Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Planning Your 4th of July With J.Crew?

Blumre requested (in the "J.Crew's Website: What will happen today?" post) a new post about what J.Crew Aficionadas (and Aficionados) will wear (J.Crew wise) for the 4th of July.

I think this is a great idea, since I have already have been planning my outfit for the 4th. (Sadly, I was also planning the outfit in J.Crew terms. I love you J.Crew, despite your messed up website!!!) I am thinking about wearing my new Solid Frances Blouse in white (Item 91801) with my new Corrine Cotton Jacket in Navy (Item 92485) with some trouser jeans. (Oh yes! I did get the blouse in white, after already owning the blouse in both True Aqua and Sour Lemon.) :) Or, I might go with my new Printed Silk Fontana Wrap Dress in Black Dots (Item 91248). (Oh how much fun it is to play dress up!!!) :)

So what are you planning to wear this 4th of July (especially now that most of you have been receiving your purchases made from a few weeks ago)? Are you planning to go "head to toe" J.Crew or parts J.Crew?

63 comments:

  1. I actually gave J.Crew another chance and went to my local b&m today, where I found some GREAT deals ... they have things on sale there that are not on sale online. I got the Solic Piper Tank in navy, a color that is not even on the website, for $59.99. I also fell in love with the Summerweight Chino Bermuda shorts, which makes me ecstatic because I can never where bermudas; they never seem to fit me right because they cling too much to my thighs. These though, are perfect. I got those in white and navy, so I was thinking of wearing the Piper tank with the white bermudas and some silver thong sandals. I got some other things (of course), but that's what I'm thinking as far as July 4.

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  2. hmmm... not sure. I don't own anything red except for a bennetton sweater, and that isn't going to work for july! I might just wear my citron pastille dress since I haven't had a chance to wear it yet. or, I'll go more casual and wear my 5" chino shorts in navy with something.

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  3. Ack. My comment is wracked with typos and misspellings. Please forgive; bar exam study has melted my brain.

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  4. I'll be wearing the strapless pique dress in geranium, but that's about all I know now - not sure how I'm going to accessorize it!

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  5. Oh that combination of pic's is clever Alexis! Very nicely done!

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  6. Michelle: I can't blame you for going to their b&m to see what they have on sale! ;) The Solic Piper Tank looks very nice and perfect for the warm weather- even more perfect with white shorts and sandals. Great choice! :) (Also, no worries about typos- we all make tons of grammatical mistakes- especially me!)

    Heather & Silver_Lining: You can never go wrong with dresses! I think both the citron pastille and pique dresses are lovely!!!

    Rach: Thanks for noticing the theme of "red, white and blue"- ;)

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  7. Alexis,

    Is the Corinne jacket true to size? I've been thinking of getting it from ebay since it's sold out on jcrew.

    Thanks!

    -- Vivian

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  8. Hi Vivian- It's not a tight fitting sweater jacket when it comes to the body, but the short sleeve arms are tight. (Kind of like how the Katie Sweater Jacket was tight in the arms but not in the body. Although the Corinne sweater jacket is not tight around the chest like the Katie sweater is.)

    I bought the Corinne in an XS and like the way it looks on me. If you are normally a particular size, like XS, I would stick with that size.

    I should also say it is not nearly as cute on me as the Polka Dot San Telmo. If I had to choose one or the other, my allegiance lies with the Polka Dots! :)

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  10. Does anyone own the
    Silk-linen solid swing cardigan Item 94903

    I saw one at the store but did not try it on. I don't like cropped & swingy jackets on me but this doesn't look too full in the body. Thanks if anyone has any feedback.

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  11. I have to say, even though I've made sure to wear red on V-day and green on St. Patrick's, I've never thought to dress up in good ol' red white and blue on the 4th of July! Makes me wonder what other holidays I'm missing out on. :)

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  12. Michelle: Pretty cool about the solid Piper tank! I tried it on in my store in a light gray and loved the neckline! I had reached my "personal clothes budget limit" for that month or I would have snapped it right up. However, it is a brand new month. :)

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  13. Oh, I realized this is for the ACTUAL 4th of July...my outfit before was for Church on Sunday and then out for lunch after...on July 4th I will spend the majority of the day in my swimsuit, and then opt for my White Fave-Fit Chinos and Navy-Slub Cotton Wrap Front Tank...nothing exciting planned...we live on a hill and can see the Fireworks from all the theme parks (Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World)from our backyard...no need to fight the crowds. :)

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  14. Melanie: You don't have to wear red, white and blue on the 4th of July. :) But the holiday is a great excuse to wear something new that you got from J.Crew. ;)

    FabulousFloridaMommy: I think your family is so lucky to see the fireworks by Disney (which are fantastic) from the comfort of your own home!!! (Especially not being with the crowds. And using your own bathrooms, not public ones.)

