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My JCrew T-Shirt Alternatives arrived...

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

My first JCrew order has arrived today and it made me happy and unhappy in the same time.
Happy because navy linen boatneck tee I have ordered inspired by Suz's posts is a keeper (pic 1-3). As Suz suggested I went with my usual size (L) and it has enough drape and fluidity and in the same time layers beautifully under toppers. I think I am going to order other colors as well!
Unhappy because I don't like how this linen hi-low hem sweater ( from Angie's picks ) fits me. I love the color and I think it is a good pink for me but I think it is too big. I have ordered XL based on Suz's and Inge's experience with another linen sweater type ( V-neck) but possibly this one fits differently? I find it looking sloppy rather that stylishly oversized like it does on Suz. I think it goes back but should I try a size down or is this style just does not work for me?
I have 2 more orders to arrive but now I worry that everything may go back because I ordered XL like I wear in Tippi and it may be too big in other styles?
...and returns are not free!

Rant over!

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Linen boatneck tee

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Linen high-low hem sweater in garment dye

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56 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

Zibbets

Veteran

Oh my gosh, you are RADIANT in that orchid color. Absolutely gorgeous, Sveta. And I love everything about the look in #1. Out of the park with both.

I don't think #2 is too big. It looks generous but not sloppy at all.

Do you mind sharing the brand of the jeans in #1? They're fantastic.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Zibbets, the jeans are Paige Hidden Hills bootcuts (and they are a bit relaxed on me now due to some weight loss). Paige is my go-to premium denim brand as it fits my curves the best.

Joy

Veteran

Sveta, the navy is perfect but I don't think the orchid looks too oversized. It is fluid and somewhat oversized, but it looks deliberate and it looks like the fabric falls back against your body.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Joy. Look at the sleeves in the last picture - see how wide they are at the cuffs and not tapered. I think my feeling of "sloppiness" coming mostly from the sleeve fit.

Tanya

Veteran

Sveta, agree that the navy top is gorgeous.

About the linen sweaters: it does not look too big but I see what you mean. I have both linen sweaters, with crew and V-neck, and went with my usual XS in the crewneck cut (the same one as yours) and S in the V neck. I can't say exactly why, that's how it looked better to my eye. I can post pictures for comparison tomorrow if you want, too tired now.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Tanya. I suspect it may be due to the hem and reglan sleeve in the crewneck. In V-neck the hem is split so it lays better with more fabric but in crewneck it is continuous and extra fabric is really "extra". Pictures would be great but please do not overtire yourself! Which colors did you get?

Tanya

Veteran

Oh, normally pictures are no problem, just right now it is late and I am about to go to bed. But tomorrow morning - no issue at all.

I got neon amethyst in the crew neck and light pond in the V neck.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Light pond must be gorgeous on you - you wear pastels so well. I was tempted but pale blues are tricky for me.
OK, get to bed, you need rest - sweet dreams!

Kristin L

Veteran

I love the navy top! I don't see the orchid one as sloppy, but if you're not in love with it, then send it back. You deserve a top that feels right.

Marley

Veteran

I really like them both on you Sveta! How about showing us a pic of the 2nd one with the sleeves scrunched and a semi-tuck? Seems to me that just a little bit of structure will bring iit into the JFE category!

MsLuna

Veteran

That navy top is a WOW! you look fabulous in it!

The orchid top is beautiful but I have some theories as to why you feel as though it's sloppy. I think it's the neckline (too narrow. I think the boat neck works better on you) . Also the way the raglan sleeves are shaped in relation to the rest of the top. I noticed the sleeves in the navy top are more fitted while the orchid one us looser. Also, the raglan style doesn't seem to curve as well on the bust as the navy one does. I think the straight armhole look may just flatter you better? Also, is the navy top more fluid than the orchid top?

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Marley, the sleeves do not want to stay scrunched because the cuffs are too wide not fitted. I also tried the semituck and did not like how it looks: too much fabric to tuck in and it bunches to the extent I do not like. I guess I just do not feel it in this size even though I love the color.
Katie, see how neckline of the pink sweater fits on the model - closer to boatneck than to the crew. This is how I would like it too and I hope that sizing down will make it so. And yep, the sleeves are too loose and this is really breaks it for me.

deb

Veteran

Sveta, I looked at the orchid sweater on the model and it appears to me that the length is shorter on her than it is on you. What do you think?

