Thursday, October 24, 2013

Thursday in which Wendy shares some cheap fashion.....

Oh my gosh - you were all so creative yesterday - love it!

First things first:  how cute is Prince George?

 


I did not love Kate's outfit (which pains me to say because you know I am all about Kate!) but I do love a baby in a christening gown...In the end, I decided that Kate's dress reminded me of bad napkin folding at a restaurant.

But enough royalty.  Wanted to share a couple of recent Joe Fresh scores.

For me, Joe Fresh is like a lot of J Crew - fast fashion and most of it is meh, but some of it is really great.  Like so great you want to run out of the store screaming "I ONLY PAID $29 FOR THE SKIRT!!!"

Today was coffee party day, and I often dress up a bit for that as I do not dress up much at home..

This 65% cotton/35% manmade fibers cable skirt is one of my new favourites:

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I am wearing it above with a light grey cashmere T, old charcoal peacoat from Lands End and Mr. Seymour booties.


I liked it so much I also bought it in the grey colourway:


I also recently grabbed a pair of cords for the winter, since my friend Tabs is always recommending them for cold weather! $19.  And very warm!




You can see them better on the website:

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So while I mostly do not get things at Joe Fresh, these have been happy and affordable purchases!

Yesterday J Crew did their November rollout.  I have to say that most of the items are quite underwhelming for me still, so will likely hold out purchasing anything till I see what they do for Christmas...

I did like these items:

Kiki printed ballet flats - could be a fun party season item..


Kiki printed ballet flats

Actually, a lot of the Kikis drew me like a moth to the proverbial flame...

Kiki suede studded-heel ballet flats

And I do love a velvet boot...

Penelope Chilvers™ Cubana boots

But for $500 - yowza!

You know I love verdigris, so imagine my delight about seeing this in cashmere..

Collection cashmere long-sleeve tee

And I quite liked the Hughes Suede Satchel:

Hughes suede satchel

But delights are on hold till the holidays.  I did breakdown this week and purchase a huge gap in my wardrobe, the black cashmere crewneck, newly on sale from Everlane:


I never could get my size all last winter, do did not wait this year!  I will let you know what I think when it arrives!  For $120 CDN, if it is good quality cashmere, I will be a happy person indeed!


Anything catch your eye lately?  Happy Thursday and Stay Safe our there!







 

69 comments:

  1. You are right about Kate's dress. Not elegant and not attractive.

    Love your Joe Fresh skirt(s) - great winter staples, I would think.

    I have almost the same loves as you from the new JC arrivals: love the verdigris cashmere and adore the look of the origami satchels, especially the blue suede. The other thing I love is the Tweed topcoat.
    No purchases for me, though, due to our super hot weather, which apparently will be around until Jan at the earliest.
    I'd also love to hear your thoughts on the Everlane cashmere - they don't ship to Aus, but if they are good, I might order a couple and get them forwarded to me.

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    1. Hi Ruth - what I love about the skirts is they are mostly cotton and so do not itch at all! I like that tweed topcoat as well!

      I will do a post on the everlane when I get it next week - I am anxious to see what I think. I have no sworn off button-ups for ever (except maybe the odd white blouse) I have 8 in my closet that I never wear... I will no longer be wooed by how great they look on others...

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    2. I got the Everlane cashmere cardigan last year in navy; it's pretty good quality, unisex size so runs big. I think it has been on all my trips since.

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    3. Hey Lane, the sweaters Everlane just launched and will continue to this month are women specific vs. unisex. But they definitely tend to cut for taller types (like you, not me and WMM.) I'm am also one of those cut out of stretchy/ cabled skirts by hips/ thighs so was smiling at your other comment.

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  2. Oh, and very OT, but my computer won't let me access Dani's blog as it says it is infected with Mal-ware!! Very sad as I want to read it. Any ideas or others who have had this problem?

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    1. No ideas but I did have the same problem. :(

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    2. Dani asked me if I was having the same issue yesterday but I am not. It is a shame as it is a great post and we all love our Dani posts!

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    3. So frustrating! I can't figure out the problem, although a reader did let me know that she had the Malware warning while accessing through Google Chrome, but didn't have a problem using Internet Explorer. I'm guessing Safari would also work.
      I'm not sure what to do about it, I wish I was a tech genius or better yet that Old Rascal was home to help out his Old Mom with 'puter troubles.

