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! :)
Yesterday @gigigoneshopping posted pink gingham inspiration pics, and I remembered Jenna in her paint splattered chinos with a pink gingham blazer and heels. I wanted to recreate that feeling with items in my closet and after trying a few things chose my paint splattered cargo pants, the Campbell Daisy blazer from last Spring and collection calf hair zebra Elsie pumps with ankle ties/tassels. It's a fun look I'd wear out to dinner (as long as I didn't have to walk too far since those heels are high!) or to a spring evening party. Check it out on my IG @wearthislikethis.
ReplyDeleteVery cute interpretation. Great job shopping your closet!! You've inspired me to see what I can come up with even though I don't have any paint splattered items.
DeleteI think any more casual type pant will work, distressed or even not.
DeleteAnd thank you!
DeleteI too loved that post of yours:)
DeleteThank you.
DeleteSale got me this morning. Lots of olive green/aka burnished moss.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying the garment dyed fatigue shirt that's on final sale, Cotton canvas high-waisted pant, chino camp short, distressed chinos/boyfriend chinos in sandstone and moss,
I scored and ordered the drakes long skinny silk scarf in pale guava...I'm really loving wearing these long silk scarves and I like this print but couldn't see myself wearing it as more than an accessory. And finally a tissue turtleneck in black which I've discovered is the perfect base layer under any heavier turtleck sweaters to keep my neck from itching. For $10 it's a great extra.
And I'll be returning the Rhodes blazer in vivid lilac I tried in two sizes. Gorgeous color but not a need for me. And as much as I love the Rhodes blazer it definitely feels more dressy and structured than some of my other blazers.
DeleteWhat haven't you worn? What crew items have you bought this year but still haven't worn?
ReplyDeleteI have not yet worn my Oxford check mini. :( In the past I've worn mini skirts sans tights all winter long but this year seemed colder and maybe we went out less.
I have not worn my gray paperbag waist pants. I still like them though and will definitely wear them.
I have not yet worn my blue pajama top with red tipping, but to me this is springier anyway and I have a family event in a few weeks. Might wear them with a red skirt and Sophia red patent pumps.
(Sadly I think the opportunity to wear the Oxford check mini has dwindled for this season. Even if it's only 40 degrees it still seems too wintery.)
DeleteI never wore my Stewart plaid Marties! We'll see if they fit come next December...
DeleteSuz Has, I had all three of those items at some point :) I returned the paperbag waist pants because I couldn't get the right fit and I returned the Oxford mini because I hadn't worn it. I kept the pajama shirt but haven't worn it yet either.
DeleteFor some reason I haven't worn my blue gingham Tippi yet, though I've worn my yellow one several times. I might still get the blue one out if we get some cool spring weather, but today we're getting our first dose of hot weather and I scrambled to find my crop kick jeans this morning after a winter of them waiting patiently in my closet.
DeleteI haven't worn my calf hair collettes. Considering returning them, but I've wished so many times previously that I had calf hair pumps. The patterns don't match very well, which could be contributing. I never wore my Madewell black faux fur vest; wish I had returned it.
DeleteI also haven't worn my enamel heel Elsie's in kraft brown. Love them but haven't had the occasion.
DeleteBought the gray flannel maxi (since the tartan one is so lovely), but I haven't had it tailored yet. It's been since early January...
DeleteI bought a black blazer mayber a year or two ago thinking it was a classic piece that I needed since everybody names it as a closet staple. It's still hanging with the tags on.
DeleteWhoops, I didn't see the "in the last year" part. I have become much better about returning what I don't think I'll be using since I've been tracking my purchases.
DeleteI didn't wear my red lady day coat. Purchased in January and didn't wear it but now it'll be at least November before it would get pulled out again.
DeleteThis topic has me thinking about things that I rushed to repurchase in a smaller size after losing some weight but I haven't even gotten around to wearing many of the new "old" items. I think I need to learn to be a little more patient.
Taylor - I only wore my plaid Marties once...I get so much more wear out of the shirt!
We can definitely add items we've had longer than a year and haven't worn!
DeleteAnne, I can't believe you didn't wear the red lady day coat! I loved that on you!
I admit since I got my red icon trench I haven't worn my red (but more orangey red!) lady day coat, but it's so pretty as a dressy coat I don't mind having both. And I've worn the red icon trench quite a bit.
