Thursday, March 18, 2010

Product Review: Wool Floral Scarf

I love it when JCAs share their product reviews! I find myself looking for a review from a fellow JCA on the blog roll, before making any purchases now. Not only has it saved me a few returns by purchasing the right size, I have also picked up a new piece or two that I would not have otherwise. :) Now to the review...

The Wool Floral Scarf (Item 23288; $59.50), aka Potpourri Scarf, has been very popular with the JCAs. I can understand why, with both its delicious Papaya & Cotton Candy versions. J.Crew describes it as:
Our classic fine-wool scarf/wrap, updated in buoyant spring florals. We borrowed two of our favorite prints from the women's collection for this style, which adds instant spring glamour to absolutely anything. Plus, we've perfected the wool blend to be floaty and light but still superwarm, so it's as chic over blouses and tees as it is knotted under your Macintosh coat on a brisk day.
A big "thanks!" to Belle de Jour who shared the following review:
There were two colourways for this scarf. This is the one with black, pink and papaya and matches the Ames dress. It's also available in a mini and a jacket.

I loved the colours on-line. As it was sold out, I rushed to call one of the stores listed by some friendly JCA. With some confusion on their part (they haven't done many phone sales, particularly to Canada), they promptly sent my beauty on its way.

I was thrilled when the parcel arrived. But not so thrilled when I opened the package. I'm a redhead with typical redhead colouring. I can wear black beautifully, and the papaya is stunning on me; however, the pink is pink and only makes me look pinker.

The scarf itself is soft and easily maniputable. It unwraps and untwists and unknots without a wrinkle. Unfortunately, this is a print not a weave, and you have to be careful how you wrap it. One side is vibrant and the other is faded.

This is as good as any of the J Crew scarves, just doesn't work for my colouring.
"Thanks!" again to Belle de Jour for her great review of this scarf!

For some reviews & real life images of this scarf, you have to check out:
What are your thoughts on the Wool Floral Scarf? Have you seen or own this scarf? If so, what is your review of the fabric & print? Would you recommend it to another fellow JCA?

22 comments:

  1. I own both colors in this scarf and find is soft and warm and lovely. It does snag easily so be careful with your rings! Luckily I know how to fix this kind of this as I was wearing my grandmothers ruby/diamond cluster ring the first time out with this in the cotton candy color. My store in Raleigh still has this scarf in both colors as of last weekend. Plenty to be had so don't know why it is sold out online.

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  2. I ordered the "cotton candy" print in this scarf (same as the waterfloral cardi) and received the Potpourri print (that reviewed here) by mistake. I wound up keeping both! It's still quite chilly here in March, April, and even into May, and a pretty floral print scarf is a good way to add a spring feel to an outfit while staying warm. At $59.50, these scarves aren't cheap, but given their versatility I found them to be worth it. Caution: the weave is fairly loose and they do snag easily.

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  3. Lol, Genny, great minds think alike!

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  4. "Snag easily" is an understatement. I own a scarf of the same fabric in the "Fresh Pear" color and was not at all prepared for how it would catch on everything. For someone who can be a little Type-A about my clothes, this was frustrating, until I just let the scarf be what it's going to be. The fabric is soft, light, and lovely, but it doesn't wear perfectly.

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  5. Oh, I love both of these prints but can't buy because I'm not scarf savvy or effortlessly chic enough to own a scarf (especially such an expensive one) that is just printed on one side! I'd always end up with the faded side showing and look ridiculous. I so wish this was a real fabric but my wallet is thanking me.

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  6. Both prints are really nice additions to a Spring wardrobe.

    O/T Silverlining please come back I miss your posts.

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  7. This is completely off topic (and I hope ok Alexis), but could anyone tip my scale on the tweed contessa coat? It sure looks darling, but my plan is to wear it as a layering piece. How does it hang open, as it is double breasted? Who else pulled the trigger? Anyone have a free shipping code? That would put me over the edge for sure!!

    Thanks for letting me stray from the beautiful scarf subject (oh, how I love the cotton candy color!)

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  8. Thanks for the review .. and the blog link, Alexis! I freakin' can't get enough of this scarf! Still makes me sick what I paid for it, but I love it! I find myself wanting to wear it with everything!

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  9. I own both colors in this scarf, too, and I LOVE them!

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  10. I love this scarf! It seems to go with most of my jcrew jackets, as well. I have worn it (to add a hint of spring) with my khaki trench, salmon colored double serge trench coat (which I adore), and even with jean jackets. The papaya goes well with all of these. It does snag easily, but I try to pull the snag back in place when I can.

