Red skirt for the Holidays (three ways)

Have you been looking forever for the perfect red skirt?  Well, I wasn't really looking but many times when J.Crew came up with different iterations of red pencil skirts there were never red. Modern red as we know is more of an orange and so was persimmon and poppy. So I didn't even think of No2 double serge wool pencil skirts in deep poppy when I saw it online. But then I spotted it in store and it was Red. Medium red, not too deep with blue undertones but also not orange.

Now, in all those pictures below the skirt looks orange, at least on my monitor. I guess it does have orange undertones but irl it reads red. The same thing applies to my Rooftop red Valentinas, they also seem orange in the pictures but they are definitely red. You will have to trust me on that :)

Of course, a red skirt would be perfect for the Holidays. An obvious pairing would be with black and white or black and cream. I think it would be stunning with polka dot sequin top but I don't own it. If you are brave and not afraid of 'sexy' it woudl look great with leopard.

This is what I came up with:

With polka dot Blythe blouse, red shoes and gray tights. I liked how the gray and cream soften the impact of red, but the black snakeskin clutch adds some punch.

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With sequins for some Holiday sparkle:

I kind of wish I have bought that polka dot sequin top, after all. It would have been bold and perfect. But the gray sweatshirt also works, I think.

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Christmas Tree Style:

And to go all out Christmas colors I paired it with green. Usually I would shy away from looking like a Christmas tree but I strangely I don;t mind. I think with the leopard clutch and brown boots I can pull it off. I would probably wear different tights (brown?) but I did not want to change.

Actually, I think this is my favorite look, super cozy but festive.

 My turtleneck is from Brora and boots are Boden. Rest is from J.Crew.

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That's all folks!

Do you own a red skirt?

How would you style it?

Which of the three combinations is your favorite (if you like any)?

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

Catalog inspired and other OTTD

I recently ordered superfine cotton suiting in beechwood because it was such a great deal on sale, but in the end, I decided I will only keep the skirt. I love the way they styled it in the June catalog with the white Jackie pullover and I tried to replicate it here with white boatneck t-shirt. Super simple but very much my style.   

Skirt Size 6

Shoes from Ellen Tracy (old)

I ordered the skirt in 6, which is one size up from my regular size, because I wanted it to sit a little lower on my waist. I like the way it fits and it is also more comfortable in the summer heat, being a little looser. It also gains some length because it sits lower. I cannot always do it, because sometimes the skirts are already too big in the hips, but most J.Crew pencil skirts are cut rather narrow, making sizing up possible.

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Cotton slub skirt from 2011

My second OOTD was also inspired by an old catalog picture featuring white Frances (sp?) wool skirt with dark charcoal sweater. I love the white skirt/dark top combination and this is my summer version of that outfit. This slub cotton pencil skirt is one of my favorites in the summer.

Skirt size 4

Everything is from J.Crew here, including red patent skinny belt and red roof Valentinas. That was the only day when I did not carry my Tillary purse, because I thought that would be too much red. I wore black purse instead.

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Talbots dress

I bought this dress last summer from Talbots on one of their super sales, I think it came down to about $30.
I don't usually find much at Talbots, but some of my purchases from there are my favorite pieces. That includes my yellow stingray slingbacks, my black sequin shift dress, my leather pencil skirt, my black boatneck LBD and now this dress.

It is a super easy knit dress for summer. It drapes well, the waist is in the right place, the length is good and the colors are flattering.  I have double wrapped the belt, but you can also wear it in a bow. It looks good in the back or you can swap it for other belt. I like how the stripes are horizontal in the skirt portion but diagonal in the bodice. I bought size M, because S was not available but I like the loose fit.

My sweater is the J.Crew cashmere double breasted pointelle cardigan in muslin (size Medium). I love this sweater and wear it a lot, I also have it in honey glaze.

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This is what I wore the day I was working from home: J.Crew vintage v-neck tee and Janesville linen white pants. I use J.Crew gold flip flops as slippers from spring to fall.

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This is my casual Friday outfit, including Banana Republic seersucker Martin fit pants and Boden bow espadrilles. The applique tee in shadow is from J.Crew. 

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That's all folks!

What are your weekend plans? Mine include volunteering in a soup kitchen on Saturday and celebrating 'Name Day' for hubs.

Plus the European Soccer Cup is starting today with Poland playing Greece in the opening game! 

Did I tell you I am a big soccer fan? Do you ever watch soccer?

And do tell me which is your favorite OOTD!

Does all classic and no twist make J.Crew a dull girl?

What is red, white and blue, feels familiar and is  striped all over?

J.Crew Spring 2012 Collection!!!

This was not so evident when we saw the previews in the fall and I was expecting more greens, yellows, purples and pinks. Don't get me wrong, the red, white and blue are great and classic, but I am getting a little bored with it. Not mentioning stripes and polka dot overload. Plus, the Jules dress and Talitha blouse seem to be reproducing faster and faster with each rollout. I know we all have been asking for return the the 'good old days' and more classics, so thank you J.Crew for listening, but... where is 'The Twist'? 

