Tuesday, August 6, 2013

J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs!}

This is the weekly "J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs}" post, to help each other share our reviews.

So if you have recently purchased, or stopped by a J.Crew store to try on an item (or two) from J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.

Also, this request is not just limited to clothes. Please feel free to discuss bags, shoes, jewelry, accessories, etc.

In particular, if you could mention a few of the noteworthy details like fit, size, fabric, and the like— that would be fantastic! Thanks in advance! :)

77 comments:

  1. Tried and purchased the bar stripe tee in the gray. I went down a size to M. The large just felt too big. I put it up to my perfect fit tees (Large) when I got home and it's exactly the same length and width. I love it. Tried the white with pink, but the gray felt like a great transitional autumn item.

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  2. My Factory puffer vest came in today - I was able to snag it with the 40% promo before they disappeared - and it fits TTS. I think the quality is good for Factory, and I'll be able to layer LS tees, pullovers, & thin sweaters under it. Hoping Retail releases the excursion vest in a color I like so I can stock up. Btw, the boulevard green is a nice, deep green with no teal undertones. I was afraid that the stock photo wouldn't translate well IRL, but I'm pleased.

    Chain link sandals in merlot should arrive tomorrow, so I will report back on those in case another sale promo starts.

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  3. Do the Pixie pants tend to stretch out after a day or two of wear? I'm thinking of buying my first pair and I'm trying to decide if I need to size down like with the Minnie pants.

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    1. I take the same size in the Pixies as in my Minnies. I haven't worn the Pixies yet.

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    2. They actually don't stretch too much. I would size down still (I wear the same size as I wear in the Minnie pants), but they don't stretch too much as you wear them. They are a great pant. The knit is really thick and nice.

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  4. Whitney - sharing my experience if it helps ... I've always worn Pixie pants a size up from my Minnie pants. While I can fit into Pixies in the same size as my Minnies, I prefer not to show every detail, IYKWIM. But I'm speaking of Pixie and Minnie pants from a couple years back, thus assuming sizing and fabrication have remained fairly consistent from then. Geez, guess that can be a big if.

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  5. Whitney, I personally would size down in pixie pants if it were possible. I have a pair that I love, but they are definitely loose in the hips and bum area. Shame I can't size down....

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  6. @Whitney, I'd say sizing depends on your shape. I sadly don't have much of a waist & am a little high waisted. I stuck w my same Minnie size. If I had a smaller or lower waist, I would've sized down 1 size. The waist has no give IMO, but the legs do. HTH!

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  7. Review of the printed eyelet top, which is part of the current 30% SHOPNOW promo.

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  8. IRL and review of the printed eyelet top and ponte peplum top in stripe on SHOPNOW promo in this post.

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  9. Janey Patent Flats in Acropolis Blue. Same fit as the black, but a really nice understated blue. Not quite navy. Looks a lot like the color you see online.

    Silk Henley Top in Dark Begonia. I took the larger of my two sizes. Really pretty color.

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  10. Cafe Capri in Single Stripe review here and new arrivals here and here

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  11. Tried the Andie chinos (even though jcrew pants never fit me) and they were GREAT! Thick, very soft cotton, and extremely comfortable. 5'8" 135 and size 6 fit. Was able to order tall in the navy color, but I really wish they offered the dark gray in tall sizes too! Hoping these come back in the next few seasons, they would be fabulous in a Kelly green or dark plum color.

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  12. Not a review of any particular item, but I went to the new Toronto Premium Outlets on the weekend. Not worth the trip to that j.crew store. They had items identical to last year's j.crew retail items (of note: the french hen blouse and sweater, the excursion vest in herringbone, among others). But the price points were SO high! I bought the retail french hen shirt for $92 and the factory version was priced at $127.50 + tax. All are lower quality, no opening sales or extra promotions on top. Maybe down the line there will be some sales, but until then it's not worth the trip.

