The Fab Life

Making every day fabulous

J.Crew New Arrivals – October 2017 Style Guide

Hello! Time for the first big full fall rollout at J.Crew! It’s usually my favorite time of year but for some reason this post took me forever to put together. Probably because I didn’t find that I loved everything I tried on. I didn’t leave completely empty handed but I was able to be a little more discerning and with the rate of things hitting sale these days, and the summer weather still upon us, there’s not much point at buying a lot out of the gate.

First up, in which I go against my goal of not buying too many fancy items that I will hardly wear. This is the Tiered Skirt in Polka Dot Embroidered Tulle which I am wearing with the Rue Saint-Honoré” graphic T-shirt.

I am wearing the 6 in the skirt, so the smaller of my two skirt sizes because it has a looser skirt and a small in the t-shirt. There was something about this skirt that spoke to me when I saw it online. Yes, it’s a little dressy for the office. I definitely wavered on purchasing this but with an extra 15% off coupon with the in store promotion, I went for it. I’m hoping it will make it in to the holiday party rotation and maybe to work as well. Yes, this is me attempting to justify this purchase. Onward.

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J.Crew New Arrivals – August 2017 Mini Rollout

Hi all! I stopped by the store the other night to make a return and visit my favorite (friend and) SA and didn’t intend to try anything on. That lasted about five minutes as I wandered around the store and decided I had to at least try on a few of the re-released “vintage” J.Crew items among one or two other items that caught my eye. I wasn’t dying to get my hands on a rollneck sweater or a rugby shirt, but I am not going to lie, I’m still thinking about that rugby shirt. So, here’s a quick post with a few try-ons from the latest “mini” rollout at J.Crew, visiting several dates from years past (but come on…how about some 2006/2007 blazer re-releases…please??)

First up, the 1984 Rugby Shirt in Stripe.

Jeans: Lookout High-Rise Jeans in White

I wore my share of rugby shirts in the early 1990’s. I’m wearing a size small and it still had a little room – if I wanted to go true 90’s style I’d size up to a medium. I was surprised at how much I liked this. It comes in three color ways, two of which are almost sold out. The navy and white is still in stock but the pink/navy and olive/champagne are almost gone. I didn’t buy it because even though I do like it, it’s more casual than I tend to go on the weekends and I’m not sure I would reach for it enough. But I can see why it’s popular. My store only had the white/navy but it seems like the pink/navy combination is pretty popular. If you’re looking to revisit an old classic, this is a good way to do it. Out of all of the re-released items, this one was my favorite.

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J.Crew New Arrivals – September 2017 Style Guide

Hello! It’s that time again. Summer is flying by and fall clothes are upon us. I admittedly wasn’t blown away by a lot of the latest new arrivals, and I did skip a lot of things to try because I know that I won’t wear them. At this point, I am focused on rebuilding some wardrobe basics for fall, but a few things ended up surprising me when I stopped in to my store for try-ons.

The first of the surprise “loves” for me was the Collection Pleated Skirt in Natural Denim with Leather.

Shoes: Audrey Flats in Suede

My SA handed me the skirt to try and I wrinkled my nose at her. Mmm…not sure about this one. But then I put it on and was pleasantly surprised. I am wearing an 8 in this photo but had some room in the waist so would go with a 6 which is my dress /non-pencil skirt size. I tried it on with a V-neck cross front bodysuit (also comes in grey, don’t see it on the website yet, item number is G8312 and it is $49.50) and am wearing a small in that which is true to size with my top size. I like how the skirt is styled on the website with a higher neck black top and one of the SAs had this exact outfit on with the suede Colette heels and I was in love. The buttons are still covered in the photo from the packaging but they’re black and the leather trim is a beautiful detail. The paper bag waist can be a hit or miss depending on the rest of the garment but the effect on this one is immediately slimming. I may have already caved and ordered this one.

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J.Crew New Arrivals – August 2017 Rollout

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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J.Crew New Arrivals – July 2017 Mini Rollout

Hi! The summer crazy is upon us and I have been enjoying some time away from work as well as my computer. I did stop by the store this week to return some items and check out a few of the new arrivals from the small rollout earlier this week. The first pre-fall rollout for the August style guide will be in a few weeks. I saw this rollout online and I admit that online nothing was a “must have” since I am pretty well set with summer items. However, after trying some items in person (as usual) I found a few things to add to my wardrobe.

First up, a dress that I don’t see online yet but the embroidery on the dress caught my eye.

Shoes: J.Crew Lace-Up Suede Sandals

I’m not usually a fan of orange but I may make an exception for this dress. I would have trouble wearing this to work though, so it’s use is somewhat limited. It looked cute with a denim jacket though and would be good with a Jackie cardigan as well. I’m thinking about this one. It’s $178 and the style number is G7489 if you’re trying to track it down at your local store. I sized down to a 4 in this and it was a perfect fit. The detailing on this dress is so pretty and I’d usually pick heels to wear with this tea length, but I liked the neutral colored flat sandals with it as well.

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J.Crew New Arrivals – July 2017 Style Guide

Hi! Believe it or not, we are now down to the last summer rollout of 2017. Where is the time going? Since July marks the first “pre-fall” rollout (which always has a few warm weather items) this is the last “official” summer rollout! At first glance, I was a bit overwhelmed at all of the ruffles and off-the-shoulder that we’re still seeing everywhere, but in typical J.Crew fashion, once I dig around a bit, I always find items to love.

First up, the Ruffle Top in Chambray.

 

Jeans: Factory High-Rise Skinny Jean / Sandals: Lace-Up Suede Sandals

I sized down to a 4 in this top. The ruffles on this seemed a bit overwhelming to me, so I could see if you’re petite it might be a bit much. But I have since seen it on several other people online and really liked it. It’s a bit much for me and would be a weekend top since I don’t think it would go well with a blazer (although I admittedly didn’t try it). I like the darker color of the chambray though and it is a longer length. If it’s your style, with white jeans and neutral sandals this is a solid summer outfit. It’s lightweight but not flimsy.

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