Happy mid-December, everyone. As we enter the home stretch of the holiday shopping period, retailers will continue to gun for our hard-earned money so, as always, please shop with a critical eye and razor-sharp scrutiny. You’ll want to save some money for the post-holiday sales too.
Retailer: Anthropologie
The Discount: free shipping on all orders with code GIVEGREAT
Retailer: Banana Republic (EXPIRES 12/18)
The Discount: 30% off your purchase with code BR48HOUR
Retailer: French Connection (EXPIRES 12/17)
The Discount: 50% all sale styles with code FCGIFTS and free 3-day shipping on all online purchases over $100.
Retailer: The Gap
The Discount: 35% off your entire purchase with code GAPGIVE
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| Academy Blazer | Ponte Two-button Blazer | Striped Ponte Academy Blazer |
I recently purchased the Dot Boyfriend Pocket Shirt and the Plaid Academy Blazer.
Retailer: J. Crew Factory
The Discount: 40% off almost everything (prices as marked) plus 20% off $75+ with code SCOREMORE
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| Anytime Dress | Warmspun Dress | Asymmetric Shift Dress Banded Shift Dress | Cap-sleeve Dress | Draped Shift Dress |
Retailer: J. Crew
The Discount: 30% off and free shipping on every purchase with code WISHLIST.
J. Crew has been relentless (or should I say…generous) with its discounts and promotions as of late. I think a lot of it can be attributed to a weaker retail environment but I won’t complain about discounts.
The newest promotion is 30% off everything (and free shipping) with code WISHLIST. I read on J. Crew Aficionada, the destination for all things J. Crew, that this sale is expected to run until Christmas eve in-store, at which point the post-Christmas sale kicks in.
I am currently (casually) watching a few items (the Hacking Jacket in Double-Serge Wool, the Lady Jacket in Corkscrew Tweed, the Jewel-Neck Top, the Collection Lady Jacket in Graphic Tweed, the Collection Cafe Capri in Graphic Tweed, and the Boucle Peplum Jacket) but think prices will go lower. It may be another week or two before the next price dip since there was a markdown earlier this week.
My backordered Double-cloth Funnel Coat will arrive this week so I will do a proper review (hopefully) next week. I am looking to add a new black coat to my regular rotation this winter and have tried several from pricier brands but wanted to explore all of my options before making my decision.
The fit of the Double-cloth Funnel Coat is consistent with that of the Double-cloth Lady Day Coat. If you need to size up for the Lady Day Coat, I would do the same for the Funnel Coat. The shoulders are slightly smaller and the sleeves shorter on the Funnel Coat, relative to the Lady Day Coat.
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| 00P – Black |
Another style that I am contemplating is the Lady Day Coat – I like the fit and the price but I already own the coat in Oasis Green. I think I can afford to widen my search on this but am hanging onto this coat until I make my final decision. The 2012 version fits similarly to the 2011 one.
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| Wearing 00P |
An item that I previously glanced over but has now fallen enough in price to garner a second look is the Tipped Peacoat. The fit is only “passable” on me so I wasn’t thrilled with it at $298. I was thinking at $50 I would bring it home to play with. At worst I will gift it to one of my many female family members. I spotted it on Tam yesterday and it only furthered my resolve to own it (eventually and at the right price).
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| Tipped Peacoat |
Among the numerous orders I placed and returned recently are two Crewcuts coats – the Stadium-Cloth Marquee Coat and the Wool-Cashmere Bow Coat (adult version here; I adore the pricier Burberry take too). I almost ordered the Gold-Button Coat as well but the two colors available don’t thrill me. I ordered both coats in size 14 but think I can afford to go down a size but ultimately girls’ coats are just not a good fit for me in general (especially ones with a defined waist).
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| Wool Cashmere Bow Coat in size 14 15″ across the shoulders, 22″-long sleeves, 32″ in total length |
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| Stadium-cloth Marquee Coat in size 14 15″ across the shoulder, 32″ long, 23″-long sleeves |
And what’s a J. Crew post without my trying to recommend the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Double-Serge Wool and the Schoolboy Blazer. I have personally found success in both styles and think they have the potential to be flattering on everyone (granted J. Crew offers your size). I recently ordered the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Corkscrew Tweed (fits slightly bigger than the version in double-serge wool) but didn’t love the color so it was sent back.
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| 00P |
The Cha Cha Linen Dress (also available in lace) and the Janey Patent Flats from my last order were both returned. Linen is not really a fabric I know how to wear well and the fact that the Cha Cha Dress is a white linen dress with frills just compounded its difficulty level.
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| size 0 | 35.5″ in length, 13.4″ across the waist, and 19″ across the hip |
I thought I would love the Janey Flats since I’ve seen them in-store and inspected them closely. However, the pair that came in the mail had a distinct paint smell to them so I promptly made the decision to return them. The pair I received fits TTS so you do not need to go up a size like you normally would for J. Crew.
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| Size 7 – Dusty Jade |
I’ve already sang praises of the Sterling Skirt in Double-Serge Wool in this post – but found pictures that I thought had been accidentally deleted. The only thing I would add to my previous assessment is that “sheer mint” is an easily dirtied color. If you are clumsy (like I am at times), I would steer clear of this color.
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| 00P measures 20 inches in total length and ~12 inches across the waist |
Another skirt that I ordered and kept (at J’s insistence) is the Pleated Crepe Skirt which I remain indifferent about. The size 00 measures about 13.5″ at the waist and is 17.5″ long. I wore it for this post and shoddily took in the waist with my rudimentary sewing skills. The skirt comes in a colorblock version which I find a lot more interesting.
Other items that I feel are worth a second look include the Filigree-Embroidered Beach Dress (if only for the price; it’s out of season but I own it and think it’s a unique piece) and the Girls’ Polka-Dot Cashmere Sweater.
You also can’t go wrong with outerwear, try the Icon Trench in Wool-Cashmere (thoroughly reviewed by Jean of Extra Petite and Cher of A Fashion Deliberation), the Double-Cloth Slim Trench, Metro Coat with Thinsulate, Wool-Cashmere Peplum Coat, Collection Toggle Coat, Stadium-cloth Duffle Coat, Stadium-cloth Mod Coat, or the Double-cloth Symphony Coat.
J. Crew’s sales have been so good that nearly everyone on my daily “read” list has been sporting something from the preppy retailer. I liked the Majesty Peacoat on Cee, the Lady Jacket on Jean, the head-to-toe Crewcuts on Khatu (*shakes fist* she makes Crewcuts pieces look deceptively attractive), velvet blazer on Kelly, the tipped coat I mentioned earlier on Tam, colorblocked check mini on Vicky, and lots of fitting room pics that S snapped.
Retailer: Talbots
The Discount: 40% off your entire purchase with code MERRY
Retailer: Victoria’s Secret
The Discount: 20% off a single clothing item or pair of shoes with code FASHION20; free 2nd day express delivery on orders of $100+ with code SHIP2DAY