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    1. @teeny84 Did the herringbone vest look just like the retail version? Thanks.

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    2. It looked just like the retail version but didn't feel like it. It was thinner and definitely made out of a cheaper material. That being said, they looked absolutely identical.

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    3. Thanks so much for the info @teeny84. I own the retail but know friends who passed on it and now regret it. They might want this one. Thanks again.

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    4. Thanks for the update on the Premium Outlet. I have been super curious about it (and hoping I can convince my husband to take me there this weekend!), especially after hearing about the Cole Haan and JC outlets there. I heard on CBC radio news that there was a huge traffic jam when it opened last week!

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    5. It was INSANE. I wouldn't have gone except I was visiting my parents who live in Milton. No parking, had to park on a field nearby and walk over. Huge lineups for any outlet that had a decent sale going on (well over 100 people in the line for Coach).

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  13. Curious whether anyone can compare the Andie chinos with the skinny utility chinos. I recall several JCAs mentioned having to go with their larger size in the utility chinos. Same with the Andies? Thanks.

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    1. I preferred the Andie chinos over the Utility. I tried both in size 0 and 2. The Utility were too tight overall in the 0, like they were painted on me. In the 2, I loved how they looked everywhere but in the butt, too tight for my preference. At 5'3.5", both sizes were too long for me.
      The Andie looked better to me in the 0, slim with some wrinkling at the knee, but I usually get petite pants and the ones I tried were regular. I actually felt more comfortable in the 2, but the waist was too big and I was concerned that they might stretch out with wear. The length was ok, hit at the bottom of my ankle with a small amount of bunching. I liked how they look rolled and I think the added length might work well with boots. I am planning on trying the petite as soon as there is a promo. HTH

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    2. Thanks, maryeb, for the thorough comparison.

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    3. I think the skinny utility chinos have back flap pockets and the andie chinos do not. I've tried both and the Andie chinos fit me much better.

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    4. I just bought the Andie and I had to size up one from my Scout chino and Cafe Capri size. I didn't try the utility chinos. The Andie rides at my hip, but I'm 5'9" and very long waisted. They fall above my ankle, but not too much, which I like for fall/winter wear. They fit me really well in the rear and thighs.

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    5. I am really on the fence with sizes in the Andie chinos. Has anyone washed and dried them yet? Do they shrink? Do they stretch out a lot or not that much?

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    6. I tried on the Andie in store last week and found that I also had to go up one size from my Café Capri size. The waist on the Andie is slightly higher than the capris, and the fabric is thicker, stiffer and has no stretch. Having said that, the fit and the cut was really good so they are definitely on my wish list for the next full price promo.

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  14. Has anyone tried on the trench dress yet? Thank you!

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    1. The trench dress is UH-MAZING!!! It is very well made, fully lined, of woolen suiting fabric. You could easily wear it to work with prim pumps and also dress it down with boots and turtleneck. I love it. Usually, I go with regular sized clothing, despite being petite, at JCrew, but I got this in P2, rather than 0, so that the length would be ok with boots. It hits me mid-thigh. I am 5,2.5".
      HTH

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    2. Chiming in with my LOVE for the trench dress! I got my usual Crew size dress but would go with a smaller size.

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    3. Thank you maqsad, milljrew! You ladies have convinced me - putting in an order for it now!

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  15. Review of the tipped silk collar top. Same top as last year's Peter Pan, so I included side-by-side snaps of both.

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  16. Anyone tried the cashmere pointelle sweater? I am wondering if it is running true to size?

    I ordered the cashmere Isabel sweater in xs and the cashmere v neck in s during the style40 promo and they are HUGE! I am usually an xs in j.crew sweaters, sometimes a small in cashmere to allow for layering. The small v-neck was so long it looked like a tunic on me (I am 5'2")!

    The strawberry thief popover is absolutely fabulous! I was going to return it and wait for a promo, but it just fits so well!

