Retro-Chambray Wendy SkirtClick here for product page
Item 12971
Regular: $78.00
Now: $59.50
"Thanks!" to Tigs who shared with us her great review (plus several real-life images) of this skirt.
I purchased the Wendy Retro-Chambray Skirt, item 12971, regular size 4, at full price a few weeks ago. It was $78.00 and is currently on promotion for $59.50.
I loved this skirt when I purchased it but have not worn it yet. I've read a few negative comments about it, and after reading Gigi's review today (click here) decided to try it on again to see what I was missing. Well, I agree it does nothing for my figure either. I'm 5'7", 133 lbs, most of which I'm carrying on my hips and waist. I wear a size 6 in JCrew pants (cords, chino's, cargos, etc.) and skirts. I sized down one time to a size 4 in this skirt.
The Wendy has a "kilt-like" vibe to it in my opinion. I took some quick shots of it (excuse me, I didn't have time/am too lazy to create an outfit). A long fitted top out over the skirt helps the look but due to the buttons on the front waist band, you can't really get away with this look. Ideally I'm guessing it should be worn with a top tucked in and a long cardigan over it, as JCrew is showing in their pictures.If I wanted to put some work into removing the buttons I could but there are other skirts that would require less work, and I just don't love the style of the skirt enough to put work into it. Hope this helps someone else make a decision. I'm sure it would look smashing on A Bigger Closet who is model thin!
"Thanks!" again to Tigs for her great review!
What are your thoughts on the Retro-Chambray Wendy Skirt? Are you considering or already have purchased this skirt? Have you seen this skirt in person? If so, please share with us your reviews too! :)
I was eyeballing that skirt but wasn't sure if the pleats would make me look even more hippy than I already am. Thanks for the great review, I think I'll pass!
ReplyDeleteKilt vibe is a perfect description. It has one too many pleats on either side. Also good point about the buttons.
ReplyDeleteThe skirt has pleats in the front, but not the back-- which in my opinion leads to the dreaded "flat butt." Even though this is an A line, I can't imagine it looking good on too too thin or chunkier women.
ReplyDeleteWhile I love the fabric of this skirt, I am not crazy about the shape - I think it would not look flattering on me (I am tall and a size 4 in skirts). I think one would have to layer it with fabulous pieces and accessories, so that it is not a main focus of the outfit - then it will look okay.
ReplyDeleteThxs for the review. I think the skirt is pretty and a winner. I will probably purchase it. I need a Chambray skirt in my life. I really wish the pleats were in the back also. I really like the buttons.
ReplyDeleteIts sits high on the waist which usually works well with tucked in presed shirts & ruffled blouses. T's not so much in my opinion.
I think you could wear a shirt on the outside but the material would have to be thicker and have more weight.
Now I know why this skirt went on sale so fast! Plus, I think it is boring for a denim skirt. I love denim skirts and own about a dozen but this one does nothing for me! (and most people's figures it seems!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review:)
Personally, I like last year's chambray swing skirt better - good news for my wallet! Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI have the predecessor to this skirt, (it has no buttons) there was a chambray skirt last spring that was featured in the February catalog with a cashmere tee. This skirt is also hard for me to wear. I think it is supposed hit at your hip. I am short waisted so it doesnt work out that way for me. Despite this when I do where it people seem to love the skirt. I think this is nicer than a traditional straight denim skirt. I am going to try it next with a longer cardigan.
ReplyDeleteLast year's chambray skirt didn't work for me and this one looks too close to it, so I will pass. Both skirts looked great on the models, but I think this one and last year's were longer in the sample pieces used in the shoots than the production models.
ReplyDeleteMost of J Crew's pleated skirts are just a little too short for me. I don't need anything that has that short, pleated, cheerleader skirt vibe.
I tried this on and it doesn't work for me, either.
ReplyDeleteI also purchased this skirt in chambray and pink a while ago and reviewed it on my blog here. I thought it was alright but that it was very wrinkle-prone. See my review for more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review and photos Tigs. I love the look of this skirt and will likely buy the pinkish chambray one.
