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! :)
I am having problem with how to incorporate these new cute pumps, http://bit.ly/QDGrqS , with an outfit.
ReplyDeleteThe shoes are Mona patent two tone pumps. I love these shoes but I do not want to stick with black/blush/neutral only tones to pull off an outfit. Furthermore, I do not want to buy new clothes to pair with shoes. It will be a little ridiculous.
I would appreciate very much if anyone has any advice. Otherwise, I am gonna have to return them. That would be sad.
I don't think you need to stick to neutrals. I could see a cobalt blue matching well or you could pattern mix with a polka dot top.
DeleteThank you so much for the tip. Will give it a try.
DeleteI could see it with jewel tones like cranberry or burgundy, forest green, eggplant purple.
ReplyDeleteLike a pencil skirt or cafe capris in a color like that with a camel crewneck sweater.
I think they'd also be cute dressed down with skinny jeans and a silk blouse or oxford button up.
I don't think it's the color that makes it tough to pair — I think it's the styling of the shoe. It's dressy and reminiscent of the Victorian period.
Thank you so much for the input! The jewel tone idea sounds great. I am unsure if capri pants are ever the style for me (inappropriate for work), but I like it with skirts and skinny jeans.
DeleteTwo snake print skirt styling ideas on my blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Any ideas for cooler weather? Wearing my skirt today with bare legs and peep-toe pumps, but it's already getting chilly. Not sure if any color tights would really look good with it unless I match the specific purple-ish color of the print.
DeleteI don't have this skirt but I've seen it in person - I think black, grey or burgundy tights would work with it, in addition to an eggplant purple (I don't think you need to match the purple exactly).
DeleteWill try it...then I have to figure out shoes/boots as well. I frequently get lazy with the effort and end up wearing pants all winter even though I love skirts.
DeleteIn case you missed the markdown party I tweeted yesterday, the store price updates are in this post.
ReplyDeleteOff topic, and in case anyone missed my post in the review thread, does anyone have a review of the pepper tweed dress? I haven't seen any comments on it but it looks interesting.
ReplyDeletehi, Louise, if you mean the new black&whitish thing from October catalog, I hope to get it up today.
DeleteHmm, not sure, but it is item 99307 and it's on promo right now for $148. The website photo shows the dress styled with a white shirt underneath, which looks very nice. Looking forward to your review!
DeleteWFF is talking about the long sleeve dress and you are talking about the sleeveless one. I tried it. Nice style and fabric, not too short. Unfortunately I am between 12/14, and it only went up to a 12 which was a bit small for me, so I was sized out. Worth a try, esp. since it's not final sale.
Deleteright, except the fabric is like that stuff we used to make lanyards from at camp. I wish they'd make it in a real fabric.
DeleteI have the Lucca sandals in espresso suede. I love them and am so sad to retire them for the season. Does anyone thing they would work with tights for fall, or is that ridiculous?
ReplyDeleteI think they'll look fantastic with tights and skirts or socks and pants. The espresso suede is very appropriate for fall.
DeleteEr, I respectfully disagree. I think you are risking a "birkenstocks with socks" vibe if you pair them with tights or socks. Just be happy that the sandals will be safe in your closet remaining in good condition for next summer. :)
DeleteDisagree all you like, but a lot of the fashionistas were wearing open-toed shoes and sandals with tights or socks last fall and winter. I'm thinking of several pics on The Sartorialist. It's a great look, maybe a little edgy.
DeleteI'm with Cass, I associate it with unfortunate people who have been photographed hunting through post-tornado wreckage. I have indeed seen it on the streets of New York and Paris, but usually on people who are holding a pitiful child and asking for money.
DeleteI'm with Cass and WFF, I have never seen the look pulled off nicely. It always looks inappropriate to me. Like the person maybe needs to buy a decent pair of fall/winter shoes. Even worse if the toe seam of the hosiery is visible, that looks so tacky.
DeleteJust because some people do it, whoever they are, doesn't make it good.
Tacky! Yes! That's the word I was groping for! Thank you, xoxo!
DeleteLOL, thank you for all the replies. The shoes are going into hibernation.
DeleteLouise, reply doesn't work for me. I tried the pepper tweed skirt and really didn't like the fabric. I felt like it was cheap feeling and it didn't lay nicely. It also looked to me like the tweed was printed on (although it isn't) rather than part of the weave. I just thought overall it looked very cheap.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. It seems like JC's tweed fabrics have become very hit and miss. That definitely saves me the trouble of having to buy & return!
DeleteAfter spending 39 years in Michigan, I am now in the Atlanta area and need some advice on outerwear. I have absolutely no idea what to expect this winter. I have been wearing the stadium cloth trench the last few years, but am thinking it will be too warm for Georgia. Of course, the coat I have my eye on, the majesty peacoat, is also stadium cloth. Any advice?