    Factory excursion vest is fitting TTS and the green, as mentioned above, is very nice. Very lame of j.crew to hide them during the promo.

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  17. The cashmere pointelle dot sweater to be more specific. Any reviews out there?

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    1. Loved it. Thought it was high quality. I would take the smaller of my two sweater sizes.

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  18. I tried several items this weekend.
    Andie chinos - see above response to CC.

    Tippi sweater- really loved the warm cocoa color. It has a reddish tone, almost like a dark cherry, but more brown. Also loved the heather lilac. You can really see the color nuances of blue and pink and lilac. Lovely pinky tone, not cyanotic, without being too bright.

    New Schoolboy Blazer- I really need to try this in petite. The regular is too long in overall length and the sleeve. I thought the navy was a nice dark navy and loved the button detail at the sleeve, some of the buttons are on the inside so they will show when sleeve is rolled up. I like the slightly slimmer fit.

    Oxford Boy shirt in Polka dot- An unexpected love, so much so that I paid FP. Substantial, soft cotton. The pindots are sweet, just a little pattern, but could read as a solid. I'm usually an xs or size 0 or 2. Took a 0 in this.

    Geometric Eyelet top in marled peony - A little stiff and slightly boxy/bunchy on me, maybe because I'm a bit short. It hangs and looks much nicer on Tiffany Rose(Trail of Sequins). Really love the eyelet detail, though and the one I tried seemed to have the design centered just fine.

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  19. Stretch suiting tee, eligible for the 30% knits & tees discount -- VERY fitted, so much so that I wouldn't wear it as a solo top. (No one needs that much information about my upper half!) But I do like it for layering without adding bulk, and expect to get good use of it once itchy-sweater season begins. Sizing is similar to that for perfect-fit tees.

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  20. Thanks, all, for the feedback on the Pixie Pant! I'm still on the fence about them...I lost some weight and need to replace a few pairs of pants. The Andie chinos are tempting me now as well thanks to all of the positive reviews. It's tough to decide how to spend your rewards card!

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    1. Congrats on the weight loss! I personally LOVE my Pixie Pants, I have 3 pairs and the black ones are especially versatile - I can even wear them to work dressed up w/ a blazer and pumps. I'm usually a size 6 at most stores but size 4 for J Crew pants and I sized down to a size 2 for the Pixies and they have stretched out just enough and fit perfectly. I say go for the Pixies!

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    2. I agree! I love the pixies...I'm a size 8 but I also use them as leggings w/my dresses & boots on winter...I get a ton of compliments.

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  21. Is the fit of the andie chinos similar to the café capris...low waisted ? I find most of J crews pants are very low waisted...too low for me. Thanks

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  22. Hey Everyone! Just stopped into my local B&M to pick up the white Bermuda hat, which they had one in my size (it's back ordered until Aug. 28 online) so I thought I'd look around. I had assumed from first glance that the Andie Chino would be too slim for me, but today I took another look because I love the tux stripe version. I knew just from looking that my normal size in J. Crew pants would not fit me in the Andie. I sized up one size and they fit pretty good! I was surprised. They are low waisted. I'm very long waisted and tall and the Andie rides on my hip. Aside from that they fit really nice in the rear and in the thighs. I was a little on the fence about them, even though I love the stripe, but the sales gals all said they looked cute so they came home with me. And I picked up the wool crested baseball cap. Very cute! I predict it will sell out along with the tux stripe Andie. So if you think the Andie might not be for you, try sizing up one size. It worked for me!

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    1. Did you think the wool crested ballcap ran small? I tried it on and it was so tight. The plain wool one I tried was much better. They all say One Size, though. Maybe I imagined it!

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    2. Hi cate -- The caps are all adjustable in the back, so you should be able to fit it properly to your head.

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    3. I didn't like the other two versions, especially the pink one. But the crested one is really cute. And yes...it is adjustable. And I got the 20% off of future purchase coupon too! Yah!

