Suit Up: Banana Republic vs. J.Crew

Last month, I started looking for a new suit. I rounded up the top contenders in this post and ordered two to try on at home. On the left, we have the black Banana Republic lightweight wool two-button blazer (I'm wearing 0P) and the Banana Republic Logan-fit black lightweight wool trouser (I'm wearing 2P). On the right, we have the black J.Crew 1035 jacket in super 120s wool (I'm wearing 00) and the J.Crew 1035 trouser in super 120s wool (I'm wearing 0, but the pants need hemming; I folded the extra fabric under for the purposes of this comparison). The Banana Republic suit is currently available but is frequently excluded from sales. The J.Crew suit is currently sold out but seems to pop back regularly in random sizes. Also, the super 120s wool is available in other fits (similar jacket, similar pants).

For size reference, I am 5' 4" and weigh approximately 115 lbs. My measurements are 32C-26-34. My usual Banana Republic size for tops is 0P and between 0P and 2P for bottoms. My usual J.Crew size for tops is 00 and between 00 and 0, sometimes 0P, for bottoms.

To evaluate these two suits, I am looking at three main factors (in order of priority): the overall fit, the quality of the material/construction, and the total cost.

Overall Fit

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two suits. In all of the pictures, the Banana Republic suit is on the left, and the J.Crew suit is on the right. For a fair comparison, I am wearing the same silk top and vintage shoes.

From the front, the BR jacket is shorter, with the hem ending at my hip. I like that the sleeves are decently slim and a good length. The fit through the torso is also good with almost no pulling across the chest or stomach. However, the jacket does have pretty aggressive shoulder pads.

By comparison, the J.Crew jacket hits below my hip, and the sleeves are noticeably longer and less slim. Also, there is more wrinkling around the top button of the jacket. I like that the shoulders are only lightly padded.

Both jackets are fully lined. The BR jacket has a striped lining throughout, while the J.Crew jacket has black lining in the body and striped lining in the sleeves.

The two jackets look similar when worn open, but on the BR suit, an open jacket highlights the bagginess of the pants. In particular, the pants look matronly in their full cut and also too baggy in the crotch.

By contrast, the J.Crew pants are slimmer and sleeker. However, they are too long, so they would need to be hemmed by a few inches. Both fit comfortably in the waist, although the BR pants are looser.

From the side, the J.Crew jacket is considerably slimmer than the BR jacket. However, it is also too long, almost completely covering my butt. Both pants are wrinkly in the back, especially around the thigh region. Also, the BR pants are fully lined, while the J.Crew pants are unlined. 

From the back, the J.Crew jacket has a more nipped in waist than the BR jacket. The wrinkling issue across the back of the thigh becomes even more apparent.

Material and Construction

The BR suit is 95% wool, 5% spandex for the body and 95% polyester, 5% spandex for the lining. The J.Crew suit is 100% wool for the body, 100% polyester for the body lining, and 95% polyester, 5% spandex for the sleeve lining.

The BR suit's wool blend feels rougher to the touch than the J.Crew suit's silky super 120s wool. Also, the BR suit has a thicker lining, so it feels more stuffy. The J.Crew suit will be more breathable, I think, which is beneficial since I would only be wearing a suit in stressful situations.

Total Cost

I bought the BR suit during a 40% off sale (rare but happens occasionally), so that brought the price to $184.80 pre-tax. The J.Crew suit was on super sale, so I got it for only $83.99(!) pre-tax. However it requires some alterations, which I'm guessing would cost around $50, bringing the total to $133.99.

TL;DR Summary

Fit: The BR jacket is a little sleeker. Both pants have their own issues.

Material: The J.Crew suit is more breathable.

Cost: The J.Crew suit is cheaper, even with alterations.

Even after writing up this comparison, I'm still undecided about which suit to keep! What do you think? If I could only pick one, which suit do you think I should keep, and why?

