Today I'm bringing you pics of a print that was either loved or hated by JC fandom: the library print. The star piece was a silk empire-waist dress covered in a caaaraaaazy print, full of books and library ladders and statues and the like. There were also two cardigans, the bookshelf print and the library toile print. Finally, I recently saw a quilted tote on eBay. (ETA: Totally forgot there was a silk skirt and a scarf!)
The first cardi was actually a Factory item, if you can believe it. It's adorable and very well made. Love that little random items are colored in, like a small blue frog. I'm wearing a size small. (It's paired with the lace tee from last summer, and the bow pencil skirt a la Glee).
This cardi was retail, and is a finer merino. So cute. 
I'm a complete bookworm. Ever since I can remember, I always have a book (well, now Kindle) close at hand. I read 1-2 books a week. So you can see why these prints appealed to me, nerd that I am. (Speaking of which, check out AppGal's post on cool bookish things.)
And here you can see the dress and cardi in all their (caaaraaaazy) glory:
You can also see it looking gorgeous on the lovely Dina here and here. ETA: I have a size 4 in the dress and it fits me perfectly. I don't think I could zip up anything smaller. So I'd say it fits smaller than current sizing, since I've been wearing 2's lately there.
Whatcha think? I know it's not for everyone, so no worries about hurting my feelings. :) Do you have any of these pieces? Searching for them?
Thanks for tuning in! Have a wonderful day!
I was thrilled to read this post as I just recently scored the library print dress! Well I paid quite a bit for it actually, but it was one of those things I promised myself to buy if I found it in my size on ebay.
ReplyDeleteI love it. I'm going away today with my husband and I'll be wearing it with my Chie Mihara Park Guell heels and a gold Brora cardi. We are going to a Country Hotel and I think it will fit right in.
Thanks for the post. I may have to look for those sweaters on ebay too!
Dani -- I'm so glad you found the dress!! Isn't it just fabulous and fun? I find it worth every penny. The country weekend sounds perfect for it! The Chies and the Brora cardi will be lovely with the dress. Take pics! :)
ReplyDeleteHi M,
ReplyDeleteWhat size did you take in the dress??? I have it on my wishlist.... Thanks! BTW, you look great in all! (as usual ;))
I wasn't addicted to J Crew when this print debuted. So sad I missed it because it's adorable! Great post. Thanks for posting "Classic Crew" items. I'm on my way to check ebay for the first sweater.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you reading now?
Milljcrew -- Oops, forgot to add that in there. I have a size 4 and it fits me perfectly. I don't think I could zip up anything smaller. So I'd say it fits maybe a size smaller than current sizing, since I've been wearing 2's lately.
ReplyDeleteas usual, I am BEYOND jealous of your scores! lovely lovely pieces, lucky you =)
ReplyDeleteLizzy T -- I know, I wasn't addicted/didn't have the funds for many of the old-school items back in the day. So now I'm buying more on ebay than current offerings it seems. I definitely am patient with stalking and trying to get reasonable prices. I'm currently reading Unbroken (HIGHLY recommend) and also just started Artemis Fowl.
ReplyDeletedinster -- Thanks! I definitely have been lucky (and stalkerish enough) to track down some of these pieces for great prices.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reading recommendations. "Unbroken" is on my nightstand and next for me. Right now I'm reading "A Discovery of Witches."
ReplyDeleteI have the silk library print skirt and scarf and love them. I must say, however, that the skirt is hard to wear given the pleats, but even though the cut is a bit frumpy I always receive compliments.
ReplyDeleteP.S. did you see the size 2 cherry blossom dress sell on eBay for nearly $200?
Aww, thanks for the link love. :)
ReplyDeleteI love you in all three pieces, and thanks for letting me know about the first cardi...that cardi is beyond adorable, and I love the idea of "finding" things in patterns. The doll dress is a treasure trove of "found" items.
