Thursday, January 3, 2019

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! :)

49 comments:

  1. I received my 60% + 25% olive/navy polka dot boyfriend chinos in 2T. This print may not be for everyone, but I think it is fun. The dots are so dark as to look black. The fit is slim enough in the hips and rear to be flattering, but still loose. The length unrolled works for me with flats - I'd likely wear with my black Academy bow loafers. The fabric is a nice not heavy chino, so I can see these working most of the year.
    Other than wearing with black or navy, what top would look nice?

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    1. I've definitely seen them styled online with a white button down, sort of a mix between more masculine and adding a feminine detail like pumps or ballerina flats. I remember seeing Blair Eadie wearing them several times and her styling is always fun to look at.

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    2. my VPS has them in both the khaki and olive (if you're on IG she's @stylebymaca) and paired them with a white button down and black blazer/leopard shoes and also with a white top and burgundy sweater. Maybe chambray too?

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    3. White I can do, and I also have chambray. Liking the leopard too, I have leopard loafers and a leopard belt. Thanks!

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    4. I am so upset I didn't give them more of a chance than trying on one size and discarding , I LOVE those pants! Here to add that I think buffalo plaid would be cute too, either open over a tee neck or underneath a solid sweater.

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    5. Hmmn, buffalo plaid might work in a lots of pattern way! Of course I don't have any buffalo plaid tops, but I might keep my eyes open. That also makes me think I might wear with my 'barn red' t-shirt. I like the right shade of red with olive.

      BTW, I see a 0Tall in the khaki is available. What size did you try and not like? I'd say they run a bit big, but not size down big. If you get tall they will be full length.

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    6. I love red and olive. I wore,my paint splattered olive pants (bought on Poshmark after regretting not getting them, then resold on PM after not loving the fit) with a red and white stripe heavy tee. However with the scale of the polka dots I'd probably do a finer stripe to not compete. (Then again I've seen it with other bold pattern and liked it, depends on your comfort zone, I have a small pattern comfort zone).

      Regarding fit, to me these are pants that need to be tried on in multiple sizes, kind of like the foundry pants. Chinos aren't a great fit for me, but I like them slouchier, otherwise I feel like a gas station mechanic from the 80s.

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    7. Hee hee, no gas station mechanic wore polka dots like that. I had the same gas station mechanic thought about jumpsuits, especially navy or dark green ones.

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    8. I tried a 0 in store and they were not baggy and looked like floods. I couldn't get them off fast enough. I am at my thinnest right now but maybe I need a 2T.
      I use the word need ironically.
      ;)

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    9. Cheri I know exactly what you mean. I tried the patchwork pair awhile back and felt the same way. That style just looks weird on me unless I wear,it baggy. Not sure if it's because I'm,curvier than expected...my normal FITTED pant size is a 0 but because I'm curvy if I want to wear something on my hips instead of my waist I size up. Some pants just look wrong tight on me.

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    10. Waist 26 and hips 35 gave a nice loose but not saggy fit in 2T.

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  2. While ordering candles from Madewell I noticed a velvet sweatshirt and looser velvet pants, stretch Huston I think. Since I'm wearing lots of loungewear I decided to give the outfit a shot since both pieces are $50 total. The sweatshirt might be way too boxy as many Madewell tops are, but I ordered two sizes to try.
    Not final sale so we shall see. I got the deep smoke color.

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    1. I like that top. I wish there were sweatpants that matched and came all the way to the ankles. 'Cos I would definitely wear that around the house.

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    2. Some parts of my house are so warm I go barefoot. Otherwise I have low uggs I wear as slippers. At least this way the bottoms won't get dusty! 😂

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    3. Reminds me of the early 2000s when velour sweats were all the rage! Lol! I remember one family gathering where everyone had one on. 😂 but at least these aren't as tight in the bootie.

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  4. SPOT’s focus is to give each store outlet the ability to target and Engage their customers when they are in close proximity to their store, Retail Promotions.