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    4. Hi Dani, when I try to access your blog it now says permission denied... I use Safari.
      Jill

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    5. Thanks Jill that was me, I had to quarantine my site for half an hour or so to check for the malware. I removed a link that was suspicious and put the blog back up, hopefully now it's fine, if not I'll have to take it down again sadly.

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  3. Oh they are all lovely basics. I went fantasty shopping on Pinterest last night at N Peale cashmere, lots of lovelies, if only I could wear polo necks and blow over £500 on a cashmere jumper!

    Ruth - I haven't noticed that.

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    1. Tabs - I can't wear polos either! I have one in my closet for if I am ever invited golfing (that has only happened once but you never know!). To quote GF - that is a lot of cheddah for cashmere! I think my everlane works out to be around 71 GBP . Although I am sure it won't be quite so nice....I am interested to see how it shaped up against my Brora cashmere. It is returnable, which is always key!

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    2. Oh I'd want to cut a polo neck off with a rusty knife after 20 minutes. I can't afford Brora cashmere anymore, way too expensive and there are so many great affordable options now.

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    3. WMM, Tabs polo neck is a turtleneck in these parts (like a vest is a cami/ undershirt or a jumper is a pullover.)

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    4. well - same difference for me - I cannot wear a turtleneck! ;-) thanks!

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  4. I can't buy anything else any time soon as I recently spent quite a lot on a winter coat for the colder weather here: the North Face's Suzanne triclimate trench. All of my coats were wool, which is nice, but for a quite cold winter with snow, I wanted something insulated, especially as I commute by public transit and walking. But if I were going to buy some new items, the two things that top my list are a vest from Barbour and a pair of oxfords from somewhere.

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    1. How did the prices there compare to NA prices for the same (am thinking of your car seats here). I have a long downy coat for walking in the winter. When it gets to me -24 I do not give a fig about looking good!

      I would like some oxfords too - am waiting for some of the big sales!

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    2. I just had a look at the North Face website and see that the coat is listed online for $475. I paid €415, or approximately $575.

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    3. My one pair of shoes for fall is the Anna oxfords from Frye, paid FP but worth it! Surprisingly slim and non clunky; I would say don't try if you have wide feet.

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    4. I am watching for those on sale - I know both you and Audreybella love them!

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  5. I may be the only person who tried the Kikis and didn't love them, think I'm just about done with JC shoes, especially since all the shoes I've received from yoox have been heavenly. Agree, most of the rollout have been underwhelming and dare I say that some are downright hideous?

    I'm going to jump over to Everlane to try some things too, I've debated for too long.

    Love cords for cooler temps. Love your skirt and the way you're wearing it, you look like a famous author.

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    1. TR - I think it depends on the shape of one's feet, no? I love the Noras but cannot wear 'em! I must try Yoox as well.

      I am not sure who JCrew is targeting right now. The skirts and blazers are woefully scarce compared to the past and the fancy pants are not for everyone and some of them are awfully ugly. The outfit looked better than photographed - no one was home to help me and the black and grey just all wash into one another...

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  6. I'd forgotten all about Everlane! Now I'll take a little trip over there. Thanks for the reminder!

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    1. Hi Danielle!

      I am so curious about their cashmere! I hope it fits and feels soft and cozy. The price is great so am hopeful. I waited too long last winter and my size was gone within a month and never replenished! So different than the infamous popbacks of the Crew!

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  7. I love your booties!! And I love the cord pants, I am looking for a pair of those for the winter... I hae not found anything nice yet, I am considering Boden... I love your skirt. Good buy! Classic pieces are so important, but I have notice over the years, that what would be strongly advised on most "fashion" blog, website as classic pieces would not really work for me... Am I missing something?

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    1. I think everyone's classics are different. These are slightly longer skirts than I normally wear, but I really love them and they look beautiful with boots. I never (well almost never) wear a white shirt - I hate button ups on me. I am contemplating getting a white cashmere pull over instead which I think will look much better on me. I also think you have to buy what YOU love not what others tell you to love. My fashion mistakes are always when I am copying someone else's look, not my own. Now that I am off the Crewlade (which is different than shopping at JCrew which I still plan to do) I am more and more rediscovering my own style and no longer caught up in the looks of the moment!

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    2. Steph, I tried Boden's cords but look fat as a pig in them, for me the cut is wrong.

