J.Crew Fitting Room Reviews (Mid March 2012)

On Saturday I went to the mall to return the v-neck cotton pullovers and the drawstring skirt that I reviewed HERE. Right after I placed my order, the pullovers went on sale, so I have called to get price adjustments. I am not sure how they applied it and why, but it turned out that the size Small of the cobalt blue one was $19.99 (Medium was $39.99, isn't it strange?). Anyway, I decided that for $19.99 I'll keep it. You may think that it is a waste of money to keep something you don't completely love, no matter what the price is. But I was on a fence about returning it, since the color IS very pretty, so I thought that at least at this price, I will not worry if it fades in wash. What would you do?  

Anyway, since I was already in the store, I decided to grab some items to try on and review them for you.
 
Paintbox floral cardigan

I think this one has a horrible presentation on the website. I really don't like the look over the chambray shirt. It just reads messy or sloppy to me and while the model can maybe get away with it, I know I couldn't..

Irl it is a pretty print and I find it very flattering. The reddish flowers work with all shades of red and orange. They worked perfectly with light rose color of the pencil skirt, but also with true cherry red of the scalloped tank I reviewed HERE. It would be divine with casablanca blue/byzantine blue pencils or royal cave jardin. I also checked it with viridian green (it passed!), and of course it is prefect with denim. The colors are more vibrant irl, sort of impressionistic, happy vibe. Yes, that's it! This is one of those 'make me smile' pieces! Can you tell that I bought it?  If something makes me smile, I figure it is worth it :)

Size Medium

It is 100% merino and it fits like other 100% merino printed J,Crew cardis, I took Medium for roomier fit.

No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge cotton

I really like the color of light rose pencil skirt. It just a perfect coral  pink shade. I don't like unlined skirts, otherwise I would consider getting it. See it below with Natasha top.

with cafe trousers

Hearthrob shirt again

For those of you that were looking for Hearthrob shirt or Natasha blouse in wildcat, Hackensack store had plenty of sizes in the sale section. I tried the Hearthrob shirt before in size 6, but it was quite roomy and it was not a love for me, so I decided to give it a try in size 4 this time.

Hearthrob shirt in 4.

I think 4 actually works better for me, but it was gaping very sligthtly when I moved. I think this shirt looks better tucked in, otherwise the print overwhelms me (but I am easily overwhelmed). Anyway, it is a very pretty shirt, but somehow it does not speak to me, so I passed.

Unidentified cropped pants

Colorblock Maritime
 
My SA was all over this dress and was telling me how cute it looks.

Size Small

Too short

It would probably be longer in Medium, but way too roomy in hips. The top portion was indeed cute, but it would benefit from a long necklace, imo. You might have noticed that I really love the long necklaces  recently, but I did not have one with me (it is not unusual for me to carry an extra necklace in my purse, is that weird?) I think if you want this dress for casual weekend wear or beachwear and you are a little shorter (or younger, or both) and you wear it with sandals or flats (maybe Sperry's?), it will work. I like the colorblock concept.  Alas, it it is not for my lifestyle.

Sasha maxidress in skinny stripe

For some reason I am always drawn to maxi dresses, but they never work for me (this is the kind of fantasy shopping I am tempted by). Nevertheless, I keep trying. I am not interested in strapless ones, but the tank type always gets my attention. Enter Sash maxidress, curently on sale for $78 minus 30%, not a bad price for J.Crew .

The length works on me (5'6)

It works with blazer/cardigan

The jersey is very thin and very prone to show and highlight every imperfection. I decided I would be foolish to wear it. But if you are toned and have flat abs, it is a nice easy-breezy dress that you can wear with regular bra (yes!). I tried size Small which would be smaller of my two jersey dress sizes. I am often a Small because Medium tends to have to much volume in the hips, especially if the skirt portion has a straight cut.

like it with red sandals

Natasha top in wildcat

I know some of you have been stalking this top, you can try calling Hackensack store, they had plenty of them in sale section. I tried size 4 and it was a good fit.

neutral with cafe trousers

This top pairs with everything and seems well made and flattering. I don't like the neckline, as I prefer more open neck, but the print is very pretty. I loved it with double serge cotton skirt in light rose.

Natasha top in wildcat

Love the print, don't love the cut

Olympia leather sandals

I asked for these sandals to try them with the maxi dress, becasue the heels were just wrong with it, and I hate to wear a wrong kind of shoe, it ruins entire outfit.

These sandals have a very pretty color (radio red), but you know I love me a pair of red shoes. Seriously, they go with anything. Red shoes are neutrals to me.

The sandals fit TTS (I tried 8.5) and seem comfortable. They are all leather (they better be at this price). Neat thing about them is that you don't have to undo the straps, you can twist them around and slide you feet into them, but once on they sit there pretty secure. I have similar looking sandals from couple of years ago in brown leather, but the soles in mine seem heavy and the insoles are not padded at all. These seemed lighter and much more comfortable.

Overall, nice shoes but pricey. Will watch them for sales.

Olympia leather sandals

All leather and slight padding

Cotton cable sweater 

I also tried Cotton cable sweater again, in Medium. I thought that maybe it would be nice in more neutral color (I tried blue before). Well it is a pretty sweater but not on me. I thought it makes me look bigger and like I have a major case of muffin top. I am definitely not flat there but I think I can get away with low rise jeans and t-shirt most of the time, but not with this sweater. I don't understand why would a chunky cotton sweater be worse than jeans and t-shirt but it is. Sigh.

Cotton cable sweater

That's all folks.

After J.Crew I went to Banana Republic where I found some very interesting items, I will share with you tomorrow. I think with J.Crew sticking to basic colors this year Banana offers some interesting alternatives. I will have some comparisons of similar items and guess who is a better value? Check it out tomorrow...

***

What do you think?
Would you keep the blue pullover for $19.99?
Do you buy things if they make you smile?
Do you like any of the reviewed items?