/ Reviews

On to some reviews of the latest J Crew roll-out. I’m starting with my unexpected and favorite item, the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant.

~ Linen V-Neck Tee, Bright Butternut, Small ~
~ Ponte Wide-Leg Pant, Navy, size 6 ~
~ Dulci Suede Kitten Heels, Black, size 6 1/2 ~

I sized down to a Small in the tee and it’s still somewhat slouchy on me. The Bright Butternut color was very saturated and bright. A nice color to wear for Spring under a Navy or White blazer. They were just to try on with the pant but The Dulci Suede Kitten Heels fit a half size small. My normal shoe size is a 7 but I did feel more comfortable in the 6 1/2.

JC_Ponte_LinenTee

~ Ponte Wide-Leg Pant, Navy, size 6 ~

This pant was just so amazing. I felt great in them. They felt great on. I’m in a size 6, one size down from my normal 8 pant size. The Navy is nice and dark. The side-zip only has a little poking out, as you can see. I lightened up the first photo so you can see how they really fit on me. I honestly don’t even think Spanx are needed with these pants. The ponte is thick enough to hold you in all on their own. They are supposed to be a bit cropped but, for me, the length is perfect, with or without a heel.

JC_PonteHeels

Normal pic, un-lightened…you can see these will also be good with flats. If you do tuck in your shirt be sure it’s as flat and as smooth as can be. There will be some lines showing. I personally think leaving the shirt untucked or a very loose tuck will be good for these pants.

JC_PonteWideLeg

~ Perfect Shirt in Embroidered Dot, size 8 ~
~ Teddie Pant, Navy, size 6 ~

The Teddie Pants were just ok for me. Of course, I tried them on after the Ponte Wide-Leg pants but I wasn’t all that impressed with them when they first rolled out. I also don’t have a need for pants like this. They’ll just sit in my closet. You’ll see they are not cropped on me (5’2″) and the size 6 fit fine. I could probably size to an 8 Petite for a little more comfort in the waist and thighs but overall the 6 was ok.

JC_EmbroidredShirt_Teddie

JC_Teddie

The Embroidered Dot shirt was nice and interesting. Not enough to buy it because I have an Ann Taylor one but this one was nice. The size 8 fit me TTS. The white dots have tiny holes in the center while the blue dots have white embroidery in the center. The shirt does seem a little thin and if you look at it in closer detail on the product image you can see the blue embroidered dot on the back of the shirt. This is one shirt I would consider wearing with the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant un-tucked or maybe a half-tuck. Is that still a thing?

JC_EmbroideredShirt

~ Chambray Scalloped Top with Grommets, size 6 ~
~ Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean, Bergen Wash, size 30 ~

JC_Grommet_Billie

I skimmed right by this when I saw it online during the initial roll-out but my store had it. I accidentally grabbed a size 6 and it just fits. The 8 would be more comfortable across the chest. I know it says “grommets” in the name but wasn’t really expecting them. I figured the holes at the bottom were embroidered. So, if you wear this traveling, you may get an extra pat-down going through security.

JC_GrommetShell

I had no expectation that my store would receive the Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean. But they were available in two colors. Unsure of how they fit, I grabbed a size 30 because I knew it would be at least roomy if they were too big or fit just right if they ran small. The size 30 fit fine in the length (not cropped), and in the thighs and waist. The front was a little saggy and would probably worsen with wear. I really liked the high-rise on this, hitting just above my belly-button.

JC_Billie_30

~ Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean, Surrey Wash, size 29 ~

There was not a size 29 in the Bergen Wash so the SA brought me that size in the Surrey Wash. The bagginess in front was a non-issue but I think with the lighter wash, I didn’t care for the high-rise look as much. The length was just slightly shorter than the 30. I can only assume the 30 Petite would be the best fit for me but since there are so many jean options I’m not going to settle. These are a pass for me, even on sale.

JC_BillieBootCrop_29

Out of all of these, the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant are my absolute favorite! I’ll share soon several ways to style them.

Tomorrow is Gingham Day!

/ Reviews

We’ve booked our trip and I’m really excited about it. Most of it will be in sunny places so I started looking for a few sandals to try and take with me. I have my Birkenstocks that I’ll be taking with me but I also wanted another versatile pair or two that can go with shorts, a swimsuit or a casual dress. Enter some cute, casual sandals from TOMS.

~ Isabella Sandals, size 7 ~

The Isabella fits TTS in length but if you have a larger instep area like mine then the band cutting across will be tight. I wiggled my foot into both sandals but I don’t feel that part will stretch enough to be comfortable. I’d rather keep looking for something better.