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  8. Agree with your thoughts on Kate but baby George makes up for it on the fashion front. Yay on that Joe Fresh skirt. I love their ads but sometimes when I go to the store the products don't live up with the synthetic fibers. I guess the good fabrics sell out fast because their prices are good. I haven't seen anything I really like this fall so I decided to splurge on the Barbour Buttermere Duffle coat from Madewell last night.

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    1. Marie - I agree completely - a lot of it looks cheap (though so do some other brands I find) so when I saw nice quality I grabbed it!!!

      that is a beautiful coat!!

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  9. Seymour the plant is going to swallow you up soon. I just heard Nina from Project Runway "Black is sooo hard to photograph." You look lovely. We went into a Joe Fresh in NYC. If you need basics this is the place to go. J Crew's rollout looked promising but went to store and just didn't work for me - to sheer (popovers), lays strange (tuxedo sweatshirt), too busy (anything with a print), too short (all of their pants). Sigh. I am searching for a pinkish/cream clutch and the perfect tourist shoe that is not a sneaker nor an orthotic. Just ordered a green plaid scarf from etsy, fingers crossed. My dream purchase is opera length pearls....someday.

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    1. BB - I am more and more convinced that cheap fashion is sadly not the thing for women of - ahem - a certain age. I can get away with ts and some other basics, but mostly I have to pass on the Joe stuff myself. I want opera length pearls someday too! We need a long-lost great-aunt to inherit some from!!

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    2. Sadly my great grandma had a lovely necklace. When she passed, my dad had it made into three lovely necklaces one for me, my sis, and my mom. Of course, mine has since been stolen. Sigh. Have not told hubs that this is what I want. Will wait until we go on a cruise again one year.

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    3. BB - we should just share jewellery after our debacles this year.

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  10. Your skirt is darling; those of us With Hips can't do those without a Sophia Loren effect. Looks cozy enough to write in, too.

    That soft green is a very tempting color.

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    1. Lane - it is funny you should say that as I was thinking "this is perfect for you old girl without hips!"

      I want to see that colour IRL before I snap for it! I am really just contemplating ordering the snow white cashmere T as a gift from Barry for Christmas. Very plain I know, but classic...

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  11. Great buys on those joe fresh skirts.
    I have not been to a joe fresh store and am not sure if its sold here somewhere.
    I was also underwhelmed when I saw the stuff a my jcrew.
    It was good for basics,but I was kind of bored by all the jeweled sweatshirts.
    If I saw them at target I would never even look at them,haha.
    I loved a few things as the double zip colorblock sweater and also the moto toothpicks.

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    1. Ina, JC Penney carries Joe Fresh in the US. Unfortunately they do not have the nice merino sweaters that are featured in the Joe Fresh emails I receive. Some of the t-shirts and button-ups are fine but there is a LOT of synthetic fabric. Worth a look if you have a JCP in the local mall.

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    2. Thanks shopalot(what a cute nickname),I do have a local mall with a jcpenney.

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    3. Thanks Shopalot! I was thinking of synthetics yesterday - there was a dress I quite liked on J Crew and it was poly. Everything, it seems, is poly on the BR website. sigh..

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    4. BR has been disappointing (fabric-wise) lately. I'll go in and see a cute sweater or knit top and it will be mostly poly or some weird rayon that clings to everything. Ugh, no. When I find something mostly cotton or wool, I jump on it. It's too bad, really, because they have lots of adorable styles/patterns but I just can't handle all that scratchy, sweaty synthetic stuff.

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    5. I ordered a tshirt from there which, when it came, was truly hideous. My lost BR order. I have not kept one thing in the last two years - you'd think I would learn!

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  12. Love those sweater skirts, how cozy. The JCrew rollout is always fun but nothing I'm interested in. Though I agree those new Kiki's are very pretty!
    Kate's dress surprised me, and then I was thinking that Pippa's outfit would have looked great on her... but wait!... Pippa's outfit was a lace dress under a coat and then Kate would have been in lace just like little George. I guess it was a fashion conundrum but of course it doesn't matter as they are a lovely young family. I LOVE that Baby George, he's so cute.

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    1. I'm with you - love Kate and she is so lovely no matter what!

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  13. Hi Wendy, the sweater skirt looks wonderful on you! I was also considering the Everlane cashmere, I love their tshirts, but was wondering why they would say it is dry clean only, as I know most cashmere can/should be hand washed. Did you ask them about that? I am trying not to buy too much clothing this year as I feel overwhelmed by how much I still have from last year and want to reform.

