J.Crew reviews: tissue victoria, dolce popover, bling cardigan

By Shann in J.Crew reviews, Reviews Tags: , , , , , ,

I stopped by J.Crew last night to try some of the newer arrivals. I didn’t find many things that interested me but I was happy to see the Tissue victoria top and the Bling button cardigan.

The tissue victoria is very thin. You can see every bit of my jeans underneath the top but I don’t think you could see bra clearly. My initial thoughts about it was, what season does J.crew think this is? It’s 30 degrees outside for god’s sake. I tried on the XS in a light lavender shade. The fit wasn’t bad. The Victoria has a relaxed waist but it fit pretty well in the chest and did not gape around the arm holes. The v-neck is low but not too low.  The ruffles are the same thin material. You can work them into standing up a bit but I don’t know if they would keep their shape all day or after washing. A little spray starch may be in order. I’m fairly certain that the ruffle edges where cut and unfinished, maybe some one can confirm this?

Next I tried on the Bling button cardigan in cherry. I was pretty excited about this because J.Crew never does a true red cardigan. The XS fit okay. It was a little boxy and not particularly flattering. The material is a strange loose knit. It’s a bit abrasize though not exactly itchy. The red shade was a little disappointing to me as well. It’s a blue based red but it lacks the brightness you see in my photo. It’s not a muddled color but it fell a little flat for me.

Here we have the Dolce shawl collar popover in pale shell. This is the XS, which is laughably bad on me. The knit is very loose, more so than the Bling button cardigan. This makes the sweater very strechy. I can’t image how large it would be after a few wears. The only good thing about this pic is, you can see what the tissue Victoria looks like under a vneck sweater. It’s quite cute and I think I need one now!

How in the world this sweater looks like it does on the j.Crew model is beyond me. What size is she wearing, xxxxxxxs? J.Crew describes this sweater as “Slightly slouchy boyfriend fit that we love” Ummm I’m just going to be nice and remain speechless on that one.

More J.Crew and Anthropologie reviews coming later this week

Back in the saddle, J.Crew order

By Shann in Sales, Shopping finds Tags: , , , , ,

I haven’t ordered online with J.Crew since July. Amazing, right! I was lured back in yesterday by the tees promo combined with the free shipping on my account. I decided to go ahead and give the Gathered tie front top a shot since it comes in XXS.

While I was at it, I wanted to try the tissue henley in soft blossom because I need more long sleeve layering pieces and the Cable ribbed turtleneck in buff pink. The cable sweater looks so cute and cozy but I am worried that it will be boxy on me. Let’s cross our fingers because I really need some warm sweaters!

After putting together my nice, small cart, I totally caved and ordered a piece I have been drooling over.. The Metallic tweed charmed mini bag

I am quite excited about this bag. It just seems perfect for my style as of late. I am hoping it is fabulous in real life and will complete my every day skinny jean, sweater, jacket, boot look. The bag was back ordered pretty much the moment it was released. So I’ll have to be patient and wait until after Thanksgiving.

It was wonderful to have that free shipping on my account and even better I was able to get a price adjustment for the 20% off that popped up this morning. Ahh it feels good to be back on the J.Crew bandwagon ;D

Did you order anything from J.Crew with the 20% off promo??

Anthropologie stork club jacket, lace and dresses

By Shann in Anthropologie reviews, Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Stork Club jacket

I was really excited about the Stork club jacket and it did not disappoint. It is a well made, chic little retro jacket. I tried on the size 0 which fit very well. It does have a pronounced flair hem. But I think the fitted chest and cropped lengths keep the flair from over whelming.

It has an extremely vintage styling but you can give it a little more modern twist by leaving the jeweled button undone and popping the lapels. The mohair has a bit of a rough texture but it did not feel itchy or bothersome anywhere.
My store only had the black. I would have loved to try on the white. Although I think in the end, black would be more versatile for me. As much as I loved it, I did not bring the jacket home because of the price. $168 is a lot and I need to decide between this and the J.Crew sequin open cardigan. Please leave your thoughts on which I should buy, if either!

