J.Crew Factory Reviews Part II: Quilted Puffer Vests, Quilted Jacket, and Wool Blazer

Here is Part II of my reviews from the weekend. See Part I here. Please excuse the incongruousness of me trying on outerwear while wearing shorts. It was hot on the day I visited J.Crew Factory. Anyway, onto the reviews. For fit reference, I'm 5' 4", 32C-26-34. My usual sizes at J.Crew Factory are 00 and XXS.

Printed Quilted Puffer Vest (Item 02533)

Steely Grey XXS

I'm not surprised that they brought back the popular herringbone vest again this year. I have last year's vest, which I reviewed here. The design remains largely unchanged. The vest is still made of 100% polyester filled with a minimum of 60% down, with the remainder being waterfowl feathers. The herringbone pattern is still printed as opposed to actually being textured. The fit is still boxy through the torso and gaps under the arms. I would recommend sizing down if possible. Anyway, the main change is that this year's vest is rendered in grey and ivory, as opposed to last year's oatmeal and black. I prefer last year's colors, but if you didn't pick up that one, this is a passable substitute.

Verdict: Meh. Runs large, so size down.

Printed Quilted Puffer Vest (Item 02533)

Black Grey XXS

I initially thought this was the plaid quilted puffer vest, but after checking the tags, it's actually the same vest as above in a new pattern. I prefer this one to the grey herringbone. It's a bit difficult to see the colors here, but they are charcoal and soft black. Otherwise the fit and feel are exactly the same as the herringbone. I tried it on over the Fair Isle sweater (reviewed in this post).

Verdict: Like. Runs large, so size down.

Quilted Jacket (Item E2004)

Black

XXS - Front

XXS - Side

XS - Front

XS - Side

I've always liked the way quilted jackets look but never found one that fit well. This black jacket with gold snaps is a possible contender. The silhouette is reminiscent of the popular field jacket. Despite being 100% polyester fill, this little jacket is relatively warm. I could see wearing it into late fall in cold places and all through winter in warm places. Once again I'm in between sizes. I prefer the fitted look of the XXS but can only fit a thin tee underneath. The XS is much better for layering (here I'm wearing the fair isle sweater), but it looks a little too bulky. Since it's not perfect, I may have to pass since I have a lot of other in-between jackets.

Verdict: Like, but doesn't make sense for my wardrobe.

Runs small.

Wool Blazer (Item E0357)

Green 00

I'm not a big fan of wearing green, because I feel like it highlights the yellow undertones of my skin in an unflattering way. That being said, I love this heather olive color! It has flecks of yellow and maroon mixed in with the green, which somehow just works. This is a relatively thick wool blend (75% wool, 25% nylon) blazer best for late fall/winter. It features functional pockets, gold buttons, and a collar backed by grey felt. The body has a striped lining, but the inside of the sleeves is just plain black. That shouldn't be a problem though since I can't imagine anyone wearing such a thick blazer with the sleeves rolled up. The cut is similar to the new schoolboy from the retail side. I found the fit true to size. My main complaint about this blazer is that the wool is very scratchy! I wore this with a thin button-down and felt prickling through the sleeves. The problem might be alleviated by layering more heavily, but that limits the blazer's versatility. Just keep that in mind if you decide to buy.

Verdict: Like, true to size, but scratchy.

What's your favorite piece from the new J.Crew Factory roll-out?

J.Crew Factory Reviews Part I: Striped Boatneck Tee, Fair Isle Sweater, Walking Elephants Tee, and Pleated Skirt

On Friday I visited J.Crew Factory to return the striped ponte dress I bought back in August (see my original review here). Even though I really like the way it looks, the fact that it shrinks in water (mentioned in a few of the online reviews) and hence is dry clean only ultimately dissuaded me from keeping it. On a different note, the floral eyelet dress I purchased last month (see my August budget post) is amazing! I wore it to a bachelorette party recently, and it was perfect for the occasion. I could see it being suitable for a lot of other events too. My usual 00 fit impeccably, and the 100% cotton material kept me cool despite the sweltering heat. It also did really well in the wash. I threw it into a cold load and then hung it out to dry. I was worried that it'd come out all crumpled, but it's completely fine. Anyway, I can't recommend it enough.  

