Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Love it or Leave it: Gayle Ruffle Trench

Gayle Ruffle Trench
(Item 90815)
Click here to visit product page
Regular: $198.00
Now: $139.99

I have been lusting over this jacket for some time now. I think the ruffles around the collar are absolutely beautiful! I also think both colors (bright flame and dune) would make nice additions to my ridiculously large coat collection. :)

However, I have not seen the trench in person. Hence my hesitation to purchase the coat right now. Unfortunately, I can not tell how the fabric would wear (e.g. is it structured and will maintain its shape, is it prone to wrinkles, etc.)

So, I will ask you guys what you think of the trench: do you love it or hate it? Do you own the trench and if so, what do you think? Is it worth the current price?

28 comments:

  1. I love this coat too! I almost bought it the other day but when I reread the description and it said 3/4sleeves I quickly changed my mine. Maybe if it was cheapter...maybe...but I have a beautiful BR coat that has 3/4 sleeves and it does limit what I wear with it. Maybe not everyone would feel this way...just my personal preference. Wish I could say that I've seen it in person but I think the fabric would be devine!

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  2. Sorry to say, I don't like it. I think it says Spring 2008 and next yr it will look dated. Too much with all the ruffles.

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  3. Thanks Jagjag2 and Kirbydog for the comments, you given me a couple of things to think about. :)

    I agree Jagjag2 about the 3/4 sleeves for jackets- It does severely limit what you can wear under the jacket and when (weather-wise) you can wear it.

    However, I do have the navy blue Sadie cropped trench coat , which is also 3/4 sleeves, that I love and get compliments on all the time (when I can wear it). (Item 81657/ Link: http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod81657411&catId=cat150154)

    Kirbydog, I do like the ruffles I am afraid to admit. I am worried how the jacket would look if one doesn't belt it. Depending on how it looks open, I can see it being a dated item.

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  4. This coat looks adorable in the photo BUT I have heard multiple people who tried it on and did buy it or bought and returned. It is shapeless and unflattering on, sorry to say. Also there is no way to keep it on other than the belt. No snaps or buttons whatsoever.

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  5. Coupon code: SALESHHH
    20% off $175 or more
    Exp: May 26

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  6. I was drooling over this jacket too...broke down and splurged on it in bright flame. I ended up returning it for several reasons....the 3/4 sleeves made it completely impractical, there are no snaps or buttons so you must use the belt to close it, in fact, I don't think you can wear it open? Plus, when I put the jacket on and tied it, it looked like a dress because there was so much excess fabric around my waist down to my knees. In my opinion, it looks better on their website then in person.

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  7. I keep up with fashion very closely and am always the first at work to have on the newest trend. However, I also like classic pieces that never go out of style. Also, if I love the item I don't care if it's in style as long as it fits and flatters me. So if you like the coat--and/or love it. Go for it. For closing it, since I don't sew--Michael's and other stores like JoAnn's carry velcro closures in black, white and beige. They stick on and really do hold well. I use them mainly on JCrew tote bags to keep them closed but have used them on clothes as well. They also sell ones you can iron on OR sew on.......just an option.....to keep it closed....I try to find a way to make things work!

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  8. I have the Flame version coming in the mail to me today. I'll let you know. Can't wait to see it and try it on!

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  9. Thanks everyone for your comments. You have definitely convinced me to hold off on purchasing this item.

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  10. Janell: I am interested to hear how you feel about your coat when you get it. Please do let me know!

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  11. Thanks Lynn about the code. I just got the email with it as well! I love it when they send those kinds of emails; as oppose to "new arrivals at Crewkids"- no offense to Crewkids of course- but the email is not as exciting to me. :)

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  12. I don't have the Gayle coat, but I have the Claudia coat from this spring in the pink color, 3/4 sleeves and the ruffles, although it does button closed. I absolutely adore this shorter-length raincoat, but I have only had occasion to wear it once or twice due to the color and the 3/4 sleeves. I hope I have more occasion to wear it before it goes out of style, i.e. the ruffles.

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  13. I own this in flame and think it is fantastic. (also bought it at 50% off the sale price.) wore it to a wedding on a foggy beach: fabulous! interesting: i usually wear 10/12 but tried it in 8 and it was perfect: tightly belted it makes a beautiful silhouette, frames the face,decolletage. I wore it open indoors as banquet hall was not warm, tied the belt in bow in back, let it drape open, thought it was lovely. Because it was smaller than my usual size, perhaps there was less fabric flopping around than if I had bought a 12. Love this coat!