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  15. No, I don't think that I will be wearing anything J.Crew. I am going to pick up a cute little skirt from Target (similar to the sunwashed cotton skirts) but it is red with a little burst of crystal fireworks at the bottom left and probably just a white tank from....where ever I have a white tank from!! I know I'm a dork with my 4th themed skirt but it only costs $7!!!

    And of course we dress up my cat in a red white and blue kerchief and Uncle Sam hat!!

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  17. melanie: I am toying with the soft fuschia piper tank ... it's on the website for $59.99. But I just don't think I can justify it haha.


    I have a general question about J.Crew pants and shorts. I am familiar with pants that have fake "slash" pockets so the silhouette remains smooth, and pants that have real pockets so they are functional. I am unclear, however, as to the utility of real pockets sewn shut though ... can anyone shed some light on this for me?

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  18. michelle good luck with the bar exam. I dat a 2l and a walking law book so you have my sympathies!

    Like FFM I do not own a lot of red but we have tanglewood tix for james taylor so I will be in my cropped blue matchstick jeans a bra tank top from gap and my luxe zip hoodie. I cant decide on which flip flops I will wear... I might do seer sucker martinis.

    Rach the silk cardigan is very see though I tried it on and it didnt look so good. I was not thrilled.

    for the 5th I will weat my playa madras skirt and my navy blue j crew polo to walk the golf course with my god father and boyfriend.


    I AM SO EXCITED!!!

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  19. Michelle-
    Higher end stores sew the pockets shut. They're meant to be cut open by the customer :-)

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  20. Thanks Lynn! Haha you can tell how much experience I have with "higher-end store" ;) I had an idea that might be the reason, but I didn't want to go cutting them open and having a gaping hole in my pants or something. I thought it better to rely on my trusty aficionadas/os.

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  21. michele- on most dress pants I do not cut open the pockets because then I put my hands in the pockets and that stretches the pants out. They come sewn shut so they do not get stretched out. Some people like pockets. The pants on which i do not cut the pockets seem to last longer.

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  22. Michelle: I don't blame ya. :) It is really cute top though! I went to look at the Piper top on the website and didn't see it for sale?

    It seems like that's a trend for me - find an item on sale online but can't find any indication of it once I get to the main product page. I feel like others have managed to navigate the site just fine. Am I looking at a different site from everyone?

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  23. Ok...I deleted my post with my Sunday outfit because it just seemed odd adding in all the accessories...here is the simple version:

    Hi All! I really don't have any red either, so I am substituting Bright Flame in it's place...I plan to wear my White Cotton Matting Wide Leg Pants, Bright Flame Suzannah Cami, and either my Navy Blue Jackie Cardigan or Cropped Cardigan in Camel.

    blumre: sounds like you have FANTASTIC plans!

    michelle: keeping the pockets sewn shut also makes for a slimmer, cleaner leg line on the pant...I have actually removed the pockets and then sewn them shut on some of my pants, as the pockets draw attention to the hip area, which I prefer to minimize. :)

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  24. rach-I have the solid swing cardigan and I love it. It's not too full or swingy at all. I just love how it ties in front. Btw, the yellow is much more vibrant in person than the picture online, in case you're considering it in that color. I bought that one first and then exchanged it for the ivory.

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  25. blumre: I also agree on leaving the pockets alone. I do the same for skirts and jackets. The exception are my coats.

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  26. Rach-
    I concur w/Anonymous: the swing cardigan is lovely. I tried it in store when it was still full price ( XS in white/yellow stripe): color was subtle and it draped beautifully over tee. I was so tempted to pay retail, but did not because I purchased a LOT on that particular day. Now my store has them in dark stripe and dark solids only, and I would much preferred that nice light stripe. BTW, as you are I am usually not fond of swingy, tie-front jackets/cardigans, but I would make an exception for this one.

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  27. Have the swing cardigan both in dark and dark stripes. Like it a lot. It is super soft, and makes you look much thinner since it flows well. Love them!

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  28. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to wear the metallic trim tunic dress? I haven't received mine yet and am wondering how it should be worn, especially if it ends up being really loose on me, which I'm afraid might be the case.

