Impressionist Floral CamiClick here for product page
Item 26996
Regular: $88.00
J.Crew describes this colorful top as the following:
We love this sumptuous silk cami for its enchanting waterfloral print (it comes straight from a vintage swatch that our designers re-colored) and the sweet-but-sassy front overlay that ties at the neckline. We're wearing ours with ladylike skirts or over our most broken-in jeans (and shorts) for a cool contrast.This description is full of pop, like the "sweet-but-sassy" line. It reminded me of the lively J. Peterman catalog descriptions from the show Seinfeld. ;)
A big "thanks!" to Desert Flower who shared the following review:
I received the impressionist cami today. I wasn't quite sure when I ordered it if it would be a keeper. I loved it before I took it out of the bag! The print is truly gorgeous, much prettier in real life than in the catalogue/online picture. The base color is a light peach, which you can't really see online, and there are some areas of green that are also not visible online."Thanks!" again to Desert Flower for her great review of this top!The fabric is a gorgeous light silk twill, very similar to the fabric of the Giverny print bateau top. It has a beautiful drape. The top goes over the head, no zipper or fastener. It has bra strap holders, something I always appreciate. The wrap front is attached at the side seam. The bow can be undone and the wrap front falls away. There is a band across the bottom which makes the cami more tailored. The cami is not fitted, however, the draping really enhances the fit and it is not baggy or boxy at all. I tried my usual top size, which is 0, and I felt the drape was nicer with a bit more bust room so I sized up to a 2.
I think I will wear this a lot. It will dress up jeans for evening. It would be cute for lunching or Sunday brunch with more casual pants like the skimmer pants. I can wear it to work with my polished slub pencil skirt in natural, and a longer cardigan belted at the waist. In my opinion, it is worth the $88 price tag.
What are your thoughts on the Impressionist Floral Cami? Have you seen or own this top? If so, what is your review of the fabric & cut ? Would you recommend it to another fellow JCA?
I tried this on the other day. The print is beautiful and the silk feels great. You can untie the bow, but as stated, it is attached by a seam to the main body of the cami. So you can't re-adjust the sizing of the top after you undo the bow. I could be wrong, but if I'm right, I don't know what the purpose is of being able to untie the bow. Time to go to bed as I fear I'm not making sense.
ReplyDeleteI love this print - I just got the skirt in the mail and it's really gorgeous, just like the description said. It's much easier to see that it's a floral inspired print in real life and the colors are much more nuanced.
ReplyDeleteSlastena did a mini review on her blog of this top. Needless to say it was ill fitting on her but I appreciate her IRL pictures so much as I don't get to stores more than once every 2-3 months. I think this is a top that either works on you or does not. I probably won't try it as I don't care for the way the print looks online.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw this in the store, it definitely caught my I as the print is very different from what J.Crew has been offering lately. There was only a couple of sizes remaining, so I think a lot of people were trying it on. It's worth a shot to see if it works for you if your closet needs a little dose of color and pattern!
ReplyDeleteI could go either way on it .... I'll wait until it goes on sale and see how I feel! :)
Thanks for the fantastic review Desert Flower! :)
ReplyDeleteI had high hopes for this one but it fit me like it did on Slastena, not very well. And she usually rocks everything.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, Desert Flower. I loved the print and colors the moment I saw it but when I tried my usual size 0, it was big & boxy and the drape overlay made me look top heavy in a bad way (I'm an A-cup). Too bad, because the print & silk is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAlso tried on the skirt in a size 0 and it fit well as most JC pencil skirts do. I like that it's hemmed shorter than their other pencil skirts & substantial linen-like fabric. I might have bought it, except that the print on the skirt emphasizes more green/chartreuse tones and less pink/peach, which is the color I was really going for. Maybe I'll reconsider when it goes on sale.
Styling tip: an SA paired this skirt with a bright yellow/chartreuse top and navy bling button cardi. Wouldn't have thought to pair it with navy, but it worked wonders to tone down the print.
OT: Question about bling button cardi. I'm between sizes & the SA suggested sizing down because she said JC cardis tend to stretch out, not shrink.
ReplyDeleteMy JC cashmere & merino wool cardis, tend to shrink ever so slightly, not stretch. What about the 100% cotton ones like this season's bling button? Do those stretch out over time?
Do the jackie cardis hold their shape or should I size down on those too? THanks!