Coats are a big story, because when it's really freezing they're barely warm enough, but I've gottten several at such great prices and they're so much fun. I've actually had to force myself to wear the Oxford check coat several times, though I do love it. The lady coat with braided trim I wore once, but because it has no collar I need to wear it with certain types of shirts and the hooks don't stay closed very well. I may need to look into adding better fasteners. The coat that I haven't worn that kills me is the turquoise trench with the asymmetrical zip. I absolutely love it, but the color is so out of my norm that every time I've put it on I take it off. I actually tried to wear it this year and my daughter didn't permit...the color was too loud and atttention getting. Otherwise everything about it is perfect...and I love the color I just don't wear it often.
Suz, I know! Past Valentine's Day I didn't really find it to be "seasonally" appropriate from a color standpoint. But coats are definitely a different story...I have my staples but then the fun ones that get rotated in and out. I have the oasis green lady day from several years ago that was an online pricing fluke, I got it for $40 or something crazy like that. It gets 1-2 wears per season. But it's a gorgeous coat and I can't bear to part with it.
DeleteAgreed. I feel that way about coats, blazers and even special shoes. I don't need to wear them all the time, just a few times to complete a look.
DeleteI thought of another never-worn garment, the black caldwell wide leg trousers from Madewell. Again, haven't had the occasion. But I love the pants. Sigh...I think of them often so maybe I'll force myself to wear them to dinner soon instead of wearing jeans as usual.
Have not worn my Avery Suede heels.... after searching for them for ever.... sad cause they are cute and comfy..... maybe in the fall....
DeleteThey are brand new in the box size 7.5.... if anyone wants them.....
^ those definitely seemed like they would sell out! I think you'll wear them. They look great casually or more dressed up.
DeleteThanks!!!
DeleteBy the time I got them it was December and boots were my way to go.... now they are dark
They were a great price $100....but I can't seem to find a role for them
@Kate Tayban, the neutral color in the suede allows you to take that shoe into spring and summer. I would pair with white linen or cotton pants and a crisp white shirt. Throw on a pair of pearls or nude lucite necklace & you're ready. I had a long shoe conversation e with my SA @ NM; he talked about how suede is now a multi season shoe. Good luck!
DeleteThanks!!! I may give them another try this week... let you know how it works....
DeleteI bought the red silk sleeveless top with the ruffle on the front. Still hanging in my closet. It may get more use next holiday season?
ReplyDeleteI wanted that but realized I had another red sleeveless top I never wore. I prefer the one with the ruffles but didn't want to have two red sleeveless tops unworn. I wear red year round though!
DeleteI'm eyeing the Factory Basketweave Skirt in Green multi (b8203), it's green with splotchy fuchsia flowers. I'd like to style it with flats or a low wedge, but am struggling to figure out colours. I have some gold Quorra flats from a few years back that I think might work. I don't own pink, green or navy flats, but could certainly use a navy pair. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteWhen I struggle for a pair of shoes that "goes," I reach for metallic (as you already mentioned) or tan/cognac/nude, something close to your skin tone. That is such a great, colorful skirt!
DeleteHi shopgrrrl, I bought that skirt recently and although I haven't yet worn it, I can see pairing it with gold, navy or neutral-colored sandals, flats or wedges. I think Navy is my favorite pairing with this shade of green (it is darker than punk floral, but I like pairing Punk Floral w/ navy, too.)
DeleteThanks to both of you. I'm going to pull out some likely candidates and go back to store tomorrow to try them on with the skirt as I'm sure it will be FS.
DeleteHappened upon the Hyannis mall on my way to Martha's Vineyard and tried in the ruffle boatneck sweater (I know, priorities). So cute and it came home with me. It runs large though! Sized TWO sizes down. If you want a slouchy fit I would say size one down
ReplyDeleteI forgot that I want to try this sweater. Thanks, fleur de lys. I've been into JC recently but they rarely have the items I want.
DeleteIn other news: was at the Wrentham, Ma outlet yesterday. They had Several Collection cashmere sweaters and also two pants in the greenish Ratti print (sadly not in my size). I bought a navy cashmere tee for about $40 (they let us use my daughter's student discount).
ReplyDeleteThough I'm sorry fir the JCAs who live near the now closed Lynchburg and Arden clearance centers, it is great to find clearance stuff at Factory.
