J.Crew May rollout reviews part 1

Hi everyone! I'll be reviewing some of the new rollout items in this post. J.Crew is having a 25% off everything promo with the code SPRINGBEST and just extended the 30% off everything promo for cardholders using the J.Crew card with the code CARDSTYLE, both of which are in stores and online and go through Friday, May 3, so now is a great time to check out some of the new arrivals while they're still in stock! As always, I'll be indexing the items in this post to the Index of Review Posts.


Ratti Electric Kiwi Tunic Dress, style #44578, size 00 (similar here, here, here)
The material for the Ratti Electric Kiwi dress and tank top is the same cotton that's used for printed button-down shirts, so it feels a bit thin on a dress. Though maybe this dress is meant to be a beach coverup, which is how it feels to me. Anyway, the width feels pretty good given its straight, shift-dress shape, though the length is maybe a bit short, like the Jules (a review here). The V-slit at the neckline is a nice, summery detail. There are side pockets (which I'm demonstrating in the photo) and a chest pocket. I love the summery, golden print and think it would make for a great beach coverup, but the short length and the possibility of sweating through the thin material (eep) would make me wary of wearing this as a regular dress.

From the side: the silhouette isn't meant to follow your curves, but the width felt right for the intended shape.

Ratti Electric Kiwi Tank, style #46496, size 00 (similar here, here, here)
The cotton poplin fabric used for this tank and the Ratti Electric Kiwi dress feels much more appropriate on this tank, though I'd still describe it as a thin woven fabric. The straps are racerback, so you'll want a racerback bra or some other bra solution. The tank is somewhat long, and is rather voluminous toward the bottom on me as there is no zipper closure on this tank. The extra volume caused the curved hems to kind of flare out on me. Overall I think it's too wide for me on the bottom, but it may work differently for those with more balanced hips to shoulders.

Seems to fit at the top; flaring out at the bottom.

Stitchwork Stripe Top, style #59784, Neon Azalea, size 00 (similar here)
Oooh, I really like the design concept of this top: a southwestern geometric pattern and stitchwork in pop-y, neon colors accenting a more everyday, chic stripe tee. The material is a very thick, stiff knit that feels fairly unexpected for a knit top but is of a weight that we've seen in recent months from J.Crew (e.g., the Colorblock Top in Stripe from Holiday; review). The knit stretches enough so that you can get it on given that there are no other closures. The cut is straight and turns out to be rather boxy on me since it's a bit large. Maybe shrinking or sizing down could work (see it on Rose for an actually good fit). The length feels good and the sleeves roll down to elbow length. See also the Navy version, which I'm very much liking. I'll be keeping my eye on this one.

From the side: straight and boxy, but not poofy, given the stiffness of the material. I'd be quite willing to work with this top if it'll shrink.

Embroidered Wildflower Top, style #59428, Ivory, XXS (similar here, here, here)
This top at first reminded me of the Paisley Applique Top from last fall (review here) with its all-over (well, except for the back side), embroidered texture, but the detail work on this one is different and I think this top will be more workable for a few other reasons. This top has the very dense, smooth cotton that we've seen on some of J.Crew's embellished tops lately, though this time it feels slightly thin. The front is the same material as the back, only with the embroidery on it, and because of this doesn't feel thin. There isn't a lining behind the front, but I don't remember this top being itchy. Anyway, the embroidery is quite distinctive -- the stitches are loosely spaced enough that you see their zigzag pattern; I think this slightly rough quality makes the top feel casually elegant -- the "nature illustration" feeling from this season's theme definitely comes through with the embroidery and the floral pattern. The length is good and the silhouette is straight-cut and without curves. Like most of J.Crew's recent tops, that makes this one somewhat boxy on me, though other people may have more luck. Anyway, I like this. Maybe if it fit me better . . .

From the side: some amount of excess volume.

With the Pleated Short in Structured Cotton (below).