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    4. I thought I had adjusted it to the biggest setting, it wouldn't go any further. I tried two crested hats. I think it must be operator error lol. I have a navy wool ballcap so I'd probably buy the tan/gray one anyway. It reminded me of the catalog with the ballet dancers on the cover, anyone remember that? Lots of tan and gray.

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  23. Hi, all--What is the best e-mail address to send customer feedback to that someone of influence will read to actually make a change? Is contactus@jcrew.com the best e-mail address to send feedback to? Thanks!

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    1. That's the email address I used. I sent the message on a Sunday afternoon and was shocked to find a response in my inbox later that evening. I'm not sure someone of influence read it, but I appreciated the response.

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  24. Has anyone seen/tried on the merino tippi foulard sweater? Is it very thin? Does it fit true to size? Has anyone seen it available in a store in navy ivory, size XS? Many thanks!

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    1. I bought the navy. It's a merino wool tippi, it didn't strike me as especially thin, and I remember thinking I'd need to wait quite awhile to comfortably wear it (it's summer here). The foulard print is really cool, I was really pleased with it

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    2. Newjca. I ordered this Tippi in both colorways and it should be delivered tomorrow. I went with my usual Tippi size S. I'll let you know how they fit when they arrive.

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    3. I rec'd the ivory foulard in a small. The foulard dots are pinkish and green. I am not sure if it is due to the ivory color but it does seem to be thinner to me. I ordered the larger of my sizes thinking it may be thin and did not want it to cling. I need to try it on with a nude bra to see if it is ok.

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    4. Thank you HollDoll129, Shopping Celle, and ShopLV.
      The online price of the tippi foulard sweater went up overnight, and that was the no-go for me. We still have almost 2 months of summer ahead of us, anyway! Maybe later...

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  25. I was a very late convert to the excursion vests last year, and by the time I wanted one, I could never find one in my size. (I had to size down -- I take a small in JC tees and shirts but the vest in small was too boxy.)

    However, with outerwear, I would prefer to stick to retail, not factory. So I recently ordered the Authier Tom's Vest and the Girls' Barbour summer Liddesdale Gilet Vest. I was able to get the Authier vest in a size 40, which fits like the JC XS. As it was final sale, I am very relieved that I like it -- in fact, I actually LOVE it! Warm but not at all bulky, with a close-to-body feminine cut. The Barbour vest, which is in navy, is also super cute and a great color, with very pretty floral lining, but the XXL was large and boxy on me -- I would say it's like a women's small/medium, but short -- okay for me at 5'2" but most likely too short for anyone much taller.

    I also ordered the Barbour quilted Cavalry jacket and love it. This one is cut small -- I am nearly always a 2 in JC outerwear, have the Barbour size 4 in the JC liberty lined Beadnell jacket, and in this one, the size 6 fits with no room to spare. It fits like the Barbour Ferndown jacket, which I also have in a 6.



    Similarly, the Barbour Fer

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  26. Hi! I'd love to hear any reviews of the Everly wedge. I'm a 10.5,but usually get 11s since JC doesn't normally offer 10.5. The Monas in 11 felt uncomfortable after standing an hour. Given the pointed toe, I don't know whether to get 11 or 12 in the Everly wedges. The pointed toe gives me pause. I have normal width feet and tend to use flats more often these days. Thank you!

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    1. I have several pics of these shoes on my blog. I sized up half a size in them too. I couldn't go a whole size up in the metallic (which are the tighest fitting) because I have a skinny heel. Definitely size at least half a size in the suede ones.

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    2. Hi there-I'm usually a size 7, but took a 7.5 in the Everly Wedge. I like them and would gladly get another pair if my size came up. I'm extremely picky about shoes-I need them to be comfortable. These are fairly comfortable. I wouldn't want you to size up too much. Hope you get a nice pair!

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    3. cmg - I haven't tried the Everly wedge, but I tried the plaid Everlys back in spring in this post. Once I realized my shoe shape compared to the Everly toe shape, I realized it'll probably never work. Pics are at the bottom of the post. I also have a medium width foot.