I see collection and retail stuff quite a bit at Wrenhtham lately..
DeleteMaybe they will start having the traveling warehouse sales again! Does anyone remember going to those? There used to be one at the end of the summer in Hyannis, MA. It was brutal, but awesome. I was lucky enough to work at one the last year they had it.
DeleteOT.....Just returned from Talbots F & F sale. The place was backed with ladies shopping....and nice husbands waiting on couches, some holding their wives handbags. Hee. Really nice helpful sales ladies. I bought a pair of jeans, two casual summer dresses, 2 cotton summer skirts and two tops. Tried on the Madras blazer which is cute, but too boxy for me. I found that if you really look around and look at shapes, cuts and styles and not so much the prints and patterns (although they have some really lovely prints right now) you can find great classics. And it was nice to shop in a store where I didn't feel like someone's mother...or grandmother...ha. I've declined to open a JCrew credit card for years. Today I opened a Talbots card. Simply because I think I will be shopping there more in the future.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know. There is a Talbots next store to my J Crew in Lake Forest and I think it's time I give it another try.
DeleteI ordered the green a line dress w the f and f promo.
Sadly I feel like I need to explore other retailers in case J Crew can't turn it around. Boden has always been an alternative that I really like and Talbots is now on my radar.
I feel the same way, Ruffles. Also I learned something through my last ordering phase from J. Crew. I enjoy a brightly colored fun print...but I seem to be wanting more "sophisticated" neutral simple styles for myself. I've been reaching for the less patterned and bright things in my closet. I think I'm moving away from the "fussiness" of a lot of J. Crews things. I love color, but I think I'll not be buying the prints and patterns so much from now on. The proof of my success at Talbots was that every time a sales lady or another customer saw me in garment they'd say "Oh...I love that! Where did you find it?" I walked several ladies to a rack to show them where a white cotton pique skirt was hanging because they all wanted to try it on! And my sales lady said "I wasn't going to buy that skirt, until I saw it on you!". I think I sold 5 of those skirts to other women! Congrats on the green dress too! I think it's beautiful! Let us know how you like it.
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ReplyDeleteSeeking advice on... Cece suede flats in vibrant colors (dark peony and deep violet)
ReplyDeleteI recently bought both colors on "pop back". I am struggling to find something that they "go" with.
I thought a bright pop of color on my feet would be nice, but I have not been able to find anything that looks great (as opposed to slightly forced). I wear my black suede Ceces all the time for commuting so I'm surprised to find that I can't seem to make these colourful ones work. Maybe my eye is too "timid"?
These are the non-Italian ones, that some reviewers hate, but I only have non-Italian Ceces and I'm fine with them. The regular price for the non-Italian ones was $158 Canadian before sales tax (shocking!). I got these for about $38 Canadian before sales tax so I would love to make it work, but I remember last week's helpful discussion encouraging people not to focus on the "it's so cheap" aspect of things...
Maybe I would find them more versatile if they had less of a rounded toe?
I would love to hear what you would wear the dark peony and deep violet Ceces with!
Thank you.
Actually, it was two weeks ago and it was Sarah Folz who had some really helpful thoughts on decision-making and not being seduced (my words, not hers :-) ) by cheap prices.
DeleteI used to have them in leather, in a deep pink similar to the dark peony, and in strawberry suede. I wore both of them often one year, usually with distressed denim and a white or cream shirt/sweater. I'd add a belt in a similar color, or other accessory to tie the color in with my otherwise neutral outfit.
DeleteI forget exactly why I sold them, but sometimes I just need to clear stuff out...I'm very strict with my colors and the red was more orangey than I like and aside from a belt I had nothing else in a color similar to the pink...but they were comfortable and I got lots of compliments when I wore them!
Hi Toronto Modern, the shoes sound like a good deal! I tend to pair colors like the ones you got with neutral colors, like tan, white or olive colors. Denim should work, too.
DeleteI often wear my Burnt Siena Ceces for my commute- good neutral color that blends into the background.
Toronto Modern, I wear that style all the time - I prefer the Factory Anya but I wear them constantly for commuting. I also have a few Italian CeCes. Pointy-toes seem more current but I think the CeCe style is quite classic and won't give you bunions later!
