Thursday, July 25, 2013

Some J Crew August Roll-out Thoughts and other Fall Clothing Wishes

I haven't actually covered a J Crew Roll-out lately, mostly because I wasn't particularly inspired over the last few months.

However, I did go check out the latest release and found a few things that I really did like and since I have not given J Crew any love for awhile (not that it really deserves it a lot of the time), I thought I would note some things I really did like.

J.CREW FOR HIGH LINE BUTTERFLY WEED TEE:


J.Crew for High Line butterfly weed tee


This isn't a fall item at all - it is a linen tee.  But I am a gardener, I like the colours.....

SILK HENLEY TOP:


Silk henley top

I love this warm jade colour and think it would look great with so many things in the fall wardrobe.  Is it just me or does her left arm look awkward?

TRENCH DRESS:


Trench dress


This looks really promising, though I wonder where the waist actually sits on this dress?  That has been my trouble all year with J Crew - too huge armholes, too short hemline or a waist that starts at my armpits...But I do love the simplicity of this...

KIKI BALLET FLATS:


Kiki ballet flats

I already have the black on my "to buy" list.  However, this eggplant colour will likely also come to roost with me as well.  I love my red ones so much - so, so, comfortable.

But if I had wider feet or could wear heels this high, I would be all over these new Nora ballet flats and Etta pumps, which I think would be amazing with jeans...

Pre-Order Collection Etta printed cap toe pumps
Nora printed cap toe ballet flats

Nora printed cap toe ballet flats

I would love to add a little brocade to my fall wardrobe in the form of a skirt or shoes, but sadly, the only version thus far in my price range is way too short:

COLLECTION SALON MINI IN FLORAL BROCADE:


Collection salon mini in floral brocade

You JUST know that Gayle styled this.  

Oh and I actually quite liked these earrings:

FLOWER DROP EARRINGS:


Flower drop earrings


Mostly though, i felt like we have seen a lot of these things before.  As the J Crew prices increase and the quality does not, I am turning my attention to other brands, and am eyeing this Tory Burch Bailey Dress:

Bailey Dress tory burch


I am also eyeing this lovely little skirt from Brora, which, with some cashmere tights, would be very nice indeed...



What did you think of the fall rollout?  What things are you eyeing for the fall?  Am I the only one who realized that there is no longer a collection section?


Have a great day and stay safe out there!

40 comments:

  1. Love your picks esp. the brocade mini and the Etta pumps!

    I am glad you are trying the dark rinse keeper chambray and i hope you like it as much as i do:)

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  2. i do think those Ettas are smashing! am crossing my fingers for a lower heeled version...

    will keep you posted on shirt!

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  3. I am eyeballing the green Henley top. If it works it will fit nicely in my wardrobe. I have been purging too and have discovered not only do I love navy, but also grey and green. I have sworn off J Crew shoes and the jewelry is just a bit overwhelming for me. Do think the Brora skirt will look lovely on you. Balancing out the girls and showing a bit of those nicely shaped legs.

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    1. BB - I am with you on the jewelry - I think it will likely look old very soon. These were fun, but I find most of it these days looks cheap in person and not simple enough for me for sure! You would look good in that green!

      I went through all of my winter clothing and got rid of a LOT. very liberating. More may go once I get into the fall. I really don't have much in the way of grey. I don't care for myself in charcoal, though others say differently! I do think the Brora will come to me - I looked at the skirts I have for fall and there are not many. I do plan to go back to the little shop where I picked up the fig/horny toad items before my trip. They are lovely and so comfortable and a few heavier jersey pieces for fall and winter would be welcome for sure!

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  4. I like your ToryBurch and Brora pics, I think J Crewis looking really tired now , it's same old same old.

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    1. I am wondering what the next big "thing" is going to be - I agree - there were some things I quite liked, but 6 years ago I would have loved almost everything. I think the problem is that once you have some of these things you don't really need them again (unless they fall apart and then you are disgusted and wouldn't re-buy them anyway!). Besides the ballet flats, my $ will be going elsewhere this fall. My UPS is going to miss me...

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    2. I agree, Tabs. Soon we'll see bejewelled Minnies to go with the sparkly sweatshirt.

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    3. I can't tell is if it is getting tacky or it is just me!

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    4. It's not just you, it's getting tacky!

