Tuesday, June 14, 2011

J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs!}

This is the weekly "J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs}" post, to help each other share our reviews.

So if you have recently purchased, or stopped by a J.Crew store to try on an item (or two) from J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.

Also, this request is not just limited to clothes. Please feel free to discuss bags, shoes, jewelry, accessories, etc.

In particular, if you could mention a few of the noteworthy details like fit, size, fabric, and the like— that would be fantastic! Thanks in advance! :)

44 comments:

  1. love my surplus pants $74.00 item 31654. They are exactly like the Annie pant (an in-store-only item from last fall). I bought both colors and was wishing for more. maybe run a teeeeny bit smaller.

    Saw the Prabal things at the Malibu shop. the pants are gorgeous but white, dry-clean-only pants won't make it out of my closet without a spot.

    Got to see all the Nili pieces there too. I have many items of hers since she first started. I "found" JC since then and have to say while her things are more dramatic, for much less you can get something quite similar in the JC line.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Reviewed the Verona jacket nad the Marlow hobo on my blog here.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm curious about the fit of the Classic Leather Ballet Flats. TTS, size up or down? Has anyone tried them yet?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fabulous- The Classic Leather Ballet Flats fit TTS for me. I love them and wear then non stop. The footbead is really sturdy compared to other flats I have bought recently. It is leather. The leather outer is high quality not too prone to scuffs and scrapes. I love them and will probably buy another color.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just put up some pics and a review of the Ikat Dot pencil skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I posted an IRL photo of the men's Baird McNutt linen shirt in large gingham (item 26454) on my blog here. The fit is a little bit on the generous side, compared to my husband's Hugo Boss dress shirts. The fabric is really nice, not sheer at all, which was something I was concerned about before ordering. It is perfect for the hot humid summers we get here.

    ReplyDelete
  7. did a little fitting room picture spree of Crew sundresses on the little red deck. Enjoy :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Chambray stripe tee - love, love the silky feel (it's cotton) slub knit fabric. Very generous cut, might want to size down for a closer fit. Has more of a straight than tapered cut through the torso, which combined with the horizontal stripes carries the potential for not being the most flattering piece if not worn carefully.

    Seacomb sweater - beautiful fit and shape when I put it on, but it stretched out a lot during the day. Wish I'd sized down. The rustic navy looks great with chino on the bottom half.


    Lucca suede sandals - TTS and super comfy for long hours on your feet! Great walking shoe when you're dressed up. I have them in aged driftwood and have worn them constantly since they arrived last month. Warning - the mango is not the pretty mango color you see online, it's a darker color IRL. Cute but not versatile. Maybe when they're on clearance.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Do the Camille Wedges fit TTS? Thanks in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Has anyone tried on the Lace Cottage Skirt and can share your thoughts on it? TIA!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I bought the Tangier blazer from Madewell and it fits perfectly and I like the olive grove color, but I dislike the fabric. It's a weird twill, the fabric doesn't have the proper body for the structured style of the blazer, and the lining is sticky cotton (though thankfully the sleeves are satin). It was final sale so I can't send it back, but since I sew a lot I think I'm going to take it apart and use it as a pattern. (I do that a lot, buy clothes just to take them apart.)

    I had also bought the pinwheel blouse and I'm very happy with it. It's very sheer but I'm planning to wear a cardigan over it, and the wide pleat detail in the front will help provide extra coverage where the cardigan won't when it's unbuttoned. The fabric is beautiful, that's for sure. I hope Madewell and J Crew make more print blouses, though I would actually prefer print shells.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Totally in love with the Paradisa dress, item 42786, which is only in stores right now. It's a cream colored sundress with bright orange floral embroidery, a sweetheart neckline and thin straps. Fits like a dream and is very flattering but runs large - I tried on a 0 in store and had to place a (successful, yay!) we-will-find-it order for a 00. The little details are what make this such a nice item and why I was able to rationalize paying full price. The cut of the bodice is very similar to a number of JC strapless dresses from seasons past, which I love, but with straps which I love even more. The bottom hem has a mini pom pom trim which is absolutely adorable. Super cute dress for summer.