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  5. In one of my twilight hour visits to the website I managed to snag the Everyday cashmere colorblock long cardigan in both XXS and XS. I am keeping the XS for myself since I put my sweaters in the washer, so I am going to be sending back the XXS. Does anybody here want it? I'm selling for what I paid (% off and student discount) plus shipping, about $49 total. I love this sweater and would love a JCA to get it!

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    1. Oooopsie, I forgot to say it is the blue cardi. And that my email is bankygirl @ gmail . com.

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    2. What’s the style number? I can’t picture it ? Thanks

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    3. Hi Kate, it is Item J0963. Alexis has a try on pic in her insta (scroll back to August), which convinced me to stalk it. I've been looking for it ever since and Am so happy to have it!

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  6. Received the captoe back booties today. I sized up half a size and it was the right thing to do. I’m usually a 6 and the 6.5 just fits. Definitely a narrow shoe.

    Also got the crewcuts cable knit sweater in size 16 - 100% cotton and machine washable! It fits like a women’s medium, which is perfect for me. I got it for $21.xx and it is better quality and feel than the women’s sweaters I’ve tried lately.

    Strappy block heel in metallic leather - I had my eye on these when they came out but didn’t get them bc I had no need and too many sandals. I’ve since tossed a few pairs of sandals and need to replenish. The height is great for me since I can’t handle high heels but I’m short and need some height help. TTS and the straps are comfortable.

    Overall very happy with my final sale risks so far. Getting three packages tomorrow of more FS purchases so cross fingers the luck continues. So far the slow shipping is helping to alleviate the burning desire to check the sale section.

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    1. Nice! Very smart about the kids sweater. Glad you like everything. My CAPTOE booted haven't shipped yet. :(

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    2. I took a real chance on the crewneck sizing! When I was smaller (women's XS) I was able to fit the boys size 12 or girls size 14. So I really had no idea what size to get but I guessed that the fit of the sweater would be slightly oversized.

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  7. I also got my cap toe booties. Took my usual 7.5... fits TTS in length and width but the ankle seems little narrow.... hoping they will stretch! My boots are usually loose there... They were a bargain... not sure if sizing up to 8 would help the ankle area...but will keep my eye out!!!

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    1. Update... this morning I got dressed and wore the black cap toe booties with thin socks... black Cameron’s and embellished bee sweater!!! Boots feel great!!! Awesome buy....
      I just need thin socks...lol

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    2. I have that issue with a lot of my boots, thinking they're too small. It is my thick merino wool socks that are causing the problem. I ordered some thin socks during J Crew's 60% off sale and they arrive today. :)

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    3. I'm also wearing my new captoe boots with dark pewter Camerons and my new cotton crewneck cable knit sweater. I'm wearing trouser socks with the captoe boots, and width/length-wise it fits. I'm really glad I sized up half a size. If I want to wear thicker socks, I would have had to size up one whole size! The ankle area needs a little softening - I'm used to wearing Sam Edelman Petty booties, which are much lower and wider at the ankle.

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  8. Anyone try or have the Easy Pant? Pants are always problematic for me, but I love how the silk easy pant in jungle cat looks and feels. Considering other iterations, and wondering how they might compare.

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    1. I bought the silk pants in jungle twill over the holidays in my normal size. I liked them but I paid about $30 for them. Have not worn them yet but will soon. I liked them enough to keep them. They are a little bit fitted but I like my pants narrow as I am short. Worth a try for the right price. The silk is lovely.

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    2. I got the same pants in my usual JC bottom size and one size up. I preferred one size up. I find that with the East Pants, if I get my usual bottom size, the waist area tends to balloon due to the elastic waist particularly when I sit. If I get a size up, they can sit a lower and not balloon as much. The fit of the rest of the pants are only nominally different between the two sizes.

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    3. Same as eeps. I size up from my normal size, but I also have a bubble butt and don't want the seam to rip!

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    4. Consistent with the ladies above, I can wear both 0P and 2P in the Easy Pants, but prefer the 2P. For reference, I wear 0P in Marties and Maddies, but 2P in Camerons.

      On days when I know I'm going to have a tough day at work, I invariably go for the Easy Pants.

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    5. Thanks all, very helpful. I'm keeping the silk version and will look for more everyday options in the Easy Pant.

