Friday, August 5, 2011

J.Crew Fall 2011 Reviews and IRL Photos: Maisie dress, Ticking Stripe derby dress, and Ruthie Shirtdress

Today I took a trip to my semi-local (50 minutes away) J.Crew B&M after my wonderful personal shopper enticed me by extending the online 20% off offer to in-store purchases.  She is really too good at her job, because she brought me loads of beautiful new arrivals to try on.  So many, in fact, that I'm going to split my reviews into three separate posts.  This post will review the dresses I tried on.  Let's get started, shall we?

Price: $178
Size: 4
Pros: Elastic waistband, gorgeous print, flowy and comfortable
Cons: I couldn't come up with any
I love love love this dress.  I've been trying to go on a bit of a spending break, but if this dress sticks around long enough to make it to the sale, it's mine.  It's extremely comfortable, and the elastic waistband allows for some extra room.  The arms are sheer, and the print is slightly lighter than the online picture shows.  The light areas are actually a pretty cream color instead of the brown in the website's photo.
Here's another shot of it with the Mona leather pumps in brick red. 
The pumps are another purchase I'm considering.  They're so ladylike and comfortable!  Don't mind the fiance's feet.  He was perusing the catalog and guffawing at the prices. 


Price: $138

Size: 4
Pros: Sits nicely, flows well, fits a large bust and small waist quite well
Cons: The material, the darts at the bust, side zipper, spaghetti straps
This dress is pretty and is very wearable, but it just wasn't for me.  If you have a large bust and wear a bra, the spaghetti straps do not hide bra straps.  I love the pleating at the waist,  but hated the way the darts hit on the bust.  My personal shopper had it styled with the Schoolboy Blazer in wool flannel in the color heather caramel:

While I love the styling, I still wasn't going to bite on this outfit.  The blazer (here in a size 4) seemed a little heavy for the dress.  it also seemed like it was a little large.  I could have probably sized down to a 2. 

Price: $118
Size: 4
Pros: Pretty color, comfortable material, nice length, figure-flattering
Cons: Buttons gap on a larger bust
I seriously considered walking out of the store with this dress, and I was truly surprised.  The last time I was at the Crew at the beginning of the summer, my personal shopper tried to get me to buy the Herringbone Cargo dress, and I hated it.  At first glance, I thought this dress would be similar due to its military-esque look.  I almost didn't try it on at all.  Oh, how wrong I was.  This dress is so comfortable that I almost bought it.  The only thing that stopped me was the buttons.  Those darn buttons get me (and my chest) every time.  For reference, I wear a 34D.  If you wear a smaller bra size and are considering this dress, I highly recommend it.  The material is smooth and the shape of the dress allows for room in the hips and thighs, but it makes your waist look ittybitty.  Someone out there, please buy this dress so I can live vicariously through you :)

Alright, that's it for the dresses. 
Coming soon are reviews for:
Tippi Sweater in dark grape and bold peri
Blythe Blouse in extravagant green
Boy Shirt in quincy tartan
The much-loved and sold out online Paisley Pencil Skirt (my B&M had plenty in stock, so don't fear if you want one!)


6 comments:

  1. Thanks, Tammy! It felt SO comfortable and easy to wear.

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  2. What a great review. I really wanted to see Maisie dress IRL and I loved it on you, esp. with red pumps.:) If that's your man in a pic, give him a hug for being such a darling and sitting through the fittings. Mine usually throws a fit.

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  3. Thank you, Slastena! I would have never tried it on with the red pumps, but that was the only color they had in my size. Once I got it on, I was like, "Hey, I kind of love this together!"
    The fiance is a sweetheart. Although, he really had no choice. He drove the car around until he realized it wasn't going to take me five minutes like he had originally thought (silly boy), then he just gave in. Lol.

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  4. great reviews! i also tried on the ruthie dress the other day, loved it but had the button gapping problem :( so you aren't the only one. i also read your boyshirt review, and will probably not bother trying it on, because like you, the perfect shirts work for me and i hate when the bust and shoulders on a shirt are too snug. thanks for sharing!

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  5. Boo :( I'm sorry your buttons gaped, too. It's such a great dress otherwise that it's a shame that happens. Glad I could help on the boyshirt, too!

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