JCrew Fitting Room Pics, October Catalog (Part 1: Coats)

I didn't name this post "JCrew new arrivals" because some of them have been in stores for a while now while some others have just hit the selling floor this week. With all the mini-rollouts there is more and more disconnect between the release of a new catalog and the store and website offerings but I believe that the majority of what I tried is in the October catalog.

Let's start with two much talked-about coats. I am not in the market for a coat as I bought a camel one at Zara while I was in Italy and I am pretty much happy with my two Script coats from last year. Plus, I am not a coat addict, if there is something that I can resist to (and there isn't much that I can resist to these days, especially with that white card in my hands) is a coat.

First, THE coat of the season, the Trudie Herringbone coat in roasted almond (I have only seen this color in the stores). I have to say that it is a very substantial coat, sort of worth the price tag IMO and it does feel like you are "being wrapped in a plush blanket" when you try it on. Too bad it doesn't come in Petites, it was too long on me (but I don't think that it was too big, considering that I was wering summer clothes, so I would have it hemmed if I had to buy it). This is a 0:



I think that this one is definitively a good investment, especially with the 25% off.

Then, the other coat that was discussed on the JCA blog in this post. This hasn't been released on the website yet but my store had it in a camel colorway (less pretty IMO than the green showed in Real Simple). They didn't have a 0 on the rack so I tried a 2:



If it weren't for the pockets I would probably say that I liked the shape (in my size), but the big patch pockets really ruin it for me. It could be a good purchase for the moms on the go who don't want to carry a diaper bag. Diaper pockets, why nobody has thought of them before!
The interesting thing about this coat is that it has a tag sewn on the inside of the collar that says "Wool cashmere by Nello Gori". I have never seen such a tag before, so I took a pic for you:



You would think that this tag means that this is a particular refined blend of cashmere and wool. Well, you can't really read the fabric specifications in the pic above but the cashmere content is only 5%, the wool content is 75% and the rest is acrylic. So the tag should have read "Wool and acrylic by Nello Gori" (BTW I googled Nello Gori and I didn't find anything particulary interesting about this mill besides the fact that it's in the Chianti region). The coat also feel very lightweight in comparison to the Trudie, definitively not for a very cold climate. A total pass.

Last, the Flyweight puffer. You think that it looks short on the model? That's because it's pretty darn short! As you know I am 5'2" on a good day and this is the XS on me:



Definitively not flattering, I understand why the model is wearing it open on the website. I have the belted cloud puffer from last year and even if the shiny fabric and weight seems pretty much the same it was such a better style.
The Lodge puffer could be a better option this year, even if I haven't seen it IRL yet.

Have you seen or tried any of these coats?

Stay tuned for more pics in the next post.

The Wool Crepe Cropped City Fit Pants and Other Recent Purchases

The first time that I saw the picture featuring the merino moto sweater (the pic in the slide show when you clic on "New arrivals" under "Features", not the one on the product page) all I was able to think was "I want those mustard pants". I searched high and low and I was finally able to identify them as the Wool Crepe Cropped City Fit Pants in bronzed twig. Lucky me the 20% pants promo and the 25% card came just in time and I placed a red phone order through my PS (it was quite the ordeal actually, as CS got my name wrong and I spent hours over the phone trying to locate my order but they finally arrived yesterday).

I ordered a 0 even if they come in 00 as I am not at my skinniest right now and also because wool crepe it's unforgiving, especially in lighter colors. As a petite, I love the cropped fit in pants and they are great to show off your shoes, especially Mary-Janes. And also I love wool crepe over wool because it's not itchy (they are unlined), even if it is generally more high maintenance.
It was immediate love when I tried them on. The wool is slightly textured but very fluid and they are quite elegant. Did I mention that I love the bronzed twig color? It's such an unexpected color for pants and also very versatile: wear it with black and you have an evening alternative to black/grey, wear it with hearty tones and you have a great fall day outfit.

Evening version, with black shoes (the Bettina from last year) and the Cashmere marabou cardigan which is on promo for $125 and I bought with 30% off. You know that I have a weakness for cashmere and I couldn't resist this one for $87. The cashmere feels very substantial and is really, really soft (as cashmere should be) and the marabou feathers add a nice touch for the evening. It fits TTS (it is tight in the sleeves, as almost all the JCrew sweaters these days, but I wouldn't size up or it will be too loose in the body):




This is my only problem with the cardigan:



Yes, those are marabou feathers on my hardwood floor. After the pilling, the pluckering. This really bothers me because at this pace by the time I will actually wear the cardigan there won't be a single feather left on the trim. I am wondering if mine is defective as I didn't see feathers all around them in the stores.

