/ Reviews

Shorts and skirts are finishing out my reviews from J Crew. I’ll have some J Crew Factory/Mercantile reviews in the next few days.

~ Cotton Jackie Cardigan in Dot, Small ~
~ V-Neck Linen Tee, White Navy, Small ~
~ Mini Skirt in Nautical Stripe, size 8 ~

I thought the whole outfit was cute, mixing the dots with stripes. The blue on the Jackie and skirt are slightly different shades though. I think maybe a different colored tee/shirt would make that a little less noticeable. My store had two sizes left in the Jackie Cardigan in Dot, a Small and XS. Since this is a cotton knit and I don’t button my cardigans much the Small fit fine. Husband hates this cardigan, calling it “old lady” but I really like it. So much that I’ve already worn it twice since purchasing it last week.

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My VPS put the skirt in the fitting room for me. It’s really odd to me for a few reasons. First, the title has “mini skirt” in it but this was 19-inches long. It hit me just at mid-knee. Second, there are pleats in the front and an elastic waist in the back. Those two things together make the skirt lay weird on me. I also think because of the pleats and elastic waist, it dropped the skirt lower, hence the visual longer length. I did like the cotton poplin material and that it’s machine washable.

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~ Gingham Pleated Mini Skirt, size 8 ~

This skirt is now on sale and is really cute IRL. This mini skirt hit me just above the knee. The waist fit well in the size 8, my normal pants/skirt size. I did see the description states this could only be “spot-cleaned”. That’s a bit disappointing and could be why it’s in the sale section now. I do wish they would have offered this in the pink as well, like the blazer and pants. I probably would have bought it at full price in that color.

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~ Cuffed Bermuda Short in Linen, Tuscan Olive/Byzantine Copper, size 8 ~

I have been waiting for these shorts FO-EVAH! I bought a pair of Collection Linen Bermuda Shorts almost three Summers ago, on sale (YAY!), and love them. They had been offered in black and white and only the white was in my size. A similar version was offered last Summer in a color similar to the Byzantine Copper below. Those were hideous. The length was well below my knees but not close to gaucho-style or super-cropped pant.

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But these Linen Shorts are exactly what I wanted. I ordered all three colors (they come in Flax too) because I didn’t want to miss out on them. The size 8 is perfect and the 7 1/2 inseam hits above the knee. I was a little hesitant about keeping the Byzantine Copper color but found I have several items in my closet to go with this color. The linen is not heavy or thick but fairly lightweight.

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There are a few differences between the Collection Linen Shorts and the current Cuffed Linen Shorts. First, the Collection Linen Shorts are pleated while the current shorts are not. They have a flat front, which I like a lot more. Second, the Collection shorts are lined, probably because they are white. I have no idea if the black color was lined. Lastly, the current Cuffed Linen Shorts have a cuff while the Collection shorts do not. The pockets are also slightly different with the Cuffed Linen Shorts having an on-seam pocket and the Collection short are placed a little more in front.

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~ Sunday Slim Chino Short, Chrome Green, size 8 ~

The Chrome Green color was really pretty IRL. I don’t have a color like this in my shorts drawer but eventually decided to pass on them since I have way to many casual shorts. The size 8 was a good fit for me, as I like the Sunday Slim shorts to be a little more on the loose side.

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~ Sunday Slim Short in Vintage Plaid, Bohemian Red, size 8 ~

I did not like the color of the Bohemian Red as much as the Patchwork. The red was too bright for me, IRL. Also, this version of the Sunday Slim Short is not chino material and feels a little more snug and not so loose in the size 8. I think I’d have to size to a 10 to get that loose feel I have with my other Sunday Slim shorts.

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It’s not even June and I have already worn the Cuffed Bermuda Shorts in Linen all at least twice. They will all be in rotation heavily all Summer long.

Have you tried the Linen Shorts?

/ Reviews

This afternoon we have all the Gingham I could find in the store to try on.

~ Campbell Blazer in Gingham, Cobalt Blue Ivory, size 8 ~
~ Linen V-Neck Tee, Bright Butternut, Small ~
~ Lightweight Short in Gingham Linen, Cobalt Blue Ivory, size 8 ~

This was a really cute blazer. The Cobalt Blue is nice and bright and exactly matches the shorts. I felt silly wearing them together though. I do have a pair of white Linen shorts that would look fantastic with the blazer. The size 8 fit fine so this is TTS, but since it’s offered in a Petite I would size to my normal 10 Petite. It fits much better in the chest, waist and sleeve length. Single button is not great but will work. I usually leave my blazer buttons undone. I reviewed the Linen Tee yesterday. This blazer also comes in Pink Ivory.

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The blazer is lined in poly resembling a seersucker stripe.

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~ Lightweight Short in Gingham Linen, Cobalt Blue Ivory, size 8 ~

J. Crew baffles me sometimes with their product names. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a linen item not be “lightweight”. Maybe that’s their way of saying it’s not a blend? Moving on, the shorts are just as cute as the blazer and more my style. Though I wish these were offered in a true navy gingham, I do like the cobalt blue color. It’s just as bright and saturated as the blazer. The inseam is 5-inches, a pretty good length for me. If I can recall correctly, these shorts are not lined but not thin enough to be see-through.

