JCrew Spring 2016: striped block heel sandals

I love these sandals. That's my final verdict right there. Biggest surprise: they're printed leather, not fabric!

Pros: let me repeat: PRINTED LEATHER!!  Perfect block heel - totally Bowie, but I couldn't get a decent shot. Excellent sturdy and large roller buckle. Comfy and fit TTS. Back strap/flap connected to heel, which helps if you are plagued by dry heels. 

Cons: none. 

Tell me you're not getting Ziggy Stardust from this?!?!?

See the printedness of the leather. Yeah, that's a word.

Good, smooth, easy to handle buckle and straps.

I think you can dress these up or down and the heel is absolutely funky. 

Love! 

JCrew Spring 2016 - Trench Cape (Barley, XS/S)

I was super excited about this piece. After all, a cape is actually only really suited to transitional weather, like fall, or... spring! I think JCrew has hit on a great concept. It was also a positive sign when I saw that it wasn't the dreaded "one size". Imagining a cape version of the icon trench, I couldn't resist hitting "place order", and daydreaming visions of fabulousness while I waited for it to arrive.

Unfortunately, that was where the infatuation ended. The pictures below largely speak for themselves. I'll lay out the pros and cons, briefly.

Pros: Good idea, as stated above. Pockets.

Cons: Poor materials (sad cotton twill, not the stiff smooth high quality cotton of the icon trench); no lining (that piece of gingham is a bait and switch); no storm flap in the back, resulting in a horrid line-backer look. Untidy execution; deadish khaki colour, compounded by the sad fabric. Oversized for a petite, size 0/XS frame. 

The cape wings out and is too long. One would think that the XS would be proportionately shorter, but it doesn't feel that way.  The belt design is a bit irritating, though the belt is well tethered (thankfully). I wanted to get rid of the belt, so I could just cloak the cape around me and avoid looking like a perfectly-trussed-up-bat. Unfortunately, this is impossible. As the photos show, removing the belt makes it hang even less flatteringly. There's just too much fabric, in the end. It looks wannabe, not classic with a twist.

This is the best it can look. Notice I was trying to leave the lapels open. Failed.

Um... Excess wrinkled fabric. Trying the no belt look.

Too long on me.

Don't even think about popping the collar. Unless you're Dracula, looking for a summer wardrobe option.

Side and back. No storm flap and too much fabric. 

Fabric wrinkles. Even though it came swathed in tissue.

Closeup of the fabric and the unsatisfactory button hole.

Bottom inner seam.

Inside construction. There's a loop in the middle behind the belt, to which the belt is secured with a button.

Inside the front flap of the cape. A bit of ribbon does cover the end seams of the

button placket.

Final verdict: I am just unimpressed and a bit let down. In the days not so long ago, this quality level would only be the factory version of a much higher quality retail piece. I think the retail price is closer to being fair for the quality - especially for where it will end up on sale. I'm just glad that I hoarded all the excellent JCrew stuff and my instinct that it needed to be hoarded was right. Being right, however, is only sweet sorrow. I will be returning this item on my next trip to the store.

Review: JCrew flannels and plaids

I purchased two Thomas Mason plaid shirts and three of the perfect or boy shirt plaids this season. I won't be keeping them all, I think, but the decision will be hard!

All shirts below fit TTS and are size 0, which is my normal size in shirts. 

Bottom row: Thomas Mason; 

Top row: perfect shirt in buffalo plaid (L) and boy shirt in Clinton plaid (R)

Thomas Mason in Stewart plaid

The Stewart plaid is the more classic piece, versatile, and somehow more "upper class". I can imagine wearing it with a white pencil skirt as much as with khakis, and jeans, or even black leather pants. And the " upper class" part is that one would look polished and just the right bit of casual in them. You know, layer on pearls, and you're just being festive. Put on the khakis and a casual jacket and you're grunging in a ladylike way. So I think i love it.

Thomas Mason in some other kinda plaid!

This other one is nice, and is very cheerful. It feels very Scandinavian to me, what with the yellow stripe and bright Christmas unapologetic red.

Both the TM shirts are actually flannely! This was a surprise, as usually they're a very fine smooth cotton. They are consequently very easy to wear and cosy.

 

This boy shirt in Clinton plaid is a loose fit, as the boy fit is and it is a warm proper flannel. I love the material. It is definitely casual, though you could dress it up in a pinch. I also love the herringbone weave of the thread,which always gets me.

The perfect shirt in buffalo plaid. I love the colour for a buffalo plaid - definitely more elevated. I returned it and then rebought it. My store hates me. It's a snug fit, compared to all the other shirts. Also, it is basically thin cotton, nothing flannel about it. There's the herringbone weave of the threads again.

This is Boy shirt and its smth like Everglade green. This is the most rustic. The pockets are done at a different angle than the body of the shirt. The buttons are brown, faux wood and larger than a dress shirt. It is warm and flannelly and really comfy to wear. Loose fit. Herringbone weave.

Here's me in some of them. See how closely the buffalo plaid fits to the body. Great for layering.

Which is your favorite?

Sparkle tweed Campbell Blazer and Martie Pants

Blazer: fits TTS, which means a 00 for me. I am busty for my overall build, but the blazer feels good even buttoned. That means there's room at the just and that its buttoning ok at the waist, given the single-button style.

Pros: interesting fabric; good construction; good fit.

Cons: loose threads under the collar; boring light grey flannel lining under the collar (no popping this one). 

