Dream Fluted Ruffle VestClick here for product page
Item 17856
Regular $68.00; now $49.99
J.Crew's item page states: "We're obsessed with ruffles. Trimming the neckline of this vest, they make a traditional menswear item distinctively feminine. Perfect for layering, consider this the perfect third piece. Spun from a supersoft merino wool and cashmere blend (with more cashmere than ever) in a lofty 12-gauge knit. Merino wool/nylon/cashmere. Fitted. V-neck. Hits at hip. Import. Dry clean".
Well J.Crew, I know you obsessed with ruffles... but so am I! ;) When I first saw this little number online, I fell in love with those little ruffles around the neckline. I immediately started to imagine all the Fall outfits starring this little vest- with button down shirts to short sleeve tees.
I ended up purchasing the v-neck vest in Antique Stone. (I really love the Navy version, but I already own a navy merino v-neck from J.Crew. The Light Pewter version is also nice, but a very light shade– so I passed on it.)
Well, the ruffles don't disappoint in person! There is just the right amount- not too much, not too little. It really adds just that bit of feminine flair to an outfit, without overdoing the ruffles trend.
I went with my normal size in tops- an extra small. It's fits nicely on the upper part of my chest and my hips. Unfortunately, it's baggy around the middle of the top. The bagginess isn't that noticeable from the front view, but a bit from the side view. I think J.Crew's side angle image (shown to the right), demonstrates the point. The vest doesn't snuggly fit her back that well. This is something to keep in mind if you are thinking about getting the vest.Remember LeVar Burton on the PBS children's show Reading Rambow? (Great show. Just superb.) At one point of the show, called Book Reviews, Burton would say, "But you don't have to take my word for it," and other kids would review books they recommend. Well this is my version of the segment, but for J.Crew– the following are other JCAs {great} reviews for the vest:
- Read GigiOfCa's review: the "JCrew - dream fluted ruffle vest" post at her Gigi's Gone Shopping blog
- Read Sparkle Cupcakes's review: the "JCrew New Arrivals: IRL Pics!" post at her Sparkle Cupcake blog
Ooh, I love this, but it's already sold out online in my size! Bummer. :(
ReplyDeleteIs the Dream yaen itchy?
ReplyDeleteSome Cashmere sweaters and some Dream sweaters are on sale this am, you have to click on the item to get the sale price. I already ordered a cashmere sweater and IMO it is the same quality as past years, feels the same and it is running big, very baggy in the waist.
This is cute, but I will not buy dream sweaters no matter how cute they look in the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI think most of the sweaters look like they are running large around the waist this year.
I love the look of it but have not purchased it or tried it on.
ReplyDeleteWow, a lot of the newest sweaters are in Final Sale already: cadet funnel neck, knox, campton vest, ocelot, lombard, dream shawl cardi, fleur-de-lis cardi, boiled wool regalia, peekaboo sequin, etc.
Too add to my comment, I haven't tried it because of the colors available.
ReplyDeleteIs anyone else 'pewtered' out?
New sweaters appear to be 20% off - and they are not final sale as they end is .40.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Lombard in sweet guava is on the site in all sizes, also 20% off!
Cute sweater, cute style. Nice review. However,big pass b/c of the dream yarn. I have never been a fan of it from the beginnging.
ReplyDeleteAbout the sweaters, I spotted them in Final Sale section but did not try one in my basket to see, in fact if they were acutally Final Sale or not.
ReplyDeleteWhy did they move them to the Final Sale section? On the main page they don't even reflect the sale price. JCrew is so confusing sometimes. :)
lilaccupcake ia right the sweaters are not FS, I did a mock order and they were not FS. I will pass on the Dream. and yes I am tired of pewter too.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of this vest, especially in navy. :)
ReplyDeleteSite updated and the Lombard is on sale (ok not a huge deal since it is still $98 marked down from $118) but I found my sweet guava in XL!!! Yeah
ReplyDeleteLots of the new cardi's are on sale and are not FS
I love sweater vests, but I couldn't get behind this one... I guess because of the ruffle (which is a selling point for others).