J.Crew Review: Nordic Parka

PSA: For today (10/30/2015) only, J.Crew is having a huge sale with almost no exclusions! The tiers are $25 off $125+, $75 off $250+, and $175 off $500+. It's a great time to pick up big ticket items you've been eyeing that have been excluded in the past, like the most popular coats and blazers. My recommendation is to stick as close to the bottom of the price tier as possible for the biggest savings. I decided to go ahead and order the following coat (in navy). I also added this versatile wool scarf to crack the top tier. 

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Last week I visited J.Crew after school for some window shopping retail therapy. I saw some of the new arrivals in store, but they didn't have everything on my wishlist. Out of the things I saw, there was nothing I had to have at full price (which I try to avoid as a matter of principle anyway), so I left empty-handed. However, I wanted to share my favorite item from my quick try-on session. For reference, I'm 5' 4", 32C-26-34. My usual sizes at J.Crew are 00 and XXS.

Nordic Parka (Item E3977)

Navy XXS

I know it's early to be thinking about winter coats, but I've been wanting to replace my giant ugly puffer (which could pass for a sleeping bag) that I've had for over 4 years. No matter how nice my outfit is underneath, that coat always makes me feel super dowdy when I throw it on over everything. Since it looks so terrible, I try to avoid wearing it as much as possible, even when the temperatures drop low enough that I really ought to. Anyway, I've been looking for a replacement that's warm, has no less than 80% down, and doesn't make me look like the Michelin man. A few weeks ago, I tried on the Canada Goose Trillium for the first time, and while some people think it's overrated, I have to disagree. I tried on down coats from several other brands, including North Face, Marmot, etc., and I think Canada Goose offers a lot of value even for the hefty price. However, I'm not ready to drop $745 on a coat at this point in my life (they're also notorious for NEVER going on sale), so I've been looking for Canada Goose alternatives. There really aren't too many options in my price range that fulfill all of my other criteria.

Enter the Nordic parka. J.Crew's website touts it as the warmest coat they've ever made. Since they typically make wool coats that are more decorative than functional, that statement doesn't necessarily say much. In general J.Crew coats are fine if you live in a place with mild winters, but they're laughably insufficient in my opinion for cold winter days on the East Coast or winters in the Midwest. Of course I'm also the kind of person who gets cold easily and hates being cold.

My first impressions of this coat: 1) the quality is surprisingly good, and 2) it offers a lot of value for the price (regularly $450 but may go on sale). For example, it's pretty good in terms of warmth. I wore a thin flannel button-down the day I tried this on, and within minutes I started feeling too warm. That might be due to the coat's double insulation: Thinsulate plus a filling of 80% down/20% feathers. The outer material felt like a durable heavy waxed cotton (actually it's a waterproof blend of 85% polyester, 15% cotton), which I found a little too stiff but not a dealbreaker. Both the outer handwarmer pockets and the regular hip pockets had fleece lining. The sleeves had cuff extenders with holes for your thumbs. The hood was gigantic/very deep, had a faux-fur ruff, and was also lined in fleece. The back of the hood had an adjuster so that you can control where it sits on your head. If I remember correctly, there was also an internal drawstring waist and additional internal pockets. That's a ton of features you don't see on comparably priced coats!

Of course the design is not completely perfect. For one, it was incredibly heavy! It's possibly the heaviest coat I have ever tried on in my life. The thing seriously felt like it weighed at least 5 pounds. I could see that being an issue if you had to carry it around in your arms for a long period of time or keep putting it on and taking it off. Another issue: the outer buttons on the button flap are a pain to do up and undo. It would be even more difficult if you had to do it while wearing gloves. I would prefer if they had used snaps instead. As it is, I would most likely leave the coat zipped but unbuttoned, although then cold air could get into the coat through the zipper.

