Thursday, August 18, 2016

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! :)

23 comments:

  1. Do any of you have the rose gold metallic loafers from a few years back? I wear mine with skinny jeans, but haven't really figured out a way to wear them with other stuff. They're a fun (okay, kinda wild) pop on an outfit, but I'm not sure I like how they look with other things I've tried. Here's a link to an image for reference: http://bit.ly/2bLckE2

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    1. I love oxfords with skinny ankle pants & a blazer. Layer it up when it gets chilly - boyfriend blazer, button-down, sweater, ankle pants, the oxfords. Even a boyfriend-fit v-neck sweater with a skinny ankle pant silhouette would be chic. Just think of them as a neutral oxford. I have the silver Ceces & the silver Sloan pumps & once I started viewing silver as a neutral I began wearing them a lot!

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    2. PS - I still wear the Ceces a lot even though a friend told me her mom bought her a pair too but she couldn't wear them because she thought they made her feet look like baked potatoes. :\

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    3. Baked potatoes?!?! OMG.

      Thanks for the tips-- it underscores my need to find the perfect non-denim ankle pants this fall :-)

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    4. I just saw on another post that you're looking for some! I, too, like the Ryder - I actually took mine to my alterations lady to have them hemmed in order to make them ankle pants! (I bought them in the chocolate brown color, SUCH a hard shade to find!) Now, they're cheap but I do love Old Navy's Pixie pants. I'm 5'7" & they're a true ankle pant on me, & the silhouette is slim. I have about a million pairs in different colors & patterns. If you find anything great please share! I love a slim ankle pant!

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    5. I have a bunch of oxfords and wear them with slouchy jeans, straight leg jeans, wide leg jeans. I've also worn with a flare or pleated above the knee skirt. Sometimes I find a shorter skirt looks better with a flat or low heel. I could totally see those shoes with the faux leather plated mini skirt or the plaza skirt (sort of fit and flare). I could also see it with a little pant suit, I have two from factory in plaid and houndstooth, but obviously solids are fine too. (The pants are usually called skimmer pants for factory, at least as of a few years ago.) I've also seen oxfords on JCrew's site with a simple shift.

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    6. Try Madewell's Cruiser Straight Chinos. They are amazing.

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  2. Here's my question. I'm trying to get more used to the hi waisted, straight leg jeans again (think Levis silhouette but from Madewell and Jcrew). I took some pics so I could look at myself more objectively as opposed to looking in the mirror, and sure enough, I do think they're flattering. But shirts? I've seen both fitted and looser styles. I have a long enough torso that I can tuck without looking like I'm eating my waist band. And belts? I almost always wear one but so many of my Pinterest pics show no belt.

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    1. Suz Has, since discovering this silly "central adiposity," a couple of years ago (my doctor's word for that lump where my waist used to be - and this at 100 pounds, 5'3"), I've searched for a high-waist jean, the low-riders just don't work anymore. I tuck in my shirts and tee-shirts now, having given myself the permission. My peers of the same age are wearing their tops out to cover the waist, but I like my waist now, so I just tuck in things. I love belts, and have a few of the J. Crew "ribbon" belts - little slips of things, but oh, they do look good. I'm a big belt-wearer, though, and wore belts with my suits.

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    2. Thanks. I found a bunch of inspiration pics and my faves seem to show shirts tucked.

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  3. To borrow from the long time radio cliche, I am a long-time reader, but first tie poster. I would appreciate any advice/thoughts people have on the following

    Cotton Midi Skirt in Oversized Gingham (fuchsia rust) - I've worn it with a white button up shirt, but am stumped as to what other styling options there are. The J Crew website shows it paired with a pink and white shirt but I don't have one of those and don't want to get one just for purposes of pairing with the skirt. I've seen the bow shoulder top in oversized gingham paired with olive/khaki shorts on the website, as well, so I could wear a top of that color I guess, but it does not work well with my skin tone so I don't think it's a good color to wear on top. I've tried different shades of blue on top, but they don't seem to look quite right. (Maybe I haven't tried the right shade yet?) I love the skirt, but I'm wondering if it's one of those pieces that I can love in theory only (and don't work in practice). I would appreciate any help people can provide. By the way - any thoughts on the bow at the back. I think it's cute but when I tie it, and sit at work, it digs into my back and is kind of annoying. I've thought about twisting the skirt so the bow is at the side, but the skirt has pockets and it would be a shame not to be able to use them. I thought about trying to cut the bow out but it's really sewn in securely and removing it seems risky. Am I just stuck with a skirt that I can't match, with a bow that's uncomfortable on my back when I sit?

    Cotton Skirt in Clip Dot (burnished orange) - On a different topic, the website (and tag) says it's machine washable. I am concerned about how the "clip dots" (the protruding bits of thread) will react to a wash. Won't they get all clumped and unsightly? Has anyone machine washed (or even hand washed) this skirt yet? Any feedback or advice? Thank you!

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    1. @Toronto Modern welcome! For the gingham shirt - what about a chambray button down or an oxford blue button down or a neutral colored Tippi sweater/Jackie shell in a saddle/camel/oatmeal color. My guess white probably looks too stark of a contrast to the burgundy/pink. Or you could try a matching pink cami with a blazer/denim jacket over it to balance out all of the pink. Good luck! I don't have the clip dot skirt so can't comment re: washing but hopefully someone else has input! :)

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    2. I was going to suggest a cashmere or soft sweater, slightly fitted or waist length. Gray might be really nice with the pink and burgundy. Then I'd probably add jewelry (earrings or necklace) with some pink or burgundy to tie it together.

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    3. Thanks, Anne and Suz Has. Those are great suggestions. I will definitely try those suggestions out.

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  4. The low chunky heeled pumps that are everywhere for Fall... I love how they look but am stumped as to how to wear them where they won't make me look... well, stumpy. slim ankle pants? Monochromatic tights & skirts? Should I just think of them as a low wedge?

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    1. I love them too and wonder the same thing. I started wearing high heels again because I love the way they elongate my. Legs with certain outfits. I could. See these lower heels with jeans, knee length and above skirts (kind of retro) and all kinds of pants.

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    2. Sorry my iPad is typing weird

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  5. Thoughts on what shoes to wear with the long sleeve maxi in the fall? I can do sneakers but wondering if booties will look good or any other shoes? I don't really like mules.

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    1. The MacAlister wedge booties might work!

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    2. I'm not sure which dress you're referring to, but I've recently seen "flatform" oxfords that I think would look amazing with a long dress like that.

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  6. For those of you that have the Collection Embroidered Summer Top, what kind of bra will work with it? Is strapless my only option?

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