Onto the actual reviews. Fall is my favorite season, so I was excited to see this latest rollout. There are definitely a few things I'm interested in, but I'm holding off on buying until prices drop a little more. For fit reference, I'm 5' 4", 32C-26-34. My usual sizes at J.Crew Factory are 00 and XXS.

Long-Sleeve Striped Boatneck Tee (Item B8722)

Oat Navy Spring

XXS - Front View

XXS - Side View

XS - Front View

XS - Side View

This is the second time we're seeing this tee at J.Crew Factory, which is a good thing for anyone who missed it the first time around. The initial release on the Factory side was during Fall/Winter 2014-2015. I actually liked it so much then that I purchased it near full-price. When I saw this tee on Friday, I had to try it on again to see if anything had changed. I'm happy to report that it's the same tee I own and like. First of all, this top sports dark navy stripes on a cream/oatmeal background. It's made of 100% cotton and features a boat neck, long sleeves, as well as small side vents. It's medium to heavy weight and is completely opaque. In my opinion, it's too heavy for summer but great for fall/winter. The sizing can be a little tricky. In my regular size XXS, the tee feels tight in the shoulders/arms, but the torso is perfect - casually loose. If I size up to XS, the arms feel fine, but the fit through the body looks sloppy. My recommendation is to go with your normal size if you have thin arms, but consider sizing up if you don't. If you're in between sizes like I am, I suggest trying this on in store. Since there's usually some manufacturing variance, grab all of the available ones in your normal size and one size up to find the perfect fit. Also, since this tee is 100% cotton, it does shrink in the wash. A little, not a lot, but remember to factor that into your final decision. Great tee though.

Verdict: Like. Tricky sizing, and shrinks in the wash. Great tee though. The red one is on my wishlist.

Fair Isle Sweater (Item E0325)

Pewter Navy Mist XXS

I feel like Fair Isle is one of those patterns that you either love or hate. Personally I love it! This sweater is a good example of the technique. I especially like the color combination - different shades of grey, black, and unexpectedly mint. Since the overall color palette is neutral, I could see pairing it with a lot of bottoms. I also really like the fit. I found it true to size and fitted without being overly tight. It can be easily layered over a tee or thin button-down. For anyone who's interested, the material composition is 37% viscose, 35% nylon, and 28% merino wool. I didn't detect any scratchiness, but I also don't have any sensitivity to wool. Overall, great sweater. I'm hoping to add it to my wardrobe once the price drops.

Verdict: Like, true to size. On my wishlist.

Walking Elephants Collector Tee (Item E2885)

Navy XXS

I actually have the retail version of this tee that I like and wear all the time. When I saw this in the Factory new arrivals, I was interested in finding out if the quality of the Factory tee could match that of the original. Sometimes the Factory version is almost identical while other times they're completely different. In this case, it's close but no cigar. The Factory tee had a flatter lighter blue background (the original was dark navy blue, and the fabric had an ever-so-slight texture to it), and the length was much too long. The foil elephants looked the same, but the one I tried on was printed a little off-center. It could be worth a try if you really wanted the original and missed out, but personally I'd pass.

Verdict: Meh. True to size but pretty long. Not as good as the original.

Pleated Skirt (Item C7199)

Navy 00

"Tucked" Top

Untucked Top

This is another item that was initially released on the retail side. I tried on the original but wasn't in love with it enough to buy. Having tried it on again, I'm still not really into the style. To my eye, it looks strange paired with tucked tops, so I would always have to wear my shirts untucked. If you like the style though, I think the quality is nearly identical to the original retail skirt. The only detectable difference was the quality of the polyester. The original one felt more silky, while this one was a little more grainy and rough. It's not a dealbreaker though, so if you like the style, I say go for it. I found it true to size.

Verdict: Meh for me, but it's a great dupe of the original.