Next I tried the Floating lace blouse, size XS. Unfortunately, my store did not have the bow strapless dress the blouse was styled with in the catalog. I scowered the store looking for a light colored strapless but all I could find was the dress shown. The dress is a size 2, which was much too big. I’m holding it in around the back to give an idea of what the blouse would look like.
The lace blouse is beautiful. The detail is gorgeous. It fits away from the body and the length is cropped. The sleeves have extremely long ribbons hanging from them but I think these could be easily trimmed.

I tried the blouse on again before I left over the tee I had worn (I wouldn’t actually wear this top with it of course lol) The blouse screams for a simple, fitted, light colored layer underneath to allow the lace to pop. Although the lace blouse is stunning, I cannot come up with what exact piece I could actually wear it with. If you have any styling ideas, please leave a comment!

The graceful point cardigan surprised me a bit. I didn’t expect the fabric to be as heathered as it was. The fabric was still lovely but I tend to like more of an even color. Also surprising, my store was sold out of XS in every shade. This is a small, which fits alright but it would be much more flattering a size smaller. The sweater has a little bit of a rough, possibly itchy texture. It didn’t bother me because I was wearing long sleeves but with a lighter top, it could be an issue if you are sensitive.


Normally shirt dresses look awful on me. Most the time you see them with one layer of flimsy yet crisp fabric and a thin tie for a waist. The Reed shirt dress is exactly opposite. It is fully lined and the extra layer of soft fabric gives the dress flounce and body. I tried on the size 0 and it buttoned up nice and snug in the waist and chest. I’ve got to have a fitted waist with a full skirt! The dress is more flattering and defined in the upper body than the blurry pics show.
The only problem was, it’s November! I wasn’t sure if I could realistically winterize this dress. I was worried that tights and a sweater with that full skirt, would add weight. What do you think?

I’ve been dying to try this dress on for awhile. I grabbed my usual size 0 and umm.. it was laughable. I was a good 4-5 inches from zipping it to the top. It runs SMALL lol. This is the size 2 which just fit. I love the fabric and lace up back but I wasn’t crazy about the chest fit. It is a corset, obviously, but instead of lifting and creating great cleavage the dress just squished flat.


Studded fete dress

Oh sheer polka dotted flounce paired with studs. The studded fete dress sounded made for me but it didn’t work out that way… The curse of the bubble hem reared it’s head and made me look thick and short. Pleats and fullness at the waist AND hem equal bad news. The upper part of the dress was awkward on me as well. I don’t know what it was but the top was just not flattering. Another issue, I spent a good 10 minutes trying to get the zipper up past the studs in the back. Finally I just gave up because I didn’t want to tear the dress. This is the size 0 which fit, it’s just not for me.

What do you think of the Anthropologie pieces I tried? I love so many Anthro items that I am really struggling with which to buy. Or maybe I should go with some of my J.Crew try ons from the previous post instead?
PS- Sorry for the slow post week! I am working hard on the new blog. Hopefully it will be finished soon :)

J.Crew reviews: sequins, ruffles, and antlers

By Shann in J.Crew reviews, Reviews Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’m not sure what J.Crew is calling this tee, so I will just label it chiffon bouquet tee. It is a mix between the chiffon roses tee from earlier this year and the current printed bouquet tee. In the past, I have always sized up in the art tees but after a few wears they stretch out and look sloppy. So, this time I grabbed extra smalls in this and the antler tee. These definitely run larger than graphic tees of the past. Do not size up!
The chiffon bouquet tee in XS is actually too big for me and it is so long. I couldn’t believe how long, almost past my butt. The material has a lot of stretch in it. It already fit very square on me. Hopefully the stretch bounces back but I have the feeling it may not…


