The Fab Life

Hi! As promised, here’s part two of my dressing room session at J.Crew featuring some of the new arrivals from the November 2016 style guide. Admittedly, a lot of these items aren’t translating as November to me but I’m sure people in warmer climates are appreciating some of these items! Some of these items were in the latest website rollout, some are just in the catalog and are new try-ons to me. Regardless, there are some cute items that I would tuck away for warmer weather but…for now I’m looking for more seasonal appropriate items.

First up, the Cap-Sleeve Dress in Silk Geo Print.

This dress fit similar to the shirting stripe dress that is the same style and I was all to eager to pick that dress up once it went on sale to tuck away for next summer. I’m wearing a 10 and I have plenty of room in this dress. I like the longer length on it as well – it is just about below the knee on me. It’s a thinner silk material and I suppose I could add a blazer and tights but something about it is still screaming summer. The white isn’t stark white – more of a cream color. I also think it’s priced pretty high for what it is. I’d rather pay for a suiting dress that I know I’ll get a lot of work wear out of.

Next up is the Silk Button-Up in Geometric Houndstooth. Um…this is the exact same print as the dress, why aren’t we calling it the same thing? Details, details, I know.

I’m wearing a 10 in this as well and found the waist area to be a bit tight so I’d probably try a 12 for more of a drapey fit. I have a lot of black and white blouses and this print is just ok to me so this isn’t a must have. I like the covered buttons and the piping detail on the sleeve is a nice touch. The shirt looks a little bunchy on the bottom – it’s a combination of the shirt needing to be steamed and it being a tad tight on my hip area – it should lay as a regular button down shirt.

Of course, I see stripes, I have to try it. This is the Striped Boat Neck T-Shirt with French Logo.

Pants: Banana Republic / Shoes: J.Crew

I’m wearing a size Medium so I’d say it’s slightly generous and you could take the smaller of your two tee sizes. The length was good on me and the sleeves are bracelet length so if you wanted longer sleeves you could wear the larger of your two sizes. The print on the front is a velour feeling print. The cotton is a thicker cotton material as well, seasonally appropriate and this would be cute under a blazer as well.

Next up, the Ruffle-Sleeve Top in Navy.

I would have liked this top in black or white (I know, boring) to liven up an outfit – paired with jeans for a casual Friday night out (because for me – casual is ruffle sleeves…hehe). It is a stiffer cotton material and I am wearing a medium, so it runs generous. I know the ruffle / bell sleeves are on the trendy side but I like that these are a little longer and less flouncy than some I’ve seen if that makes any sense. This also comes in a lilac colorway. I think there’s only so many of these that can make their way in to the closet. I have the striped tee from late in the summer with less of a ruffle, which I have worn to work. This reads more of a weekend top.

Next up, the Metallic Chiffon Top in Ditsy Floral Print.

Pants: Banana Republic / Shoes: J.Crew

Again, this looks like a spring top. I was skeptical of this top when I pulled it off the shelf (this is also not a new release). The top seemed a little short and wide on the hanger but it had a better shape once I put it on. I’m wearing a 12 in this which I think I needed due to the shape of the blouse. It’s still a little dowdy though, in my opinion.  The print is very pretty though with light blue and flecks of gold.

Last up, the Checkered Flutter Dress.

I would have liked to try this dress in my size but this is a 10 and definitely a little snug. Flare skirt dresses/skirts are usually hit or miss for me (and mostly misses) but I think had this actually fit me I would have liked it. I am not sure how much length I’d get out of a larger size though, and I would like a skirt like this to at least hit my knees.

So, that’s it for now…I’m looking forward to holiday rollout in a few weeks! Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

Hello! Somehow it’s the end of October and already time for another J.Crew rollout. This past rollout had a lot of spring looking items – from a color palette and design standpoint so I’m hopeful that the holiday rollout (November 7) will have more winter-y items. But nonetheless, there were still some items to love and a few that I would gladly wear in another season. I took a lot of photos so I’ll probably split in to two posts.

First up, the Double-Breasted Coat in Oxford Check. This coat sold out immediately upon rollout but they must have replenished stock because it is back in a full size run online and my store had a whole rack of them.  This print also comes in a Mini Skirt. I would have loved to see a blazer or a pencil skirt in this print as I cannot quite do the mini thing. The skirt comes in petite and regular length.

