Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Collection guipure lace top, JCrew, Spring 2014

Pros: beautiful textural cut work lace in 100% silk; good neutral colour

Cons: very boxy; awkward grosgrain tie at the back of the neck; too long on petites; lined in 100% poly.

Sizing: TTS, but fit is a bit uninspiring.

Verdict: it's a boxy top in a material that demands attention, and potentially makes your boobs look really bad. I am unsure of whether to prioritize the use of good (upper) materials, or the poor design choices in cut. Big question mark.









Sunday, May 18, 2014

OOTD:two recent outfits - work and play

WORK:
Silk Blythe blouse; cotton cafe Capri pants; Martina wedges; cotton sequined cardi, snakeskin belt.



PLAY:
Tory Burch blazer; Everlane tee; JCrew belt and ecru toothpick jeans; Bettye Muller loafers; Coach perforated penny purse.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

J Crew June Preview 2014

I won't be able to upload all the item infor right away, so if you have questions about an item, please just tell me the photo number here and which garment you're interested in. I like several pieces. Darn.

Love this chevron linen maxi. I think I'll go for this instead of the red. I might also try sizing down in the maxi, for a better fit at the bust.

It’s not officially summer until you break out the maxi. Lightweight and easy to wear, this no-brainer
linen dress is printed with chevrons to accentuate the column-like silhouette. Add a pair of comfortable sandals and simple accessories, and you’ll be ready for a weekend at the beach.

·         Chevron Maxidress, A4994, $148
·         Birkenstock for J.Crew Arizona Sandals, A4281, $130
·         Han Kjobenhavn Timeless Sunglasses, 35526, $145
·         Timex for J.Crew Vintage Field Army Watch, 27460, $98
·         Stripe Watch Strap, 13837, $20



Prints, solids, 5 inch or 7, there is a perfect pair for every day of summer vacation.

(left to right)
·         Cotton Pique Shorts in Gemstone Print, A6430, $69.50
·         Scallop Pocket Shorts in Polka Dot, A6405, $65
·         Watercolor Ikat Shorts, A5023, $69.50
·         5” Chino Short, 68925, $45
·         7” Chino Short, 35756, $48
·         Piped Andie Short, A7371, $65


We designed this Sheer-sleeve Crepe Sweater with a high-twist cotton and sheer sleeves, so it’s sporty yet refined. The Linen Drawstring pant will be your go-to all summer long. Lightweight and fuss-free, it looks just as good dressed up with high-heel sandals as it does with flip-flops at the beach.

·         Sheer Sleeve Crepe Sweater, A6145, $65
·         Linen Drapey Drawstring Pant, A7090, $69.50


The tassel necklace here is supposedly a stunner and $150/-; seersucker pencil skirt, which I quite like. This picture makes me want to be on holiday.

This is a necklace to get noticed in - colorful stones, shiny crystals and fluttery tassels make the Tassel Trim Necklace a total showstopper. The stripe-on-stripe print of this pencil skirt and tank provide the perfect contrast for the statement piece.

·         Seersucker Pencil Skirt, A5845, $98
·         Tassel Trim Statement Necklace, A9254, $150
·         Linen Tank in Stripe, A7363, $35


Eyelet sweatshirt

Pull on silk medallion print pant; cashmere stripe sweatshirt.

I adore this top. Chambray cap; some new version if destroyed BF jeans



2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award winners Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne are the creative designers behind Public School, a unique and precisely detailed menswear line they founded in 2008. The New York City natives draw energy and inspiration from their hometown and public school roots, finding a balance between tailored and cool. This vintage-inspired mesh tank has an old-school vibe and is finished with a shirttail hem, so it’s perfect for layering. We paired it with the tapered Public School Belmac Pant for a laid-back vibe we love.

·         Public School for J.Crew Peekaboo Tank, B0892, $49.50
·         Perfect Fit Tank, 92098, $22.50
·         Public School for J.Crew Belmac Pant, B0867, $168
·         Men’s Baseball Cap in Printed Chambray, A7258, $39.50
·         Vans for J.Crew Classic Slip-on Shoes, A4087, $60



A runner-up for the 2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award, Juan Carlos Obando debuted his first collection in 2008—beautiful yet uniquely easy gowns and separates. He brought his signature use of bold colors and fluid silhouettes and modern approach to evening wear to his exclusive J.Crew collection. Case in point: the slouchy-but-structured Gemma Sweatshirt with a luxe bohemian vibe (we’re obsessed).

