Friday, May 22, 2009

Some More J Crew Dresses - Group 2 (Under Consideration)

To follow up on yesterday's post, here are the dresses that I am really liking and having a hard time deciding among. And I have decided I can only get 1, so it has to be the right choice. (all you enablers, go home.) I included the catalog pics in non-dark colors, so you can see the detail better.

#1 – Ruffled Cotton Sateen Dress (#15199, $110). This is the dress that Summerilla was wearing for the DC JCA tea in dark mushroom. It also comes in classic navy, papaya, and warm shell. Well, of course, I made a beeline for the navy when I went to try it on.

I don’t usually do belts, as you know. And I don’t usually do anything that ties at the waist. But this dress ties a bit above the waist, so it sits in a good spot. I love the feel of the cotton sateen. The ruffle around the neck is a fabulous detail.
But the best detail, that you don’t even see in the online pics, is that the lining is finished with a pleated hem “for added flounce.” Too cute!!

You can see Summerilla’s pic in the dress here.


#2 – Tiered Linen Playa Dress (#15191, $138). This is the dress that Slastena was wearing for the DC JCA tea in papaya. I tried the papaya but it was not saturated enough on me – it just was kinda blah with my skin tone. But I really liked the white.

The main question is how often would I wear this? And, is it too young for me? But, as I commented on someone’s post about this dress…I felt so light…almost ethereal – and finding something that can make me (5’10”, size 8…in the dress) feel ethereal…that’s quite an accomplishment.

You can see Slastena’s pics of the dress here. And reviews by Gigi and J’Adore These Stores.


#3 – Stretch Cotton Sateen Daphne Dress (#12600, $128). This is very similar in cut to the dress I wore to the DC JCA tea. (Have you sensed the theme here? It’s a good thing there weren’t more ladies there or this list would be a mile long.) My dress was a knit from AT Loft about a year and a half ago, so this would be an upgrade. The Loft dress will be starting to show its age very soon. But it always makes for a perfect backdrop. And it always feels “right” no matter the occasion.

I loved the way the Daphne fit, so I think it would be a great replacement. The shirring in the bodice is so pretty and gives some added detail to the rather simple shape. It feels a bit Mad-Men-ish to me (which, of course, is a good thing).



So what do you think?

#1 – Ruffle dress in navy
#2 – Playa dress in white
#3 – Daphne dress in black
#4 – None of the above

53 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the Daphne on you, and it's a great basic that you could wear to almost anything. If you can swing 2 of them, get the ruffle neck one as well.

3-Penny Princess said...

I love the Daphne on you the best! You have such the perfect figure for it - I think that dress was made for you, girl!

Which isn't to say that the other dresses don't look good on you. I also like the white Playa (basic white is actually very flattering on you, unlike moi). As for the cotton sateen dress, I personally love it and tried it on myself (before I saw Sumerilla in it) but in the store/online it didn't come in petites. But now, lo and behold, it seems to. I like it on you, but I'd like to see you try it in another color, maybe papaya.

Have a great long weekend!

Anonymous said...

I love the first dress on you! I never do belts or ties either, but it really hits you in the right spot an looks great! I love navy dresses too-- such a classic and a nice change from black.

The Playa tiered dress is pretty too, but would you feel comfortable wearing it? It's very flattering and looks light.

I like the last one, but it's similar to what you have.

I personally would go for the first ruffle neck (I want one too) ;)

Patina said...

i love all of them on you, but 1 and 3 are my favorites. Hold out for the playa dress when it goes on sale and snag it! sorry, i am the shopaholic aka enabler

Jayna Wallace said...

I vote for the Ruffle Dress in Navy AND the Daphne dress in Black! They both look so cute on you! And I might be tempted to try out the Daphne myself. I usually try to avoid dresses that come in at the waist (there was one I got last winter - can't remember the name - which caused me to bulge out of both the top and the bottom....not at all attractive!) But I LOVE these on you. Looks like so much fun to have a dressing room fashion show. I'll have to try that too. :)

Christy {SparklesandSpinach} said...

I think the ruffle dress looks great on you!!!

sparrowsandsparkles said...

#1 the ruffled cotton. love, love, love! It looks better on you then the model and now I want it! {runs to J Crew} :) Have a great day! ( #3 Daphne is also perfect on you but there is just something about the Ruffled Cotton that is a little different and fun... perfect summer dress.)

Laura said...

I'm going to vote for #1...I just love the ruffle!!!

Emily said...

I love the Daphne on you. It looks like it was tailored to fit you. The other two are also really cute but I think I would wait for a sale.

Drewablank said...

Oh, man, I'm going to be bad and say that all 3 dresses look teriff on you! :p

Ok...going home now....

Drewablank said...

But seriously...'looks like it's a neck to neck race between the ruffle neck and daphne.

I vote...the daphne. You looked so elegant in the AT Loft dress at the Tea, and this would be a great replacement! :D

GingerSnap said...

