Cotton Corsage CardiganClick here for product page
Item 17989
Regular: $49.50
I went to visit a brick & mortar (B&M) store to see & try on some of the new Fall arrivals, including J.Crew's Navy Wool Schoolboy Blazer (Item 17072 ; $178.00). [Which by the way, I am a huge fan of the jacket. Although I found the same issue that other JCAs reported- if I go down to a zero, the shoulders are a bit snug but body fits well (but not tight]. If I go up, the shoulders are fine, but the body is too big.]
While trying a few different jackets and sweaters on, I ran across the Cotton Corsage Cardigans... and I love them! So much so, that I ended up buying the black-version right then and there. And the price tag of $49.50 was a nice surprise (as I expected it to see something like $88.00 or more).When it comes to website, J.Crew describes it as: "We love feminine flourishes. This finely-ribbed cardigan features a beautiful corsage of cotton jersey flowers along the left shoulder and is finished with midweight cotton jersey trim along the neckline and placket. We made it in a comfortable midweight cotton so you can wear it for many, many seasons to come. V-neck. Long sleeves."
I find the fit of the cardigan to be true to size (TTS). The fabric of cotton-jersey is fantastic. It's super comfortable and has a lovely look to it. As with cotton-jersey, it stretches well if needed (which is forgiving when it comes to sizing).
At the two stores I visited, only the Black, Shadow (slate blue), and Faded Violet (light purple) were available. There is another color, Champagne, that's available online too. The black-version looked the most like a very nice cardigan. It did n0t come off like a relaxing sweater like many cotton-jersey sweaters can. The other colors looked nice, but definitely cotton-jersey. (I hope what I wrote here makes sense.) :)
The flowers on the cardigan come flat as oppose to the fluffed up version online (shown in the images to the left). I actually prefer the flatter flowers, which can easily be maintained with a steamer or iron. The flowers blend in the sweater very well and add a nice feminine touch. Another nice touch are the two flowers that continue on the back of the cardigan. It's really a lovely surprise!As for sleeve length... J.Crew states the cardigan has long sleeves. Not so! The sleeves are three-quarter length. I don't think the one cardigan I got was a defect either, as I noticed the cardigan in other colors (& same size) had the same sleeve length. [And if anyone was wondering, my arm-length is normal. I fit into J.Crew's long sleeve tops just fine. ;) ] But maybe the stores I went to in CT carried a bunch of defective sleeve-length cardigans. Who knows! :)
What are your thoughts on the Cotton Corsage Cardigan? Are you considering or already purchased this cardigan? Have you seen this top in person? Did you find the sleeves to be long or three-quarter length? If so, please share with us your reviews too! :)
I tried this cardi on and I liked it. Its comfortable, lightweight, and it comes in some great colors.
ReplyDeleteCute --and useful!-- review, Alexis! Thanks! I hope you do in fact enjoy your new cardigan for many seasons to come! :)
ReplyDeleteGood review! I have this cardigan in my shopping cart. I'm waiting for a sale before I buy.
ReplyDeletei tried on this cardi a week or so ago and loved it too. agreed with everything you said alexis! :)
ReplyDeletei need to go back and get it.
Thanks for the review! I didn't realize the flowers went all the way to the back, I love that touch. Too bad on the 3/4 sleeves, though. They should fix the product description copy.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! I bought the "Shadow" color at Private Sale event in Virginia a few weeks ago so got 20%off which REALLY made it a deal! It's a perfect piece. I have already worn enough to get my money's worth!
ReplyDeleteI love this cardigan and actually purchased it in black to wear with my Farrow Bow Top (Ribbon-Front top). It looks really pretty with just a basic black perfect fit tank underneath it, too. My B&M also had it in a pale aqua color that was really nice, as well.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Bought two of them- both in the blue and black. I'm not a fan of the 3/4 sleeve, but for some reason, I didn't mind it in this cardigan.
ReplyDeleteI bought this in the mint color and returned it. The small was tight in the shoulders and the medium was too big. I loved the detail though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Alexis. Looks like this cardigan is a nice transition piece for cooler evenings now and into fall.
ReplyDeleteOT - has anyone returned an item without the plastic wrap, via mail? DH recycled the stack of plastic J.Crew wrapping that I had set aside and I need to return two things but I have to mail them in. Any tips on what to do? Pack it in another form of plastic perhaps? Tags are still all in place...
Good morning...indeed
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeing this sweater since it came online. I had wanted to purchase the Cotton-cashmere bouquet cardigan (12728), but I needed a smaller size and missed out. Boo! I wonder if this would work as a replacement? Any thoughts? Thanks
Captain Crew-
ReplyDeleteI have returned things without the plastic wrapping, with tags still on and reciept, with no issues.
When I get my JCrew orders, I tend to *tear* into the wrapping, I just can't wait to see the item...
