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I had a little time in the week to head to the Factory store (um….twice) to make some returns and check out the new arrivals. Promos changed from “everything in the store up to 50% off” to “…60% off”. I’ll be breaking this up into a few different posts as there was so many things I tried on. I really loved this latest Factory Roll-out.

Boy Jean, size 28 – These are supposed to be the Factory version of the Vintage Straight Jean. My size in those is 28 so I grabbed the same for the Factory. These just fit in this size but I think the size 29 would be too loose. I wasn’t looking for these and just tried on in case those of you aren’t near a Factory store. My verdict is to size down if you are looking for a super casual Saturday pair.

Skinny Ankle Jean in Dark Rinse, size 29 & 30 – I ordered these in the Northport Wash during the Early Access. I saw them in-store as well as the Classic Rinse and preferred the Classic Rince instead. I’m a 30 in the Toothpick Jeans but have been sizing to a 29 in the Factory version. You can see the size 30 are bunchy in the front. They get a little loose throughout the day so the front would be really saggy at the end of the day in the size 30. Toothpick Jeans were 40% off on Saturday and then changed to 50% off on the next Wednesday.

The Northport Wash…

Skimmer Pant in Chambray, size 6 – I have been searching for these as well and they finally arrived in last week’s roll-out. They are comfortable on and fit looser than the Skimmer Pant in Oxford that I ended up returning but only because I bought these instead. These were 50% off in-store both days.

I bought everything but the Boy Jean. I will hem the Skimmer Pant and have already worn the Ankle Toothpick in Dark Rinse twice. Also, the Factory Matchstick Jeans were 60% off, if you are a fan of those. 

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Lace-Front Tank, Small and Medium – I love my Embroidered Eyelet Tank in Ivory from last year. The retail version has a scalloped hem while the factory version does not. Everything else is the same for this tank including the sizing. I have a Small in the retail version, mainly because the armhole was cut low and the Factory version is the same way.
This tank comes in three colors: Ivory, Bright Hydrangea and Bright Rose. I was so caught up in seeing these at the Factory I bought all three colors. Since I have the retail Ivory version I don’t need the Factory version. They really are almost the same. 

Charley Sweater in Orange, Medium – I did not expect to like this sweater and tried it on only for the blog. But it’s super-cute and I really liked it. I didn’t get it because, even though our weather has caused me to wear every sweater I own at least once, I didn’t need another sweater. Even one as cute as this. My normal size Medium fit well

Floral Eyelet Top, size 8 – I liked the Melon color of this blouse. It’s not too bright IRL. The fit is spot on for me in the size 8, my normal shirt size. The eyelet is nice, but overall this is not something I’m looking for in my closet, in any of the colors. I know it will look great with white and navy bottoms.

Printed Silk Two Pocket Blouse, Small – I love my Blythe blouse in Pale Graphite. It’s so versatile and I wear it often. I was happy to find it at the Factory in Black Dot. Though it’s sheer I usually layer these under sweaters, cardigans and dresses. The Medium was originally too long in the arms and looser through the body. The Small fits much better all over. This went from 40% to 50% by Wednesday’s visit. 

Stretch Cotton Peplum Dress, size 6, Dark Emerald – I have been lusting over this dress since I saw it show up a month or so ago. I never ordered it. I felt I didn’t have any occasion to wear it. But when I was in the store Wednesday I decided to finally try it on. OMG! LOVE! I need a little better Spanx on top but this is a perfect fit. There also wasn’t a size 8 to try on. Glad I bought it as the size 8 is sold out online. Trying them on with my beloved Valentino Bow Heels.

The Ettas also pair nicely with the dress. My younger cousins need to hurry up and get married so I can wear my dresses to their weddings. 😉

I found the Linen Bead-Stitch Sweater in the Clearance section of the Factory. This is a Medium.

The Keating Boy Blazer in Linen in Minty Green was marked down to $99.97. Blazers were 40% off both Saturday and Wednesday. The mark-down happened between those days. Then of course, you can use the 20/25% coupon as well.

The Factory has been getting my money lately over the Retail side. Especially when the Retail prints and styles are being duplicated a few seasons later. Retail is loosing it’s mind. I like the quality in a lot of the Factory items and the prices are much better. The bonus is when they have 30/40/50% off plus a coupon to use!

Who has been getting your money lately?

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I had a few people ask about the differences between the Retail vs Factory Scalloped Shift Dress. I have the retail version in Black and the Factory in Pale Citrus.

The material on both is a blend of Poly/Viscose/Spandex. The retail dress has 75% Poly compared to 62% in the factory dress. Also, the factory dress label states there is less Poly, more Spandex in the back than the front. The feel of the material is the same. I can’t tell a 13% difference between the two. Maybe the retail is a touch thicker but just barely.

You can see the shape is the same. I should have gone against a lighter background so you could see the retail shape better. Both have bra-keeps at the shoulders. Scallops are around the sleeves and hem.

There is maybe a touch difference in length, with the factory dress slightly longer. As you can see in the above pics, the dress is short in either version. Be careful bending over.

I really do see myself wearing the Pale Citrus. It looks good with the Lillian Sandals in Calf Hair {patent, suede, metallic}. I did end up returning the Navy dress as I kept the Ann Taylor dress in Navy.
Overall, the Factory Scalloped Shift Dress is a great, exact duplicate of the Retail version of this dress. 

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Currently the J Crew Factory has 50% off in-store through Monday and 30% off online through Sunday.

I wear shorts all summer long and rarely put on jeans or pants. Sometimes I’ll grab a dress or skirt, for date nights or if I want to feel a little more put together. I decided to try a few of the Factory Shorts as they have upped their game a little in dressier Short offerings.