Comparing this against the Trillium (which is my gold standard), I would say that this coat is a strong competitor. At almost half the price, the Nordic parka is similarly warm and durable feeling. The Trillium is probably warmer, but the Nordic parka should be sufficient for all but possibly the coldest of winter days. It's decently stylish, albeit not as slim as the Trillium from the front. However, it does look slimmer when viewed from the side. If you're interested in this coat, go with your regular size. I'm wearing an XXS in the pictures, and there's definitely enough room to layer underneath. Anyway, this parka definitely makes my fall/winter wishlist!

Verdict: Surprise like. True to size. On my wishlist. Worth buying for 25-30% off.

A Tale of Two Denim Jackets

As I mentioned last month, a denim jacket has been on my summer wishlist. I recently visited J.Crew and tried on two different versions that I really like.

The first is the classic J.Crew denim jacket in Tyler wash. It is a sturdy-feeling medium wash jacket with copper buttons and whiskering on the sleeves. It fits well in the torso (mostly true to size, on the smaller side) but doesn't leave much room for layering. It's also a little stiff but could soften with wear. Neither of these two issues are that important to me, since I only plan to wear this during warm weather. Based on some sample outfits I put together, it seems to pair well with black pants, skirts, and dresses that aren't blue. I purchased it in store for $76.16 plus tax.

J.Crew denim jacket in Tyler wash in XXS

The second option is the J.Crew denim jacket in Calyer wash. It's a distressed light wash jacket with silvery buttons. It fits true to size, slightly larger than the Tyler. The length of the body also seems a hair longer. There are a number of actual rips in the jacket, but I examined them closely and don't think they're likely to get any bigger based on my experience with distressed jeans. Due to the distressed nature, the denim is naturally softer than the Tyler. It pairs well with black pants and most dresses. I purchased it in store for $96.60 plus tax.

J.Crew denim jacket in Calyer wash in XXS

Because the jackets are reasonably expensive, I only want to keep one and return the other. Plus it seems ridiculous to keep both before I even know for sure how often I'll wear a denim jacket. So which do you think I should keep? If you own a denim jacket, which wash do you reach for the most? Thanks for your help!

Which denim jacket should I keep?

White Out

I've been looking for the perfect pair of white jeans for months now. I've probably tried on close to 20 pairs but never found the one. My criteria are: not too sheer, doesn't make me look fat, mostly cotton, under $100, and with a 28" to 29" inseam. I would love to get this pair (thanks cobalt for the recommendation!), but they're currently backordered, and $115 is a little steep for pants that I'm worried about staining. So I kept looking for other options. Here are a few of my recent try-ons. (Sorry about the poor picture quality. Our indoor lighting is pretty terrible, so none of my pictures turned out well. I thought they were better than nothing though.)

For reference, I'm 5' 4" and 110 lbs. My measurements are 32C-26-34. I usually wear between size 25 and 26 for jeans, most often 25. 

Articles of Society Sarah Skinny Jeans (White 25)

Jean posted about this pair of white skinny jeans a while back, so I thought I would give them a whirl. They were better than I expected, especially for the low full price of $54. I like how affordable they are, but some of the other options out there are actually cheaper on sale. With Nordstrom, you may have to wait for a while before anything gets marked down. As for the jeans themselves, they were definitely sort of sheer, although not the most sheer I've ever seen. I would wear nude seamless underwear for sure. The length was on the longer side at 29" and the legs weren't sausage-casing tight, but the waist was too big, so I would recommend sizing down (unless you have athletic legs). The material (65% cotton, 33% viscose, 2% spandex) felt a little thin and cheap. Also, the front pockets aren't real, which is inconvenient but does prevent those unsightly pocket outlines. Overall, not the best option out there.

Verdict: Thin and somewhat sheer. Large in the waist.