ReplyDeleteI shared some item combos for the no 2 wool pencil in brilliant blue, retro jade wool capris, the French hen sweater (no, I did not buy this) and one little obvi one for the Carribean tweed capris -- in this post
ReplyDelete@ ifky12: You're experiencing the same problem I did a year ago after moving to GA from the mid-Atlantic. I bought a double-cloth Metro Coat -no Thinsulate- during one of the sales last October and I couldn't imagine needing a heavier coat than that. If you love the Majesty peacoat then you should buy it, but you might find that it's too heavy to wear except for a few weeks in December/January. Mostly I wore wool blazers, the Metro Coat, and my old JC wool peacoat last winter, and I think I might buy another quilted vest since those seemed to be what I reached for the most on the weekends.
ReplyDeleteSwitching climates is hard on your wardrobe AND your wallet. Good luck!
Whitney, you took the words right out of my comment box.
DeleteI grew up in The South and I never had need of a stadium cloth coat or anything that heavy. During the coldest weather I wore the Lady Day coat in double-cloth and my Burberry wool-lined trench coat when it was rainy, it can be monsoon-like sometimes. I also had a slim Patagonia down vest that I would slip under my other jackets occasionally. Like Whitney I wore a lot of wool blazers and topped them with scarves and added a nice pair of gloves to keep my hands toasty, sometimes a hat. The scarf, hat and gloves can be added or subtracted as needed, which helps if the weather is changing.
Don't worry too much about the rare days when it does get cold and actually snow, just stock up on bread and milk and stay home like everyone else. LOL
Whitney and XOXO - thanks so much for your advice! I guess I should be grateful for the mild winters, but I saw the berry Majesty in Chicago last weekend and fell in love. I would consider the Lady Day or Metro as an alternative, but they're not offered this year in a non-Thinsulated version. I'll probably pick up the quilted vest to get my berry fix, but, to be honest, vests have always perplexed me. Do you style them as part of your outfit, or treat them as outerwear and not worry if they match anything else?
DeleteNot EXACTLY a styling question, per se, BUT...I'm headed to Vancouver next week to celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary. Never been, can't wait to go.
ReplyDeleteI know that there are alot of Vancouver/Pacific Northwest JCAs, and I'm just wondering...what should I wear? Is it cool enough for a blazer during the day? How dressy is the town? Can I get away with jeans at night, or do I need to pack a dress?
Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I purchased the Downtown Field Jacket in navy in part to wear on the trip, but now I'm thinking my navy Schoolboy would be more versatile.
TIA!!!
I have searched and searched and searched for this answer to no avail. I'm looking at some Hutton wool flannel trousers on ebay, size 4 and 6, but I can't seem to find out if I should size up in these. I can wear a four if the fit is somewhat loose, a 6 can be baggy on me. My butt, hips and thighs do not fit at all in a pant like the minnie (what a nightmare those are!!). I tried to live chat, but of course, that feature isn't working right now!
ReplyDeleteKim, you might contact Phi Phi about Hutton trouser fit info. She posted pics of a pair here.
DeleteI'm sorry if I have missed the answer to this before - but are the Etta pumps comfy and do they run true to size? I just went insane and ordered in the persimmon ($140 or so after promo and extra 30% off). Luckily, I can return but I'd love any intel you have!
ReplyDeleteHello Kate:
DeleteEtta run very true to size, and they are more noticeably more comfortable than Mona pumps. It also has a rounder toe when compared to Mona, very cute and wearable.
Thank you, IMI! I'm glad - I have a pair of Mona's and they are not great for walking. Now to see if the persimmon is doable or if I wait for a promo and get Crimson Maple....
DeleteDoes anyone else feel the watercolor blue herringbone pencil skirt and blazer paired together make them look like a flight attendant or church choir director? I bought these thinking they'd be a great suiting choice but IRL, just feel something about the color is dated.....looking for ideas on how to wear or whether I should return. Also wondering what anyone else thinks of the watercolor blue shade, kind of reminds me of the old stonewashed denim and not sure that's a good thing. I am wondering whether the gold buttons against the blazer are part of the problem with this particular color herringbone and thinking switching them out could help but I jus don't have time for that. If it hadn't been promo priced and on sale I wouldn't have been inclined to purchase at all, but the fit is great and it's unlike other items in my work wardrobe.
ReplyDelete@ragdollcats - I'm struggling with that color too! I also bought the blazer and skirt. I decided I would not wear them together - like you - something is just off. As of now - I am going to return the skirt and keep the blazer... But might end up returning that too.... What is it about that color!?!
DeleteMack, yes that its not only me thinking something seems off and not great about the shade....the thing is when I contemplate just keeping the blazer, I don't know what I want to put it with...I prefer other colors of blazers with jeans from what I already own to this, and thought about pairing with a leather skirt but I've got other options there, too, that I like better. I also bought the romance pink blazer and I adore that color, and I'd rather wear that over this one for a standalone jacket. Not to mention I have some old j crew velvet blazers in all sorts of colors that I will be breaking out again for fall. I wish this were more of a baby blue, or even pale turquoise or aqua, but it's reading blah dated denim to me from a distance when I look in the mirror. I think it's likely to go back unless another JCA can sing its praises and give me some great pairing ideas or contrast color suggestions I wouldn't have thought of.
ReplyDeletelove this collection
ReplyDeletesaree manufacturers | cotton sarees online | salwar kameez wholesale | designer sarees online | bridal sarees | designer salwar kameez