Thursday, April 4, 2013

JCA "Help Style Me!" Weekly Post

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! :)

33 comments:

  1. How good is the inventory at the Jcrew store in Lenox in Atlanta?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sorry to be off topic but any suggestions on how you wash your minnie pants in bistretch wool? I know it says dry clean but has anyone hand washed in wool lite and did they turn out ok? I'm trying to avoid $$$ professional dry-cleaning . Anyone use dryel sheets? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have washed mine on the wool cycle of the washer - this uses cold water for washing and rinsing - and they didn't shrink. Flat dry afterwards.

      Delete
    2. Thanks, Rose. I was wondering about washing mine too. I had them dry cleaned the first time but they get baggy after 1-2 wearings so can't afford to do this each time. And I hate to dry clean unless I really have to.

      Delete
  3. Does anyone have the Striped Darby Dress from last year? It's a navy and red striped dress with spaghetti straps (normal length! with pockets!). I got it on sale at the end of the season for a fantastic price and haven't worn it yet. Now that I'm going to wear it, I want to put a cardigan with it and cannot figure out what color works. The dress's tag says the color is "NAV". But looking at the dress, the navy is so dark that it looks black. I put a black cardigan with it and I think it looks pretty good, but I'm concerned that I'm seeing it wrong.

    So if you have this dress, do you think it's really Navy stripes? or do you treat it as Black stripes?

    I could put a jean jacket over it, but I need to dress it up a bit so i think I need a cardigan. The one I tried is a black cashmere cardigan, but is cashmere too wintery to wear with this dress?

    Also, what shoes would you wear with this dress? I'm thinking about neutral sandals, either the Apricot Mist Luccas or a pair of light brown suede T-strap wedges. I tried a pair of black patent t-strap flats but I think this dress wants a bit of a heel. Suggestions? Thanks!! (Yikes I need a lot of help today!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also- I tried black pumps with it and they were too dressy for where I will wear it. Ditto the tan suede Martina wedges. The tan colored Seville espadrilles might be cute, but I don't have them and they also would be too summery to pair with the cashmere cardigan?

      Delete
    2. I always wore a grey cardy and with mint or cognac sandals. The mint was my fave!

      Delete
    3. HollDoll129, that sounds cute, thanks for the idea!

      Delete
  4. @ Caroline: I've always found the Lenox location to be very well-stocked with all of the items from the most recent rollout, and the SA's are very helpful (especially Natalie). The sale section is decent as well...last year I found the Silk Heartthrob Boyshirt hiding in the sale section after it had been sold out in stores and online for weeks. The store is usually VERY crowded, though.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cate- have you thought about coral? Any of the older coral choices- brigh papaya from a few years ago comes to mind- or the current Jackie ( not sure of the name). It goes well w/ black and navy and some shades will also work wirh red if it is not too pale. Also, turquoise or bright white? I like the tan suede MArtinas. What about a colored patent chunky heeled sandal? I have the Apricot mist janey and I wear them with everything




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks MJ, I have a coral-ish BR cardigan I can try with it. I have a white cardigan (Factory) and a turquoise-ish Tippi cardigan I will also try. Those are good ideas, I was originally thinking only navy or black. I don't own a colored patent chunky heeled sandal and I like the idea but I'm determined to wear something I already have. Thanks so much for the ideas!

      Delete
  6. @Cate You can try grey cardigan in a light shade of grey and navy patent or suede sandals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Professor Crew, I have a light gray cardigan I can try... I'm glad I asked, you guys are giving me great ideas.

      Delete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. has anyone seen the Cece in the 'fresh strawberry' suede? They are on final sale, I've wanted red ones, but I'm concerned the color won't be actually red, but more pink or orange.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kim! I own the Cece's in fresh strawberry and it is a LOVELY color. It's a vibrant red color that leans more towards an orange red - but it doesn't register as orange to me, more like a saturated, vibrant red. It's gorgeous and goes great with SO many things!

