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J Crew Crazy?

Staysfit

Veteran

I was attracted by a lot of items in the recent JCrew offerings. Some worked, some not so well. Some I'm not sure of sizing? Maybe I'm getting way off track?

Pics 1&2 are cropped wool sailor pants worn with an old JCrew perfect short. It's wrinkled, sorry. New Aquatalia NAS booties. I'm not sold. 1st pic is size 4, second is 6. Pics 3&4 are me playing around with some toppers to see if they could work with the pants. I'm still not sold. Pretty sure these are going back unless everyone here thinks they're awesome.

Pic 5 - JCrew gingham ruffle skirt size 4 with heron tee, and pearls
Pic 6 - J Crew gingham ruffle skirt size 2 with the same tee, and pearls
Pic 7- I added my leather motto for kicks. I think this is a fun outfit. Is it silly?

Pic8 smaller size of skirt and top and pic 9 is larger. Which size? This is my attempt at pattern mixing. Is it okay? What about the shape of this skirt? Should I have it cut into a more classic pencil? Should I scrap it completely? Is the blouse too busy for me?

Pic 10- Derek Lam crop flare jeans - I think these make my legs look short. I really hate them. I love the top though. It's from J Crew. I wouldn't pair them together, I would put the top with a darker bottom. For example, the skirt in pic 12.

Pic 11- J Crew St James sweater and pencil skirt. I really like the sweater and I don't usually like horizontal stripes. I typically only wear them underneath something like I did in picture 3, or maybe in a skirt.

Pic 12. I like this denim skirt. I don't have one like this. It's a nice color and no fading or whiskering so it's good for work.

So, does anything here look worth keeping aside from the denim skirt, the bird tees, and the fuschia blouse?

ETA: I'm holding my phone charging cord in some of these pics

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Shopping

35 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Are you kidding me?

J. Crew should hire you!! You look amazing in these pieces.

First off, I adore the sailor pants and think they look fantastic on you. I can't really see the difference in the sizes but what don't you like about these? Super fun!

I love the skirt with the heron tee. I think the size 4 unless it is slipping around on your waist.

That heron tee, by the way, looks so amazing on you that I might just have to buy it myself.

#7 is a totally fun Jenna Lyons outfit and not silly. Except in the best possible way.

Love the pink blouse on you and the pattern mix is hectic but workable to my eye. I can't judge the size of the skirt, alas.

Love the pink top and the flared jeans but you should send them back if you hate them. Your legs, by the way, could never look short in a million years. Not to me at least!! (This is the value of having shortie friends!)

11 is gorgeous on you!!

12 is gorgeous on you!!

Keep it all!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Also, let's put some of those gorgeous items in Finds!!

Bird life art T-shirt

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Top Pick

15

Blue heron art T-shirt

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8

Ruffle-front chiffon top in vibrant paisley

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1

Joy

Veteran

You look great in everything but my favorites are 8/9, 10, and 5/6.
I like the smaller sized blouse in 8 but cannot tell by looking at the skirts. Go with the size that you feel best wearing. I also like the flared jeans but you need to feel fab in them to keep.

unfrumped

Veteran

Oh. Thesd and giod finds. The pants look great and with that tailored shirt, too. But only if you likd them.
Bird T's are fab!
I like the denim skirt better than the print. Yes, I think it should be more tapered-- you may have much better in closet.
I am not fond of the pattern mix. Big enough" sharing" of anything to look intentional. I like the pink top, though.

Anonymous

I have a hard time separating with I like for myself vs. What I think is good for you.
So first, I love everything.
Second, I think the softer silkier fabrics are more elegant than the button down.
I think the Saint James sweater is awesome and I think the big cowl coupled with the fair isle knit (is that the name of the curvy tricot?) really softens the stripes.
I ADORE the sailor pants and think they work really well with your booties.
I think the heron t looks fab too!

Liz A.

Veteran

My favorites are 1, 10, and 12. I like the smaller size of the sailor pants. I love the fuschia top, and I like the jeans too. Don't really care for 8/9. I don't think the pattern mix works due to the colors being so different. Also, the blouse does not strike me as to busy, but I don't like how the tigers (?) are upside down. Hope that helps.

Bonnie

Veteran

I love the cropped sailor pants - I think I want them, too!

JAileen

Veteran

You look great in everything except 8/9 IMO. As Tim Gunn would say, it's a lotta look. I think pattern mixing works when the two patterns relate in some way, which these don't.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Holy cow! You've found your fall collection! I love it all, although I think the button down shirt is pretty basic, and you'd have to really commit to bold for the pattern mixing in 8/9. I can't get a read on the sizing of the pants and flowered skirt from the photos, but I think the gingham lays better in the larger size, but the difference is slight.