DeleteI wear my platinum and black most often, but I have a couple bright colors and find that they go great with any mostly neutral or monochromatic outfit. I also wear them with denim-plus-navy-sailor-stripes outfits.
I love wearing pink/raspberry with navy and white. Do you have any printed blouses that have either of those colors in it? I like to pick up an accent color in a blouse with the shoes, keeping the rest neutral. Printed blouse/neutral bottom, fun shoe.
DeleteAnne, today I happened to be wearing the frayed white denim pencil skirt from Las year with the navy cashmere tee and bright raspberry tights. This combo was a first for me, but I can see why you like it!
DeleteAgree with TM93 that olive and denim (blue or white) should work. I also think pinkish beiges and champagne colors would be natural choices. Is it the tops or bottoms you are having most trouble with? Other combinations of course would work, but it depends how bold you feel like being! The peony with yellow citron or even a more classic yellow could work. Gray should be fine. And navy for either shoe, similar to what Anne said. Do you think it's the colors or the shape as well, since you hinted at that? I like to place the pop of color on my lower half, and I am paying more attention to shoes for this reason. Let us know what you try!
DeleteLadies, thank you! I appreciate the time and the creativity. What a lovely community.
DeleteI think it was the combination of the bright color plus the rounded toe which made the shoes somehow less "serious work-oriented" that was my stumbling block, but I guess that is the whole point of a brightly coloured shoe!
Now that I see the suggestions in writing, I am keen to tear my closet apart to try the combinations. I love Sarah Folz's suggestion of peony with yellow citron or classic yellow! I'm going to see if I can make it work first with "off duty" clothes and then see if I can expand to "on duty" work clothes. (I am lucky that my office has a lot of flexibility re clothing.)
Thanks again for the advice and inspiration.
by "make it work" I meant the various combinations, not just the yellow citron and peony combo :-)
Delete@Toronto Modern I also find the Ceces to be a little more casual in general and when I wear flats to work I usually opt for pointy toe. Of course today I'm wearing the J.Crew Kinzie print rounded toe calf hair flats with pink patent border :) But it's Friday. Anyway - in general, I scaled back my Cece collection considerably and find I wear my cap toe black/gold ones and poppy colored ones the most. Maybe ease in to wearing the colors on the weekend and then try them on a Friday or something for work. Good luck!
DeleteSarah Folz - I love the idea of raspberry tights! I am not as brave in the colored tights category but I do love me some bright pants!
I am still collecting Ceces when I see a pair in a color I don't already own - IMO they are the perfect flat, whether I'm at work (I work in a medical clinic & I am on my feet a lot) or kicking around on the weekends. They're beyond comfortable to me. That said, I have the dark peony shade pair & I love them with navy, black, white, & COBALT. I think the last time I wore mine, it was with white crop skinny jeans & a cobalt sweater. I think that particular color works well with other jewel tones.
DeleteAnne, the raspberry tights are not "totally me" but I'm a nanny and they are are fun for that role!
DeleteThank you for the support on the brightly coloured Ceces! I am excited to try some of the combos.
ReplyDeleteNew topic: Pattern or print "overload". How many pieces of a specific pattern or print is too many.
I somehow acquired the J Crew cherry print collection dress, popover, Tippi sweater and midi skirt (in my defence, all heavily discounted, but it is a lot of fruit) ... Now I have the ornate Tippi ornate floral sweater and ornate floral ruffle trim top in silk being shipped to me. Again, on sale. (The only thing stopping me from buying the skirt is the fact that my size has no popped back, but I am sure it will one day)
Am I the only one with these terrible "acquisitive" tendencies?
I seem to acquire anything with a elephant print.
DeleteI try to stick to one piece of the exact same print because to my mind, it makes it less special to buy several. But I must admit I got the cherry popover and considered the dress 🙈 and I also love to see ladies wearing the hookups. Ultimately though, it is what works for you and your wardrobe. If you have use for all the pueces I say go for it!!
DeleteThat should have read pieces. Past my bedtime!
DeleteWell, Toronto Modern, you convinced me to grab the pop back cherry leather block heels. To answer your question, though, I basically do the 1 piece/print like Anthro Blogger. If you're in love with a print, or want to do the hookup (which I also really love seeing), I can see wanting multiple items.
DeleteI really like the silhouette on those heels! I got the Sadie flats in cherry print though, so cannot justify!
Delete