And think of the wonderful possibilities that colorblocking opens up: no more frantic searches for matching socks in the morning, you are good (more than good, uber-cool in fact!) with one black and one navy. And if anybody who clearly isn't into fashion still points out that you have mismatching socks you only have to take a snobby face and say "I am colorblocking, you know?"
You can also throw on whatever clothes are available on hand, regardless from their color, you won't be regarderd as colorblind if you pair that pink sweater with your red skirt while you wait for your red/navy/ivory/black sweater to come back from the dry-cleaner. You get a colorbloking pass for pretty much any weird color combo.
But if you don't know where to start or are just lazy or just need to update your closet, retailers are helping us with ready-to-wear colorblocked options and I happened to try two offerings from the JCrew August rollout.
The first is the Perfect-fit colorblock tee. This one is labeled as Catalog-only but it is in the B&Ms. I am usually a S in perfect-fit tees so I tried a S in the black/natural colorway:
I liked the fit but I didn't like the superfine baby-rib cotton used for this tee, it looks like it is not going to hold up its shape and the sleeves, while not long, where bunching up due to looseness in the fabric. I went down a size to see, but while more fitted in the body, the sleeves had still this problem. I would consider this tee on sale in the S but not at full price.
The next one is a new version of the Jules that comes up on the website if you type "colorblock" or "Jules". This one is 100% silk and partially lined in poly (the sleeves are unlined). Unlike the Jules in snowcat, it has on-seam pockets (which I am not sure are a super-good idea in this style).
I tried my usual 0 first and it was too big/shapeless:
The fit of the 00 was much better if shorter. However, as you can see, in this size the side pockets make my hips look bigger (even if really, I cannot really say if it is the pockets or the general wrinkliness):
I really like the idea of this dress but I am not sure that it is superflattering on me. I am probably going to try it again with tights and heels/boots because it fits perfectly in my wardrobe inspiration for Fall which you will hear more about soon.
For comparison purposes, this is the Jules in snowcat in a 0, which fits perfectly and I think was much more flattering (although I don't need this one):
What do you think of these two items? Are you into colorblocking this season? Are you still worried about matching your socks?
Stay tuned for more try-ons.
This is totally off the subject, but you going to do a post about the items you scored at the J.Crew sample sale ?
ReplyDeletewww.angiescloset31.blogspot.com
I love the color block trend. Thank for reviewing these items. I tried the tee when it was offered several months ago but did not find it very flattering. Don't you wish dresses were steamed before they hit the sales floor...IMO the wrinkles are distracting. I like the Jules and think tights and boots might make the difference. Is the silk nice? Not sure why there are even pockets on this dress. If it were me, I'd have the pockets removed and have the seam sewn up.
ReplyDeleteHasn't the b&w color block tee been around for a while? It also came in green/ navy and orange/camel. It lives in m'y memory because the seams joining the "blocks" unravelled, and it got some vents for developing holes also. Of course seeing it on you is making me want to give it another try.
ReplyDeleteSo that's colorblocking going on with hub's socks? Huh, never thought of him as a fashion icon before.
I love the colorblock trend, and the black and white tee looks amazing on you. I like the colors of the Jules, but think that sort of blocking might suit a knitwear dress better. If tossing outfits together haphazardly can be construed as color blocking, than my younger son might have a future career at J Crew!
ReplyDeleteAngie, yes it is coming up!
ReplyDeleteJulieStyles, truth to be told they got the 00 from the back stock, it was probably still in the box, the first dress that I tried and was on the floor had been steamed. But I agree that the wrinkles are distracting. The silk is not very substantial on this one, more or less the same silk than the Blythe. The striped one is much more substantial.
WFF, yes, they brought it back. I am not sure if the fabric is the same as I haven't tried the first version. But your first impression was right, it looks like it's going to unravel.
LOL re. husband's socks.
KnitYarns, thanks. Yes, except that the rule for colorblocking is no prints!