I popped into J Crew today so make a few returns (of mostly the below items) and they were having 50% off sale! I couldn't believe it. At this point, I've gotten pretty much all my wishlist items at rock bottom prices so I'm trying to not even look. But, if you're in the market for some basics - now is the time! They still had quite a few items at my local store and they got a bunch of sale items in that they never carried in the first place. The SA told me that sometimes they move stuff in between stores and they had just received a lot of boxes from NY. So there you go.
V-Neck Cardigan (size XS) in Antique Red
Nothing to get super excited about but I really like it. Definitely has that Grandpa vibe without being too slouchy. The v-neck portion is considerably higher than most v-neck sweaters - the placement is more like a tee than a sweater. I sort of liked that. This color was not for me - it's a weird red but might suit someone with a different skin tone. Definitely not bright red like in the LH picture - I just had to brighten that picture up so you could see it!
Wrap Pencil Skirt (size 0) in Bristol Blue
Even the SA mentioned that this skirt looked NOTHING like the color represented online. If any of you remember "Nightfall Blue" as a color a few years ago this is exactly the same. It's a weird shade of blue. Anyhoo - I love the idea of this skirt - it is a true wrap and constructed out of heavy material that drapes well. It looks okay in the photos but it felt a bit sloppy IRL. Also possible a little on the big side?
Unfortunately, the tab at the top juts out over the edge on the side which I didn't like. I don't know if you can tell from the picture but it looked funny that it didn't lay flat where the slide hook was.
Liberty Popover in Hera Feather Print (size 2)
This looked a bit blah on the website but I am always interested in Liberty prints and thought this merited an in person inspection. The fit is pretty typical of popovers but the material is SUPER light so I felt like it looked a bit slimmer.
Up close the print is quite spectacular. Way more detailed than it appears to be on the website. The print is not for me but I think this is a beautiful shirt.
Merino Scarf Sweater (size S)
I've become a bit obsessed with this sweater. I don't know what it is but I really love it. The knit is so soft and yet dense at the same time and the pattern on the arms is so interesting and different. I'm sort of between sizes on this one. I really like the size small - has a little bit of slouch to it (although you can't really see that in the picture).
Merino Scarf Sweater (size XS)
I also really like the XS - very slimming and sort of feels more "retro ski sweater" in this size. I am a bit concerned about the length but it's fine - I just wouldn't want it to shrink. I usually do not regret going up a size whereas you can often regret going down.
What do you think of the XS versus the S???
I have the crepe dress in the bristol blue, and I agree it's an odd color. I am glad it is a dress and I don't have to work too hard to match something with it (had enough trouble just finding a cardigan). I'd be stumped trying to match up the skirt in this color. Still, I think the skirt looks nice on you. I tried the Liberty Hera print popover too and it was so thin. This was the first Liberty print I met that I didn't like at all. The blues looked so pretty on the web site, but I was not a fan of it in person. Maybe I would have liked it better as a Perfect Shirt. Thanks for the reviews!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input, Cate! I agree that the color would be better as a dress because it is hard to find anything to go with. Maybe a camel colored cardigan? I really wish J Crew would go back to Perfect shirts. I'm so sick of popovers - they are good for a big tummy day but I don't think they do much for the figure.
DeleteThe bristol blue is very odd. Pretty, but odd. I think it has a lot of green in it. The scarf sweater looks good in both sizes. Honestly, I can't tell the difference. If you want to layer under, maybe keep the S to accomodate? Thanks for sharing reviews :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gigi. The bristol blue is quite odd. I have a shirt in this color from a few years ago and I always having trouble pairing it with anything but black.
DeleteThe sweaters do look very similar, but the xs gives a slimmer look and the neckline looks more like a crew neck. Maybe pick the one you feel most comfortable in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reviewing the other items. I do love Liberty prints, but find them hard to wear. Would the colors in the popover work with the blue skirt?
Hi Maryeb, I always enjoy your commentary. The XS does give a slimmer look but I decided to go with the small in the end primarily because of the length. I hate that feeling that every time you raise your arms a bit that the sweater rides up too high. I almost considered keeping both but thought that might be a bit silly! The popover might have gone with the skirt - that's a good idea!
DeleteThanks for the reviews! I rely on you for Madewell and J.Crew sizing, since we're the same size (well, I'm a flat chested version of you). I was between sizes on the Scarf Sweater and went back and forth for a while, ordering both sizes more than once. I eventually settled on the Small. I'm an XS in 98% of J.Crew stuff, but the XS in this sweater was a little too short and the arms looked a little tight at the shoulders (even though it was comfortable). I think the XS looks the best through the torso, but I've been really happy with my slouchy size Small. You look great in both. Good luck deciding!
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, Thanks for your input! It's so funny because I just decided to keep the small today too! I'm glad I'm not the only one who found this sweater to run small. I had my friend look at it and she also thought the shoulders looked too small on the XS. I'm always an XS in sweaters at JC but I think the dense knit makes it run a little tight. Glad my size twin did the same thing!
DeleteThe scarf sweater and Liberty popover are fan - that print upclose is gorge!
ReplyDeleteGood choice to keep the s. That way if you wash instead of dry clean you won't have to worry about shrinkage. I'm with you about the popovers. I want shirts not popovers! I am so over them. The ones I have are getting ready to go to consignment.
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