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  29. Melanie: Here is a link to the Solid Piper Tank. The only color on sale is the fuschia color. I didn't see it until this evening ... it was hidden in the sale section and the only reason I found it is because I am persistent like that ;)


    blumre and FFM: I agree that the line is better without the pockets open. I am going to leave them for now, because I too have a habit of sticking my hands in there and stretching them out.


    BTW blumre, thanks for the well wishes with the bar; I need them!

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  30. Well, this outfit has nothing to do with the 4th of July, BUT my husband had to have outpatient surgery yesterday (hernia) and I had to go straight from that to my son's baseball game that evening so I had to wear something that would do for BOTH since I would have no time to change. I finally settled on the Cotton Cashmere Primrose cardigan in bright tangerine, dark cropped matchstick jeans, white Favorite Tank (I have TONS of these), and the Jeweled Posy Capri sandal in sweet marmalade. It just looked so nice and went perfectly from 7 AM (time we had to be at the hospital) until 10 PM (time we got home from the game). I got tons of compliments and the bright colors really masked how exhausted I was!!

    jcrewjunkie :)

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  31. I have not decided what to wear on 4th of July yet, but will try new stuffs I got last weekend at a J.Crew shop nearby - Flowy jersey bateau dress (item 95804)$59.99 or Platinum Linen Bermuda (item 91052) $59.99 with Elizabeth shirt. I bought a lot on impulse at a shop because I felt really frustrated with J.Crew online...

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  32. FFM: I was okay with your description of the accessories. :) As a "plain Jane" when it comes to accessories, it's nice to hear other people's thought processes. This blog has definitely helped me consider colors and patterns I might not normally have!

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  33. what a great idea to do red, white, and blue on the 4th. I was thinking of the navy embroidered linen tunic that I picked up last weekend at the b&m (-25% and -$25 on $150, way better than free shipping!), so I'll probably put a white mini or shorts under it and I don't know, red flip flops? Egads, another reason to shop. A red bikini might be fun.

    Blumre, FFM, I leave my pockets sewn up too! I did this with suit jackets originally, but then did the same with the pants when I gained some weight. I am back down now thanks to training for the nike 1/2 marathon. I used to say that I was running so I could eat more chocolate, but I also end up buying more clothes!

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  34. Hi all,

    I am an enployee with JCrew.com.

    I am about to leave - strictly for business purposes. JCrew really is a wonderful company, and I was the one with the cheery outlook who wrote that that initial post was real, and that the company DOES care about its customer's thoughts.

    I could very-well be mistaken on this but... job #1 is making fantastic, high-qality-yet-realistically-priced clothes. close runner up- job number 2 - is continuously improving on customer service.

    Ppl at the Crew were reading, and you should definitely take that questioned, JCrew.com post seriously. JCrew is a company that is WORTH your devotion... the evidence that they're paying attention to your blog might not seem like enough but... trust me when I tell you that they value your opinions.

    I am leaving the company, but I still feel that strongly about the clothes, about the commitment to quality, and the total commitment to their customers.

    see: daley.norman@jcrew.com

    that will be down in a few days, I reckon, as I'm leaving the company... but if you like, see also e_normou_s@yahoo.com

    with the jcrew.com address, you won't get any boucebacks before I've officially gone, though.. :)


    also, Alexis, it is VERY hard to get in contact with you... it may be worthwhile to see if you can make yourself more contact-able... in fact, trust me when I say that people would have liked to be able to reach you, so... no kidding, this blog has been on the radar screen for a minute or two. :o)

    I'd only encountered your blog in the last week, but... your fandom and passion for the brand has definitely not gone unnoticed.


    at any rate, best,

    Norman
    daley.norman@jcrew.com
    (betcha wont get any bouncebacks.. :) at least not before next week, when I'll have left.... )

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  35. I am going to wear my new Via Vittoria Jacket in white with a JCrew red tank, skinny jeans and blue and white Birks. We will be hosting a 4th of July celbration at our Old Vicarage (built in 1730) in England for my husband's work families who are mainly American.

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  36. Amethyst: Too funny about the pockets! Btw...I am training for the Susan G. Komen 5K at Disney in October, and also for the Disney Princess Half Marathon next March...when is your Nike race?

    melanie: Thanks, I appreciate the comment!

    jcrewjunkie: Sorry to hear about your hubby, but it sounds as if you looked FABULOUS all day...loved your outfit! :)

    michelle: I have been eyeing the Piper Tank for awhile now, and would love to get one...how is the fit? Is it true to size?

    slastena: I was also going to wear either my Joelle Blouse (Regal Purple) with my White Pants or my Joelle Cami (Navy Blue) with the White Pants and Solid Kelly Jacket in Bright Flame, but alas...they are all sitting in the warehouse at J.Crew, so I improvised. ;)

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  37. Michelle: Good luck with your bar exam!!!