Pleated Short in Structured Cotton, style #57806, Neon Rose, size 00 (similar here, here, here)
I'm fairly pleased with these -- I like the classy take on shorts and think these will work for a variety of people. The material is medium-weight, but feels a bit thicker because the weave is textured -- a small, gridlike pattern -- and feels somewhat coarse, like linen, even though the fabric is 98% cotton, 2% spandex. Though the inseam is 3", these shorts felt like they were longer -- maybe due to the higher rise -- or maybe just more grown up. I think they were slightly loose on me; I remember the waistband certainly being loose, but I don't think there's enough excess to warrant sizing down, for those who can. Maybe I'd want to shrink them.

From the side: the fit looks right, though these are actually looser than other 3" shorts I have from J.Crew.

What are your thoughts on these items? Have you tried or purchased any of them? Which items are on your list?

Some belated J.Crew spring sale reviews

In this post I'll be reviewing a few items from the spring that are now on sale. As I've been absent from blogging for a few months, these pictures that I previously took sat idle on my phone, so I thought I'd get them out, finally! I've seen all of these items in stores recently, so if they're not on the website, you can check your stores or call Customer Service to have them find a store that might have them. As always, I'll be indexing the items in this post to the Index of Review Posts.


No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Clover Tweed, style #48588, size 00(?) (similar here, here, here)
This skirt is made of a moderately thick and substantial-weight tweed that has a bit of fluidity and isn't stiff. The material is cotton, according to the website, and there's a polyester lining. The weave is quite textured and the yarns rise up from the surface in an interesting, irregular way. I can't remember whether I'm trying on a 0 or 00, but I do remember the skirt fits TTS just as all the No. 2 Pencil Skirts do. The waistband hits at the belly button and the hem comes just past the knees.

No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Clover Tweed
(similar here, here, here)

From the side: well-tailored and fits TTS.

No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Clover Tweed
(similar here, here, here)

A closeup of the texture.

No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Clover Tweed (similar here, here, here)

Tipped Boy Shirt, style #63666, Alabaster Black, size 00 (similar here, here, here)
Like the Blythe, this shirt has a loose, blousy fit, so I would only wear it tucked in. You can see that the white is somewhat see-through, so a base layer would be a good idea.The material is about the same medium weight as the Blythe and feels softer and creamier. The silk is more of the matte variety and doesn't have much sheen.

Tipped Boy Shirt (similar here, here, here)
No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Clover Tweed (similar here, here, here)

From the side: rather loose untucked.

Tipped Boy Shirt (similar here, here, here)
No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Clover Tweed
(similar here, here, here)

The shirt tucks in fairly well, which is the only way I'd wear it.

Tipped Boy Shirt (similar here, here, here)
No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Clover Tweed
(similar here, here, here)

Tuck looks good from the side, too.

Tipped Boy Shirt (similar here, here, here)
No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Clover Tweed
(similar here, here, here)

Tilda Oxford Rhinestone Top, style #63588, size 00 (similar here)
The oxford material of this top makes it much thicker than the white poplin version, which was about as thick as the regular button-down shirts. This one has a texture where the threads are more noticeable and the fabric less smooth. The silhouette has excess volume on the bottom on me, but I have proportionally narrow hips, so it might work on those with more typical proportions. The length is good, though. You can see that the button placket is concealed for its entire length, which is a nice detail.

Tilda Oxford Rhinestone Top (similar here)

From the side: rather voluminous on me throughout the bottom.

Tilda Oxford Rhinestone Top
(similar here)

Micro-Tweed Jacket in Navy, style #17174, size XXS (similar here, here, here)
This jacket appears to be a stylistic encore of the Boucle Peplum Jacket (review here) from Fall/Winter that was quite popular. As you can see, this jacket doesn't have a peplum, but instead has small pocket flaps (I can't remember if the pockets are functional) at the waist, giving it a more formal look than the Boucle Peplum Jacket. The material turns out to be substantially different from that of the Boucle Peplum Jacket: the Micro-Tweed is quite stretchy and more dense, and stretches in an up-and-down direction if you pull on it. The Boucle Peplum only has two-way (side-to-side) stretch. Like the Boucle Peplum, the fit on this jacket is fantastic as it actually follows the body. The length is on the short side, but is just right for having your first layer peek out. The double-zip feature is always a win with me as partially unzipping the top and bottom creates an hourglass shape.