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

You look great in the navy top! I also ordered the high-low hem sweater, but sent it back because it was an unflattering kind of baggy. If you love the colour and material, you could always bring it to a tailor or modify it yourself, though.

Jeanie

Veteran

I like both sweaters on you. Maybe the untapered sleeves are too unstructured for you. I think it looks good though. I ordered the same sweater. I am waiting for the shipment so I will have to let you know.

Gigi

Veteran

I love the navy! I ordered the same thing a couple of days ago. I'm hoping mine looks as good as yours does!

About the other one...I don't think it looks too big, but when I compare to the model, it definitely is more flowy on you. I think Katie is right about the design of the top contributing to the "too big" feel. I think it would be worth a shot sizing down. So frustrating to have to pay return shipping! As if J. Crew is so broke that they can't foot the bill.

FWIW, I talked to Suz when I ordered the navy linen tee, and she said that she had hers in different colors, and some of the colors fit differently from others. Maybe this happens to be a loose-fitting color?

Gigi

Veteran

Oh, I forgot to mention that on the navy top, I personally find the light-colored belt to be a bit of a distraction because it shines through the tee from the back and sides. But I don't know if that bothers you or not.

Mona

Veteran

Size down in that orchid sweater, Sveta. The colour is so lovely on you. You do not want to miss this sweater.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Deb, the model is definitely wears smaller fitting sweater than this XL is on me. I actually like how it is on her, still fluid but not oversize.
gradfashionista, sweaters are not easy to alter because you cannot cut away the extra fabric as with the knits: it will unravel itself.
Jeanie, I hope yours will not disappoint!
Gigi, I don't even ask JCrew to make returns free but can they at least provide a return label and then keep that amount from your refund? They would get a bulk rate from the post and it would not be so outrageously expensive for us to return. As for the belt - I just was wearing it with the jeans that day and did not remove it for the pictures.
Mona, I think I will!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay , I have not read the comments yet. Just jumping in to say the navy boatneck tee is FANTASTIC on you. Just gorgeous. Love love love it, and now you see why I own three of these babies and have just ordered a fourth in another colour (during the sale).

On to the spectacular amethyst sweater. What a colour on you! I knew it would look glorious on you -- as a purply pink, given purple is "your" colour. As for sizing, I see what you say about the difference in cut between this one and the V neck -- the hi-low split hem of the V neck may deal with the extra fabric a bit better....but, having said this, I LIKE this oversize look, I truly do, and I think you are not doing the sweater justice the way you are modeling it. You need to wear it as you would wear it, not with arms held stiffly, etc. Of course, I know you are just trying to show us the fit here, but you can't get the sense of drape, etc. from that. In my experience, K/R threads benefit so much from styling.

Example -- the white Zara top I tried the other day -- when I just threw it on over the skirt I was wearing, some people loved it, but quite a lot said it was a dull or not great top -- whereas when I styled it, many of those same people suddenly liked it a whole lot better.

So how about a few styled photos? Scrunch the sleeves -- I know they will not easily stay scrunched so they may need to go up to elbows.

If they stlil have it in L and you will prefer it, go for that -- by all means. The other factor we all need to recall is that your size has been changing. Your shoulders have not changed but you are slimmer overall, so a size that might have worked last year may not work as well this year.

Having said that, I purposely ordered my J. Crew sweaters oversized and so far, I don't mind it at all. Many people did not like the degree of oversize on the framed cashmere I got, but I adore it. It feels modern and fresh to my eye.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA: I do hear you on the sleeves issue. I think the sleeves on the V neck are more snug on the forearm area. They do scrunch, although they don't fully stay scrunched because of course the linen stretches out. But there is some snugness to start.

I just hope you manage to get a sweater in this colour somehow. Too bad you did not jump on the V neck version that I found in Toronto; maybe XL would have worked for that.

I still think this sweater looks killer on you.

