A JC Shopping Habit

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Madewell

Last week, when I went to the mall, I decided to check out Madewell. I have seen many bloggers buying their skimmer flats and I was intrigued. I was in the store previously, couple of times, and I perused some items on the website, but I have never bought or ordered anything. I always had an impression that I am not their target demographic and that they want to appeal to a younger, hippier crowd.

Well, that maybe so, and maybe I am just going through mid-life crisis or whatever, but I liked the clothes maybe even better than J.Crew. I have been complaining recently of everything at J.Crew being in the same colors and about certain cuts being repeated and multiplied. Combine that with declining quality and sometimes false website/catalog presentation, I was experiencing a J.Crew fatigue.

This should actually make me happy, or least make my wallet happy, but as you know, nothing can stay in vacuum for too long. I started looking at other retailers more, revisiting some old flames (BR), and exploring some new ones, one of them Madewell.

Trolley-Stripe Sweater

This is actually nice price for thicker 100% merino, on-trend sweater, I was quite impressed with quality.

Size Medium

It fits TTS, I took Medium, which is bigger of my two sweater sizes. It is boxy, but I like the look of it and I like the colors. Thumbs up for this one.

$72, 100% Merino

Merci stripe tee

I loved this tee! First of all, it is thicker cotton, not this tissue weight, prone-to-holes, see-through J.Crew variety. This one is almost sweatshirt weight, I like it for a change. I also like the colors, I love the olive tones but they don;t love me back and I have trouble wearing it next to my face. Here, they are separated with black and white stripes, so it totally works.

Size Medium, $49.50, 100% cotton

$49.50 is not cheap, but the quality seems so much better that J.Crew t-shirts, that sell at the same price.

If you've read my Friday's post you know that I bought it and this is how I already wore it:

Thursday's outfit

Academy Blazer

Size 6, $168, 95% wool, 5%spandex

Again, this is less classic and a little more trendy, but I like the fit better than schoolboy, it is more nipped in the waist but it accommodates my chest and the shoulders are not too wide. It is also more suitable for weekend wear, it does not have that office-only vibe. This is great for me, because my dress code is flexible, but I think it would be OK in more formal environment, if you wear a button down and/or pencil skirt with it.

rouge dot skirt

Size Small, $84.99, 100% silk

I also liked this skirt better than J.Crew Jardin or crinkle chiffon. It is longer and the dots are subtle, but add some interest. The price is actually good (now on sale), especially that it is 100% silk and similar skirts from more upscale retailers sell for much more, even in polyester. This is a true midi with longer length. As much as I like the concept, I've been having trouble styling it, but I really liked this skirt and I think I could work it!

Charade Blazer

Size 8, $138, Poly/rayon/spandex blend

Again, I liked this blazer too. It is a poly blend, but it felt soft and comfortable, more like a knit. It drapes nicely and I like the two button closure. It did not look too bad when open, which is always a challenge with double breasted jackets. The color is beautiful, somewhere between coral pink and orange, it looks soft and I think it would be flattering on most skin tones. They did not have a 6 but an 8 was a good fit, while a little oversized especially in the shoulders. I think I could get away with a bigger size, because it still has a waist definition and more room means more comfort. If this goes on sale (or promo), I would consider it, but at appears to be almost sold out on the website.

Roseblossom Skirt

100% silk, $84.99, 29.5" long

This skirt is similar to rouge dot skirt, but I liked the other one better. This one is a little shapeless, and sligthly bulky at the waist. If you have completely flat stomach it would look better I think. I liked the print but the shape was definitely reminding me of something I wore in the 90s. Pass.

Unidentified Polka Dot tee

Purple with red/orange dots

$45, 100% rayon

I cannot find this polka dot tee on the website, I don't know if it is new/sold out or store-only. Anyway it is pretty cute but narrow in the hips. I kind of liked how it drapes though. The colors were cheerful and flattering. It is 100% rayon, so I don't know about that, but it also isn't too expensive, so with some percentage off, it may be worth it.

Unidentified Dress

Size 6

$118 100% cotton

It would be great vacation/weekend dress, very ligth and feels good on. It is definitely NOT see through which is great! I am actually wearing a black bra under it and it doesn't show, amazing!
The fit is TTS and you can cinch it in the waist with the drawstring.

It has long sleeves, but they look better rolled up, I forgot to take a picture with unrolled sleeves.