Here I am trying out the size 0 Floral fan perfect shirt with the tee. It doesn’t work because the tee is awful on me lol but I did like the floral shirt. The mandarin collar works really well with a tee and it had a nice waist fit. The sleeves though are way too long for me and it gaped in the chest, as usual. So, although I like it for layering I won’t buy it unless it goes on sale


I am behind the times on this one but I’ve been wanting to try on the Ruffle front coat for awhile. Since I don’t recall anyone saying it runs large, I thought I’d share my pics. This is the size 0 and it is definitely a full size too big. I love the length and pretty but casual style of the coat. The color shown here must be an in store only shade. It is a purple undertone beige grey. Not really loving this color, the camel is the best in my opinion.

You can see in this pic just how large in the chest this coat is on me. It’s probably a good 3-4″ too big in the waist as well.

Rather boring review but I like to try and keep a record of the basics,. This is the Cambridge cable vneck in a size XS. I’m not sure why it is listed as online only. My store had a ton. The sizing and fit are the same as last year’s cables, maybe slightly larger. A bit big and boxy but it can be cute under a blazer. The material is sightly itchy. It’s really not a $74.00 sweater in my opinion.

Now this one I really liked! I don’t see it online, so I’ll call it the Merino sequin cardigan. This is the XS in black. It fit very well I think. The length is almost cropped, it hits right above my jeans. It has a nice sleeve length with fitted arms. There is a wide placket of black sequins down the front of the sweater. The sequins do not have any shine added to them but they catch the light in an understated way. I don’t normally go for sequins at all, so I was surprised by how much I liked this. I didn’t bring it home but I keep thinking about it. Not sure what I would wear it with though…It can be dressed down with jeans easily but I’m not sure about a top. This was priced at $138 I believe. Maybe $148. There is no separate collar, the knit and sequins just curve up and rest against the neck. There is also no button or hook to close the cardigan that I saw.


Here we have the Tuxedo scout chino in size 0. They look completely different on me than on the model. They look like they have a short, snug waist in the online pics but I found them very full in the crotch and butt. The legs really are not skinny but the pants were pegged tightly. They have more of a boyfriend fit than I expected. I do like them though and I think they could be really cute, except….

I could fit another person in the waist gape. Wth?

Another currently in store only item, this is a Merino ruffle front cardigan. It has a shorter fit with what looks like 3/4 sleeves. The neckline is between a sweetheart and vneck with cascading ruffles. The ruffles are the same knit as the sweater. It came in several pretty colors but they all looked a little too sweet to me, so I grabbed the black.
This is the XS. I believe the price was $78 or $98. I need to start taking pics of the tag!



Last we have the beaded Antler tee. This is the XS, like I said earlier there is no need to size up. It is already relaxed in the waist. This is a different fabric than the roses tee. It is closer to what I think of as jersey although not stretchy. The roses tee has that variegated cotton and this one is smooth and silkier. The antlers are made up of gold colored clear seed beads. They catch the light and sparkle without being obnoxious. I did not originally have any interest in this top. Why would I want antlers on my chest? But when I tried it on, I really liked it. Maybe I have J.Crew withdrawals because I haven’t bought anything in ages.
This tee won’t be for everyone because the antler definitely cup the chest a bit lol. However, I think the casual fabric and slouchy fit keep it from looking tacky. This is a case where I actaully think the sloppy look JC is trying to sell us actually works to balance the tee. This is the light amethyst which is a purple undertone brown grey.
I did bring the Antler tee home. I’m wearing it today with my beat up jeans and a black cardigan. The embellishment does show across the waist under a cardi and peeks out around the chest. I will try and share an ootd with it later this week :)

One last thing I want to mention, what the hell did J.Crew do to the Jackie cardigan?? I tried on the XS and it was big and boxy and fug on me. I’m so sad because my navy jackie from 2 years ago is a size S and is perfection.

What do you think of these J.Crew items? Have you tried them on yourself?
Also, should I go back for that sequin merino cardigan??

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