JCrew July Catalog: Fitting Room Pics and Reviews

Thanks to JCrew extending the 25%-30% off promo for a couple more days this post, that I had promised you last week but didn't get around to put out, has still a reason to be.
I have to say that besides the overall juvenile feel, I liked quite a few pieces in the July catalog so I was excited to try them on when they debuted in the stores last week. For some reasons I liked them less IRL this time around so I didn't get much from this rollout in the end, despite the promo, and I am not even "sale wishlisting" any of them.

The items I was mostly interested in from the new Catalog were the tank and shorts in the desert flower print. I knew that the top wasn't for me (I rarely wear silk day cami like this one) but I wanted to try it on anyway. I find it to fit a tad small in the armholes, I don't know if you can see in the pics but it was cutting through my flesh with an unflattering effect. The rest of it was pretty flattering but again, I wouldn't know where to go in this, especially given the poly lining that made me sweat only by looking at it (but the good news for some of you who live in milder climates is, it is lined). This is the 0:

The shorts were cute but I think $98 is a crazy price for a pair of shorts that don't get that much wear. They also felt very short probably because the 2 was a little tight:

I did like them with the banana tank though. I did buy the tank but not the one pictured above, which is a XS and a bit big. My store was out of XXS but I found one in another store (it fits almost the same but has more shape).

The other item I was excited to see in the catalog was the skinny utility chinos. I absolutely do not need another pair of cargos but I am drawn to them. These fit one size small IMO. I tried the 0 in the black and they were super-tight as you can see below:

On a trip to a different store I tried the Tuscan olive color in a 2 and they fit much better even if they still felt tight (but I think they are going to stretch out so that's the size I would buy). I preferred the Tuscan olive color to the black but as I said I cannot have another pair unless I find them in the Fall for $19.99. By the way, I think that these are too heavy for the summer, I would never wear them on a typical hot New York day. I couldn't take a picture because my camera died just before but I was trying on the banana tank in a XXS and they looked great together.

I tried the eyelet peasant top for ina and Wendy. I wasn't interested for myself because I own a very similar top from a few years ago. This is the top that CFS infamously described as an oversized tent. Well, I really liked it and it didn't fit tent-like at all on me (I would have CFS fired on this one for loss of potential business if I were Jenna, but maybe they are friends). While I was waiting for a 0, I tried a size 2 and you can see that it isn't oversized and fits pretty well already:

The size 0 fit even better (it is slightly closer to the body) but unfortunately my phone's battery died before I could take a pic. I would say that if you are a bit busty you can probably go up one size, but if you are small chested go with your size. I wouldn't size down on this one. It was a bit sheer but it is a very easy-breezy summer top and you can always wear a cami. The only thing is the black color doesn't read very black but more a dark navy or shadow IRL. I tried it with a black pair of shorts and the two colors were different. So don't buy the black if you plan to wear it with black. We joked with the SA that after all the navy that looks black they made one thing in black this season and it looks navy.

Speaking of shorts I really liked those roller-girl shorts. They are a size 2, my usual short size and they fit TTS. They seem to be very popular because they are sold-out on the website. I am looking for a pair of easy to wear shorts for city-hopping this summer and while I was looking for a pair of solid black ones, I thought that these would be more fun so I brought them home with me and I am still trying to decide if they fit the bill. I was worried that I wouldn't have enough tops to pair with them (even if white and navy are easy color) but I tried them at home with a couple of tops and they are growing on me:

Thoughts? I think they are flattering, despite the 3" and I like that they are chinos and not some sateen-y blend.

Anyway ,what on the other side would have been appropriately described as tent-like is the contrast-trim tunic. I tried a 0 and would have needed a 00, it felt really oversized. If I really had to chose I would chose the navy:

Let's move on to the pineapple skirt. The catalog features heavily this print and this skirt. I am not a fan of the print to start with (even if it is an old JCrew print that they have recycled) but I think it would have been put to better use on a full midi or at least knee-length skirt. On a mini it looks a bit ridiculous IMO and like a little girl's clothing. Moreover the mini is poufy and not flattering. I tried both the size 0 and 2 (last pic) but not even my chambray shirt could save it:

Another top that is not for me and I tried on only for the blog is the short-sleeve indian cotton popover in patchwork plaid. It is a very literal patchwork shirt and fits TTS (this is the 0):

Last thing that I tried from this rollout is the stripe sleeveless top. This is a basic top in a lightweight cotton gauze and I have to say, I really liked it. It feels a bit overpriced but with the promo it comes down to an acceptable price. If you have some need for it, I recommend it. This is probably something that I would buy if it came in solid colors, I am a bit over stripes. Size 0 fits perfectly:

The last item that I wanted to show you is the space-died sparkle sweater that, in case you haven't noticed, went on sale during the sale. I always stopped to look at it when I was in store because I find it very pretty but knowing that I wouldn't pay $98 I had never tried it on. I decided to order it along with a swimming suit, since the suit was giving me free shipping.
The space-died effect is very subtle and almost camo-like even if you can hardly see it IRL. I really like it. I ordered a XS and at first I thought of trying a XXS too but I like the slightly slouchy fit and where the V-neck hits so I am keeping this one. I goes with all the neutral and gives a little sparkle to your ordinary or military pants, like in this case:

That's it, I have a few other loose end pics but I still have to download them. I didn't buy anything in store during the crazy stacking sale except for the pants above (that came down to $12) to replace an old pair. What about you? Did you buy a lot during this sale or are you counting your pennies for Fall?