Ooooh. That is REALLY pretty. I need to go find it in a store so I can see it up close! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review and post! I tried this one and had to send it back. It was really shapeless and unflattering. Usually most of JCrew tops work for me but his one did not.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing your thoughts on this cami desert flower...very nice/helpful review! it sounds like it would be pretty fabulous with dark toothpick jeans. :)
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ReplyDeleteCheryl: The SA was right, my Featherweight cotton cardi from last summer stretched out, and I have the Bling cardi and it fits the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks Casual Crew! I'll take your advice & size down.
ReplyDeleteOff topic... Clothingline is having another J.Crew sample sale now through Friday in NYC. The good thing about this sample sale is that they're having pretty much all stock for all sizes for the womens. They marked the label but they're indeed all stock and no sample mark on the garments. I can easily find size 0 or even 0P! Many frances cami in different colors, frances shirt, pleated strati tank, bell flower top... all for $35. Also saw the dotted dress from last spring in many sizes ($50 or $60)... didn't see it in size 0 though. The dresses and blouse/shirt section are the most impressive of all... blah on the shoes section. I got the mila gown for $60 & the frances shirt in white for $35! Prepared to wait in line to pay @ the cashier... it took me like probably 15 mins or more.
ReplyDeleteJean, you are so lucky!!
ReplyDeleteWould some kind soul in NY get me some Michelle V-neck cardigans? or a silk taffeta belted short in blackberry 0? or a polka Dot Rosette Dress in spiced Mustard P0?
I really mean it (ecnobelle at gmail)
I was lucky enough to try this on at a B&M recently and found the print more strikingly beautiful in person than online. The fabric was a soft, sumptuous silk and was quite substantial (as opposed to the thinner silks - habotai? - that J.Crew sometimes uses).
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit boxy, and I asked the SA if the top could be tucked in, in her opinion. She said that, most likely, with the design, one would not be able to or just simply have a hard time if you decide to tuck it in. The SA suggested that I tighten the bow up top to differ the look of the top. I found that it helped change the look a bit but no big fit change.
That being said, I think this top would be so pretty paired with a pair of white jeans or chinos on a warm, sunny day. :)
Hi Nobelle, I don't remember seeing the items you mentioned... I can check out the short & the cardigan the next time I go which will most likely be in a couple days just in case I want to do an exchange. I saw the rosette polka dot dress in pink (only one) and it's not size P0; maybe a size 6 or 8.
ReplyDeleteI like the print, but the style is not appealing to me. I like the idea someone mentioned of pairing it with navy to tone down the print. That's what I do with my ikat linen skirt from last year (navy cardigan or a chambray shirt). For my floral print fix, I purchased the Talbots pink floral pencil skirt others have mentioned here or on their blog. Wasn't sure if I would like, but when I tried it on it fit like a dream, the fabric was uber-comfortable and I could see myself dressing it down with a tank and sandals or dressing up with a cami and cardigan or navy blazer. The skirt cost $59.60 some odd change plus tax. LOVE IT! I hope I can find the dress in the same print.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to pass on this impressionist cami even on sale. Sometimes even belting something cannot fix a design's downsides. Fabulous Florida Mommy found a similar substitute for this impressionist print. Check out her website. The Kohl top is on sale for $19.99 and while it has a more casual look, it could be tucked into skirts and paired with a blazer and skirt, I think.
OT: A few days ago someone mentioned seeing an outlet version of the pencil eyelet skirt in navy. I would love to find out which outlet. Style no?
Thank you!
I tried this on this past weekend. The print is beautiful and the material is nice, but the fit on me was terrible. Really, really awful. The sa in the dressing room said she hadn't liked it on anyone yet. I'm not sure what body type can wear this, but not mine: short, broad-shouldered, and chesty. Those of you who can wear it are lucky. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Desert Flower. I can tell this is not for me without even seeing it IRL. All those warm, yellow tones = ghastly on me. Glad others can enjoy the beautiful print.
ReplyDeleteI got my piped and twisted pocket cardi today and I really like the style, although it is quite thin. The piping is more ivory than white, which would have been my preference. It doesn't look quite as crisp as I imagined, with the ivory IMO. The piping is purposely uneven as well and I'm not sure I like that look so much either but it may grow on me. Still on the fence on this one.
Thanks Jean!
ReplyDeletethanks for the great review desert flower....I think I have to see this print IRL but I love the styling suggestions for the skirt from Cheryl!
ReplyDelete