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  5. It's ironic that now they have a wishlist feature and I can't even find one item to put in there. They need to overhaul the design team. I did splurge on the blue Porselli ballet flats last month to use some gift cards I had. It's absobloodylutely overpriced but I've been wearing them everyday and goes with everything.

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    1. Hi Marie - I wondered how folks were finding hte porsellis - they are lovely! I thank god the kikis worked for me! ;-)

      you are right - the design team needs to be shaken up!

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  6. I really like the Silk Henley Top too--it's adorable!

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    1. Hi Rynetta - I can see that looking wonderful with your colouring and that new skirt of yours!

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  7. That Tory Burch dress is stunning, and the Brora skirt is so pretty, what a nice dark blue. Those cashmere tights would serve you well all fall and winter, they are so warm and you sure have the legs for them.
    I had a look at the roll-out yesterday but I didn't see anything I'd lay down the bucks for. I've also looked at Brora's fall preview, the colour palette is gorgeous. So far nothing I'm planning to buy but that's because I have quite a lot in my fall-winter closet, which you saw for yourself!

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    1. Hi Dani - I do think you might be set for fall! I am feeling much happier about my closet the more I purge - how crazy is that? It is also helping that the less I have the more I understand the gaps. I am watching for a Tory Burch sale!

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    2. wenders they seem to have sales around the long weekends, they'll do a stacked percentage off the total, ie 30% if you spend over $500 etc.

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    3. oh thanks! and then I will have it delivered to the border in Maine!

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  8. I think you need that little skirt. It's not a pencil shape and will look good with everything. Let's be nice to our knees ( all us over 50's) and not wear those Ettas unless we're in our limos.

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    1. Oh even the limo, the Etta is such a pass for me! I couldn't have done those in my heyday (hey wait - THIS is my heyday!)

      Yup - I think I will order the skirt in late August!

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  9. I love the Tory Burch dress. I saw nicer things in store at JCrew. I did like the Button Back Colorblock cashmere sweater that is in the catalog, although I don't know if it would be flattering irl.

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    1. I have been really struggling with a lot of their boxy things - I had ordered the caramel coloured merino boyrfriend vneck in a size smaller and when it arrived yesterday is was so big and unflattering - I looked 8 months pregnant and not in that happy, glowing way, but in that "when the hell am I giving birth" way, IYKWIM!

      I am sure some of the things are nicer in store. that is the tragedy of not living anywhere near any good stores!

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    2. It is a blessing and a curse. It is remarkable how much cuter things look in person as the price drops, and it is right in front of you. It might be safer to be far away!

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  10. The trench dress is a nice concept. J.Crew had a similar one in wool crepe several years ago that I bought. They weren't making the dresses so high-waisted then.

    I'm have been intrigued by Tory Burch but the logo ballet flats really turned me off the idea of buying anything. The last time I was in NYC every other woman on the street was wearing them. Major overload!

    Been a long time since I had any love for J.Crew but I ordered the lace-front sweatshirt to try thanks to positive comments from shopalot and KnitYarns on wellfedfred's blog. Hope I get the right size. I just don't know anymore.

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    1. xoxo - I hear you - I loved the caramel merino boyfriend vneck but it was a hot mess on me - size-wise and fit-wise. Back it will go!I really like Tory's aesthetic - it isn't all for me and I hear you on the logo stuff - I have my one pair of wedges which I love, but that is enough and no one has any Tory Burch here!

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  11. I liked only 2 things from that roll out. I do like the earrings that you picked, but I wonder if they will look cheap?
    I have turned to Theory clothing. You can get them at decent prices at nordstrom and saks when they go on sale. Their fit is great and they cut for my figure.
    Have a great day Wendy! Always look forward to reading your posts. How is the book going?

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    1. Hi A! All of my suits were either theory or elie tahari when I was working. I was actually wearing an old Theory cotton dress yesterday - so comfortable and well made. The store that sells that stuff is the one that shut down - will have to start looking online! I love the jackets especially - so sharp and flattering!!!

      I am doing some more revisions to the book. Have gotten three rejections from agents, but that is not a huge surprise. However, the third one gave me some really constructive feedback which I am taking to heart and making some adjustments after reading, so that was helpful. I am about 1/2 through the young adult novel I am working on and have plotted the sequel to the first book. So much work, but am loving it!

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    2. Wendy,
      I saw some Theory pieces (dresses, jackets) in Winners last week...may be worth having a look.
      Diane in Ontario

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    3. HI Diane! Theory in Winners! wowza! I will pop into our later this week, though we have the "rung down" winners here, sigh! :-) Thanks!

