/ Reviews

A few weeks ago I stopped by Tory Burch to try on an off-the-shoulder top they had. I knew it would match the J.Crew linen shorts in Byzantine Copper perfectly. They also has the matching embroidered skirt in-store so I grabbed that to try as well.

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~ Eliza Embroidered Top, size 6 ~

I found the top to fit surprisingly well in the size 6. I thought it would be tight across the chest when the top was pulled up, like in the second pic below. I know some off-the-shoulder tops are needing to be adjusted quite a bit to stay off the shoulder. Unfortunately, I was tugging on this one all day the first time I wore it. But in the top’s defense, I was holding a baby or playing with little kids most of the day. I think if I had worn this when I wasn’t so active then it would have stayed put.

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It looks just as good not off-the-shoulder, making it wearable when that trend goes away. The top also comes in a bright red. The white is on sale here.

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~ Cassie Embroidered Skirt, Medium ~

The Medium was a nice fit and wasn’t too full at the hips but I could have sized to a Small due to the elastic waist. The sides of this skirt are a little shorter than the front and back. Both items are embroidered in bright thread, making it stand out against the white background. This embroidered pattern also comes in a jean and dress. I found the skirt on sale here.

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The sandals I’m wearing are the Pecha Sandal and sold out everywhere online. I’m wearing a size 7 and they were very comfortable for such a high heel. They also blended well with my skin-tone. I did have an issue with the ankle strap being too short so I passed on buying them. I’m happy with the J Crew Factory Stacked-Heel Sandals. There is a Pecha Mule available that my store had plenty of as well.

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Shop more of my picks from Tory Burch! I have the Miller Sandal in Snakeprint but I also think the confetti print is cute for Summer.

I was given a gift card for my birthday so I am trying to decide from the picks above what I should buy. I’d like to buy on sale to have the money go farther and am leaning towards the striped Jackie Tank, and the embellished Hit the Road Tee.

/ Reviews

Last up from the Factory are two dresses and some Summer shoes.

~ Polo Shirtdress, Navy, Medium ~

I really liked this shirtdress. I wished it came in white or a kelly green as well as the Vibrant Flame. The Medium is a great fit. Take your normal Polo shirt size. I’ve already worn this several times with both flats and the Gingham Wedges.

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~ Chevron Striped-Dress, size 8 ~

I recall no difference between this dress and the retail version from last Summer. Down to the small exposed back that causes the material to not lay flat, it’s the same dress, different tag. I was really hoping the issue where it wouldn’t lay flat would have been fixed. Otherwise, the size 8 is a perfect fit.

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~ Stacked Heeled Sandals, Dark Cedar, size 7 ~

I don’t prefer ankle-strap shoes but I wanted some neutral/brown sandals for Summer. These are going to work well for me. The size 7 fits well across the toe though the ankle strap is too short. I have it buckled in the last hole. But, when I tried them on I loved them. And since I was already dressed for date night, I kept them on. The heel height is just at my threshold and I was pitching forward just a bit when walking but they’ll be fine to wear for a few hours.

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~ Leopard Espadrille Wedges, size 6 1/2 ~

I have these in the same size in the Gingham Wedges and the fit is very different. The Gingham Wedges fit just like the retail Seville Espadrilles but the Leopard Wedges are too tight. I double-checked the size when I got them to be sure they were not a size 6. Maybe I received a defective pair but I would take your normal shoe size in the Leopard Wedges. (Mine is a 7).

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The Leopard Wedge is cute. The background color is really light, almost yellow. Though the pattern doesn’t match on the toes, it is not too noticeable. I have the Sevilles in several colors and wear them a lot. I returned the Leopard Wedge because I wear the Metallic Seville Wedges several times a week.

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Today and tomorrow, online only, you can take 30% off your purchase with code CUTESALE.

/ Reviews

J Crew Factory is having a flash sale, through June 2, with code CUTESALE. I’ll round up my Factory reviews today, in case you are shopping this sale. There are some hits and miss with tops today. Take a look below.

~ Embroidered Peasant Top, White, Small ~

I recall the retail version just barely. The Small fit surprisingly well so I would say this runs a size large. It’s loose all over, including the shoulders and chest. I didn’t like the square neck, preferring a v- or crew-neck. It’s really boxy with no shape at all. The linen didn’t seem too thin. This also comes in Fiesta Orange, which I think I would have preferred but the Mercantile store was limited/sold out in sizes and colors.

