/ Bella Picks

J Crew Factory only does this 50% off everything (well 99%) just a few times a year. It’s a great promo to take advantage of, especially on the Puffer Vests now $49-54! And there’s no code needed!

It’s so hard to choose which items I want. There are so many! I really really want the Sherpa Lined Utility Vest. Like really really want! And I hadn’t noticed the Pleated Wool Skirt either.
I reviewed the Suede Sawyer Booties. As a Doxie owner I also bought the Intarsia Wrap Around Dachshund Sweater. And I own the Leather Pocket Tee Dress that was originally done by Madewell last year, getting a size Small. I haven’t tried the Factory version. I have a lot more picks so go check out my Pinterest Board!

What are you contemplating from this sale?

/ Reviews

One more outfit review today from J Crew.

~ Silk Drapey V-Neck Blouse, Dusty Petal, size 8 ~

I’ve been wearing a lot of silk blouses, mostly sleeveless lately, even with the weather so hot. That or cotton but basically any natural fibers. I will be carrying that into the Fall and was hoping this blouse would work too.

The size 8 fit fine, especially in the shoulders and upper arms. It’s a little long in the sleeves. I would consider ordering an 8 Petite to see if that helped with sleeves as well as drape a little better. The little pleat at the neckline is to help with the draping. The material is 100% Silk Crepe de Chin and feels nice against the skin.

I do like the blouse but not in this color, at least against my skin tone. The pink needs to be a little bit darker for me. I rarely wear solid blush pink though I think it looks great with gray. I think I’ll like it better in Navy or Black. It comes in Ivory too.

I mentioned in this post how much I love this Watercolor Floral print. I think it’s because the background is mostly lilac and then has all these other colors, that I would have never thought to put with lilac, splashed around. The online image of this skirt seems to showcase the light aqua blue more than the lilac and that’s the case IRL too.
I was surprised at how well the skirt fit in the size 6. I have other colors in the original version in size 8. I recommend sizing down in this skirt.
 

The length, at 18 inches, hits me just above the knee. This skirt is a slightly different version of the Pleated Lattice Skirt, adding two tiers. In theory, you would think the tiers would add bulk but because the pleats are so thin, the tiers mostly flat, slimming the whole skirt. Like all the other pleated skirts of this type, the material is Polyester.

 

I tried to find a top that would compliment the skirt and should have chosen the Navy blouse instead of the Dusty Petal. Also, does anyone remember when the stores used to steam out the wrinkles of the clothes on the floor, especially the nicer ones, i.e. Silk? I think, even if I had liked this color on me I wouldn’t buy it as, at first glance/try-on, it doesn’t look flattering at all because of the wrinkles.

 

Overall, I like both of these pieces and added the Silk Drapey V-Neck Blouse to my wishlist.

/ Reviews

I tried to create outfits for the reviews today but think I missed the mark on the right tops for these skirts. Let’s see how everything looks anyway.

~ Micropleated Midi Skirt, Navy, size 6 ~

It nice to see the newly named Lattice Skirt in midi length. I knew the length wouldn’t work for me but the colors offered for Fall are gorgeous. Fingers crossed they bring those colors to the Factory in the shorter length next year.

The size 6 fit very well. It even left some comfortable room to tuck in shirts. The length is about 3 inches below my knee and too long for my style. The pleats are the same as the Pleated Lattice Skirt which is nice because I wasn’t a big fan of the Stitched-Down Pleated Mini Skirt. My store only carried the Navy when I was there a few weeks ago so I wasn’t able to see the Pesto or Warm Sepia. Can anyone comment on how saturated those colors are compared to the online images?

 
~ Tailored Popover Shirt in Stripe, size 6 (now on sale) ~

This was selling out and there was a size 6 and then a 12. I chose the size 6 knowing it would be tight. From the fit, I can tell I need my normal size 8. The size 6 is very snug in the arms and pulls on the sides of the chest.

I’m not sure how “tailored” this shirt really is as it is pretty boxy and loose, especially from the chest down. This also means if I size to an 8 it will be really loose from the chest down. They missed the mark on this one. At least darts should have been added, if they weren’t going to cut the material with a slightly defined waist.