The pants look good with the Dauphine jacket and are work appropriate (for those who were looking for options to wear the Dauphine at work):



And these are a couple of more relaxed day outfits (sorry if the pics are a little bit blurry and dark, I took them in the evening):





The tee in both the outfits is the Drapey bateau tee that our "commander in chic" summoned us to buy in a recent email. Too late, I had already bought it. I tried it in store and even with the 25% I was going to leave it there as I do think that it's very expensive for a tee (and you are paying for an embellishment on the shoulders that will likely be hidden by a cardigan most of the times going toward the cold season), but then I tried it with the Felted wool mini in dark cypress and I ended up buying both. The outfit was just too cute (I am wearing a XS in the top and a 0 in the skirt):




As you can see I am experimenting with the Glimmer sash belt in olive moss, that is currently very cheap in stores ($9.99). I think it's a little bit too long. Any ideas as how to wear it?

Had you noticed the wool crepe cropped pants in bronzed twig? Have you tried the new bateau top? Any question, let me know.

First Week of School Outfits

My daughter (finally) started preschool this week. She is in an afternoon program and I find it a little bit challenging so far, as we used to have lunch around 1 and we have now to push it back to noon in order to get ready for school that starts at 1. On the other side the school is ON THE SAME BLOCK where I live, so I have literally no commute.

I have settled on a three-outfit-a-day routine. Usually I wear something very casual in the morning, borderline sweatpants, as we have barely the time to go to the playground before coming home and have lunch. This my typical morning outfit these days:



Then I change into real clothes to drop off my daughter at school, which hasn't been a real dropoff yet (you know, you get to stay around the first week in case your kid has a separation breakdown). This is what I wore the first day of school, when I met the other parents:



The Jackie cardigan in charcoal is a perfect match for my cocktail chinos from last year (I always struggled to find a cardigan in the same color). I don't know why I didn't jump on it when it went on sale but I missed out on it and a friend of mine kindly gave me hers as a present. Thank you Amy!

The advantage of being so close to the school is that I can change again before going out. Typically I keep the top that I have worn at school and put something more comfortable as a bottom (in the case of the outfit above I simply swapped the chinos for jeans).
This is another example. I wore the Talbots paisley tee with the JCrew pencil skirt and Tory Burch Sally peep-toes to school:



Then I changed the bottom:



And Thursday I took advantage of the high temperatures to wear one of my favorite summer outfits, with the ikat embroided pencil skirt and the Marrakesh top from last year:



I didn't change after school because we had planned to go out for dinner with my husband but because it was breezy in the evening I added a jacket:



I loved this outfit, I felt polished and modern. I need to wear this jacket more often, also because it costed a fortune (but it's one of those staples that it's worth splurging on).

I am sorry if I can't comment back these days. If you have a urgent question, you can contacxt me at crazyaboutjcrew@gmail.com.

Have a great weekend!

La Dolce Mini Two Ways

Just before leaving for Italy I bought the Dolce mini. At that time it was an in-store only item and I didn't want to risk that it would sell out while I was away as it is one of the most beautiful tweeds that I have ever seen. Interestingly enough, the name on the receipt is "Lacroix tweed" mini, so I wonder if the same tweed has been used by Christian Lacroix for some "couture" piece. Maybe it has nothing to do with that Lacroix but it would be a strange coincidence, don't you think?

As usual, the website pics don't do this skirt justice. I know that many are turned off by the length of the skirts this year but this one is not "that" short and this shape works better as a mini than the bell shape IMO. I mean, if you could bear the length of the felted wool bistro mini, you should bear this one. I happen to have the felted bistro one in the same size (bought this summer on a popback), so I took a pic for you to compare (the grey felted wool is less than an inch longer):



I find the felted bistro to run larger than this one so you can easily size up for more length.

While I was in Italy I couldn't wait to come back and wear it. I like it THAT much and it makes me happy seeing it when I open my closet every morning. I am honestly puzzled that this beauty hasn't sold out yet. It's expensive for sure for a mini but so are many other things that sell out in days. One sure thing is that it is much more striking in person and they didn't do much for it on the website.
For example I don't know why they have picked a grey sweater to show on the product page pics, as the skirt has in it a plethora of yummy colors mixed with golden threads:



In my opinion grey is one of the few colors to avoid completely (as probably navy and all the reds), as it tones it down. Plus, there are so many colors to pair with it that a neutral like grey seems lazy to say the least. It's like a concentrate of those JCrew colors that many of us love so much: the yellows, the pinks and the beautifusl greens. Speaking of green, look at the forest green lining:



I know what you are thinking: we could have lived without the the gold-zipper pockets and absolutely speaking I would have preferred this mini without those zippers that I found initially very ugly. But then they grew on me and I am now convinced that they actually add a modern touch to it, so it can appeal to the younger customers (as tweed generally doesn't). The thing is, you can still wear this skirt a la "old JCrew", if you can wear a mini.