I gave you everything you ever wanted
It wasn't what you wanted... "    (So Cruel by U2)

I am really sorry J.Crew, you know I still love you, it is just that I am falling asleep in the fitting rooms these days. You think we can try some 'experimenting', to spice things up a little bit?  It is probably not you, it's me...

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Wait! I take it back. This is really cute!!! I knew you can do it!

Ultra eyelet shell

It looks promising. And I NEED the red top.  It is even on The List (my shopping list for this year).

It also comes in white, but I think this is a little too chaste for me, at my age ;)

Front

Back

I have labeled front and back, so I don't get confused ;) See what happened with Villa dress review yesterday.

$98 100% cotton, both eyelet and lining :)

In Chili (to spice things up):

I

Eyelet Hookup

Sorry, I cannot help myself and have to use the 'Hookup' term, every chance I get.

Boy meets girl?

Shell is size 8

I would say it runs small. I had to get an 8 and I am almost always a 6 in tops and shirts.
The neckline is very high and it was not very comfortable. Maybe I just have a thick neck? Sigh...
Overall, it is very cute and the red color is gorgeous and very flattering imo. I think it would work much better if your chest is smaller and your neck is long and slender. I think it would be great with jeans, the way they styled it on the website. I am very glad the lining is cotton and not, God forbid, polyester.

Back-zip long-sleeve pullover

If you are not completely striped out this is very nice. It is a thicker cotton than for example Spindrift sweatshirt which I reviewed HERE. It fits TTS but it seems relatively narrow in the hips, so you may want to size up to accommodate it. You can see below that this would give you more slouchy fit, probably better if you want to wear it with jeans. It feels comfortable and easy to wear.

size Small

size Medium

$68 100% Cotton

Hefty zipper but not exposed

I liked it a lot but I think I am striped out and cannot get excited about it. The color code is BLA so I think this is black and white. I can never tell in the fitting room light.

I don't see the tank below online, but it is very cute. It has scalloped edges and eyelet detail, very sweet.

skirt size 6

I sized up in the No. 2 pencil skirt in ultra eyelet. I always wear size 4 in pencil skirts but i thought it was too tight. Size 6 fits me nicely.  It is a very pretty skirt and the color is divine.

tank size Small

tank seems to be also in chili

What I didn't like, was the shadows that form where the eyelet is separated from the lining. I think it looked worse irl that in the pictures. Do you think this is totally OCD?

When I was about to leave I noticed couple of other items:

Polka dot (again) capri pants on the display. Seem to be the same print as Polka-dot pencil skirt. They were not in the store.

polka dot capris

White and navy Edie Attache bag
 
Oh, I really wish it had a top zipped or another closure because the open top is a deal breaker for me as I shown you HERE.  

Nautical Edie Attache

That's all folks

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Do you think J.Crew is getting repetitive or am I being 'So Cruel'?
Are you OK with all classic or do we really need a twist?



Do you like any of the pieces from today's review?

What's up with the white shirts?

Ines de la Fressange

If you'd peeked into my closet (you can do it HERE) you'd see that among my very limited selection of items, there are two white button down shirts. What's up with that? I also have a 3/4 sleeve white lace top and, you bet, there is an elbow sleeve plain white t-shirt in my lounge wear.

The truth is, if I have to pick only one outfit to wear, it would be a white shirt with jeans. I like to imagine I am channeling Ines de la Fressange when I wear it.  Now, don't laugh about the setting. OK, laugh, since apparently I also thought my reflection was hilarious. Is Ines funny, I wonder?

J.Crew white stretch perfect shirt size Medium

White shirts can easily get ruined, but fear not, I have a backup:

Charles Tyrwhitt Size 12 UK

White tops can go casual with rolled sleeves, jeans, hippie necklace and/or funky shoes, or this-time -I-mean-business with trousers and navy blazer. Plain white t-shirt will tone down loud printed skirt. White blouse can go to a party when paired with sparkly pencil skirt. White collar peeking from under a dark v-neck will bring out some light to your face.  I can go on, but you know what I mean.

I LOVE this vintage cotton lace tee but it is very see through

So I am wearing this underneath, similar here

I used to buy my white button downs at Banana Republic but the last time I tried them, the Medium was too tight and gaping at the chest and Large was too big all over. I think they changed the cut becasue they now come in numerical sizes, I should check it out. I like the fit of J.Crew perfect stretch shirts, although the fabric feels a little cheap (thinner, rougher and more prone to wrinkling), they are great for casual wear.

Maybe one day, when I am rich and famous (dream on), I will be buying my shirts from this woman:

Anne Fontaine

But for now, my current favorite white shirt is from a British brand, Charles Tyrwhitt. I like the fabric they use, medium weight, not see through, it feels crisp and smooth. I machine wash it, put it in the dryer for a few minutes then hang it to dry. I only needed a light touch up with an iron, much less than my J.Crew shirt.

cami: Brora,  Trousers: last year's (lined) 1035 in camel

Lisa from Privilege did an excellent post on white shirts and another one on  button downs, check it out. You will also find out that we are actually talking about 'button fronts'. Who'd knew?


Do you wear white shirts? What is your favorite brand? Please, share.