Keyholes (in Silk and Viscose)

Silk keyhole top

I thought the silk keyhole top was a nice alternative to a spaghetti strap camis. It seemed bra friendly and providing a little more coverage while still having a sexy vibe to it. I was hoping it would work for going out but still be appropriate for my casual office and it should look good with a blazer.

Well, I guess it wasn't meant to be after all. I think it would be OK if it was 2 inches longer and not so swingy. I am wearing size 4 and I think maybe a 6 would have been better? Maybe a little bit longer but probably still not enough. And it would most likely have too much volume at the hem. The armholes are cut quite high it this top, usually the J.Crew camis have the opposite problem, but not this one.

I like the fabric and it is not see through, definitely a plus. The neckline is very pretty and not too low on me, even with regular bra. It has bra keeps so you don't need a racerback or strapless. The color is not really blue, definitely more of a dark teal. I like the color and it is quite flattering with my skin tone but it has limited pairing options imo. Ideally this type of top would go with dark or black jeans but the teal does not look good with either imo. Light wash denim would probably be better, like they have it on the model. White works of course but I could not think of any other color.

The back length is fine and it drapes well. The fabric covered small buttons in the back are difficult to do up and you cannot really get it on without having them undone or you risk getting your make-up all over the neckline.

 

I do like the neckline a lot, so much in fact that tried it in another item, the keyhole dress in square dot. Since I did not buy it I don't have pictures but I liked the fit. Size 6 was perfect on me. It is just a little bit high waisted on me but not too much, it did not bother me. If you are shorter (I'm 5'6) or smaller than a C cup you probably will not have that issue at all. The dress fell right above my knee, definitely office appropriate. The print was flattering and it gave it casual air, making it a nice day dress. It could be made more businesslike with a navy blazer. Too bad it is viscose but it felt quite nice against the skin and I think I would like to get it once the price is right. That is, if I am still interested at that point. Often, by the time my 'watch' item makes it to the deep sale, I have already moved on to the other likes. I am fickle, I know J

 

Since we are on a subject of viscose I also tried this blouse in black:

Drapey Crepe Henley Tunic

Again, no pictures this time but I really liked the fit of it, especially with toothpick jeans. It had a nice casual vibe. Size 4 was perfect on me, so size down or take your smaller size. I see that the black and ivory are currently sold out in most sizes but they had plenty of them in store. I do wish it was silk because I did not care for the feel of the fabric, it was heavy, cold and not very soft. Still, it seemed to drape well but I am just not sure if I would be comfortable in it.

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What do you think?

Did you try the silk keyhole top?

Is viscose a deal breaker for you??

Also, see the keyhole silk top on Gigi HERE.

J.Crew Eaton Boy Trousers Review

Eaton Boy Trouser

I was curious about Eaton Boy Trousers and they got good reviews from JCA community so I wanted to check them out. I am always on a lookout for the perfect fitting pair of trousers in basic colors.



Most of my try-outs end in failures because majority of bottoms are cut for more curves than I am blessed with. But the 'boy cut' sounded promising. I loved the walnut color so I ordered them in both walnut and black. I only took pictures of the walnut ones. Black ones actually look better irl but I would not be able to show you any details, it is hard to photograph black, especially in the late afternoon light. I apologize for the quality of pictures but I hope you can get the idea of the fit.

So the walnut color is not disappointing, it is beautiful and I guess walnut is a great description this time. They are NOT lined. Usually, I cannot wear unlined wool pants, like wool café capris, I find them scratchy and not draping well. However, these I could wear! The wool is not scratchy, it feels soft and I could start wearing them now as opposed to waiting for the weather to cool down. This gives them more versatility since they are cropped, which in my world, limits their use in the winter. The length is good but I wish they were more tapered towards the bottom, maybe they could be tailored. Also, if you'd like them longer, there is about 1.5 inches in the hem to lot out.

I have ordered them in size 2, which is the same size I recently took in cotton café capris, pencil skirts and Andie chinos so I would say they fit TTS. They are definitely mid rise as you can see in the pictures.

Well, the fit in from is good imo. They have pockets but I would leave them closed for a more streamlined look. I like the hook and tab closure and the pintucks.

Now, the back view is not that great on me, lol. This is probably due to my, hmm, limitations and they may look better on most. Actually, I think it looks a little better irl, due to the twisted position but they do bunch up in the upper tigh area. I have the same problem in café capris, so if you don't it will probably not be an issue.

I think I have confirmed once more that the J.Crew pants are not the best fit on me, my favorite are still Theory trousers but even Banana Republic fits me much better, not sure why I keep trying. As for the Eatons they are also very expensive for what they are imo, even with the 25% discount I got. I still quite like them, maybe because I mostly get the front view, but I have to consider others see the back too, right?

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What do you think of Eatons?

Yay or nay? Keep? Return? On Sale?