    Monica: I think dressing up your cat is adorable!!! :) (I do the same with my small dogs- so you are not alone!)

    Anonymous at 11:09PM: I think the Metallic trim tunic dress looks good alone (no belt) on it. I also think it would look nice with some sandals. (I tried it on and although the dress was beautiful, didn't work for my body shape. I was really bummed out too.)

    JCrewJunkie: I hope your husband is okay and feeling better.

    Norman: I am super excited to see your post and have you even sign it! I really wanted the original comment from J.Crew to be true, but had to make sure my hopes weren't raised in case it was not. I am happy to hear that you also enjoy working with the company and believe one of their top commitments is customer service!

    When you say people would like to contact me, you can pass along my email which is Jcrewaficionada@yahoo.com.

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  38. Thanks for the replies about the cardigan. I would like to purchase it but at a lower price. (When I selected size & color it says it's expected to ship July 21...hmmm)

    Melanie: In reply to your statement about not finding the item you are looking for at the JCrew website, I have found the search box to be helpful. You can type in part of a description or name of the item.

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  39. Alexis: I'm just wondering about the JCrew employee's comment. Are you really hard to get in touch with? I find you always reply to bloggers, and you have listed your email in at least one previous post.

    Also, I noticed the use of the string of hyphenated words used (" high-qality-yet-realistically-priced") just like the other 'JCrew company' post.

    I don't beleive these are officially from JCrew (my humble opinion).

    I don't think I'd email "enormous" either...ha ha ha

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  40. Hi Rach! Thanks for the nice comment about me being reachable. :)

    I think that the person might have meant that I am hard to reach outside of this blog. You are right that I listed my email once, but it was kind of deep in comments on a post.

    If it is really a person from J.Crew- great! I hope we can learn more about their policies and practices. If not- oh well! :)

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  41. First of all FFM: I loved your accesories. Especially because like Melanie (?) I am also a plain jane and I wear a few pieces that I love and thats it (I was brough up on pearls and platinum, what can I say?).

    Norman, thanks for your comment and putting us all at ease.

    Jcrewjunkie: I hope your husband is recovering well. And I must commend you on being so well dressed on such a hard day. WOW

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  42. Fellow J crew lovers:
    Have anyone noticed that beautiful Flower-tie silk belts just went on Sale? I went to B&M store yesterday and got both Pink and Navy for $23 each ( $29.99 +25% off). I was seriously thinking about making them myself, 'coz they are so beautiful. So glad I do not have to exercise my sewing/cutting/glueing skills( as they are not so great).:)

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  43. Wow Slastena: I am impressed with your creative abilities if you could make one of those yourself. WOW... go you!!! But I am thrilled that you didnt have to. I wish I had that kind of attn span.

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  44. Thanks Alexis,

    I have passed your email on to a person or two here, in case they still would like to contact you.

    You were right - I meant it was not easy to contact you outside of this website. And otherwise, I meant every word I said in that post.

    LOL, I got the nickname 'enormous' when I was a coxswain on the crew team in college... both for my diminutive stature and for the size of my character. :)

    Anyway, great blog. Everyone have a fantastic Independence Day weekend!

    Best,

    Norman

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  45. Slastena: I echo Blumre's comment- very impressed with your creative abilities! And the belt is beautiful too! :)

    Norman: Thank you so much for taking time to respond back- we really appreciate it! Also, since you are leaving J.Crew soon: Good luck with your future endeavors too! :)

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  46. Alexis: Thanks for wishing me luck :) I really need it; this blog is one of the only things keeping me sane, even though J.Crew itself has not!

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  47. Norman: I found it so exciting that you wrote. If I may pick your brain so to speak, I would LOVE to know what your very most popular items are. What about this summer? I really loved everything, but was just wondering what really "flew off the shelves". Again, thank you so very much for posting. I hope that you will continue to do so. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

    jcrewjunkie :)

    PS I purchase in the neighborhood of 20K per year in J Crew clothing I love it sooooo much!!

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  48. michelle: GOOD LUCK!! :)

    jcrewjunkie

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  49. Blumre and Alexis:
    Thanks for the confidence in my belt-making abilities;I do not think it would have looked the same. :)J crew flower belts (although not fully silk,just the flower) have nand-sewn Swarowski crystals and beads and are very delicate. I remember many people expressed enthusiasm for these belts in the Belts Post,so I thought I would share.:)
    Interestingly, I did not feel Carrie Bradshaw-esque at all wearing them (Yes,I already wore one yesterday).

