I love it when new arrivals hit a favorite store. And I just happened to pop into J.Crew this week when they had stocked the store with early spring styles that feel fresh and new, but still appropriate for the changing (and unpredictable weather). So today I’m sharing a few of the pieces I tried on along, with fit information and my honest assessment. So let’s check out my recent early spring J.Crew try-on session.
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The Low-Down on Try-On Sessions
Please keep in mind that these are photos taken on my phone in poor lighting. Also, I’ve been pulling clothes off and on in a tight space. So my hair is a mess, my makeup is melting and I look pretty kerplunked. Ha! So please just focus on the clothes and give a little grace to the lady with the phone in her hand trying to look decent in fitting room lighting. For reference, I’m 5’8″ and weigh about 160 pounds. I have even proportions and an hourglass shape. I usually wear a size misses 10 or 30 in jeans or mediums. I’m showing all garments in those sizes unless otherwise noted.
My Early Spring J.Crew Finds
First up I’m wearing a vintage jersey classic-fit crewneck T-shirt under their perfect cashmere cable-knit cardigan. I love both of these items and they fit nicely true to size. The crewneck T-shirt is super soft and I appreciate the high neckline that works nicely under crewneck sweaters. It’s a great layering piece. A little thin, but not to the point that I wouldn’t wear it alone. I already own this tee from last year.
The lotus blossom pink cashmere cable-knit cardigan is also super soft and a lightweight knit. I can definitely wear it alone without a tee later. And it would be beautiful worn open over a tank, tee or shirt, too. The sweater fits true to size and comes in other colors as well. I later ordered this sweater and already received it.
On the other hand, I do not care for the thinness of the denim in the Charley kickout cropped jeans I’m also wearing above. These jeans are comfortable enough and fit true to size. But because the fabric is on the thin side my cellulite shows through. Oh boy. Just keeping it real here. If you have smooth, beautiful skin on your legs and rear, these might be great jeans for spring and summer. But they’re not for me. Even if I sized up, these would not work. I passed on these jeans.
Next I’m sharing a sweet boyfriend jersey classic-fit T-shirt with heart embroidery, a striped cashmere crewneck sweatshirt and a pair of modern Zoe barrel jeans. The classic-fit T-shirt fits true to size and I appreciate the length – great for tucking or leaving untucked. By the way, it’s in the lightest shade of pink. The cashmere crewneck sweatshirt is such a fun piece, truly has that sweatshirt feel and silhouette, but in luxurious cashmere. And you may not be able to tell, but the stripes are navy, red, soft pink and ivory. I ordered the “sweatshirt” and t-shirt.
The Zoe barrel jeans are definitely a nice option if you’re enjoying this silhouette. I actually started wearing barrel jeans and pants when they first hit the scene in 2020, so I’m a little tired of them. But as the silhouette goes, I do like these. Because they are 100% cotton and have no stretch, plus they’re designed to be snug up top, their design team actually suggests sizing up. Of course I didn’t know this and I’m wearing my usual size 30. The look nice, but they were quite snug. So I would recommend going up one size. Just because I’m tired of the silhouette, I passed on these jeans.
Next I’m wearing a boyfriend jersey classic fit t-shirt in ruby raspberry over J.Crew’s slim-wide jeans in the resin rinse. I have these jeans from last year in the white and sized down to a 29 in those. They’re available again this year and I highly recommend them. The fabric is thick and the lines are great. I also have them in a lighter wash that’s no longer available and wear the 30 in those. But I would probably size up to a 31 in this darker wash, as these were a little snug. Yes, it’s quite common for jeans to run different in different washes due to the dye processes. Plus, I just checked and the fabric composition is actually different on the different washes. So always check that out when ordering jeans. The white denim has a much higher elastane percentage. I passed on these dark blue jeans, but would like to try them in the next size up.
Keep in mind that these are meant to be ankle length jeans and, because I’m wearing socks with my sneakers, they don’t show any ankle here. But with low vamp flats or sandals, the length will be nice. They also come in petite and tall sizes.