      Delete
    2. Kim, the fresh strawberry is a slightly washed out red and it leans orange as SincerelySammie said. I was disappointed when I saw it IRL, because I was hoping for a true, vibrant red.

      Delete
    3. Well, I ordered them. I didn't buy the red ones when I could have months ago and since then they've been gone! At this point anything is better than the ratty cheap substitute I bought. Here's hoping they don't go up on ebay!

      Delete
  9. I'm obsessed with J.Crew - as we ALL are! I recently purchased the Schoolboy Blazer in June's Meadow and I LOVE it! I'll be posting it on my blog tomorrow! Feel free to visit for more J.Crew styling inspiration as most of my wardrobe is from J.Crew!

    http://www.sincerelysammie.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Review of the Factory anchor Charley sweater in this post.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Heart throb print. Anybody worn theirs since Valentines Day? I feel like the navy/red combo should be more versatile but I can't figure out how to wear it and NOT look like Cupid.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't have it, but you could break up the print by putting a light jacket or sweater over it. Sometimes that's what I do when a print is a bit too much on me (did it the other day with the apple print Factory sweater). You could tone it down with saddle-colored accessories (purse, shoes).

      Delete
    2. and since it's navy/rose red, I'm thinking of trying it with the Featherweight Cashmere Windowpane Cardigan in navy... the only thing I hesitate about is the sleeve lengths. Bracelet sleeves on cardigans are not my friends.

      Delete
    3. I have the F21 knock off, but its darn close and I wear it with my navy pinstripe suit (or just pants, depends on my work day) or with white jeans and that's pretty much it. I'm glad I only paid the f21 price since I can't seem to style it either!

      Delete
  12. Does anyone have any ideas for how to style the cafe capri in dark poppy besides with a navy top? I'm looking for a more unpredictable pairing, if possible. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. savvyshopper - Try grey for the the dark poppy, if it hasn't been mentioned.

      Delete
  13. Savvy shopper- the June's Meadow Liberty blouse would work well. Have you tried any of the coral tones ? ( iam loving coral this spring) Also, any denim or chambray, solid or polka dotted. Also there is a new navy w /white dot slik cami in the B&M stores that would look great with it. have you seen the cork ( with hints of gold) belt? That, with a crisp white blouse or linen top would be quite sharp. Also, any of the blue/white stripe blouses (linen, silk popover and boy shirt) are obvious choices too. Do you have a blazer? the white linen, white w black tipping one or the navy dot as well as the new chambray. THe ikat tees also...I think those are a few ...!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mj, Thank you so much for all the suggestions. I was on the fence about whether to keep them, but after your comment, it seems more versatile than I thought. I am now excited to wear them with so many more options than I could have come up with! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. JCAs, any of you own & wear the Liberty blazer in chive floral? I have a shot at buying it and can't decide if I should get my usual size 6 or size down like I did in the indigo quilted floral jacket. If you own it, does it feel easy-ish to style. Or did it stump you? Also, is it comfortable to wear all day? TIA I know, duh, I tried it on here and just can't decide.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I own the blazer and actually sized up in it to fit my shoulders and surprise the rest fit fine as well:) I have not tried on the blue one but have it coming this week. It is easy to style for me as I wear it with a simple white JCrew blouse I have or white tee. I like it b/c it is so unique and that is what I look for in my wardrobe.

      Delete
    2. (o)G - Thanks for the response. I recvd my chive floral yesterday and love it. Sticking w/the size I tried on was best. Unlike the indigo, where I sized down. I agree about the white tee. I like it w/the black wool capris. Might try a black top w/it, too. Keep it simple.

      Delete
  16. I've styled the crepe polka dot skirt and and factory paisley shirt from 2012 on my blog if anyone is interested.

    http://www.indigokat.com/2013/04/mixing-prints.html

    ReplyDelete

Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)