J.Crew June Rollout - Fitting Room Reviews

These are the reviews of the few items I tried on last week on my visit to concept store. They should be online in  the next few weeks.

Pom-pom confetti top

Size 8, TTS

Love it!

I really like this top. It is pretty and special. It is similar in concept to eyelet cami but it fitted me better. I loved the collar and the fact that the neckline was not so high. I tried on an 8 and it was a good fit, roomy enough in the chest but not too lose and the armholes were not gaping. I thought it would be super cute to wear it with capris. Of course I have many white camis, but this was different enough for me to consider.  I liked the feel of the fabric, no polyester here. I guess the hanging dots make it more delicate but they seemed rather securely attached. Nevertheless, I would prefer to order this one online to avoid in-store damage. It does have an exposed zipper, that I know is a deterrent for some of you, It does not bother me at all.

Exposed zipper

$128, 100% cotton, shell and lining

Daisy print cafe capris

Size 4 TTS

There looked a little crazy on the hanger but there were surprisingly cute on. The fabric is 100% cotton, but it is a a thicker weave and it almost feels like it has linen in it. More stiff and rougher texture that regular cotton cafe capris. They fit the same like my other capris. I liked them a lot and I would consider them if I already did not have foulards that are similar in concept and colors.

Print detail

$148, 100 cotton, unlined

No. 2 pencil skirt in circle eyelet

Size 4

This skirt is pretty but I was not sure about the color on me. But it would look super cute with navy. It was a bit tight in size 4 and I would prefer a 6, I had the same issue with big eyelet pencil skirt so it i similar fit. It also created the shadow effect that I don't like but some think it adds interest to texture. Eyelet is very pretty. I am pretty sure it will come in different colors.

Fits smaller than double serge cotton and many other pencils.

it has waistband

$128, 100% cotton, lining 97% cotton, 3% spandex.

Anchor t-shirt

Size Medium, TTS to small

$39.50, 100% cotton

Nice tee but rather thin and nothing special. This one was cuter on the hanger and rather blah on, imo.
Fits TTS, I took my larger size because it is thin and I wanted it to drape better. If you like anchors this is more subtle way to wear them. Overpriced, of course.

*** 

That's all folks

Do you like any of the items reviewed?

I really like the first cami and I think I may be getting it at some point.

I will have more tomorrow, so please stop by.

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

Porcelain Paisley Skirt and Other Upcoming Items

I am super excited to report to you that I stopped at J.Crew store yesterday and guess what they have already received???

No2 Pencil Skirt in Porcelain Paisley!!!

Size 4, TTS

Fits TTS, like other J.Crew pencil skirts. The fabric does not disappoint, very soft with some almost jacquard texture, print and color is beautiful. Falls to the knee cap on me, I am 5'6. It is about half inch longer than Raj Paisley pencil skirt, but is sits a smidge lower on my waist so it looks about inch and a half longer.

Update: I measured it and it is 22.5" long in size 4, center front. 

with superfine cotton blazer

I just happened to be wearing the blazer and the white tee that day, but the skirt actually looked good with both.

Back view

Btw, I don't really like to try dresses or skirts barefoot, so I asked for shoes. The SA brought me black Monas in my regular heel size and they were very snug and uncomfortable.

side view

The print is not matched on the sides, but in J.Crew defense, I don't think that is possible with a print of such a large scale. Once you center it , the back will always be a  little wider than front and therefore the print with not match. It will also look different in different sizes, I imagine, since there is basically no repetition, other than front and back.  

You should be able to see the texture of the fabric in the shot below, if not, open the image separately and blow it up.

$158,  98% cotton, 2%spandex, lining 100% poly

I like the skirt a lot and I took it home (although I am not taking the tags off just yet).  The skirt will be shipping next week for pre-orders and I think it will be in stores/online next Thursday.

 
Saint James® Galathée tee

 

Size Small $90, Size down

 Those tees now come in few pretty shades, aqua blue, green, pink and more.

Nipped in the waist, high crewneck and wide sleeves

I know they are classic and 'real thing', the knit is soft and substantial, but I don't like the fit. It is not the unisex design and it is nicely nipped in the waist, but the neckline is too high and the sleeves are too wide.  I think it actually looks better in pictures than irl. If you have small chest it will probably look even worse. Size small was loose on me and it is smaller of my t-shirt sizes, so I would say size down.
 

Long Striped Cashmere Cardigan 

Long and lean, with deep v neck

This cardigan is expensive but I loved the feel of it. It was super soft and cozy. It felt like I could actually wear it in the summer and it would be perfect for places where the nights are cooler (sadly, not in NJ) or just for air-conditioned offices.

