/ Reviews

I was able to get to the store on Tuesday so I have a few newer items to reviews for you. One major thing to note if you are shopping online. Ebates is currently offering 10% back at J.Crew. If you access the coupon from the Ebates app, you will receive 11% cash back. Sign up here if you don’t use Ebates yet. Ebates also has in-store cash back at many stores you probably already shop at, like Banana Republic, Macy’s, Ann Taylor, and J.Crew Factory. J.Crew is not included yet.

~ Blackwatch Anchor Tee, Small ~
~ Pintucked Pencil Skirt in Lace, Emerald Pool, size 8 ~

I originally did not find a Medium in the tee so I tried on a Small. I definitely feel more comfortable in the Medium, which I found when I left the dressing room. I plan on being very festive this season, if you haven’t noticed by my purchases.

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~ Pintucked Pencil Skirt in Lace, Emerald Pool, size 8 ~

The green lace is really pretty and the pintucks don’t add any bulk, keeping the the pencil silhouette. The hem is scalloped and the length is 27-inches long. The shorter length Petite sizes are almost all sold out as are the Tall sizes. I do like the color and don’t mind the length. I definitely always wear heels with this skirt, which runs TTS. Don’t forget the Factory Lace Skirt if you want a shorter length (and it’s 60% off).

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~ Festive Plaid Button-Up Shirt, size 10 ~
~ Mini Skirt in Double-Serge Wool, Dark Poppy, size 8 ~

Another Festive Plaid item, in case you’re looking for a lighter option that the Stewart Plaid. I’m sizing up to a 10 in button-down shirts right now. The fit issues for me are the upper arms. I’m hoping I can get back to a size 8 in the next year. I can see myself wearing this after the holidays. I like the Factory Perfect Fit shirt a little more.

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~ Mini Skirt in Double-Serge Wool, Dark Poppy, size 8 ~

I grabbed a size 8 despite my gut feeling telling me to get a size 10. The size 8 fits but I want to move a little more. The size 8 is sitting at my waist and I also want it to be a little lower. Don’t bend over in this skirt either. The Dark Poppy color is pretty bright but a nice red even so. I say “booooo” to the exposed zipper. That needs to go!

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~ Lightweight Wool Cardigan Sweater in Zebra Print, Medium ~
~ Taffeta Skirt in Stewart Plaid, size 8 ~

This is a really cute sweater and it seems December will be Zebra month. There are several zebra items to choose from including this tee, Tippi, leggings and popover. And don’t forget the mini skirt at the Factory Store. I just don’t know if I care for the zebras dancing across the girls. This runs TTS. I’ve shared a pick below of what the inside of the sweater looks like where the zebras are stitched.

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~ Taffeta Skirt in Stewart Plaid, size 8 ~

I pre-ordered this skirt last week knowing it would probably sell out in my size. I ordered a size 10 due to the straight portion of the top of the skirt. I though it might be too snug in the 8. I did find this in my store and there was only a size 8 & 10 left, for the sizes I might wear. There were plenty of smaller sizes but I have a feeling this will sell out by the weekend. The size 8 fit me well and I couldn’t tell any major difference between that and the size 10. The skirt is over-whelmingly full. I think someone should be taller to wear this skirt, to balance out the fullness. I still debated on whether or not to get the size 8 but I have this old-school-Crew skirt that is just as fun with tons of colors to choose from.

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I slipped the skirt off and saw this on the floor. It reminded me of the SATC scene where Carrie is in Paris, sitting on either the floor or bed with her big tulled dress. All dressed up and no where to go. I believe J.Crew when they said this is 7 feet of material.

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I bought the Blackwatch Anchor Tee and think it will be fun to wear over the next few weeks. I’m a little disappointed about the Taffeta Skirt. I wish it had been in a different silhouette; something more flattering for everyone.

Don’t forget to shop with Ebates!

Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

/ Reviews

J.Crew has a great promo to go with the latest new arrivals. From now through Sunday, you can take 40% off your purchase using code HOLIDAY. This promo is good on almost everything, in stores and online. I plan on going to the store today so I hope I see a few more of these arrivals there.

