Review: J.Crew Double-Stripe Sweater, Jackie Pullover Sweater, Basketweave No. 2 Pencil Skirt

After J.Crew's somewhat disappointing Fall/Holiday selection of overpriced, shedding sweaters (I itch when I look at their current sale section), I was pleased to see the most recent roll-out of cotton and merino sweaters in a more reasonable price range. I was hoping that they would create a cotton sweater with a similar fit to the 100% merino Tippi, which is fabulous but can irritate my skin without an under-layer. Plus, I live in Georgia now, and my opportunities to wear my beloved cashmere collection are more limited than ever before. It's friggin' hot down here! I'm also always in need of skirts for my fairly conservative work environment (I've had to build an entirely new work wardrobe in the past 6 months...not as fun as it might sound), so I delighted at the Basketweave No. 2 Pencil Skirt when I saw it. It was 30 degrees here today, but next week, it might be in the mid-70's. MOAR COTTON, PLZ.

(Please excuse the crappy Blackberry images, and no, the pictures aren't distorted - I've got a very busty figure. My boyfriend took these pics and I asked him if he could de-emphasize my top half somehow in the sweater images. He replied, "I'm basically taking pictures of your boobs here...there's no way they're going to look smaller." I have LOTS of dark shirts in my wardrobe.)


This is the Double-Stripe Sweater in the Red/Navy colorway, size M which is my usual size. This was an impulse buy for no other reason than I'm a sucker for stripes. It's slouchier than what I would normally wear to work and I thought about returning it, but it's also super comfortable, and the red color is a mood-lifting Hawaiian Punch hue (although the pictures probably don't show that very well). I think I'll probably live in this sweater after work and on the weekends, so it stays.


Here is the new Jackie Pullover Sweater in Bright Violet, size M. I was SO excited when I saw these online, and they didn't disappoint in person. Lightweight but tightly knit, not at all sheer, skims the figure with just the right amount of stretch, and a classic crewneck silhouette. LOVE. Perfect for work, I'll wear these sweaters with suits and blazers when it's cooler outside and alone with skirts when it warms up. The Jackie Pullover will also be adorable with my Minnie pants and a cute printed scarf for a fun 60's vibe.


Here is the No.2 Pencil Skirt in Basket-Weave Tweed, Marine Blue color. I thought that $128 for a cotton skirt was pushing it, but this tweed pencil is fully lined, soft to the touch, and a very nice weight for three seasons of wear. I take either a size 4 or a size 6 in J.Crew skirts and pants depending on the cut of the waist, and I took a 6 in this skirt to be on the safe side. I'm glad that I did - the size 4 would probably have given me love handles and been uncomfortable while sitting at my desk.


Here is a close-up of the fabric. I wanted you to see all of the different thread colors: navy, royal, periwinkle, and white. I think that this skirt will be a very versatile addition to my wardrobe and can be paired with many different shirts and sweaters. I'd love it if J.Crew would do this skirt in Black/Gray...the Green is a pretty color, but it wouldn't get a lot of wear in my closet.


Here is the skirt paired with a Navy Jackie Pullover sweater (the dark nail polish is left over from New Year's Eve...Roaring 20's Party). This outfit is a combination that I'll reach for again and again, with different accessories to spice it up. So simple and polished, it's a great base upon which to build one's daily work wardrobe, or for any occasion that you want to dress things up a bit. I'm very pleased with these purchases!

Happy New Year, and happy shopping!