/ Reviews

I was really disappointed all Spring and Summer when I kept seeing J Crew offer the Regent Blazer, which is completely unflattering on me with it’s single button, and no new Schoolboy Blazers. Not that I needed any more blazers but not even having an option to choose from and decide not to purchase was disheartening. I lamented to my VPS whenever I saw a new roll-out with a new Regent Blazer, especially the Linen colors for Summer. I would have loved some of those colors in my closet!

  
I was very skeptical, and loyal to my Schoolboy Blazers, and but did want to at least try on the Rhodes Blazer. The first thing I noticed, while it was still on the hanger is that the wool is thicker. The way the wool is woven reminds me of a Pique Polo shirt.

The size 8 fit well so that tells me that my normal size 10 Petite for blazers will be the best fit. The buttons seems to hit around the same spot as the Schoolboy Blazer. There’s a pocket up at the chest and two flap pockets down lower.

The collar is lined in navy felt. I wonder if the others have a similar color as the blazer or if they contrast?

Here’s where I was shocked! The details on the inside of the jacket are not what I expected from current J Crew. From J Crew of yore (Bella, Lexington, Professor, etc), yes, but not J Crew now.
The lining is striped in red and blue on the Navy Rhodes Blazer. There’s an interior pocket with a red flap and button.

But, the buttons suck. They not only look cheap, they feel cheap too. They should have at least used the cheaper enamel buttons found on the Factory Tipped Linen Blazer. And the buttons on the blazer I tried on felt like they were going to fall off so they’ll need to be reinforced.

Overall, I am happy with the new Rhodes Blazer in Italian Wool though I’m sad that the Schoolboy Blazer is probably gone. Since I have Navy and Black wool in the Schoolboy Blazer I am considering the Belgian Chocolate color.

Have you tried the Rhodes Blazer in Italian Wool? What do you think of it?

/ Bella Picks

Finally I’m getting to some J Crew. Below are my picks from the New Arrivals for September. I’ll have reviews up starting tomorrow.

I was a bit sad when I saw the Rhodes Blazer in Italian Wool online. I think it means the end of the Schoolboy Blazer. But then, I tried it on in-store and love it! The texture of the blazer is thicker in a way, not as smooth as the Schoolboy Blazer in Wool. It fits about the same too. I’ll talk more in my review on it tomorrow. Another jacket I love is the Hooded Downtown Field Jacket. I actually like the color of Weathered Spruce. I bought the Downtown Field Jacket in Deep Burgundy and would have chosen Weathered Spruce had it been offered.

I don’t need any dressy or fancy pants but I really like the Thistle Floral print on the Collection Italian Silk Twill Pant. And those come in Petite too! I did buy the Sunday Slim Chino in Baked Terracotta. I have worn the Chino Shorts in a similar color all Summer and think it’s a great color to transition into Fall.

I absolutely LOVE the Carrie Cami in Watercolor Floral. I think a lot of the prints should put on the Carrie Cami. The cami is so versatile and easy to layer. Had some of the prints from this year been on the cami I might have bought more from J Crew.
The Adele Glossy Leather Ankle Boots look divine in Orchid Smoke. The 4-inch heel is over my limit on heel height though, so I’ll admire it from afar.You can see more of my picks on my Pinterest Board!

For me, there’s a lot to love in this roll-out.  What about you?

/ Reviews

The Collection Sloan Calf-Hair D’Orsay Flats are so beautiful IRL. They are all leather and calf-hair upper and heel. Last year they were just called the Suede D’Orsay Flats. I didn’t purchase them last year as I had found a pair from Banana Republic.

I did try on the size 6 1/2 as that was the size I tried last time. Those were the best fit and 1/2 a size down from my normal size 7. They don’t look it in the first pic but they are comfortable and fit very well. The size 7 would have slipped off my feet and had a gap at the heel.
The calf-hair is really nice. I rubbed my hand the opposite direction of the hair and nothing came off. I like that this is a mix of black, brown and cream instead of black, dark brown and brown.
They are proud of these shoes as the price tag is up there. I did find a similar calf-hair option at Madewell, the Lydia Flat. Check out these other options a lower price points. I really like the Madewell version. I had a chance to see a different color in-store and found they run the same as the Sloan. I would get a 6 1/2 in those as well.
What do you think of the Collection Sloan Calf-Hair D’Orsay Flats? Did they make it to your wish list or would you prefer the Lydia from Madewell or one of the others? It also comes in solid suede.