    Jill

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    1. uh oh - I never pay attention to the details ;-(

      I do have other cashmere that I handwash, but now I will ask, since I have a new relationship with a guy there as I was trying to find exact measurements for XL (which is still too small for our Barry)

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    2. Cultivate that relationship! Please let me know what they say...

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    3. Hi Ladies,
      When I went to their Not a Shop in Toronto I asked their design director about that. She said fine to hand or delicate wash, but it is a liability/ returns thing. Apparently lots of their (younger demo?) don't know you shouldn't throw cashmere in hot water/ dryer etc.

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    4. I hand wash with Aveda Shampure, dry flat on beach towels. Works fine. I'm sure you can use any non-detergent wool cleaner.

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    5. FYI - I did hear back from them officially - they still reccomend dry clean - they say their sweaters sometimes run or shred if hand washed. Yikes!

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    6. Hmmm. Why would they shred? That sounds so strange, I thought that cashmere was supposed to be better off hand washed?

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    7. HI exact words:

      Hi Wendy,

      We strictly recommend dry clean only. Because the fabric is delicate, hand washing can cause the fabric to break. This creates pilling and shedding and sometimes runs. Let me know if you need anything else.

      weird huh?

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    8. Oh - and that means it is going back as I will not dryclean!

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  14. That Joe Fresh skirt looks so warm and cozy and perfectly comfortable in the cable knit. Joe Fresh tees are much better quality than J.Crew IME and there are some pretty colors this season. The blue especially would be lovely on you. I picked up a few of the LS ones even though I won't be wearing them for a while now unless I want to create a "vent" at the side seams.

    The printed ballets look like the cherry blossom print. I loved that print but sadly, it did not like me one bit. For $500 you could probably find a very nice pair of suede boots in a rich color that would be just as luxe as the velvet boots and much more durable.

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    1. xoxo - you are right on velvet boots - maybe if I lived a life where I was carried along....

      I do love their tees, too.They hold up really well!

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  15. You look great in the cable skirt; I am off to the JCP website to see if they are available in the US. Are the camel cords the Joe Fresh skinny pants? I have not tried them on but did see them on my last trip to the mall. $19 is a fabulous price.

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    1. They are the skinny cords and they feel really nice on!

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    2. No cable skirts by Joe Fresh on the JCP website. Oh well. Probably too much natural fiber for good ol' JCP! ;)

      You have inspired me to try the skinny cords next time I go to the mall.

      I got an email from Joe Fresh about a cashmere sale. Buy one, get the second sweater for $40. The picture shows an absolutely gorgeous robin's egg blue crewneck pullover. How I wish there was a Joe Fresh in Chicago; I would be all over that sweater!

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    3. Our shop doesn't get cashmere - not sure of the quality? I bet Ema knows - I will ask her!

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  16. Of course we now know WHY JF clothing is so cheap.

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    1. I don't. Please tell me.

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    2. Maureen (and Anon) - assume you are rightly talking about the Bangledesh Tragedy and the fact that Joe Fresh used that particular factory.

      I hear you completely on that. I will admit to being not 100% comfortable, even though I understand that the brand is doing better. Having said that, I don't feel 100% comfortable with most of the low-priced clothing I buy, even Jcrew and I do wonder about the conditions under which things are made, even the very low wages and it makes me quite torn. One of the reasons I am anxious to try everlane. On the other hand, there are not a lot of places to buy nice stylish clothing at affordable prices where I live, so it is a real conundrum!

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  17. I've had bad luck with the Joe Fresh items at JC Penney. I should go to their store the next time I'm in NYC. Old Navy tends to be my go-to place for cheap basics. I picked up waffle-weave long sleeve shirts for $6.50 a couple of weeks ago.

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  18. EVER HOPEFUL Hi WMM, glad to hear you plumped for the sweater. My only big concern will be the overall length. They do seem to cut for 5' 9" and up types. And Baby George is so much cuter than Boy George (hee.) Pippa and Kate definitely looked like a happy pea pod of sibs, so pleased Zara was asked.

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    1. I like Zara too! Well if it is too long no worries - will go back to the crew as I need it before the holidays and the brora is a little too dear..

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Kindness is a virtue...