Thursday, August 29, 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! :)

43 comments:

  1. Hi all, know this isn't the reviews post, but just reviewed the monks strap shoes in barn red, the pale pink cashmere V Neck and the grey patch pocket pencil skirt:

    http://onecantgetoverthehabit.blogspot.ca/2013/08/j-crew-new-arrivals-reviews-pics-of.html?showComment=1377774295657#c7055621231115735409

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  2. Hello JCAs! This is OT, but I wanted to let everyone know that there are new Promo-Priced items & markdowns this week. I've noted them in this post. Enjoy your day everyone! :)

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  3. Some outfit ideas @ http://ebelandi.com/category/sissifashion/

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  4. I have the bright pink version of the Factory excursion vest on the way. Does anyone have this? Is the color easy enough to wear? I like the color but I'm worried I won't know how to wear it. Thoughts/ideas? Thanks!

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    1. I believe you have a few options, depending on your comfort level. You could do black sweater and black skinny jeans with booties or burgundy tall boots.

      You could also do white button down shirt and blue jeans (or white jeans) with booties, pumps or tall boots. Or you can replace jeans by minnie pant.

      You could also do a navy stripe top/sweater, it goes very well with a uniform pink vest. Hope this helps.

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    2. I imagine it would look nice over a monochromatic outfit as a pop of color. Because the bright pink is such a strong color, you probably wouldn't want too many other colors competing with it. Your underlying outfit doesn't have to be in completely the exact same shade, but colors within the same family would work. I bet it'd be nice over a bunch of blues, burgundies, or whites.

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    3. Thank you ebelandi.com and clotted creame. These are great ideas. I forgot that I like burgundy with bright pink, thanks for the reminder! I didn't think of white jeans either.

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    4. cate - The pink might also look good w/the camo green that's out. I tried a combo like that at the factory recently. I'll post pics soon, hopefully. The vest layers under jackets, too, like the downtown field.

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    5. I hadn't thought of camo/green with it, thanks. I will definitely give this a try, and I'll look for your post. Thanks!

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    6. cate -- burgundy and pink makes me think of last year's Tokyo catalog. There were some outfits with a burgundy skirt and a bright pink coat that were to die for!

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    7. Thanks Rosie, I'll take a look. I think that's the catalog with the bright blue coat on the cover? They had the prettiest coat colors.

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    8. Rosie, just took a look at that catalog, I like that combo a lot!

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  5. I have two questions.

    I am wondering what people's thoughts are on the normal classic navy Schoolboy, versus the double breasted. Why would one have two? Do they create different looks? I am tempted to get the double breasted because . . . I assume it's there for a reason. But is a double breasted blazer used differently?

    I am wondering if all the leather details are going to look dated in the near future. I am really trying not to chase trends, but to build a wardrobe that will last for a while.

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    1. Re leather details, I think depending on your selection, it can be a classic trend, you can check previous seasons (2011), the leather detailing trend usually comes back. Subtle details (sleeves, trim etc.) work to me. You can always have a simple leather garment (skirt, dress, jacket) and just dress it up with regular shirt and you get the trend still. Just my opinion.

      Interesting question on jackets and double versus single breast. It looks like it has something to do with buttons and bulk. One tip I googled said double breasted had bulk to petite figure, but not sure.

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    2. Single breasted is so much more flattering and versatile, imo. You can wear it open to reveal more of what you are wearing underneath and it just doesn't add the bulk.

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    3. I think double breasted blazers can add bulk on certain frames and body types. I am 5'4" and short waisted so I stay away from them.

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    4. I was in Canada last week and picked up a copy of the Canadian fashion mag: Flare. There was an interesting article about leather indicating that it's so popular this year because just within the last couple years new technologies have been perfected in the treatment of leather which allows its more flexible use for things like sleeves, front panels of thin shirts, etc. So my "guess" is that leather in some form or another as a fashion element is here to stay--designers are going to continue to experiment with what they can do with it. So, in short, I wouldn't shy away from a purchase because of leather details out of concern it will feel too outdated next year.

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    5. This is so interesting! A girlfriend of mine used to work in fashion, and used to tell me about how fabrics were changing and how that influenced design. I remember her staying that it was so much easier now to do photo prints, for example. Thank you so much for your comment.

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    6. You must be right about leather being here to stay. I saw leather and faux leather in every store I visited today from Target to J. Crew. Every line is doing something leather. Lots of leather panels, sleeves etc. and alot of quilted leather. I also noticed the designs are repeated from the lowest end stores up to the higher end. And tons of J. Crew looking items. Amazing how one retailer influences so many others.