ReplyDeleteI have not tried this on, but I'm fairly certain it would not work on me. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteI am still on the fence about this skirt. I like the pleats and side tab buttons, just not sure about the fabric (but I definitely like the blue better than the pink + white versions). I like that it is offered in petite, so it won't be too long, or pleats hitting in the wrong places. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeletewhoops, I think I was imagining that this skirt came in white... only pink and blue. Need to finish my coffee! :B
ReplyDeleteIt definitely has a cute retro vibe, but this skirt has a lot working against it. For myself I am not a huge chambray fan...
ReplyDeleteBut those who wear it will wear it well, I'm sure!
Yuck- IRL that has a total mom-who-bought-it-at-Walmart look.
ReplyDeletePass!
heather,this skirt does come in whit, in store only.
ReplyDeletejacquelyn,
ReplyDeletethanks for the clarification... guess I must have seen this in white/ivory in-store after all! :)
I have lots of denim skirts. It's my uniform in the summer. I have a wonderful one from the former Harold's. I DO just love this one, but I worry about the pleats. Looks great on the model.
ReplyDeleteI keep going back and forth on this skirt. I bought the rose version and was going to wear it for V-Day brunch but changed my mind. My PS convinced me it was cute on me (she even helped me create an outfit- see my blog for pic’s) but I feel like it makes me look squarish since it sits lower on my hips. It is definitely a hard skirt to wear. I agree with the other comments about wrinkling but I think maybe some spray starch would help.
ReplyDeleteHey all -- remember the interview with the "fit model" that was on this site for a while? That must be the problem! They never try it on even a slim 5'3 - 5'8
ReplyDeletecutie like many of you IRL models.
I think only a model or maybe a SarahJessicaParker type could pull this off without the Walmart look.
Thanks for the review! I'm bottom-heavy, so I don't think this would work on me.
ReplyDeleteI know in a previous post about new arrivals, there were some JCAs interested in the Crocodile Cocktail Jacket. I recently bought it and adore it. I posted a few photos and review on my blog - chezmegan.blogspot.com. I haven't heard of it being available in any stores yet, so I thought this would help.
Thanks for the review! I'm a small 5'3" so fuller skirt styles rarely work for me. I need to stick with pencil skirts with some A-lines mixed in. Especially after this review, I'm pretty sure the Wendy is out. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTigs looks fine in the Wendy skirt, but I think many, many women (including me) would look huge in that kind of skirt. It is a bit short, too. In fact, many of J. Crew's casual skirts tend to be a bit short, at least for those of us over 15.
ReplyDeleteI think the skirt is pretty bad - not sophisticated at all, and very little-girly. Apologies to those who like it, but it is not for me.
ReplyDeleteI bought this skirt yesterday in the ivory/chambray stripe. It's very cute. I'm going to wear it with the ivory garland top, light pewter jackie cardigan, opera length pearl necklace (doubled up) and siver sandals. I think the biggest issue that people are having is that they are buying it in a size too small for them. In order for it to hang properly and be flattering, it should lay low on the waist - right below the belly button. If you get a size that is too small, your hips will force the pleats outward and it will not be flattering if you are a little heavier in the hips (like me). However, if you get a size that skims your hips, it has a very slimming effect. I am 5'5", 125 and I purchased this in a 2R. Your best bet is to go in and try it on, but grab your normal size and then one size bigger just to see the difference. Happy J.Crew Shopping!
ReplyDeleteLove this skirt on Tigs! It looks fabulous! I totally disagree w/the opinion that one needs to be thin to pull this off. I think she was right to size down to the 4; this way it fits higher on the waist and takes on a high-waisted style. The pleats give it a fluttery swing, which is great! I've been waiting for the skirt to go down in price a little more because I'll have to put more $$ into it to have it tailored. Thanks again Tigs!
ReplyDeleteI think this skirtl, besides being unflattering on anyone, is horribly out of fashion. I mean, chambray, seriously?? That makes me think 80s in a bad way. And long pleated skirts are just not in style now, so I don't even like the other colors.
