J Crew’s ruffle dress in tropical floral (SU16, $128) runs regular 00 – 16 (F3884), petite P00 – P12 (F4010) and tall T2 – T? (F4026) . The color is called navy multi (NMU). 100% silk, 100% poly lining.
8/3 marked down to $99.99
Size 6 – I thought this would be true to size (tts), but it was too fitted from the waist on down. There’s no stretch in the fabric and you want it to skim your body and not fit it exactly. I bought the size 8 (not pictured). My mom said it looked like a Hawaiian beach…(then trailed off). I think she wanted to say muu muu, but was distracted by the Olympics.
The print is beautiful. I love the rich, cobalt blue and the different colors of the tropical scene.
I tried the dress on with a thin, patent belt and the concept (belted) will work for some. I also tried it on with a black blazer and that looked nice. I have no waist definition, so the dress looked wide under the jacket, but the look worked. I also tried it with leggings and that worked as well. I wasn’t a fan of any of the looks on me. I have an umbilical hernia that pokes out at times. Some clothes hide it, some don’t.
The ruffles aren’t overdone. They feel like light flutters. I forgot they were there until I looked in the mirror.
The Feeling
I wish the fit were a match for me. The colors and print are beautiful. Consider sizing up one, unless you are thin and straight.
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Gigi, as a fellow petite person with no waist definition, I can sympathize with attempts at creating the illusion of one. (i used to think it was just me! But I am a solid little rectangle from the neck on down.) I often belt items for this very reason, or even avoid certain shapes, such as shifts.
Hadn’t realized it before, but the neckline with ruffles on this dress seem to mirror those found on that pretty ruffle top from the most recent roll-out, especially in that back shot (I am actually wearing it today, in white.) Love this cut, so flattering in the back.
I am shopped out for the summer! It goes by too quickly here and sometimes I don’t even get to wear a new item more than once (or at all!)
Hope you’re having a great week. (PS, thanks for the tips on lingerie at Nordstrom, i wish there were one closer to me here in NYC.)
Hey Tati – some shifts work on me. If the slight definition the garment offers is cut higher, than it works. To re-state — if the dress is narrow at any point and that point is placed higher on the dress, then it tends to be flattering in a shift. I’ll be posting a dress that I’m wearing to a wedding at the end of the month and I’ll be sure to point out what I’m talking about. In short, don’t rule them out.
Great catch that the ruffle design on this dress matches the top. Spot on. Makes me want to try on the top asap, esp since the blue sold out so quickly. Have a good day!
The fabric and print are gorgeous, and I like the back, too. I just made a sheath dress from a knit that I rather like – the stretch makes it work, I think (?). Maybe on this J. Crew dress, the silk fabric would have been better on a different style, maybe a fit-and-flare. You look gorgeous, as usual. 🙂
Hi Vava – The Jules shift was made it silk and that didn’t work so great either. However, the cut on this one is closer to the body and that works better, visually. I don’t know how difficult it is to make a print in cotton, but I would’ve loved a cut like the midsummer maxi dress in paisley. That was $198 and J Crew is trying to lower their price points, so maybe this was the most cost effective option. Plus, ruffles are back, right? For the record, I’m not complaining about the silk. It’s beautiful. I’ve just been trying to purchase items that I don’t have to dryclean. It’s not cost or time effective for me.
Thanks for the review. I love this print, but thought the lightweight, thin fabric might be a problem in such a fitted style. Thanks for confirming that.
I like Vava’s idea of a fit and flare. A fuller skirt would be so gorgeous in this fabric.
Hi maryeb – Is it too much to ask to have styles that *feel* like athleisure but absolutely aren’t? lol Comfort is key for me and as of late, I will even walk in my clothes just before picking up Mini — no matter what I’m wearing. But it can’t be a fitted, silk dress. I feel bad when J. Crew releases items and then wish it were in a different cut. I know they’re producing things 1.5 years ahead of when they will fit. The world is moving faster than fashion production allows. Unless you’re Forever 21, who changed the game.
I just bought this dress and I am so excited about it!
Hi Tammy — Good to see you. I’ll bet it’ll be cute on you. Good w/your coloring. I got the tank, so I’ll still have something from this beautiful print. Have a great week:)