J.Crew Holiday Rollout Preview (and Long-sleeve tweed dress review)

New collection has arrived at the J.Crew concept store! I tried on several items and will have reviews coming up soon. For now, I 'd like to share some display pictures:

Lots of Green

Feeling Chanel-esque in blue and purple

And orange

More Cosby Sweaters

Cocoon coat and pretty blouse

More silk cropped pants

New double serge wool skirt in green

More 'crazy pants'

silk chiffon blouse

What I took to the fitting room...

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Long-sleeve tweed dress is not a new arrival but since it generated a lot of interest at some point I thought I would do a review.

Size 6, fits TTS

The fit of this dress is actually very good on me. It is long enough, NOT short waisted,  darts are in right place and the bodice accomodates my chest and the skirt does not puff out at the belly. The sleeves are full length on me. The neckline is not too high. 

Right above the knee cap on me, I am 5'6

I was not sure where I would wear it. For my lifestyle, it seems too formal for work and too 'ladies who lunch' for a dinner date. 

Waist in the right place and no belly pouch

The fabric however is rather stiff. It is not itchy but feels plastic like. I don;t like the blend and I think I would sweat in the dress. 

49% cotton, 28% Acrylic, 23% Polyester

I was not able to zip it up or unzip myself. It may be because the fabric is too stiff, my arms are too short or because I need some yoga (I do!). Or maybe it is due to an assumption that 'ladies who lunch' also live with 'help'?
 

Zipper does look a bit mangled :(

I loved the fit (sans the zipper) but I wish this dress would come in different fabric, how about wool or silk?

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That's all folks!

What do you think about the upcoming Holiday rollout?

Are you interested in the tweed dress?

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

Ways to wear burgundy

Burgundy is everywhere this season. I even saw websites that have separate 'Shop Burgundy' tabs. Initially, I was convinced my burgundy days are over.  Back in the 90's, when I was wearing a (cheap) black leather jacket, my lipstick was deep, deep red and my dream car was burgundy (a.k.a maroon) Toyota Camry.  I never thought I'd like to revisit.

However, couple of months ago I was in J.Crew and, on a whim, I tried on a Tippi cardigan in burgundy. I looked in the mirror and, to my surprise, I loved how it looked on me. Burgundy and I have became friends again!

At first, I was a little puzzled what to wear with it. After playing with the color a little bit, I came up with few favorite ways to wear burgundy:

with black and white

black 'column' with burgundy print

burgundy 'column' with B&W

add black shoes

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with blue

plus some black to ground it

The sneakers are old, but suddenly perfect :)

This is a twist on red, white and blue...

Navy works the same

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With pink

 

I love analogous color combinations.

All tonal

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adding green

Green is complementary, which makes burgundy seem even richer and more saturated.

To make it seem more purposeful, I like to employ the 'matching necklace' trick. Scarf will work the same way if you don;t like costume jewelry. The necklace does not have to be the same shade, 'close enough' will do, because it is small and separated by other colors. I think it makes all the outfits seem more coordinated.

Never say never...

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That's all folks!

What do you wear with burgundy?

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

Nora cap toe chain ballet flats review

Nora cap toe chain ballet flats

Nora cap toe chain ballet flats

I like the look of those shoes from the time I saw them in my store couple of months ago. I think it is the combination of delicate pink with black cap toe that got me. Of course, they have that Chanel-esque vibe  that I find hard to resist. I wanted to review them in case you are contemplating getting them at current sale price minus 30% LOVEIT promo, bringing the price down to $84, which is not bad if you like the shoes. They fit TTS, imo. I am usually wearing 8.5 in heels and sometimes 8 in ballet flats and I tried on both 8 and 8.5. 8 was better in length but it was pinching me at the top of the toes and on the side where I developed an ugly bunion :(  8.5 felt better with bare feet but they would slide off with socks or stockings. If you have medium to narrow feet and you are in between sizes, definitely go with your smaller size. They ahve a little bit of toe cleavage but not too much. They have no support or padding and thin soles. But, if you can wear regular ballet flats you will be just as comfortable it these and they are very pretty imo.   I would love to wear them with black capris and light pink top or even all black and just pink necklace. *** That's all folks! Do you wear ballet flats? Have you considered Nora cap toe chain ballet flats? Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

Quilted



Excursion quilted vest in herringbone

I think the outerwear is one of the areas of J.Crew strength. I have a few of their coats and, in general, I have been happy with them. This year I don't need the coat but I like the slim trench coat and the peacoat with the leather trim.

