J Crew field jacket: Any experience? ETA tryon pics added - YouLookFab Forum

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J Crew field jacket: Any experience? ETA tryon pics added

unfrumped

Veteran

Honed in on the burgundy color offered this fall, but this is online only so no way to try out, even if not color, for size and fit.

I would mostly be interested in it if it works well for a business-casual jacket; it is too spendy and limited use for casual-only wear. Meaning, I like the look of more sporty-casual jackets with pencil skirts--safari, utility--if a bit polished--instead of a serious blazer. Not for "job interview" or major meetings, but for everyday lightweight topper.
Concerns are reviews:
-- that is is very boxy--a bit boxy is okay, but shapeless is meh.
-- Shiny gold buttons--love gold with burgundy as a look, but I don't wear any shiny gold (handbag hardware, jewelry, shoe trims). ? matchy problem?
--sizing? I think I'd have to order 2 sizes if I tried it, to see fitted vs. layering and boxy limits
--"crunchy" fabric--crisp vs crunchy?

Other than that, it looks fun!

Also trying the Talbots linen jacket--it may turn out to look too conservative, but the weight and color is good for summer to fall transition.

ETA photos added: The burgundy in smaller size, olive a size up. Note as in later post update the smaller size is tight, would be tight over sweaters, and looks skimpier from the back (not shown). The size up definitely has "ahh" ease but at cost of being more boxy and outdoorsy.Both are shown with the extra waist snap in play.

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35 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

catgirl

Veteran

The field jackets I remember from j crew are fairly stiff, but that may have changed. What a gorgeous color!

unfrumped

Veteran

alaskagirl, that is what I was worried about--might read as too "outdoor" for my purposes. Hate to pay shipping for nought , though could return to B&M store here. Perhaps I'll talk with SA at the store and see if I learn anything.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

JC repeats the field jacket every season. It's beautifully made and a favourite with Seattle clients. Casual. And outdoorsy looking.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I just tried this on in olive this morning. I found the gold buttons to be a little much for my style. Well made, though, and I'd call the fabric "crisp" rather than "crunchy".

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UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

It's nice -- and I was admiring it myself -- but I don't see it as indoor wear.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I have this in the deep olive but have not yet had the chance to wear it (it probably won't be cool enough until October here). I don't like bling but the gold buttons didn't bother me at all and I will mix metals as I often do. I think I ordered in my usual size and I enjoyed the fit - roomy enough to wear over a sweater without feeling at all tight. It's not overly stiff, just heavier and well made. I don't find it boxy on me but I have a rectangle shape.

unfrumped

Veteran

Jenn, thanks for great try-on pics!. Angie, thank you for review, and UmmLila for comments.
Perhaps that will be the deal, then--is not exactly an indoor "refined field-jacket-esque" item. I would wear it as a "parking lot jacket" too, in cool weather, but I really would prefer the kind of jacket you'd also feel comfortable keeping on in the restaurant if chilly. That would be part of the purpose of spending to get this color--would want to "spend more time" in it, not just in transit.

Gaylene

Veteran

My J Crew field jacket in a brownish/olive has been a real workhorse for a couple of years in the spring and fall. I regularly get asked by SAs about it.

It is, however, a casual, outdoorsy jacket because of the coated canvas fabric. I wear my jacket mostly with jeans, sweaters, and boots, but I have thrown it on over a dress a few times if we are going out for a casual dinner. It works in a light, misty rain because of its coating. To my eye, it is J Crew's version of a Belstaff waxed cotton motocycle jacket--a bit lighter, cut for a woman, but still holding true to its inspiration.

unfrumped

Veteran

Okay, Gaylene, thanks for describing your jacket; now I'm intrigued/confused! Wonder should I just order it and see how it "works" with my wardrobe and be out of my misery, as well as out of pocket for shipping? I'm thinking sizing could be key as above, that for it to not look too outdoorsy, I'd want it not too oversized. I'd feel better if I got one of those great sale deals, but then I'd have to be patient, and not care if it sells out, and I'm not a good stalker, and all that.

Anonymous

I love this jacket, and the brass-coloured snaps are sharp!
However, it really is an outdoor jacket. Less outdoors than Goretex, but more outdoors than a jean jacket.

Would *I* wear it inside? No, which is why I haven't bought it yet.

Windchime

Veteran

It's an unusual and gorgeous color for a field jacket. I tried J Crew's last year's field jacket and was VERY impressed by how well constructed it was. As Texstyle mentioned, it was definitely roomy enough to comfortably go over a sweater. I would have bought it but had other, higher priority wardrobe holes last year.