P.S. Love the denim skirt, but make sure you do a sit test. I struggle with front center slits --- I love them when they're seamed directly over one leg.

Peri

Veteran

I see a lot of things I like, especially the pink moto and the heron T. And YLF!

But, please forgive me, I want to present the unpopular flip side. I think you just posted recently about your closet being in a good place, and needing non shopping hobbies. Just checking to be sure you really want these things!

skylurker

Veteran

I think the sailor pants are awesome. I'd say size 4 but it's hard to tell - it's dark and your poses are different.

I like heron tee better than bird life tee, more original and dressier - fabric looks more luxe.

I'd say larger size for gingham skirt and smaller size for #8-9.
I don't think the mix of romantic ruffle and preppy gingham works well, but that's my personal taste.
I like the shape of skirt #8 as is.
#7-8 are maximal outfits, and I think of maximal as hectic and cluttered, not serene (which is one of your style descriptor if I remember correctly). Again, that's only my personal interpretation of maximal.

I love the St James sweater on you.

catgirl

Veteran

I have had the heron tee in my cart for a week now. Totally agree With what Suz said - you are the perfect fit for j. crew!

El Cee

Veteran

You absolutely MUST KEEP that heron tee. It is amazing on you! You also look fabulous in the gingham ruffle skirt, and #11 and #12 are stunning outfits. So much to love here.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Well, I love all things J Crew, and I think you've made some great choices here.

I really like these sailor pants on you. It's hard to tell from the photos which size (dark pants are always so hard to see the sizing in photos), but probably the 4.

I'd go with the size 4 in the ruffle skirt and the larger size in the other skirt (#9). I don't care for the pattern mixing. I do like the blouse, though, and I think that color pink looks good on you.

The top in #10 is a gorgeous color. I have a similar one from J Crew Factory, and it has been a real workhorse.

I absolutely adore the sweater in #11 and fully intend on being a lemming with that, and possibly with the skirt in #12 too.

Laurie

Veteran

My favorite item is the sailor pants. I think #1 looks great, size-wise, if the 4 is comfortable. #11 is a wonderful winter outfit and the stripes are fabulous.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So now I want all the J.Crew stuff you'e wearing too. ALL Killer.

(YES. J.Crew was one of my faves at NYFW for Fall 2016. LOVE their stuff this season).

Banoffi

Veteran

You really should be a J Crew model! You look fab in everything - really! I love the bird tees. What is the sizing like on them? From the website reviews it look like they run quite small. I've been eyeing the sailor pants and you look great in them! I would buy them now after seeing you model them. I'm not sure about the pattern mixing, but I like both pieces separately.

(Appologies for the disjointed post - I'm writing this at my son's karate class...)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Here are some of those Finds.

Collection skirt in chrysanthemum jacquard

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2

Collection Drake's for J.Crew perfect shirt in Pink Bengal Tiger

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7

Sailor pant in bi-stretch wool

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6

Staysfit

Veteran

The bird tees are size medium. I read the reviews that they ran small before ordering. I think they are a smidge big but the small might be too small. They are nice and thick, unlike previous JCrew tees. I really like them.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I love that pink tiger shirt on you, and your mix with the green skirt is preppy-fab-madness.

Staysfit

Veteran

Suz, you make me laugh! If I ever want a second career I suppose modeling for JCrew could have its perks. Do you think they would give me a discount?

Sorry I didn't add items to finds. I am not sure how to do it from my iPad.

Joy, my dislike of the flare jeans has decreased. I like the light color and the released hem. I also think the angle of the picture is awkward.

Unfrumped, the pattern mix was definitely an experiment. Someone with a more exuberant style could pull this off. I like it but it isn't "me". I would feel silly wearing it.

Smittie, I think it's hard to separate personal preferences when judging what someone else is wearing. A sort of corollary for me when shopping is to remember that just because something fits, and even if it looks good, it doesn't mean it is suitable for my style! I am walking down that path here with the pattern mixing. Experimenting is one thing, but some of these outfits are way outside my wheelhouse. I am not shifting to maximal. It doesn't suit me very well, at least not this kind. Serene Elegance still applies. I agree with you about the St. James sweater and Ivory skirt. Keepers!

Liz A. The upside down tigers on the pink blouse must be sleeping! I love this print. The color combination is unusual and very pretty.

Bonnie- I tried the sailor pants with a different top today. Much better. I'm still puzzled about size.

JAileen, Tim Gunn is right, and these patterns are related, kind of.....they both come from JCrew.

Beth Ann, this is my second fall collection: I had a large haul from NAS!
I repeated the sit down test on the front slit denim skirt. The slit is too high. I'm returning it. JCrew also has a wrap style skirt that I tried. I like that much better even though it is slightly A shaped. If I size down it still fits and is less drapey. It has a zipper that closes the wrap so it doesn't open and the slit in front leaves a perfect modest, professional not frumpy amount of leg showing when I sit.

