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I ordered a few things to try IRL that my store was not going to receive.

~ Varsity Stripe Sweater, Small ~

I like the stripes on this sweater and even the flecked pattern of it. The size Small is a good fit, so size down if you can catch this on a pop-back. It was a little itchy so I’d have to layer it. This has no shoulder seam so it fit a little odd around the armpit. Overall, I liked this but it wasn’t a keeper.

One way this sweater was styled was with the Origami Skirt in Elephant Parade.

Yeah, I don’t know what J Crew was smokin’ but IRL it looks just as crazy.
 ~ Fringe Tank, Navy, Small ~

I like the Fringe Tank and already purchased it in Black. I ordered the Small in the Navy to see which one I would like better and I prefer the Black. The Navy is nice, even with the black fringe, but I think the black just looks dressier, even with a cardigan or blazer over it.
Not too impressed with the Fringe Tank and the Origami Skirt. 
I ended up returning both items as I didn’t see myself wearing them long-term. There’s a new promo up for long weekend/Black Friday with code HOLIDAY. The only thing I’ll probable grab is a Ludlow Sportcoat for The Boy. Ludlow items are rarely included in promos so I get what I can when he likes something. I think it will look nice with the Ludlow Chambray Shirt. 
Are you shopping the latest promo and New Arrivals this weekend? 

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Banana Republic currently has a 40% off, online only, promo through tomorrow 11/20. Use code BRSMILE40 for the discount. Exclusions apply, including BR Picks, BR Monogram, Cashmere, Leather, and blazers, to name a few.

This is the same style, but in a pattern, as the Gray Flannel Fit-and-Flare Skirt I reviewed in late October. This plaid option showed up online just after my review and I knew I wanted it. I decided to order the 8 Tall to have a little more length in the skirt. At the time, this skirt was a BR Pick, and excluded from online promos, and it was on back-order. The skirt finally shipped last week but not before I also found it in one of the stores here in town.

The store did not have a size 8 for me to try so I grabbed the last size 10 on the rack. The size is perfect. The Gray Flannel Skirt was a little snug at the “fit” area, though not uncomfortable. But the 10 leaves me room to tuck in shirts and still not look like it’s too small or tight on me. I’m not necessarily saying to size up. I still think this skirt runs TTS but right now, the size 10 in this style is good for me.

It looks good with the Noir Sweatshirt I bought on sale last week but I think just ok with the Fringe Tank. I think a little pop of red on top will look great and bring this into the Holiday season.

  
Here are two other styling options I’ll try with this skirt. Both J Crew, the Masquerade Tee is from 2009 and the Harper Boots are from 2012, . They are so sleek and thankfully came in Extended Calf sizing. This tee is one of my all-time favorites.  

My booties are the Christian Louboutin Melisa that I splurged on last year. I have worn them quite a bit and will be wearing them frequently again soon. I’m normally a 37 in the CL Simple Pumps but sized to a 38 since these ran a little narrow. The necklace is the Radial Necklace from J Crew about a year ago. This may be my Christmas Eve or Day outfit. 

Being able to style this 3 different ways immediately is a good sign I’ll be keeping this skirt. As soon as I receive the 8 Tall I’ll be returning it. Especially since I paid full-price for it. Since it’s no longer a BR Pick you can get this skirt with the 40% off, BRSMILE40, promo.

Have a Great Evening!

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Wow! I had no idea I hadn’t done in-store reviews for J Crew since late September. There have been so many other retailers who have caught my eye this Fall it was nice to take a little break from J Crew. But, the break is over since I’m really liking several items from today’s roll-out.

~ Fringe Tank, Black, Small ~
The armholes looked big on the hanger so I grabbed a Small to try on. That is a size down from my normal Medium. 

On the heels of my Tory Burch skirt reviews comes another wrap skirt from J Crew. There are several styles of this one but the Elephant print is the most adorable. The size 8 fit well to a little roomy but I’m sure a size down would raise the hemline and be tighter on the hips. Instead of fooling around with buttons or hooks in front of the skirt, there is a back-zip. 

I really didn’t think much of this shirt on the hanger but thought it might be dressy enough for a small party or dinner. I actually liked it once I put it on. I’d probably wear this casually with jeans and my Merino V-Neck Cardigan in Navy. 
~ Slouchy Wool Pant, Electric Red, size 6 ~
I usually wear a size 8 in bottoms but these seemed like the same style as the Drapey Drawstring Pant which I took a size 6 in. That was the right size as this is still a little roomy in front but a nice fit through the hip and thigh. I must say these were very comfortable on and not itchy at all. The wool-blend almost feels like a bonded wool. They are supposed to be cropped but you can see they are the perfect length for my 5’2″ frame. I also prefer these over the Drapey Wool Sweatpant because there is no elastic gathering at the ankles. 
  
~ Origami Skirt in Metallic Matelassé, Silver Metallic, size 8 ~
This is the same fit as the Elephant Skirt above ad would be great for the Holidays. I have enough party skirts right now but would probably lean towards this in Black to wear a bright color on top. 
  

~ Beaded Chevron Popover in Blackwatch Plaid, size 8 ~
This shirt is over-sized but not in the shoulders. It almost seems like they kept the section above the pockets the same as the older Perfect Shirts and Popovers and then added more material to look over-sized and long. I would stick with my normal size 8 in this but I really need a size 6 to slim the body a little. The beading seems sturdy and won’t easily fall off but I didn’t inspect it too closely. Of course, blackwatch plaid is great for Winter. 

I know a lot of people are liking the beaded chevron shirts but I would wear this layered more than anything so no one would see the beading. Also, once you are tired of the beading, how hard is it to take them off without a bunch of pinholes left behind.

~ Wool Side-Zip Cable Sweater, Heather Dove, Small ~
Again, I know this is meant to be over-sized but I would need to size to an XS to really make it work. I tried it on because it looked cozy on the hanger, and it is, but I could do without the drop-shoulder seam and the all-the-way-to-the-armpit side zipper. 
If you want to use the side-zip you’ll need to layer under this. This is merino wool though thicker than a Tippi sweater. I like the cable-knit and popcorn details but overall I would even look at this on sale. 
I brought the Fringe Tank and Origami Skirt in Elephant Parade home with me. What are liking from this roll-out? 

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