True to size.

What have you been liking at J.Crew Factory lately?

J.Crew Factory Reviews: Pocket Tunic Sweater, Striped Ponte Dress

It's been a while since I last reviewed anything! That's because I haven't been shopping in stores much. Nowadays I do most of my shopping online. I know there are better deals to be found in store, but I honestly don't have the time to go regularly. Anyway, this past week I finally visited J.Crew Factory to do returns and check out their new arrivals. Only a few things caught my eye, but the things that did I really liked! For reference, I'm 5' 4", 32C-26-34. My usual size at J.Crew Factory is 00 and XXS.

Pocket Tunic Sweater (C8696)

Heather Dusk XXS

When I browsed the new arrivals online, this sweater completely flew under my radar. And who can really blame me? Online it looks extremely bland. Even in person, it didn't look very promising, sitting by itself all folded on a table. The only reason I tried it on was because it passed my handfeel test (I frequently walk around a store touching everything and only stop to pick it up if the material feels nice - I know, kind of weird). In the fitting room, I was pleasantly surprised! The torso was actually slouchy slim in a really good way. It wasn't boxy at all from the side. I would say it's true to size. The 100% merino wool was medium weight and felt fine against my bare skin (although I'm not usually sensitive to wool). The pockets didn't add bulk to my hips, and the length was good on my 5' 4" frame, which is my biggest struggle with tunics. My only qualm was about the sleeve length. The website says this sweater has long sleeves, but the one I tried on decidedly had bracelet sleeves. That wasn't a deal breaker for me though; I actually thought it worked with the tunic length.  Anyway, this one came home with me so I could try it on with other pieces I own. So far it seems to work really well with skinny jeans and leggings.

Verdict: Love, true to size.

Striped Ponte Dress (A9074)

Red Ivory Gondola XXS

This slip on dress also passed my handfeel test. The ponte material is really soft, smooth, cool to the touch, and somewhat wrinkle resistant! That makes sense given its composition: 88% viscose, 10% nylon, and 2% elastane. It comes in two different colors: red/ivory and black/ivory. I only saw the red striped one in store, so that's the one I tried on. I found it true to size and not too mini, even though the hem does hit above the knee. It does a good job of skimming the body while not being too clingy. My favorite detail here is the contrasting side panel. If you look carefully, the sides are lined up so that each red stripe is matched up with an ivory stripe on the front and back. It's visually slimming, because those side panels extend slightly to the front, thus making the body look more narrow. Again, I take issue with the sleeves. The website claims this has bracelet sleeves, but they're actually 3/4 length. I find them to be a hair too loose, but I could always push them up to my elbow. Perhaps the biggest issue with this dress is that it's dry clean only. I feel like that would make sense for a nice silk or wool dress but not for something so casual. Also, wool items shrink due to heat exposure whereas rayon/viscose shrink due to water exposure. Hence, you can get away with handwashing wool in cold water, but that's not an option for rayon/viscose. If anyone knows of other cleaning options, please let me know! Otherwise I may have to return this dress.

Verdict: Like, true to size, but dry clean only.

What are your thoughts on dry clean only for non-silk/wool items? Have you found anything you liked at J.Crew Factory lately?

J.Crew Factory Reviews: Sateen V-neck Dress in Floral and Denim Jacket

I stopped by J.Crew Factory to make a few returns yesterday and thought I would share two reviews of items that I liked. For fit reference, I'm 5' 4", 32C-26-34. My usual size at J.Crew Factory is 00 and XXS.

