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The J Crew Factory is running a 50% off everything promo right now both in-stores and online, no code needed. I was able to stop by on Thursday and but only had time to grab what I would buy. The Excursion Vests were only 30% off but that’s more than the normal $5 off I’ve seen in-store.

~ Warmspun Fair Isle Sweater, Small ~
The Small fit very well on me so I wouldn’t size up to my normal Medium. I felt I could still get a layer under this and be comfortable. Wasn’t this print done as sweater leggings last year in Retail? I don’t recall this as a sweater. The darker color is navy and not black so it would pair with a lot of bottoms in my closet. This is a lovely sweater but this type of Fair Isle is not really my style.
 ~ Side-Button Elbow-Patch Sweater in Stripe, Olive Mist Navy, Medium ~
This is big on me in the Medium. I would size down to a Small. I have started to be more consistent with wearing a size Small in Factory sweaters so I should now consider that my “normal” size. I loved this sweater and didn’t notice the elbow patches until I looked it up online. I would lay around all-day Sunday watching football in this sweater. 

~ Fair Isle Sweater, Medium ~
I have the retail version of this sweater and I don’t see a difference. I have the retail version of this button-down as well and have worn the two together. I don’t regret getting the retail version of the sweater because I wore it quite a bit. The Medium was the better fit, especially with a layer underneath. I definitely would have bought this if I didn’t have last year’s exact version. 

This ran a little big through the body so I would size to a Small. I immediately saw me wearing this with the Gold Stripe Mini Skirt (Factory sister) I bought from last year. This should sell well. The material is really soft, almost a cashmere feel. The embroidery is well done as well. 

~ Foulard Sweater, Medium ~
This is not online, maybe sold out? I took a pic of the tag but it came out blurry. I loved this sweater and so did a whole lot of other people. There were only 5 left in the whole store. This ran a little small so I’d actually size to a Large. 

All of these sweaters were so cozy against bare skin/no layers, especially the Side-Button Sweater and Cheers Sweater.

I”m running a little behind today. I’ll have more reviews later.

Have a Great Day!

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Happy Shoes-day and Happy Fall! It actually feels a little cooler here in South Central Texas right now.

~ Quinn Suede Ankle Bootie, Rustic Gray, size 7 ~

I wasn’t necessarily in search of Gray Booties but found another pair I really liked and wanted to compare the Quinn’s to them. I used my Gilt 30% coupon to order these. 
They fit TTS in my normal size 7. They won’t fit if I wear a thick sock with them though. The suede is very nice and better than I expected for the Factory. The gray has blue undertones which I didn’t notice IRL until I saw the photos. 
The heel is not quite 3 inches and is stacked so I feel it’s very manageable to walk around. 
They look a little western-wear to me especially the shape of the top and the back. The sole is man-made and could probably use a little rubber added to prevent the sole from being to slick. 

Though the Rustic Gray color didn’t work out for me I do like the Quinn Bootie overall. I’d take my true size 7 in the Dark Cedar if I was looking for a brown bootie. The price is pretty reasonable, even without a promo. 
Have you tried the Quinn Bootie? 

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This last post finishes up the Factory reviews from my last visit to the store.

~ Tipped Keating Boy Blazer, Pearl Grey, size 8 ~

This is a little thinner than the retail Schoolboy Blazers. I would take the size 8, since this does not come in Petite. For me, anything thicker than this oxford would make it a little tight in the arms. The buttons are cheap but the navy tipping paired with the gray is a nice touch. 
~ Classic Button-Down in Jeweled Oxford, Medium ~
The Medium fit TTS. The jewels were nice and on the front only. I’m not in need of any more embellishments in my closet but this would be nice to add.

And an outfit with the Winnie Pants and Isabelle Suede Pumps.

Overall, I love the Factory items and can’t wait to see what comes next. 

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Almost finished with my Factory shopping trip! Two more sets of reviews left and then I’m off to Banana Republic.

~ Embroidered-Front Top, Ivory, Medium ~

Gigi found these tops to run big so my store may have gotten a bad batch. I am pretty consistent with my Fit-Twin. If she’s a Small and says it’s TTS then I wear a Medium. I have on the Ivory in a Medium and this was pretty tight in the arms, as you can see. The body looks like it fits well and gives shape but I had to angle the shot and suck in to make it look good. Truth-telling here…
~ Navy, Large ~

The Large fit much better in the arms and through the body. Overall I like the embroidered front and prefer the Navy over the Ivory. I’d stick with your alpha size, like #GigiSays. I think I just found some mis-tagged shirts. They were only $5 off in-store when I was there while the solids were 20% off so there wasn’t an incentive to try any others on to compare. 
I was surprised by how much I liked this top. And that the stripes are Navy while the sleeves are black. This fit TTs and the faux leather sleeve was really nice and soft. I have a similar version in all black that I received for Christmas so I passed on this one. I do like the Navy with the black. You don’t see many people wearing that combo, including me. It’s probably one I should try in the Fall. 
~ Draped Henley Tunic, Ivory, Small ~
I had high hopes for the Factory version of this tunic. I’ve ruined two retail tunics and was, luckily, able to replace them. I didn’t like the feel of the tunic. It’s straight up Polyester with a slight silky feeling. The one I tried on was already snagged at the bottom. I know the retail versions snagged too but if you carefully snip the exposed material you won’t put a hole in the shirt. There was no way to salvage the snag on this specific blouse. 
Having said all that, The Small fit great and I wouldn’t size to a medium. I liked the color and saw some of the others were very similar to their retail counterpart. The Ivory did seem a little sheer but I’m pretty tan right now so that could change in the cooler months. I love these tops as they are so easy to wear. Just add a necklace and you’re ready to go. I have added this to my wishlist in the available colors, just in case I ruin the others I have. 

If I’m in the area in the next few weeks I’ll probably try the Draped Henley Tunic again, maybe in the black or navy just to be sure. Since they are 100% Poly I can throw them in the machine without any worry of them shrinking. 
Happy Shopping!

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Here are several skirts including a few new favorites.

~ Pleated Mini in Flecked Wool, size 8  ~

The flecked wool pattern was the same one used in the retail Tie-Waist Tweed Mini Skirt. This elastic pleating mini skirt is now a Factory staple, showing up all seasons. The retail version is the City Mini Skirt. This ran a little big and the elastic waist doesn’t give much shape. 

The wool is lightweight, not too heavy and I like the subtle pinkish flecks throughout. Pockets are also an added bonus and lay flat instead of poking out. 

~ Shirt-tail Mini in Houndstooth, size 6 ~

I loved the pattern on this skirt! If there had been a size 8 I probably would have bought it. Instant gratification and all that. This is also lined. 

Tights, boots and an oversized or men’s gray sweater is how I would probably style this skirt. The only negative is the “shirt-tail”hem. I wish it was straight all the way around.

 

~ Flared Skirt, Black, size 8 ~
I have a few colors of the Fluted Skirt and just tried this on to compare. The material is just slightly thinner but not too much. The length is about the same as the retail version. If I didn’t have those I would get the Factory versions in Black, Navy and Ivory. 
~ Pencil Skirt in Double-Serge Wool, Heather Pine, size 6 ~
I loved this color! The green is deep and very saturated. The skirt is lined but I could feel the wool poking through the lining, which made it a little uncomfortable. I wouldn’t size up in this skirt. I am usually a size 6 in pencil skirts both retail and factory. The Pinot Noir is a gorgeous color IRL as well.
  
The Factory items are getting better and better each season. These skirts are no exception.
Have you tried the Houndstooth Mini or the Pencil Skirt in Heather Pine?

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