~ Lace Peplum Top, Faded Teak, size 8 ~
~ Silk Twill Pants in Wolfstooth, size 8 ~

The size 8 of the Lace Peplum Top fit me well, so TTS, but I did not like where the line of the peplum hit. It’s at the waist and looks really unflattering on me. It could also be the color. The black might look a lot better on me. I would also wear a cardigan over this so that might also help with the look of it.

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~ Silk Twill Pants in Wolfstooth, size 8 ~

Even though the pants are multi-colored I would still consider them a neutral. You can pretty much wear any top with these silk-twill pants. I don’t recall these being lined, which is not an issue for me in the South. I actually like the elastic waistband though you can see the pants bunch right below the waistline. The size 8 felt TTS for me, especially in this material. This material always gives me this fear of swishing when I walk a la George Costanza in his suit pants.

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~ Bow-Shoulder Top in Festive Plaid, size 8 ~
~ Rayner Trouser, size 28 ~

So I didn’t really like the Gingham Bow-Shoulder Top but it must be that I’m ready for the Holidays since I really love this Festive Plaid version. This fits TTS and a pull-over style. I would certainly add a cardigan over it but I don’t know if I like it more than the other plaid tops I’ve purchased recently. I think the others I have fit better and look better on me than this bow-shoulder top. It’s a great deal with the 40% off.

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~ Rayner Trouser, size 28 ~

This is only the second pair of the Rayner style pants and jeans that my store has received. I really wanted the wide-leg jeans that were full-length on me but I’m not sure these work. The size 29 was sold out so I grabbed the 28s. They fit well considering I am in a size down from my normal size. The length hits just below the ankle but not all the way to the floor. I think it fits ok but it’s the higher rise that seems to look odd on me. I know it would probably be covered up but there are other jeans out there that would work a lot better than these on me.

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~ Marled Italian Wool Blend Turtleneck Sweater, Marled Cherry, Small ~
~ Party PJ Pant, size 6 ~

This is such an over-sized sweater and I love the cherry red color. The turtleneck wasn’t tight at all and this fit well in the Small. This has a dropped-shoulder seam and is a longer length, perfect for wearing with leggings. As reviewers have stated online, the seaming at the drop-shoulder bunches and seems thicker. It doesn’t want to lay flat and is going to be noticeable. Still, this cherry color is really pretty.

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~ Party PJ Pant, size 6 ~

I saw the elastic waist on these pants and thought I could try a size 6. I was right and though the waistband stretches a little more that it probably should, the pants fit really well on me. I love the pajama-pant look and don’t mind that they are not cropped on me. I already have a gray wool pant with a tux-stripe so I am passing on these.

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I also tried the Cropped Maddie Pant in Blackwatch and found those to run really small. I tried an 8 and the pants were tight all over. I would need to size up to at least a 10 in those.

I couldn’t pass up this promo and ordered these snakeskin shoes, these Santa socks, and this festive skirt. I have the same Santa socks from last year but they are red. I paid full-price for them last year so I couldn’t pass them up this year, with the HOLIDAY promo. The shoes were low-stock and I’ve been pining after them for weeks. I do wish they had been offered in other colors or patterns other than the snakeskin and plaid. The skirt is shown with this Thomas Mason shirt. You can easily recreate it with a white shirt and velvet ribbon tied at a few of the shirt buttons.

Are you going to knock out your Christmas shopping with this HOLIDAY promo?

/ Reviews

J.Crew Factory now has 50% off gift list items for women, men, boys and girls, online, prices as marked. But, if you go in to the actual B&M Factory or Mercantile store, everything is 50% off, not just select items. There are no exclusions. AND…if you are signed up for JCF emails you should have received a coupon for 20% off your purchase of $100 or more. All offers are good through Sunday, though I do think the 50% off all items will be extended through Black Friday, like it was last year.

A quick little update on the cute little Embroidered Sweater. A commenter was correct in stating they were Snow Otters and I found the sweater online, with all sizes in stock, style #F8776.

~ Perfect Fit Plaid Classic Button-Down Shirt, Small ~
~ Lace Pencil Skirt, size 8 ~
~ Esme Jeweled Kitten Heels, size 7 ~

I really liked the Christmas plaid of this shirt. There were only two XXS, a Small and an XL left in the store I was in. I did have a chance to stop by the Factory store and found a few more sizes in stock, though not a Medium, which I would prefer. I can fit into the Small and will just have to wear a non-padded or lined bra to combat the gaping below that center button. I can fit into a Small in button-down shirts from the Factory but feel more comfortable in a Medium.