Sateen V-Neck Dress in Floral (C3327)

Authentic Navy 0

The moment I saw this dress in the new arrivals, I was interested in trying it out. I really like the cove floral print, and I love fit-and-flare dresses (I think the silhouette is flattering on almost everyone). I could see wearing this for a number of special occasions: weddings, dates, etc. It could even be dressed down for summer. In person, the print is just as vibrant as it appeared online. The material felt like a substantial cotton sateen (98% cotton and 2% elastane). Sadly the lining is 100% polyester, but it didn't seem too unbreathable. There's a back zip to help you get in and out of the dress easily. There are also pockets, which I always like to see in a dress. The skirt hit me just above the knee, which I don't mind, but I would have preferred at the knee. The one downside is that the v-neck in the front is very low. If I bend forward, you can see the front band of my bra. The v in the back isn't too troublesome. I tried on both my usual size 00 and one size up but found the waist/bust to be too tight in 00 so I think this dress runs small. The 0 was perfect. Overall, I really like the dress but would not recommend it for busty ladies.

Verdict: Like, but size up. Also the v-neck is quite low.  

Denim Jacket (02661)

Antique Sanded Blue XXS

Recently I've been casually looking for a light blue denim jacket. I think it would be the perfect layering piece to wear over dresses during the summer when all of the buildings on campus are blasting their air conditioning. I had a very old Aeropostale one that I never ever wore, because the denim was extremely stiff. It was impossible for me to roll up my sleeves, and the fit wasn't quite right either - very boxy and short. I actually really like this rendition from J.Crew Factory. It has some small distressed details, but they don't bother me. The blue wash reads light blue with yellow undertones and would pair well with dark bottoms, which is what I mostly wear. The fit is true to size. I took my usual XXS, and it's fitted without being tight when buttoned. Unbuttoned it's slim without appearing boxy. The sleeves are a hair long, but I usually roll them up anyway. My favorite feature is that the denim is quite soft. The material is medium weight yet comfortable, instead of stiff like many other denim jackets I've tried. Anyway, this is definitely worth a look if you're in the market for a light blue denim jacket.

Verdict: Like, true to size. Note the distressed details.

What are you liking at J.Crew Factory lately?

J.Crew Factory Reviews: Embellished Cable Knit Sweater, Black Watch Plaid Blazer, Classic Button-Down Shirt in Suckered Gingham

Here's Part II of my Factory reviews. Check out Part I here. In all of the photos below, I'm wearing the retail sateen toothpicks (on sale for 70% off with JINGLE) and the Sam Edelman Petty boots.

Embellished Cable Knit Sweater (Item B3811)

Ivory XXS

It wasn't until I had put on this sweater that I realized it looks very much like the Gap cable knit sweater I wore to the outlet mall that day (see below). I guess my taste is extremely consistent?

Gap cable knit sweater

Even though the two sweaters look similar at first glance, several differences became apparent upon closer inspection. One key difference was the embellishment detail, which was composed of shiny little beads that were sewn into the knit. Another difference was that the cabling continues on the back of the Factory sweater whereas the Gap version's back is smooth. Also, the Factory sweater had a rollneck, which I wasn't a big fan of personally since it gaped a little around the neckline. As for the color, I would describe the Factory sweater as truly ivory whereas the Gap sweater was closer to cream (more yellow undertones).

Anyway, I felt that this sweater was true to size. Neither the torso nor the sleeves were too bulky or too long. The knit felt decently warm without being itchy. Overall, this sweater is a solid option, but I think the starting price of $128 is too high. Even at 50% off, I wouldn't buy it. It's only worth about $45 max to me.

Verdict: Almost like, true to size.

Black Watch Plaid Blazer (Item 22235)

Blackwatch 00

I own the retail Black Watch schoolboy blazer from last year (seen here), and I have to say that this Factory version was really not up to snuff. The wool blend material was extremely thin, considerably thinner than other Factory schoolboy blazers. It felt very flimsy and lacked structure. Note how wrinkled the sleeves and torso are. Also, the buttons felt very cheap, and the black watch pattern looks too flat. The colors are very one dimensional and lack the depth of the retail one. This blazer fit fine in the shoulders and sleeves but seemed to run slightly small in the torso. My usual 00 pulled a little at the stomach (see above). Even though I love black watch plaid, I would not recommend this blazer.

Verdict: Blah, runs slightly small.

