Monday, August 24, 2009

J.Crew Email: Jenna's picks--the classics remixed (+free shipping)

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta, HeidiG, & Jaden, who let us know about J.Crew's most recent email, which showcases all of Jenna Lyons' picks for the latest catalog.

Click here to view all the items selected, including the following:
Jenna's Picks: I'm infatuated with ladylike classics styled with an edge: natty tweed paired with crackled metallics, a pretty print coupled with a utilitarian jacket, denim and megagems. The look is elegantly off-kilter yet totally polishedperfected imperfection.
  1. Stretch flannel Olive top (item 17710; $98.00)
  2. Luciana minaudière (item 18336; $148.00)
  3. Leather gloves (item 18178; $49.50)
  4. Crystal thornbush earrings (item 19519; $75.00)
  5. Galaxy ribbon-and-chain necklace (item 19526; $78.00)
  6. Crystal dangle ring (item 19502; $55.00)
  7. Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint (in Sheer Pink)
  8. Bettina wool-patent T-strap heels (item 17194; $225.00)
  9. Double-cloth camino coat (item 17505; $278.00)
  10. Blushed tweed pencil skirt (item 17446; $158.00)
  11. The downtown field jacket (item 19034; $148.00)
  12. Tissue stone necklace tee (item 18528; $125.00)
  13. Shimmer paisley lawn dress (item 17535; $150.00)
  14. Cadogan leather ankle boots (item 18122; $225.00)
One item missing from Jenna's list in the email (but included in the catalog & online list of Jenna's Picks) is: the Harper crackle-metallic platform heels (item 18944; $238.00).

J.Crew is also offering free shipping on orders of $150+ with promo code NEWFALL. This offer expires this Wednesday, 8/26/09. :)

What are your thoughts on the items selected? Do you like the color palette? Which items would have made your top picks of new arrivals that you are loving this month?

56 comments:

  1. If only a % off NEW FALL promo :)
    I do love the exact look she describes, though. So excited to wear it this Fall!

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  2. So somehow I have three of the items she put in her picks and am planning on buying two more. I normally dislike her picks...I think her "girly gone edge-y" thing is kind of cool this go round.

    I have the downtown field jacket (love it), the camino jacket in dusty blossom (it is a lovely jacket and the color will be a real pick-me-up in January), and the tweed skirt (would have not tried it on except the SA at the DC JCA event insisted--and she was right).

    I would love to get the paisley dress and the ribbon/gold ball necklace.

    BTW, the tweed skirt is very lovely, and even better, I got a 6, just like I bought in the Mia pencil skirt. I normally wear an 8 in their skirts...but I think with the vanity sizing I am now looking at smaller sizes...or it could be that I am willing to let things fit me a bit more closely. Hmm...

    I wish there was a 20% off new fall items, too! Oh, well...maybe one day...

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  3. Dinagideon,

    Do you feel that the skirts are running larger this year? I am not sure what size to order from the website.

    Thanks,
    Kate

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  4. The only thing I'm lusting over is the tweed skirt. I missed out on the sparkle tweed pencil skirt from last year and love this one even more. It doesn't help that I have fallen in love with pencil skirts even more lately, and Dina's glowing review makes it even harder to resist!!!

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  5. Hi, Kate:

    Ooh...that is tough...I have lost nearly 40 pounds since the birth of my baby and I was not wearing J. Crew skirts for the longest time...

    I would say that I am wearing a size smaller from the summer, but what that is due to may be particular to my continued weight loss or it could be vanity sizing. I would suggest going with your normal size, and if it is too big, then you can return, or if the site is out of the size you need either offer a trade on the weekly exchange or get a tailor to take it in...(which is what I am doing to one of my too big skirts as of today).

    I don't know if I have helped you much...does anyone else out there with maybe a bit more stable weight have any idea on the skirts?

    :)

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  6. I have the field jacket which I wore for the first time this weekend. I love it! I really like the Bettina Wool Patent shoes in the pink/brown. This weekend I bought the suede/patent Cossette mary janes in whisper pink. I can't decide if I should keep those or return them and get the Bettina's. Does anyone know how well wool shoes hold up? Are they easier to clean/keep clean than suede? I am also loving the leather gloves. Just can't decide if I want the cinnamon or the gray. Will probably wait until I receive my rewards though. I also love the tweed skirt but my personal shopper told me that there will be a blue one probably in the October release so I think I'm going to hold out for that one to add a little color to my wardrobe. It was modeled in the Fall preview months ago with the field jacket.

