the pounds are slowly but surely just rolling off--and I will probably face this exact same problem shortly. Please consider sharing all of the details once you decide upon your approach, as I want to learn from you!

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    1. It is a funny dilemma, I like my current weight a lot but so many of my skirts and pants just don't look good anymore. Tops are easier. I think I will wait to see and if I keep the same weight by spring I will pick few favorites to alter and try to swap/sell some.

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  7. Good to see you AJC. I have been the same size FOREVER. I'm glad I'm not getting larger, but I wouldn't mind getting a little smaller! The colorblock dress caught my eye, too, but I don't need it now. There were some pretty things in the new rollout, but I am enjoying summer and not thinking about fall at all yet. Congratulations on your new job!

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    1. thanks KnitYarns, my problem is that I was always erring on the larger size, just in case so now some of my skirts and trousers are two sizes too big and that shows. I do love being smaller and overall many things look better , especially jeans and fitted t-shirts.

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  8. I like a lot of the new arrivals, although I have not seen that much in person. I bought the beaded chambray shirt and the silk gingham sleeveless top. I may return and re-buy if a promo comes along. I did not like buying them full price and I realized that I can't remember the last time I paid full price for anything. In any case, I'm keeping the tags on and not wearing them for a while longer. Did you happen to see the nylon bomber jacket at your store? There is no chance my store will get that and I liked it in the catalog but the online model shots make it look kind of bad. With regards to size fluctuations, I keep two sizes in bottoms. I can usually wear the same size in tops regardless of weight fluctuation.

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    1. Totally agree that anything from JC can be obtained at about half of initial price and I am not the one to pay more, lol. I saw the bomber jacket but did not try it, I will do it next time I have a chance if there are not too many reviews by others.

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  9. The new JCrew stuff is not very thrilling! I appreciate your thoughts after viewing them in store. As far as your skirts and things, I think your idea to just wait it out is a good one, especially with a more casual workplace, and working at home 2-3 days a week.
    Enjoy your free time! You must miss your little photographer, is she having a good time? My own little one is going to camp for 2 weeks in August, she's pretty excited about it.

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    1. you are right Dani and I think there is definite risk of gaining the shedded pounds back once I strat working more and exercising less. But I will try...
      My daughter is having a blast, I saw her last weekend. I do miss her terribly and I will only see her shortly because she is also spending 2 weeks with her father. On the other hand, it will make it easier for me to get settled with a new job before the start of the school year.

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  10. I miss your fitting room pics! So sad. Thanks for sharing your observations on the new arrivasls :)

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