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~ Tippi in Gingham, Caravan Blue, Small ~

This sweater is made of  a very lightweight and somewhat sheer Merino Wool. The Small fit really well and would be the size I’d get. I am normally a Medium in Tippis but the Medium was very slouchy on me so I would say this Tippi runs big. The Caravan Blue is pretty in person but I like the Vivid Canary that’s offered instead. I can definitely see that color with the Ponte Wide-Leg Pants.

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~ Lightweight Linen Tunic in Gingham, Small ~

I had already ordered this in the Hydrangea color. This runs large and the Small was fine and works for a decent coverup. The Gingham in Navy and White and has a tie at the neck. The sleeves are long but I’d definitely roll mine up.

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~ Lightweight Linen Tunic, Hydrangea White, Small ~

This the one I ordered and is the same style and fit just a different color. For the price, I decided I could find something cheaper (Factory) or take one of my Linen button-downs as a cover-up.

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I had purchased the Tippi but have since returned it. It was one of those things where I decided if I didn’t wear it in the first week of purchase I would return it and wait for it to go on sale. I won’t be heart-broken if I don’t get it. I have a feeling there will be other retailers copying the Gingham look soon.

/ Reviews

On to some reviews of the latest J Crew roll-out. I’m starting with my unexpected and favorite item, the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant.

~ Linen V-Neck Tee, Bright Butternut, Small ~
~ Ponte Wide-Leg Pant, Navy, size 6 ~
~ Dulci Suede Kitten Heels, Black, size 6 1/2 ~

I sized down to a Small in the tee and it’s still somewhat slouchy on me. The Bright Butternut color was very saturated and bright. A nice color to wear for Spring under a Navy or White blazer. They were just to try on with the pant but The Dulci Suede Kitten Heels fit a half size small. My normal shoe size is a 7 but I did feel more comfortable in the 6 1/2.

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~ Ponte Wide-Leg Pant, Navy, size 6 ~

This pant was just so amazing. I felt great in them. They felt great on. I’m in a size 6, one size down from my normal 8 pant size. The Navy is nice and dark. The side-zip only has a little poking out, as you can see. I lightened up the first photo so you can see how they really fit on me. I honestly don’t even think Spanx are needed with these pants. The ponte is thick enough to hold you in all on their own. They are supposed to be a bit cropped but, for me, the length is perfect, with or without a heel.

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Normal pic, un-lightened…you can see these will also be good with flats. If you do tuck in your shirt be sure it’s as flat and as smooth as can be. There will be some lines showing. I personally think leaving the shirt untucked or a very loose tuck will be good for these pants.

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~ Perfect Shirt in Embroidered Dot, size 8 ~
~ Teddie Pant, Navy, size 6 ~

The Teddie Pants were just ok for me. Of course, I tried them on after the Ponte Wide-Leg pants but I wasn’t all that impressed with them when they first rolled out. I also don’t have a need for pants like this. They’ll just sit in my closet. You’ll see they are not cropped on me (5’2″) and the size 6 fit fine. I could probably size to an 8 Petite for a little more comfort in the waist and thighs but overall the 6 was ok.

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The Embroidered Dot shirt was nice and interesting. Not enough to buy it because I have an Ann Taylor one but this one was nice. The size 8 fit me TTS. The white dots have tiny holes in the center while the blue dots have white embroidery in the center. The shirt does seem a little thin and if you look at it in closer detail on the product image you can see the blue embroidered dot on the back of the shirt. This is one shirt I would consider wearing with the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant un-tucked or maybe a half-tuck. Is that still a thing?

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~ Chambray Scalloped Top with Grommets, size 6 ~
~ Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean, Bergen Wash, size 30 ~

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I skimmed right by this when I saw it online during the initial roll-out but my store had it. I accidentally grabbed a size 6 and it just fits. The 8 would be more comfortable across the chest. I know it says “grommets” in the name but wasn’t really expecting them. I figured the holes at the bottom were embroidered. So, if you wear this traveling, you may get an extra pat-down going through security.

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I had no expectation that my store would receive the Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean. But they were available in two colors. Unsure of how they fit, I grabbed a size 30 because I knew it would be at least roomy if they were too big or fit just right if they ran small. The size 30 fit fine in the length (not cropped), and in the thighs and waist. The front was a little saggy and would probably worsen with wear. I really liked the high-rise on this, hitting just above my belly-button.

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~ Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean, Surrey Wash, size 29 ~

There was not a size 29 in the Bergen Wash so the SA brought me that size in the Surrey Wash. The bagginess in front was a non-issue but I think with the lighter wash, I didn’t care for the high-rise look as much. The length was just slightly shorter than the 30. I can only assume the 30 Petite would be the best fit for me but since there are so many jean options I’m not going to settle. These are a pass for me, even on sale.

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Out of all of these, the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant are my absolute favorite! I’ll share soon several ways to style them.

Tomorrow is Gingham Day!