Monday, September 28, 2009

J Crew Fall Sweaters - A Hit aaaaand a Miss

I mentioned in my earlier post today that when out shopping before the JCA brunch I fell in love with a new J Crew sweater. And I fell hard. And went back to get it later in the week because I just couldn't get it out of my head. Is that sad? Maybe it's good in a way because I am really trying to be smarter about my purchases. I don't *need* any more sweaters. So if I'm buying one, it needs to be so fab and perfect that my wardrobe will feel incomplete with out it.

J Crew Striped Merino Sweater. Per the receipt, its official name is CSHFL (no idea what that means) James Stripe Henley. (#19905, $98) This sweater is not online, but the tag indicates it is a Holiday item (HO 09), so here's hoping that it ends up online so I can grab it for Polyvore. Oh come on, Polyvore addicts, you know what I mean - you just don't wear the things that aren't on PV, do you? Yeah, me too. Anyway, I also hope it ends up online so you all can order it. Color code is BWH. Black + WHite? That's my guess.


First of all, it's 100% merino, nice weight too it - not too heavy or too light. Very soft - but not so soft or thin that the sweater is flimsy. The neck is sits up ever so slightly at the shoulders. I love the stripes (which are more cream than white). I think the combo of the weight of the sweater and the stripes help camouflage any lumpiness in the middle, even without a tank or cami underneath (if you don't know what I'm talking about...well, you don't need to worry about it). This sweater runs on the long side - well, you can see by the stripes in the picture - but I got the M and it fits close to the body, not boxy at all.

But the most fab part of this sweater is in the back. (pardon the full rear view in the pic - can't believe I am showing it - but you have to see the detail) There are 3 buttons going up the back on the neck and 6 buttons on the back of each sleeve. Love love love the detail. So chic. And with a pair of black Minnies...well, I almost feel like I'm channeling Audrey Hepburn. From the instant I put it on, it was perfect. And *that's* when you know you have to have it.

On the other hand, we have the J Crew Argyle V-neck sweater (#17850, $79.50, curr $49.50 in store promo). Ok, so I remember seeing this sweater briefly on Gigi's blog. And when I was shopping with Dina last week, I picked it up in black (which is no longer showing online) to try on since they were on promo in store for $49.50. (Um, I had gotten the striped sweater and black Minnies at Montgomery Mall earlier in the day and then met her at Tysons. Do I have issues? Yeah.....) I was wearing my khaki cafe capris and with those pants they looked fab. It is a long sweater, but I liked the length, figured I could just throw a tank underneath, and that I could wear it with my khaki pants, black pants, gray pants.

And then yesterday, I was trying it on again to get pics to post, and honestly, I just don't think I love it. I really don't like it so much with the black Minnies. In spite of the original online pic, I'm probably not going to wear it with jeans. So that leaves me with khakis, and I don't have a good pair of winter khakis right now (that's what I should be spending my money on). And I don't love it so much with the tank underneath. So I think it's going back.

Don't get me wrong. It's a really cute sweater. But going back to the point I made above, it's not so special that I think I need to keep it. I do love argyle and would love an argyle sweater, but I have enough sweaters as is. And I really do need to clean out my closet.

Maybe if it's on sale again later or something. Or maybe in another color. Or maybe if I worked in an office full time - I can totally see this layered under a black suit. But not right now, not for me.

Now this...this is what I'd like to see in womens' sizes in argyle. (currently crewcuts only) How fun would that be?


Or maybe that's just me.

29 comments:

Kathy said...

I love the argyle! I also like it better with your cami underneath. Maybe it is time for you and your daughter to be matchy matchy again!

Summerilla said...

AHHHH!!! We bought the same sweater. I saw the black striped one a few days ago but didn't want to spend the money and I couldn't stop thinking about it so I got it today! I just love it - and I know we'll get a lot of wear out of this. You look fabulous!!

I also wanted the argyle one in black but it sold out in my size. But like you I think I love the stripe one so much better.

dinagideon said...

Okay...you don't have a sickness...we NEEDED those books and toys (the barbie computer is the #1 most requested item, btw, by rex, to boot). So, you HAD to come to Tysons to see us. Feel better? ;)

I love the faces and poses you are making in the striped sweater photo...awesome.

The argyle is cute, but you know what? I bet there is some company out there making it for cheaper and maybe even better...so definitely wait for it on sale.

As far as the argyle dress, TDF. Not fair that only E. and CW get to wear it. Sigh!

:) Have a nice night!

HeidiG said...

Kathy - hmmm, we'll see. I'm actually starting to eye it in the gray...