Tilda Oxford Rhinestone Top (similar here)
Micro-Tweed Jacket in Navy (similar here, here, here)

From the side: wonderful, contoured fit.

Tilda Oxford Rhinestone Top
(similar here)
Micro-Tweed Jacket in Navy
(similar here, here, here)

The neckline on this jacket is quite low, so I'm showing how it looks with a collarless top here.

Micro-Tweed Jacket in Navy (similar here, here, here)

A comparison between the textures of the Micro-Tweed Jacket (left) and the Boucle Peplum Jacket (right). You can see that the Micro-Tweed is fully a knit, whereas the yarns on the Boucle Peplum are sort of woven in, overlaying the inside knit. The yarns on the Boucle Peplum also have a fuzzy-tweed texture, while the Micro-Tweed doesn't really have any yarns to speak of.

Micro-Tweed Jacket in Navy (similar here, here, here)

Bound seams on the inside.

Micro-Tweed Jacket in Navy (similar here, here, here)

Materials.

Micro-Tweed Jacket in Navy
(similar here, here, here)

Micro-Tweed Jacket in Poppy, style #58280, size XXS (similar here, here)
Here's the pink version of the Micro-Tweed. I loooooove the colors in this fabric. Their diffuse quality reminds me of space-dye. The material on this one is actually a little different from the Micro-Tweed in Navy -- it's less slinky/stretchy, though I think still moreso than the Boucle Peplum. Fit is still the same.

Tilda Oxford Rhinestone Top (similar here)
Micro-Tweed Jacket in Poppy (similar here, here)

From the side.

Tilda Oxford Rhinestone Top
(similar here)
Micro-Tweed Jacket in Poppy
(similar here, here)

J.Crew Summer new arrivals are here!

J.Crew's new Summer items are now in stores and online with the May rollout, and I'm here to report what I'm seeing and liking!


- More bright, kitschy, flower and butterfly prints, continued from Spring. These sunny, cartoon-rendered prints were a big theme in the Spring/Summer 2013 Lookbook and are still going strong in this set.

- Punk floral, everywhere: After Jenna Lyons made a big spash wearing satiny pants in this print at the Spring/Summer 2013 presentation, the punk floral motif is cropping up in every imaginable garment. Just be sure to wear with a dose of cheek!

- The Ratti Electric Kiwi print: Another standout print for this rollout. The warm colors and rough, sketch-like strokes in this motif feel just like summer and evoke sunny, equatorial locales.

- Globally-inspired patterns, with shots of tart, neon shades: A fun take on the ethnic prints that are a mainstay of summer, this stylistic vein is my favorite from the May rollout. Colorful geometric patterns are given cool berry tones instead of more expected earth tones. The Janey Printed Flats are probably my favorite item from this set of new arrivals.

- Pajama foulards: Pajama pieces made an appearance at the Spring 2013 presentation, and are now combined with another favorite from previous months, foulard prints, for a full-on nighttime-as-daytime wear effect.

- Watercolor neons: Neons punctuate the color palette in various places in this collection, and are made more wearable in softer tones. These hues are tart, but still light and fun. And the print on that Greta dress is just stunning.

- Wallpaper prints: The floral subjects of these prints and textures seem to take over and meld with the medium itself. I'm drawn to the Embroidered Wildflower Top, whose pattern is eye-catching in its subtlety.

- Medallions of various scales: We saw some medallion prints rendered on silk in the Spring release, and now the motif is back, in beading and metallic, and a variety of sizes too. I find the Collection Cafe Capri in Beaded Medallion particularly striking with its night-sky navy and star-like clusters of beads.

- Tribal Auden jewelry: This rollout brings several new jewelry designer collaborations, in addition to the familiar Lulu Frost. The Auden line is nothing short of show-stopping (with prices to match!). I love the edgy, tribal aesthetic of some of these pieces.

So what do you think? What are your favorite pieces or themes from this rollout? Anything that's calling out to you? Have you tried or purchased anything from this release?