Before you even posted today's post, I thought of you and the sateen ruffled dress! I DEFINITELY think that one is the way to go. You can dress it up (for a wedding, etc) or down for bopping around town. It is soooo cute and by far the most flattering on you :) GET IT, GET IT!

dinagideon said...

I am going to say all THREE. LOVED THEM ON YOU!

But if you tied me to a tree and told me you won't let me go till I choose, I say 1. I LOVE that one the most on you.

:) I am so trying that on when we get together soon...

snaphappy said...

#1

:)

Cate said...

i say 1 or 3, both look great... but i think you should get the daphne- its more of a timeless dress than 1.

Donna said...

I LOVE the ruffle dress in Navy on you!! I've been eyeing it too and have yet to try it on. Love it!!

Anonymous said...

That ruffle dress looks so good on you, I might have to buy it now. I love navy on a fair brunette. The Daphne seems like a dress you could find anywhere, but it does look great on you. Really, they all do, but #1 looks amazing.

tm said...

#3 is so classic, you can't go wrong. Could probably wear it year round, too (with cardi on top, shirt underneath, etc).

They all look good on you, though! #3 just seems like it would get more use. :)

CECE said...

Hi Heidi! I think the playa dress looks really...REALLY great on you! Wow! I want it!!! You should get it Heidi! Its something different and very distinct. Im sure Jcrew will have similar versions of the other dresses so grab the playa!!!

CECE said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Melissa@AllThingsSimplified said...

All three look FABULOUS on you, but my faves are #2 and 3. :)

Btw...the Tall Linen Tie Waist pants at ATL got marked down to $19.99 today. The inseam is 35".

A said...

My vote is for #3 - Daphne. It's just PERFECT on you Heidi! :)

Kathy said...

#3! As you said, a nice upgrade that will last many years!

Jemma said...

I vote for number 1- gorgeous!! I am the exact same size and height as you and I love seeing your reviews- I think you are my enabler Heidi as I have to order everything online and it is great to see how this stuff fits!! :-)

Ema said...

If you can think of at least one occasion to wear it, take the Playa, it looks really great on you (I'm not saying this just to flatter you, I think you're the one who really rocks it). I love the Daphne too (fits you perfecty), but it's more of a classic and you have probably similar dresses in your closet.

Joyce said...

I like #1, the ruffles are TDF!

Ann said...

Hmmm...thought I made this comment already but it isn't there...

I vote for #1. Love the color and the style; it's classic and fun at the same time. To me, #2 feels mainly fun, and #3 feels mainly classic. All three are lovely dresses, though! It just depends on what sort of wear you anticipate, I suppose. Do let us know which one you choose!

Summerilla said...

1 and 3 are my favorites! I think #1 will be the best out of the 2 for the warmer weather. Was there one that just made you say "wow" or you were the most comfortable in? I'm a comfort freak and I usually choose dresses I can sit and stand in without having to make adjustments.

Tracy said...

#1 or #3. Even though I think #2 looks better on you than on anyone else I've seen in it (well, in photos at least), I don't think that dress does a great job of highlighting anyone's figure (and isn't that one thing dresses should do well?). #1 and #3, on the other hand, look fabulous on you. Which one I'd vote for depends on what you're looking for: a classic sheath that can go anywhere and last for a while, or a cute dress that has more personality but might look dated after this summer?

Or you could justify #3 as a long-lasting replacement for your trusty shift, and #1 as your "fun" dress for the summer.... :-)

Slastena said...

I love 1 and 2, but then, I am biased.:)))

melissamolasses said...

This is a tough call. I love dress #1 (I'll probably buy it for myself), but #3 looks like it was tailored just for you. You're likely to get more use out of #3 as well

But since your earlier review enabled me into buying the Nicky skirt, I vote for buying #1 and #3. :)

post-fab princess said...

Wow, they are all pretty, but number 3 - whoa mama. Gorgeousness. So elegant.

HeidiG said...

Thank you all for the great comments. It seems that ruffled & daphne are neck and neck.

Enablers - boo on you. but thanks for your opinions, too! :) (melissamolasses, you're exempt from the scolding since you are just getting me back)

RatsonParade - right there with you on the bulges - that's what I liked about all of these - no bulges.

FFM - thanks for the note about the Loft pants, I will check them out!

Jemma Ruby - so happy to "help". :)

Ann - very insightful - I think that #1 feels like a bit of a combe of #2 and #3 for me.

So now I am trying to find a way to justify 2 dresses. Maybe I'll take back 1 of the dressy jersey strapless dresses - I've only worn the dark charcoal so far. Hmmmm....

kater said...

yes yes yes yes yes heidi - get both 1 and 3! Take one of the dressy jerseys back for sure to enable that purchase. My reasoning?