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

J.Crew Oversize Merino Pocket V-Neck

Oversize merino pocket sweater

I have bought the Oversize Merino Pocket sweater last year and I have been very happy with it. You can see my review here. When I saw the latest version in light camel color I thought this will be exactly what I need: longer, warmer sweater to wear over skinny jeans in a color I love and that will go with everything.

I ordered it in size Small since I expected it will be oversized. That was a good call, because even in Small the sweater is huge.

I am NOT loving it. It is just hanging there, sort of shapelessly and it looks bulky.

The color is nice. I am not sure if it will pill, hopefully not. It is substantial and warm. I would like it be a little longer.

I like that it is oversized but it does not hung nicely imo and pockets add volume to the hips in unflattering way. I compared it to the last year version and it is at least an inch wider on each side. That's about 5 inches in diameter! The rest of the measurements seem the same.

I don't think this is the one for me.

***

What do you think?

Should I try XSmall or just give up on it?

Andie chinos vs Café capris – Advice needed

 Hello everybody! I have promised you a review of the new Andie chinos from J.Crew in my last post. I was going to publish it over the weekend but I have been having problems a lot of problems with Blogger and 'errors on page'. My mac that I have been using for blogging has died and my when I tried to post from my PC it would not work, I think due to Internet Explorer or Windows 7 or both. I am also having problems with posting comments, so sorry about that and please bear with until I figure it out, I will eventually...

I have never been a big fun of the chino look as they tend to be generally unflattering on me. I associate them with those admirably sturdy gals that could not be bothered with makeup and would usually 'style' them with a pair of sneakers and t-shirt they got at the Cisco training class. But I was tempted by the pair of pants that promises the look and comfort of skinny jeans and be as office appropriate as a pair of trousers without the need to dry clean them. Hey, I thought, if they can do that, this might be the Holy Grail of the office bottoms.
So with that in mind, I have decided to try the Andie chino. Now, I did not have super high hopes because I have previously had the some hopes for a few recent iterations of café capris without much success. I mean, I do own few pairs of them and they are OK but nothing to rave about. They look OK in front but they do sag in the butt and upper thigh area. Well, this is mostly due to my lack of booty curves but a girl can dream (and hope for the miracle), right?

Andie, size 4 Tall

After asking for an advice from the JCA community, I decided to order them in my old size 4, as there seemed to be the consensus that they run smaller than café capris. I have actually confirmed that by asking for measurements and yes, size 4 in Andies seem to have similar measurements as Café Capri size 2 with the hips measurement proportionally narrower, which is usually good news for me.

Andie Chinos on the left (size 4 regular) and Café Capri (size 2, regular) on the right

My current café capri size is 2 and even that is not too tight, but I don't think I can size to a zero. Actually, I quite like them in this new size. They seem to be a little longer than my black version from 2 years ago and a little looser in calf, but maybe they will shrink? I do like the desert color, kind of dark camel shade, which looks very nice with black and white/ivory, but it is not so great with pretty much every other color. I can live withthat because these are my colors of choice anyway, although I did contemplate them in natural but decided that it may be too boring. Not that desert khaki is that exciting, lol.

Andie Chinos size 4R, Andie Size 4T, Café Capri 2R

After asking for an advice on Andies from the wonderful JCA community, I decided to order them in my old size 4, as there seemed to be the consensus that they run smaller than café capris. I have actually confirmed that by asking for measurements and yes, size 4 in Andies seem to have similar measurements as Café Capri size 2 with the hips measurement proportionally narrower, which is usually good news for me. The fabric on Andies is thicker and less refined than on Café capris, it feels much more utilitarian. The waistband is narrower and they close with a set of double tabs and buttons. Actually the tab closures are almost difficult to undo but maybe this is just me or lack of dexterity.

OK, so despite the claims of slim fit, they are not that tapered in the leg and no, they don't fit like skinny jeans. But they do fit closer in the tight and seem to enhance my usually, ahem, unconspicious rear view.

Andie Chinos size 4R, Andie Size 4T, Café Capri 2R

The Tall Andies are supposed to be 3 inches longer and have the same other measurements. Well, I can hardly see the difference in length so it cannot be full 3 inches but they bunch up a little more. I think I prefer the regular version.

Is it me or the full length veers too much into the hiking pants/Cisco t-shirt direction?
So which ones should I keep? In the pictures, surprisingly, I actually like the café capris the best. Maybe it is the color? Or the more refined fabric? And how about that rear view?

 

And here is the basic silk cami in black. I have quite a few of these but I have been buying them in Small and this one is an Extra Small and it does look so much better now. Btw, this might be tmi, but to my great delight I have discovered the perfect strapless bras and I have been wearing them non-stop this summer. I got four of them when they had them on sale. I like them so much that have been wearing them with regular tops! I never thought that would happen but it is just so much easier when you don't have to deal with the straps. Halleluiah!

***

I am curious what you think about Andie versus Café Capris and which ones should I keep.

