Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Let Them Eat Cake - the J Crew Cotton Sateen Gateau Skirt

The J Crew Cotton Sateen Gateau Skirt (#13464, orig $88, curr $69.50 online & in store). I have been dying to try it since reading about it on Gigi's blog for several reasons - 1) JC's minis are too short on me and 20" sounded like a good length, 2) I don't really do pencil skirts since I prefer flats, and 3) hello, machine washable. So I tried it on at our DC JCA outing on Sunday, and got it. I got my regular pant size, a 10, but I think I would like to try an 8 when I go to the store to do returns. It's loose on the waist, which I like, so the hips don't bell out too much, but we'll see - I should probably double check the size.

When I tried it on in store, I realized that for me and my extra long-femurs, I would like it with something out, not tucked in, and that something would have to hit at the right spot. So before making the decision to keep or not, I pulled out a ton of stuff to try it with. Lucy cooperated by napping on the bathroom floor after a long walk, so I was productive but quick (hence the shoe/necklace repetition you see). Pardon the discoloration on my left shin, I still have an 8" bruise from tripping over the indoor dog fence a week and a half ago. It's a lovely shade now.

#1 - With the navy ruffled scoopneck tee I got Sunday (still deciding on the tee since I got the ruffle tank in navy, too)
#2 - With a white shirt. Didn't like the pics of this because it's so pale. But in the mirror, it looked good. Would be even better with some cute sandals and a semi-tan (since I live in SPF 70 in the summer). Maybe a (gasp) belt. Would have to get a belt, though, since I don't really have any. And yes, a cami - like I said - quick.#3 - With the silk-linen v-neck sweater. I am still returning the sweater, but love the cut with the skirt, so I will be looking for a new color, definitely. This made up my mind about what to do with the sweater.
#4 & #5 - With a plain gray tee, and then that tee and a Jackie cardi. Like both of these.



















#6 - With my silk-bow critter applique tee from Fall. Like this pic, but the bow is cream and not so sure about it with the light pewter skirt - would be great with the champagne skirt, however.

#7 - With the short sleeve v-neck cardi in navy and a navy tee underneath. Likey ok.

#8 - With my Summer 07 anchor tee - think this would be great with some better accessories and silver sandals.

First of all, yes, I really should have cut my head off in these pics because it would have made it shorter, and that would have been appropriate with the cake comment. And I need to get hubby to re-load some software so that I can combine pics in 1 line. Besides that...What do you think? Is it a keeper? I would love some feedback on which looks you think work or not. And if you have some styling suggestions, I would love to hear them. I would love a black turtleneck with it next Fall and some black pumps. (Again, please realize that I was quickly swapping tops and was just grabbing 1 of 2 pairs of flats, so pardon the accessorizing here)

20 comments:

AppGal said...

oooh! These are all great looks on you! I loooove this skirt. I tried it on a while back, when it first came out, and have been waiting for it to drop a leetle bit more in price until I bite the bullet. I tried on one size below my normal size in j.crew pants/skirts and it fit pretty much perfectly, so I would definitely try on the 8 if you can.

Okay, so my favorite outfits are #s 1 3 4 5 & 7 :) I esp. like the one with the green cardi.

Daisy said...

Love it on you. Looks like it could be dressed up or down easily and ...gasp... machine washable.
Keep it. Great length for you!

Patina said...

1 2 3 4 7 and 8 are my favorites. you look beautiful. I love the cut and fit of the skirt on you.

AppGal said...

ha...i *just now* got your "cut my head off" and cake references. i'm slow...whew :)

dinagideon said...

Hey!!! 1, 3, 4, and 8...but honestly they all look so pretty!

If you return it and get a smaller size (whee) it may change the look of the skirt, so bearing that in mind I think the silk/linen v-neck and anchor top will still look good if the skirt is a little less full.

I think flats are best with a skirt like this because of the fullness...J. Crew has some awesome printed flats...maybe some of those would work with this skirt?

Have a great day and I am glad to see how much you love this skirt.

BTW, I bought the Fresco Tunic (with the pretty white trim) at Tysons last night for 50 dollars (that is 100 down from its original price). I am definitely bringing it to Florida.

If you want it, I believe Tysons has more left!!! ;)

GingerSnap said...

