Thursday, May 7, 2009

Questionable Item of the Week: Chiffon Cascade Jersey Tee

Chiffon Cascade Jersey Tee
Click here for product page
Item 14150
Regular: $48.00

"Thanks!" to Em (in this post) who suggested this tee for a "Questionable Item of the Week" post.

At first glance, this "wonderfully light and silky" scoop-neck tee looks fine. But upon closer look, the reaction of "what's really going on with that t-shirt?" eventually hit me.

Why is there a loose "panel of chiffon cascading down the center front"? The model (who is absolutely perfect!) looks like she has a kangaroo pouch from the side view. I can't imagine how I, a regular shopper, would look like with this tee on.

I appreciate J.Crew's attempt at coming up with unique designs, especially for the essential staple of a tee. But sometimes, it's better to leave a classic tee as a... classic tee.

Do you think I am being overly-critical? What are your thoughts on this tee? Would you buy this or leave it at the store? Have you see this first hand, and if so, what are your impressions?

Quick Poll: Do you like the Chiffon Cascade Jersey Tee?

26 comments:

  1. I'm not crazy about the flappy Chiffon piece in the front. Interestingly, Club Monaco had a tee like this about 3 months back. I didn't like theirs and I still don't like J Crew's. But that's just my humble opinion. :)

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  2. Dear J Crew,

    A swing and a miss.

    xoxo

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  3. I have been so curious about what this tee looks like IRL. Has anyone seen it or done a review?
    I think it could be cute untucked with a belt and maybe under a jacket or cardi.

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  4. Not one person I 'know' has reviewed this. I could have ordered it as a ride along, but I always forget about it. Guess we'll all be doing a double take when it's on FS.

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  5. When I first saw this debut, I figured it would be one of those items that everyone just absolutely loves, and I'd be on the sidelines wondering how I could be so far out of the loop. Glad to hear I'm not completely bonkers for thinking this is straight outta left field. Simply sticking a piece of chiffon to a t-shirt and calling it fashion seems a bit of a cop-out. **Though like @Crewbie, I'm curious as to what this looks like IRL. I also thought the Rolling Ruffles tank was completely un-doable (I've been proven wrong time and time again).

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  6. I did the same thing- upon first looking at it I thought it looked cute.

    Then I looked closer.

    And then I sloooowly backed away.

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  7. lol, nice way to put it alexis... the model has a kanagroo pouch from the side. if the skinny beautiful model has a kangroo pouch, i can't even imagine what it would look like on me :)

    i agree it's a pass...

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  9. Okay, I placed an order and added this top to it. By the time I get it no one will care but I'll post or email Alexis a review. :)

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  10. I don't like this one...pass for me, too.

    Btw...this looks like it could be another at home DIY project.

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  11. I saw an SA at CM wearing their version of this tee, belted over a mini skirt and it looked good. The tee was long on her and the belt gave it that peplum look that seems to be gaining popularity.

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  12. I'm not sure if this would hide my pooch-under-the-belly-button or emphasize it. Also, it reminds me of a napkin that someone tucked into their shirt to eat lunch and then got up and forgot it was there. I do, however, like the idea of embellishing a simple tee with chiffon.

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  13. Terrible! I think you'd just have to sit still and not touch anything while wearing that thing, or else the chiffon would get snagged.

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  14. It has the look of a Home Economics project gone wrong. Either that or it was washed and ruined.

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  15. This could be added the J Crew maternity line, maybe. I have to say tastymoog's point about the chiffon snagging would prevent me from even trying it on to give it a chance. That nice long panel of chiffon - it's just begging for a really big snag! Paranoia while wearing a certain piece? Not good and therefore not worth it.

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  16. It kinda looks like a bib on the front of the shirt...I need to see a real person wearing it (maybe it will look better on them?)

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  17. I agree, looks like a bib. Ridiculous!

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  18. It kinda reminds me of this cardigan from Anthropologie, but the drapey fabric is in the back on the cardigan. At first glance, that's what the tee looks like - an item from Anthropologie. But with the snagging possibility, I might have to sadly pass on this.

    Pretty to look at, but like some others, I'm curious as to what this would like IRL. I'm looking forward to IRL's review! Thanks, IRL! :)

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  19. It probably looked like a good idea when seen on the runway of high end fashion, but doesn't translate well to real life. I get the concept, but it's kind of odd. I agree with the comments of snags...why stress out when wearing a certain piece (esp, for those of us with children).

    Also - has anyone else noticed that the majority of j.crew ruffle tees, chiffon trim tees are suddenly handwash only?! I didn't even think twice about it until my slub cotton ruffle neck tee was dirty and I have to hand wash it...sigh.

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  20. It's a pass for me. I agree with SallyO who said that it looks like you put a restaurant napkin on and forgot to take it off, lol! I would worry that the "bib" would poof out and catch on things. On a more positive note, I just received a tissue ruffle V-neck tee in Dk. Mushroom, and I love it! It's a nice layering piece, and the ruffles are sewn nicely and are well-secured to the top. Highly recommend it.

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  21. I love chiffon, and I love a simple t, but together it's weird. Maybe it would be cute to have chiffon trimming, but not a strip down the middle. The stitching also looks strange at the bottom.

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  22. I have to say that I really enjoyed reading everyone's take on this shirt.

    Also, IRL, I would totally love to hear your review of this top once you get it. Who knows, it could be super cute in person! :)

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  23. The embellished T-shirt at JCrew has officially jumped the shark with this one. And what happens when a gust of wind hits? Does the air blow through like a sail or what? It's just weird.

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  24. Chiffon is just dangerous and with such a big piece on this shirt, I agree with heidi, it is just a snag waiting to happen.I can just picture myself belting it to make it more wearable and the buckle piece getting caught on it and poof the shirt is ruined...

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