This is the weekly "Help Style Me!" post, where we can share items we are having trouble putting outfits together with. Elaine (in this post) says it best, "You know, that thing you bought because you love it and you keep pulling it out and then putting it away without wearing it?"Please share your J.Crew item (either that you own or are thinking about getting) that you would love help creating an outfit with.
Also, please help out by offering your styling advice. Feel free to include links to your blog (where you incorporated that piece) or to Polyvore (where you showcased an outfit with that piece). Thanks in advance! :)
This is off topic, but I wasn't sure was post would be appropriate to ask it under! I was wondering what the deal is with ebates...have you guys used it? How does it work? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteebates is amazing. You just sign up, and every time you buy something, be sure to go to ebates first and "click through" to whatever site you're shopping at, jcrew for example. Once you complete your purchase, you'll get an e-mail (usually a couple days later) confirming your cash back. They deposit into your checking account quarterly. I have earned almost $400 since late 2010. It is totally worth it and has no strings attached that I can find.
DeleteAgree, they probably track what you buy and somehow share that with participating retailers, but at this point I don't care. I'm so incredibly angry at myself for not joining years ago. I think about how much money I threw away by not looking into it and it makes me sick. Even the 2% cashbacks add up!
DeleteAlways, always check ebates before you buy anything anywhere online.
sugarmagnolia - you sign up for an account on Ebates, and select which option you want for getting your rebate (either a deposit to your Paypal account or a paper cheque that gets mailed to you). Everytime you plan to buy something, try to remember to launch your session through the Ebates website - for example, if you want to order from J. Crew, go to Ebates, search for "J. Crew". Click the red "Shop Now" icon next to it, and Ebates will launch the J. Crew website in a new window, but it has a tracking ticket attached which will track the total of your purchase.
ReplyDeleteWhat to wear with the turquoise hacking jacket? It is hanging forlornly in my closet, begging to be worn, but everything I try to wear with it just seems off.
ReplyDeleteJ.CrewJD, I find turquoise looks good with nude, camel, beige or any lighter brown tones. Do you have the nude or acorn double-serge pencil skirts? Or maybe the abstract lattice pencil in the tan colorway? I often wear turquoise with those skirts.
DeleteI also have a casual turquoise top that I wear with both light and dark violet cardigans and jeans and the colors go together quite well.
If it were me, I would probably pair it with a navy pencil skirt for a monochromatic look, or a berry or yellow skirt for a brightly colored look. I could also see it working with white denim, with maybe a yellow or berry cami underneath (or white if you want something more neutral). I do think that you would have to be careful with white trousers (and possibly even white denim--I think you would want a straight leg), however, or it might look too Miami Beach.
DeleteI think your jacket would look amazing with any citrusy colours, like lemon, grapefruit, or even coral. There are a bunch of sets on polyvore, just google the jacket and follow the links.
DeleteThis isn't exactly a styling question, but I am in desperate need of help finding a cute black blazer. I've tried a couple from Gap & BR, but they always seem boxy and make me feel frumpy (or like I'm back in college going to a career fair). I would mostly wear it with jeans, not so much for work. Any suggestions on flattering styles/fabrics etc would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much :)
ReplyDeleteI found a one-button black blazer, fully-lined, at H&M in January, and replaced the black buttons with traditional gold blazer buttons. IMO it looks worth much more than the $50 it cost me. Maybe check H&M's spring offerings?
DeleteI often have good luck with blazers at Zara. I also love blazers with a little bit of stretch which allows them to be more fitted. If you would tolerate a knit, this one is supposed to be great, but has been backordered for ages so I have yet to order:
Deletehttp://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=4016&cid=4016&vid=1&pid=202134&scid=202134002
Natalie try a boyfriend style. They're not always oversized. It just has a straight, longer cut. What's good is it usually has more room than a regular blazer. I wore one today over a Jackie cardi & the Natasha top in wildcat. And jeans. :)
DeleteIf you are looking for an inexpensive, somewhat casual version, Nordstrom has a nice option (in the Juniors department).
DeleteThank you all so much! Awesome suggestions. I really appreciate it :)
DeleteThank you J.CrewJD and Louise! Now I'm kind of mad I didn't sign up sooner!