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  50. The piper tank is on sale in soft fushia and the sea glass print only; just spoke with CS as I wanted the kelly green as well and it was full price...

    I bought three of the flower belts very early yesterday on sale and they did not show as final sale yesterday! Yeah! I had been waiting on those and the piper tank in the sea glass:)

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  51. Thanks jcrewjunkie!


    This is not July 4-related, but it IS fashion-related. Does anyone have the Crystal-clasp opaline glass necklace? It looks like the necklace in Alexis' banner at the top of the blog, actually. It looks really pretty, and I was thinking of wearing it with the Portico Wrap Dress" in white for my bridal shower. Would that work? Do you have any other suggestions?

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  52. michele: I think your idea sounds lovely... you would have to wear smaller earrings with it because the necklace is a bold statement but I think the very pale aquamarinish color would look lovely with a white dress. CONGRATS on your upcoming nuptuals.

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  53. That link to the dress doesn't work. Let's try this one.


    I am wondering if the ruffles at the neck are enough - if wearing a necklace would throw off the balance. Maybe I should concentrate on some earrings instead of necklace?

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  54. Thanks blumre! I really do like that necklace. I am just not sure about the ruffles. But if I do go with the necklace, maybe some simple pearl earrings would be nice with it.

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  55. michelle: I think the necklace is just beautiful and so is the dress...however, I would be leary of wearing them at the same time, as the ruffles really make the neckline of the dress, and I fear the necklace might just make it look too "busy"...perhaps small teardrop style earrings, or even just regular pearl stud earrings, and then a pearl bracelet would be perfectly understated elegance. This is just one of those times you will have to try it all on together to see if it works or not. :) LOVE THAT NECKLACE!!!!

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  56. michelle: I don't think that I would wear a necklace with this dress since the neckline is already a focal point. Instead I think that a pearl earring (teardrop style as FFM suggested) would look much nicer. I am not a fan of smallish earrings so I personally would find a teardrop earring that has a substantial pearl so as to balance out the dress. You have so many wonderful things happening in your life right now...LUCKY YOU!! :)

    jcrewjunkie

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  57. FFM and jcrewjunkie: Thank you so much for the advice. I agree with you; I think the ruffled neckline stands on its own. I like the idea of pearls with the dress ... I have some pearls, but I am going to the mall today to see what there is to see. I will let you know what I find. Have a great 4th!

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  58. Michele pearls will go fabulously... I had forgotten the dress has a ruffled neck line... I love pearls (as any UWS girl should) and think you will look classic and very bridelike.

    Side question: Has anyone bought Jcrew pearls? My grandmother always buys mine so I have tons but, I was curious about the quality of JC pearls.

    Have a great weekend all!!!

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  59. blumre: I have the Ribbon-Tied Long Pearl necklace (item 75230) and am quite happy with the quality of it. I am a huge fan of pearls with a white tee and jeans and I also love the look of pearls with the Jackie cardigan/shell. Very Jackie O looking IMHO. :)

    jcrewjunkie

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  60. Alexis: Which color do you have the Corinne sweater jacket in? What do you wear it with? I just got the navy and am looking for ideas (as always!!) LOL.

    jcrewjunkie :)

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  61. Hi JCrewJunkie! I have the Corinne sweater jacket in the navy. I tried on the yellow (because the shade is quite beautiful in person) but it made me look bigger because of its boxy-like shape. The navy also has the boxy-like shape, but because it is a darker color, it was more slimming than the yellow shade. (I hope this made sense). I actually wear the sweater jacket much like the model in the Jcrew catalog. I wear the jacket open with J.Crew's Martine Eyelet Cami (which essentially is an empire waist tank) and some trouser leg jeans. It looks quite lovely. I hope this helps. :)

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  62. Blumre:
    My husband gave me a Hand-knotted pearl necklace (84380) as this year's anniversary gift. I do not own other pearls so cannot compare, but the necklace is nicely heavy, pearls are round and lustrous. Perfect size:nit too biug, not too small. I love J crew jewelry in general, and in particluar, I am very pleased with this necklace. I like J crew signature clasps a lot. Hope, it helps.

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  63. Blumre: When the dress arrives I am going to try it with pearls. I went to the mall yesterday, but I didn't see anything that struck me. I think you and the others are right; pearls will be classic.

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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! :)