I vote try it and put yourself out of your wardrobe misery.

Roxanna

Veteran

Thanks for starting this thread, unfrumped - I wanted it for the same reasons but now I'm thinking or will be a little too casual/boxy for the way I want to wear it. (Over dresses or skirts at work.)

unfrumped

Veteran

It, I'm in trouble now. It's in the store-- I thought only online. I tried it on!

Oh dear. It's gorgeous. Though it's a warm Marsala type not a cool burgundy, it works.
In that color, they had XS but not S , but had S in other color. As suspected,
the smaller size looks good unzipped and a little less outdoorsy, but is tight when snapped or zipped , and I think
the size up is the right size for that jacket. My whole schtick would flip to parking lot and errand jacket to include thin or thicker knit tops, but it's refined enough for me to toss over skirts as well as pants.
I may show some pics later. The store could order it.
I MAY be hooked, sunk, whatever. It looks like it would have " classic longevity " and most such jackets don't come in this color.
I would want to do the home tryon test for sure even if ordered. It could be boxy for me in the larger size- thigh I'd use the tighter snaps at the waist.
Boy, does this bring the French 5 thing to mind.

Banoffi

Veteran

I have this jacket in the petite size. I consider it more of an outdoor casual jacket. The fabric is quite stiff (especially when compared to my Barbour utility jacket). I took a fee photos of it so you can get an idea of what it looks like. I did not style this --- I just threw it on over the tank and sports shorts I'm wearing.

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unfrumped

Veteran

Wow, more IRL input, thanks, Banoffi. See, I'm a tube in terms of comparison shopping for other brands. Say for fabric or for a more fitted style. Though I still think color is unusual.

Do you think the gold hardware is a problem, if I typically have handbags hardware and jewelry in cooler metals?

unfrumped

Veteran

Whoops, rube, not tube.

Golden

Veteran

My old green one is stiff and crunchy, I use it for a lightweight outdoor jacket.

jackiec

Veteran

I saw this in person and loved the colour. The gold hardware was the turn off for me since I always lean towards silver hardware.....but otherwise I love it.

unfrumped

Veteran

ETA photos in story added in the original post up top.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

It looks great on you! I think you could pull it off as an indoor jacket. So much better on you then me!

unfrumped

Veteran

Tnanks, Jenn--I may order this week.
Can you see what I mean about sizing--you could see the smaller size with a T-shirt and it'd look more refined--I think that's how a lot of jackets are shown in style photos, with the least "under" garment so they can look very fitted, in the armhole and sleeves. Hence the popularity of sleeveless shells with suits. But I need a little more hippage room plus chest room in this jacket, to be versatile, and will have to see if if loses something in translation, and whether the burgundy is worth it, for feel-good color. So would have to do some try-on's.

Gaylene

Veteran

Gorgeous colour! I'm partial to sizing up in this jacket since a skimpy, tight fit in this style looks a bit odd to my eye. And, for what it's worth, I wear my jacket with silver earrings and watch all the time. I think mixing metals looks more interesting.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the jacket open A LOT. It's snug on the hip closed though. Do you need to size up?

kkards

Veteran

oh, I hope you got this! YLF.

unfrumped

Veteran

Yes, Angie, thanks--the burgundy is in the smaller size and it just won't work zipped at all, and frankly feels too tight in armholes--I was wearing a medium-weight linen sweater and it felt confining.

The store did not have the next size in burgundy, so the olive is a size up and it has enough room, for sure in bust and I'm pretty confident in hip . I can really feel a difference putting it on, too.
I added a pic of the larger size zipped--to me it has some "air space" at the hip,flares out a bit without actually touching, so it moves without hanging up, and that's over somewhat hip- puffy, pleated pants. This is with waist tightened, which I need, I think, but then of course can get 2 looks by adjusting. I will mostly wear it open but still need this extra room.

How does the new pic look to you? I could not size up from that, I think, without its being an oversized look and too big in shoulders and chest. But I could try on if needed. I would have to order the correct size in the burgundy.

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missvee

Veteran

I'd say it's fitting very well in the last picture added. Looks good at the shoulders and not too roomy through the body. I think you've found the right size here.

Anonymous

I think the new pic looks good. It looks like the perfect size. I really like the olive.

Elly

Veteran

The olive looks great-- I would wear it indoors- but without "feeling" it in person only you can tell if the fabric and weight seem too rugged for you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Olive is MUCH better in size. Get that in burgundy.

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