Thursday, February 23, 2012

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! :)

16 comments:

  1. Can anyone comment on the fit of the blouson dress? It looks so lovely on the tall skinny model, but I'm certainly not that! I'm a little concerned that the silk will highlight every bump and bulge that I try not to draw attention to. Anyone have any luck with it?

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. West Coast Crew'ner, the Royal Paisley Blouson dress is very forgiving, in my opinion. I have it in Royal Paisley and it's one of my favorite dresses ever! I didn't have the same luck with the polka-dot version, though, but not because of tightness. It just hit my waist at a weird place.

    I'm hoping against hope that the striped version will make it to sale!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I need help with a few new items that arrived this week, namely the Quincy tartan shirt and the black tartan perfect shirt. I see the latter paired mostly with jeans on Polyvore, and of course I'm still sad to not have the double-serge acorn pencil skirt to pair it with, boo hoo! And the wear-two-buttondown-shirts-at-once look doesn't work for me. ...

    Also, I have to go to a hockey game this weekend in my company's corporate box, and I'm uncertain about what to wear. How casual can I go? I don't want to look like a slob in case any of the bigwigs are present, but I'll look like a doofus if I overdress.

    One of the dominant team colors is red, and my sherpa zip hoodie in that gorgeous chili color would keep me warm and looking festive. But what can I wear it with to avoid looking like a schlub? Thanks in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  6. West Coast Crew'ner, I agree with Elaine, the design of the blouson dress is very forgiving. I have it in the black/white stripe and the polka dot. The elastic inserts at the sides of the waist are great since they define the waist but also give a bit of stretch in the area so it helps conceal bumps/bulges.

    Elaine, if there are going to bigwigs attending, I'd say better to dress up a little rather than dress down. What about wearing a chambray shirt with a No. 2 skirt in vibrant flame? (Assuming you have those pieces, of course!). Or, working with your sherpa zip hoodie, how about pairing it with a denim pencil skirt and boots?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Elaine, can you wear one of your new tartan shirts under the hoodie? Or maybe a chambray button-down with a neutral pencil skirt or wool slacks? Jeans are acceptable, even in a corporate box IME. But then I live in a Western city... A pair of trouser jeans with a comfortable, sleek heel could work nicely. Showing your team spirit is always good. Enjoy the game!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mmmm, I'm liking the idea of the chambray or the black tartan shirt with the sherpa hoodie, and maybe a low-heeled boot. ... I need to test the interior of that hoodie for colorfastness -- if it bled onto whatever shirt I wore, I'd die! I also need to make sure those shirts will fit comfortably under that hoodie. It fits a bit tight IIRC. Thanks for the ideas, girls!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I had a lot of trouble styling my tartan shirt too...what about wearing with dark trouser jeans and a black blazer and heels? Or straight dark jeans with flats. I wore mine this season with some of my black s/s graphic tees over it and then my black/grey tipped wool hacking jacket for this season as well as my older black wool Robert noble blazer. I personally had trouble with all the plaid at once so opted for it "peeking out" under things.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Elaine, What about the sherpa hoodie w/the tartan shirt and slim jeans tucked into boots? I think it dresses things up a bit but still keeps it casual.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Does anybody have an affinity for their paisley or really patterned capri pants? Especially some of the patterns that just rolled out. I love the prints but I work in a conservative field where those pants would be too loud for work. Can anybody share what occasion they wear these pants? Or maybe suggest a way to style them? I guess some days I wish I had a job like Jenna, then I would feel they were more appropriate to wear to work :)! THankS!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Elaine and Louise- thanks for the replies!

    ReplyDelete
  13. cuckoo,

    I'm not sure which print you have, but I put together a few outfits on polyvore.

    http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=44519962

    I'd stay away from wearing any other prints with the paisley, instead playing with layers and textures for the tops.

    If you have the kerchief paisley, I'd focus on bringing out the gray, black, and gold in the pattern. A shiny gray top with a black blazer and black purse with gold accents would set off the pattern nicely.

    The sovereign paisley and the fresco floral are great for spring. I'd pair the fresco floral with a white polo and the linen wrap in oceanfront with a dark blue bag. The sovereign paisley would fit really well with the colorblocking trend--try a navy polo or short-sleeved shirt with the jackie cardigan in fiesta purple with the green colorblock tote.

    Hope this helps!

    (Apologies if this is a repeat comment--I'm having some computer issues.)

    ReplyDelete

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! :)