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~ Short-Sleeve Linen Sweater, Pozzoli Pink, Small ~

I grabbed this to try on with the various shorts and quite liked it. The Small fit how I would want it, though I could also wear a Medium to have a little more room in the arms. The retail had a cable knit linen sweater several years ago and it was really thin and see-through. The linen seems to be knitted a little tighter and is not as sheer. If I lived in a little cooler climate I would have probably bought this in a few of the four colors, including this pretty pink. It went well with both the Summer Plaid Shorts and the Flamingo Shorts.

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~ Linen 3/4 Sleeve Blouse with Lace Hem, Vibrant Lemon, Small ~

I feel really dumpy in this blouse. I like it in the yellow but is very wrinkled from just try-ons and the neckline is elastic. I thought that maybe it could be an off-the-shoulder but it doesn’t look right if you try to stretch it any. The Small was the best size, so it also runs a size large. The 3/4-sleeves are hitting me just above my wrist. The White colorway looked sheer on the hanger.

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~ Gingham Shell Top, Bright Red, size 8 ~

I liked this one immediately online and it was just a pretty in person in the Bright Red, which looks more like a dark pink to me. The size 8 was a great fit though I wish it had a little shape to it, even a few darts in the back would be good. I passed on it when I was in the store but it is on my wishlist.

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~ Printed Embroidered Tank Top, Neon Seamist, size 8 ~

I can’t remember the colors from the retail version of this top but I really liked the Neon Seamist that the Factory/Mercantile is offering. I could do without the tassels. I originally thought this fit a little loose on me but seeing the image from the front tells me this is a good fit as there is no pulling across the chest. The Reef Blue looks pretty online but it was not available in-store.

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~ Scalloped Embroidered Linen Shirt, White, size 8 ~

This was a little more visually interesting with the scalloped hem and sleeves as well as the embroidered front. The size 8 fit good. I wouldn’t size down in this. The linen, especially in white, doesn’t seem too sheer. I know that’s an issue for some. This comes in four colors and with the Sandy Reef having a contrasting thread for the embroidery and scallop detail. Again, I wish there were some darts to give it a little shape.

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I didn’t bring any of these home with me though I did like the Gingham Shell Top and the Printed Embroidered Tank Top.

Anything you’re liking here?

/ Reviews

Shorts and skirts are finishing out my reviews from J Crew. I’ll have some J Crew Factory/Mercantile reviews in the next few days.

~ Cotton Jackie Cardigan in Dot, Small ~
~ V-Neck Linen Tee, White Navy, Small ~
~ Mini Skirt in Nautical Stripe, size 8 ~

I thought the whole outfit was cute, mixing the dots with stripes. The blue on the Jackie and skirt are slightly different shades though. I think maybe a different colored tee/shirt would make that a little less noticeable. My store had two sizes left in the Jackie Cardigan in Dot, a Small and XS. Since this is a cotton knit and I don’t button my cardigans much the Small fit fine. Husband hates this cardigan, calling it “old lady” but I really like it. So much that I’ve already worn it twice since purchasing it last week.

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My VPS put the skirt in the fitting room for me. It’s really odd to me for a few reasons. First, the title has “mini skirt” in it but this was 19-inches long. It hit me just at mid-knee. Second, there are pleats in the front and an elastic waist in the back. Those two things together make the skirt lay weird on me. I also think because of the pleats and elastic waist, it dropped the skirt lower, hence the visual longer length. I did like the cotton poplin material and that it’s machine washable.

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~ Gingham Pleated Mini Skirt, size 8 ~

This skirt is now on sale and is really cute IRL. This mini skirt hit me just above the knee. The waist fit well in the size 8, my normal pants/skirt size. I did see the description states this could only be “spot-cleaned”. That’s a bit disappointing and could be why it’s in the sale section now. I do wish they would have offered this in the pink as well, like the blazer and pants. I probably would have bought it at full price in that color.

