/ Reviews

~ Bow-Shoulder Top in Oversized Gingham, size 8 ~

I liked the look of this top but the fit was odd for me. I don’t know if the bow, which unties, was the reason but the top felt uneven. The only way to get this on was to pull it over your head. The bow does untie so you have a little more room at the opening. It could also be that there’s extra material in the top, to accommodate for the bow. Either way, I wasn’t a fan of the style though I like the print and colors.

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~ Off-the-Shoulder Top in Ratti Happy Cat Print, size 6 ~

I’ve read several reviews of the off-the-shoulder tops from J Crew that they are not staying put so I haven’t tried them. My VPS added this to my room. This should have been called “confetti print”. I don’t see a “happy cat” anywhere on here. But the print itself is fun and would be cute for Summer. It looks ok as a regular top, not off-the-shoulder.

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But the off-the-shoulder is so much more fun. I’m in a size 6 and that fit really well. I passed on this only because I bought one I’ve been wanting for months from another brand. I’ll share that review soon.

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~ Tippi Sweater in Blue-Emerald Gingham, Medium ~

This blue-emerald color of the Gingham Tippi is really pretty IRL. I happened to be wearing an ivory tank that day so it helps hide some of the sheerness of the sweater. I wish this had been in a lightweight cotton instead, as we are now too warm to be wearing thin merino wool. Of all the colors in the Gingham Tippi, I think I liked the Vivid Canary best.

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~ Short-Sleeve Popover in Vintage Plaid, Berry Multi, size 6 ~

I immediately wanted this top when I saw it online. The purples looked so pretty online. When I saw it in-store, the colors were more muted and faded. I prefer the blue in the shirt-dress. This runs big through the body but I can wear both the size 6 and 8. I prefer the fit of the sleeve in the size 8, over the size 6.

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You’ll have to fuss with the shirt a bit to tuck it in and make it look presentable and less sloppy but it does look nice.

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~ Short-Sleeve Popover in White Irish Linen, White, size 8 ~

The linen popover shirts were my favorite of all the popovers. I’ve been searching for some linen tops with short-sleeves for a while. I found one a Zara, in White, a few years ago, and one in Black and Gap last year but I wanted additional colors. This fit like the Vintage Plaid popover and, though this runs big, I do prefer the size 8 over the 6. Go ahead and size down in this one. You will still get the slouchy, casual look that your normal size would create.

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~ Short-Sleeve Popover in Irish Linen, French Blue, size 6 ~

The only real different I felt in the size 6 was the length. It wasn’t cropped but did feel a little shorter than the size 8. The French Blue is a pretty color IRL but I already have 3 various blues in long-sleeve linen.

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~ Short-Sleeve Popover in Irish Linen, Golden Rose/Warm Emerald, size 8 ~

Out of these two colors, I preferred the Warm Emerald over the Golden Rose. These were taken after my vacation so you can see how they both look with a tan.

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~ Short-Sleeve Popover in Candy Stripe, size 6 ~

Again, this fit like the other popovers above but the stripes, yeah, not my taste. I do think you can pull this off with skinny white jeans or a denim skirt. Nothing too wide-leg or flowy on bottom.

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So, as you can see, I liked the popovers and it was just a matter of deciding which print and material I wanted to get. I chose the linen over all of them. You can still take 25% off with SUMMER or 30% off with your J Crew Card and CARDSONLY, through today.

Happy Shopping!

/ Reviews

I’m excited to share these reviews with you. I really liked a lot from the last few roll-outs. The Linen and Plaids have been some of my favorites. I do wish there were a few more fitted shirt styles but I can find those elsewhere.

~ Gallabia Peru Mini Dress, Small ~

The description for this dress stated it was a slim fit but it looked a bit over-sized on the model image. (A quick note, this is in the Beach and Cover-Up section and not the Dresses.) I ordered the Small due to the image and it does fit. The shoulders and arms are good to a little bit, especially in the arms. The arm-length is a bit long for me. If it wasn’t for the elastic band at the end this would extend to the middle of my hand. The body is a bit more fitted, just skimming my chest and hips. Since this is a cover-up the Medium would work better. You don’t want to struggle getting out of a cover-up while at the pool or beach.

The embroidery is beautiful. The front closes with a hook-and-eye at the bottom. Above that are two sets of tassels. Here, I’ve tied the bottom set and left the top undone.

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I tried this on without the belt first and the dress shifted around a bit. The belt did keep it a bit more in-place. You can also see the pockets so this is see-through, again, perfect for a cover-up; not so much for a dress unless you wear nude lingerie under. Overall, I ended up returning this. I didn’t think this was worth $250 price tag.