I really like this sweater. It seems like a nice way to incorporate the flower trend without going too overboard, plus it is understated enough to sport at the office! I am really loving it :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so annoyed about the schoolboy blazer - I have the same fit problem that everyone else is having: too big in the body in my regular size. I wanted a nipped in blazer for fall and now I think I'll have to pass on the J.Crew version. Too bad!
ReplyDeleteI had the same issue with the navy schoolboy blazer - the shoulders and body didn't quite line up fit-wise. I am hoping the pearl gray works out a bit better :-/
ReplyDeleteI have not tried the cotton corsage cardi, but I will keep my eye out for it. I have the chiffon bow city cardis from last year, so I will only buy if I can find different colors in my store.
P.S. J.Crew added a lot of new items (or popbacks) into their final sale! Check it out today! :)
ReplyDeleteThis cardi looks nice but I find the jersey ones are too thin to be practical for me.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the Schoolboy Blazer. It will definitely not work for my inverted triangle shape. I need room in the bust, which often translates to a looser body fit on the average garment, never mind one designed that way.
Thanks for the review, Alexis!
ReplyDeleteHow does the fabric compare to the city-fit grosgrain detailing cardigans from last year? TIA!
and ps...THANKS Gingersnap for the reminder about the sale update--I just scored a popback ochre ikat skirt for $49.99! squeeeee! :)
ReplyDeleteA - thanks for the info. I'll send the returns in without the plastic.
ReplyDeleteI purchased this cardigan in navy and love how soft it is. I sized up to a small so I could easily wear it over tees without it feeling too snug. The sleeves on the cardi I purchased seem to be long - they come to my wrists. My b&m did not have the champagne color either. I was able to purchase this at 20% off during a JCA private sale event. Makes it even better!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the minority on this one. Bought and returned it. I liked the fabric but the style was way too long for me. If you don't like the other long cardigans you probably won't like this one.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on the schoolboy blazer, FWIW: I suspect it might be intentionally roomier through the body. Everything I'm seeing in stores and in magazines for the fall show boxier-fitting blazers in the "boyfriend" or "borrowed from HIS closet" trend. I don't think they're meant to be terribly fitted or nipped in.
ReplyDeleteThis cardigan reminds me of last Fall cardigan, which is almost the same, except instead of corsage, the last version is a big bow. At first the bow came flat too, but when I washed and dried it, the bow fluffed up.
ReplyDeleteI like the champange color, will go to check at B&M tomorrow.
Bought it in the faded violet color and love it! PS suggested putting it over the grey sparkling rose tee and it looks really cute! May have to go back to look at the black one!
ReplyDeleteI must be in the miniority here, but I tried this cardi on in the mint green and hated it. Even the xs was too huge for me and it was so long. The sleeves on the one I tried were long as well. Glad it's working out for a lot of you though!
ReplyDeletealready bought it in the violet- love it with the pewter sparkle flower tee!
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting how many of us have the same issue with the Schoolboy Blazer. For the most part we love it, but not sure which size to go with. :)
ReplyDeleteAltagracia: Thanks so much! :)
AnneGav, FFM, JBird, Susan, JMPB, & Cate: Congrats on the cardi!
AppGal: I want to say the fabric is similar to J.Crew's Grosgrain-bow city tee cardigan, but not 100%. For some reason, I think this cardigan is a lot smoother/softer to the touch- making it more cardigan like.
I bought this cardi in Shadow after seeing it in the catalogue. It does, indeed, have 3/4 or "bracelet" sleeves. That's OK for me, though, so I always end up pushing them up anyway. It's really cute!
ReplyDeletetxmom: Thanks for mentioning the sleeve length. I was wondering if I was the only one with the shorter length version. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alexis for posting this review! I tried it on and love it. It's so comfortable and I agree with you that the black one is really nice. I ended up bring it home!
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the model really doesn't show the same cardigan! I wonder if the picture was shot and then they decided to make changes (flat flowers, 3/4 length sleeve, etc.) to the final version of the cardigan.
i'm in love with this and can't wait to buy it! i'm excited that it's a longer length -- i can't stand how some of their cardis are so short -- seems to accentuate a bit of a belly. : (
ReplyDeleteI love this and got the mint. I didn't like the champagne. Not creme enough, too pink or something.
ReplyDeleteI got this in a light (mint) green. For some reason the color is not available online (not sure why...?), but I LOVE it. I is very comfy and easy to style. The corsage is such a fun added touch.
ReplyDeleteI have the aqua color on my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://gigisgoneshopping.blogspot.com/2009/08/j-crew-cotton-corsage-cardigan.html
Great review and great blog. I just got this cardi at my B&M store in MA for $29.99 in black! I love it and thought it was a steal at $49.50, so imagine my surprise to find it on sale! I tried it on at home with a white blouse that has a ruffle collar and found it is perfect for work...looks dressy. The corsage on the black version doesn't show up as much as on other colors...just a nice feminine looking touch. The length of the sleeves (slightly longer than 3/4)works great with a cuffed shirt, but definitely not long sleeves. I am generally a size four and got the medium, which fits perfectly.
ReplyDelete