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~ Cuffed Bermuda Short in Linen, Tuscan Olive/Byzantine Copper, size 8 ~

I have been waiting for these shorts FO-EVAH! I bought a pair of Collection Linen Bermuda Shorts almost three Summers ago, on sale (YAY!), and love them. They had been offered in black and white and only the white was in my size. A similar version was offered last Summer in a color similar to the Byzantine Copper below. Those were hideous. The length was well below my knees but not close to gaucho-style or super-cropped pant.

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But these Linen Shorts are exactly what I wanted. I ordered all three colors (they come in Flax too) because I didn’t want to miss out on them. The size 8 is perfect and the 7 1/2 inseam hits above the knee. I was a little hesitant about keeping the Byzantine Copper color but found I have several items in my closet to go with this color. The linen is not heavy or thick but fairly lightweight.

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There are a few differences between the Collection Linen Shorts and the current Cuffed Linen Shorts. First, the Collection Linen Shorts are pleated while the current shorts are not. They have a flat front, which I like a lot more. Second, the Collection shorts are lined, probably because they are white. I have no idea if the black color was lined. Lastly, the current Cuffed Linen Shorts have a cuff while the Collection shorts do not. The pockets are also slightly different with the Cuffed Linen Shorts having an on-seam pocket and the Collection short are placed a little more in front.

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~ Sunday Slim Chino Short, Chrome Green, size 8 ~

The Chrome Green color was really pretty IRL. I don’t have a color like this in my shorts drawer but eventually decided to pass on them since I have way to many casual shorts. The size 8 was a good fit for me, as I like the Sunday Slim shorts to be a little more on the loose side.

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~ Sunday Slim Short in Vintage Plaid, Bohemian Red, size 8 ~

I did not like the color of the Bohemian Red as much as the Patchwork. The red was too bright for me, IRL. Also, this version of the Sunday Slim Short is not chino material and feels a little more snug and not so loose in the size 8. I think I’d have to size to a 10 to get that loose feel I have with my other Sunday Slim shorts.

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It’s not even June and I have already worn the Cuffed Bermuda Shorts in Linen all at least twice. They will all be in rotation heavily all Summer long.

Have you tried the Linen Shorts?

/ Reviews

Pants and a romper are next, with shorts and skirts finishing out the J Crew reviews tomorrow.

~ Gazebo Pant, Navy, size 8 ~

I had ordered the petite size and saw the regular size in-store so I tried them on. I wanted to make sure I picked the right size, whether it was regular or petite. The length in the size 8 is good but not as cropped as I’d like it to be. The waist and hips fit well and I like how the leg just falls straight down from the hip. The wide-leg is a good width and not exaggerated. I love Navy Linen anything and these were really nice and saturated IRL.

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~ Petite Gazebo Pant, Vintage Kelly/Navy, size 8P ~

I was able to order these when there was a 25% off promo. I liked the 8P much better because the cropped length is so much more defined. The pant does pull a little more across the hips at first but does stretch some after a little while. The Vintage Kelly is so gorgeous IRL and I just love the Navy. I missed out on the Market Stripe so I’ll try to get the White on promo next.

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~ Petite Wide-Leg Ponte Pant, Black, size 8P ~

I’ve reviewed these in the Navy Petite and have worn them quite a bit since then. They are my perfect cropped length and so very comfortable. I bought the regular size 6 in black but once the Petite size was available I ordered that as well. They look great but I decided on returning these and keeping the size 6 just so I could have a floor length option of this pant. I will probably pass on the gray, or any other lighter colors that might be offered in the future. Due to the material, darker is better for me.

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~ Drapey V-Neck Romper, Black, Small ~

I was so disappointed last year when this romper sold out so quickly. I couldn’t get it in either color or sizes. As soon as it arrived back online this year I ordered it…and I love it! It’s a bit wrinkly in these pics since I wanted to make sure it fit before ordering another size. This run a bit large so the Small is a great fit. It’s still loose at the waist, doesn’t pull anywhere (shoulders, chest, hips), and has a good inseam. There’s a drawstring at the waist if you want to cinch it a little more, as well as a single button at the back of the neck. The only way in and out of this romper is via the neck. It does open wide enough to step into and pull up. The romper looks really cute with flat sandals and Summer-night dressy with heels.

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I am really happy to see a lot more Linen options at J Crew this season. I have been looking for pants and shorts for quite a while in Linen and have purchased at least one of almost every item.

Have you tried the Gazebo pants yet?