Shoes: J.Crew

I’m wearing a size 10 in this coat so I would say it definitely has a generous fit as I’m usually a 12 in their coats. I could comfortably button up the coat and it has a pretty pinstripe and yellow piped lining inside which is always a fun touch. This isn’t a must have for me but it’s a fun coat and it’s nice to see a slightly different style since we have pretty much seen the same lineup of coats the past few years. I am good in the coat department this year (famous last words) so unless this hit crazy sale, I’m staying put.

Next up, the Gayle Tie-Neck Sweater. This comes in heather graphite and heather muslin (read: ivory) but my store only had the grey. There were two left to try on in store so this must be a popular one. The wool on this was on the softer side but I do worry this one might pill.

Pants: Banana Republic / Shoes: J.Crew

I’m wearing a medium in this sweater and it still fit a little relaxed so I would take the smaller of your two sweater sizes. I like the way the website shows a white shirt layered underneath and the SA at the store gave me the Club-Collar Boy Shirt in Gingham to try underneath it which I liked as well. I wasn’t wearing the right bra with this sweater which I think is making it look a little wonky, but overall I liked it. I wanted the fit to be a little slimmer at the bottom but I’m not sure I could have eked out a small in this sweater. I was hesitant with the mock neck but it’s not very tall and I think it’s a really cute sweater at a reasonable price point. Here’s a closeup with the grosgrain ribbon bow:

I also liked that the bow is substantial and not floppy or flimsy – it seemed to stay in place which is why I liked it better than some of the other tie-neck tops (which I’m pretty slow to get in to – they are too fussy for me!)

Next was a total love, the Cape Scarf in Oversized Plaid. This comes in grey/ivory (shown) and navy/ivory; although the reviews say that the color mix is actually navy and grey. This style also comes in a different plaid print as well. I’m wearing it with the Tissue Turtleneck in Stripe which is a staple in my closet. I love the easy nature of this shawl and it feels nice and cozy without being super bulky.

Pants: Banana Republic / Shoes: J.Crew

The cape scarf is one size and I’m wearing a medium in the tissue turtleneck. Here’s a shot of the turtleneck solo:

I’m stripesick, I know, but I love the lean fit of this turtleneck and it’s a great layering piece.

Next up, the Tippi Sweater in Embroidered Stars. I’m admittedly not one for cutesy embellishments on stuff (fruit, critters, etc.) but this is really well done and I like that the stars are sewn in to the sweater. It’s a really fun sweater.

I’m wearing a size medium which is what seems to be my go to size in the Tippis lately. I probably could go to a large for a more relaxed fit. The sweater itself is navy and the gold thread is a true gold but it’s not obnoxious or over sparkly. I think this will be a popular item.

Last up for now, the Supersoft Wool Sweater in Multistripe. Reading the name of this sweater, I am not sure that I would call this sweater super soft, but it was pretty soft. The knit is a waffled knit and it is all wool, which is a nice departure from some of the blends we’ve been seeing.

I’m not a huge fan of the color mix on this, and I feel like we’ve seen this before at other retailers (Gap, etc.) I’m wearing a medium and it was a good fit but I could have sized up for a more relaxed fit.

There are still a few items I want to try that my store didn’t have, including the Lightweight Wool Jackie Cardigan in Argyle and matching shell.

And finally, here’s a better shot of the shoes I’m wearing in these photos – Slingback Flats in Snakeskin Printed Leather. I found these to be true to size – the back strap is very comfortable and adjustable and while the glitter shed a little bit it wasn’t too bad. I need to spray them to prevent further shedding.

So, there you have it, some of the November new arrivals. Any favorites? Not so much? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

Hello! It’s that time of the year again – time for fall clothes! The fall rollouts at J.Crew are the ones I look forward to the most. I’ll be honest, though, while there are items I liked in this latest rollout, there aren’t a lot of “must haves” for me at this point. I am glad to see a lot of the same styles from last year (wide leg pants, cage flats, etc.)  and as I have said in previous posts, I’ll be looking for ways to re-style my classics as we head in to this fall and winter. I like a lot of the neutrals being shown this fall, but I do miss the signature prints we’re used to from J.Crew. I’m not a big critter or fruit on clothing person so the latest showing of cherries isn’t doing it for me (I know a lot of people like it so to each their own!) I have always been a fan of windowpane prints, so I’m excited to see this classic print at several of my favorite retailers…the question is which items to pick. Ok, enough of my rambling, onward to some try-ons!