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~ Lace Pencil Skirt, size 8 ~

I really loved the fit of this lace pencil skirt. I have plenty of skirts I don’t wear but I also liked the look of it with the Plaid shirt. I have a Holiday event or party every weekend in December, some are with the same people, so I do need a few different options of my casual style for them.

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~ Short-Sleeve Printed Dress, size 8 ~
~ Esme Jeweled Kitten Heels, size 7 ~

This dress is on Crew Clearance/Final Sale and would be a great work dress. The material is Poly and this does have a little ponte feel to it. The size 8 fit me very well so this is TTS.

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~ Striped Jacquard Dress, size 10 ~
~ Esme Jeweled Kitten Heels, size 7 ~

I loved this dress. I am still considering it to have for an event in February but this is a great Holiday party, LBD-ish, or New Year’s Eve dress. The silhouette is the same as the Peacock Jacquard and the Metallic Dot dress. I am currently needing to size up in this fit-and-flare style so I feel more comfortable in the size 10. I do think it runs TTS though. And you can see it has pockets. Any one of the three dresses will be perfect for the Holidays, New Year’s and after.

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~ Slim Plaid Flannel Shirt, Black, Small ~
~ Sequin Herringbone Pencil Skirt, size 8 ~

I found this shirt in the Men’s section. I usually wear a Small in the button-downs. I loved the coziness of the flannel and the tartan plaid. The colors are a lot more saturated than the women’s Factory and Retail versions.

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~ Sequin Herringbone Pencil Skirt, size 8 ~

This wasn’t at the Mercantile store. I found this at the Factory store. It’s another option for the Holidays and fits TTS. Sizes in store were limited but online all sizes are stocked.

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~ Esme Jeweled Kitten Heels, size 7 ~

I wanted to try everything on with a pair of heels and these were the only ones I could find in my small Mercantile store. They are really nice considering they are Factory. The upper is suede and the sole is man-made. The heel is a manageable 2 1/4. The jewels at the front dress them up. There’s a little gap at the heel for me in the 7 but I still think they fit TTS.

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And here are a few things I’d get from the Whoa Gift List.


Are you shopping J.Crew Factory for you gifts? I have already bought a few things for me but really need to focus on my actual gift list.

Next week I’ll have reviews from J.Crew.

Happy Shopping!

/ Reviews

J.Crew Factory is having a Flash sale for today only. Prices are marked 50% off and you can also get Free Shipping with your order with code WHOAGIFTLIST.

~ Metallic Fair Isle Sweater, Medium ~
~ Flannel Skirt, Camel, size 8 ~
~ Esme Jeweled Kitten Heels, size 7 ~

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~ Metallic Fair Isle Sweater, Medium ~

I think the retail version of this sweater was red. I like the color of the Factory version a lot better and the metallic threading is a nice embellished touch. This sweater ran big on me in the medium, from the upper arms, to the length of the body and sleeves. There’s plenty of room to layer another shirt under without adding any visual bulk so I’m not sure I would size to a Small. But, I do think you’ll get a better fit overall by sizing down one.

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~ Flannel Skirt, Camel, size 8 ~

Another item I thought ran big. The waist is sitting on my hips and still pretty loose. And this is a true wrap skirt instead of a faux wrap. There are large snap buttons on the right and and left of the skirt waist along with the tie. The length is hitting just above the knee on me. I think because of my hips and butt I would stick with the size 8 but I feel you could size down in this skirt. This comes in a Dusty Port and a Charcoal Check as well.

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~ Embroidered Beaver Sweater, Small (Fox Sweater) ~
~ Animal Jacquard Mini Skirt, size 8 ~
~ Esme Jeweled Kitten Heels, size 7 ~

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~ Embroidered Sweater, Small (Fox Sweater) ~

I never saw this sweater online and can’t find it anywhere. It’s really cute and they look like beavers but could be seals. What do you think? The outline of the critters is embroidered and the little nose/mouth is a little puff. This is a Small and I could have really used a Medium but there were very few left. And unfortunately, I didn’t take a picture of the tag. I have no idea what the Style number is.