Summerilla - double AHHHH! I was leaving the exact same comment on your blog!! too funny!!

Dina - yes, my insane desire to get rid of crap - that's what drove me to Tysons. :) Glad they are enjoying the Barbie computer so much! Speaking of E & CW - we saw the cutest skirt at Target today that we decided CW definitely needed - and I would have gotten it for E if they had the 5T, seriously. Will send pics if I can find it online.

Patina said...

I love both of your sweaters. I personally am stalking ebay for last year's sparkle argyle cardigan. I have been lusting over it after seeing it on one of the SAS at my local B&M. Thanks for posting IRL pics.

Anonymous said...

I like the striped sweater better, I think it looks so good on you. I like the Argyle too, but I think it just does not go well with the dark pants, I think either denim or the khakis would be a better option. Does it come in another color? If so, that might be the solution. But if you are being picky about what you are buying now, I would go with the stripped sweater because that one works the best IMO.
Gorgeous sweater, really!

Unknown said...

I saw the striped one in -store & thought of you. It's nice & long. That seems very much your style & a keeper.

Anonymous said...

Don't you hate it when something gets in your head like that! happens to me too..way too often.

If I had to choose between the 2 sweaters I choose the stripe one also, it looks so good on you. I hoping to see this on-line soon.

I am also trying to be smarter when buying clothes it does not always work, I have made some bone head purchases this fall already, kept some items that I should have sent back to J Crew.

txmom said...

I saw the striped sweater this weekend at the Domain B&M. It was displayed near the fitting room with black Minnie's and a ton of chain necklaces. And I have been thinking about it ever since! It's one of those outfits that I immediately thought...that's me! If they still have it when I go to return the items I DID buy on Sat, I will try it on....plus try on the Minnie's again for the 3rd time. Just can't decide on the size..do they stretch out with wear? The reason I didn't try on the sweater Sat: 95 degrees in Austin over the weekend!

As always, Heidi, you look great in this (dream of mine) outfit!.

Pamela said...

I was in a hurry and a mission and didn't have time to stop at JCrew yesterday, but as I walked by, I saw that sweater folded on a table at the entrance and I wondered what it was. I couldn't find it online. Oh boy, I guess I have to go back...oh, twist my arm. It looks so great on you. Thanks for showing the button detail. That really takes the sweater to the next level. I am similar to you, in that when something that I really want gets in my head, I cannot stop thinking about it until it's sitting in my closet!

tm said...

that sweater looks so good on you and summerilla, darn you tall girls! ;)

I had to leave it at the store b/c it was too long (as you can see in the pics I posted).

DaniBP said...

I LOVE that striped sweater on you! Must have! It looks great with the Minnie's, and would also be great with the Pixie pants, I'm guessing. Why oh why isn't it online? You can see how we get left out of things up here in the North. Waaaa!
Thanks for the reviews. I agree, I would also rather have the little argyle dress. ;)

Unknown said...

A sweater I bought recently says "cashfeel" on the receipt. Cashmere feel? CSHFL is probably the same.

Anonymous said...

The Striped sweater is unique and beautiful on you. The argyle is ok--but I get what you are talking about it not being a complete adrenaline rush like the striped one. And funny--I often see cute things in the crewcuts that I wish were for us grown ups!

CRICKET said...

I saw the J Crew Striped Merino Sweater in the Jcrew window yesterday and thought it was lovely!!! Lucky girl. Great blog, love seeing how you style.

Jenni said...

Lately I've liked a lot of the JC girls stuff better than the womens. I LOVE the girls version of the b&w tweed coat!!

Anonymous said...

There will be a similar sweater, the merino stripe crewneck sweater, with the buttons up the sleeves (not sure about the back), nicknamed the "Jenna" sweater, available next month online. It will be item number 20376. It will come in a shell pink/black stripe and a navy/grey stripe. As far as I can tell it will not be available in the black and white, so I grabbed one up too, on a sale/send. Hope this information helps! The sweater looks great on you. Can't wait to get mine.

HeidiG said...

Patina - good luck with your stalking, hon! :)

Rosa - I am now pondering the argyle in gray. Wasn't as striking on the table but could be quite fab on. Will try on next time I get to the mall - which will be soon since the SA at Bobbi Brown gave me the wrong pressed powder, ugh.

Gigi - ah, you know me so well. :)

casual-crew - it is hard sometimes to be smart about clothes because they are just so fun! but I see the piles of sweaters in my closet and know I need to do something...

txmom - the 95 degree heat? ugh, totally understand. I tried on the Dream Lycee sweater last week and it was hard to be impartial since it was hot and itchy and I just wanted it OFF! Re: the minnies - I don't find they stretch much at all - a bit in the waist - but not really anywhere else, and much less stretching than say, the cafe capri. Hope that helps!

