Taking One For The Fashion Team
Happy Thursday ladies. I didn’t know just how unsalvagable the outfit this mannequin was modeling was until I started trying options, so bear with me. I’m a big fan of the classic styles at J. Crew Factory. The quality is great at the prices are reasonable. Here’s what I found.
Oy…ruffles on the shoulders combined with sleeveless are not a combo I ever aspire to wear, but since you’ve asked to see me model what the mannequin is wearing, here you go.
Truth- I did not initially bring this top into the dressing room. But when I saw how bad things were going, I figured I had nothing to lose and went out to get it. In for a penny, in for a pound =:-0.
These pants are one size too large for me because they run large so they’re bulkier looking than they should be. They come in 5 colors, classic and petite, XXS-3X. I am wearing a classic small.
The first thing I did was tuck the drawstring inside and if I owned these paper-bag pants, I would cut it off. I tried adding a simple tee and a slightly structured jacket. I didn’t hate this, but the jacket was too large for me so I just felt sloppy in this. I’m wearing a medium in the tee and it’s skin-tight so it runs very slim and I suggest you size up.
The more I looked at this combination the more the green combo began to have a hospital scrubs vibe… and the cream blazer just made it worse. The blazer is sized classic and petite, 0-22. I am wearing an 8.
Then I tried this poplin sleeveless gingham shirt. I preferred this pairing but the pink felt too vibrant for the sage green. It’s a great little shirt that comes in 6 colors, classic and petite, sizes XS-3X. I am wearing a classic medium and the armholes are too deep for my comfort level so I will order the petite.
Then I added their classic white denim jacket. I looked and looked at this combination and finally ruled it out because although the denim jacket has some minimal shaping, it looks too boxy with these wide-leg pants. The denim jacket is sized S-3X, I am wearing a small.
More from J. Crew Factory
What are your thoughts?
Every restyling of a mannequin is clearly not a home run but I hope you find them entertaining.
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Funny….taking one for
The team. Doesn’t it feel like that sometimes in a dressing room? I think you got close with the gingham shirt because it was tied at the waist. My solve….a white linen collared shirt, tied at the waist (like you did) with long sleeves rolled up. Tres chic
Yes! I looked for a white shirt and they were none which shocked me because I would expect them to carry one.
Hi, Jennifer:
I started chuckling while reading this, and my husband asked me why. I gave him a brief synopsis of the premise and he came to look over my shoulder. The photo he saw was the one with the green pants, t-shirt and white jacket. He wore a nearly identical outfit while a hospital resident in the early 80s. He said, “where’s her stethoscope?”
I thought you’d get a kick out of that.
LOL! I got that vibe too:)
I think a lot of JCrew fashion are for the younger set but they do have some winners. Those cute little ruffled tops and dresses would suit a child, certainly not a mature women. I see a lot of influencers in their 40s wearing them but my daughters would never.
What really surprises me is that they didn’t steam those pants. How can anyone look good in a wrinkle piece?!
The pants have kind of a doctor’s uniform vibe. It would be tough to dress these–a white or black T may be an option.
Ummmm I understand your comments, but you really don’t look too bad in anything. Although I think the ruffle sleeves are a little too young for me and I find the less can skin I show the better I look at 67
Thanks for taking one for the team. I hope the stores you visit notice posts. I’ve learned a lot from you! Your quip at the end of every post resonates…wear what makes you feel confident.
I work in a health-related field and those pants definitely have that “scrubs” vibe! I really don’t care for that style at all.
I really like the gingham top paired with the white jacket. Super cute!
Your hair is looking great!
Thanks so much
Everything pretty much has been said, so I’m just going to add that your hair is looking terrific!!
Thank you 🙂
I agree with other readers that these clothes are for young girls. They like the really baggy long pants and can get away with the look. Having to alter new clothes is not for me. The gingham sleeveless looks good on you.
In desperation, I ventured into a Forever 21 store in search of flared jeans. The main stores at the mall carry only sizes 4 and up for some reason. The tiny print on displays refers to other sizes being available online. Been there done that…I want to try the fit. Too many returns. So the music is playing and I look around. I swear I got the side-eye from one clerk! No help. I did find flared jeans. So flared it was just silly!
I will stick to the tried and true online retailers.
Sorry, that happened to you.
Not a fan of the paper bag pants…too much maintenance.
Liked the tee shirts and surprisingly the ruffled top was cuter than expected.
Thanks for what you do to keep us aware of the dos and don’ts!
Happy Thursday Mary
I thought the color of the pants threw off everything you tried on. They might have worked in a sand color, but at 5’3″ and a very short inseam, I would not wear them no matter the color! I really liked the gingham shirt but I wouldn’t wear the ruffled sleeved top. Thanks!
The tops were all cute but not for my 72 year old arms…LOL the wide pants would not be a choice for me. Too many wrinkles, even when pressed they wrinkle so quickly, you look like you slept in them. As lovely as linen might be, cool fabric and all, I definitely would look for something else. Thanks you for trying the mannequin 😅😅 have a great weekend Jennifer!
Have a great one yourself, Dianne
My thoughts – ditch the pants. With the exception of the green top, they are colorful and bring out your sparkle. And, all of them would look better with other pants or with skirts.
Thank you for a morning chuckle. You certainly did take one for the fashion team. Of course, not all styles will look well on everyone, so I greatly appreciate you telling us why you think certain styles don’t look good on you. And the size disparities are great appreciated. Luckily I have a J Crew near me, so I can return to the store, but I agree their sizes do not follow conventional styling. Thanks for plodding through all of those outfits!
I’ll be heading back to try some other things I thought looked promising.
I really like the ruffled top
on you! Very refreshing.
It’s certainly a change for me
I really like your dressing room diaries. It helps us so much. I liked every top you tried on. The problem for me are the paper bag pants. The only thing I could figure out what to wear with those is just a tucked in t shirt.
I think a tucked in tee would work best too
It’s all about the pants. The are not workable unless a person is very tall, I guess. All the tops are great. In fact, the ruffled chambray is very cute on your shoulders, would look great with white slim jeans maybe.
I really liked the first pairing on you, but I guess we dress for how the clothes make us feel. If you didn’t feel your best, maybe it wasn’t for you regardless of whether I or anyone else liked it on you. I feel kind of funny in ruffles myself. I also tend toward more classic styling. That said, the shirt is not too TOO ruffly, like some dresses I see out now. And the casual style of the pants tones it down somehow too.
What I found helpful about this post is your comments about the sizing: runs big, too tight so size up, runs small, etc. For me that means DO NOT ORDER ONLINE because who knows what will fit and then I am stuck with online returns. Thanks for your honesty helping your blog followers!
I agree. The pants are the problem, not the tops.
I’m in and out of J.Crew Factory on a fairly regular basis and I find their knit tops all seem to run small.
For the most part I don’t shop online from factory stores b/c consistent sizing is something they can’t maintain when stocking lesser priced merchandise.