Peri, the pink moto has seen a lot of wear. It's a Rebecca Taylor that I purchased last year. It was one of my HEWI's. I wanted a coral leather jacket. You are right that my closet is in a good place. However, I still have some items, like the vertical striped perfect shirt in picture 1, that are okay, but not excellent. These could use some freshening with a one in one out trade. The need for hobbies is to help take up some of the mental energy and space/time I spent with my DS who left last week for his freshman year in college. I just don't want to increase my shopping beyond my usual to fill this void.

Skylurker, thanks for your feedback. I have wondered about the ruffle on the gingham skirt. It's definitely unusual, and it appears to require some maintenance. Regular ironing and steaming will not work. It has three layers and they fall completely flat unless they are fluffed up periodically. It might drive me nuts to wear! Imagine someone sitting and fidgeting all day with the ruffle on their skirt, ugh! Time to get out my spray starch! (If I keep the skirt.)

Alaskagirl, the heron tee is fab and you should try it, but the medium just fit my shoulders so I'm guessing you may also need the medium? As soon as I'm done responding to everyone, I'm going to work on my J Crew job application. My Resume will read: Job experience - Multiple WIW posts on YLF. I know they will love me, so you and Suz can both say you knew me before I was a famous J Crew model. Oh, I may need to borrow your Kate Moss running from the paparazzi outfit.....

El Cee - I love the Heron tee. It reminds me of the Heron Rookery in the nature preserve behind my mothers house.

Karie, I thought about you as I was posting. I know how much you like JCrew, and also how well it works for you. The sweater is great, I hope you get it too! I'm returning the skirt because the slit was too high and it isn't worth sewing closed.

Laurie, Thanks for your feedback. I love the striped swearer with everything, jeans, slacks, skirts. It goes with a lot. I'm fairly certain I will keep a pair of sailor pants. I need to decide what size.

Angie, thanks! I agree this is one of the best JCrew offerings in a while.

There are a few items I didn't post. J Crew has some of the twisted seam zip crop pants in their denim collection. I ordered a pair, and I really like them.

One item that didn't look good was the coral pink top coat below. I just didn't like it. My stadium cloth cocoon coat from last year is nicer.

Petite Regent topcoat in double-serge wool

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2

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am grateful for your review of the coat, because I had been eyeing it!

I'm so tempted by that heron tee. I don't really need another tee, but it looks so fab on you!

Anonymous

Sigh. I am always an outlier. I don't find any of these to be fabulous. I can't say why though. It is just that nothing jumps out at me (like some of your other wardrobe items do).

Staysfit

Veteran

Suz, I think you should get it. It's a great print. I doubt you will come across many tees with Herons on them again, whereas the sailor pants, the wool coat, etc., those are items more like.y to show up again in another time or place. This is a luxe soft thick tee, not a thin tissue tee type material. I'm hopeful that it will be durable. (Like my blue and white print linen tee....)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I really like the heron tee -- probably the only thing I'm interested in from JCrew right now, since they are clearly cutting for your body type and not mine -- lucky you!

Sailor pants are cute but you are not enthusiastic so I'd return them. I'm not a fan of where the ruffle runs on the gingham skirt.

Honestly, I'm not feeling that patterned skirt for you, even though I personally like it. The sort-of A line and the high contrast print don't seem to go with what I perceive as your primary wardrobe style, which is not usually so bold and dark in pattern. But both pencil skirts are really nice on you. The striped sweater is ok but doesn't wow me.

I'm feeling very particular these days so pardon my critical eye!

crazyone

Veteran

I love the heron tee, and am now considering getting it myself. I actually think the sailor pants are great on you but you don't seem that enthused about them.

You did the sit test already, so I don't need to warn you about the skirt--I have a similar cut skirt from J. Crew and the slit comes up very high when I sit. I still wear it to work anyway but that aspect isn't great.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

First off, everything looks great on you. Second, 5, 6, 7, 10, and 12 look like things I can see you wearing. The others look more preppy (sailor pants especially), hectic (the bright, in-your-face pattern mixing), or stiff than I would interpret as being in line with the serene, ethereal undertone of your style.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I can't help you with the size but the sailor pants with blue top look fantastic. I like both pink toppers with it too. I think you look very J.Crew but not very serene with the hectic pattern mix, but apart from that everything looks fab. #10 and #11, along with #1, are my favorites.

Jeanie

Veteran

I adore the green skirt and the pattern mixing you did. I love the sailor pants on you too! Those items just really pop to me. I received my JCrew catalog a couple of weeks ago and have been wanting to get to the store to see everything but havent' made it in yet. I'm so glad you modeled these for us!

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