The Fab Life

Hi there! Another month has passed and it is again time for new arrivals at J.Crew. This is the last fall rollout before we will see holiday items in November. There was no style guide this go around, only a small coat mailer, much to the chagrin of many J.Crew fans. My wallet is happy that I didn’t love every last thing in the rollout, but I did find a few things to take home, mostly staples for fall as I continue to rebuild my wardrobe.

First up is the Striped Turtleneck Sweater-Dress.

This dress comes in black/saddle and grey/ivory. My store only had the black/camel color in the store and it was almost sold out when I stopped in to shop. I am wearing a small and still have room. It is on the generous side but due to my curvy figure, I wouldn’t have attempted a smaller size. The ribbed mockneck is a nod to the 90’s without being blatant. The dress is a merino blend which is unfortunate and I’m hoping this one will hold up. I appreciated the length right above my knee. I have already worn this with black tights and black ankle boots.

Next up, the Cameron Bow Stretch Chino Pant with the Tiered bell-sleeve top in drapey crepe.

Earrings: J.Crew Drop Stone Earrings / Shoes: J.Crew (old, similar here and here)

My SA was wearing this combination when I stopped in, and I tried it out as well. I am not one to wear a lot of khakis so while they were cute, they were a pass. I’m wearing a size 10 in the pants which is a size up from my regular pant size and a size 4 in the blouse so I sized down in the blouse. I probably would have been fine with a 6 in the blouse as well. The top comes in ivory (it’s sort of a pink hued ivory) and ruby red. The red is a little muted and very pretty as well. I know every retailer is carrying piles of ruffles, bell sleeves and off-the-shoulder looks lately, but I liked this top and I would probably wear it after the trend has passed.

Next up, the Peplum-Sleeve V-Neck Sweater with the High-Rise Toothpick Jean in Prescott Wash.

This sweater also comes in smoky olive, heather river (light blue), and black. Again, it’s a wool/acrylic/nylon blend. I’m wearing a small in the sweater which is my regular size and it was a good fit. I like the slightly flared sleeves and slim fit in the body. And these jeans. I’m in love. I hadn’t tried the high-rise jeans since they renamed them and I love the dark wash with the faded front. I’m wearing a size 29 which seems to be my regular denim size these days.

Next up, the Tres Chic T-Shirt.

This is so cute! I’m wearing a size small. It seemed to run a tad small but not enough to go up a size. The tee is ivory and the lettering is blue and navy. I’ve bought my share of statement tees and I was glad to add this one to the collection. I’ve already worn it with my chino ruffle jacket, jeans and leopard flats and I’m sure I will be getting more wear out of it in to the fall.

Next up, the Embellished Cable Sweater.

I liked the look of this in the rollout but unfortunately it was a little too cropped for my taste. I’m wearing a size small in this and it’s still relaxed in the body. This is cute and I think if you’re more petite or don’t mind the more cropped look it’s a fun take on an ivory sweater. I thought I wasn’t going to like the not so full turtleneck neck but it didn’t bother me.

Next up, the Convertible Sweater Cape.

This comes in XXS/XS S/M and L/XL. I’m wearing the S/M and it was the right size. This was incredibly soft but it seems like it would be a shedding machine. But it was cozy. My issue is that always try on ponchos or capes and think I’m going to wear them and then never do, so this was a pass for me.

Next up, the Harlow Cardigan Sweater with Velvet Front

I am wearing a small in this cardigan. I liked the look of this laid out on the table but when I put it on it had the feeling of wearing a black vest over a grey cardigan and I wasn’t a fan of the contrast. The material is a wool blend as well which is also disappointing for their cardigans. Length wise it was ok though and this was my first try of the Harlow cardigan. I’m pretty set in the cardigan category, this was a pass for me.

Last up, the Ruffle-Hem Dress in Paisley Floral.

I saw this print online and I really wanted to like this in person but the print fell flat for me in person. I’m wearing a 6 in the dress which is the right size but ugh, these ruffles. There’s a ruffle right below the bust and then one on the back of the dress below the rear which made the back of this dress really unflattering as well. There is something off about the print to me. I didn’t try the blouse which was the piece I originally thought I’d like but since I didn’t love the print I didn’t try it out. I am really missing old school J.Crew prints lately!

So, that’s my recap of the latest J. Crew rollout. There are apparently more items arriving in store this week so it wasn’t the full rollout last week. Any items you are loving? Not so much? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for stopping by!

 

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.

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