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! :)
I picked up the dark plaid zip dress at Madewell this weekend, stores are still doing extra 40% off sale so it was a good deal for what I believe is a relatively new release and something I can wear several more times this season. The fabric feels like you are in a snuggly blanket, it is lined, has generous but non bulky side seam pockets, it is machine washable- love, love, love. Size down in this one by at least one if not two sizes, this did not seem to impact the length too much on me, at 5'4" it hit mid thigh but I still felt very work-appropriate in tights today (would not in bare legs, though).
ReplyDeleteOh! And I also got the flannel slim boyshirt in lawndale plaid. It is slightly less purple than the website shows, the stripe may actually be more red, but it is certainly not Christmas-y. This one is TTS, pretty true to your figure (aka not boxy at all), and hits mid hip, which I was not expecting from the pics (which imply a lot of fabric to gather when tucked on the model). I have never been a big Madewell fan but they seem to be starting to slip in some more feminine, tailored casual-but-can-be-dressed-up pieces with the oversized/androgynous/rolled-out-of-my-hipster-bed stuff these days and the quality seems better than J Crew. I will be browsing the website more often going forward.
DeleteI know these have been out for a while, but I've finally worn the Sloan D'Orsay flats in suede (#E0033) and they are very comfortable. I have wide feet and the d'orsay style usually doesn't work for me, but these are great. I sized down half a size.
ReplyDeleteAfter a winter of low JC purchases, I've bought a lot over the past month with all the sales:
ReplyDelete* dark tortoise patent shoes: I love tortoise and I love patent so I couldn't pass these up. The dark tortoise patent boots (e4500) are stunning and unlike anything I have. They are stiff, as one of the reviews mentions; I'm not quite sure how I will deal with that but I will find a way; maybe I'll find a way to make it look good with a thick sock that extends past the top. I also caught the dark tortoise Colette pumps in my size, and these also, gorgeous. Both run TTS.
* Regent blazer in pink Donegal wool: there is one available now, on sale, in P4, which is my standard coat size, and which I purchased back in fall. Love the color. Someone should get this!
* Chateau Parka: Was so lucky to pick this up in ginger on sale! Although most reviews say this runs big, I do not like coats like this to be fitted in any way, so I took my normal P4. I ordered 5 JC coats this year and this was the only one I've kept.
(The coats I returned were:
(1) double cloth belted trench coat in warm olive (34733) -- not warm enough and I don't like belted coats -- was hoping I could tie in back but the belt is the only closure and it looks funny open. Runs TTS.
(2) lady day coat in warm olive (52606) -- this year, JC moved the pockets from the front seam to the side seam, which I think is less flattering and less accessible. As for fit, it fits like prior lady days, very fitted. P4, my usual coat size, fits exactly, but no room for even a sweater underneath.
(3) regent topcoat in pink (c8552): I love pink but this pink had lots of blue speckles in it and ended up looking purple, which I don't love. And somehow, the style just wasn't a good fit for me.
(4) cocoon coat in pale ginger (b2780): this is actually a super cute coat, but since I was able to get the chateau parka in the same color, I couldn't justify keeping both. I prefer the chateau, both for the shape and because the cocoon coat has only a zipper closure and I like having the option of buttons, as I often button just one for a quick on and off.
* french lame metallic blouse in metallic mauve (e5018): I purchased this after WWF's review in early december (thank you WWF!), and wore it for Xmas eve. It is so lovely, in both color and texture (a thicker silk). Because it is metallic, it is not as comfortable as most silks, and by the end of the night, I was definitely a little itchy. But would definitely purchase again even knowing that as this is a very unique top.
I've worn it with a very thin silk cami underneath, I should have mentioned that. :(
DeleteSome reviews here and here
ReplyDeleteI tried on some things at Factory a few days ago:
ReplyDeletegigi pants -- these have stellar online reviews so I wanted to try them on. They are super flattering, as everyone online said, very comfortable, nice thick fabric. (no VPL!) They would look great with boots and I wear boots 4-5 months of the year up here in Michigan. The store was out of my size (8) so I will wait for a decent promo and pick them up online.
printed drapey shift dress -- I tried my usual size 8 and it ran really big in the torso, could have fit easily into a 6. Liked the colors, didn't like the poly fabric.
sleeveless peplum blouse (from clearance rack) - nice but crazy huge in the armholes, couldn't size down since smaller sizes were gone.
have a pic (of all 3 at once :) on my instagram: navybluecardigan
Hey Julie - I own two pairs of Gigis (navy & black) as well as a pair of the retail Pixies (gray). Besides the zipper placement, I find them to be exactly the same in terms of fit, quality & material. I love wearing them with boots & tunic sweaters! They're super-comfy & do not roll or pill. If I can't shed this weight I've put on lately (thanks, Zoloft) I might be interested in selling mine - all size 8 - in EUC.
DeleteHey Taylor - if you want to sell the gigis, shoot me an email and maybe we can work something out! julielion96ATgmailDOTcom
DeleteHas anyone tried the Madewell Denim Trench Dress?