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  7. I am loving the look of the Shimmer paisley lawn dress. Trying to decide whether or not to take the plunge!

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  8. Some of these items are cute, but I'm wondering why J.Crew is suddenly offering more and more non-J.Crew items. Like the essie nail polish and the tube of rough offered here. Hmm.

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  9. I am really wishing for fall weather so I can wear my maya cardis and field jacket. It can't get here fast enough!

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  10. Gingersnap-
    my theory on the shout out to Bobbi Brown is that this rouge is a perfect pink throw-back to the vintage look they are selling (think dusty peach LookBook make-up)and Bobbi Brown gave a very nice shout out to J Crew in either In Style or Glamour saying she shopped for her whole family at J Crew. Like she couldn't live without J Crew.

    Jenna first mentioned her favorite Essie nail polish as a "pick" back in one of the summer catalogs. You can bet Essie picked up on that and decided to work out a marketing deal:) I personally think it is really weird--I must see my polish in person, try it on and then buy. I couldn't add (what is prob $8.50 s/h) onto the price of a polish I may not even like. Just my opinion.

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  11. Kate & Dina - I have ordered my regular size in all of the pencil skirts that I've bought for the Fall... ie perfect, blushed tweed and wool. I know others have said that they've sized down on some of them, but my normal size worked out great. If it were me, I'd order my normal size, or if you are afraid the sizes will sell out, order both your normal size & one size down, and then return the size that does not work! HTH!

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  12. Any thoughts on the blushed tweed collier with the blushed tweed pencil skirt? On the site I think they are pushing the non-matchy-matchy vibe for fall, and this is perhaps why I haven't seen a picture of the two together. I imagine they were designed as a suit, no? I'm tempted to get both so I have the suit option.

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  13. I pulled the trigger on the Blush Tweed skirt yesterday, along with the Cossette peep-toe mary-janes in glazed pecan. Glad to hear the pencil skirts are fitting TTS this season -- I ordered the same size as the Double Serge pencil skirt I bought last fall (and adore).

    Also ordered the Wool tweed studio pants -- anyone know if they're fitting TTS as well?

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  14. I would have ordered the Olive top in both colors if they'd had the sense to manufacture it above a size 12. I think it's the cutest, coolest thing I've seen this year. J. Crew: you suck sometimes. :(

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  15. Dinagideon, Shana and all you lovely JCA's. How do you wear the field jacket? I"m interested but when I tried it on thought it only looked cute belted. Although I'd certainly belt it sometimes, I don't want to have to. Are there polyvores anyone can think of? Thanks!

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  16. Shana, now you've got me intrigued about this "blue" tweed skirt ... I've looked & looked at the blushed tweed, but I'm not crazy about the color (at least per description of it being bright papaya) and I'd have to pay to have it shortened. ... I wish someone at j.crew would tell Jenna Lyons not everyone loves yellows & oranges ...

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  17. Shana: I'm intrigued too! Where is this picture? I can't find it anywhere on the blog...

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  18. The ankle socks with heels look that's been discussed here before and is showing up in Jenna's picks ... I dropped my daughter off at kindergarten this morning and her teacher was wearing white ankle socks (the footie kind) with metallic gold crackly-like heels (and a skirt, hoodie, buttondown) -- my kid LOVED that her new teacher had shiny sparkly shoes :) Then, sitting in parent orientation, I saw a woman who works at the San Francisco J Crew store!

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  19. Shana - me three! I am not loving the blush tweed colors so much. Blues are much more my style. I wonder if the one shown with the fishnet anklets will also be available. It looks more black/gray than blue. From all the mags and runway reports earlier this year, tweed is going to be big for fall/winter.

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  20. Looking for the BLUE TWEED skirt image?

    http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2009/03/j-crew-fall-2009-a-sneak-peek.html

    Scroll down--it's worn with the belted field jacket towards the end. Yum.

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  21. I really like the look of the paisley dress. Anyone know anything about its fit?

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  22. Sacre bleu! That is one furry skirt in one of those glamour images link ... I can't tell from that little sneak peak if I'll like the blue tweed skirt ... anyone recognize the skirts in the bottom image?

