Hi! I have to say, it made me a little sad that I couldn’t put “style guide” in this latest post since there was no style guide for the August rollout. For years prior to ever having a local store, I used to dog ear all of the pages of the J.Crew style guides. I suppose in a time of digital consumption, not as many people want to page through a catalog but I am at least relieved to hear that they aren’t going away completely. At any rate, I stopped by my local store to check out the August rollout which is considered “pre-fall” transition. There is a mix of summer and fall items in this rollout. There were quite a few things my store didn’t have that I still want to try, but I guess they’re getting another shipment of the rollout next week.

Even without everything I wanted to try, as usual, I found a few fall items to love even in the middle of July. I’m in no rush to get to fall but I am absolutely guilty of buying a few fall things after this shopping trip. Ok, onward to the try-ons!

First up the Silk Easy Pant in Tiger print with the Collared Tippi Sweater.

I’m admittedly not a critter/animal/fruit on my clothing type of girl. A lot of people are. Which is totally fine and I think a ton of people look great in them…they’re usually not for me. I did really like the color scheme on these pants and well, this Tippi sweater is a given. I layer my Tippi sweaters like it’s my job but it’s all about having the right size sweater with the right button down and getting everything to lay flat, etc. can be a challenge. A built in striped collar? I’m sold. There’s a small chest pocket on this sweater and the wool is lighter weight than my Tippis of years past but I will absolutely be putting this one to use this fall. I’m wearing a small in the sweater so it’s true to size and I tried an 8 in the pants which is my usual pant size – they were a little roomy so you  may be able to size down if you don’t have the hip/rear situation going on that I do. They are the same zip/button fly as the foulard ones from last fall. Minus the tigers I’d be all over these and who knows, maybe I’ll eat my words after these go on a good sale. I’m also wearing the Lucie Suede Pumps which seem to be the Colette replacement (sad face). The website description says the heel is the same height but visually these looked taller and they changed the upper to be all one piece rather than the sectioned d’orsay of the Colette. These seemed to run big as the 9.5 had a gap on me but I didn’t try a 9.

Next up, the Tippi sweater in camouflage and the Slim Boyfriend Jean in Silverwood Wash.

Again, both a win. I’m still on the camo trend fence but I see other people pulling it off beautifully and I really can’t wear the sweater to work so it will be a strictly evening/weekend look. But…I did love it with these jeans which are also amazing – I have been looking for a darker wash pair of distressed jeans and always seem to come up with light pairs but I loved this pair. I’m also wearing a small in this Tippi and I’m wearing a 28 in the boyfriend jeans so you can take the smaller of your two sizes. I seem to be inbetween jeans sizes these days. I also love that these are 99% cotton and 1% elastane. I tried them rolled and unrolled and liked the look on either. We’ll see how I do but I really want to try to buy less jeans…my denim situation is ridiculous. Anyone else?

Next up, the Hand-embellished floral top.

This top also comes in petite and tall. I’m wearing a 4 which is a size down for me and it was definitely a bit busty and short so I’d probably prefer a tall in this top. It is a fun top and my store was already sold out of most sizes in it. It was a heavier linen/cotton so not see through and the price point is decent considering most embellished/sequined things seem to top out over $100.

Next up, the Tiered eyelet dress.

This dress comes in petite and tall as well. I was fine with the regular length, so hooray for regular length dresses. I’d say this runs a tad big which is often rare for a shift style dress. I’m wearing a size 6 and had some room. The color is a darker ivory and echoing some comments on the JCA blog, it has a vintage feel to it, which is a nice alternative to your standard bright white dress. This style personally isn’t for me, I tend to be picky about my eyelet, but I think it’s a very pretty dress, it is lighter weight with a lining but I didn’t feel like it was see through (I wouldn’t wear colored underwear though!) I was surprised to see that this one is polyester and not cotton.

Next up, the Cotton Jackie Cardigan Sweater with Tulle.

This one also seemed to be going fast in stores as my store only had a few sizes of it. It only comes in this one color. I tried a size medium which I liked so I could button it without being busty and I like how the website shows it over a white button down with larger cuffs, so I’d like to try that look for sure. I preferred the look of the cardigan buttoned vs. unbuttoned.

Next up, the Embroidered floral mini skirt  with the Relaxed boatneck t-shirt in slub cotton.

I like this print a lot. It reminds me of a skirt I bought years ago at White House Black Market with embroidered/jeweled flowers. This pattern comes in a peplum top as well which I would have liked to try but my store only had a few and reviews said it runs huge so I didn’t try it on. I first tried an 8 in this skirt which was doable but tight and I would never leave the house looking like that. So, in this photo I sized up to a 10 which was still form fitting but better. The silhouette is a little slimmer and shorter than I prefer – I wish it had been cut a bit more A-line and then perhaps I’d think about it. It’s not a work skirt for me though, which lessens it’s use, so it probably isn’t practical for me. I’m wearing a small in the t-shirt and I liked this for a casual, slouchy tee. It was slightly see through but not a deal breaker, I might try a different color.

Next up, the Ruffle Chino jacket.

I didn’t catch this at first online and at $98, it’s a really cute jacket. This was also practically sold out at my store. I’m wearing a size 8 which is a bit big so I’d say it’s true to size. My SA was wearing this paired with dark wide leg jeans, black sandals and a white shell embellished with black beads from a few years ago…it was a fun look. I’m still thinking about this one. It’s a cotton sateen material and fully lined and the website says it’s machine washable…always a plus.

Next up, the Mens-y cardigan with Tiger patch.

Again, with the tigers. This was cute, and I like the overall print. I’m wearing a medium which was ok, slightly looser which I liked and good in the arms. I like that it isn’t cropped. As I said, some people will really like this. The wool is on the thinner side. I think one embroidered tiger would have been enough though and maybe less on the shoulder? The placement of the tiger looks a bit off to me.

Lastly, the Ruffle-neck dress.

This comes in petite and tall as well and also in black. I’m wearing a size 6 which just fit and it overall felt too small, too short, too cutesy for me. There’s something about the ruffle bib that I don’t love, but again, to each their own because I think some people will like and look really nice in this dress. It’s a lightweight cotton which I can see may wrinkle easy but it’s a good toss on and go dress. You can’t win ’em all!

So, there you have it, a selection of the latest August rollout. I still want to try a few items, such as the Daisylace peplum top and daisylace pants (still thinking about that orange dress too!!), the ruffle-hem utility dress and the long-sleeve striped dress (ya know, because I need more stripes!) How about you? Anything you have your eye on? Any favorites? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for stopping by!