Before the new year, J Crew updated their site with some new arrivals for Resort/Spring 2012. I was anxious to see the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Warm Jade along with the new Jackie Pullover. My store won’t be receiving anything until next week and I didn’t want to wait that long so I placed an order.

Here are my first reviews of Resort/Spring 2012.

No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Double-Serge Cotton – #59369, $110, Warm Jade, Sz 6 – I quite like this color IRL. Online, the color did not look like the little sample color in the catalog so I was worried it wouldn’t be as lovely as I hoped. But I didn’t need to worry. I love the color. It’s vibrant and a very pretty green, maybe a little darker than the pictures below. This fits well in my normal size 6. The cotton is nice, a little thick (double-serge) and sturdy. It is unlined, which I believe is how they were last year too, and that’s ok with me. I added some heels to get a better idea of the length, which is 22 inches long. I don’t think I’ll have this hemmed as this hits just below the knee on me. This one is a keeper, even at full price.

 

Jackie Pullover – #65341, $65, Canvas, M –  I ordered the Jackie Pullover in Canvas and Byzantine Blue.  I thought about ordering the Warm Jade and Bright Violet but I was immediately drawn to the Blue in the catalog and I also wanted to see a neutral color in this new item. I have to say I am a little disappointed in this pullover. Immediately, even while still in the plastic packaging, I could tell this was a different texture and was thicker than the Jackie Cardigan. I was expecting something a little more lightweight like the cardigan. I don’t have any of the Jackie Shells so I can’t compare the two.

The Canvas color is a nice neutral and goes well with the Warm Jade pencil skirt. I just couldn’t get over the texture of this sweater. The Cotton V-Neck Sweater is a much lighter weight than the pullover. My normal size Medium fits perfectly.

Here I have the Jackie Cardigan in Pearl (from 2010) on top and the Jackie Pullover in Canvas on the bottom. I tried to capture the texture I’m seeing so I hope you can see it too. As far as material they are both the same Cotton/Nylon/Spandex but with slightly different percentages.
2010 Jackie Cardigan: 66% Cotton, 29% Nylon, 5% Spandex
2012 Jackie Pullover: 66% Cotton, 31% Nylon, 3% Spandex

Here is the Byzantine Blue. This is another vibrant color and I originally thought it wouldn’t pair well with the Warm Jade pencil skirt but I think it does. I’ll look for this color in another cardigan or top. This is the color I was hoping the Jackie Cardigan in Pacific would be. I honestly do not like the Jackie Pullover but I know a lot of you will so I hope the review and pics of the colors will help you. I’ll be returning both colors.

Now, Whitney, has a completely different view of the Jackie Pullover. Go to her blog, Only Boring People are Bored, to read all about it.

Before I knew my store would not be receiving any Resort/Spring 2012 until next week, I stopped by to have a look. There was nothing new that interested me other than this skirt.
Gimlet Skirt in Coaster Stripe – #55688, #118, Dark Blue, 6 – Here’s what J Crew says about this skirt.


A festive fan of pleats along the waist renders this classic A-line skirt a sophisticated pick for all your invitations of the season. We can’t get enough of its ladylike length (it hits right at the knee for that fabulous swing). The best part? We fashioned it in alternating transparent and opaque stripes, just like the vintage dress one of our stylists sported around the office to rave reviews. 

I saw this skirt and immediately thought of how I would stroll around Paris and Italy wearing it with a lovely linen blouse and sweet little wedge sandals. It’s very organza-ish but is actually Cotton/Nylon. The close-up of the pattern and material does not do it justice. The size 6 fits well on me. This skirt is meant to sit at your waist or just a tiny bit lower. It hits right at the knee (perfect for the times we’ll be sight-seeing and walk inside a church).

I kept this skirt in the bag, in my truck, for a week before bringing it inside but I could never get it out of my head. See, here WAS my dilemma. I have a Banana Republic Seersucker skirt that is similar in style to this skirt. I immediately thought of that skirt, after my strolling around Paris/Italy thought, when I saw this skirt. But I decided they are both two different skirts and I don’t have strolling visions with that other skirt. The only negative about this skirt is that it doesn’t have pockets. That would make this skirt absolutely perfect in my book.

What do you think?

Stroll on ladies, stroll on.