    Thanks for the link, prof.

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  23. Yay! Thanks Professor. The blue tweed looks nice, I also like the metalasse pencil skirt. I think I'll hold off on the blush tweed skirt, there are other nice skirts in the preview that I like much more.

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  24. I'm intrigued by the Paisley dress as well. Need to try it on, though. Could be a hot mess IRL.

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  25. Thanks, Professor! You beat me to it! My PS said that it was going to be $198 FYI and that it should be out around October. I agree with everyone that I definitely in love with the pencil skirts. I bought the Perfect Pencil Skirt in Cinnamon over the weekend. The SA paired it with the yellow maya cardigan. I am trying to figure out other color combos that might work. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know! My usual PS in the store is on vacation!

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  26. i'm intrigued by the new jersey dresses, particularly the ones with sleeves:

    ruffle rose dress
    flutter scoopneck dress
    dressy jersey pillar dress

    has anyone seen these in store?

    thanks!

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  27. bkp--I think the flutter scoopneck is on-line only. I ordered it and received it last week. Very pretty dress, imo. I reviewed it on my blog about 5 days or so ago (along with other items...it is not a stand alone review). I think the only potential problem is that the collar part is frayed a bit, and if that is an issue for you...then don't buy it. I don't care one way or another, but I think other should be aware...

    The other two I have not seen but I am a bit wary of the ruffle rose dress, something seems off there...

    As far as the field jacket question, I will be putting together polyvores of that fairly soon...hoping to sometime this week. I hadn't even thought of belting it...what a great idea!

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  28. As far as the pencil skirts - I used to always wear a size 4 and more recently I have found that size 2 fits best. And I have definately not lost weight! I think JC has changed their sizing slightly on the pencil skirts.

    Corry-
    In my opinion, I would not wear the tweed jacket and skirt together. I have the skirt and tried on the jacket. The color is fairly bright and the jacket is bulky so I think both would just be too much. But that's just me!

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  29. I've been reading this blog for a few days and just love it. I have been a huge J. Crew customer since 2004 and have all the catalogues to prove it (three stacks). So far this fall I have purchased:
    1. School Boy blazer in navy
    2. Dusty lavender cashmere cardigan
    3. 4 FS Summer weight cashmere cardigans in marigold, slate, black and dusty lavender
    4. Favorite fit chinos in natural (I press these and wear with jackets for work with heels)
    5. Crystal Libretto necklace
    6. Crystal Symphony necklace
    7. Black Boyfriend blazer (waiting for it to arrive)
    8. 2 pair of Vintage Slim jeans

    I love the Vintage Slim jeans because I am curvy and they fit great when sized down one size. I agree on the Destroyed version and I bought iron on patches in stonewash, turned the jeans inside out, pressed them on the back of the knee rip (I cut it to about an inch and a half overlap) and another small patch on the upper thigh. This has worked perfectly so far. The knee rip pushes together so well you just see slight fraying and the backing on the thigh abrasion is reinforced. I would rather not have to do that but I love the fit and the darker stonewash color of the Vintage Slim.

    So far I am now waiting to see the Lombard cardigan. If I don't like the Boyfriend blazer when it arrives, I may exchange for it sight unseen although I'd rather see it first.

    Do not like the mohair or the fit on the very long sweaters. And the slim shirts seem to be cut narrower in the bust - boo!

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  30. I have sized down on the last 3 pencil skirts I've bought from JCrew, if that helps anyone. I have a ruler body-type, but I have been wearing the skirts in a size down from my jcrew pants.

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  31. Dina, could you let me know if the Dusty Blossom Camino jacket is the same color as the dusty blossom cashmere and the dusty blossom Chimera IRL and also how the Chimera looks in the online pics. I notice that the Dusty Blossom of the Camino and some other outerwear coats is a different pink than the Chimera and the shade of the cashmere. I like the look of both but would like to know the actual color of the Camino i.e. is it a more 'pink pink' like it looks online?
    Thanks in advance. Oh and so the coat is nice?

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  32. I mean the Chimera jacket with silk ruffle. The online pics show the Dusty Blossom is a different color pink than the Camino Dusty Blossom and seeing the Chimera jkt IRL I would say the online pic is pretty true to the color.
    Sorry if I wasn't clear re question

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  33. As for how I wear the field jacket...I plan wear it with:

    1. the lavender Frances blouse and pixie pants

    2. the dream fluted ruffle vest over the ruffle front herringbone shirt and toothpick jeans with my riding boots.