The tee fits true to size for a casual fit, and the color is a pretty muted red in a cool tone. I’m wearing J.Crew’s New Icon trench coat in washed hazelwood over the outfit. You’ll see two trenches in this post, and this one is the drapier of the two. It’s a 59% cotton/41% polyamide shell with a polyester lining. I love the drape and length of this coat, specifically if you’re looking for one to wear with dresses. I found it to fit true to size, especially if you want to be able to wear it over layered garments. I did not purchase this coat because I don’t need it.
Above I’m wearing the same jeans and the tee I showed earlier with a cashmere waffle-stitch crewneck sweatshirt in crisp begonia. This is a really fun sweater, thanks to the unique waffle-stitch detailing, something I’ve rarely seen with cashmere. For a sporty, relaxed look, this is a sweater I can really get behind. It fits nicely true to size and can be worn alone as well. I didn’t purchase it because I own something similar (not cashmere), but it’s lovely!
Above I’m wearing another New Icon trench coat. This one may be from last year, but it’s still available in most sizes. It’s a very different trench than the other shown above. This one is much more traditional with all the classic elements. (See this recent blog post for more details.) It’s stiffer, but still has a nice feel. And it does feature a removable hood and is 100% cotton. This trench coat is marked down 28% currently and is also available in black. It does come in petite sizes, too. I didn’t purchase it because I have a similar one.
And below I’m wearing a brushed cashmere boatneck t-shirt in an on trend navy candlelight stripe over a pair of Zoe barrel pants in 97% cotton/3% elastane. I’m wearing my true size 30 again here, and once again the website recommends sizing up. As I recall, these distant surplus green pants did indeed feel a little snug. They fastened, but they’re weren’t especially comfortable in this size. So I agree: size up. They’ve available in petite and tall sizes, too. I didn’t purchase them, but they’re a nice casual pant.
The brushed cashmere t-shirt fits nicely true to size and is a nice switch-up in necklines. It would look especially smart under a jacket of some kind. And it does come in some solid options as well. I got the brushed cashmere t-shirt in graduate blue instead.
So that’s a wrap. I always think I’ve tried on so many clothes in these try-on sessions. But in the end I feel like I don’t have nearly as much to show you as I’d like. That said, I have included a few other favorite items I saw in the store that day in the shopping widget below. Let me know if you have any questions. It’s always a pleasure to serve you.
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Blessed for My Day
I have such a love/hate relationship with social media. I find myself drawn to the opportunity to see what other people are doing and saying. In some ways I feel like it broadens my mind and my horizons. But then there are the negative and sometimes biting conversations and posts. No matter where you stand on topics, the rhetoric can quickly become confusing and tiresome. Some days scrolling through your feed feels like an uplifting expansion of your world…while other days it feels like a beating.
When I begin to feel bruised or even just confused by things I see on social media or even in traditional media formats, I find the need to pause and ponder rather than react and retaliate. And as I mull things over I realize quickly that what I really need is biblical perspective. Spending daily time in God’s Word settles my soul and calms my frustrations. It shines a light on truth and reveals speculations, delineates between godly and worldly wisdom and establishes my feet in a wider space. Also, unlike the voices on social media, God’s Word graciously instructs rather than shaming and blaming. If you’re feeling the frustrations brought on by shouting voices and contradicting opinions, I encourage you to spend time listening to the whispers from God’s Word today. Not only will it broaden your horizons and your mind, but it will anchor you in the storm.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward. ~ Psalm 19:7-11
Love that you keep it real. The ruby raspberry top really flatters you. I find social media and news exhausting. The world is such an angry place. I’m desperate for the Lord’s return.
I have never heard the expression kerplunked…is that commonly used in the midwest?
Hahaha! I doubt it. I haven’t lived in the Midwest long enough to pick up their lingo. Maybe it’s just a Kay-ism.
I’ve lived in the Pacific NW my entire life. I’m familiar with the word-usually in reference to the sound something makes when being hitting/falling into a liquid: “The carrot slices kerplunked into the soup pot.” I’ve not heard it used in reference to being tired.
Great job! Thank you for all of the tryons and information. You are beautiful inside and out!
Praying your husband gets better soon.
Thank you. He is slowly but surely improving.
Kay, I love your try-ons! It is so helpful when you tell us if you kept the item or not, and the reason for your decision.
Thank you so much.
You’re so welcome. 😊