/ Reviews

I went matchy color again in pink with this next outfit.

~ Rhodes Blazer in Italian Wool, Wild Flamingo, size 8 ~
~ Margot Top in Airy Cotton Pique’, size 8 ~
~ Mini Skirt in Pink Houndstooth, size 8 ~

These images do not do the Wild Flamingo color justice. It is so nice and bright IRL. Compared to the Lexington Blazer I have in a similar color, the Lexi is just a little duller. The blazer runs TTS and since there is a Petite offering I would get the 10 Petite. The buttons are gold metal, very lightweight and cheap. But we already knew that. No Lexi buttons on these blazers any more. There are matching wool pants as well. I have the Lolli Pants from a few years ago and still wear them, usually around the holidays.

~ Mini Skirt in Pink Houndstooth, size 8 ~

I completely forgot to take detail of the mini skirt. I love the pink houndstooth and the French Blue of the Margot Top goes well with it. I didn’t like the red houndstooth skirt last year, with the black piping. But this pink is so pretty IRL. This is a mini skirt and hits me a few inches above the knee. It’s also lined. There’s also a matching Campbell Blazer and heels.

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Check out that striped lining…

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~ Margot Top in Airy Cotton Pique’, French Blue, size 8 ~

This fits much better in the size 8. If you are between sizes, take the larger of your two sizes. You can see the front ruffles are a little more fluffy than they probably were right out of the bag. I’m guessing they were steamed just a little bit. I’ve steamed the ruffles on my silk foulard blouse and it just makes the shirt so much more feminine. The material on this is cotton and feels nice and soft. One thing I forgot to mention in my other review is that there is a hook-and-eye closure at the top of the neckline. It is also offered in white.

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~ Merino Wool Sweater Blazer, Heather Dusk, Small ~

I wasn’t a huge fan of this sweater blazer once I saw it in-store. It runs big and you can see the Small is still a little big through the chest and body. I don’t mind the popped collar on this though I’m not sure how you would wear it not popped. Overall the sweater blazer seems too stiff. I guess I was expecting this to be more cozy sweater. It also comes in navy.

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Have you tried any of the Margot Tops? What do you think of the pink houndstooth?

/ Reviews

I was really disappointed all Spring and Summer when I kept seeing J Crew offer the Regent Blazer, which is completely unflattering on me with it’s single button, and no new Schoolboy Blazers. Not that I needed any more blazers but not even having an option to choose from and decide not to purchase was disheartening. I lamented to my VPS whenever I saw a new roll-out with a new Regent Blazer, especially the Linen colors for Summer. I would have loved some of those colors in my closet!

  
I was very skeptical, and loyal to my Schoolboy Blazers, and but did want to at least try on the Rhodes Blazer. The first thing I noticed, while it was still on the hanger is that the wool is thicker. The way the wool is woven reminds me of a Pique Polo shirt.

The size 8 fit well so that tells me that my normal size 10 Petite for blazers will be the best fit. The buttons seems to hit around the same spot as the Schoolboy Blazer. There’s a pocket up at the chest and two flap pockets down lower.

The collar is lined in navy felt. I wonder if the others have a similar color as the blazer or if they contrast?

Here’s where I was shocked! The details on the inside of the jacket are not what I expected from current J Crew. From J Crew of yore (Bella, Lexington, Professor, etc), yes, but not J Crew now.
The lining is striped in red and blue on the Navy Rhodes Blazer. There’s an interior pocket with a red flap and button.

But, the buttons suck. They not only look cheap, they feel cheap too. They should have at least used the cheaper enamel buttons found on the Factory Tipped Linen Blazer. And the buttons on the blazer I tried on felt like they were going to fall off so they’ll need to be reinforced.

Overall, I am happy with the new Rhodes Blazer in Italian Wool though I’m sad that the Schoolboy Blazer is probably gone. Since I have Navy and Black wool in the Schoolboy Blazer I am considering the Belgian Chocolate color.

Have you tried the Rhodes Blazer in Italian Wool? What do you think of it?