Thursday, April 8

j.crew reviews

Look for my Giveaway post tonight! Woot woot! And thanks for all the gift suggestions for Boyfriend's mother -- I took your advice and put together a neat little "gift basket" of gardening goodies. Boyfriend says she'll love it!

Poplin Bridget Dress, $138:



Hilarious. I ordered this dress out of curiosity about how it'd look, and well... It's going back. Once I stop laughing at how silly it looks on me, that is. I'm wearing my usual size 6 and it's definitely too tight across the hips. If you're pear-shaped like me, either size up or pass on this frock because it is not hip-friendly. The shoulder strap is too thick for my liking, and I think it makes me look strangely large up top. I tried layering under it like in one of J.Crew's product shots, but it was disastrous. I think the sweater I tried to put under it was too thick. If you want to give the layering look a try, I'd recommend trying a thinner under layer because the dress itself is pretty light.

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Stretch Double-Serge Pencil Skirt, $98:


Let me just preface this by saying that J.Crew has my heart when it comes to pencil skirts. I own 3 pencil skirts from J.Crew and I love all of them. In fact, I've worn one of them so much that the vent in the back came undone. Nothing a quick trip to the sewing machine won't fix, though. Anyway, this skirt is no exception to J.Crew's trend of pencil skirt perfection. The material is really thick, yet cool. I don't think it'll be a problem when the temperature rises. The seaming on the back is super bum-friendly and will make your derriere look amazing. I'm wearing this in my usual size Petite 6 in the photo but have since replaced it with a size Petite 8. The P6 was too snug across the hips for my personal taste, but if you don't mind some extra clingyness, go with your usual size.

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Laporte Drape Blouse, $59.99:


I was intrigued by the blouse when I saw it on the model. It had the potential to be lovely and Grecian-inspired. Instead, it just looks sloppy. The top looks nothing like it does in the product shot. It's poorly constructed and the drape is awkwardly sewn on. But that's not all. I'm wearing this in my usual size 2 and while the bodice fit, the waist is way too narrow. As I walked around, the blouse kept riding up like a petulant child who refused to stay put. The fit was also too weirdly boxy. I am not a fan. The only positive I can think of for this top is that the fabric feels really nice.

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Lightweight Trifle Cardigan, $88:



I fell in love with this sweater when I saw it online. I mean, hello, ruffles and school bus yellow? How could it go wrong?! Well, somehow, it did go wrong. Look at the second picture. See how the ruffle awkwardly stops midway down on the right (your right) side of the cardigan? What the heck? This just makes wearing the cardigan open look odd, like someone had run up and snipped off part of the trim. I'm a gal who loves to wear her cardigans open, so this is a total no-go for me, which made me kind of sad because I was so excited to wear this. Otherwise, the cardigan is really nice. I found the construction lovely, the color bright and bold, and the fabric lightweight and sooooft. Sigh. Too bad the abrupt ruffle demise ruins it for me.

13 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear you struck out on so much this time! Regarding the cardi, I noticed that ruffle on the website and couldn't do it. I never wear them buttoned so it was a no-go. I noticed the dress tends to pull across the chest of all blogger's bust-line (big, small and in-between) so there must be something about the one-shoulder that is effecting the fit there. Glad the pencil worked out..those always seem to be a homerun for people..you look great! :)

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  2. I LOVE your reviews Amy, please keep them up! Thanks for saving me from returning the Laporte blouse I almost ordered. Love your blog.

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  3. You actually do look cute in the white dress, but understand what you mean about it bunching up. Those types of dresses can be tricky and I'm not quite sure who can actually pull it off without hips getting in the way!! I am in love with the pencil skirt though, especially that color! I too am a j crew pencil skirt fanatic and definitely own more than 3. There's just something about them- it makes me feel polished and pulled together!

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  4. J. Crew is so hit or miss for me with fit. The pants do well for me most of the time, but dresses and skirts are whole nother story. I tried on that one shoulder dress when it first arrived in stores and felt the same way! I don't think I'm hippy but it accentuated my food babby area and I was not pleased one bit. Thanks for the reviews!

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  5. I actually like the dress on you. I think it looks cute with the one shoulder. I really love the pencil skirt on you too and the color is amazing. I have been looking to add some more colorful pencil skirts to my collection.

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  6. I've been wanting to try this dress on since J. Crew sent out an email about it. I finally did during my lunch break in a size 6 and the fit was just too awkward! It was super loose on top and snug at the hips which wasn't too bad. If only the top was tighter :(! There were no size 4s left, but I have a feeling that the top would have fit perfectly, but too tight at the hips..ugh. The pencil skirt looks great on you :).

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  7. Looooove that skirt and your sweet blog! PS: I left you a little something over at my blog :)

    http://smartandsassywithsprinkles.blogspot.com/2010/04/happy-101-award.html

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  8. Ohhhh, I love the pencil skirt in the papaya! I don't think any of your J Crew goodies looked bad on you (can you look bad? I doubt it) but I think you were right about returning some of them.

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  9. I actually like the poplin dress on you! But it's all about how you feel in it. Definately, the skirt is a keeper. I love the color, too. I just rec'd the crosshatch skirt in papaya and can't wait to wear it. J.Crew does the pencil skirt flawlessly!

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  10. ha i love that you called a blouse a petulant child. hilarious. and the pencil skirt does look amazing :)

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  11. I love seeing your take on the new J.Crew merchandise! Thanks! Even though that first dress doesn't fit perfectly, I really like the concept of a one-shouldered dress on you! :)

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  12. Love the pencil skirt! I need to get one (or several) from there...starting to love that silhouette. Great reviews :)

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  13. Great reviews! I added your links to my posts on the double serge pencil skirt and to the Bridget poplin dress. I kind of understand why they did that w/the ruffle on the yellow cardi. Boo. However, it makes it look nice and not bulky when buttoned. Maybe it'll go on a nice promo!

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