ReplyDeleteI bought this in navy in the first fall rollout. I really like it. If the weather cools back down here, I plan on wearing it with a JC navy striped ss button up and dark jeans on my casual friday. I also sized down.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the maya, cadet, bow, jackie, forever stripe, ocelot, etc are on ON SALE!!
ReplyDeleteI adore this vest, as the perfect "finisher" with a soft ruffle that's sweet and colors I can wear with anything. My favorite part is the length--long enough to connect and smooth a top-bottoms outfit. [JCrew's pants are so low in fit that for office work, blouses are constantly in danger of coming out.]
ReplyDeleteAdded advantage: as a VEST, rather than a sleeved-sweater, pilling is reduced. You can wear it with jackets without the sleeves being stuffed in jacket sleeves.
I bought 2 colors at original price from the store, then a "spare" on line when we had the 20% sale.
Professor -- Perfect description. I love that there are no sleeves on this.
ReplyDeleteI tried it on the other day w/a long sleeve button down. The collar + the vest ruffle didn't work, but the vest looked good w/a collarless neckline, i.e. tee.
Now that I've tried it on again, I agree w/the bagginess at the waist, but perhaps that's to allow for tops underneath. In the past I found J Crew sweaters to be more restricting for layering than they appear in the beloved catalog stylings.
Gigiofca: You have a wonderful blog [!] and I agree with your comments--not all shirts/blouses work. Thinner ones are better. Tees great. Silky are BEST!
ReplyDeleteI loved this vest, but as a shorty, the XS was too long on me.
ReplyDeleteI love this vest and bought it for fp shortly after it hit the sales floor. I've worn it once with a camisole underneath, but can't wait to wear it with my striped Frances button up once the Fall weather arrives!
ReplyDeleteHave it and love it!
ReplyDeleteAlexis, I love that you referenced LeVar Burton. We LOVED that show! The opening montage/theme song has been stuck in my head since I read your post! :)
ReplyDeleteSo I looked for this top today in the store after reading your review, and was very surprised that my normal size (S) was better than sizing down to XS. Go figure!
Those of you with the ocelot Jackie, did you size up? They are sold out at my store and I understand they are running small?
I had to size up in the ocelot sweater. I am 125 pounds at 5'4" and wear a 32A bra and this is the only J Crew sweater I have ever purchased in a medium. I am usually an XS or S.
ReplyDeleteThe small was really tight in the arms and the bust pulled. It was also very short and boxy looking in the smaller size.
I can wear the medium over my cream silk blouse, but it was also fine over just a cami.
mommydearest: LOL! I love "Reading Rambow" too!!! :) It's such a good show and I am sad that PBS decided to not run the show anymore this year. :(
ReplyDeleteAlexis, I had no idea it was still on until now?! Was LeVar still the host? Maybe it's better that I didn't know. I'm not crazy about the new Sesame St either. We watch the old new on You Tube or the DVDs. Anyway.....
ReplyDeleteThanks kitsmommy. Now I am nervous about the sizing. Maybe I'll try on the one largethat in case when I go in to get my new catalog....hate the cropped look on me so defintely want to avoid that
MommyDearest: Well, in all fairness, PBS was running re-runs the last few years. But they decided to pull it from their line up this year. And I *totally* agree with you about the new Sesame Street. There is something about the episodes from the 80's and 90's that are much better. But I thought that was my own nostalgia factor. ;)
ReplyDeleteAlexis, guess we'll have to check You Tube for Reading Rainbow too! The new Sesame Streets should be called The Elmo Show and I can't stand his whiny, hyper voice :S Oh well.
ReplyDeleteSo thanks again kitsmommy, but now I think I won't bother with the Ocelot unless I see it IRL. I asked the SA yesterday about the sizing and she said that the "special" cardis run boxier than regular Jackies and that she wore her true size and could have gone down. WEIRD!