~ Zip-Front Pencil Skirt in Sparkle Tweed, size 6 ~

I don’t like my pencil skirts to be loose on me. I would prefer they fit as close to the body as possible and I can then do a little Spanx-ing to accommodate the bulges and imperfections. I bought a size 8 pencil skirt in wool once and when I wore it the zipper wound up in front instead of the back. That’s why I usually try on a size 6 in pencil skirts and buy a 6 if an 8 Petite is not available. I find a pencil skirt is one of the most flattering styles than anyone can wear. Sadly, I rarely wear them. I just don’t have a work-need to wear them. So I’ve whittled them down and only have a few now; my most favorite ones and all J Crew.
This skirt is metallic and tweedy and has a front zipper you can keep fully zipped or un-zippped at the bottom to show a little more leg, my preference. I can see this being an option for an upcoming event or Holiday party. The size 6 is a good fit but the length, at 25 inches, is a little long for my style. Good thing this also comes in Petite sizing! I would buy an 8 Petite to shorten the length.
Where the zipper starts at the bottom is actually my preferred skirt length, just above the knee.

~ Cap-Sleeve Floral Lace Top, Bright Ocean, size 6 (now on sale) ~

I’ve been wavering back-and-forth on this top as to whether I like this top or not. The size 6 fit fine, though it does look like it’s pulling across the chest a little. The blouse doesn’t have a lining and is completely see-through so a Cami will be needed. The Bright Ocean color is nice and saturated but I think I would get this in Navy Black instead. There’s a little button at the top of the neckline if you want to fully close it. The lace is nice. It’s sturdy and not delicate. It’s made of Poly and states to hand-wash. Meh…
I think I’m bothered by the boxy fit. I tried tucking this in and it makes me look like I have a really short torso, when I’m really pretty average. I don’t think this top can be saved, even with jeans. But I’m also in the dislike category as this top has a 5-star rating at J Crew.

Overall, these are all a pass for me though I do recommend the Micropleated Midi Skirt. If the length was right for me I would buy it.

Have a Great Day!

/ Reviews

I told you in July when the Cole Haan Zerogrand Perforated Oxford stopped me in my tracks while shopping during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

I’ve already worn them a few times and they are really really comfortable. The perforated detail looks really cool and that it’s on a suede sneaker makes it that much more interesting. I know that Nike and Cole Haan always have really cool “dressy” sneakers for men so it’s nice to see something different offered for women these days. When I tried these on in the store, there seemed to have been a mix-up in the sizing. The Navy I tried on, in a size 7, were too small but the 7 1/2 were too big. I ordered these in the size 7 anyway and they fit just fine.
They are offered in Leopard as well but I am not a big fan of the black leather at the heel and toe. If they had bee Leopard calf-hair all over I would be buying those too. There are also Slip-On and a Mary Jane versions. I really love the Wild Aster Suede color. It reminds me of the Bright Dahlia color from J Crew. Those would be great to wear in Fall and Winter to brighten up a dreary day. I’ll be protecting my ZeroGrand’s with Kiwi Suede Protector.
Happy Shoes-day!

/ Reviews

Let’s move on to J Crew dresses today.

This is the same style as the Aquatic Floral Silk Dress. The neckline may be a little rounder on this one. But it’s the same down to the wide hem at the bottom with one HUGE difference. This dress is 100% Polyester while the other was 100% Silk. AND!!!! This dress is $10 more at $168 while the Aquatic Floral dress was $158. WTF!!
The size 8 fit fine. I wouldn’t be able to size down since it’s a fit-and-flare/A-line style. Take your normal size in this dress. I have no room to give in the regular size 8 so I can’t size to the Petite.
 
But gosh is that print gorgeous.
~ Sleeveless Lace Shift Dress, Navy Black, size 6 ~
I tried on the size 6 because there’s wasn’t a size 8 and it actually fit. It could use a little smoothing out with some Spanx but overall it fits well. The V-Neck is not too low that you need a cami. The length is just right for me but could be a little short on those of you taller than me. The overlay is Navy with the black underneath it. It also comes in Bright Ocean and Grey Ivory. That last color looks like it could really be dressed up for a wedding.
  
~ Merino Striped Sweater Dress, Navy Ivory, Small ~

There always seems to be some iteration of the sweater dress each year weather in wool, cashmere or blend. This dress is 100% Merino Wool and is actually really comfortable on. It’s not itchy at all as some wool can be. The Small is a nice fit with room to layer if you need it. It has a slight drop-shoulder seam but it’s not too bothersome.
Navy and Ivory stripes are my favorite stripes to wear. It’s on promo (as of this writing) so I expect it to make it to the sale section by the time it cools down and is really needed. I do see this as an option for the Factory too. It’s seems like something that would be copied.
 
Dresses aren’t really on my radar yet. And when they will be I’ll be looking for those that can go with my Frye boots. You can still get them on Amazon. There’s a Leslie with a little bit higher heel, too. So I’ll be looking for casual and comfortable dresses.

How about you? Are you looking for any dresses for Fall?