I am wearing a size 8 in my dress, and it fits fine. I think if I were to buy it today I would buy a 6, but it isn't like I am falling out of the dress in an 8, I just need to wear a cardi for more coverage. (The two links that shopwithm provided show me at two stages of weight loss, the time I wore the dress with the brown cardi I weighed about ten pounds more than when I wore the dress with the cream cardi.) Hope that helps someone who needs sizing info...
Love the library cardi paired up with that bow pencil skirt and the dark cardi with the dress! Very chic!
ReplyDeleteI was at my JCrew craziness height when this print came out. I own EVERYTHING it came out in clothing wise and accessory wise. Tote, scarf, dress, skirt, sweaters, etc. etc.:) I love each and every piece.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the first cardi!! Man, I would love a lesson in finding good JCrew on ebay! I don't seem to have the touch! Also like the retail library print, but not as much as the factory ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat finds, M!!
You're killing me...be still my heart! I would LOVE to own the dress or the skirt. Here's hoping one day I can track one down!
ReplyDeleteHexicon -- I wondered how the skirt fits. I have to pass on it since I have the dress, but it looks really cute. I did see the cherry blossom on ebay!
ReplyDeletedina -- Yes, finding things in the dress and sweater is so fun! Thanks for all the info on the sizing -- definitely helpful! :)
Rose -- Thanks! :)
Genny -- Jealous you got everything!
mommydearest -- I do love that toile and it was a long time tracking that one down! The ebay thing is pretty much just me checking it several times a day, and lucking out if something pops up when I check! That and JCA has helped me find lots of these oldie-but-goodies. :)
AppGal -- You *will* get it one of these days! I'll keep an eye out for it for you and let you know if I see either for a nice price! ;)
ShopwithM:
ReplyDeleteHow did you search for it on ebay? Just "J Crew Library?"
Thanks again so much for posts like this!
Beyond jealous. Slavering.
ReplyDeleteLizzy -- Yep, I think I just kept looking for J.Crew library or J.Crew toile or J.Crew books. Mostly though, I just have a search for J.Crew going and I check that during the day. Glad to know these posts are well-received! :)
ReplyDeletewellfedfred -- lol, now you'll be stalking as well. ;)
The retail cardigan with the dress is perfection. You wear it well!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is whimsical and adorable! It looks like it was made for you!
ReplyDeleteLove this post. I too have the cardi, dress, tote, scarf. I am a little teensy bit obsessed with this print!
ReplyDeleteBut, my cardi is a sample, and it is not indicated as factory anywhere. Weird! It is identical to the pics you posted. The "Library Bookshelf Cardigan" as it was called is not really me but let's be honest, if I found it for the right price I'd probably get it.
You look great in all the the pieces!
Just magic! That cardi and dress look so adorable on you. Such a cute look for you , thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove all of these pieces! So fun and quirky! And the cardi looks very Emma Pillsbury especially with the bow pencil skirt. In fact I'm adding them to a list of J Crew things I'm sure Emma must have hiding in her wardrobe for a post I have planned :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness -- the English major in me is just swooning over all these quirky book-themed lovelies. I especially love the first sweater. It reminds me a little of Anthro's "Tick Tock" cardigan. Such a great post -- thanks for showcasing some J. Crew favorites from seasons past!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThe J.CREW "Library" cardigan with the blue frogs that you identified as "factory" I purchased at J.CREW Retail, item number 85941. My cardi is NOT outlet/factory and the merino wool is consistent with other merinos bought at the Retail store. Please research your posts better!
Anon -- Yikes, well. I didn't think I was going to offend anyone with this post, but it seems you have taken offense. I do research as must as possible (this isn't exactly my full-time job). My sweater is a very nice merino as well, but it is definitely outlet, as the tag clearly has the two diamonds. If there was indeed a retail version, then that's lovely, and congrats on yours, and thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your comments, it was a really wonderful mix of items, wasn't it? Hopefully if you're searching for one, you will find it! Please let me know if you do and I will share in the excitement. :)
ReplyDelete