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~ Animal Jacquard Mini Skirt, size 8 ~

This skirt is last years Elephant Parade Skirt. I like the zebras and the black and silver color combo ensure multiple outfit choices. The size 8 ran TTS and the skirt is fully lined.

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~ Plaid Ruffle Shirt, Medium ~
~ Faux Leather Skirt, Black, size 8 ~
~ Esme Jeweled Kitten Heels, size 7 ~

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~ Plaid Ruffle Shirt, Medium ~

I really don’t recall this at the retail store last year but it could have sold so fast that I missed it. I love the ruffle at the neck and button placket. It will give some interest if you layer this under a sweater or blazer. The Medium fit fine though I think I might have been able to wear a Petite Medium. The Tartan Red is very festive. It also comes in solid white and black.

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~ Faux Leather Skirt, Black, size 8 ~

I prefer the retail Faux Leather Skirt over the Factory only because of the quality. The Factory skirt is a thinner material so the pleats spread out more and you don’t see the pleating definition at the top. This also runs a little smaller and I could have used a size 10 instead. Though it’s a mini skirt it doesn’t hit me too far above the knee.

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Prices are marked 50% off today so no code is needed for the purchase but you will need to use WHOAGIFTLIST for the free shipping.

What do you think of the Plaid Ruffle Shirt? I bought it and will make a few outfits with it to see if I’ll keep it or not.

/ Reviews

Plaid, plaid, plaid…it feels like that’s all I tried on. I did try to make outfits with everything I tried on so let’s get started.

~ Patterned Schoolboy Blazer, Navy/Red/Green, size 8 ~
~ Floral Lace Shirt, Belvedere Red, size 8 ~
~ Shadow Wash High-Rise Skinny Jeans, size 30 ~
~ Esme Jeweled Kitten Heels, size 7 ~

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~ Patterned Schoolboy Blazer, Navy/Red/Green, size 8 ~

I like the colors on this blazer but can you really get away with wearing it after Christmas? I know there’s navy in this pattern but the green and red and so pronounced I think it’s only a 45-60 day use time. It does come in Tan/Maroon/Black. It does not come in Petite so I would stick with the size 8. I don’t normally button my blazers and prefer to leave them open. There are matching Skimmer Pants.

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~ Floral Lace Shirt, Belvedere Red, size 8 ~

I can’t recall if there was a retail shirt like this. I know there was a dress and the ivory had contrasting lace at the shoulders. I liked this top as a great layer under a blazer or cardigan though you’ll be hiding the lace shoulders. The green is olive and this also comes in black. Red it great for the season. My normal size 8 fit best.

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~ Shadow Wash High-Rise Skinny Jeans, size 30 ~

These fit fine in the size 30. There’s a lot of stretch in them so I am pretty sure I could go with my normal size 29. They are really long and had a lot of bunching at the ankles.

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~ Printed Quilted Puffer Vest, Blackwatch, Small ~
~ Deer Lights Collector Tee, Medium ~
~ Skimmer Pant in Plaid, Blackwatch, size 8 ~
~ Esme Jeweled Kitten Heels, size 7 ~

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~ Printed Quilted Puffer Vest, Blackwatch, Small ~

This fits like all the other puffer vests. I always take a Small. I usually prefer the solid colors as well as the Factory version of the puffer vests. I don’t like the gold buttons on the pocket of the retail puffer vest. But if you’re wanting something other than the solid I like this as well as the Polka Dot vest.

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~ Deer Lights Collector Tee, Medium ~

Cute little tee that fits TTS though the deer does look a little angry to me, despite the festive lights on his rack and fair isle scarf around his neck. This was popular since my Mercantile store had just a few of these left in stock.

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~ Llama Parade Collector Tee, Medium ~

These llamas are so cute! I ended up getting this tee over the Deer Lights Tee. I just couldn’t pass up these festive llamas.

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~ Skimmer Pant in Plaid, Blackwatch, size 8 ~

These blackwatch plaid skimmer pants are around every year. I usually pass on them because they never fit right. I definitely need a size 10 this year but would love to see these in Petite sizing next year. Maybe then I’ll get them.

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My J.Crew Mercantile store is much smaller than the Factory store I am used to but is a lot closer. On this visit I reconnected with an old J.Crew retail SA who had been gone for a few years. It was nice to have a little attention at the store this time, especially when I was in the fitting room.

Happy Shopping!