/ Bella Picks

It’s a struggle at times to keep up with J Crew Factory’s price games every few days. I try to hold out until there’s 50% off everything but was looking at quite a few items for my trip so I placed a few orders. I did get a good price on the Flutter-Sleeve Tunic in White with the Gilt promo and that’s a keeper. The Tissue Tunic in Deep Navy also caught my eye but I like the shorter sleeves on the one I purchased.

I have the Basketweave Shorts in Scattered Dot in the Ivory but really like the Navy Dot this time. I found it fit TTS in my normal size 8. Since I have the Navy Dot Pencil Skirt I passed on the same in the shorts. The Oxford Shorts have been eluding me for a year, usually selling out quickly in my size. This time I ordered them in the Dark Indigo.

Both the Anchor Caryn Cardigan and Pineapple Caryn Cardigan look really cute. I’m still waiting for JCF to bring back the short-sleeve lightweight cardigans. I have the retail version of the Neon Floral Flounce Skirt. The Factory version is poly/cotton and not embroidered. I’d have to see it in person to really make a decision on it.

The current promo is 40% off clearance with code MUSTSHOP. I had re-ordered some of these items over the weekend when they were 50% off and was also able to use a promo code that came in my other package. Use HEYSPRING to take 20% off $100 and SPRINGCARD for 25% off $100 with your J Crew Card. These two codes are good until April 15 so keep them in your back pocket if you need a promo code.

/ Reviews

I went to the Factory store to exchange the Denim Trousers and, though pressed for time (I was with Husband), try some things on.

~ Striped Knit Dress, Small ~

Just your standard striped knit dress but it does run big. The Small fit me best. I was swallowed up in the Medium though it gave me a touch more length. Husband and I are planning a trip and dresses like this are easy to wear and comfortable for flights. I would add a scarf and leggings for the flight. A maxi dress like the Racerback Maxi is another great, comfortable option for travel. That one is also easier to layer with a cardigan and blazer, if needed.

JCF_KnitStripeDress

~ Embellished Sheath Dress, size 8 ~

I was at a family wedding last weekend and wore a Tory Burch Dress. If I had been looking for a dress I would have bought the Embellished Sheath Dress in a heartbeat. I was a little leery about the embellishment at the neckline and how cheap it would look but it looks well done. The material is cotton/basketweave and the size 8 was a great fit. The Navy and White stripe is perfect for Spring and Summer and could double as a work dress, with a built-in necklace.

JCF_EbellishedStripeDress

~ Keating Boy Blazer in Linen, Navy, size 8 ~
~ Printed Drapey Sleeveless Popover, 10 Petite ~
~ Denim Trouser, size 6 ~

My original goal was to find and try on the Denim Trouser in a size 6. They fit much better than the size 8 and I know they will stretch when wearing so I did exchange them. Now to get them to the tailor to hem them up.

JCF_TrouserJean_Outfit

~ Keating Boy Blazer in Linen, Navy, size 8 ~

I’m trying very hard to be thoughtful in my purchases this year but the Keating Boy Blazer in Linen made it really hard for me during my store visit. I have a Cotton Navy Blazer as well as a Tipped Linen Blazer in Navy but I was in love with this one instantly. I miss the retail Schoolboy Blazer and this is the factory duplicate. I hate the Regent Blazer, with it’s one-button and permanent popped collar. The Rhodes is okay but the buttons are so cheap looking. I’d rather have the buttons that are on this Factory Blazer.

JCF_KeatingBlazer

Anyway, the size 8 fit well in this, though a little long in the arms. I almost always roll my sleeves so the length isn’t a problem. It does come in Petite sizing but only the White is available.

JCF_LinenKeating

~ Printed Drapey Sleeveless Popover, 10 Petite ~

My store brought in Petite sizing and I thought I had grabbed the 8 Petite in this blouse. It wasn’t until I took a picture of the tag that I realized why the “8 Petite” fit so loose. The 10 Petite actually fit good to a little loose. I would probably just stick with my normal size 8. This seems to fit TTS compared to it’s retail counterpart, where I can wear a 6 comfortably. I wasn’t a fan of the print and the purple-blue background.