So I want to show you these two different ways to wear it. Modern and aggressive (with the right shoes) and pretty-sophisticated, like in one of those beloved old JCrew catalogs that some of you treasure.

For a modern look you need a pair of shoes with an edge, to echo the zippers. While I was in Italy I splurged on a pair of lace-up peep-toe stiletto-heel booties by Sportmax (the younger line by MaxMara) that happen to do just that, they echo the zippers. I have been wanting a pair of shoes with a WOW factor for a while and these are just what I was looking for (they are also incredibly easy to walk in):







So, the rest of the outfit could be a long cardigan and a tee, like this:





Or a simple turtleneck. During the 20% off sweaters promo I ordered two merinos turtlenecks to try specifically with this skirt, one in black pine and one in paradise blue. Both colors are present in the skirt (the darker threads in the skirt are not black but dark green), but I preferred the black pine for a turtleneck. If you have never see this shade IRL, it is a very dark forest green, more unexpected than black (it comes across a little bit lighter than it really is in this pic):



I am going to show you the pairing with the paradise blue color, even if I had to crop this pic and I am going to return the sweater because I would wear it only with this skirt:



Now for the "pretty" version of the outfit, I picked an old cami that was screaming "me, me" from my closet as I haven't worn it in a long time. For the life of me I can't remember the name of this one but I am sure that it was Fall 07 as I bought it for as part of my "back to work" attire after my maternity leave (I went back to work in August). I am pretty sure that the color is the beautiful honey glaze, that is back this year. The advantage of this top is that it's long enough to cover the zippers. I have paired it first with a cashmere crewneck in a similar hue (the warm maize from last year) and the crystal colletto in dusty blossom (as for the shoes I would go for flats or a mid-heel like the Juliet):




And for a total "candy effect", with the Michelle cardigan in dark rose. A darker gold glitter-y belt or a mustard-y one would be better than this pale gold one, but this is what I have:



You can also wear it with a little cardigan, even if in this case you will see the zippers. Two example, with the same warm maize cashmere cardigan and with the Jenna in black (here in s S):





What do you think? Which way do you prefer it? Would you give it a try now? If not, why?

PS
I spent a lot of time to take the pics for this post and I am kind of curious to know if you like the skirt or not, so I appreciate anything that you have to say!

Wednesdays at the Gap (Late Edition): the Puffer Vest

I am sorry for the lack of a "Wednesdays at the Gap" post this week; with the Martha Stewart show and my friend visiting I hadn't the time to stop by a Gap and I didn't have anything to share.
But in the meanwhile I received an item that I had ordered, and because a reader asked about it in the previous post I am going to do a quick review now.

The item is the new Puffer vest. Believe it or not, I don't have a puffer vest. Each year around this time I mean to get one, than the weather cools down and I forget about it (and when they go deeply on sale I don't feel like spending money in a puffer vest that I will be able to wear in ten months).
So this year I started to look early and when I saw this one on the Gap website I decided to give it a try, taking advantage of a 25% off coupon. I ordered two colors, the true black and the brown mustard. The true black was backordered and I expected to receive the mustard first, but as a matter of fact I received them together, which is better in order to take a decision.

I must say, I was very impressed when I opened the package: they are quite stylish and they look a lot like Moncler. The filling is 90% down and you can feel it at the touch. BUT they are very thin, way thinner than you would expect from a puffer vest. You almost don't feel like you are wearing something when you put them on and I almost returned them because of that (I was worried that they wouldn't keep me warm enough). But I really liked them and for the price ($44) I decided to keep at least one.

At first I was going for the black one, which is not "that" black in my opinion and has a nice shine to it. I ordered an XS but if you are between sizes or want to layer more than a long-sleeved tee, definitively size up:





The brown mustard is really a mustard-y yellow and not a caramel (even if in the following pics it looks almost like camel). I would say that the color changes a bit depending on what you pair it with, sometimes it loks more mustard and sometimes more camel. I decided to keep this one as it goes very well with my coloring and it's more of an unusual/special color. I can always find a black puffer vest.
Strangely the vest fits smaller in this color, I am not sure if it is this one in particular one or it can be generalized:



That's the one that I was wearing in my previous post with the JCrew sweatshirt dress. I am not sure why the description on the product page says "A pronounced collar gives it a fresh, modern feel". I don't think that the collar is particularly pronounced. Had I read the description before ordering it I would have worried, or not ordered it.

The bottom line is: I think this vest has a great look and is very well made but it's very thin and definitively not for the cool weather/climate. It is more something to throw on right now when it's chilly in the mornings/evenings but still quite warm during the day.