Overall, I quite love it. Here is a closeup of the fabric and a few pictures. 

So you see the sparkle comes from the tiniest flat sequins threaded on to the tweed: I like the tweed: it is soft and high quality because it is warm.

Under collar.

Inside pocket, lining and finish.

Martie pant:

Fits one size too small. I sized up to a P2, while I usually wear a 00R. The petite length is good, and the leg is cut slim, so I love the look overall. Pleats at the front, over the tummy, but they are subtle.

Pros: warm, great silhouette; well fitted, if you find the right size. Hidden side zipper. Fully lined.

Cons: none, really.

Overall, the pants are really cute and sophisticated.

 Notched ankle opening, which I like

Hidden zipper 

I love the whole thing, folks. So help me, .....

JCrew Review: Nordic Parka, XXS

I got this in the blue colour way, though I quite like the olive too. I think the orange lining on the olive was a bit off putting, it resembles my 6yo's jacket. 

Anyhow, great, hefty, warm jacket. Ordered the kids' parka to try on, side by side. That is flimsier. This one is quilted on the inside, with thinsulate too. 

It has a soft inner collar, that rests against your neck and adds insulation. See picture: 

It has similar ribbed cuffs inside the sleeves to keep the sleeves and arms airtight. 

The front has a two way zipper, with a woven zipper pull and also buttons for style. I doubt I will ever do up the buttons.

There are a gazillion pockets: there's boob pockets, for the keep-your-hands-in-pockets while you stroll. There's the large front patch pockets. Those open at the top, where you see the buttons, and they open at the sides in case you want to stick your hands in there rather than boob pockets.   All pockets are lined on the inside with fleece. 

There is a zipped pocket on the inside lapel of the coat:

And there are those parachute pull things on the inside, to define a waist, if you feel the need:

The inner lining is quilted in large diamonds, as visible here. The outside is a nice dark navy, and the inner lining is a contrasting brighter steely blue, above a "skirt", which is dark navy.  The skirt is large open pockets, too, on the inside lapels, in both sides, like men's coats.

The inside of the hood is lined in navy fleece. Feels good on. The faux fur trim 

Is really high quality. It spikes out and separates just like real fur. It's got these shaded tips, which complement my skin and hair tone. It's a thick, luxurious fur trim, like I spent last winter admiring on other people's jackets in Europe. So I think it's a great budget friendly piece for a really stylish and warm parka.

Definitely warmer than the standard long puffer jacket from JCrew, which I also own.

I got the XS and the XXS to try. The XXS is a nice trim fit. The XS wasn't awful, and would be an easier thing to wear if I had on one of my ghastly all wool chunky knit cardis or smth (remember the first iteration of the bonfire cardigan in chunky knit lambswool? In creme? That one.)

 But other than that I prefer the XXS. It fits true to size to a touch large, then. I always get 00 in blazers and 0 in overcoats. Unless the overcoats are oversized, in which case I get 00.

 

Final verdict: great piece! My husband loves it too. Which is huge for him to admit bc he officially detests JCrew bc of my addiction to it.  :)

JCrew Collection Silk and Lace Blouse, E6141

This is a gorgeous silk blouse. I noticed it just recently, and caught a 0 on popback.  It is currently sold out, but we all know that the religious Stalker will be rewarded. 

The fit is slim: I felt it sit tighter across the bust, but not tight. The arms hit me just write at the wrist bone, whereas with the regular sized silk Blythe blouses, they always drape over the top of my hand. I'm petite, you may remember. So I think that the blouse does run a bit small and if you can catch a size up, too, you won't be disappointed. 

Pros: beautifully stitched. The lace is lovely, delicate, spidery. There are well placed pin tucks on the front and back of the shirt. It has a covered button placket, with only the top button visible. The whole thing is very tasteful. You don't feel naked bc of all the lace. Tailored. 

Cons: a slimmer fit. This does mean that you might want to size up.

I love the top. It is quite versatile and will be an investment piece . Provided my December 5 lb don't become permanent!

 Sorry about my layered tank top showing underneath! I was too cold to take it off!

Madewell reviews: corduroy flared jeans, herringbone mock neck top

Review 1. MADEWELL HERRINGBONE SWEATER TOP, XS, $98/- before promos. Fits TTS. The cut is boxy. Funnel neck. The topside of this top is a lovely brushed furry felt. The underside is soft sweatshirt-y cotton. Not terribly warm. This is more about the silhouette than anything. 

Close ups:

That's not a blurry picture, it's fuzzy top in hi-res!

Seams:

And cut of the top:

So you know all these oversized baggy coats everyone's offering these days? You can accommodate your boxy, deep arm cut tops under them. So it all works out. You just need to be super efficient getting dressed. 

REVIEW 2: CORD FLARES

I love the quality of the thin wale cords. Silky, nice, with a bit of stretch. The jeans are high waisted. They do bag out at the knees and legs a touch , but I think that's ok, given I've been lounging in them a bit.  Very comfy high waist, fits true to your regular jeans size. Don't size up. I love the fawn color. Especially with the bagging, it will stand up to wear better than the wine. FYI, Shopbop is also offering these in blue! 

*************

Today, I wore the flares with an older JCrew top, layered with a Vince turtleneck. Just to shop my closet.

Compared to the herringbone top from Madewell's current offering, which do you vote for: fiscal responsibility or extravagant variety?

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