IMG_1389

IMG_1390

The quality of the leather is really good though the sandal is completely flat with no heel or arch support. The footbed is cushioned and also leather. They also come in black. Sadly, I had to return these.

IMG_1391

~ Solana Flip-Flops, size 7 ~

I love the colorful straps on the Solana. They will go with a lot. They fit TTs and have a cushioned foot-bed and arch support. They are just so cute and they’ll definitely be going on my trip with me.

IMG_1394

IMG_1395

These sandals also come in Cork and Braided Trim.

IMG_1396

It’s so hard when planning a vacation to not buy a whole new wardrobe. I’ll be sharing thoughts on what I’ve purchased already and what I still need.

Happy Shopping!

/ Reviews

I haven’t even shared my picks from the last J Crew roll-out and another, with lots and lots of Gingham, has arrived today. The only item I ordered from the last roll-out was the Midnight Floral Necklace. It looked so pretty online I knew I had to see it in person. I waited for a promo code before ordering.

JC_MidnightFloralNecklace

The stones are stunning in Navy Blue and the additional clusters of flowers and cascading stones add to the statement style of this necklace. It will go with everything adding a little more oomph to your outfit.

JC_MidnightFloralNecklace_1

But, I have to agree with the 3-star review it received. The quality is lacking. I couldn’t put my finger on it until I wore a Factory necklace I have. The “noise” of this necklace sounds cheap and plastic, a little like Factory jewelry. The brass sounds hollow, or maybe not even brass at all. It is a little lighter than I expected, probably due to the lesser quality materials used.

JC_MidnightFloralNecklace_2

It’s so disappointing and I’m on the fence about keeping it. I would love to but knowing the materials sound like they were skimped on, even if only to my ears, will bother me when I wear it. It’s certainly a piece you could find at Bauble Bar for less than $100. I’d probably rather buy an ebay or Etsy knock-off knowing I am getting what I paid for. This is not worth the $150 or the 25% off I used.

There are also matching earrings. These are currently 25% off with promo code SHOPNOW. I don’t wear earrings and if they sound like the necklace I know I’ll get annoyed hearing the cheapness so close to my ears.

Has anyone tried this necklace? Please tell me what you think of it.

/ Reviews

I went to the Factory store to exchange the Denim Trousers and, though pressed for time (I was with Husband), try some things on.

~ Striped Knit Dress, Small ~

Just your standard striped knit dress but it does run big. The Small fit me best. I was swallowed up in the Medium though it gave me a touch more length. Husband and I are planning a trip and dresses like this are easy to wear and comfortable for flights. I would add a scarf and leggings for the flight. A maxi dress like the Racerback Maxi is another great, comfortable option for travel. That one is also easier to layer with a cardigan and blazer, if needed.

JCF_KnitStripeDress

~ Embellished Sheath Dress, size 8 ~

I was at a family wedding last weekend and wore a Tory Burch Dress. If I had been looking for a dress I would have bought the Embellished Sheath Dress in a heartbeat. I was a little leery about the embellishment at the neckline and how cheap it would look but it looks well done. The material is cotton/basketweave and the size 8 was a great fit. The Navy and White stripe is perfect for Spring and Summer and could double as a work dress, with a built-in necklace.

JCF_EbellishedStripeDress

~ Keating Boy Blazer in Linen, Navy, size 8 ~
~ Printed Drapey Sleeveless Popover, 10 Petite ~
~ Denim Trouser, size 6 ~

My original goal was to find and try on the Denim Trouser in a size 6. They fit much better than the size 8 and I know they will stretch when wearing so I did exchange them. Now to get them to the tailor to hem them up.

JCF_TrouserJean_Outfit

~ Keating Boy Blazer in Linen, Navy, size 8 ~

I’m trying very hard to be thoughtful in my purchases this year but the Keating Boy Blazer in Linen made it really hard for me during my store visit. I have a Cotton Navy Blazer as well as a Tipped Linen Blazer in Navy but I was in love with this one instantly. I miss the retail Schoolboy Blazer and this is the factory duplicate. I hate the Regent Blazer, with it’s one-button and permanent popped collar. The Rhodes is okay but the buttons are so cheap looking. I’d rather have the buttons that are on this Factory Blazer.

JCF_KeatingBlazer

Anyway, the size 8 fit well in this, though a little long in the arms. I almost always roll my sleeves so the length isn’t a problem. It does come in Petite sizing but only the White is available.