For the cooler weather I tried one at JCrew in a forest green with toggles that was just adorable but much "puffier" (and very sporty, unlike this one). It isn't online (yet?) but I will make sure to try it on and take pics the next time that I go into a store.

Have you seen or tried this vest? Which color do you prefer between the two that I ordered?

PS
Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a Essie polish here, as today is the last day.

Saturday Outfits

Yesterday morning I broke out my sweatshirt dress to go to the playground (my husband is travelling and this is the second weekend in a row that I am alone with my daughter).
It was supposed to be 75 but in fact it was much cooler than that and I was happy to have my puffer vest with me:




I changed outfit in the afternoon as it didn't get any warmer (and also I dropped olive oil on my dress while eating my tomato salad). I decided to break out my carmichael popover and I wore it with my cargo pants (or I should say that I wanted to wear my cargo pants and I decided to pair them with my carmichael popover):





I liked the outfit but I felt a little bit like I was coming from the mountains and I had lost myself on Madison Avenue. My daughter fell asleep in the stroller (which doesn't happen very often these days) so I went into the Collection store to try a few things on (I didn't have my camera with me and anyway they didn't have any of the newest arrivals). One of the SAs looked at me and said "Oh, I have never seen anybody wear that shirt with those pants. They look cute". Not sure what she meant, as the pants are JBrand and not JCrew. I am still allowed to wear JCrew with other brands, right? Good. I will give her the benefit of the doubt saying that she probably meant the color as the shirt has blue in it and it was an unexpected pairing.

I didn't buy anything as I am waiting for three packages, from the 30% off and sweaters promos, and I am sure that I will have some returns to do before putting money out of pocket to buy new stuff (I am eyeing a couple of items but one of them is very expensive). BTW, I have an amazing CS experience to share. The first of my packages, the one from the 30% off promo, hadn't shipped after a week, so I called them and asked what was going on. They assured me that everything would ship but as a matter of fact I had a cancellation on one of the items the day after. Now, I know that this can happen but I don't understand why it took them a week to find out and let me know, especially when the same item popped back a few days after (and obviously I didn't jump on it because I thought I already had). So I sent them an email explaining that I was upset and they are sending me a $30 gift card for the inconvenience. Isn't that awesome? I was expecting free shipping on my next order at the best (and I also got that). I find that generally sending them an email works better than explaining things on the phone (that can be even more usetting if you happen upon a CSR who doesn't have a clue).

Have a great Sunday!

The Talbot's Leopard-Print Velvet Coat and Other Animal Prints

I received my Talbot's leopard-print velvet coat last Tuesday (very fast shipping BTW) and I didn't fall in love with it. I expected to feel special in this coat but the magic didn't happen. It takes a little bit of daring to wear a statement piece (especially in an animal print), so it is even more important than usual to feel the love. Plus it's a $279 coat that has a very limited season here being cotton velvet, another reason to really love it or return it.
The print is striking and the style has a vintage feeling to it (it's double-breasted with it's slight A-line and big buttons):




But the fit is off. I understand that this is not meant to be slim but it is way too wide in the chest area and arms. As a reminder, I bought it in a 2P that is the smallest size available for coats at Talbots. In particular I didn't like the look of the collar on me. It felt old-ladysih but it could be that I am too petite to pull off such a print (I think it overwhelms me):



Sorry for the cargo pants in the previous pic. I too did think that it deserved better, so I put on my best "lady outfit" and gave it another try (but it didn't change my feelings):





I was really hoping that it would work but sadly I am going to return it and this pretty much ends my brief affair with Talbots. I will go back to JCrew like a unfaithful and repentant lover and I hope that he will take me back. JCrew fits me SO. MUCH. BETTER.

However this order wasn't a complete waste of money as I received a free lipstick in the exclusive "Charmed" Talbot's shade, that pretty much made up for the shipping charge that I am not going to get back. It's a beautiful red with brown undertones and even if I wasn't looking for a red lipstick I am pretty pleased with it (I find it flattering, unlike most of the red lipsticks that I have tried on):



I took about a million pics to show you the shade on me and this is all I can show you (who knew that it's such a difficult task to take a picture of one's lips):



I think that I will stick to animal-print accessories this season. While I was in Italy I shopped my mom's closet and brought back a scarf in real fur that I remembered she used to wear when I was a little girl:



And I bought a little cross-body at Zara with a leopard-print calf hair patch on the front (a Lanvin knockoff), that goes very well with my leopard-print bucket hat from last year (bought also in Italy for $20):





Ready to go:



And for the evening, a little tiger-print feathered headband by the Loft (after wearing all summer long my sunglasses over my head as a headband, even in the evening, I decided that it was time to buy a few ones):



What do you think of the coat? Are you into animal prints this season?