Thursday, October 18, 2018

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! :)

32 comments:

  1. I am trying to expand my (clothing) horizons so I bought the garment dyed chino swing jacket in Thyme H8303 and the denim swing jacket in lily wash H5597. Two is probably excessive when trying out something new, but I'm that kind of gal (unfortunately).

    When I put them on, I am unable to decide whether I feel chic/stylish in a French kind of way or just plain frumpy in a Chairman Mao era kind of way. Maybe I just need my eyes to adjust to it, the way I had to adjust to skinny jeans or cropped pants.

    I am 5 ft tall, and have a straight up and down figure except for my shoulders which are broad for my size. I'm sure I look even shorter with them on that but that aspect doesn't bother me. (I long ago accepted that I am not fooling anyone into thinking I am taller through clever wardrobe choices).

    Perhaps I am not wearing them with the right other pieces? What sorts of outfits would people suggest putting these swing jackets together?

    As an aside, for those thinking of buying them, I tried both the XS and S in both jackets. If I am keeping them, I would go XS in the chino version and S in the denim. The denim has no stretch and I find it a little snug across my shoulders and back - but if you have more standard proportions, you may not need to go with different sizes like I have.

    Thank you!


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love swing jackets. I have a few older ones. I usually wear them with colorful print/stripe shirt, skinny jeans and ballet flats. I've also paired them with trouser jeans and (small) heeled ablea boots. Maybe not the most creative but I always feel comfortable and fashionable.

      I'm similar shape as you just a little taller.

      Delete
    2. * ankle boots.

      I don't know what my auto correct was trying there.

      Delete
    3. @MissJR i own that swing jacket and wear it with denim and a word tee underneath it and always low heeled pumps (leopard!). Also i put cute pins on it:)

      Delete
    4. Anything swing does not work for my broad shoulders and DD cup chest, I just look too unbalanced. I do not even try on those styles any longer.

      Delete
  2. On a related (but slightly different) note, are there any "trends" you disliked when they first came out, but grew to love once you had a chance to adjust?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also hated skinny jeans when they first came out - it makes me want to laugh at myself because now my jeans wardrobe is almost all skinnies.

      What can I say, I was in college in the early 2000s and loved me some bootcut jeans.

      Delete
    2. I hated the wide leg and crop bootleg at the beginning and thought i cant wear it. Now i am loving it amd get tons of compliments if i wear them. I am short,but i think it depends on the right companion pieces with it.

      Delete
    3. I'll echo Violet, I hated skinny jeans/pants. I also hated low rise anything when those were the trend. At the moment I'm back to hating low rise, still love skinnies and hate cropped wide leg, especially the ones with destructed hem.

      Delete
    4. I initially avoided lower rises because I thought they were only appropriate for teenagers, but soon learned that lower rises are by far the best for short waisted bodies, esp if you are busty. A longer distance between bust and waistband is a better proportion. The original J Crew City Fit was my dream
      rise! Perfection with a fitted, tucked top - obviously no midriff baring lol! It may just be me but I think there are very few bodies - tall, long-waisted and flat-chested? - that truly look better in a high-waisted style.

      Delete
  3. Also leggings, suspect at first now they are my go to casual pants in winter time. But J crew new balance legging just like other 86% ish nylon and 14% Lycra leggings (eg 90 degrees) they just attracted lint hopelessly in the dryer.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi all! Sorry to post randomly in this thread but does anybody remember what the 15% off coupon code from the Style guide is? I am at work and left it at home and what to take advantage asap of the 40% off today. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is not “one code” but each one is different. HTH

      Delete
    2. Got it ... Thanks for responding!

      Delete
  5. Hi JCAs. Looking for styling advice for the older leather front pixie pants / leather leggings. I have the Pixies which have a zip rear and a pair of Commando faux leather leggings which are pull-on style that I love the concept of and love them when I see others in them but rarely wear because I feel self conscious about my rear end/crotch area showing I feel like tunic sweaters are just ok with it - maybe I don't have the right ones, etc. I would love to hear how people wear theirs in ways that incorporate longer tops. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always wear my flannel shirts from jcrew and madewell with them (the longer ones). My favorite one is the cream one with the blue plaid and everytime i wear it with my pixies i get comments.

      Delete
    2. I wear my pixies and leather leggings with a button down underneath a sweater, or I'll wear a black shirt (coordinating to pant color) underneath something open like a denim/chambray/plaid button or flowy cardigan. I never wear just a longer piece over the pants though. To me it requires layering or is too blah. Even adding just a scarf works. Could just be I like layering!

      Delete
    3. I have the J Crew Collection Leather leggings, and last year I wore them a LOT with a chunky knit oversize turtleneck from 360 Cashmere. I was also planning on layering them under this flowy Olivia Palermo for BR Paisley silk dress: http://oliviapalermo.com/shop-the-op-x-banana-republic-collection/?slide=2

      In general, I think you can wear leather leggings the same way you might wear skinny black jeans -- I think they're pretty versatile!

      Delete
    4. thanks for all of the suggestions. Cheri - I agree about layering. Every time I put on just a sweater I feel boring. Ina - love the flannel idea and Ellie - I have some 360 cashmere sweaters, I usually have good luck finding them at Rack, I will have to play around with styling. thanks!

      Delete
    5. I think when you’re curvy with a defined waist as I know you are Anne, (as am I) something tunic length just does very little to enhance your shape. I could totally see you wearing a lond drapey (mid thigh) cardigan with a belt or a longer drapey top maybe with a partial tuck. Or a regular hip length sweater with a more fitted tunic or long button down under it.

      Delete
    6. Suz, I love these suggestions! I have the long belted sleeveless sweater from Crew and a few other longer cardigans that I'll play around with and I just ordered a few longer button downs to try from BR.

      Delete
  6. Dunno if this counts as a style question but I was wondering if anyone knew of any pixie pant dupes. Like as in original awesome perfectly made JCrew Ponte Pixie Pants. Does anyone know another retailer that sells a very similar type of pant?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you tried the Any Day pants - they are the 'new' Pixie.
      Or the Factory version?

      Delete
    2. I actually found a good dupe the one time I ever went to Marshalls (because the ones near me perpetually stink) and it was by Romeo & Juliet couture. I love them so much I stalked and found a backup NWT pair from Poshmark. The material was thick and similar. They are a pull on waist rather than the back zip and have raised seams down the front and back.

      Delete
    3. Loft has several different styles and their petite length is actually petite while is nice.

      Delete
    4. Thanks for the suggestions ladies :) I have tried the new version of the pixie. Not sure if I’ve tried the any day pant. Oh man I miss those Minnie pants too. I’ll check out loft and tjmaxx too. I recently found a similar style at target by a perfect day I believe. but they were sold out of my size in store.

      Delete
  7. Hi, does anyone know which Popover this is which is styled online with the denim shorts e7594?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I own the shorts and got them maybe two to three years ago,so i assume the pic is that old too.

      Delete
    2. F4713.Striped popover shirt with contrast piping

      Delete
    3. Ha! I think I had asked about that same popover a little while back. Doesn't say much about current items when we're looking at old photos wanting to buy that stuff instead.

      Delete
  8. Thank you Ina. Do you like the Shorts?

    Thank you much, p banos!!! Hoping for a miracle pop back :))

    Totally agree with you, Miss JR :))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @sunflower31 yes i like the shorts and they held up well. They run big though,def size down.

      Delete

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! :)