First up, the A-line Dress in Silk-Twill Windowpane Print. I’m wearing a size 12 which was the right size.

I know many of us (me included) have been asking for longer dresses/skirts so I don’t want to complain, but…this was a little too long for me. I think a few inches shorter and it would have been perfect. It’s at least an inch below the knee and I’m 5’8″. So if you’re tall – this dress is for you. I found the bodice to fit well but some of the seam stitching in the waist/hip area didn’t lay as flat as I would have liked them to which hurt the lines of the dress. The colors in the print are navy/brown and white which aren’t my usual color scheme. This is a pass for me. If you were so inclined, it could definitely be taken up, but I would have only done that had I loved the colors.

Next up, the Two-Piece Dress in Silk Baby Dot. I started with a size 12 in this dress (shown in the right photo) and found it to be too big in the waist so tried the 10 for comparison (in the left photo).

Left – Size 10 / Right – Size 12

I liked the idea of this dress a lot in concept but it was too short waisted for me. The size 12 was too big through the waist area but good through the hips and the size 10 was a little too short and the pockets stuck out in the hip area. Both blouse sizes were ok. I would swap the top/waist of the size 10 with the skirt of the 12 (story of my life!)  If you’re shorter waisted this will work for you and take the smaller of your two sizes. The top is a lighter weight silk and the skirt is a textured crepe feeling poly. I am bummed this didn’t work on me.

Next up, the Flutter Sleeve top in Cherry Print. This is a size 10, which is a size down for me, so it runs a bit generous. However, as I stated in my previous post, now that I have bras that actually fit me, I think I have a new normal for what size fits me so it’s going to be a bit of an experiment.

As I said, I’m not a big fruit/critter person. It’s just me…I know a lot of people like it. I like that these aren’t blatantly cherries but it’s still a little too quirky for me. But I like the flutter sleeves and I was pleased to see that there’s a patch of fabric sewn in under the arms of this top to prevent the low arm holes we’ve been seeing on a lot of tops. So thumbs up for that! This blouse silhouette is perfect under a suit and I like that the sleeves aren’t too fluttery.

Next up, the V-Neck Swing Sweater. I’m wearing a size Medium in this sweater so it has a more generous fit.

The material on this is a wool/nylon/viscose blend which is reflected in the price. I should have grabbed a color to try on – in addition to the grey, this sweater also comes in heather burgundy, heather lavender, spicy jade and black. I am not terribly sensitive when it comes to scratchy sweaters but this sweater is slightly scratchy. I liked this sweater and even more so for the price point. It’s on my list and would be a solid weekend casual sweater. I’m also wearing the Distressed Toothpick Jean in Pamona wash (size 32). I grabbed the jeans so I’d have pants to try on with the more casual tops. I have my share of skinny jeans in my closet so these are a pass right now. I find myself reaching for the less skinny/more straight leg or boot cut these days.

Next up, the Tippi Sweater in Jacquard Dot. This also comes in a dusty lilac/cabernet version. But of course…grey and black for me. This is a size medium. If I wanted a looser fit or to layer underneath it, I would size up to a large.

Polka dots, what’s not to love? This was a winner for me and it would get a lot of wear in my wardrobe. It seemed a bit thin which I think is how most of the Tippis have been recently but I love the dots and I can’t seem to get enough of the Tippi sweater.

Lastly, the Campbell Blazer in Donegal Wool. I’m wearing a size 10 which is the smaller of my two blazer sizes.

I like this blazer a lot – the cut is flattering and I like that it doesn’t lose my curves. I was excited to see a fun lining and while I don’t usually pop the collar on my blazers, the hot pink flannel underneath the collar is a fun touch. I don’t really need another grey blazer, but I’ll keep an eye on this one.

So, that’s it for now. I have a few other more casual items that I’ll review in a separate post. Do you have any favorites from this rollout? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!