Thursday, May 20, 2010

J Crew Sequin-Stripe Henley Tank

Ok, I'll get to the comments from the last post on the Jaspe sequined slouchy sweatshirt, but I seem to be getting in this groove of blogging at the beginning of the week and then just trailing off by mid-week. So post first, comment back later. It's been a busy week - I've been painting the kiddies' rooms this week. (since I'm out of hours on my current project at work, so I might as well as get some work done at home right now, right?) I'll share pics as soon as we get everything put back in order, pictures hung, etc. But I'm thrilled with how they turned out.  So I'm  sitting here typing during commercials while watching the Grey's Anatomy season finale.

Back to the post...J Crew Sequin-Stripe Henley Tank (#26531, price - well, that's a longer story).   The tank is a Collection piece.  It was originally pictured in the catalog with the price of $59.50 but the in-store tag said $68.  At the FH store, we heard mixed stories from the SA about whether or not they would honor the catalog price.  I had originally purchased it then, for the catalog-honored price of $59.50.  But *then* came the 20% off knits special, so I re-ordered it along with the Jaspe sweatshirt, so that was 20% off $59.50, or $47.60.  But when I just went to grab the link for this post, I saw that the tank is now $68 online.  Wow, price whiplash...

This is the size M, in Quarry (ooh, is that  new color name?  haven't heard it before).  It's also available in seashore beige.  Fit-wise, I'm pretty happy with the cut and the length.

So if I got it for $47.60 and it's currently $68 online and it's a Collection piece, that's an amazing deal and I should keep it, right?  Hmmm...still trying to decide.  Don't get me wrong, I think it's a really nice top.  It's a fun piece.  Actually, it's a pretty fab tank.  It would go with a lot - denim-dark to light to white, black, tan, gray, red, ummmm....pretty much anything you pair it with.  Such a perfect white jeans partner.   Rocking under a jacket.  Softened with a cardi.  Lots of options.

But here's the thing...I'm just not feeling it.  Do I have that weird smile on my face again in the picture?  I know not everyone loved the Jaspe sweatshirt.  But as soon as  I put it on, I was in love.  I got *that* feeling.  And shouldn't that really be where we allocate our pennies?  I think the main reason I picked this one up was that I wasn't sure, but thought it would be best to to get it at the lower price in case I really did want it...then it was 20% of that, so it was an even better buy.  But I still think it's going back.

Chances are that if I want to wear sleeveless sequins in the summer, I'm just going to go ahead and wear a dress.  Or another top, say the tango that I don't wear often enough, with some piled on jewelry. 

I can think of all kinds of great outfits that I could make with this top.  But if you're not dying to wear something right away, that's the sign it should go back.  I've said it before and I'll say it again...if we all wore the same thing all the time, how boring would that be?  You'd never find your size!!
Final verdict:  Back to the store it goes....(but next week - I've got a 3rd grade field trip and then shopping for M's birthday sleepover to do tomorrow)

18 comments:

fidele said...

Yeah, me neither. I got it for 59.50 minus the JCA discount. I was in between sizes, and the one I ordered was a bit too big. Made for tall people!

But I think if I sized down it would be too small. Some lucky person will seize this on a popback or grab it from the retail store, if I can ever get there!

Unknown said...

Trust 'the feeling.' It's pretty cool to get feedback via the blogs, but camera shots and computer screens don't show exactly how it looks irl and they sure as heck can't really catch 'the feeling.' I like it, too, but yeah for the $48 or less. Not fp. I think it looks great w/the white jeans. I need to try mine w/a black cardi. I'm wondering if that will anchor the stripes & show case the sequins more.

Ema said...

I have it and purchased for $47 as well. My version of "better get it not with the the 20% off than later for full price" (which often leads to mistakes because we buy more to get a great deal than because we are really in love) is that I got both colors, but I ended up returning the seashore beige as it washes me out (even if I liked it with chinos and that's the reason why I bought it in the first place). I think that for $47 is a great fun piece (and I am not surprised that the Internet price went up) but I must say not very flattering on you. So, I agree with your feeling ;-).

Anonymous said...

Trust your gut feeling and return it you will find other items that you will like better.

I like the Jaspe sweatshirt on you, it looks so comfortable!

Elizabeth in MO said...

I, too, tried it, bought it, and returned it. Didn't get "the feeling" either. However, I do have the Jaspe and LOVE it (and I love it on you as well!) Always go with your gut feeling.

carol said...

I am 5'10" and this tank fits well and is oversized, so I sized down to M, which is a common thing for me now with their knits. Some of the shorter PS's in the J Crew store were having trouble with it being too low cut without a tank underneath. The quarry color looks cute with a chartreuse tank, btw. It's nice and for $50 and handwashable I predict it will get worn a lot.

I ordered the last medium sequin jaspe sweatshirt yesterday with the SUMMER promo. All other sizes sold out in a period of hours. If I don't get the 'feeling' for 120$ then its definitely going back. I have suspended judgement having never seen one IRL.
Thanks for all your research Heidi.

