A Few Factory Reviews

I ordered a few things from the factory website last week when they were having their new arrivals "special discount". Ordering from factory is a real gamble, not only because we don't have stores around here but also because the prices go up and down like crazy. I learned from the past that the discount that they offer for a few days on the new arrivals is one of the lowest price you can get before things sell out or go straight to final sale, so it is actually better to buy sooner than later at factory, at least to check the styles out. In this case I also had a 20% coupon that I could use on top of the discounted price so after much deliberating I decided to order the factory version of the cupcake necklace, the factory crochet eyelet top (aka, last year ring-around eyelet top) and the factory crystal stud necklace. Just to give you an example of what I was saying, the crochet top is now back to FP ($58) while with all the discounts I paid $32. You can still get a percentage off with code MOREPLEASE, but it isn't as good as it was last week.

Let's start with the top. I was actually hoping that the factory website would offer a version of the ring-around eyelet top. I own the blue grotto and it was one of my favorite tops last summer. I wore it to death and I regretted not getting the ivory colorway. I prefer my summer tops to be white and that's the reason why I never got the ivory (before regretting it). Well, they read my mind at factory and they offered it in three colorways, including a pure white. I went with my regular retail size and it fits exactly like my retail one, except for the sleeves that are a little bit tight and shorter, if my memory serves me well. The cotton in the sleeves and back is slightly thinner than the retail version but all in all I would say that there isn't much of a difference, so if you missed on this top last year I recommend the factory version.
Here is on me in my regular XS:





In the last pic I am wearing the cupcacke necklace. I was shocked to find out that this one looks exactly like the retail version except for the fact that the stones don't go all the way around, at some point the chain starts so the overall effect is a bit less stunning. Still, the colors, stone size and overall look of it is exactly the same:




For $30 something I will take it! I purchased the cupcake necklace as an early birthday present to myself last year but I didn't know if I would get a lot of wear out of it and it was expensive so I ended up returning it. I am thrilled that they made a factory version of it that looks exactly the same as far as colors and design go! The other necklace is backordered until mid-March and could be redundant because I purchased the spearmint color as well but if I like it enough I will keep both.

And now a factory item that I purchased a few weeks ago and I don't know if I am going to keep. It's the washed cotton army jacket, that appears to be currently sold-out. I ordered this one as an alternative to the more expensive retail military jackets out there and it is fairly well made. The fit is good in my usual XS (I wouldn't size down) and I liked the fabric, which has a subtle herringbone pattern. However, I don't know if I like the look of a military jacket after all. It isn't refined enough to look like a modern take on the military jacket and I have worn something like this in my old days. Basically, it is a military jacket that looks like a military jacket, lol:





I don't feel particularly well dressed with this jacket and jeans like above but I like it over a maxi. I think it needs a light colored bottom (it would look great with white jeans as well):


I had decided to return it because I can do better, I think, but we have just booked our 15th anniversary memorable trip to.... Jordan and I feel like I might need it (although it is going to be very hot at the end of August). Thoughts? By the way, if you have been to Jordan and Amman in particular, I am having a hard time to chose an hotel there. It looks like all the luxury hotels are deprived of local charm and are pretty far from the touristic attractions so I am almost inclined to go the B&B way. If you have a recommendation, let me know. It would be only one night (two full days) as we are spending three nights in Petra.

Ok, that's it. What do you think of these factory offerings? Have you found something at factory recently? Please share.