Ruffled Mandarin JacketClick here for product page
Item 96785
Regular: $250.00
When I saw this jacket, I could not help think that it bears some resemblance to the Herringbone Fiona jacket that J.Crew is also currently offering- and I have to add that I love the look of both jackets! :)
Herringbone Fiona jacketClick here for product page
Item 96553
Regular: $198.00
There are some differences between the jackets of course. First, the material is different as the Mandarin is made of Midweight wool/nylon and the Fiona is of midweight Scottish lambswool.
Also, the ruffles around at the collar and down center front are different in that the Fiona has larger ruffles than the Mandarin jacket. Moreover, the Fiona jacket has patch pockets while the Mandarin jacket has ruffle detail at the pockets and even the placket (which I love!)The only issue I have with both jackets, is that they are a bit boxy in cut. I would personally prefer a more tailored fit for each jacket. However, this is not to say that I won't purchase either in the future. I own the cotton Fiona Jacket offered in the Spring and absolutely adore it! :)
If you had to choose between the two jackets, which one would you get and why? Do you own either the Ruffled Mandarin Jacket or the Herringbone Fiona Jacket? If so, please let us know what you think. :)
I'd have to go with the Fiona on this one. The first seems a bit middle of the road considering it's design.
ReplyDeleteI have purchased (and returned) both. The mandarin is unlined and less structured. I found the wool to be too itchy and the fit to be too boxy. The fiona is lined/more structured, but the collar and wrists, where the wool actually touches your skin (no lining) was way too itchy for me. I liked the fit of the fiona; it was more fitted and hit at a nice length on the hip. I thought the mandarin was cropped too high for my liking. Thus, the returns were for the fit/itchy-ness on the mandarin and the itchy-ness on the fiona. Sorry to be a downer!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cass. I find the wool is too hard and itchy. I hope J.Crew will improve the texture of wool especially for jackets and coats. (that is why I don't buy J.crew coats). They are boxy but I just love this shape. B&M shop also have wool Fiona in beige, which is not sold online.
ReplyDeleteJeff T: I understand where you are coming from about the Mandarin jacket. :)
ReplyDeleteCass: I didn't know you actually purchased and returned both! I also did not notice that the Mandarin jacket was unlined- for that price tag I assumed it was lined. :)
Naomi: I hope that J.Crew improves the wool too!
I have the herringbone Fiona and absolutely love it! I am petite up top and I feel like this fits me perfectly. Can't wait for cooler weather so I can actually wear it (well outside my closet!!).
ReplyDeleteOT-My mom got one of the $25 gift cards a few weeks ago. She was sweet and gave it to me:)
Not a fan of either, personally. I haven't seen the Ruffled Mandarin in person, but I have tried on the Herringbone Fiona and just don't feel it is even worth the sale price. I am hoping for some more fitted blazers with the new October merchandise. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for the new October merchandise that I have had TWO dreams in which I am looking through the catalog! LOL.
ReplyDeleteThis is an example of how J.Crew makes fatal flaws in its merchandise: Why in the world is the mandarin jacket unlined? That should be just be automatic with wool jackets. It's not like J.crew uses silk lining, so it doesn't exactly cost much to add in a layer of polyester - but it makes a world of difference to the jacket itself.
ReplyDeleteI am going to try on a herringbone Fiona one of these days - I like the look of them, just haven't been interested because of my haul of Bellas from last year's flawless September-through-December collections. :-)
I prefer the Donegal tweed jacket in pumpkin. It's fitted and not boxy.
ReplyDeleteWithout trying on and just to look at via these pics--I would choose the mandarin because it appears to be more fitted and love the ruffle details. I may be polluted as I have the canvas Fiona from last Spring and still haven't worn it due to the boxy effect.(I sized down twice too.) I still like the Fiona but it never was my go to jacket the way I wish it had been. (Note to self though--gotta wear that next spring)!
ReplyDeleteAnyway--hearing what people have said-fit and NO LINING) that have actually tried it on is very interesting. Honestly--I think J crew will have a hard time selling this on-line as the pics of dark colored things in general are just SO hard to tell how they look. If they offer in different colorway then people can click to see the details but I find navy and black things if only offered in that color are HARD totell what they look like. People aren't willing to shell out the $ for someting they feel they cannot see and it also makes one just go on to seek out the next cute thing:)
I have not yet seen the ruffled Mandarin jacket. The pictures make it hard to see how the ruffles lay, since some of the pictures aren't working for me. I think I'd like to see it in person before deciding!
ReplyDeleteI'd have to pass on both, they appear to be too boxy for me. I definitely prefer a more fitted look that accentuates the waist.
ReplyDeleteAlexis, yes it is odd that the mandarin is 25% more expensive than the fiona, considering that the mandarin is unlined and the fiona is lined and more structured. Actually, the mandarin is more like a sweater that is meant to retain a shape. If the Fiona gets deeply marked down, I may consider picking another one up and putting a long sleeve turtleneck underneath to shield my skin from the itchy-ness of the wool, because I do like the style. I find it to be stylishly swingy rather than too boxy, whereas the mandarin is definitely boxy!
ReplyDeleteI purchased the wool Fiona in grey a few weeks ago and love it! It is boxy, but I like to contrast it with slim bottoms. I love how dressy it is and elevates a t-shirt and jeans combo instantly. The itchiness was not an issue for me.
ReplyDeleteI just purchased the Fiona jacket (in rhubarb!)and can't wait for it to come in. I tried it on in the store and loved it. It is very boxy, but I found if you size down you can find a good fit. I used the 20% off coupon and the $25 gift card and got free shipping bringing my total to $133!
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity, my local store had the Fiona in a nice camel color, which I have yet to see online or anywhere else. Has anyone else seen them? My store said they'd received them just last week but they were still marked down 25% like the other Fionas that had been there all this time.
ReplyDeleteHi Melaine - Some of the NYC stores (Rockfeller Center, Madison Ave) have the Fiona in the camel color. It is such a lovely classic color. I bought it last week and can't wait for the weather cool off here to city so I can wear it!
ReplyDeleteI have the fiona in gray and LOVE it! I got it for 25% off plus the 20% off for private sale, but I think it's worth full price. I can't wait until it's cool enough in DC to wear it!
ReplyDeleteOT--can anyone tell me if their STORE has a Astrid Berry in the Plum color?? I am wondering if stores only carry the charcoal color??
ReplyDeleteThoughts??
Would those who've tried on the mandarin jacket say it's true to size? Thanks!
ReplyDelete