My J. Crew orders are not here yet -- one has not even shipped yet from what I can tell. I will keep you posted. I ordered the pond sweater like this one so I will be able to compare the way it fits to the way that the V neck fits me -- both are a size up from my usual and I do like the way my V neck fits me.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Oh Sveta, when I saw that first photo, my heart leapt a little. It looks amazing! I am happy because I ended up ordering that same top, as a last minute thing, and was concerned the neck would be too high on me. But seeing it on you, I think it will be fine. Fingers crossed! And then imagine my delight when I read down to discover the jeans are Paige Hidden Hills... that is what I just bought from Janet. AND... I have a silver belt - I know this wasn't intentional but I love the whole look. And will be copying if the top works.

The pink... I'm on the fence. i love the colour, and I think it's fine, but not perfect. I do agree some photos with it more styled would help - you're not going to stand like this IRL! I do think it's worth sizing down. But I guess now you've missed the free shipping an the sale? :(. If you feel sloppy, you won't wear it.

I think the flat bulk rate return shipping label is a great idea - we should collectively suggest it to them. Over and over again :). Lands End does that. I'm fine with knowing I might be out $7.95 or whatever they take off the refund.

Diana

Veteran

I love the navy one! In fact I think I might go try it myself.

I agree the orchid looks too big. I think it's the sleeves that look too wide and maybe the armholes are too low also.

unfrumped

Veteran

Navy is slam dunk!
The other may depend on both sizing snd the look or occasions-- more casual vs. more polished.
I'm finding there is a point at which some of the " fresh" or trending fits read too casual for work, in part because some rely heavily on semi- tuck to add back structure.

merwoman

Veteran

Love the navy Sveta!

I think Katie is right on when she mentions the neckline is smaller on the high/low linen sweaters. I tried the XS and S in the store. XS fit fine through the body, but I much preferred the look of the S through the neckline and shoulder area. Darn broad shoulders again. I liked the drape of the S through my shoulders and body so have ordered it.

The V neck is a different story. There is much more give across the shoulder line so I felt I was swimming in the S, and would definitely go with XS.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That is so interesting, Sue. I went with the S in the V neck!! It is a very low V and I can't wear it without a shirt underneath, but that is how I intended to wear it, since even in a smaller size it would have been unflattering on me without coverage (I thought).

Hmmm. Horses for courses, I guess! And every body is different.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

The navy is positively brilliant on you Sveta. I think the orchid is gorgeous and I'm not sure it's too big. I have to agree with Suz that I think some of it not showing to its full potential is related to how you are standing. Look how you have the navy one semi tucked with a lovely belt but you have the orchid one untucked with your arms out! Try some stylings and see what you think.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Suz - yes, I see why you love the boatneck tees, they are great for layering and look fine on their own too. I have also ordered azalea one but in XL because it was the only available size. I suspect the neckline would be too wide but i hope my mom can take in shoulders for me because it is a tee. With sweater alterations are almost impossible though so no hopes there.
OK, now to the amethyst sweater. Suz, you know me and how I embrace the fluid fit and don't mind oversize. But believe me that this is not the case when styling can fix it. I had that experience with JCrew sweaters before when sizing up for fluid fit just does not work in some styles (see pic). i think it is the shape of the sleeves which mostly has to do with it. It just feels too big but not fluid.
I am going to order it in L. I also consider ordering V neck in XL as it came back online. I am not very fond of Vnecks though but I like how it drapes on you. Have you seen Tanya's response that she sized up in Vneck but got her regular size in the crew because it felt better?
I have 2 more orders coming and they all in XL - and now I am afraid a lot will need to go back! I have a hope for the cashmere sweater you got as I like the drape on you and it has these splits on the sides which help I think. The rest - we will see.
And I don't think my changing size is contributing much. I have tried on again Tippis and cashmere sweaters from JCrew I have in XL and I still like the fluid fit of them.

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

The navy is fantastic and the orchid color is a very pretty color but I do think if it feels wrong, you are going to be unhappy wearing it, so for that reason I think I'd try either a size down or another style. I ended up sending my pool colored linen V-neck back but for different reasons. I LOVED the color and fit but I just couldn't see myself wearing it without a cami and it's just too hot here in spring/summer to layer a cami.

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