ReplyDeleteNatalie - I ran into the same problem! Do you need black or can you go with something in a different color? I found that navy or gray tend to look less 'college fair' than black does. Also, something with an usual detail, instead of just plain black can make it look less college fair. Something like the trim on the hacking jacket in tipped double serge wool. Hope that helps!
JCrewJD: I wear mine with grey or black pants and a white blouse, and accent it with some pretty turquoise and coral jewelery and a coral belt. I always receive lots of compliments! The turquoise also looks nice with camel pants or a skirt.
ReplyDeleteI have a tangentially related question. It's actually more of a challenge I'm hoping y'all can help me with.
ReplyDeleteIn mid-May, my team at work will have its annual outing to the local state park, whereupon we will cook burgers, encounter regular bouts of awkward silence and try to pretend we're having fun in the broiling heat.
As you can tell, I'm dreading it like the plague. I've been able to dodge it the last 2 years and I can't this time.
I have no idea what to wear. When I say it will be broiling, I'm not joking. At this pace, a month from now our temps will be firmly in the 90s.
Sweating in the presence of one's coworkers is not good, much less doing it before or while people are eating. :(
But we're going over straight from a morning spent at the office, so super-casual shorts and a tee are out of the question.
I'm at such a loss. What the hell do I wear? I loathe sweating through clothes, and I'm warm all the time as it is. I know enough to wear natural fibers in a light color, but that's it.
HELP!
Elaine, what about a sleeveless dress that you could cover with a cardigan at work but remove the cardigan for your bbq. Or a light skirt with a more formal shirt for work but bring a casual top (ie tank or tee) for the bbq. I find skirts or dresses are more comfortable in the heat.
ReplyDeleteThe second option may work, thank you for the idea! Maybe a fuller, knee-length skirt. Normally I wear pencil skirts ... I thought about wearing a dress, but from what I know, the event site is, uh, kinda rustic. I would be sad if I ruined my clothes.
ReplyDeleteThis whole situation is fraught. Am I a horrible person if I hope for rain? LOL!
Could you wear more of a casual summer dress to work? Not sure how formal your work setting is. Or can you wear a longer length short?
DeleteWith the skirt, you can also wear a sleeveless top (tucked in) and a cardigan/blazer that you can remove for the bbq. That way you don't have to change.
I agree with Phoebe,a casual summer dress would be perfect. Cotton is always the best.Last year I had the Jenny Dress and it was perfect: wore it to work and bbqs!
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame it don't seem like JCrew has something similar this summer. The Villa dress does seems a bit like it but the colors aren't as "work friendly" as the Jenny...
Just picked up the fanfare jacket today for $39.99. Awesome deal I couldn't resist even though I already have the cardigan in the same print. What's everyone wearing with it?
ReplyDeleteCelle, I paired the Fanfare with yellow and turquoise (check it out here), but it also looked gorgeous in the store when I tried it on with Kelly green and white. I've also worn it with coral and got a ton of compliments.
DeleteLove the yellow and the coral sounds great too. Thanks!
Delete@Elaine: What about a pair of dark, knee length shorts with a nice top? Throw on heels and a blazer for the day and then swap the shoes for sandals and ditch the blazer for the afternoon?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea teeny84, maybe some Bermudas. I haven't busted them out yet this year, but this might be the right occasion to do so. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI would love help styling the Waterfront Tank Dress.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/beachcoverups/PRDOVR~42534/42534.jsp
I wonder...do any of you wear ballet flats in the summer?
ReplyDeleteI already own two pairs of Cece Suede (so pretty and comfy) but I'm wondering if wearing them in the summer will ruin them? I live up-north, where summer is from june to september...
I'm hesitating...should I buy the Olympia suede sandals for the summer? argh...
I do. My summer work wardrobe revolves around flats, as I find them more appropriate for my work place than open toed sandals. Also I love how they dress up otherwise "too" casual pieces like bermudas. I wouldn't wear the same pair of shoes every day, and rotate them with other pairs of flats or sandals, and store them with shoe trees so they stay in shape. HTH.
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