    Chic - I have the tweed contessa, and I find it to be very versatile. I wore it to the white house last week with a black sheath dress--it was an outdoor event and it was great that I could button it up as it got chilly or wear it open when the sun was out. I can also dress it down with vintage jeans, etc. I originally purchased it for full price--but was happy to see it went down in price. From $250 to $89.99---who could pass that up? I was willing to invest in the piece at full price, so you can see that I am partial.

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  11. I absolutely adore this scarf and have been wearing it almost every few days. It does snag easily and I try to fix it by pulling it back in. I think it's worth FP considering CPW (cost per wear). My B&M sold out of this really quickly so get it if you can.

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  12. OT: All About Nothing at All has a picture of the Tweed Contessa IRL. I find it a very pretty jacket but it looks to be rather boxy on the JCrew model as well as the beautiful Slastena. I wonder if that is why it is on sale??? Fit issue?

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  13. These scarves ARE very pretty but I definitely won't be pulling the trigger. I got a very similar scarf at the outlet last year in the BEAUTIFUL original watercolor print. It seriously goes with everything.

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  14. Ooh, love reading this! I bought this scarf and the violet tweed skirt to bring with me to Paris - and ooh lala do I love both. This scarf is just such a smashing, madcap way to get a head start on spring for those of us in cold climates. I adore the print - if only the skirt wasn't of preppy prostitute length, I'd already have bought it.

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  15. Thanks for the link Alexis! Both scarves are beautiful, it is just a question of what goes better with your coloring and jackets. I bought the cotton candy in store as I was planning on wearing it with my short trench in bleached almond. Then this morning I saw the other one at the sample sale for only $15 (OK, the Jcrew tag is gone, but who cares)!!! I couldn't pass on it, even if I already have the watercolor Ames dress.
    I too don't understand why they don't had more to sell online ...

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  16. I love this scarf :) As many have said, they snag (what is the fix you mention Genny?? I am very type A about my clothes :), but it is so soft and beautiful. I find the 'faded' side is not too obvious. I bought with a 20% code but probably would have paid full price as I love the print so much. I also wish there were more pieces in this print, the strapless dresses don't work for me (no bust) and the mini skirt is really too short. Glad many people were able to get the Ames dress on sale though I hope as it was pretty.

    On the Tweed Contessa Coat, I agree with Lyssa and Genny's comments. Like Lyssa I like the coat a lot - I bought it when it came out as I love the beaded collar and overall look so much. However as Genny mentions it is boxy. I am very small and a dancer so pretty much model build as also tall. No J.Crew jacket fits me without tailoring. I don't think that this one is especially boxy though, for those who may be considering it. I think overall it is a good buy on sale. The details make it nice if you wear jackets and it is nicely made. Also the length helps to somewhat reduce the 'boxy' factor which is such a problem with JC jackets - meaning that the cropped jackets that are also boxy I think are really an issue. I plan to get it tailored. Hope that helps. Sorry to go on.

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  17. My fixes are a super small metal crochet needle to pull the pulled bit through. I also use fray check if needed after I clip any loose ends that are too long. Also, if the fabric "spreads" apart and doesn't pull I use a sharp needle to "bring the fabric back together" and close the gap.

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  18. Genny, I HATE scarf fabric that "spreads" and I'm seeing a lot of it lately. Just last week I returned an Old Navy scarf that had both snags and "spreads" on it when it arrived and just today I received a LE linen/cotton scarf has "spreads." It's very pretty but I don't know if I want to deal with a cheap scarf that's this high maintenance. :(

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  19. Jeanne,
    I totally had the same problem with an Old Navy scarf. I wonder if we bought the same one!

    I will say I had the same with an LE linen scarf I just bought. But the big difference here showed in the quality. When I washed it it totally disappeared! The scarf was fine. Remember even if you wash and wear you can return at LE. So nothing to loose.

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  20. PS

    Also I did order the LE linen/cotton scarf in two colors and the other one has been fine. Also, call and LE will send you out a new one if you want and/or the washing tech. does not work for you. My scarf was white that was spreading. Whaat color is yours?

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  21. I LOVE this scarf! I have worn it a ton and have not had issues with snags yet... I get a ton of compliments every time I wear it. I did purchase one for my sister as I thought that it would be a perfect gift and she was not as big of a fan. She thought it was a bit too bright... Therefore I just posted it for sale on the exchange.

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  22. Thanks Genny. I will wash my scarf and see if the "spread" disappears. I bought both indigo and green. I love the indigo but I'm still undecided about the green.

    Totally OT, but I also ordered the LE cotton/lycra ruffle neck cardigan in three colors: turquoise, green and coral. It's absolutely adorable IRL, but the sizing is HUGE and now they're mostly sold out. :(

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