JCF_PetiteSleevelessBlouse

~ Basketweave Pencil Skirt, Navy Dot, size 6 ~

Pencil skirts are something I rarely wear anymore since I’m not going to an office daily. I have whittled my collection down to a prized few but this dotted skirt is on my wishlist. I immediately imagined stripes on top, like my Midweight Boatneck Tee in Cherry. I’m still fitting into a size 6 in the Factory pencil skirts so they are still TTS.

JC_DotPencilSkirt

~ Petite Basketweave Pencil Skirt, Navy Dot, size 8 Petite ~

I had to compare the Petite size and I loved it even more. The length hits me just above the knee, which is where I prefer it. On the rack this looked like a mini skirt, so if you see this in-store, just know it’s a Petite size.

JCF_PetiteDotPencilSkirt

I regret not getting the Basketweave Pencil Skirt when I was in-store but it’s and additional 30% off today with code PICKLED.

Have you shopped the Factory recently?


/ Reviews

Today only J Crew Factory has a promo for 25% off your purchase with code CHECKOUT. Some prices stayed the same from the last promo but some went up. The Denim Trouser below went up another $2. This time I would have saved about $15 but since I may possibly exchange one item I am not going to bother with a price adjustment this time.

~ Denim Trouser, size 8 ~

These are exactly what I’m looking for; non-skinny, wide-leg, dark wash trouser jeans. Perfect for date night, especially during these colder month and great for the office. I chose a size 8 and they fit fine to a little loose in the waist and hips. Not a lot but enough that when they stretch out from wear might look a bit saggy. I am hoping to stop by the store this weekend and will try on a size 6 if they are available.

JFC_DenimTrouser

I’ve lightened the image so you can see how long they are on me. I tucked them under several times and will probably need to have about 6 inches, at least, removed. It looks like the line of the leg won’t be affected, but I’ll confirm that with the tailor.

JCF_DenimTrouser_light

~ Slim Cable-Knit V-Neck Sweater, Small ~

This 100% Cotton sweater can be found in the men’s section. I am normally a Medium in Women’s tops and sweaters and the Small fit good to a little big. You can see the sleeves are very long and the length could be an inch shorter. I will see if there’s an XS in store but I kind of like how slouchy it is now. Even though it’s 100% cotton, I’ll probably find a way to shrink it so the Small might be best.

JCF_CableVNeck

There was an issue with both of these items though. The smell. They both must have been dipped in formaldehyde or something. It had an overpowering chemical smell, even through the bag it came in. I had to put both items outside to air out. I hope the store doesn’t smell that way.

JCF_DenimTrouser_Sweater

Here are a few more items I’m browsing during this promo.

Is there anything that’s caught your eye?


/ Bella Picks

New arrivals are here! I was excited to see the Early Access email Wednesday for J Crew Factory and only ordered two items. The prices didn’t seem to be as discounted like they normally are. They went up slightly when all the new arrivals were rolled out to everyone and the latest promo started. You can take 20% off your purchase of $100 or more with WEARNOW. If I had bought today, I would be spending $3 more with this promo.

You can see I’m still “stripesick” and like the Moroccan Red of the Artist Stripe Tee. Online, the color looks similar to the retail Midweight Stripe Tee in Cherry. In hindsight, I would purchase the Factory Tee for the slightly slimmer shape.

Like I mentioned in my Loft post yesterday, I want some nice trouser jeans. I ordered the Denim Trouser Jean. I know I’ll need to have them hemmed and if they fit well and look nice I will definitely get another pair. I’d like one for flats and one for heels. They look nice and dark with no fading so they’ll be good for in-the-office-days and date nights.

I also love the Retro Lemon of the Split-Neck Dress and the Scalloped Shift Dress in both the Bright Amethyst and Dublin Green. I don’t need them and have no where to wear them but those bright colors are enticing.

I always peruse the men’s section for The Boy but also for me. I like their Fisherman Sweaters and found one a few years ago. It’s back in both Navy and Ivory, though only larger sizes remain. I have a size Small in the Navy. I ordered the preppy Slim Cable-Knit V-Neck.

I haven’t been yet, but I am guessing the actual store might have some better promos. They usually start at 30% off certain items but I’m sure there are less items discounted than the website. If anyone knows for sure, let me know.

Are you shopping J Crew Factory or waiting until the next roll-out?