ReplyDeleteFrom the looks of the picture, Tigs needs to size up. It looks cute with a tucked-in shirt, but it's sitting too high on the hip. I think she should exchange for her regular size 6, and if it is too long at the knee then hem it. I think it's a very cute skirt. And while you're exchanging you can get a price adjustment! A win win situation! LOL
ReplyDeleteTigs... Don't put yourself down! You have a great body. I am also 5'7" and range btwn 130 (in the summer when I am not training) and 140 in the winter (when competing in skiing and trainging for riding and other sports-- A LOT MORE MUSCLE)--- While Yes, I dont think the skirt looks the best on you... and I think other skirts would look better.. I think you have a great body and you don't need to be "model thin" not do you want to be! You have a great figure, don't forget it
ReplyDeletecortney_joy: The 80's look is coming back in style, so the chambray is quite in fashion.
ReplyDeleteIt's not you, I think it's the skirt...it's too short and too pleated. I think there is only a select few who could manage to make it look flattering.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice comments. I included the IRL photographs because I have benefitted so much from the IRL photograph's on this and other blogs. I'm glad if this assisted anyone in making a decision about the skirt.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Sizing Up: I did try on the size 6 but it was too big and made the skirt seem even fuller.
Blumre: Thank you so much for your supportive words. You are so kind. You're where I would love to be; more muscle and less of this jiggly-wiggly. Nothing wrong with any shape/weight unless it is detrimental to your health, right? My weight was at 120 through my twenties, and fluctuating in the 130's range in my thirties. My goal is not to be in the 140's for my forties! ;) Thanks again!
I bought this skirt and I really like it! I guess I am the only one....I am short and pear shaped but I thought it was really cute - I bought my normal size, size 8. Maybe I'm wrong......I need to go try it on again!!! I love that it has no pleats in the back because if it did it would make my butt look huge!
ReplyDeleteSo is this a temporary price cut, then? If I want it at this price had I better buy it now?
ReplyDeleteI don't like the skirt for me - brings back too many memories of pleats gone wrong. :)
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of the chambray pleated skirts my 2nd grade teacher used to wear... which was circa 1992... but I think it could be cute if you wear it with the right things!
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest item 11653 for a questionable item post? I remember those micro pleated skirts also being something that middle aged women wore in the early 90s...
ReplyDeleteThis skirt looks very Walmart/Kmart. Unless someone has thin thighs, I don't think it's flattering unless it hits at the knee-might be cute on a shorter person.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they call it a "wendy" because it's supposed to go with a Peter Pan Collar!
ReplyDeleteI'd say mucho Wendy. Mucho. Not you, tigs, you look great. I'll bet a pencil skirt looks good on you.
Ugly skirt!
ReplyDeletei like the skirt, especially on the model. haha, of course. i think it'd look good on women with low waists or maybe sized up so that it hangs on the hips a bit. otherwise, i'm feeling a little lampshade effect coming on...
ReplyDeleteI just checked on the J. Crew website this morning and the price of this skirt and the other "Wendy" skirts has dropped by $10.00!!!! It's now only $49.50. So I bought this chambray style and the white style and used a coupon code to get free shipping. Score!
ReplyDeleteI love the skirt in the light pink! If you carry the figure, go for it! I am 6 foot and 138 pounds, and it fits wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteI bought this skirt and love it. I am in the minority as well. Bought it in the pink. It is very flattering.
ReplyDeleteI bought this skirt last night. It really works for my body type. Most pleated skirts do. I was afraid it would look cheerleader like with my long legs but a 6 fell just right. I had on heeled wedges when I tried it on. I will difinitely wedges with a shirt or t tucked in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this! I live in Canada and order from J. Crew online. I was contemplating this skirt but now I won't buy it.
ReplyDeleteI love this light weight fabric skirt! It has gone down to 29.99 in store and online. I purchased at 49.99 but I made sure to pick up the striped and white one at the lower price.
ReplyDelete