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    7. Check out the Alterations Needed blog for lots of ideas on how to style blazers of all sorts -- schoolboy, double-breasted, patterned. The gal is obsessed with blazers.

      She's petite but the double-breasted style doesn't look bulky at all on her.... but then again she's rail-thin. I couldn't pull it off myself.

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    8. Thank you for the suggestions! I guess the point of the double breasted blazer is to look even more tomboyish, if that is your thing, which apparently it is for some people. Emanuelle Alt apparently always dresses in pants, heels and a jacket these days . . .

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    9. Yeah Alerations Needed is teeny tiny. I can't imagine anything adding bulk to her frame. If you are debating between the regular school boy and double breasted I would go for the regular in a heart beat. My navy school boy is a workhorse in my wardrobe and I always feel confident in the way I look when I wear it.

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  6. If I read it correct, the denim promo ends today. What do you guys think will happen for the labor day weekend? Extra 30% off sale?

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    1. I'm crossing my fingers for 40% off but 30 is probably more likely...especially since that's what Madewell is doing.

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    2. I'm hoping they have a % off regular items, as I have $150 in rewards burning a hole in my pocket, and I'm not at all interested in sale stuff.

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  7. I think there hast to be some other promo coming, considering that every other retailer will have one for the holiday. I don't really know what it could be--just percent off sale? After the recent 25% off everything (with 150, which I thought was nice), it's hard to imagine what is next. But I'm guessing they want to get rid of summer stuff, and focus on fall.

    When is the next rollout? (She asked, like a junkie).

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    1. I would assume it would be something like that. Madewell has a 30% off sale items this weekend, so J.Crew probably will have something similar.

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  9. In stores 30% off sale items but makes it final.

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    1. I'm not surprised. Thanks for the heads up!

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    2. wohoo! Thanks, I may drop in after work tomorrow.

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  10. Did some returns today. Horsey sweatshirt and the two tone zip cardigan. Also returned the monk strap shoes. Ordered my normal size and they are 1/2 size too big and really wide. Hated the color and thought they looked cheap. I did come home with the camo scarf at the encouragement of the SA who agreed with me that a camo vest, pants, coat or shirt just wasn't going to happen in our wardrobes. I like the camo scarf because it doesn't shout CAMO! The colors will go with my green quilted coat from a couple of years ago, green utility vest and pants, grey, black, brown...it's a nice mix and the soft coral makes it a feminine way to have a little bit of camo in the wardrobe.

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    1. Forgot! I tried on the collection leather front merino sweater. Excited to see this in my store...finally we are getting some collection pieces. I tried on my normal Tippi size and it fit well and I could button it. Very nice weight knit and nice looking leather. The only thing that kinda bugged me is that when it's buttoned the side pockets that are in the side seam poke out and the front wrinkles up. I'm thinking I may get this and return the black leather front pocket tunic sweater. I only need one black leather item in my wardrobe and I like the gray front pocket sweater better. I didn't buy it today, so it's a sleep on it item for me.

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  11. OT: received my Drapey Crepe Henley today, as well as the Camo scarf. I love the cut of the henley but the fabric is a big NO for me. Too scratchy and synthetic - I couldn't wait to take it off. I wish they had done it in a slubby silk/cotton blend instead. Majorly bummed about it now. I do love the camo scarf, though. Like Stray Cat mentions above, it's very subtle and the pinky-peach stripe really lightens up the look.

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    1. My SA said the camo scarf was flying out the store. She had one pulled for herself because they were selling so fast. I also fell in love with a necklace...surprise! It's the Petite Pear necklace. The color is called fiesta purple, but it reads navy mostly to me, not really purple ....I guess depending on the light. My SA told me she bought it and has almost worn it out she wears it so often! I'm hoping to snag it on sale...cause it's a little spendy at $135.00.

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  12. How should I style my Nike Pegasus without looking too sporty?

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    1. Leandra of the Man Repeller regularly styles her New Balance sneakers with girly outfits. Look over there for some inspiration!

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    2. I just got mine tonight. I plan on wearing them with sweaters and skinny pants.

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  13. Yep...30% off final sale. Was hoping for 40% but 30% works. :)

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  14. Reposting from previous thread due to lack of responses:
    I'm looking for suggestions for what to pair with the trench dress to make it cold weather appropriate (other than a crisp blouse or a tissue turtleneck) but not bringing it into uniform/flight attendant territory. The double-breasted front can compete with a cardigan, making it look too busy or sloppy.

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    1. Maybe tie the belt or any other belt that matches over both a cardigan and the dress?

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    2. What about a longer open cardigan e.g. plain with no buttons to compete with the trench buttons and more of an open style so you can see the trench design. I am envisioning a black or gray one made of a thin wool or wool blend.

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