J.Crew December rollout reviews part 3

Hello again, everyone! Sorry I've posting less frequently lately -- things have been a bit exhausting on my end the last few weeks but I feel I've gotten on top of it now, so I look forward to more regular posts. Many of the items I'll be reviewing are in the sale section now. With the holiday promotions ramping up, some items may be sold out online, barring the occasional popback, but you can check stores to see if they have the items in stock or call Customer Service to have them check stores for you. Below is a list of the items I've covered so far from the December rollout. As always, I'll be indexing the items in this post to the Index of Review Posts.

- Part 2:

• Handknit Popcorn Sweater in Heather Pond
• Bow-Neck Top in Bow Print
• Tuxedo Pencil Skirt
• Boucle Peplum Jacket in Black
• Bow-Neck Top in Byzantine Blue

- Part 1:

• Heartbreaker Sweater in Lavender Burgundy, Dusk Navy
• Toothpick Jean in Velvet in Navy, Rustic Brick
• Colorblock Top in Stripe in Fuchsia Stripe, Navy
• Chiffon Top in Sail Pink
• Velvet Tee in Admiral Blue, Neon Azalea
• Mixed Leather Rivet Belt in Camel Black

Farmyard Fair Isle Sweater, style #32865, size XXS (similar here)
I'm pleased to report this sweater is actually cut to fit the body and narrows in at the waist instead of being boxy. The website reports the knit to be a 7 gauge viscose/wool/nylon/angora blend (sorry, forgot to take a picture), and the material certainly feels of an adequate weight -- about what I think of when I imagine a sweater scarf. I don't remember this sweater being itchy. The length is quite adequate, as you can see, coming down past my waistband. Overall I think this is a very wearable, charming sweater that thankfully flatters the body.

Farmyard Fair Isle Sweater (similar here)

From the side: not boxy at the waist, hooray!

Farmyard Fair Isle Sweater (similar here)

Circle Lace Top, style #37557, Ivory, size XXS (similar here)
I noticed in this top a much-appreciated improvement over some of the pattern-front tees we've seen lately: the fabric is quite thick. I can't speak for the tees from the spring or summer (Angular Eyelet Top, Ring-Around Eyelet Top, etc) as I haven't tried those on, but the Crochet Lace-Front Tee I have from last fall is rendered on I believe Vintage Cotton, which is quite thin. In contrast, this top uses a thick, dense, and smooth cotton -- bravo if the J.Crew higher-ups have been listening to our demands! The top has a straight, swing silhouette, like many of J.Crew's tops from recent months, and leaves volume at the midsection. This may work for some, but it doesn't flatter my body type. It's also slightly short on me, as I have a longer torso. The lace panel is made of a quite substantial fabric, and you can see that there are actually two panels, one ending above the other.

Circle Lace Top (similar here)

From the side: boxy on me, but may work for others.

Circle Lace Top (similar here)

Here I'm showing how much excess fabric there is.

Circle Lace Top (similar here)

Colorblock Shell, style #32735, Mauve Blush Papaya, size 00 (similar here, here)
The silk material on this top has a very suede-like feel. It's maybe of a medium-thin thickness, but is lined all the way through with a lining that is attached at all the seams. As you can see, the shape doesn't suit me very well -- it's too wide and shapeless although I'd say the length and shoulder width are correct for the size.

Colorblock Shell (similar here, here)

From the side: again, shapeless.

Colorblock Shell (similar here, here)

Showing the excess material.

Colorblock Shell (similar here, here)

Funnelneck Hoodie, style #30874, size XXS (similar here, here, here)
This is a rather interesting sweatshirt. It's 55% wool/45% cotton, quite thick, and is itchy enough that I'd want a tee underneath. I don't get if you're actually supposed to wear it as a hoodie -- I didn't try, but I see it as a cowlneck. It is fortunately fitted through the waist like the Farmyard Sweater; the material is stiff enough that it keeps its own width and doesn't drape against the body. As such, it also doesn't have the typical slouchy sweatshirt feel.

Funnelneck Hoodie (similar here, here, here)

From the side: thankfully, fitted.

Funnelneck Hoodie (similar here, here, here)

A closeup of the material.

Funnelneck Hoodie (similar here, here, here)

Fabric contents.

Funnelneck Hoodie (similar here, here, here)

I happened to be wearing my yellow Lady Jacket in Double-Serge Wool that day (by the way, looooove this jacket; see my review here) and had been looking for a gray high-necked knit to wear underneath, so I decided to try it on with this sweatshirt. The draped-collar look is exactly what I was going for as I wanted some interest at the neck. The cowlneck looks absolutely ridiculous, and frankly like a tumor(!) if lying on top of the jacket though, so the jacket would have to be worn on top of the cowl. I think the same draped-collar effect could probably also be achieved by wearing a scarf underneath. The sweatshirt is rather thick under the jacket, so I probably wouldn't want to wear this particular top to match the jacket. The color however, is pretty much exactly what I wanted.

Funnelneck Hoodie (similar here, here, here)
Lady Jacket in Double-Serge Wool, Spicy Gold, size 00 (similar here, here)

From the side. I wonder if an actual hoodie might also look good with the jacket for a dressed-down approach.

Funnelneck Hoodie (similar here, here, here)
Lady Jacket in Double-Serge Wool,
Spicy Gold, size 00 (similar here, here)

Velvet-Dot Ponte Top, style #27771, size XXS (similar here, here, here)
I knew once I saw this top on the website that I didn't understand it, and that still holds after trying it on, lol. First, the fit -- soooooo wide. I don't understand how this is even supposed to work. I read at least one other JCA who sized down and found that worked for her, so maybe doing so could salvage the top for you. The length is a bit shorter than I'd want it, as well. I don't really understand the point of using ponte for a top that doesn't need to hold an interesting shape (e.g., a peplum). I'm not sure the velvet dots are making much of an impact for me on a non-sheer material, but perhaps they strike your fancy.

Velvet-Dot Ponte Top (similar here, here, here)

Showing how much excess fabric there is.

Velvet-Dot Ponte Top (similar here, here, here)

Shapelessness is more evident from the side.

Velvet-Dot Ponte Top (similar here, here, here)

Again, lots of extra material.

Velvet-Dot Ponte Top (similar here, here, here)

Have you tried or do you own any of these items? Have you found any other good loot from the barrage of sales lately? Are you all shopped out??