J.Crew Stretch Toothpick Cone Denim Jean in White

(White 26)

Last month I tried on these jeans in my usual size 25, but they were too tight and made me feel fat. At the time I just blamed the fit, so I didn't even bother trying on a larger size. Recently these same jeans were on promo with an additional discount, so I decided to try them again in size 26. This time I liked them much better. By sizing up, the leg transformed from super skinny into skinny-straight, which was more slimming visually. The pockets were very shallow (more like half pockets), so they weren't too bulky and it was hard to see their outlines. The waist felt fine (maybe a hair loose), and the length was reasonable at 28". My one complaint is that although the denim felt quite thick (90% cotton, 8% polyester, 2% spandex), it still somehow showed the color of my underwear. Also, they're a little expensive at full price ($115), but they're a good value if you can pick them up for under $60.

Verdict: Like. Still a little sheer though. Size up.

LOFT Modern Skinny Jeans in White (White 26P)

LOFT currently has a wide selection of white jeans, but sizes sell out pretty quickly during the season so if you're interested, be sure to buy sooner rather than later during one of their frequent 40% off sales. I had high hopes for this skinny jean, because the fabric is my ideal blend of 98% cotton and 2% stretch. I was a little worried about the fit though since LOFT jeans traditionally don't fit me well, especially in the waist. Like most LOFT jeans, the waist on this pair was a little big, but the overall fit through the thigh was decent. As you can see in the pictures above, the leg was quite skinny, so you can make out the outline of my knees. Also the pictures don't capture how the fabric didn't move well with my body. Wrinkles appeared along the seams whenever I moved. Furthermore the pocket outlines were pretty visible. However, the saving grace is that this is the most opaque pair of white jeans I have seen in a while. Of course, if you really looked very closely, you could still see my underwear color, but it's about as close to opaque as you can get for white jeans.

Verdict: Like. Mostly true to size, but a little big in the waist.

Now that you've seen the pictures and read the reviews, I could really use your advice! Should I keep the J.Crew jeans, the LOFT jeans, or return both and keep looking? I got them for around the same price ($45). Neither pair is perfect, but they're both good enough. Please let me know in the comments!

J.Crew Reviews: Laser-Cut Floral Shift Dress, Chevron Pleated Dress, Aquatic Floral Silk Dress, Punched-Out Eyelet Short, Linen Lace-Trim Short

Here's Part 2 of my J.Crew reviews from last weekend. Part 1 focused on tops. This time I'll be talking about dresses and shorts.

For fit reference, I am 5' 4" and weigh 110 lbs. My measurements are 32C-26-34. My usual J.Crew size is 00 and XXS for tops and dresses. I tend to wear 0 for shorts.

Laser-Cut Floral Shift Dress (B8789)

Misty Green 00

This dress reminds me of the scallop dress from two years ago but with perforations. The material is a similar plasticky/stiff fabric. There's a slip underneath in the same color that looks like it might be detachable. The overall length was longer than I'd like, coming down to almost the top of my knee. I would prefer if it was closer to a mini dress as shown on the model. To achieve that look, I would probably need a 0P. Also, the laser-cut pattern on the front is different from the pattern on the back. Personally I think the pattern on the back was prettier. As for the fit, I understand that the dress is supposed to have a shift silhouette, but I still wish it was more form-fitting, especially around the waist. On the bright side, I really liked the robin's egg blue of this dress. It also comes in three other colors.

Verdict: Meh. True to size but bulky in the waist.

Chevron Pleated Dress (C1539)

Bright Citron 00

I've always wanted a yellow dress. Not neon yellow but something closer to goldenrod. This dress looks a bit neon in my photos, but in real life, it was more of a warmer yellow and not so fluorescent. There's a back zip, but it didn't zip down far enough for me to easily step into the dress. I had to wiggle it past my butt. Once on, I found the waist too tight. Perhaps I could size up, but the v-neck was already very deep and showed too much cleavage for my comfort. I did like that the dress was made of 100% cotton, and the chevron pattern was visually interesting. It was pretty slimming viewed from the side. All the seams lined up, which was nice. There was an issue with the back zipper not lying flat, but that could have been a one-off thing.

Verdict: Meh. A little small and the V is too deep.

