The first is a casual outfit that I wore the day when I went to Jcrew to try the new arrivals. The blouse is the lattice medallion print blouse from last summer and the pants are the scout chinos. I was a little bit worried when I washed my scout chinos for the first time because I sized down in these (bought a 00) and they were already pretty tight. But they actually fit better now after being washed, go figure.
Last year I always wore the medallion top with white jeans/pants but I really like it with khaki chinos:
The second outfit is more elegant and I wore it yesterday to a welcome cocktail party at my daughter's new school. It was unseasonably cold yesterday, especially in the morning and early afternoon and even if it warmed up later I felt like it was appropriate to wear my Dauphine jacket. I read some comments of people on the JCA blog that asked for advice on styling this jacket for work. I have to say that I don't get it: I know that on the website it was styled with a denim overall and let me tell you that that outfit (and the stylist at JCrew who came up with it) should be held partially responsible for the Dauphine's "flop" (because if the price is down to $99 it must have been a big flop). But there is nothing easier than wear this jacket in a classic, office-appropriate way. It has a lot of neutral colors in it (cream, grey, cypress green, black and even spice olive) and gold threads, so you can really wear with whatever neutral pair of pants or skirt you have in your closet and especially black or natural. Demonstration: yesterday I wore it with the tuxedo-front top from last year, skinny gold belt and Theory black pant (you can substitute the top with another similar top and the pant with any black pant):
An update on the nap front: my daughter has been napping a day out of three (like, today) so I can at least blog twice a week. Hay!
PS
I am really enjoying your comments on the LA weekend/outfit. If I don't have time to comment back before leaving, let me tell you that I really appreciate your comments and that you convinced me to take the H&M dress with me as a backup option. With that post I really intended to test your reaction to the H&M dress because I was afraid that it would look cheap and I don't want to look cheap at my husband's 40th birthday party. The blue dress is also from H&M and I think that it is a GORGEOUS dress for the price ($24 as well, if you can believe it), but I will have plenty of time to wear it this summer (it doesn't really need an occasion).
Love to see the styling on the Dauphine, I just love mine. I can't believe it's such a steal now. The fabric is just gorgeous, and I'm really looking forward to wearing it with my black pencil skirt next fall.
ReplyDeleteSo the blue dress is from H&M! It's beautiful. I guess the vote was really overwhelming in favor of the other H&M dress, and I thought it was the best choice too.
Yay, your daughter is napping 1 out of 3 days! That will get you through the summer.
BTW, it would be impossible for you to ever look cheap, even in a terrible dress (and the leopard print H&M is fab, not cheapie looking at all: you know we give you the straight goods!)
What size did you get in the dauphine? I was hearing from other JCAs that it was huge and you are petite. If it fits you it should fit me!
ReplyDeleteLove the Dauphine on you. I got mine for about $99 - when it was $139, plus 30% off sale. Such a versatile jacket. I agree with your comments about it for work wear - and yes, whoever styled that with the denim overalls should be reprimanded - then again, how can I complain when I got it for such a great deal!
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you are taking the H+M maxi dress. And glad you are keeping hte H+M blue dress too - such a fab color.
Pakcola - I certainly can't answer the "petite" question, but I found the fit in this jacket is all about the shoulders. dinagideon and bichonluvr both sized down, but I went with a standard jacket size because I have such wide shoulders. I'll be able to wear turtleneck sweaters with it next winter, but it still works with a tank or tee. Go with the shoulder - the rest of it will be fine.
DaniBP, yes, the Dauphine will look fab with the black pencil skirt.
ReplyDeleteThe downside of my daughter napping is that she wouldn't go to sleep until past 9 in the evening, so i have to choose between blogging and my evening lol.
Thank you for the nice compliment (sometimes is easier to look fab on blogger than IRL though!)
Packola, I have a size 0 but I agree with HeidiG: I have wide shoulders as well and sometimes JCrew jackets don't fit me properly in the shoulders (so it was actually good that this one fits bigger). I think that the main difference between the fit of this jacket on me (a regular 0) and those who aren't normally 0 and sized down is that on me the waist is not defined at all, even when I close it and has almost an overcoat feeling to it. I like it this way but it is something to take in consideration. Anyway unless you really HATE the fit, is such a classic and such a steal right now that I really reccomend to get one.
HeidiG, I bought the Dauphine at the first markdown ($229) rebought it when it was $159 and they had the 20% off promo (like you, I guess, as I don't think that it has ever been $139). You are right such a great and versatile jacket (I don't plan on wearing it with overalls though).
Yes, the color of the H&M dress is TDF and it looks like a four hundred bucks dress. It's very Sex and the City and actually I think that I am going to wear it for a Sex and the City mom's night out in two weeks!
i would buy the Dauphine but my size is not there, what size are you wearing?
ReplyDeleteThanks Heidi and Ema!
ReplyDeleteMore notes on sizing of the Dauphine: I am also always a 0 in a JCrew top/jacket, and the 0 fits me as it should, I feel, for the style of the jacket. I am taller (5'7") but narrow through the top. If you are on the fence, go for it: it's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI am a 6 in most of JC blazers because of the bust size but with narrow shoulders. I got 4 and 2 in Dauphine and I am still debating. I think I will go with a 4 to be able to layer in the fall (although with 3/4 sleeves it may be questionable). So yes, go with shoulder measurement as the rest will fit. I think it is a steal, the only problem I have with it, is the puffing in the back. Does anybody else have that issue or is it just me?
ReplyDeleteI ordered a size down due to comments this ran big. Had to return it.
ReplyDeleteI got my normal JCrew size in this jacket.
When I sized down it was too tight under the arm area and I have thin arms. I have no idea why people say it is running big.
Yes, there is a gathered area in the back. It does create a puffy look but i am OK with that.