j.crew collection reviews: ruffle collar shirt, cashmere fair isle, cashmere shawl-collar, cashmere pocket sweaters.

Hello everyone!

Long time no post it seems. I'm in total crazytown right now, with my DS's 5th birthday tomorow (hooray!! and how is he 5 already?!), our first house showing this weekend, and our bathroom rehab just finishing up. Trying to get to your comments in a timely matter, but apologies if I'm slooooow. Anyway, with the major 40% off online promo going on right now at J.Crew, I wanted to give you all  some quick reviews of items you might be considering.

First, is the Collection Ruffle Collar Shirt, which many of us were struck by, compliments of the lovely photo below:

Here's another online photo, where it looks quite creamy, and you can see that it's more see-through than that first picture implies:

IRL, the color falls definitely in the flax/bisque category, a la the cashmere snood and glittens I just reviewed. This is fine with me, but I do feel that if I expected and only wanted ivory, I'd be returning it. It's not the best color for my skintone, but I still love the color, so I'll live. It's a very delicate chiffon silk, so this is not going on the daily wear inventory or I'd tear it up on the first wear. Special occasion or night out sans kids only. I know ruffles were quite overdone a few seasons back, but it's kind of nice to see once in a while, in this soft color, amid all the neon and stark colorblocking. I ordered my usual 4 and that works for me.  The sleeves are longish, the shirt itself a touch shorter than I expected.  The sheerness will turn a lot of you off, but it does fit the look of the shirt. As you know, I've packed away half my wardrobe, so only had a white cotton tank to put underneath it -- not what I'd likely do. It's very pretty, but not worth full price, but that's mainly b/c I know I'll somehow snag/tear it eventually. See the black version on Gigi here.

The Collection Cashmere Fairisle has been on my radar since it came out, as I really love the color mix. It's very flattering near my face, so I'd been hoping it would make it to sale. I really hemmed and hawed over the size, and ended up with a small. I could have done and XS but I don't hate the size. It feels chunky and cozy and cheery. The cashmere is very thick and very soft. It's a bit of a looser weave, so leave off the pointy jewelry when putting it on. (The inside is very snag-worthy, moreso than the outside.) I love the longer burgundy at the wrist/lower arms.

I've had the Collection Cashmere Shawl Collar Cardigan for a bit, and keep forgetting to post about it. I love this one, and it was a surprise love for me, as it's nothing to exciting, and a bit grandpa, in a good way. I took a size small and that was the right one. I wouldn't have wanted to size down. The buttons are very nice, it has pockets and it's crazy soft and thick. I've worn it about 10 times, and there's a slight amount of pilling I need to take care of under the arms, but not bad at all. It's a great neutral and I've been throwing it on with everything. Oh, also, it has pockets! Awesome.

Finally the Collection Cashmere Pocket Sweater. I didn't get a great pic of this, and it's taken in my bathroom mirror, but at least you can get the gist of it. It runs really big. This is a small. I obviously could have used an XS. I'll probably give washing it a try and see what happens. But I'm actually digging the slouchy oversized-ness of it, to be honest.  Not sexy, but sure is cozy, soft and warm.  On the second wear, there was light pilling under the arms, but I must say that I was doing a ton of packing and moving and what-not. Color is a dead match for the glittens and purl-stitch snood.

Since we are celebrating my son's birthday tomorow, and have that showing on Saturday, I'm going to have to sign off for the weekend, but will be back shortly!

Have a great weekend everyone!

p.s. Madewell has their Perfect Chambray Ex-Boyfriend Shirt on promo, to which you can apply the 40% off code (LOVE40) and free shipping. I have and love this shirt, and it's perfect for spring in that light color.