Aquatic Floral Silk Dress (C4298)

Pewter Multi 00

I was pleasantly surprised by the price point of this dress. It's 100% silk with a polyester lining for $158. It would have been nice if the lining was also silk, but for the price, I can't complain too much. The silk was medium weight with a nice drape. As I mentioned in my last post, I love the aquatic floral print. This was no exception. I liked how swingy the skirt was. The zip was easy to get in and out of. The shoulders were a little weird. Rather than being completely sleeveless, the straps sort of sat on the shoulders. Also I wish the pattern had been better lined up, especially on the flounce. Or just get rid of the flounce entirely. Nitpicking aside, I think this would be a beautiful dress to wear to an upcoming garden wedding. We'll see if it goes on sale in time.

Verdict: Like and wishlisted. 

Punched-Out Eyelet Short (B9098)

Classic Ivory 00

I was interested in the punched-out eyelet skirt, but that's already sold out in most sizes. I had to settle for trying on these shorts instead. My first impression was that they felt very thick. Essentially there's a cotton punched-out layer followed by a poly under layer, so they really are twice as thick. They didn't have my usual size 0, so I just grabbed it in a 00. It fit exactly with no room to spare, so in the future I should get the 0. These shorts were high-rise, coming up almost to my belly button. There's a little bit of piping that looks almost like pleats. There were also slant pockets, which I liked. Overall, it's a fresh take on polka dots.

Verdict: Like. True to size.

Linen Lace-Trim Short (C0896)

Bright Yellow 0

I don't know what to think about these shorts. The shape and pleats look formal, but the fabric and embroidery say casual. They also felt very thick when I picked them up, which makes sense since they're double layered. The nice thing about the cotton under layer is that it gives the top linen layer some structure. Also, this way the linen doesn't cling to your body. The leg holes were very large and roomy. The waist was also large. I would recommending sizing down. The tonal nature of the embroidery makes it very difficult to see the details. I think it would have been more interesting to use a contrasting color. Anyway, this doesn't make my wishlist.

Verdict: Meh. Runs large.

Are any of these new arrivals on your wishlist?

J.Crew Reviews: Photo Floral Tee, Photo Floral Tank Top, Sleeveless Silk Shell in Aquatic Floral, Shadow Stripe Top, Jet-Set Geo Shell

My fiancé was out of town this weekend, so I had time to myself on Saturday and decided to check out the latest J.Crew new arrivals. I usually like to do a reconnaissance/window-shopping trip so that I can prioritize my purchases for the upcoming season. Anyway, I saw a few things that I liked so I'll be on the lookout for those when sale time rolls around.

Photo Floral Tee (C2928)

White Poppy XXS

This tee was originally on my wishlist, but I crossed it off after my try-on. I saw both color combos in store: white poppy (white background with pink flowers) and white (white background with beige-grey flowers). I preferred the pink floral design out of the two. I wasn't crazy about the fit though. The length was slightly too long, the flowers felt stiff to the touch, the almost-dolman sleeves were of an indeterminate length, and the white portion was sheer. At the end of the day, this didn't feel special enough to me. It seems like yet another run-of-the-mill floral tee that J.Crew has been pumping out.

Verdict: Blah. True to size. 

Photo Floral Tank Top (C2517)

Heather Steel Blush XXS

I liked this tank better than the tee, but it also had its own issues. The floral design was nice. I liked how the flowers were scattered across the whole body instead of being focused only around the shoulder area. I wasn't crazy about the color combination (heather grey and pale pink). Perhaps it would look better if they used a darker grey or a more vibrant pink. The sleeves were confusing. They were somewhere between a mini cap sleeve and muscle tank. I felt that they made my shoulders look wider, which isn't very flattering. The fit was nice and slim though. Overall, not bad but could be better.

Verdict: Meh. True to size.