Super soft and comfy

I also loved how if fitted. It is long and lean and the top button sits slightly above my navel.

If money was no object, I would snatch it right away. Since it IS, I left it in store, sniff, sniff.

Size Medium $268

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That's all Folks!

Is the Porcelain Paisley skirt living to your expectations? 

What do you think of the fit of Saint James® Galathée tee?

How do you like the striped cashmere cardigan?

Are you interested in purchasing any of the reviewed items?

I am working on posting more reviews, superfine cotton suiting and several new frocks, so please stop by!!!

J.Crew May Rollout Preview and iPhone Crimes

Once again, my PS emailed me over the weekend about the new collection arriving at my (concept) J.Crew store. I went last night and took a lot of pictures and tried on quite a few things. I will be posting reviews on Thursday and Friday, but today I wanted to share with you some of the display pictures.

I have to say the new collection looks exciting and there are several items I will consider to purchase. I don't know if any of the pieces will be included in the April rollout on Thursday. Some will most likely only make it to the stores and online mid May.

No2 pencil skirt in Porcelain Paisley

I think this pencil skirt is very interesting. It has summer vibe, interesting print but it is subtle, so it has the staying power. It is longer than other summer skirts, probably around 24-25".  Do you agree that it has a potential?

I think this shirt was in the Lookbook,

Spring 2012 look #17

I actually think the retail rendition looks better than the runway version. The shirt has a Tory Burch kind of vibe, imo. If I remember correctly,o the back has some sort of print on it too, and I though it really added interest. After all, other people see our back much more than we do, lol.

This is a little too Crayola for me...

Well, this spring is all about brights and if you dig brights you may want to try the pieces above.
The shirt seems to be cut like Scoopneck blouse in anchors aweigh that I reviewed HERE.

New cafe carpi in leopard

Leopard pants are pretty bold statement in general, but the print on these is quite subtle and abstract, I think many can pull them off. I think they were linen, or linen blend.

Another version of printed cafe capris

The capris above are made from some kind of slippery, shiny fabric. I hope it is silk but it may be polyester. The print is somewhat similar to the foulard print, but I did not like the color combination or the fabric.

Java tunic dress, I think this is my favorite

This dress has a very pretty print imo. The cut seems similar to Big apple tunic dress but it looks long enough to be decent. The issue here will be with the v-neck, I wonder if it is cut too low and requires a cami. Otherwise it is very promising, don't you think?

Dress in the same print like the pencil skirt and tweed blazer

Dress in the middle looks pretty if you can do strapless, I can't. And if you like little tweed Chanel-esque blazers then the jacket on the right may call your attention. Personally, I have trouble with boxy jackets on me, so it is probably not for me.

zooming in on the dress and cute elephant necklace

The necklace worn with the strapless dress is a conversation piece. It looks very pretty, but I would have to see it up close and try it on to determine if this is something I would prefer displayed on the bookshelf. I also wonder how heavy it is.

 

Interesting skirt

The skirt on the left can go both ways, imo. It looks very full which may look frumpy, at least on yours truly, but I really like the colors and the length seems good. I definitely think it has potential.

***

Update from Em in Espana:

Picture of the pencil skirt spotted on the website under 'feather paisley' :

No. 2 pencil skirt in feather paisley

was $118.00
now $79.99 

*** 

I want to share something with you...

As I was snapping pictures for this post, an associate approached me to tell me that I am not allowed to take pictures in the store.

'Why?' I asked innocently.

'I don't know' she replied 'but we are told from corporate...'

'What if I want to check something with my PS?'

'Oh, we can check anything for you' she offered earnestly.

'What if I want to send a picture to my husband and ask for his opinion?' 

'Oh. OK, go ahead then' she relented slightly exasperated. Seeing that I am not easily intimidated and I will give her hard time, she hurried away in other direction not wanting to have anything to do with me.

So I snapped a few more pics.

And you know what? My husband and I do share iPhone pictures quite often, to ask opinion. I also do it with my mom or my friends. Why is that a problem. Isn't it a free publicity for them?

Or do you think it is a security issue, airport style?

Like if I was planning to break in and I was taking pictures to prepare? Hmmm...

Imagine the headlines:

Crazy JCA meticulously plotted the biggest mall store robbery in the history!

Apple executives questioned about increasing iPhone use by criminals!!!

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That's all folks!
  

Are you excited about anything from this rollout?

What do you think about the picture taking issue?

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


Stay tuned for reviews of new items coming soon!