Today, I’m starting with the Factory Metallic Elephant Sweatshirt. When I was shopping around the Factory store I tried to make a simple outfit with items so the reviews were a little more concise. Next time I’ll try to add shoes!

The sizes I am wearing now…
Shirts/Sweatshirts/Sweaters: 8/Medium
Pants/Jeans/Skirts/Shorts: 8/29, preferably short inseam

~ Metallic Elephant Sweatshirt, Medium ~

Despite wearing a Small, at times, in retail sweatshirts, I am consistently a Medium in Factory sweatshirts. This sweatshirt is no different, especially since I layered the Homespun Popover Shirt with it. I ordered this sweatshirt during the Early Access and now know I’ll be happy with it. I didn’t get the retail tee for myself but did for MamaBella. She loves hers. The metallic elephant seems about the same on both the tee and sweatshirt. The fit is true-to-size, especially if you layer. The material isn’t too thick or heavy either. Pretty standard for the Factory.

~ Homespun Popover Shirt, White Plaid, Medium ~

This color is not available online. The material is a light and airy but not gauzy. It’s looking a little big on me in the sleeve length and through the body but the arms and shoulders felt nice. I probably would try a Small if I was going to wear this by itself. But since I would probably layer it, the Medium is fine for me. 

These are the Factory Matchstick Jeans. The “short” inseam equals 31 inches so I’d need to have these hemmed. The fit is ok, but I’ve worn a 30 in the past in the Matchstick Jeans. There is a little stretch to them so they might fit a little more comfortable after a few hours. I’m all set on denim for a while. 
 

I haven’t been to the Factory in a long time. Promos were ranging from 30-40% off – (30% – Shirts, Knits) (40% – Skirts, Winnie Pant) ($10 off Quilted Vests). The sale section was pretty big and an additional 50% off, if I recall. Dresses may have also been 40% off. 
Were you able to see the new Factory items over the weekend? If not, I’ll have a few more reviews coming in the next few days!

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I shared my picks from J Crew Retail yesterday and today I have my Factory picks for the August arrivals.

I ordered the Quilted Wool Puffer Vest and the Metallic Elephant Sweatshirt during the Early Access period. I knew from previous years that 1) the best price for these vest are always during Early Access 2) they are 99% of the time excluded from all promos, including the 50% off ones and 3) this would probably sell out quickly, once people start to see it.

The print of the Pencil Skirt in Basketweave and Floral Piqué Dress is absolutely gorgeous IRL. And I can also tell you that I see no difference in the Printed Pleated Skirt or Pleated Skirt compared to the retail version.

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All these new arrivals are so exciting! And this list is only a part of it. I have so much more I want from the Factory store and you can find the rest of my picks on my Pinterest Board. It also has the rest of my J Crew Retail picks.

I will return this weekend with Fitting Room pics of some Factory items. Then you’ll see why I want so much from there!

Have a Great Day!

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New arrivals showed up yesterday and J Crew and Early Access for Factory happened today. My head was spinning as I looked back and forth between the two sites. Let’s talk J Crew retail new arrivals first. My store has a First Look event tonight but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it this time.

I absolutely LOVE the Marble Print. I don’t think I do light pink very well but this print has a nice mix of color that I think I can pull it off. I wish I was in an office because the No. 2 Pencil Skirt looks beautiful but the Chiffon Dress in Marble Print is probably the most practical of these items. I can’t justify paying $110 for a Poly sleeveless blouse. I see this transitioning to Factory in a more faded color.

Of course the Excursion Vest is always popular and I love the Irish Moss this year. I already have Black from several years ago and Navy from the Factory. And how does that Deep Burgundy color of the Downtown Field Jacket look? I love it! And I might just finally get a Midi Skirt since both the Pesto and Warm Sepia of the Micro-Pleated Midi Skirt are beautiful colors for Fall.

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Lastly, I have no reasons why but I absolutely NEED the Soft Lamé Shirtdress

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I want to see everything I can IRL before I decide on making any purchases. I did buy from the Factory today during Early Access. I’ll share those picks tomorrow.
What are your picks from the August roll-out? 

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Seersucker Tile Print Shirt, Moody Blue, Small ~

This shirt is textured as well as printed and I was worried The Boy wouldn’t like it but he surprised me again. Of the Old Navy and Gap shirts I bought him, he likes this one the most. Again, size Small is TTS for him. 
 
You can see the texture a little better in this pic.

Oversized Palm Print Popover, Blue Surf, Small ~

I didn’t realize it until after it arrived but this shirt is similar to the J Crew Shirt in Jasmin Floral He already has so I’m not sure if he will actually wear it. I’ll give him another week before I return it. 

~ Lived-in Sketch Floral Shirt, Cucumber Peel, Small ~

I liked the colors and small floral print on this one and The Boy said he liked it but we’ll see if he wears it. I’ll give him a couple of weeks before returning it. This one is called Lived-In and is really soft. It was hard to choose which print to get since I liked them all but I chose this green and red floral print to give him a color other than blue. 

The Boy is back off to college in a month and he’s asked for another pair of pants, jeans, and shorts. He says he wants to dress a little better for classes this year. I am happily surprised by this.

Have a Great Day!

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I decided to try introducing The Boy to some short-sleeve button-down shirts to wear instead of tees and polos. I have tried this before, when he was in high-school and he was not a fan of me even suggesting it. But I brought the following three shirts home last month and he was surprisingly receptive to them. His favorite is the first one, the Secret Wash Shirt in Blue Jasmin. He even asked for more shirts like this so I decided to give Old Navy and Gap a try.

~ Slim-Fit Linen Blend Shirt, Bluetification, Small ~

The Boy is very slim and is a Small in shirts. This specific shirt is a slim-fit and fits him just fine. You can see how the shirt slightly tapers in a bit just below the chest. He said the shirt fit him well and felt comfortable on, not too itchy. 
 

~ Regular Fit Linen Blend Shirt, Midnight River, Small ~

The color on this is a true Navy though I captured the color badly. This regular fit shirt also comes in Just So Cerulean – a baby blue – and White. This one is a little more roomy but still fits TTS. 

These linen-blend shirts have washed and dried well in the machine already.  He’s been adverse to wearing linen shirts in the past, especially when we traveled to Italy but it seems he’s gotten over that and likes both of these. He even specially asked for me to iron/steam the solid one so he could wear it to work. That took me completely by surprise but I’m glad he has decided to step up his dressing game.

I’ll have the GAP shirts review later this evening. I think he’s humoring me with those since I went a little overboard with the prints.

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