Sleeveless Silk Shell in Aquatic Floral (C4041)

Pewter Multi 0

I'm loving the aquatic floral pattern from this past rollout. It has so many different colors in it, including black, turquoise, mint, citron, and white. This shell is very simple, but the pattern makes it special. It's made from 100% silk and has a hidden placket with buttons. The silk was a little staticky for some reason, but that didn't bother me too much. The store I went to didn't have my usual 00, so I had to grab the 0. Surprisingly it almost fit in the shoulders and bust, which leads me to think that this top runs small. My suggestion is to try on both your normal size and one size up, and see which you like better. Note that it hits at the hip, instead of tunic length like some of J.Crew's recent tops. The one thing about it that I didn't like was the weird split side hem. It was like a normal shirt-tail hem with an additional panel of fabric inserted down the side.

Verdict: Like. May need to size up.

Shadow Stripe Top (B9301)

Blossom 00

I like the idea of this top more than the execution. As you can see, the stripes in the front are vertical, but the stripes in the back are horizontal. I thought that was an interesting touch. You definitely need to wear a cami under it since the "stripes" are sheer. This top was made from 80% viscose and 20% polyester. It felt stiff like satin and has zero stretch. I took my normal size 00 and felt that it was boxy in the torso. However, I wouldn't recommend sizing down, because it felt tight across my shoulders. The hem was asymmetrical, being shorter in the front and longer in the back. In my opinion, both the front and the back were too long. This was a pass for me.

Verdict: Meh. Boxy but size down only if you have narrow shoulders. 

Jet-Set Geo Shell (C0267)

Glamorous Pink 00

The online product photo for this top made it look like it had a jeweled collar. That turns out to be just a necklace they added. Anyway, I found it somewhat misleading. So the fabric for this was 97% cotton/3% elastane and felt like something that would be used for a stretch cotton suiting shirt. There was an exposed zipper in the back to help you slip in and out of it. The hem was quite strange. It was like a cross between a shirt-tail hem and a tulip wrap skirt. Take a close look at the side view and you'll see what I mean. It fit well in the shoulders and chest but seemed a little boxy through the torso. The overall length was good. Overall the top wasn't bad, just not my style.

Verdict: Meh. True to size. A little boxy through the torso. 

What do you like from the latest J.Crew rollout? Are any of these items on your wishlist?

J.Crew Reviews: Tilly Sweater, Painter Boatneck Tee in Stripe, Sleeveless Beaded Zip Top, Collarless Poplin Popover, Stretch Toothpick Cone Denim Jean in White, Laser-Cut Pleated Skirt

New arrivals debuted on the website last week, so over the weekend I stopped by my local store to make some returns and check out the new stuff. Sadly, they didn't have everything I was looking for, so I could only try on a handful of things. If you're interested in any of the following items and want to know my measurements for fit reference, you can find them here.

Tilly Sweater (Lemon XXS)

The Tilly sweater is being billed by J.Crew as an updated version of their popular Tippi, so I wanted to try it on and compare the two fits. First of all, I have to confess that I've never been a huge fan of the Tippi pullover (although I adore the Tippi cardigan which I wear all year round). I know a lot of ladies like it, but the few that I've bought on sale are all too tight in the shoulders/arms in my usual XXS. Before I bought them, I also tried on the XS, but the sleeves were too roomy, and the seams didn't lie flat against my shoulders. Anyway sale goggles were in effect, and now I regret those purchases. On the bright side, the Tippi comes in a variety of fun colors, and the merino wool is comfortable and low maintenance.

Now back to the Tilly, which is also available in a rainbow of colors. So the wool is pretty thin, but I found it comparable to the Tippi. Unlike the Tippi, the Tilly has long sleeves, which I much prefer. Also the XXS wasn't too tight in the shoulders. The torso was also wider. However, the length is way too short to be flattering on anyone tall or long-waisted. I'm only 5' 4", but this ended exactly at the hip, just below the top of my jeans. The resulting effect was very unflattering, as you can see in the pictures. I felt like that was due to the ribbed hem emphasizing my stomach pooch. However, I will allow that the Tilly may look better on short-waisted ladies and/or when worn over skirts and dresses.