·         Juan Carlos Obando for J.Crew Gemma Sweatshirt, B0885, $128
·         Collection Eaton Boy Short in Bi-Stretch Wool, A6403, $128


CFDA winner's jewellery.

Born in the south of France, fine jeweler Marc Alary spent his childhood flipping through stacks of National Geographic magazines and dreaming about safaris. Today, the runner-up for the 2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award creates whimsical designs that often feature animals—a signature look he carries through this capsule collection of playful, wearable pieces, like these sweet bird bracelets encrusted with shiny faceted Swarovski crystals.

·         Men’s Secret Wash Shirt in End-on-End Cotton, 31187, $64.50
·         Marc Alary for J.Crew Kissing Birds Bracelet, B2349, $58
·         Marc Alary for J.Crew Songbirds Bracelet, B2320, $78

-----------
And there you have it!

I definitely have a couple of favourites here. You?









Thursday, May 15, 2014

Linen maxi dress, JCrew, Spring/Summer 2014

This is a modified version of the collection silk maxi dress. An "umbrella cut" shape, though with far less fabric (almost reducing it to an A-line floor length.)

Pros:
Linen 100% outer; cotton 100% inner lining; machine washable; floor length without dragging on petite-me. Blue and green hues are gorgeous. No plunging neckline (can I get a hallelujah!?).

Cons: no pockets! The linen is not soft. I worry that the colours will fade with washing. It is the kind of linen that feels like stiff paper... Not very soft. I'm just blown away by the all-cotton-machine-washable part, but these too are sad realities. Not the best armholes in the world... On the large/loose side, but not deal breakers.

Sizing: TTS. If you want to try reducing the size of the armhole, you could feasibly size down one. 

Verdict: I'm always looking for modest, nice maxi dresses that are THE RIGHT LENGTH FOR ME!! Keepers. I think I might keep all three colours. Is that awful?

True to life colours, except the green, which is a brighter emerald colour.

FYI, the Panama hat with the neon ribbon is terrific and way less graphic than the traditional version. I think I'm keeping it.



Barefoot and it's not underfoot. Yay! I really missed pockets though!

With the chambray Slingback heels and it's not awful at all!

Neckline and notice the angling at the shoulders will expose bra straps.

Side view

Made in Phillippines, FYI.


The shape and breadth of the dress. More a-line than umbrella...

Lining, perfectly dyed to match and tacked to the seams of the dress.

Are you sold on this one?









Tory Burch Seasonal Sale now on!!

Hello, dear readers...if you're reading. :)



So the TB seasonal sale just started, and I'm elated because I found the last remaining unsold pair of Bernadette Flats in ivory/navy, size 6! And on sale!

FYI, Nordstrom has nearly all the same styles on sale, lower prices (darn it!) and more sizes available.

My picks - all TTS, super comfortable and chic.

Bernadette Flat - - ivory/navy (sold out everywhere?) and in metallic (less of a love, but still very popular)

Viv Flat - I have and love these in the navy-grey. Currently available at Nordstrom. All sold out in that colourway at TB, but available in a sleek all black (and on sale), nude, and B&W.

Miles Sneaker - If you're going the sneaker trend route, this one's nice.

Quinn Ballet Flat - Navy, quilted, Reva. 'nuff said. Lots of sizes.

Tory Tunic - always chic and never fails to impress, in my opinion. Laid back and pulled together, all at the same time!

Augusta Dress - gorgeous and flattering and amazingly fitted dress. Limited sizes.

Isabel Gown - out of my price range, but what a stunner! If you're a boheme type and looking for a summer wedding dress (including for the bride), isn't this an amazing piece!?

Brigitte Shirt Dress - Staple! All sizes currently available at TB.

Kensington Coat - a bit 'mother of the bride' - so if you are one, look at this! Limited sizes. Beautiful fabric and embellishments.

Simone Cardigan - a staple in a lovely pale hue. Limited sizes available. Love it. Wish I was buying it...