    3. (how it wore it this weekend) over the slub cotton embroidered flowers tshirt with my toothpick jeans

    In order to make it more fitted I tightened the side snaps. Also I have a brown belt that I think would look good on the outside of it. I don't think it's supposed to be SUPER fitted. I also like the look of the sleeves pulled up with the long sleeve shirt sticking out.

    I hope this helps! My PS and I had lots of fun coming up with outfits with this jacket! If she wouldn't have suggested it I never would have picked it out! I'm so glad she did!

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  34. bkp: I ordered the Pilar dress and should be receiving it today. I'll make sure to put an IRL pic up on my blog soon after!

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  35. SydneyGirl: Great question...I actually tried on the chimera jacket yesterday and it is definitely more "dusty" than the camino. The camino is more of a pinky pink. I like both colors equally, but the chimera color is a bit more neutral.

    I cannot justify the chimera at full price, but it is a lovely evening jacket...so pretty...

    As far as the cashmere, I don't know! I usually go all crazy for J. Crew cashmere but I really don't care for any of the shapes this season...so I am not even really looking at them. :)

    HTH!

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  36. I'm not care so much about Jenna's pick except only the ring... it's TDF.

    Anyway, I just got the Sept catalogue today, and marked some of the items that I will buy (e.g., pleted lombard ruffle cardigan 18281, wool pleated-silk chimera jacket 18424, tissue stone necklace tee 18528, & merino flutter bow cardigan 17855). There're so many nice items in there, love it so far.

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  37. LaBelleHelena, Shana and xoxo –me four!
    Not really loving the tweed skirt at all – the color is ok but the cut is not my favorite. I bought two different sizes (2 and 4) and just cannot commit; most likely will return this skirt.

    Professor,
    The bleu tweed skirt looks very nice – thanks for the link.

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  38. Any other Project Runway fans on here? Just caught (in rerun) the first episode of the new season ... loved the innovation of the winning dress, if not the bottom color. Won't mention names in case of spoiling it for anyone, but I'm not sure the wrong person of the worst two wasn't sent home, although both sent out *atrocious* outfits.

    Glad the show is on again. It's a total pleasure for me, lol.

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  39. Prof, thanks for that link! Like many here I don't care for the color of the current tweed skirt. I mean, for me. I just don't wear pinks, although I'm sure it will look lovely on others. The blue tweed looks much more up my alley! I will be watching for that.

    I preordered the paisly shimmer dress. I should be here soon, I'll report back when I receive it.

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  40. I am also sizing down this year in JC's pencil skirts. I was surprised, but the fit is great.

    I want the paisley dress, but hate to have to order it just to try it on. Why can't they at least make Jenna's picks available in store?

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  41. dinagideon - thanks for the tip on your review. the color looks great on you!

    appgal - can't wait for your review of the pilar dress.

    thanks so much for your help ladies!

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  42. I need a % off promo too! I love everything on the list especially those t-strap heels!

    Off Topic Question:

    Does anyone know anything about the new platform shoes? What part or where is the platform?

    I picked up a pair of Harper suede-and-patent platform heels item 17497 and they are very soft and cushiony inside but I also had to go half a size up. Is the cushion the platform? Or did they add cushion in addition to platform? Does that mean all the shoes that say platform will have this cushion in it? It's hard to tell from the pictures and since a lot of these are not in my local store, I can't compare.

    The issue is, I ordered the perforated maryjanes item 17496 and the person on the red phone said it ran TTS and has No Platform. The description on the website says it has platform. Feeling like I should have trusted my instincts and ordered half a size up since I did that in the other shoe.

    Does anyone have the Rebecca perforated platform or do you know anything about the platform in the shoes?

    Any help would be helpful. Thanks!

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  43. OT - I had pre-ordered the tiered silk cami in fresh plum. After seeing it online and in store, I assumed that the color was wrong (that has happened before) and that it was deep aubergine instead. I emailed because I wanted to make sure that my pre-order was not lost. Well, that cami IS going to come in fresh plum - just not until November. So, I will happily wait as I love what I've seen in that shade. I also love the aubergine, so I may end up with that color as well. Too much purple in the same cami? :)

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  44. I liked many of Jenna's picks this go round. My favs are the leather gloves in black, the camino coat in dusty blossom (check out dinagideon's blog -- she looks fab in it), the blushed tweed pencil skirt, and downtown field jacket.