JCF_LinenKeating

~ Printed Drapey Sleeveless Popover, 10 Petite ~

My store brought in Petite sizing and I thought I had grabbed the 8 Petite in this blouse. It wasn’t until I took a picture of the tag that I realized why the “8 Petite” fit so loose. The 10 Petite actually fit good to a little loose. I would probably just stick with my normal size 8. This seems to fit TTS compared to it’s retail counterpart, where I can wear a 6 comfortably. I wasn’t a fan of the print and the purple-blue background.

JCF_PetiteSleevelessBlouse

~ Basketweave Pencil Skirt, Navy Dot, size 6 ~

Pencil skirts are something I rarely wear anymore since I’m not going to an office daily. I have whittled my collection down to a prized few but this dotted skirt is on my wishlist. I immediately imagined stripes on top, like my Midweight Boatneck Tee in Cherry. I’m still fitting into a size 6 in the Factory pencil skirts so they are still TTS.

JC_DotPencilSkirt

~ Petite Basketweave Pencil Skirt, Navy Dot, size 8 Petite ~

I had to compare the Petite size and I loved it even more. The length hits me just above the knee, which is where I prefer it. On the rack this looked like a mini skirt, so if you see this in-store, just know it’s a Petite size.

JCF_PetiteDotPencilSkirt

I regret not getting the Basketweave Pencil Skirt when I was in-store but it’s and additional 30% off today with code PICKLED.

Have you shopped the Factory recently?


/ Reviews

Sorry for the unexpected break. I hit a bit of a wall as far as blogging and retail in February is always a bit un-inspiring for me. Retailers are trying to rush us out of Winter and into Spring and I’m not done wearing my Cashmere. Husband and I were busy doing a bit of redecorating, painting and overall house cleaning. I have been shopping at Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Pottery Barn Outlet instead of my normal clothing stores. I can’t wait to share our “deal of the year” we found at the outlet! I also have some pics of fitting room try-ons from a few weeks ago so I will share those over the next few days.

~ Maeve Cantua Peplum Top, Red, size 8 ~

This reminded me, if only in color, of the HD in Paris Cabana Peplum Top. The stripes on this one are variated and the red and white stripes are saturated in different panels. The size 8 was snug across the chest for me and under the arms cut a little into the skin. I think I would need to size to a 10 Petite for this to fit comfortably. In my pics it looks like the Cantua Peplum Top is cropped but it did hit below the waistline of the Maeve Shorebird Pencil Skirt. The material felt like a sturdy cotton, almost denim-like.

Anthro_MaevePeplumTop

~ Maeve Shorebird Pencil Skirt, size 8 ~

Oh, I loved this pencil skirt. The bottom panel is a nice touch, giving the birds some water but it would have probably been just as nice without it. The size 8 fit me just fine though the length measures 27 inches and hits me at the top of the calf. I think I could fit into the 8 Petite and bring the length up some. The waist is sitting higher on me than probably intended but I don’t mind as it brings the length up.

Anthro_SeagullPencilSkirt

Anthro_SeagullSkirt

I would probably wear the AG Stevie Cuffed Jean to go with the Cantua Peplum Top and the Campanula Peplum Top or the Eyelet Sleeveless Blouse to pair with the Shorebird Pencil Skirt.

Anthro_SeagullSkirt_outfit

~ Akemi + Kim Walking Tour Tee, Navy, Medium ~
~ Leifsdottir Regatta Skirt, size 8 ~

This tee was sitting on the table with the skirt so I grabbed it as an easy try-on with it. The tee is comfortable and the Medium fits fine but you can certainly find a similar tee anywhere, from your favorite brand.

The skirt is what really caught my eye when I walked in the door. It’s very Mod with a cute little, for-looks-only, criss-cross ribbon in the back and sailor-style buttons in front. This is a mini skirt and hit be about two inches above the knee. The material is a poly-blend, reminiscent of the poly texture used back in 60s fashion.

Anthro_LeifsdottireSkirt_outfit

Anthro_LeifsdottirSkirt_Detail

~ Maeve Wynwood Buttondown, White, size 8 ~

The blouse is something Maeve does every season. This is cute in the umbrella print but was a little tight in the arms. Usually the 8 in this style fits me just fine so I may have had a mis-sized item.

Anthro_MaeveBlouse_White

~ Holding Horses Pieced Denim Skirt, size 8 ~

I knew this skirt would be long on me since it is supposed to be midi-length but the waist was pretty tight too. Though I’ve gained some weight, it’s in different areas and a little in my belly but I’m still fitting into my normal sizes. I would still say this runs small in the waist. I have found that Holding Horses tends to run a little small on me so I usually avoid their items. The skirt is an a-line shape and the denim is mid-weight.

Anthro_DenimMidi

Anthro_DenimMidi_outfit

I hope you all had a good February and get a good start to March.

Have a Great Day!