Classic Button-Down Shirt in Suckered Gingham (Item 35499)

Black White XXS

This button-down is the Factory version of the retail crinkle boy shirt in black check. The first thing I noticed about this shirt upon trying it on was the fabric choice. The material is very lightweight and thin, almost gauzy, making it more suitable for summer than winter. Even though I like the classic black gingham pattern, I probably wouldn't buy this now since it just isn't seasonally appropriate. Maybe I could have overlooked the fabric weight eventually, but the fit also wasn't right for me. It was too long in the torso and the sleeves. I'm only 5' 4" though, so it could still be a good three-season layering option for taller ladies.

Verdict: Meh, too long.

That's a wrap! Have a good rest of the week!

J.Crew Factory Reviews: Crossover Collector Tee, Pinwheel Collector Tee, Paisley Collector Tee, Flocked Heart Collector Tee

I stopped by my local J.Crew Factory on Friday to return a few things and decided to try on some stuff since I was already in the neighborhood. Even though it's winter, I'm still looking for more tees since they layer well under cardigans and blazers. Here are my thoughts on a few I tried on.

Crossover Collector Tee (Item B3510)

Heather Grey Metallic XXS

In general, I like Factory collector tees, and I like grey tees. This silvery grey version should have been an automatic winner, but instead it was a letdown. The fit through the torso and sleeves was decent; I found it to be true to size throughout. The length was good, and the medium heather grey shade is rather versatile. Even the graphic was fine, although it does bother me a little that the dark grey and silvery stripes didn't form a symmetric pattern. The problem was the silvery applique. It felt almost like duct tape rolled across the shirt. You can see in the pictures that the silvery stripes didn't lie flat. They had sort of a ripple to them. Overall this was just okay, not a home run for me.

Verdict: Meh, true to size.

Pinwheel Collector Tee (Item B4376)

Multi XXS

Oh boy. First of all, this tee feels quite substantial. It's medium weight and could serve as a winter layer. Because the fabric is so thick, the white background is almost completely opaque, which is a refreshing change from the sheer tees that J.Crew has been rolling out over the last few seasons. But why the drop shoulders? They don't make any sense here and visually widened my frame. The torso was very boxy. The pinwheel pattern was reminiscent of a swastika. The colors said summer more than winter to me. Needless to say, this was my least favorite tee out of the four.

Verdict: Blah, runs large.

Paisley Collector Tee? (Item B3457)

Multi? XXS

I didn't see this on the website, so I just made up a name for it. If it shows up eventually, I'll update it here. Anyway, this is the Factory version of the moonglow paisley tee. I vaguely remember trying on the retail one, and the colors weren't as saturated as they are here. In fact, these colors are almost too saturated to the point of being garish. The pattern sort of disturbs me. My brain keeps seeing weird shapes in it, like fish or dragons or bugs. Overall, the shirt was too long, and the white background was somewhat sheer. If you like the graphic and you're tall, this might work for you. Personally I'll pass.

Verdict: Blah, too long.

Flocked Heart Collector Tee (Item B3358)

Ivory Black Flocking XXS

It's hard to see here, but this tee is ivory and not white. On the website, it looked like the little hearts were simply painted on. In reality, they're attached to the shirt, which produced a 3D effect that I liked. This tee was just a hair tight on me, and I would feel uncomfortable wearing it out in public as is. If you want to achieve that casual slouchy look, I would definitely size up. If you like your tees fitted, then stick with your regular size. I do wish the hearts continued around the back. That would look cuter. Also the ivory background could stand to be a little more opaque. Here I'm wearing a nude bra, and I can still see it in the pictures. Overall, cute but not a must have.

Verdict: Almost like, runs slightly small.

Are you a fan of the Factory collector tees? Also, stay tuned for more Factory reviews later this week!

J.Crew Factory Reviews: Chiffon Dot Blouse with Lace Panels, Quilted Jacket, Keating Boy Blazer, Tweed Mini with Pockets, Classic Button-Down Shirt in Flannel

Over the weekend I stopped by J.Crew Factory to make a few returns, and of course I had to look around the store afterwards since I was already in the neighborhood. My returns took longer than usual, because the associate helping me was new, and she mentioned that they just got a new POS system. I noticed that she entered a lot of information manually, but I'm not sure if that was because she was new or due to the new system. If anyone else has noticed a delay in the checkout or return process, please let me know in the comments.

