As part of J.Crew's latest arrivals, the Silk Frances Cami (Item 17428; $88.00) debuted to quite a bit of fanfare (which I am totally a part of!) The Frances really is a lovely new take on the ever popular (& gorgeous) Victoria Ruffle Cami (Item 99742; Regular: $88.00, now $29.99).I adore the general style of the Victoria & Frances- both with their stand-up collars and cascading ruffle fronts. I also love how versatile the silk tops are- transitioning from work to leisure with ease. But this got me thinking... which style of Cami do JCAs like more?
So if I had to choose... It all comes down to the ruffles! I like the micro-pleated double ruffles of the Victoria Cami more than the romantic double-ruffles of the Frances Cami. Moreover, I think the Victoria is a lot better to wear under sweaters and tees than the Frances, because the pleats can lay flat. Which is not to say that I don't like Frances Cami (because I do!) I just love the look of the Victoria, with its micro-pleats, more.
What are your thoughts on the Frances and Victoria Cami? Do you have a preference of which cami you like more? Do you think they are both so similar that it doesn't matter? ;)
Quick Poll: Which style cami do you like more?
i just ordered the new frances in slate. I will let you know how it is!!
ReplyDeleteI am all ruffled-out!!
ReplyDeleteI am interested in hearing about the new lumiere camisole - lovely
colors, nice finish and...no ruffles!
I like the softer ruffles of Frances. The Victoria I liked more on the hanger, but I think it's harder to wear. It's tricky to get Victoria's more structured ruffle to sit more relaxed like how it's styled in the photoshoots, and even more tricky to get it to stay that way. Not that I don't love them both, I just think the Frances is a little easier to wear.
ReplyDeleteI love the Frances! I love how fluffy it looks, haha... and I'm a huge sucker for ruffles. I already ordered the ruffle-front coat. :X And it's still 102+ degrees outside!
ReplyDeleteFor me, the Frances wins because of how soft and lovely the double ruffles look, although I am quick to add that I also adored the Victoria when it was out. I never got around to getting my hands on a Victoria blouse, so hopefully I can nab a Frances this time around! ;)
Question, though: How would one launder this? Would it have to be dry-cleaned and then somehow refluff the ruffles?
It's so funny this topic came up today. I just got back from trying on the Frances at my B&M, and I was comparing it to the Victoria the whole time. Without having worn it for very long, I think I am liking the Victoria more. I tried it on with the merino v-neck sweater, and it is much more difficult to wear underneath sweaters because of all the ruffles, similar to Alexis' comments. The Victoria definitely lays more flat underneath if all the pleats and folds cannot peak out of the v-neck.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, my love for the Victoria does not surpass Frances by much...I still bought two tonight - deep rose and the gray/white in-store only print. Both are beautiful IRL, and very versatile and neutral. I was pairing them with so many different cardis and sweaters. In addition, the ruffle around the neck on the Frances can be tucked inside the collar for more of a mandarin collar effect if you get tired of full ruffle or to have it sit better underneath a suit jacket. I tried this trick after a PS mentioned it, and it looked great. HTH!
viva victoria : ) ... though i'll probably pick up the frances if the dotted print is cute IRL. yay rewards card!
ReplyDeletetoast:
ReplyDeleteI use "The Laundress Delicate Wash" to wash my silks and silk blends. You can check out their website and they give you directions how to care for your silk garments. I would also steam the ruffles instead of ironing them. HTH
As for me I like the Victoria cami since it's more versatile to wear with a v-neck sweater or under cardis. I would consider the Frances if it was marked down.
ReplyDeleteI think the major difference is the stiffness of the collar. At least you have some breathing room with Victoria. Frances sits on the neck- doesn't work with NYC sweaty subways!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried Frances yet, but am really curious to do so because I just never got the Victoria to fit me exactly right. (gasp, was that heresy? sorry)
ReplyDeleteI don't like the stand up collar part. If the frances is still around in my size and IF it ever gets a good markdown, then I'll get one and have the stand up part taken off. It's just too much on me. I do like the look, just not on me. :)
ReplyDeleteI tried on a Frances last night and it is very lovely, but the standup collar tickled my neck, so I don't know if I could stand that. Both are very pretty in theory, but I like smaller ruffles, so both are a pass for me.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of both of them but I don't think either works for me in real life. I had two Victorias last year and I ended up selling them. The look is feminine and romantic, and styled oh-so-well in the catalog but in real life it looks better suited for the House of Lords than as an outfit component.
ReplyDeletelove them both equally.
ReplyDeletei got my frances yesterday and the ruffles were completely flat. any ideas on how to get them 'ruffled' again?