ReplyDeleteRynetta, I'm receiving the package tomorrow...I'll post on this thread.
DeleteSpeaking of Madewell..
DeleteDid anyone receive an email from the company re: Exclusive First Look of their Spring '16 collection, which you can pre-order.
A lot of cute denim, and embroidered tops and dresses.
JSR: Thank you SO much! The reviews suggest that it fits small. I cannot wait to hear what you think!
DeleteJSR: i got that email, too, and i emailed them about info on a couple of pieces... but i haven't heard back from them yet :/
DeleteI ordered the trench dress, but it hasn't arrived yet. Seems to be selling out really fast. I also loved a lot of pieces on the First Look. I preordered the red and white embroidered top and I also love the off the shoulder eyelet blouse, but mustard is not my color (I'm not sure its anyone's color, J. Lo included).
DeleteAh, agree with you on J.Lo, that color didn't do her any favor. She looked much nicer in the white dress at the after-party.
DeleteOh...I actually look really good in mustard, to the point that I don't know if I like the color, or if I just like wearing the color and getting compliments. I'm joking, but also sort of serious. I have medium brown skin, not tan, with balanced under tones, ala Kerry Washington.
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DeleteReview of the Madewell denim belted dress on my IG. My regular size fit but I would go up a size to be comfortable on top (it's like wearing a very fittd denim jacket). It has a very pronounced western feeling to it (not very versatile), I didn't like it much, personally.
DeleteSo, I received the Denim Belted Dress. I took in a size 6 (36B), and I felt comfortable in it. I'm 4'11 and the length falls an inch longer from my knees. Zero stretch, it's 100% cotton. It is fitted at the body and A-lines from waist down.
DeleteAlso received the Orson Loafer in Leopard. I'm usually 5.5, and per Madewell's suggestion online, I ordered a 5, and the fit is fine.
I paired the belted dress and loafers together, and it looked really cute! The dress is growing on me; instant love in photos online, but on me, it takes getting used to. I'm going out of my style zone trying different silhouettes. I'm keeping it for now within the 60 day window, but If I see something better I'll return it.
Here are the measurements again:
4 6 8
Chest Circumference 36 37 38
Waist Circumference 29 30 31
Hip Circumference 41 42 43
Sweep Circumference 43.5 44.5 45.5
Sleeve Length from Center Back 31.625 32 32.375
Waist Tie Length 61 62 63
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DeleteJSR and Ema: Thanks SO much for your reviews!!!!
DeleteI received my Denim Trench Dress from Madewell yesterday, and absolutely love it! I am normally a size 0 in dresses at Madewell, but knowing that the denim would have zero stretch to it, I ordered the size 2. The fit is perfect, other than the bust area, which is a tad snug if I button it up all the way, or at least have the second button fastened. I will more than likely leave it undone like the pic of the model does on the website, and sew in a hook & eye to keep it from gaping. As for the length, the dress falls just above my knee (I'm 5'5"), and is perfect for tall boots now, or sandals come springtime, depending on whether or not our spring in Montana this year is another warm one. As Ema mentioned, it does have a pronounced western feel to it, but that makes it even better for where I live. ;) All in all, I really like the dress and believe it will be a keeper for me.
DeleteSo, the Thomas Mason Stuart Plaid Flannel Shirt. I popped in to the Fifth Avenue store, which had a bunch of sizes. It's a very nice cotton shirt, reminded me of Ye Olde Tyme perfect shirts. However, and this is a big HOWEVER, J.Crew should be ashamed of itself for calling it flannel, because that is one thing it is not.
ReplyDeleteI was just ironing one of my Ye Olde Tyme perfect shirts yesterday. The fabric used to be so thick and smooth. Now, not so much. Wearing a Factory gingham shirt today and the quality is so poor. The fabric is so thin and no amount of pressing made it look good. Sad.
Delete@wellfedfred- I can't believe that it's not flannel, that's crazy!
Delete@shopalot I agree with both of you about the change in quality of the perfect shirt. Quite noticeable to me when comparing my tartan perfect shirt from 2010 to my Stewart plaid one which is thinner and more prone to wrinkle.
@jan, the fabric is smooth and flat. Cotton flannel is a soft, warm, light fabric of cotton or cotton and another fiber, thickly napped on one side and used for shirts, sleepwear, undergarments, sheets, etc.
DeleteAs to the shirt in question, the nap and the thickness are MIA. It's a nice shirt, and I like it as a cotton shirt. I just wouldn't call it flannel.
Thank you, wellfedfred.
DeleteI picked up the Stewart plaid perfect shirt, very happy to get it on sale since it's a backup to my original tartan perfect shirt from 2010 which is still in very good shape but I couldn't resist. Unlike most people I didn't size up. I bought a size 2 which is my usual size the last few years and it fits fine I think sizing up wouldn't look as good, I'm small chested though so that might make a difference. I like that the colours are more vibrant than on my original. It is shorter than my original and not as good quality IMO. Interestingly the size 2 looks about the same as my size 4 original tartan perfect shirt.
ReplyDelete