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  12. My wishlist is full of things from this latest J. Crew rollout. I liked quite a lot of it. That green silk henley top is on my list and so is that garden tee. This is the first time in quite a while that I have not bought much at the time of the new rollout, though. Their lack of a full-price promo has held me back so I'm just waiting it out for most of it. I did buy the beaded chambray shirt because I didn't want to miss out on that if it sold out. That was my buy-now-at-full-price criteria. I also bought the sleeveless gingham top in navy, it is really cute (I want the boucle jacket to wear over it but I am trying to wait on that!). I loved the J. Crew suiting dresses but do not need them. I am intrigued by the catalog shot of the nylon bomber jacket but the model shot in the catalog doesn't make it look as good. What do you think of that, has anyone seen it in person?

    I am turned off to Tory Burch (poor customer service on my first attempt to order) and Brora (and really Tory Burch, also) is too pricey for me, so I am happy sticking with J. Crew/Anthropologie/Banana Republic.

    Also, the mere thought of tights makes me want to scream, how can you all stand them? And cashmere tights, shudder!!! I wear leggings instead and I don't know why they seem different to me but they do. That Brora skirt would be very cute on you!

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    1. Hi Cate! I do wish there was an anthro nearby. I have been shy to order online but perhaps I need to take a chance!

      I liked the nylon bomber too, but none of it was out yet when I was in an actual JC store recently.

      I love cotton tights, and can do some wool - I love a company called bleu foret - great quality!

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  13. Honestly, the J Crew ship has sailed for me. The quality has nose dived and the originality is sorely lacking.

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    1. It is kind of sad, isn't it? My issue is how hard it is to find nice things locally in such a small market..

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    2. I have to agree - other than the Kiki flats, there's not much I would shell out $$ for, I would turn to other stores first. I like their clothes from 3-5 years ago, I've been trolling Ebay for relics.

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    3. LR, consider me a fellow troll! That's where I snagged the Tory Burch skirt for $60. I am now looking at older things from some of these brands. I saw Dani's gorgeous gold JC dress and it is lovely and does not look cheap or trendy at all. I sort of feel that J Crew is now chasing a lot for fashion week.

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    4. I stalk eBay whenever I get the chance. You may have outbidded me on a few Vintage J. Crew items in the past! ;-)I have bought more old J. Crew items on eBay (aka Evil Bay)than I have bought from an actual J. Crew store. I scored so many great things such as the Library dress, the Bella jacket in Azalea, and the ivory/citron Lexington just to name a few. I love those things more than I like what J. Crew is putting out. I don't want anything from the current rollout. Those promotions come fast and furious too, so that makes me think that their style is not as sought after as in year's past when these promotions were very rare if any at all.

      Looking back in a 2007 or 2008 catalogs, it seemed like it was decades ago when J. Crew had such great style; but in reality it was only 5-6 years ago. I guess in the fashion industry that equates decades.

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    5. I love that stuff, too! Agree on promotions - so many more than in the past!

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  14. I have tried to drink the J Crew Koolaid and have just never acquired the taste for it. I walk in..I poke around and I leave. Way over priced, tiny sizes for tiny people, poor quality. I have a navy Martime Blazer that I love from there and that is about it.

    Those Kiki flats are cute but 178.00 Canada? Yikes!

    Do you ever shop at Talbots? Yes some of their things are dowdy but they also have some great classics at reasonable prices. Unfortunately I scored a fabulous Saint James T shirt at the thrift store the other day and now I want more! :-)

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    1. Hey anon - agree on so much of what you say! And I definitely did notary $179 for my kikis - too rich for my blood! I do Talbots now and then, and you are right - the dowdy mess factor depends on what it is and the cut. They used to offer more free shipping to Canada, but not so much lately. Yay on st. James tee score!

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  15. Agree with above comments that JCrew needs to come up with more than sleeveless silk blouses, short blazers,rhinestone jewelry and 18 inch skirts that cost a fortune. I do not have an unlimited budget but certainly have more money in my 50s' than in my 20s' but very few of their clothing options are approp. for my age and lifestyle. I love beautiful clothes and want to be stylish but just don't find much there at all. How many cardigans can I own??

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    1. Fancy Nancy - I am with you - I am finding it almost impossible to find much there these days. And you are right - how many Jackie cardigans can one really use?

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