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J Crew dress reviews – gingham dress w/eyelet & one-shoulder ruffle seersucker dress

One
Puckered gingham dress with eyelet trim (SU17, $158) – It runs in regular 000-16 (G6737) and tall T8-T16 (G6739). If it came in petite, it’s sold out. My guess is that it did not come in petite. The color is black (BLA). 100% cotton.

I think I tried on a size 6. My apologies for not being 100% sure. The empire style feels very comfortable because the fabric flows out from the seam, on down. There’s no cling. However, it’s not the most flattering style for me. I think it adds a lot of fabric. The print is a factor in adding visual weight, as well. The eyelet trim is at the bottom of the dress. Overall, I like the dress even if it’s not for me. The eyelet trim wasn’t necessary, imo.

The Feeling
Overall, I like the style. Yay for pockets and being 100% cotton.

More gingham

Two
One-shoulder ruffle dress in seersucker – Size 6 (SU17, $158) – It runs in regular 00-14 (G3473), petite P0-P12 (G4673) and tall T8-T16 (G5924). Petite sizes usually begin at 00, but I’m only seeing P0 online at the moment. Tall sizes usually begin at T2, but only T8 and up is online at the moment. The dress was recently cut to $129.99.

The color is called lagoon white. 100% cotton. Color choices are bistro blue (BBL) and papaya white (PWH) 100% cotton. The papaya white (pink stripe) might be online or limited stores, only.

The shape of the dress is a sheath, which always fits well for me at J. Crew. I like that aspect of it, even with it looking a bit poochy in at my middle. The narrow seam and where it hits on me reveals whether I’ve been hitting my fitness. Or not. I liked the seersucker fabric and stripes. The shoulder ruffle felt a bit flouncy. I find that the flouncier a ruffle feels, the more occasion oriented it feels, esp the one-shoulder ruffles. I would try adding a 2″ or so brown belt across the middle and flat, brown sandals to make it more casual. I might’ve just talked myself into reconsidering this dress. lol

As I shared on this Facebook video, I’m really into pins. I would try adding a pin for visual interest and using it to manipulate the look of the ruffle a bit. From what I recall, there are no pockets.

The Feeling

Promo
Have you shopped the additional 50% off sale items? The promo is also good in-store. I got the silk tie peplum in both colors. Review in this post. If you tie the bows more forward then on top of the shoulders, it makes it really cute.

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J Crew silk tie-shoulder peplum top review

J Crew’s silk tie-shoulder peplum top ($98) runs regular 000 – 16 (G5365), petite P00 – P12 (G6141) and tall T2 – T16 (G61427). Color choices are fiery sunset and navy. I’m only seeing the petite in coral and the tall in black. 100% cotton.

Size 6 – navy – None of J. Crew’s peplum tops over the past few years have looked good on me. This one is an exception. The fluidity of the silk is helpful. I think it would feel too high. The peplum sits higher up on the model’s waist, than lower. However, I don’t think I’d want the petite for a shorter length than the regular (pictured). I think it would feel too high. The navy is pretty. It’s that dark navy that looks almost black. However, it’s not so dark that you will choose it, thinking it’s black and be surprised when you see the true color outdoors.

I like the contrasting shoulder ties. It didn’t occur to me see if the straps are adjustable as they fit just fine. I also didn’t think to look for bra keeps in the straps. I’m going to guess there aren’t any. You’ll need a strapless bra, or just go swayin’ in the wind.

The Feeling
Cute, fun top.

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J Crew sheath dress in fringy lace & eyelet shirtdress

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J Crew’s sheath dress in fringy lace ($138) runs regular 000 – 16 (G1532), petite P00 – P12 (G2398) and tall T2 – T16 (G2399). Color choices are black, bright citron, coral reef and ivory.