/ Reviews

Last up from the new arrivals is one of my favorite sets, that features The Downtown Field Jacket. It’s way too hot around here to consider Fall clothing. Just thinking about jackets and sweaters and boots makes me hot.

~ The Downtown Field Jacket, Deep Burgundy, Medium ~
I love this color. It really is a deep shade of burgundy, IRL. The Medium fit TTS, with the sleeves just a little long on me. Buttoned-up, it looks and is fitted. I could get away with layering a vest underneath (J Crew, Factory, Wool Factory) for a little added warmth.
 
Un-buttoned and a more relaxed look. I usually don’t zip and button jackets and blazers so this look is more me. I really love how it looks with the Vintage Scarf print. It makes the color on the skirt pop just a little more.
 
The small details of this jacket are the trim when you fold the sleeve to make a cuff. The same checkered print is also on the inside of the jacket. I never noticed this before on the other colors. Does anyone know if this is the same in the Black or Mossy Brown? I can’t tell in the online photos.
~ Polka Dot Tippi Sweater with Shoulder Buttons, Medium ~
This fit TTS on me but it still seemed a little off. It felt a little tighter in the sleeves and the length seems a lot longer than the other Tippis I have. The neckline also looks a little lower and somewhat loose. I wasn’t really that impressed with this Tippi. I didn’t need to un-button the shoulder buttons to get into the sweater. They seem more for decoration than anything.

 

~ Flutter Mini Skirt in Vintage Scarf, size 8 ~

This is a very cute skirt that runs TTS to just a smidge small. This fit pretty snug, almost like a pencil skirt, at the hips. This may be on purpose to flare out the hem a little more. The material at the hem also felt like scuba but not as think as the other scuba skirts in the past. I really liked the print on the skirt but would probably get more wear out of the dress.
 

 

This was, by far, one of my favorite outfits I put together, despite the odd-fit of the Tippi. Unfortunately, the Downtown Field Jacket is excluded from the SHOPMORE promo.
What do you think of these items? Have you tried this Tippi yet?

/ Reviews

J Crew has a new promo that started today and runs through Sunday. Take 25% off $100 or 30% off $200 with code SHOPMORE. If you want to see what I’m considering, I’ve updated my August picks over on the side-bar –>. One of the items I included is the Indigo Vintage Cotton V-Neck Tee. The Indigo Tee actually comes in a variety of necklines as well as stripes and either short- or long-sleeve.

 
~ Indigo Vintage Cotton V-Neck Tee, Small ~
My store only had the V-Neck available. I thought I would have preferred the crewneck but once on, I really liked it. I wanted this to fit well and not very loose so the Small is the perfect fit to achieve that. The Vintage Cotton Tee is so very comfortable and I love the Indigo color. I would/will buy a long-sleeve version.
~ Patio Pant, Navy, size 6 ~

I’ve been waiting to try the Patio Pant since they first arrived in April/May. But my store never received them and they sold old very quickly online. They are back in stock in several colors. I like the comfort level of these, cotton with stretch, and the size 6 fits ok. If they came in petite I would prefer the 8 Petite. The inseam claims to be 25-inches but they run just slightly cropped wearing heels on my 5’2″ frame. Which is good because I would be lazy about getting them hemmed to the perfect length. I think the size 8 would be a better fit for the length to be just at the floor and to have a little room in the hips and thighs without them being too loose. If you do vary in pants size like I do, I would get your larger size. Especially, if you are hippy like me.

 
Overall, I liked both of these items and I did buy the Indigo V-Neck Tee. I am passing on the pants since I don’t have anywhere I would wear them regularly.

Here are my other reviews of recent items, if you are considering the SHOPMORE sale.
Cap-Sleeve Marble Print Top & Faux Leather Pleated Mini
Vintage Scarf Dress & Chiffon Dress in Marble Print
Iridescent Sequin Shift & Italian Tweed Sheath Dress
Iridescent Sequin Tank & Washed Lamé Pull-on Pant
Soft Lamé Shirtdress
Collection Collette Calf-Hair Kitten Heels

Happy Shopping!