Pamela - twisting away with a smile on my face. the buttons are just so key.

tastymoog - you're right, this doesn't work so well on the less tall folks. but you can wear the JC minis, right?

DaniBP - I know, stinks when they aren't online, doesn't it? And that dress - oh yes, too cute!

Katherine - thanks for solving the mystery! I was thinking cashmere something but couldn't figure out what the FL would be.

yogagirl - thank you - adrenaline rush - excellent way to put it - because when you try on something perfect, that's what it feels like.

CRICKET - thank you!

Jenni - so true, crewcuts is just adorable!

Anon - thank you for the great info! Navy & gray? Hmmmmm.....

Drewablank said...

I did see that sweater right after that brunch when 3PP, Cleo26 and I went to J.Crew afterwards and tried it on. I agree with you, it is quite the special sweater - soft, comfy and so chic with the buttons and special collar/sleeve details. And I had to giggle when I saw Summerilla wearing the same exact sweater on her blog! :D

I had the same exact thought as dinagideon, that argyle sweater? Somewhere cheaper, maybe even more special looking. So there. ;)

Drewablank said...

Oh, and I nominated you for a Kreative Blogger Award. ;)

jmpb said...

Too funny! I bought the same two sweaters (despite my 90 degree weather!). Love them both on you, especially the striped one and I agree completely, the buttons totally make the stripe sweater! I also love the argyle and got it during the sale. It's a great fit and oh so comfy. I plan on wearing it with jeans and on cold days tucking a white collared shirt underneath along with some pearls or chunky necklaces, all I need now is some cold weather! come on noreaster!

btw, i saw a tissue tee today that i think you would like, it has a wide scoopneck, not too low, it's striped, long sleeves and has the same fit of the striped merino sweater. It's long and lean, have you seen or tried it? If I already didn't have too many striped tees I would have been all over it! Oh forgot, it came in a grey and white stripe and navy and white stripe with the band of the collar in navy or grey. Sorry to ramble, it was super cute!

OneFashionistaDiva said...

I like both sweaters on you,but the striped one is my favorite!!! I just saw thtat sweater tonight! So cute! Now, the argyle dress in crewcuts....I have that dress!!! About a year or 2 ago, they had that dress for women! When it gets a bit cooler I'll do a post on it!

HeidiG said...

Drewablank - glad you got a giggle out Summerilla with the same one - I was pretty amused that we basically posted our pics at the same time and then were commenting on each other's blogs at the same time!

jpmb - striped tee? ooooh, must go check out - no, haven't seen it yet. Was going to go today, but have M home sick...maybe tomorrow. Too funny that you got the same 2 sweaters!!

OneFashionistaDiva - no way! can't wait to see the dress on you!!

HeidiG said...

Update for jpmb - I tried on the striped tee today - and I was alternately appalled and amused at the quality of the workmanship on it. You see, the bottom part of the shirt was so twisted that the side seam literally went from under my arm to the middle of the front of my thigh. I was incredulous. And it's too bad because it was SOOOO cute...other than the whole twist-y thing. But I didn't have time to try another to see if was just a single defect.

jmpb said...

Oh no HeidiG! I hope it was just a defective one! I tried on 2 and didn't experience this. I can send you a picture or post one if you want. Hopefully you'll get a chance to go back and try another one. Sorry to hear about your sick one, I have 3 myself (none sick thankfully!) and I know that can be so hard!

HeidiG said...

jmpb - Good to know I must have just had 1 bad apple. I'm so impatient when I try on clothes - if something doesn't work, I just move on to the next piece. I'll usually wait to try another size, etc, when I'm back on another visit. (esp when I'm pressed for time like today). I will definitely try that tee again - and I really want to try the navy one too, because I actually got a cute wh/gray str long sleeve tee at BR today (you put the thought in my brain - but that one was on sale). And there were 2 with micro-stripes - 1 black/gray and one other.

jmpb said...

def. try the tee again when you get a chance. glad you got another one at br, will have to check them out, i'm a sucker for stripes and sales!

A Bigger Closet said...

Both sweaters look great on you Heidi. The argyle is so classic. And the striped sweater is perfect - I wish it was available to order online. The ones that Anon posted about sound they will be pretty too.

Slastena said...

Heidi, am so glad you got the striped sweater. It looked perfect on you the moment you put it on!Gorgeous!