Verdict: Blah for me, but might work on shorter/short-waisted ladies. True to size.

Painter Boatneck Tee in Stripe (Heather Slate Ivory XS)

J.Crew's painter tees always seem to run one size small, especially in the arms. This was also the case with this stripe version. I went up a size from my usual XXS, and that was the right choice. True to the color's name, these stripes were gray on an ivory background. The tee was fitted and the fabric was soft, but the sleeves were a little shorter than I expected. Also the torso was a little too long. Sadly the material isn't thick enough, because I can still see a hint of my belly button (and muffin top...), which isn't very flattering.

Verdict: Meh. Go up a size if you're interested, but there are better striped tees out there.

Sleeveless Beaded Zip Top (White 00)

This beaded top isn't really my personal style, but I thought I would try it on for the blog. I like the color combination, and the unexpected use of stripes adds visual interest. The beading also doesn't seem like it'll fall off immediately. However, the fit leaves something to be desired. I usually wear a 00, and this gapes under the arms and is boxy throughout. Hence I would suggest going down a size. The fabric feels similar to what you would expect for a non-iron shirt. It's sort of stiff and has a small amount of stretch. I didn't care for the side zippers on this at all. I'm not sure why someone would intentionally add them. They felt unpleasantly cold against my skin in the fitting room, and I can't imagine wanting to wear this on a cool morning. The top was tunic-length on my 5' 4" frame, but it wasn't too overwhelming. Ultimately not a hit for me.

Verdict: Meh. A little too large.

Collarless Poplin Popover (White 00)

I don't have much to say about this collarless top. I liked the gold detail on the placket, and the sleeve fit was good. Those were the only things I liked though. The whole top was a little too simple. The mandarin collar felt bare, and the lack of a shoulder seam was strange. Also, from the side, this popover makes me look a little pregnant.

Verdict: Blah. Poofy in the stomach.

Stretch Toothpick Cone Denim Jean in White

(White 25)

I've been looking for the perfect pair of white jeans for a long time now. Not see-through, doesn't make me look fat, with a 28"-29" inseam. I had high hopes for these white toothpicks after my recent success with 3 other pairs of J.Crew jeans. However, in the course of trying these on, I realized that J.Crew denim sizing is all over the place. So I usually wear size 25 in most premium denim brands, but my miller wash toothpicks and blacksmith wash toothpicks were both size 24s, and my sateen toothpick jean is a size 26. I eyeballed these in a few sizes and took the 25 with me into the fitting room. I think that was the right choice, because the waist was close to right. The fabric felt decently thick, but I could still see the color of my underwear, the outline of the pockets, and the outline of my knees. Also they were wrinkly in the back of the thigh. The length was good though (I have a 30" inseam). Too bad they didn't work out.

Verdict: Wanted to like, but meh in the end. Runs small for J.Crew (true to size for actual denim), but best to try on in person.

Laser-Cut Pleated Skirt (Dusty Alabaster 00)

I saw this pleated skirt on a mannequin and had to try it on. The color was so pretty, and the laser cut-outs were very interesting close up! tried on my usual 00 and found it true to size. It's nice that they added a slip underneath in the same color, so it's not too see-through. I wouldn't go so far as to wear dark undergarments though just in case. Even though the fabric was a polyester blend, it felt quite nice and swooshy. The skirt was fun to twirl. The drop waist gives you the option of wearing your top tucked or untucked. I have a pet peeve about being able to see my belly button through clothes (weirdly specific, I know), so I would probably only wear this untucked.

Verdict: Like. True to size.

While going through these photos, I saw my very noticeable VPL! Yikes... I need to find a solution ASAP. Do any of you ladies have (comfortable) recommendations?

What do you like from the new arrivals at J.Crew?