The Coral Tweed Short, size 8, has a 3-inch inseam and the tweed is pretty nice for Factory. I wouldn’t be able to size down to a 6 as this just fits across the hips. Absolutely love these as a dressier option for going out this Summer.

  

Yay! Lined!

The Metallic Brocade Short, size 8, is another great pair of shorts. The material is on the thinner side but it is lined. This will snag easily as I found two small threads already trying to escape. Another great dressy Summer short. It’s a little bunchy in front but I wouldn’t size down…hips again. I’d probably rip them sitting down. And the size 8 give me a little more length on the 3-inch inseam.

  

The Hummingbird Short, size 8, is a favorite print. The shorts have a 5-inch inseam and I love that length. The print isn’t overdone in front. I think I could size down to a 6 in these but I’ll keep the 8 as my store did not get these in. I am unsure if I’ll keep the Pencil Skirt now that I have the shorts. Both great options and, again, one of my favorite J Crew prints.

  
One styling option for all three shorts is the Embroidered Tank from last summer. It’s perfect for all three pairs. 

The Stripe Bateau Tee, Medium, is like the retail version from a few seasons ago (2009/2010?). I grabbed the Neon Azalea and the Navy. I also ordered the Denim Roll-Up Short in White and Faded Indigo, both size 8.

  

These are both great shorts for around the house, no errands to run. I know I’ll wear both of these a lot as well. The 8 is a perfect fit.

  

I’m really drawn to Navy and White for Spring and Summer and couldn’t help but grab the Anchor Scarf. and the Critter Flip-Flops in Anchor Print. I always have a few pair of casual flip-flops for around the pool.

The Open-Weave Ribbon Fedora was pretty cute in the store and was definitely an impulse buy. It’s a one-size fits all and fits me just fine.

My store did not have the first three pairs of shorts when I was there last weekend. It’s not worth the 1 hour drive there to find out if they came in or not and do a PA or return/re-buy at 50% off.

Happy Shopping!

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I was excited to see the Hummingbird Print make it to the Factory. I was able to visit the Factory Store during the 50% off weekend. I love the print but resisted and purchased only the Pencil Skirt in Botanical Bird Print. I took my normal size 6 in pencil skirts.

  

I saw the Skimmer Pant in Oxford in Blue Grotto from an image in an email or on the website, but I can no longer find it. I tried on the size 8 and it was too big in the front and slightly through the waist. These are the size 6 and fit pretty well. The Blue Grotto is more light Chambray in color which I love instead of the pink.

  

I was unable to decide between the Navy and the Pale Citrus of the Scalloped Shift Dress so I brought both home with me since they were 50% off. I have on a size 6 in both since that was the same size as my retail dress in Black.

  

I still, truly cannot decide between the two colors. I know Navy is classic but I love how the Yellow just pops against my skin-tone.

  

The Addie Loafer in Chambray Dot is now online. A set of new arrivals snuck in this past Wednesday. I took my normal size 7, same as the Addie Printed Loafer I reviewed a few weeks ago. Now, I need to decide if I will really wear them or if I should return them. I’ll need to plan some outfits in the next week or two, before my 30-day return window is up.

The Minaudière Clutch in Botanical Print was the other item I picked along with the skirt. This was not in my store so I didn’t get it for 50% off. I am definitely keeping this clutch. The material is a soft silky-feel cotton. The interior has a single pocket and can hold my cell, lipstick, card-holder and even my keys. I have a time with my some of my kate spade clutches as the lipstick and cell have to be next to each other and not all thrown in together.

I tried the following items on in the store but forgot to take my phone inside, which I use to take my fitting room pics.

I loved Skimmer Pant in Multi-Stripe. I took a size 6 and the fit was perfect, just like the Skimmer Pant in Oxford above. I really should have bought these to at least make some outfits with, especially at 50% off. Fingers crossed I’ll catch it on FS in the store in a few months. 

Factory skimmer pant in multistripe
I tried on a size 6 in the Optic Dot Dress and it was ok. It was a little big through the waist and just fit in the arms and shoulders. Sizing to an 8 would have been really big on me and both sizes would have required alterations to make it a little more A-Line or at least bring in the waist a bit. 
Factory optic dot dress
I saw the Keating Boy Blazer in Chambray and grabbed an 8 to try on. It fit but since I know my size is a 10 Petite I didn’t buy it. I think the Chambray felt nice but the shoulders just fit. We’ve had such a cold Winter I’m afraid we will have a really hot Summer and I won’t have any chance to wear this blazer. I would rather try the 10 Petite in the retail Schoolboy in Chambray. 
Factory Keating boy blazer in chambray
The Charley Sweater in Oversized Flower is cute but I definitely didn’t need another sweater. The ones I have are getting plenty of use this year. My normal Medium fit TTS. 
Factory Charley sweater in oversize flower

No, my store did not have the Factory Isabelle Printed Pump but it did have the Isabelle in Suede. I found a lone size 7 and tried that on to gauge how it would be. There’s a little less than 1/4-inch space at the heel. Sizing down to a 6 1/2 would fix that issue but tighten the toe-box. The insole felt comfortable and looked like leather. The sole was definitely man-made but didn’t bother me. I love the look of these Printed Pump but since I have the Etta in Hummingbird I will definitely pass on the Isabelle. I think they are a great substitute with a slightly lower heel. 
Factory Isabelle printed pumps

I am still really tempted by the Skimmer Pant in Botanical Bird Print and the Shorts in the same print.