I am a little confused myself, so please share…

***

Update: I listened to your advice and tried on Andies in size 2, in different color.

What do you think? I think they look much better now. Sorry for the picture quality but just wanted to make it quick.

Andie Chino in 2R

J.Crew Stretch Suiting Tank and Helmut Lang Slouchy Blazer

Stretch Suiting Tank

I have mentioned in the end of my last post that did purchase something from J.Crew and it was the Stretch Suiting Tank.  I have been curious about it before and I decided to order it when they had the 40% off promotion going on.  It is a basic tank but the reason I was interested in it was that it seemed like it would not be sheer in white and that it would cover the regular bra straps.

Well, I am pleased to report that it is as expected. Not a see through and it can be worn with a regular bra. It is double layered and not tight in the mid section which helps cover the lumps and bumps. It is not too low cut and actually have a very nice neckline imo. I wish they would do it with different sleeve lengths as well, I would be first in line to order.

Nice length too, And it looks fine from the back. I have ordered it in Small and Medium but I did not even take the Medium out of the package because the Small was perfect.

It is not exactly cheap but it is so hard to find a white tank that it is not see-through so I am keeping it. I do think it should not be that hard, lol.

 

 ***

I wanted to review the tank for you, but the purchase I am really excited about is not the tank but my new blazer. I have been looking for a black boyfriend blazer for some time. I tried the one from Theory some time ago but I eventually returned it since it was too much of a suiting blazer. What I was looking for was a blazer I could wear outside of work, over the jeans, tank top and a pair of heels.

Well, after my recent disappointing visits to J.Crew, I decided to stop at Bloomingdales to look at the latest offerings from Vince.  I am a big fan of Vince and the 'minimalistic cool' but it tends to be very expensive and out of my budget. Nevertheless, I tried on few t-shirts and blouses. I really liked this one, which actually looks more like something from Tory Burch except for the colors.

Vince Blouse - Wide Placket Silk

Vince's blouses are very slouchy and oversized and although I liked the idea of them, they were not that flattering on my figure.  The t-shirts were nice but not enticing enough to pull the trigger.  There was a lot of offerings mixing leather with other fabrics which made me glad I bought the Regan tee from Club Monaco some time time ago.

I was browsing trough the Rag and Bone collection (which btw has a lot of cool stuff that I would gladly wear, if I had the budget for it), when I spotted this blazer in Helmut Lang section:

 

HELMUT Helmut Lang Blazer - Slouchy Suiting

I was just going to try it on, it is not going to hurt, right?  Well, it turned out not so easy, because it was exactly what I was looking for...   

A blazer that feels like cardigan but with the structure and chic factor I love. It is slouchy and cool, lightweight and effortless. 

Looks good open and closed and has just the right length. 

 

I love the scrunched up sleeves. They are sewn like that, so you dont have to worry about them coming undone, but I suppose you could remove the stitching, if you'd like to control it yourself. For me they are perfect.

I also love the super narrow faux lapels and the single button and perfect pocket placement.

 

The fabric is lightweight 77% wool blend, which feels great in warmer weather and drapes well.  I took my regular size 6 and it fits me with a just right amount of slouchiness.
 

I love the blazer but it wasn't exactly in my budger so to fund my purchase I decided to return everything that was still returnable and get the extra money from my ebay sales. I was still off but it was now under $100, which I was OK with.  This was something on my list for a long time and I know that I never regret buying things that I really love and I would probably regret more if I did not get it.

I think I am going to wear the blazer tonight, for a night out in the city, including some live music.  It is supposed to be around 75 degrees, so it should be perfect.  

***

What do you think?

Do you like the suiting tank?

Was I right to splurge on the blazer?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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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?

 

Tipped Silk Pocket Tank Review

When in doubt, you can't go wrong with black and white. Or can you?

Tipped Silk Pocket Tank

I never noticed the Tipped Silk Pocket Tank until it was featured by the lovely ABC in one of her red, white and blue sets in this post.  

Even though I think it is overpriced, I decided to order it to try it on.

Jeans by JBrand, rest J.Crew

I ordered my regular size 6 and it fits well, so I'd say it fits TTS.

It is definitely very sheer, at least in white and you would need a cami to wear under it.

The cut is boxy but I think less so than in the silk pocket tee like the Mai Tai I tried here. I like the boxy shape as it gives it a relaxed, easy vibe.

I like the tipped detail, it looks great in the back. It will also work nicely under a blazer to wear to the office.

I don't have a picture but the armholes are slightly big, but not too bad. I like the neckline and that it is not too high, like some of JC crewneck tops.

Overall, it is a nice top but the sheerness may be a deal breaker, if you don't like the idea of wearing a cami under cami.  It is priced too high at full price imo and I am not sure if it is worth it with the 40%.  I am glad I ordered it at full price because I am not even tempted. Maybe once it goes on sale, plus percentage off?

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That's all folks!

What do you think of this tank? What would you consider fair price for it?

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