Now onto the reviews. For reference, I usually wear 00 and XXS at J.Crew and J.Crew Factory. My measurements are provided here.

Chiffon Dot Blouse with Lace Panels (Item B3978)

Color: Natural, Size: 00

This blouse isn't really my style, but I was drawn to the Victorian-feeling lace stripes. I liked the fabric, which had a very interesting texture due to the swiss dots. Generally not a fan of polyester, but this felt surprisingly nice, not too stifling or too staticky. However, the fit left something to be desired. For one, the shoulders were quite tight when I tried to lift my arms since the material had little to no stretch. Another fit issue was the tunic-like length, which I found unflattering coupled with the three-quarter sleeves. A pass for me.

Verdict: Meh. Tight in the shoulders and runs long.

Quilted Jacket (Item 02534)

Color: Black, Size: XXS

This quilted jacket was the last one on the rack at my local store. I can see why they're almost sold out, because it was super sleek in person. There was a cool, almost moto vibe to it. Fit-wise the jacket was very slim through the torso. In the XXS, I was only able to layer a t-shirt underneath. For actual chilly weather, of course I would want to wear more. The sleeves were also incredibly slim. Not quite compression cuffs but almost there. It was reasonably warm for fall but definitely too light for winter. Overall, great jacket but remember to size up. 

Verdict: Really like. Runs small.

Keating Boy Blazer (Item 92480)

Color: Black, Size: 00

This is the factory version of the black schoolboy blazer. I got the retail blazer a while back, and although I don't get to wear it very often, I love the way it looks. Since I liked the retail version so much, I was curious to see how the factory one would stack up. Surprisingly, they're virtually identical! The factory version is true to size and slim enough to be stylish, while still being roomy enough to layer a sweater underneath. It has a very versatile length and fits well in the shoulders (though I have wider than average shoulders, so ladies with slimmer frames should try it on in person).

The main difference between the two blazers is fabric content. The retail schoolboy is made from a 98% wool and 2% spandex blend, while the factory blazer is 40% wool, 29% polyester, 28% viscose, and 3% spandex. In person both blazers feel pretty much the same. Mayyybe the factory one is a bit silkier and the retail one is a little more wooly, but I'm not sure I could tell the difference in a blind test.

Verdict: Like. True to size.

Tweed Mini with Pockets (Item B1992)

Color: Black White, Size: 0

I thought I had grabbed this mini in a 00 to try on but noticed after I took it off that this skirt was actually a 0. If I hadn't checked, I would have guessed it was a true to size 00, as it fit exactly the same as other 00s I've tried on, so this piece definitely runs small.

The black colorblocking is very slimming, creating a flattering silhouette from the front. It even has pockets, which is a great bonus! However, I'm not so crazy about the side view. The transition from the tweed to all black was very jarring, and I found myself wishing that the tweed panel was replicated in the back. The length was good for me, but then again I'm only 5' 4", so it could look much shorter on taller ladies.

Verdict: Meh. Runs small.

Classic Button-Down Shirt in Flannel (Item 30519)

Color: Cape Gingham, Size: XXS

I'm a sucker for a good button-down, and I loved the colors in this flannel shirt so much that I ordered 2 in XXS the moment I saw it online, just in case there was some subtle variation in size. Turns out that was a good call. In general, this shirt is true to size in slimness but too long in the torso and sleeves. One of the shirts ended up being way too long, while the other was long but manageable (see it on me here), especially when worn tucked or half-tucked. If you're over 5' 5", the length of this shirt will probably be just right, but if you're on the shorter side like me, you'll need some luck to find one that fits perfectly. Honestly, I'm not sure I'd put up with the length if I didn't absolutely love the color combination!

Verdict: Like. Kept despite being too long
in the sleeves and torso.

What's on your must-have list for fall?