I love the skirt (I think it is a definite keeper). I definitely see the issue with tops though. I think it needs to be paired with a contrasting top (the white/black tops were almost too blah) My favorite was the ruffled navy top and the bright v-neck sweater (which I know you are returning, but maybe something similar would do?) Overall I love it! You could also try to pair it with a pink (as in magenta) blouse and a navy jackie cardi (with a belt!) That would be cute too!

Rachel said...

That skirt is beautiful - you look great in it! I like all the ways you styled it, but 1, 7, and 8 are definitely my favorites.

I also like the idea of 2. Another option could be to tuck in the button down and layer a cardigan over it, that way you get the length you want from the cardigan and not the shirt.

Christina said...

love look number 3. orange is a great color on you.

Shann said...

Looks great on you! I love all the outfits

Unknown said...

You MUST keep this. I love it on you. The bow tee sort of competes with the skirt, but I'm only judging by the pic. I think the plain navy tee looks good, but pull your hair back when you wear that look. I love your hair down w/the green cardi with it. And I love all of the looks. I cannot believe that orange sweater is not that rich of a hue in person. You need a sweater that color. It's so great on you. Oh -- I love the white shirt too, but try rolling the sleeves and seeing how that looks w/a belt. I know you don't like belts, but you never know. That's you...no belts, right?

KatyO. said...

This is a fabulous skirt on you! :) And you really make all of the tops with it lovely. I especially like the brighter colors with the pewter.

HeidiG said...

Thank you all for the great input and the suggestions. They are much appreciated, believe me!

I will try the 8, but have the 10 with me so that I can compare. Should have tried the 8 in store, but there was so much going on, way too distracted!

And I am going to see what other bright color I can find in the sweater, I am thinking the sun yellow.

AppGal - you're tall, so this would work well for you. glad you appreciated the French Revolution humor. I took 5 years of French in middle/high school, so gateau always takes me there.

Daisy - yes, machine washable. Love!

Dina - oooh, will have to look for that - may hit Tysons to do my returns/exchanges this afternoon since I have to run to the office (or JC visit may have to wait until tomorrow morning, depends on how long I can leave Lucy)

GingerSnap - I agree - I like the contrast of the brighter colors with the light pewter. Although I think the navy would work well if I accessorized properly, which I didn't have the time to do when I was throwing tops on and off.

HeidiG said...

ShopDiva - oops, didnt mean to leave you out in the earlier comment - thank you!

Rachel - thanks, I think I do need to work on #2 a bit more. like the idea of blouse with cardi, if the cardi can hang right with the skirt. I actually tried it with the long merino cardi I had on yesterday and the sweater just didn't sit right.

Christina - thank you. I love orange, just not *this* exact shade (it really photographs better than it looks IRL)

Shannon - thank you!

Gigi - I am, don't worry. Appreciate the emphasis. :) You're right, I'm the no-belt person, but weirdly enough my first thought when I looked in the mirror was "this needs a belt". Guess I've been drinking the crewlade, lol. Like the sleeve suggestion, too.

KatyO - thank you - yes, I do agree with you and GingerSnap that the brighter colors really liven it up.

Again - thank you ALL for your input, I really appreciate it!!

AppGal said...

i shall be eating cake soon enough...I just ordered the skirt in champagne :) yay!

HeidiG said...

AppGal - yay! Can't wait to see your pics!!

A said...

I LOVE this skirt on you Heidi! The outfits you put together for it all look great IMO. It's too bad about the orange sweater. I think it's very pretty on you. I ordered it yesterday too. Now I'll have to block out that comment about your 'experience' with the color though. ;)

HeidiG said...

BiggerCloset - thank you! Sorry, hope the comment doesn't scar you for life. Just think, you have a different skin tone (very creamy ivory or peaches & cream from your pics) so sweet cantaloupe will be totally different on you.

Slastena said...

Heidi, I am glad you got the skirt. Looks like it was made for you! I especially like loks 1, 6 and 7. Gorgeous!And those legs? To die for!!!

Slastena said...

Heidi, I am glad you got the skirt. Looks like it was made for you! I especially like loks 1, 6 and 7. Gorgeous!And those legs? To die for!!!

HeidiG said...

Slastena - thank you! My height made it work, I think - much better than those (grumble grumble) stupid too-short minis that I always covet... I can't wait for a nice enough day to wear it now!