I don't usually wear quilted vests, there is always either too hot or too cold to wear them. Overall, I don;t find myself wearing many of those 'in between' items: blazers, down vests, short sleeved sweaters, wool capri pants, etc. 

I tried on the Excursion vest mostly for this blog:

Size Medium

I grabbed a Medium and I think it would be a correct size for layering. I probably could get away with Small, if I wanted a more fitted look. I was wearing a cashmere waffle sweater underneath and I had plenty of room.

I think this is very nice, as far as quilted vests go. I like the herringbone pattern, color and piping. It is not as bulky as some down vests and I think it makes more sense for the not-so-cold days, chilly morning and bundling up at soccer games.

For me it is a limited wearability item, but if you live in a different climate or you have more on-the-go lifestyle you may want to check it out.

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Snowcap quilted jacket

This little quilted jacket is something I could easily wear in the fall.  But I already have something very similar from Athleta, so I think I am set. I still tried in on for the blog. 

Size Small

It looks more fitted on the model than on me and less boxy. On me, I thought it was just 'blah and whatever'. I tried on the smaller of my sizes and I think the boxiness would be even more exaggerated in a Medium. It fits TTS, the Small was roomy in the body but a bit snug in the chest. I think it may be better on somebody more pear shaped.

The weight for perfect for a light, fall jacket. I liked olive green, but I also liked the red they had in store. I did not try it on but I thought the color itself was very pretty and close to true red, with maybe some pink (not orange) undertones.

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That's all folks!

Do you wear quilted vests?

How do you like J.Crew outerwear this season?

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

Anthropologie for the J.Crew shopper

Slubby Seamed tee

With the unexciting J.Crew rollout I have been turning to other retailers for fall and winter offerings. After my success with jeans, skirt and tshirts, I decided to check Anthropologie again.

Now, I am probably interested in some items that may be dismissed by many Anthro shoppers. I usually do not like their dresses and more quirky offerings. But I don't mind a little twist in my basics.

I loved the look of this tee on the website. They did not have the dark purple in the store I visited, so I tried on Raspberry.

Size Small

Apparently I like the Left of Center designs and I liked this tee but not enough to pay full price for it. The fit is good in small and the color is beautiful. It drapes well but it looks a little bit less polished than I imagined. It may be the intention but I was looking for a more dressed up tee. It is still nice and soft and I would probably bought it if it was under $40.

The gray looked even more sloppy. I think it would definitely benefit from statement necklace, like they have it styled on the website. I had a delicate gold necklace on and just did not work for me. I liked the shape, the longer sleeves and the two-tone effect.

Tiered Swing Sweater

Once I warmed up to burgundy (and it was a process for me), I cannot get enough of it.  So when I spotted this top in store, I had to try it on. I had high hopes that it would be perfect with jeans.

Alas, it was not not to be. It looked ridiculously high waisted, shrunken and babydoll bottomed. Like if I borrowed it from my 9yo. And it is NOT a cute look for me. Pass.

I saved the best for the last.

Sunday Draped Sweater

I did not see the website picture of this cardigan but it intrigued me in the store.

Size Small

It looks good open.

I think you could belt it

It has two snaps at the neck

This look took me a while to figure out. Basically, there are two snaps at each corner end of the shawl collar and you can fasten them at the neck lifting them up to create kind of cowlneck. 

I think it looks good three ways, open, belted with shawl-like collar and buttoned up. It is a blend of cotton/acrylic so not the greatest mix but it did not look like it would pill like crazy. The price is also reasonable, especially with some discount, like Saturday's 20% off.

I did get the Pilcro Stet Slim Bootcut Cords with the 20% off. I know they are still expensive but they are the best fitting pair of corduroys I tried. This is of course specific to my body type; they fit me very similarly to the Pilcro jeans I also bought. I love the slim flare, the color and the higher (but not too high rise).  I decided to get them now and wear them for the whole season. I am OK if they eventually go on sale for much less that I paid. I also love the other color. It is called navy but it is bright, almost jewel tone, not dull and flat like some corduroys in navy can be. I am tempted to them as well. They fit TTS to big, I took 27, which is my smaller size in denim.

 Tee, necklace Banana Republic, shoes J.Crew, bag Coach

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That's all folks!

Do you like any of Anthropologie recent offerings?

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