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I went in to J Crew to make a few returns and ended up in the fitting room with some new items. Story of my life…


First up is the Scallop Crepe Dress, size 8 in Bright Persimmon. Quite the V-Neck there. I’d definitely want to try a Petite 8 in this dress. I love the scallop detail at the neckline and this color is gorgeous. Overall, if I needed a work dress (I’d add a cami underneath) I’d try the 8P. But it’s a pass for me.

  

The Bright Jade in the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Cotton Twill is a beautiful color. My normal size 6 fit well. I don’t have a need for pencil skirts and have been passing on all the solid colors of the last year, as pretty as some of those are. New “shaping seams” were added to the sides and back. I know it will probably accentuate some assets which will bother some but I didn’t mind them.

The Salon Mini in Stripe is a pretty ivory & gray linen blend skirt. I see pairing it with neutrals like the Linen Perfect Shirt in White and Tybee Metallic Sandals. This is the size 8 and it ran a little big. I usually get the 8 in the minis but chose the size 6 as it was a better fit overall. 

And the size 6, which I bought but am going to return. The 8 was too big and the lining of the size 6 is too tight. The skirt itself is not though. And though I like the Ivory and Gray together I can recreate that with the Fluted Skirt in Ivory and Scalloped Lace Tee in Gray from the Factory.
I’m curious if you’ve tried the Scallop Crepe Dress or the No. 2 Pencil Skirt and what you thought of it. 

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I haven’t purchased any J Crew Minnie Pants since they first came out a few years ago. I even sold the few pair I had due to fluctuating weight and fit issues with them. The print on the Minnie Pant in Foulard was too interesting to not try on. These are a size 8 and though they fit, they are a little bunchy in the front.

  

I had a size 6 brought to me and those fit much much better. I’ve already worn them with the Drapey Crepe Tunic in Navy. Always a good sign for a purchase when I wear it right away.

I was also able to try the Campbell Capri in Latticework Medallion. I chose a size 6 based on Gigi’s Review. I absolutely love the fit of these. The rise seems a little higher than the Cafe’ Capri. The length is about the same. I have hemmed all of my Cafe’ Capri’s and will probably do the same with these instead of ordering the 8 Petite. I like this print so I’m happy to have found a replacement for the Swoop Dress in Latticework Medallion that I returned.

With “heels” a la Gigi…
Have you tried the Minnie’s in Foulard or the Campbell Capri’s? What do you think of the fit? 

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I first saw the Swoop Dress in Latticework Medallion in-store and liked the pattern on it. I didn’t have time to try it on so I had no idea it was the Swoop Dress. I have the dress in Punk Floral from last year along with the tops in Navy, Brown and Punk Floral. The Punk Floral is one of my favorite prints from J Crew as I have the two items just mentioned along with the bikini and scarf. I had the skirt but returned it as it was too poofy. Any takers on the print coming as a pencil skirt to the Factory later this Spring/Summer?

Anyway, Swoop Dress…it dropped to a promo price and I was able to order it with the 40% off sale promo in a size 6. It is like last year’s dress in that it is a shift dress and has the pleating at the neckline. But sleeves were added and the hemline was lengthened.

It has the same back opening with the tiny stitch holding the wrap together. Now that I see it in pictures, especially the back, I think I would benefit from the Petite size to bring up the hemline and possibly bring in the chest and waist a touch. It’s not as A-line as the Summer versions.
  
Here’s the Punk Floral so you can gauge the hemline difference.
I love the pattern and the silk is very nice. The online description from the CFS states this is a straight silhouette, while last year’s versions were an A-Line silhouette.
I do prefer last year’s sleeveless versions but they also came out in Summer and not Spring so I see why they added them. The longer length is a nice touch and it’s offered in Tall sizes as well. 
Have you tried the Swoop Dress in Latticework Medallion yet? 

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The Sparrow Cuff is super cute and was something I immediately asked to see out of the case. It fits well, not too tight but does stay put on my wrist. It’s unique enough to wear alone as well.

The pretty greens and browns of the Floral Pastel Statement Necklace also caught my eye and was something I couldn’t resist. I love Mint and Brown together.

This shows the necklace on the first jump-ring bringing it up high on my neck.

And this is on the last jump-ring, lowering it down the neckline about 3/4-1 inch. I think I prefer how it lays in the pic above.

I bought the Radial Medallion Necklace twice already; once at FP and then again at 25% off. I still am unsure if I want to keep it as I have a few crystal statement necklaces, including a long pendant from the Factory. This first pic shows the claps on the first jump-ring.

This is on the last jump-ring. I like this length better.

I definitely love the first two pieces but am on the fence about the Radial Necklace. Have you tried any of these pieces?

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Two of the new arrivals I could not decide on were the Schoolboy Blazer in Tipped Linen and the Schoolboy Blazer in Linen in Tornado Grey. With the Cardholder promo I ordered both to see which one I liked the best.

Unfortunately, they arrived today and I like them BOTH! I decided, after seeing the Linen in Grey that I needed a Grey Blazer for Spring/Summer. I ordered the Navy in the Tipped Linen in my size, 10 Petite. I chose the Navy because it looked like a bright gray as opposed to Blue. The sizing is perfect and now that I know how blazers should fit me based on that size I am a little picky.

I love that the Ruffled Rhinestone Shirt looks so good as a layering piece when I review blazers.

The white contrasts very well against the crosshatch. The blazer is lined in an Acetate/Poly stripe. The sleeves do have the striped lining and not a solid color. The buttons are lightweight and not like the Lexington buttons of yore but we all know that nothing compares to the Lexi. Now I think I might want the white one too. Although I’m seeing the lining show through the sleeves in the online pics. Not sure if I like that or not.

The Schoolboy Blazer in Linen in the Tornado Grey color looks true to the online images. When I took it out of the packaging I thought “meh, maybe not”, but then I put it on. I think it’s the Ruffled Rhinestone Shirt that sold me. 

Love how the ruffle it peeking just above the collar.

This is completely solid grey with no tipping on the outside anywhere. I don’t really care for the brown buttons too much. I think another color like Navy or White would have been nice. There’s an inside pocket. The lining is 100% cotton. The body lining is grey but the sleeve lining is striped. Love that!

Side-by-side…will they be friends in my closet or will I send one away?

Something that struct me as odd was that there is felt under the collar on the Linen Blazer. I think the same lining as the sleeves would have been a nice little touch instead. The Tipped Linen Blazer doesn’t have anything under the collar but the collar is tipped.

The Linen Blazer is a little heavier in weight than the Tipped Linen Blazer. It also feels a little rougher/sturdier/thicker. Not sure which but the Tipped Linen Blazer does feel thinner to the touch.

So my dilemma is do I keep both or return one? Which one if I do? I don’t find anything wrong with the Tipped Linen Blazer. I do have the Collection Classic Schoolboy Blazer in Tipped Linen from last Spring but that’s a darker Navy than this one. And I don’t have any other Springtime blazers. And the Grey is really nice and not something I think I could find elsewhere. I’ll figure it out, of course. 
 

Have a Great Evening!