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    6. @cheritheberry, totally relate! I'm surprised that these pants seem to compliment this feature.

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  9. Does anyone use the Cladwell app? I’m still loving Stylebook, but I’m intrigued by this one, too.

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    1. Hi, Jeanne.

      I haven't tried the Cladwell app because I was put off by the subscription fee. (But I am probably being penny wise, pound foolish.)

      I have invested so much time in Stylebook (in a good way, I think), that I can't imagine starting from scratch with another wardrobe management app! My husband and sons play games on their phones and Stylebook is the closest I have to that! I'd be interested to see if you decide to try it out and to read your experiences.

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    2. @Toronto Modern - I downloaded the Cladwell free app. I haven’t looked into the features in the paid account, but the free account seems pretty good. Not that I’ve done much with it. Like you, I’m not excited at the idea of re-entering my closet.

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    3. Cladwell sounds neat, but like TorontoModern I’m very heavily invested in Stylebook and couldn’t imagine starting a new wardrobe app unless there was a direct import feature. I’ve found Stylebook really helpful for coming to terms with the true size of my closet and helping me to shop less. It hasn’t helped me declutter as I don’t get rid of things just because I haven’t worn them in awhile, so statistics from an app won’t change my behavior in that regard. Let us know what you think of Cladwell if you do try it!

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    4. I should also add that I find Stylebook very useful for packing lists and it’s helped me reign in my over-packing tendencies. I’ve also toyed with the packing list feature as a way of creating capsule wardrobes even if I’m not going anywhere. It’s an easy way to lay out a group of clothes to see how it all works together and I’m sure any wardrobe app would have a similar feature.

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    5. I wish Stylebook would make their app for Android - non-Apple user here and I am still mourning the loss of Polyvore which I had completely built with my closet and used to plan my weekly wardrobe, etc. I loved it for finding inspiration for certain pieces as well. It looks like Cladwell is Apple only as well :(

      I did download Fashmates recently which also has a desktop interface and it is close to Polyvore but still not quite there. It is very time consuming to build your closet up but once you do it's worth it.

      I'm not sure I really contributed here re: Cladwell, more sharing my wish for more outfit planning apps that are Android friendly!! I may need to recommit to Fashmates, I find these so helpful in shopping my closet and realizing what I already own.

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    6. Anne, I completely commiserate. At the tender age of 42, I was gifted my first iPhone this Christmas. Although I miss my Android terribly, I can finally give Stylebook a try. It seems fun! When I was in my twenties I used to write down what I wore every single day.
      How difficult is this app to start using?

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    7. Stylebook is very straightforward, just time consuming to initially load your wardrobe. I use a combo of finding exact images online, photographing my older pieces, and sometimes just using a generic image from online (e.g., black t-shirt, navy turtleneck). Once you’ve got the photos in there it’s easy to build outfits, packing lists, etc.

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    8. @Anne, Android user here, so of course I agree. Thanks for the Fashmates mention- I'll have to check it out.

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  10. My daughter has been wearing the raw hem Demi boot jeans I got during the crazy sales. I wasn't sure about them on myself but they look great. Yesterday she was just wearing them with doc marten Chelsea boots and they worked. It helps that she's over 5'10" and is wearing the 25 tall.
    I was unsure about the Point Sur wide leg jeans I got but it seems like the trend isn't going anywhere. I'm considering letting down and giving them a raw hem since I like that look with the wide leg.

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  11. I have a question about exchanging an item for a larger size. I have the ivory velour -lined hoodie (love it) but think i need a larger size. When I go on to Narvar there is no option to exchange, only to do a return. It says to just re-order the item, but I want to keep the original price I paid for it. Twitter seems to say to shoot JCrew a DM - is this correct? Yikes. I am out of the Jcrew loop, haven't ordered anything for awhile.

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    1. Yes. You can even order it and then contact customer service to have them price match what you previously paid. They've been pretty good with that.

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    2. Suz - Thanks so much for the confirmation. I took a hiatus from online shopping in general and from Jcrew in particular for a few years. This is only my 2nd order from Jcrew since 2014!

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