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~ Classic Short-Sleeve Shirtdress in Gingham, Small ~

These shirt-dresses are my favorite and I’m glad they are offered in different prints and material this year. I was tempted to order the solid black but was happy to see the black-and-white gingham as an option. The Small fits fine and I like how it gives me some shape at the waist. I have the white and navy from last year in a Small and wear them with wedges. That brings the length up some making sitting down very lady-like.

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~ Classic Short-Sleeve Shirtdress in Gingham, Medium ~

The medium was a bit looser through the body but the length was much better. Especially since I’ll continue to wear it with wedges. I don’t have a lot of black clothes in my closet so it’s nice to have this as an option.

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~ Candy-Stripe Dress, Small ~

I was interested in this dress when I saw it online but the fit is definitely TTS. The material is a little thicker cotton than the gingham and solid shirt-dress which may be contributing to the fit issue. I would need a medium in this dress though it would probably be way too big through the waist and hips.

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~ Short-Sleeve Cotton Shirtdress, Coral, Small ~

Here’s the solid coral shirt-dress. You can really see the length and how short it can get with heels or wedges on. The coral is really bright as well but I felt like it blended a little with my skin tone.

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~ Shirtdress in Vintage Plaid, Small ~

Most reviewers really don’t like this shirt-dress but I love it. It does run large and I felt the Small was a really good, to somewhat oversized, fit. I bought this for my trip and wore it several times. The material (cotton) is thin but it worked so well in the heat and humidity I was in. I didn’t find it see-through but what I wear underneath are usually nude and not something bright. I’ve wear this at least once a week. It’s a bit wrinkled here but irons nicely.

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The last shirt-dress is my favorite. I’ll be wearing the Gingham Dress soon, hopefully this weekend.

Which of these shirt-dresses have you tried?

/ Bella Picks

The Summer arrivals at J Crew are some of my favorites. Those are the items I usually wear all Summer and into the Fall, depending on how warm it still is around here. The colors this year seem to be lots of pinks, reds and purples, or at least in my picks below. The flamingo print looks really cute in both the skirt and shirt option. The Ratti Happy Cat Print is really abstract and not what I was expecting. It looks cute on the Off-the-Shoulder Blouse.

J Crew really is loving the popover in both shirts and dresses. My favorite is the Gingham Shirtdress and I plan on wearing it this weekend. The color on the Vintage Plaid popover is more faded than it seems online. I thought I would like the Candy Stripe popover but it’s too “circus” for me. I don’t know how else to explain it.  I really wish that Midi Skirt in Oversized Gingham was just a few inches shorter in the Petite size. At both 27 1/2 or 29 1/2 inches in length both the regular and petite items are too long for me. I’ll still try it on if it’s in my store though.

You can take 25% off your purchase with SUMMER or 30% off if you have a J Crew Card, using code CARDSONLY. There are some restrictions, like the Chambray Off-the-Shoulder Dress or any other off-the-shoulder blouses or dresses. I was able to try several items in-store and have a bunch of reviews starting tomorrow.

Happy Shopping!

/ Bella Picks

J Crew June arrivals are here and they have not disappointed me. In particular is this Gallabia Peru Mini Dress. My little boho heart is beating fast.

The description states it is a slim fit but I don’t see where; maybe through the body? The arms and shoulders look loose enough. I ordered a Small so we will see how it actually fits. There’s also a New York Mini Dress and Striped Oversized Tee. Shopbop also carries the brand. The white blouse is probably my favorite of the three.

I’ll share the rest of my picks from J Crew June as soon as I have my coffee!

/ Bella Picks

I am successfully decompressed and un-jetlagged from my trip. It took me a few days but I’m not walking around like a Zombie any longer. We had an amazing time and I hope you following along on my Instagram! I’ll share thoughts and more pics as soon as I can.

Currently J Crew Factory has a new promo with up to 60% off everything and an additional 20% off when you buy three or more items, using code THISISNICE. BUT!! I did receive an email from GiltCity today that has a J Crew Factory coupon for 30% or 35% off if you spend $135 or more. If you are not a member, join here to get your exclusive coupon code. The limit is one coupon per person.

Here’s what I have in my shopping cart. I like the Polo Dress in Navy and I ordered the Summer Plaid Shorts over the weekend. I have the Pleated Short in Scarlet. It’s a really deep red, not bright with an orange undertone.

I am still wanting the Keating Boy Blazer in the Navy Linen but the Petite size I need is now sold out. And of course, you’ve seen the Orange/Tangerine Shirt is back. I like the pretty little Gingham Shell and would get it in the Bright Red. I would hope it looks more like the online image and not be too red.

The Boy liked his short-sleeve shirts I bought him last year. I will be getting him this and the Linen in Deep Harbor and Royal Blue White..

The GiltCity coupon is good until May 15 and can be used one-time only in-stores or online.

Happy Shopping!