    I have only purchased the blushed tweed skirt -- love the color and texture. It is a little fitted though, so we'll have to see if i keep it. I would love to purchase the field jacket but am waiting. Can't decide on the color. :) What colors are you preferring in the field jacket?

    I found the tweed skirt TTS. However, i think the fitting of this year's pencil skirts, at least for me, depends on one's shape. I'm curvy, and if i were to size down, the skirt would be too "flattering" across my hips. So i have to buy my regular size even though i end up needing to have the waist taken in.

    OT: The perfect pencil skirts are very nice, luxurious fabric. I'm loving the plum color. From an esthetic standpoint, though, I am not too fond of the double seam in the back.

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  45. i am so trying to hold out for a fall % off...has anyone gotten the maya cardigan yet and tried it over dresses? i have seen it with skirts and jeans and love it, but i am wondering if it works as well over dresses. sometimes cardigans that work well over skirts and pants don't seem to work as well for me over dresses.

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  46. OT: Has anyone tried or seen the linen-silk pleated jacket in IRL? The fabric seems nice; the pleats, cute, but i'm not sure about the neckline. Any thoughts?

    TIA!

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  47. I know she's not recommending any men's items but I'm really into the flannel plaid. It's still far too warm but just wait; it's going to cool off then and it's plaid time.

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  48. Argh, the pleated lombard cardi is already sold in guava XL--I was waiting for colder weather to purchase :(

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  49. I'm not too interested in the items in this round of picks. The ring is interesting, but I don't buy cocktail rings. I would like to try some tweed, but not a whole piece. If they could work it into an accessory like a headband, that would be sweet and ladylike. I'm not feeling the color palette's oranges just yet, as it hasn't turned autumn outside my window yet. I thought the inclusion of the blush was a bit too much for me. I can understand the Essie polish, but it didn't quite belong in a list of "J.Crew picks".

    I picked up the knox sweater which was purrrrfect. I was wary of the double breast and it being cropped, but it felt great and came home with me. Happy ending.

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  50. Cleo26-I just got the linen silk pleated jacket and I really like it (especially the neckline). I wasn't so sure at first as the fabric is a little stiff and you have to be careful how you tie the sash as the bottom flares out (in the description they say "an elegant flare toward the hem"). But after I played with it a bit, I worked it out and really like it. I plan on wearing it with a more fitted pant or skirt because of the flaring.

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  51. Does J.Crew ever do % off coupons (besides the student/teacher ones)? I can't say I've ever seen them but would LOVE to! I just did my wist post of "Amanda's Picks" on my blog and I'm drying for the items. Clearly way over my "annual shopping budget" and then some.

    Love this blog, glad I found it!

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  52. Has anyone seen the Double-cloth Camino Coat in person? I want to exchange my Wool Ruffle Front Coat for the Dusty Blossom color, but I want to make sure the color is more pink and not beige like the Buff Pink color J. Crew has...

    Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

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  53. MN2NY, thanks! Do you find the jacket true to size? How does it look without the slash? Could you describe the color a bit please? Is it a pale peach? Thanks again!

    Jenny K: dinagideon reviewed the Camino coat on her blog. I love this jacket. The color looks pink to me.

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  54. Cleo26-
    Sorry to get back to you so late and maybe it's too late but in case it's not -- I found the jacket TTS and it is more of a pink than peach. I think it could be worn without the sash but it still will flare out a little at the bottom due to the pleating. Hope this helps!

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  55. For those who were interested in the fit of the shimmer paisley dress, I just received mine today. I usually wear a size 6 on top and a 4 on bottom (measurements 36-27-35), so I ordered a 6 in the dress. It's a little loose in the waist but I'm glad I didn't size down because the top fits me perfectly; a 4 would have been too small. With a belt it shouldn't need any alterations at all. It's not as "shimmery" as I expected but it's still a very pretty print and quite flattering on.

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  56. Alyssa

    Thanks for the update on the paisley dress. I order one but the ship date is not for a few more weeks.

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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.

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