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  14. well....I just tried it on for my boyfriend who responded "What is that!? it looks like you are wearing curtains." And he is right. I love the color. I love the cut of the neck, but there is ALOT of fabric. I ordered my size and think that if I ordered a size down it might be better. This will be returned.

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  15. Thanks for the tip about ordering down Maggie May and Janell.

    Janell: Sorry to hear that you will be returning the coat. :( Do you think you will exchange for a size smaller?

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  16. That is a great tip to order a size down. Can anyone tell me their height though? I am afraid if I ordered a size down it would be too small as I am 5'10" Thanks.

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  17. I am 5'6 and ordered size 8 and it is fine on me.

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  18. Hi Jagjag2! I think this jacket would look great on your frame considering your height! It probably wouldn't look like a dress on you (as oppose to someone who is a bit shorter).

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  19. I decided to go for this jacket in the dune color. In my opinion, the flame color will be more last season than the ruffles. Ruffles are HUGE here in the UK and with Europe being ahead of the US in fashion trends....I have been told almost a year ahead.....the ruffle look will be around for a while. Really big here....I can't tell you....walking into a women's store is like ruffle city!

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  20. LOVE it.
    I've been wanting this coat forever, since I first saw it, so as soon as it went on sale I bought it!
    It arrived in the mail today, and like someone else mentioned, it IS a lot more fabric than you'd expect. I got my actual size (4), not a size smaller, which might have been better, but this is ok as long as I belt it a bit tighter.
    Overall, I'm VERY happy with it (not returning it). It's not a completely classic look, but I don't think it'll get dated if you wear it right. It's unique enough that it stands out, but not super trendy either. I personally have been wearing ruffles for years, and have never gotten anything but compliments on my style!

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  21. Hi Anonymous,
    I am glad to hear you got your regular size (as I decided to go with my regular size too as I am 5'10") and just belted it tightly. That is what I will end up doing probably too....mine should arrive next week. What color did you get? I have been a ruffle fan for years too.........I only wear my coats belted.....for some reason never open so I think even with the extra fabric situation I will be OK!

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  22. Definitely size down. I'm usually a 4 (sometimes a 2) but the size 2 is perfect--and quite roomy. I got this coat for under $100 so it's a no brainer--even though it does scream "unpractical" it's really quite lovely and is a great statement coat. Needs to be fastened---does not look nice opened at all. I thought maybe I should have done the dune color to make it a bit more practical, but since a ruffled trench that must be fastened and has 3/4 sleeves isn't exactly the model of practicality to begin with I thought what the heck--go for the great color instead! :)

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  23. Hi Anonymous at 12:12 PM: Thanks for letting us know how the coat worked out for you. I think the jacket does look quite pretty (who care about function anyways!) ;)

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  24. Just put in an order for a 'bright flame' Gayle trench that popped up. I chose to size down... Usually at 10 in coats, bought an 8. Jagjag2, did you get your coat, and what did you think of it?

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  25. I got my coat in my regular size 10 and so glad I did not size down b/c it would have been too small. Maybe it's my height at 5'10? Hope yours works for you:)

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  26. I had my eye on this coat for awhile and finally caved in. I am 5'2 and typically size 0/2 at J.Crew. I bought it in the bright flame color in both size 0 and 2. The size 0 fit fine, except for the arms, where it was too snug (I could hardly bend my arms). The size 2 arms were fine but the body part of the jacket was huge. Like others have said on this post, there was just way too much fabric! I have to say the bright flame color was quite beautiful and not having any hooks didn't really bother me. I wish I could have kept one of the jackets but I had to return both, since neither worked. :(

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  27. As promised I am writing...I got my coat...it fits great....I ordered my regular size 10 and there is no extra fabirc on me...if anything I might have bought the 12!I love the dune color as well....

    jagjag2

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  28. Very late update: my coat order was actually cancelled during the website fiasco (it was not in stock), so I never did get it from online. However, I was recently in San Francisco and went to Jeremy's in Berkeley, where they had a rack each of the flame and the dune, marked down to $59 and in excellent shape compared, if you have been to Jeremy's, to some other items being sold. The "bright flame" is actually orange; my coloring is good for it, but I ended up with the dune color because I felt like I'd wear it more. I'm normally a 10/12 in coats but went with an 8 as in my original post; I can't wear a thick sweater with it because it'd be too tight at the shoulders/arms, but with the long-sleeve I had, it was fine. I think the 10 and 12 had too much puff or fabric; they both gave me a weird bustle at the hip/butt area. I'm 5'9", by the way.

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