Alexis - what a great idea for a post. All these posts with different ways JCA's are wearing their camis is so helpful. Your blog is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI am one of the few who doesn't really like either on me. I love the look on everyone else - the models and other JCA's - but it just doesn't personally work for me. I got a Victoria and returned it, and last night when I tried on the Frances, it was a pass. (Even though the misty lavender color is great!) But I did try on the Eden blazer and loved it. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE both! I tried on the Frances cami & do agree that the ruffles on the Victoria look better when worn. I was able to get my hands on the Victoria cami on sale in my size. FINALLY! Thanks to my online personal shopper!
ReplyDeleteI'd still get the Frances cami but maybe wait till it's on sale or any special promotion (25% off red card?). Btw, I found a beautiful abstract roses print Victoria ruffle cami (F09 item) available only at the outlet stores! I found it on Ebay.
Anyway, I called and placed an order with the outlet store since I live no where near one! :( It costs over $10 to ship it but I was able to use my student discount and it's priced below the retail price ($64.50) so I guess it's not that bad... going to Woodbury Commons on bus cost me $40 anyway! In fact, the Woodbury store already sold out of this print and they only received it like a couple days ago.
I didn't ask if I could use the reward card coz I want to save it for the new Fall items. :)
I think both blouses are beautiful, but since I have two of the Victoria (fuschia and olive), I am going to pass on the Frances...I think the flowing ruffles of the Frances are more romantic, but the Victoria is slightly more tailored in look, particularly with the straight pleated ruffles. Of course, if the Frances cami showed up in the sale section in deep rose or light sage, I probably would buy!
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to know is why when I wear these lovely silky camis, it looks like I have some kind of glandular problem...no amount of deodorant or powder prevents unslightly underarm marks...why can't they make these in cotton? Or woven silk? Wispy, delicate model - I am not!! :D
I love the Frances cami because of the softer look of the ruffles! But I think the only way I could really wear it is with a cardigan unbuttoned. I like the collar on the Victoria better and it looks nicer under a suit.
ReplyDeleteI also purchased a long sleeved button down version of the Frances (in a light cotton) and loved it so much that I got all 3 colors! It comes in all white, black and white stripes, and baby blue and white stripes. I prefer this to the ls button down victoria.
tres tippy, is the long sleeve version made by J.crew?
ReplyDeleteyup from the collection store. i have a picture of it on my blog (last post on the 1st page)
ReplyDeleteI tried on the new frances yesterday.I liked the rose color but not the styling. Way too fussy and over the top with all the ruffles. I did buy three new fall items but pass on this one! Not even a sale item contender!
ReplyDeleteEveryone: Thanks for your wonderful comments. It's great to hear everyone's side on which style cami is preferred & how to wear them! :)
ReplyDeletecrewcrazy: I am happy you like the topic. I also agree with you that everyone's comments about how they are wearing the two cami's are super helpful! :)
Marketeer: Sorry to hear your ruffles arrived flat. I find that steaming ruffles (with either a steamer or the steam function of an iron) helps bring them back to life. I hope this helps. :)
What a great post Alexis! I think that every JCA compared the two on its own and it's great to see everybody's else opinion.
ReplyDeleteI'm leaning towards the Victoria even if I don't own one. I bought the Victoria long-sleeved shirt as soon as it came out (in white) so I didn't buy the cami as I was afraid of getting tired of the style but now I regret it a little bit.
I think that the design of the Victoria is really original, it really stands out IMO, while with the Francis I have the feeling that I could find the same style somewhere else. Jcrew didn't invent ruffles but it kind of invented the pleated collar of the Victoria and will be remembered for the Victoria, not for the Francis IMO.
OT: But Alexis, or someone who recalls, post the name of the steamer you had such good luck with? I'm beginning to think that maybe this is what I need to do with some of my clothing (as opposed to the pressing of an iron). I'm thinking if I steam or press my kids' clothing for resale through consignment shops, I will probably get more money for them as well....
ReplyDeleteI have plenty of other ruffled JC tops, but the frances is just too over the top and messy looking to me. I also already have 3 victorias so I don't really need anymore tops that are basically the same idea, but messier.
ReplyDeleteaudball: I have a Rowenta steam cleaner that I got from Linen's and Things. It's 5 years old now, and it works really well for the most part. I find it works great getting the ruffles to fluff out on my shirts after I wash them. Hope this helps. :)
ReplyDeleteEma: I know what you mean! I think the ruffles on the Victoria are memorable- and easily define-able as "J.Crew". One of their best pieces! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alexis! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat is really annoying is that the JC Outlet is now selling the Elizabeth cami (outlet version.) The outlet is now copying a lot of the regular versions from the previous year.
ReplyDelete