Midnight drop pendant necklace

$48

Madewell also sells some cool jewelry at no exorbitant prices. This necklace is a good example. For $48 it is pretty distinct and it adds a lot to the outfit. I do love those type of necklaces a LOT, and I wear them all the time, so I am biased. Come to think of it I don't think I have something like that in blue... Guess what I am thinking?

***

I walked out very impressed. The quality seemed better than J.Crew. The vibe seemed more trendy and more fashion forward but not too young. I could easily wear many of the pieces above. My favorites were the academy blazer, merci striped tee, rouge dot skirt and the midnight drop necklace.

What do you think?
Do you like any of Madewell items?
Would you wear them?

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Which shoe are you?

I have been thinking recently about my personal style, or lack of thereof.

What is the difference between having a style and being fashionable or just dressing nicely?

I think that style is a purposeful expression of our personality through sartorial choices. Some people can be fashionable, but if it has no relation to who they are, it is not really their style. And then there are others, who just don't care about external appearances, and although this is reflected in the randomness of what they wear, it not a style, because it lacks the intentionality.

Style does not have to be thought. Most people instinctively select clothes that are consistent with their personalities. Not many shy, reserved women would choose to wear super high heels with a short dress in loud geometric pattern. But we do get sidetracked, most often by two things: what others tell us to wear, (including our peers, family, fashion industry etc) and by our ideas of who we would like to be and the lifestyle we don't have but which appeals to us (more parties? more travel? more romance? better career?)

For example, most of my clothes I love and wear in real life, but I also own a few fantasy outfits. Anything flowy and romantic, slightly boho and artistic, this is the personality I admire, but it is not quite me. Then there are the wanna-be-fashionista purchases, very high heels , stacks of bracelets, purses with thousand zippers and strapless dresses, things I don't really like, but I thought I should be wearing. All this stuff mostly sits in my closet and collects dust.

When I listen to myself I choose my clothes based on the fit. I tend to select styles that are flattering for my body type. I gravitate towards classics and simple cuts and to solids rather prints. I prefer to spice it up with color and accessories. I also define myself as much through what I select as through what I reject. I would rather dress a little too young than too old, too sexy than too prissy, too simple than too ornamental, sporty rather than glamorous, modern and urban rather than folksy and romantic. I also admit I would choose conventional versus flamboyant, and too cute rather than too austere.

I like my clothes simple because I believe that the most interesting element should still be your face (that hopefully radiates personality as well). I would rather spend money on a haircut that on a new frock. And I just realized why I don't wear brightly patterned dresses. I don't think I have a personality bold enough to compete with the attention they generate and I certainly would not want to hide it behind my outfits. I can handle a printed skirt, but that's about all I have in me.

I am still learning, from both my good choices and my mistakes. And I hope I will never be completely done with it. The journey is always more fun than the destination.

***

What is your style? How do you define it? Do you rely on your instincts or do you get influenced by others or carried away by your own big imagination? How did your style evolve over the years?

As a side note, it just occurred to me that if the style is indeed an expression of personality, this would explain why we often identify with bloggers that share our taste in clothes. Do you think this may be true?

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

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Some Are Old And Some Are New

Some are not even J.Crew!

I am talking about last week's OOTDs...

I was trying to stick with my Project 333 selection, but it was becoming very hard with the weather staying so warm. So I just gave it my best try.

***

'Pop of gold' outfit
White button down, Hutton chinos and gold pompom ballets (all J.Crew)

sometimes I just feel neutral

then I can wear more jewelry

I love me some gold pompoms!

'Colorblock again' outfit
Perfect tee with black cafe capris and red Repettos

Kate Spade purse

Giraffe necklace - I couldn't resist

'No J.Crew' outfit!
Banana Republic striped top, People's Liberation jeans, Free People necklace and Via Spiga slingbacks

No J.Crew

Free People Necklace

'Old flames and newest crushes' outfit
Madewell Merci stripe tee, Theory blazer, BR messenger bag, J.Crew capris, Pierra ballet flats and jewelry.

these ballets are comfy!

More Madewell on Monday!!!

'New purchases in action' outfit
Paintbox cardi with Eyelet tank plus dark wash denim pencil (old) and Repettos

Making me smile

I am not afraid of Crayola OOTD

***

What was your favorite OOTD?
I have some very exciting reviews of other interesting brands for next week. Guess who?

And tomorrow I will have my weekend ramblings on something I've been thinking about in the last few months, please visit me and share your thoughts...

But in case you have other plans, have a great weekend!!!

J.Crew New Arrivals - March 2012

J.Crew updated their website with some of the new arrivals.

Here are the pictures and links to the pieces that I have already reviewed:

Mini delicious apple short