Size 6 – black – It’s my first review back after a long while and while in the fitting room, I forgot to note what size dress I tried on. I’m 99.9 that it was a size 6, so it runs tts. The dress felt good as I slid it on. I both feared and delighted in the thought that the fringe was going to give me some sort of transformative, flapper throwback experience. The fringe adds fun and isn’t too whimsical nor does it seem impractical. It was a standard, J. Crew sheath, which we know they do so well. I was really surprised how much I liked this, even the half mock neckline. Remember, I’m 5’1″ so that gives you an idea of the dress length.

Invest in a properly fitted bra. It makes all the difference. I have an older one on and the dress would better with one that I bought last year at Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Natori is one of my favorite brands.

The Feeling
This was s surprise, personal like. Fun and flirty without being costume-y. Ever slight downgrade if it has the exposed zipper my mind thinks it recalls.

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J Crew’s eyelet shirtdress ($138) runs regular 000 – 16 (G4807), petite P00 – P12 (G6011) and tall T2 – T16 (G6013). Color choices are deep clover (DCL), navy (NAV) and white (WHI). I’m only seeing white online for petite and tall. Boooo!

Size 6 – deep clover – I love this green. It’s fresh and bright. It’s Mini G approved, too. I’m not surprised that the dress is tugging. I’m still at the same weight and shape, plus I’d just had a tall Frappuccino. The fabric is substantial, but doesn’t feel too heavy. Great for an office. I still wear my navy schoolboy. The dress could be too heavy if it’s really hot outside. It’s lined and there are pockets. The lining is interesting. Instead of being a slip that you pull-on-over-head, separate from the dress, it’s cut and sewn into the dress. Now that’s smooth.

When tops and dresses have more attention to detail in the waist, that usually means I need to size up.As stated, this is a 6. The regular 8 would probably be my preference. Going up from an 8P (6 equivalent) to 10P usually doesn’t work for me. The seam where the bodice meets the skirt felt comfortable.

The Feeling
Cut. Pockets. Color. Love it. Personally, disappointed that only white is the only color choice for petite.

From what I tried on yesterday, some of the dresses are done very well. I have a couple more I’ll review — hopefully very, very soon.

Thanks for stopping by…

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Jenna Lyons leaves J. Crew

I’m taking a brief break from my unexpected blog sabbattical (slaps knee) to mark this news.

Jenna Lyons, the current President and Creative Director of J. Crew is leaving the company after a whopping 26 years. In the world of fashion, that’s the equivalent of a century. When I heard the news, a large part of me wasn’t shocked in the least. I think too many surprises in this world have left me a little numb these days.

In general, I’m a fan of change because it’s the one thing that’s constant as a part of life. I think I’ve harbored a secret wish for Jenna to do something bold. Not have a vanity line, in the safe harbor of J. Crew. No. I wanted to see her truly step away, as she will do after December of this year. Why would or should any of us care about this news? Some are fascinated by the business aspect and speculate what the future looks like for J. Crew (and its staggering debt). I find it interesting how she’s being treated in some of the articles. I don’t really have enough words to articulate coherent thoughts at the moment, but if I did, I would address how differently the sexes are handled in the media…particularly in business. I care about the news because there have been some deep changes in staff — locally and at the higher level — in the past couple of years. I’m rooting for their success.

Behold change!

Jenna, not too many years ago. A fresh face, casual mom vs. the Jenna she’s evolved into.

jenna lyons leaves j crew

Here’s another, older image of Jenna that many of us loved. Many a blog name were inspired by sequins and (fill in the blank). She looks so different now.

Me, a couple weeks ago at Hamilton in San Francisco. Yes, it’s an epic musical! I’m still listening to and singing the songs daily. I didn’t have time to agonize over what to wear or go shopping. My mom won tickets on a Monday and we were at the show the next day, on Tuesday. I remembered my green sequin pants in the closet. Set them up with a black top and felt fabulous. I received numerous compliments on the pants.

Wear your gear, ladies. When we do, it gives others the encouragement to wear theirs.

A post shared by Marika Casteel (@gigisgoneshopping) on Mar 14, 2017 at 7:26pm PDT

I wish the best for Jenna. It’s definitely the end of an era. I’m curious to see where both she and the brand are in a year from now. Shoooot….and me, too!

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