Nicku B said...

Yeah, I found the bra part challenging with the cut honestly so I skipped it...even though I lusted after it for WEEKS...bummer!

love2shop4bags said...

Thanks Heidi for doing this post. I was really thinking that I was one of the few people out there that didn't get the "feeling" with this tank. I did EXACTLY the same thing as you...bought on the last 20% off promo online to get the lower price plus discount in case I wanted it later and would regret. I'm still on the fence about it, and will try it on one more time. But, I COMPLETELY agree with your assessment. It is a really great looking top, nice design, great price for a collection piece, but just didn't quite do it for me. I need to be a bit more discerning on my purchases, and where I choose to spend my pennies as well. If I don't find it completely flattering on me, then no questions asked, I need to return it. So thank you, thank you for convincing me to take it back.

PS Nicku - I agree with the bra issue.

LRA said...

I have it, love it. Can't wait to wear it AFTER baby comes, haha:) I think it looks really good on you, and it would work with SO many outfits, however, if you are not "feeling" it--then return it. You have the sequin sweatshirt, i think sequins are in this year, but may be wise to only own a few sequin pieces...did you look at the new slub cotton sequin necklace tank? I like that, too, but not as much as my sequin henley tank. My personal shopper at the store had it on today, with tan colored cargoes, and a purple/lavender jackie over the sequin tank...so cute!

math teacher said...

I also ordered it with the 20% off plus fs and I just didn't love it on me. I love the top, but not on me. :( SO disappointed b/c I wanted to love it on me. So, back it went. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I'll love the new necklace tank, but my ps told me that it's pretty low cut and I hate wearing a tank under a tank.

HeidiG said...

fidele - sizing can make all the difference - I hate it when I find something I need that in between letter size!

gigiofca - So true - and I bet it would be great with a black cardi.

Ema - it isn't that flattering on me, is it? I feel like it should be and I would think it would be, but it's just not.

casual-crew - - very true! and re the jaspe sequined - to quote RZ, "I die!"

Elizabeth in MO - sounds like we are on the same wavelength here!

carol - wow, the sequined Jaspe is sold out? One of the advantages with that crazy price tag is that it's easy to tell if it's right. Either you get the feeling right away and you don't want to take it off, or you are like "no way for this much change!"

NIcku - ah yes, the eternal bra strap issue. I was planning to solve that by wearing a shelf bra cami in warmer weather, but it could be a problem if you want/need to wear a bra.

love2shop4bags - thank you! it is nice to know I'm not the only one!!

mrs.anketell - you are so right about the sequin pieces - some people wear them all the time but that's not exactly me, so I don't need that many. I am so glad that you have the tank and love it - it really is a great piece, even though it just wasn't right for me. I have not seen the sequin necklace tank yet IRL, but would like to. I am planning to go by my B&M next week. I missed out on a private shopping event this morning to go on a field trip with M's class.

math teacher - yep, we'll have to see how the necklace tank works - I'm waiting to see if anyone posts IRL pics, which I'll expect to see soon with the new arrivals in store.

math teacher said...

I tried on, loved, and bought the sequin necklace tank. It is not too low, although I did have to size down. I bought the gray and can't wait to wear it. Give it a try next time you visit your b&m.

snaphappy said...

I just bought a black sequined tank at Chico's -- I'll have to show it to you!

Anonymous said...

Great top Heidi. I wanted to get it, but it was a little big on me. I am dying for a sequined tank though. Just gotta keep looking! It does look great on you.

AllDressedUp said...

I LOVE this tank, have it in quarry, and I want to buy the seashore beige, too. I paired it with white skinny ankle pants like you did, and then I put the JCrew neon pink softspun cotton cardigan with it, with an older neon bow JCrew necklace. I get compliments on it all the time.

The fit is a bit odd..slouchy, big, low neckline, but I like it anyway.

It looks nice on you in the picture, and I think the versatility of it makes it worth keeping. But, go with your gut!

HeidiG said...

math teacher - Shoot! I was at my B&M this morning doing returns and totally forgot to try it. Ok, next time....

snaphappy - can't wait to see it! Chair Dinner?

Rosa in DC - oh, I can't imaging how huge this would have been on petite you - the M was so big on me, you would have needed XXXXS!

AllDressedUp - I did go with my gut and returned the tank this morning. I don't have any regrets, so it must have been the right decision for me. But I will just way - wow - that outfit with the neon pink cardi sounds fab! I bet you do rake in the compliments on it!!

Kat said...

I too ordered this with a discount but just decided that I didn't *love* it. It's going back. It's cute, but I don't need it!

C said...

I am totally not a sequin person so when everyone was raving about this, I tuned them out. I was surprised, when I saw it IRL, that the sequins are clear, and very small, so it was a lot more subtle than I imagined, and less sparkly even than it appears in your photo. I feel weird wearing sequins at work or to walk the dog, so like you, I skipped this, but it is very pretty and wearable (for others).