1. You already have it in one color! :)

2. They usually make a ton of the jersey dresses and they end up on sale, so you could pick up a second one then.

3. If that somehow doesn't happen (which I sincerely doubt), they make about 3 versions of it at the crew alone each summer. And BR, Gap, etc. always have versions too - so you can definitely get another one next year!

I think the other two look so great on you. AND they are absolutely positively for different occasions. AND they are different, but still classic and will be in style for years and years. AND I swear it's been awhile since the crew had a nice cotton summer suiting dress like the daphne, so who knows when that will roll around again.

Need any more reasons? ha ha ha ha!

HeidiG said...

kater - you are evil. and I mean that in the nicest way possible. :)

kater said...

I know aren't I? :) I'm very good at this type of reasoning, which my overflowing closet can definitely attest to...

Anonymous said...

None of these dresses really
"do it for me!" YOU would look good in a paper bag...don't get me wrong...the dresses themselves just don't wow me!
I definately prefer BR for dresses--just my personal preference.
If I HAD to pick from above I would pick #3.

Anonymous said...

I really appreciate seeing JCrew clothes on a fellow tall person to get a realistic idea of fit. (I'm 5'11"). I've been wearing JCrew for over twenty years and nice to see others who appreciate them. All of the dresses look fabulous on you (The Daphne in particular) You have a great blog, very informative and fun! Good luck with the dress.

Sonya said...

I la-la-love the Daphne dress! Definitely the one to buy... The others are very cute (and you certainly look lovely in them) but the Daphne has a timeless Hepburnesque je-ne-sais quoi. That's my two cents! :)

HeidiG said...

luvallthingsjcrew - I know you love your BR dresses. I hve 2 sweater dresses from them this past winter that I just adore. thanks!

Anon@11:54 - thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoy my blog. Yep, us tall-ies need to stick together!! I remember reading that Jenna Lyons is way tall and I thought, oh, that's why so many things work!

Lady Buttons - thanks!

Moda said...

ALL looks beautiful on you, but I have to say NUMBER 3 are the BEST!!! You hair down in this picture just looks very very nice!

Zoë Moët said...

I love the Daphne and the Playa, the ruffle dress looks a little big on you...so maybe if you went down a size it would work...then again, the daphne should cover you for this season as a perfect little black dress -though I get the feeling you're the kind of gal that has more than one perfect LBD per season... ;). In terms of the Playa dress, I'm not sure it would be quite as functional as the Daphne, but it is awfully pretty!

HeidiG said...

The Outfit of the Day - thank you! I can never vouch for hairstyles in the dressing room - I usually end up putting it up in a ponytail by the end of my outings because it's just easier!

Zoe Moet - very perceptive - my biggest issue with the ruffled dress is that it felt a bit big in the bodice, so I want to try an 8 in it.

IheartJCrew said...

I love the ruffle dress on you! However, I can appreciate the classic LBD too :-) Maybe you can get both? There's nothing like a dress that goes with everything! So I guess I have to vote for #3 then #1. Good luck choosing!

HeidiG said...

IheartJCrew - well, I did order both with the 20% code, after figuring that if I returned 1, I was still a couple of bucks ahead if I allotted the shipping cost to just 1 dress. And I ordered the ruffled dress in an 8 to see how it works. So...once again, waiting for the UPS guy.

KatyO. said...

#1 (I love the neckline and the belted style looks lovely on you). I agree that the Daphne looks wonderful too, but you mentioned you already owned a dress like that. Rather than get another similar to what you own, get something different. :)

ny0311 said...

Love the cotton satin dress! I think you should get it! I just recently bought it in dark mushroom since it came out in petite sizes. Can't wait to receive it!

Unknown said...

The ruffled dress & the Daphne are both smashing on you. The ruffled tier is also cute, but would you wear it at least 5 or so times?

HeidiG said...

KatyO, ny0311, & Gigi - thanks!

Gigi - that is an excellent question. As fun & frothy as the playa dress is, I don't know that I would wear it at least 5 times. Oh, I wish it had been in a tan linen!

Unknown said...

Oooh -- tan linen would have been so pretty.

My word verif is pretior! *lol*

C said...

Since you already ordered them, my vote will not count....I like #1 and (like everyone else) #3......Because of the ruffles, #1 will not allow scarves or a long necklace and it is just not as classic- has a touch of 1950's/Donna Reid to it, but that makes it distinctive.

I am also thinking that a little lighter color than black or navy might be good with your hair- red? pink? green? ...but these dresses were not in those colors anyway.

HeidiG said...

C - I would have loved the dresses in a color like that - the papaya is just too muted on me. I did order 1 and 3, mainly to see the fit of the ruffled in a size 8 and compare them side by side (they were 20% off). Still working on my decision - you're not too late. Thanks for the input!!

Annabelle said...

Wow.!! All of these dresses are amazing! That Ruffled cotton sateen dress looks fabulous on you.