    Also tried on the Casbah dress in store, since I've had my eye on it for awhile and knew it wouldn't hang around for much longer given the striking color and print. Also found that this dress ran large and I needed to order a 00 online as the 0 felt like it was going to slip down on me at any second. That said, I really like what they're doing this season as far as the interior corsets. In the proper size, I don't think I will have to worry about this dress staying up at all. Fits as shown on the model online (which is nice since, with all the pinning they do, you can't always tell the true fit from the photos).

    Next... the cotton gauze Belinda dress. I recently purchased this in a P0, and while the other dresses I bought in the same size fit magnificently, I felt like the cut of this one was too petite; i.e. the waist sat way too high and the dress was way shorter than it should have been. Kinda made me look like I was playing reverse dress-up in a child's clothes. That said, I loved the dress itself and have reordered a 00 so I will have to review the regular sizing once it arrives.

    Finally, the Lace blouson dress. I came so close to not ordering this as I thought the blouson effect would add some unnecessary bulk to my waistline, and I could not have been more wrong. This is a very slimming, flattering dress and the lace is lovely, and I was pleased to find that the ivory color is not too sheer. I took a P0 and the length was perfect as well. I'm 5'3" and it hits about 2" above the knee.

    And on the topic of dresses, anyone know where that pretty chiffon maxi dress disappeared to? One day it was in stores and online, and now it's gone. It was a white dress with teal-ish blue print and I was hoping to try it out in P0... might help if I could remember the name or style number, which is consequently the only way I found the Casbah dress! Why JC hides items online I'll never understand.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I completely agree on the Lucca sandals. So cute and comfortable.

    Holly Tara, how would you describe the color of the aged driftwood?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Tulle Underwire Tank

    Love, love, LOVE! I ordered one size up from my normal clothing size, and it fits perfectly. I got a size 8, and I was worried I'd need a D-Cup, but wow, I do not. I am a 34D and the regular size is almost too big in the cups. So I'd advise against ordering D cup unless you are really a big D or a DD even, or if you wear a little size like 0, 2, or 4. Conversely, if you have a smaller chest, you might want to stay away from this suit if you wear a size 6 or larger.

    It is very flattering and high quality, and stretchy. Normally I hate one pieces because the aren't very flattering but I will make an exception for this one.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh, and on me, the top is almost straight across. It is not a sweetheart neckline as shown on the model. This is a drawback IMO but it is still a very cute suit!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Cleo, aged driftwood is a washed out tan color. I am very fair skinned, and they are the perfect nude for me.

    ReplyDelete
  19. xoxo, thank you for your review of the Oxford ballet flats. You mention the old JC pointy toe flats. I loved those and always thought they were such a cute look. I notice Jimmy Choo is introducing pointy toe flats in the $400-$500 range at Saks but it would be great if J. Crew brought back those great leather pointy toe flats in black and nude for fall.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very happy with two recent purchases.

    Iris suede sandals in tropical green. I had high hopes for these and they are both elegant and fun, and what a gorgeous color. My only worry is that the strap over the toes seems a little delicate. Then again, if you made it thicker, the shoe would not be as chic. I'll keep my fingers crossed that they hold up fine. I'm an 8.5 but since these only come in whole sizes, I took a 9, which was perfect.

    Town hall dress: I'm always looking for shift dresses with a twist, so this caught my eye right away. Plus I have no waist so anything with waist definition is a plus. I hated to pay full price but I didn't want to miss out, and I'm glad I went for it. I think it runs TTS. Went with my usual 0 in dresses (which is actually ridiculous as I am a healthy 5'6" and not a stick by any means).

    ReplyDelete
  21. Elizabeth, I hope the review was helpful. They are pretty nice shoes. I used to buy quite a few pair of J.Crew shoes but now there are only a couple each year that work for me. I have a pair of the perfect flats and I never wear them. They are black and I always wish I would have bought the gray animal-print version instead. Whenever I see Slastena wear hers I am envious. It is a classic look so I'm not surprised to learn they are being offered elsewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I posted a few pics of the rowboat dress on my blog here

    ReplyDelete
  23. I decided to try the Italian Linen Shirtdress, Item 46499. I own a skirt and some capri pants in a Crespi bronze linen from 2009, the material is fabulous.
    The fabric of the shirtdress is indeed wonderful. The beechwood color has a slight gray undertone, at least on me.
    The dress has beautiful long sleeves and cuffs with two buttons. It came to just above the knee (I am 5'7")
    The shape does not suit me. It is a shift, or a giant shirt really, with pockets, and I couldn't get a belt to lay right (too much bunching).
    The biggest problem? The plunging neckline! If I turned slightly to either side my boobs actually popped out, I kid you not. And I am a 32B so not a lot to pop there.
    I have sent it back. It was hugely expensive and would have had to have been absolutely perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Has anyone tried the Avenelle Cutout Wedges? I'm eyeing them on the website, and would love to hear what other JCAs think. TIA!