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  27. I tried on the gray Tippi with shoulder embroidery in the larger of my Tippi sizes--a small--in store tonight, and oh my was it terrible. The embroidery is a much thicker knit than the thin merino that Tippis are normally made of; that thin merino composes the body and sleeves of the sweater. Having that thicker knit on the shoulders causes the sweater to bow out from the body and make terrible things happen in terms of dumpiness, and it almost made the normal sleeves look dolman. I wasn't at all interested in this sweater to begin with: I tried it on because the Tippi in embroidered tile is at the top of my wishlist and I thought trying on the gray might help me to figure out sizing. Maybe going with a smaller size might help? I don't know, but that sweater was not good.

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    1. I wanted to love this, and I do love the colors, but it was not very good on me either. I have broader shoulders and the placement of the embroidery wasn't very good on me.

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  28. Was at my local store tues evening and noticed the store associate with the markdown gun on bunch of tops. The items were still up front and not in the sale section. All sale items were gone from last week and the only things I saw in sale area were some popovers, houndstooth tunic, and embroidered tippi. So definitely take a peek at price tags for markdowns in nonsale sections.

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  29. For those that have the seville espadrilles and lillian wedge, did you purchase your you normal shoe size? Or did you have to size up like other j crew heels? thx!

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    1. I have the Lillian suede wedges, and actually went down a half size from my regular shoe size. Some other JCAs also found the Lillian ran a half size large.

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    2. I have the Seville espadrilles in a 9 and found that I'm I between sizes. I always take a 9 in closed toe shoes and I needed an insole for mine. Hth!

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    3. I have the chambray Seville espadrilles. I'm usually an 8.5 - 9 (8.5 at J. Crew), and I needed to size down to an 8. And I have a slightly wider than average foot.

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    4. Normal shoe size in the natural colored Seville espadrille, but had to go down half a size in the Lillian Wedges. I could possibly have gone down half a size in the Sevilles but I think they only came in whole sizes.

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  30. Review of a new invitation clutch. Black leather w/a quilted flap.

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  31. Am I going mad or are there new items online?
    I'm sure the Liberty ruffled popover is new, and the quilted Edie!

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    1. I think there was an update with new items. Either that or I am mad right along with you:)

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  32. There is a Tweed Schoolboy online, which also shows a sweater with two horses on it.

    http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/blazers/schoolboyblazers/PRDOVR~03702/03702.jsp

    Also, I may be in the minority, but I love the beanstalk blouse and it is on promo this morning.

    Hm. Do I go to the store and go through the hassle of explaining it's on promo, thus taking up an hour and a half of my day and saving on shipping . . .

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    1. Unknown: Call into the VPS line and ask one of them to place the order for you. They should wave the shipping so you won't have to go to the store. The VPS number is 1-800-261-7422.

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  33. As others have mentioned already this morning, there are some new arrivals online. There are also a lot of new promo-priced items & markdowns. I'm working on the updated list and will have it posted on my blog a little later this morning.

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  34. Review of the cashmere pointelle dot sweater. Currently on promo for $198 + WIT20.

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  35. The tipped gamine dress is regular price online vs $79.99 in-store. Review here.

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  36. Does anybody know if and when j crew is going to get more of the excursion vests this year in solid colors?? I ordered the pink vest from factory in xxs because it was the only color available in my size and that is even back ordered until oct 10th. I've heard there was a striped version and a camo version that will be coming out but I want a basic color like navy or green. Thanks all!

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    1. Candy Pink Stove, I've been watching an excursion vest on ebay and I'm debating between the XXS and XS. I'd normally order a XS, I'm usually a 2P (5'2", 115lbs, 25-26'' waist, 32C bust) but I've been reading to size down. I'm just afraid the XXS won't leave room for layers. What do you recommend with your fit in the XXS?

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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! :)