    ReplyDelete
  25. FFM -- I've found I have to size down half a size for the Classic Ballet Flats. They ran quite big on me; for reference, my feet are on the narrow side with med-to-high arches.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I think the Soiree skirt in waterlily floral has already been discussed/reviewed, but I will throw in my two cents anyway.

    First, it is marked down to $59.99 in my local B&M. I was there a few weeks ago and it was a new arrival at the front of the store.

    It is very pretty and, depending on your workplace, long enough to wear to work. I am 5'10" and it is a couple inches above my knee, but that fact is not obvious since it is a-line.

    I am going to work it tomorrow with a crisp cynthia steffe ruffle sleeveless blouse, I cannot wait. It could also go with a tee and flip flops. And the print is gorgeous. I cannot resist a printed a-line skirt!

    The print is alot prettier and has more colors than it looks like online, I think. If you can get to a b&m, definitely check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  27. @patmosjd: I've bought the Avenelle cutout wedges and returned it due to the color being off with my skin tone. It fit true to size for me and it was comfortable. That said, the burnt siena was way too dark for my skin tone but I guess since the cutouts are supposed to stand out it isn't a bad thing. :-) Hope this helps.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I received the Elsa jacket yesterday. Wasn't sure what color/size would work best for me so I tried the Plaster in P0 and the Modern Red in 00. First the sizing: though I almost always need petite in J Crew, this jacket has a very shrunken fit. I actually didn't like how high the belt of the P0 hit; the jacket was above my pants waistband and it looked and felt awkward. The 00 had about 1" more in length, and about the same in shoulder width - fit was just about perfect. Now for the color - the Plaster was just, yuck, on me. Too drab. The Modern Red, on the other hand is *bright*!! It is a glowing ember orange. At first I was thought the color was too much, but then I kind of started to fall in love with it. Working it into my wardrobe might stretch my styling abilities, but I think this one's a fun keeper.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I recently acquired 5 of J.Crew's perfect shirts - I posted a snapshot of my haul here.

    All shirts are TTS!

    Perfect shirt in neon (pink) gingham - Love this. I couldn't resist the combination of pink and gingham. The material is substantial unlike the Perfect shirt in maxi check (also in photo). I needed to wear a cami under the latter. I don't understand why J.Crew is so inconsistent with their fabric.

    Perfect shirt in (red) gingham - I was so happy when this showed up in my size in the sale section. I even paid for shipping! I do like this but I can't help but feel like a picnic blanket. It's not hard to see why!

    Perfect shirts in Liberty Art fabric - These are so thin. But you know what? I am still in love with them. The print makes up for the thin, kinda sheer fabric. Perfect for summer! Snag 'em if you can! I love the Liberty Wildbloom print over the Liberty Springlily

    ReplyDelete
  30. Just posted reviews and pics of the Elsa Jacket and Loretta Wood Heels in modern red HERE.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hello everyone! I know it's the middle of the night for most people here, but new arrivals were in stores today (that is, yesterday) and I stopped in to do try-ons. I tried many items (several dresses) not on the website yet and put them on my Feeling J. Crewzy blog. Also The SA's gave me a July catalog, which will be on the site along with new arrivals in about an hour. That's not on J. Crewzy but I may scan it onto The J. Crew Archives and write some remarks.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I tried on the lace cottage skirt in the store recently, and I liked it. I tried on a 4, and found it a little snug when worn at the waist; however, I am probably a 6 in the waist myself, so perhaps a 6 would fit better. I thought it was cute on, and I think I would agree that it could be worn at the natural waist or lower, if desired. I was concerned that it would be like a miniskirt on me, but, although it was a shorter skirt on, it wasn't so short to be miniskirt length.

    ReplyDelete

Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)