J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt Review

Last week I got the J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt.  I'm not quite sure what took me so long.  Perhaps the $78  price, or that J.Crew, Madewell and others paired it with everything on the planet.  I saw this paired with for every season, so I finally decided to get one.  The shirt is cotton, long sleeves that can roll up, buttons on cuff and machine washable.  The color is called afternoon sky and it works with just about anything.  The fit is true to size.  In my last post, there was a comment asking how to wear it.  I thought about that question, since there are so many ways, I thought I would devote an entire blog post.  Here are the many ways to style it:  

Chambray, white tee and shorts, easy style

Paired with dark jeans, easy style

Preppy with the Tippi Sweater in Linen

This also works paired with a simple tee shirt, sundress or maxi dress.  Great for summer nights, picnics or concerts.

Paired with the T-Shirt Dress in Dizzy Anchors

I love how J.Crew pairs it with anything and it works.  Sequins?  You bet!   (I'm drooling over the jacket below).

Chambray Shirt + Sequins + Red = Pop and Sparkle

Style with The Sequin Jacket (love this!)

For extra polish, this shirt also looks good with blazers and skirts.

Paired with white pants and  Schoolboy Blazer in navy

Paired with Maritime Blazer and cut offs

You can always suit it up or pair it with a pencil skirt.

Paired with Bureau Jacket in Linen Canvas

Added with a black pencil skirt and any color of cardigan for different looks

Now here it is on me in real life.  I paired in with my No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Garden Floral (seen here) and Mona pumps in Poppy (seen here and here) for work.

J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt
J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Garden Floral
J.Crew Mona Pumps in Poppy
DKNY Watch
J.Crew Pearls

This shirt would look good paired with pink, leopard, black, navy, red, you name it.  I like adding a statement necklace or loads of pearls. Stacked bracelets would give it an extra edge, as well.

This is also a great super casual shirt to throw on for a weekend morning coffee and paper (I put it over my neon pink J.Crew tee this morning with cropped pants and flip flops):

Keep checking back as I add photos of different ways to wear this Keeper!  The name says it all.

Here are some different ways I will wear it with the items I own:

J.Crew Raj No.2 Pencil Skirt and Valentina Pump Options by handbagaficionado featuring a red nail polish

or this way:

Inspired. Now all I need is the bag... by handbagaficionado featuring long sleeve tops

How would you wear it?

J.Crew March 2012 Spring Review

I went a little crazy this week on the Spring rollout of the new March 2012 items.  I am so ready for Spring, it's ridiculous.   I went to two different J.Crew stores out of my enthusiasm for bright colors and sunny days in two days because I clearly have some issues with winter and gray Seattle skies.

I didn't expect to love the Long No. 2 pencil skirt in sovereign paisley especially at $148.  Shame on J.Crew for the price, but I am drawn this skirt and I sized down to 6.   It’s meant to be.

Here are some real life pics:

Here are the Cafe Capri pants in Sovereign Paisley in the same print.  They are super comfortable.  My husband and 12-year old daughter stood outside the dressing room waiting for me.  While my Personal Stylist cheered me on for my boldness with prints, my husband and daughter let out a collective gasp and looked confused.  Then my husband cringed and said "You will wear those once, maybe twice, then they will hang in the closet." Okay.  Fair enough.  Next, please.

I indulged my inner rocker chic and bought another leopard pencil skirt. The No.2 Pencil Skirt in Abstract Leopard fits like the paisley skirt (I got a 6).  This doesn't look great on the hanger, but I see so many options in real life.

Real life pics:

J.Crew Jean Jacket
J.Crew Vintage V-neck Tee
J.Crew Abstract Leopard No.2 pencil skirt
J.Crew Palma Leather Platform Wedges

Here  are the Cafe Capri pants in Abstract Leopard,which are super comfortable, but feel a little late 80's Vince Neil or David Lee Roth.   I kind of dig them but they frighten me.   Thoughts?  Are these a midlife crisis in my pants or fun and playful?

(Update: I caved and got the pants on sale for $79).  Here is another pic - forgive the dog's toys in the background:)

Nordstrom Halogen Cardigan
J.Crew Ribboned Tank
J.Crew Abstract Leopard Cafe Capri pants
J.Crew Watson Wedges
Coach Alexandra Handbag
DNKY Ceramic Watch
Madewell Necklace

I tried on the Fabiola Dress in the same print which fit everywhere but the chest was tight and pushed the girls up to the sky!  I only posted this one since the other pic was close to a wardrobe malfunction.  Hello, kitty!  I think not.  My husband would probably dig it, but it's a bit too much for me.

Speaking of wild inner rocker chick nostalgia, did you see this tank?  I like the print, it's true to size but it's too low cut for work.  I love the Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan.

How about this Cotton Cardigan in Overbloom Floral at $88 (so cute in real life)?  Please go on sale and wait for me, cutie!

The dotted skirt  (in store) is cute for Spring.   I didn't get it, and thought I should quit while I am ahead and get this on sale (and my hubby was ready to go at this point):

I did give in and buy the dotted scarf (will match my other pencil skirt):

I love the No. 2 pencil skirt in ultra eyelet in chili (for next time or online):

The shoes I love now (seen above):

Valentina Pumps in Roof top Red, $228

Here they are in real life:

I love, love love these cuties.   These are comfy (believe it or not) and chunky wedges (love!):

Palma Leather Platform Wedges, $178

I do love the reds, purples and bright blues.  It's still colder and rainy in Seattle, but I am trying my best to channel Spring.  This is what I wore to work on Friday:

J.Crew Factory Necklace
J.Crew Contrast Stripe Tee
J.Crew no.2 Pencil Skirt
Born Bitty Boots

How was your week?

Holiday Shopping: Leopard, Tortoise and Wildcat Spots

Happy Holidays!    Thanksgiving was a nice day to spend with family.  

I didn't venture out into the stores early morning on Black Friday (I don't like getting out in that mess.  I did shop online on Amazon.com).  I did some pre-holiday shopping online and in the store with J.Crew.  In the store, I got the Savannah wildcat print Airy Wool Scarf 25% off.  This scarf is gorgeous!  It’s a nice, lightweight wool material.  The print is beautiful.  I wore it to work and after to dinner had so many compliments.  This is now my favorite scarf with so many options to dress up or down.   This piece has wardrobe versatility. I love it!

Here it is in real life:

J.Crew Airy Wool Scarf in Savannah Wildcat

I also got the J.Crew Mona Tortoise Pumps online with the 30% off promo last week.  These are beautiful and chic.  I don’t know that I would agree with J.Crew’s description that they “incredibly comfortable” (seems like an overstatement in comparison to some others brands like Cole Haan or Stuart Weizman for around the same price, but they are nicely padded).  They are made beautifully but sized more narrow than the other Mona pumps.  I think I would need a half size up, which sadly isn't available on the website.  I will try for the store today.  Wish me luck.   

I got the J.Crew Newsstand tote in leopard suede on sale.  It's a very nice print, with brass finish hardware and cotton twill lining.  It's beautiful, versatile, eye catching, and a great bag for around town, shopping, work, etc. I wish it zipped on top since it would be a great laptop or travel bag.  This tote is huge in real life.  I love it though.  I have so many leopard bags now but this is fun.   

J.Crew Leopard Newstand Tote

How was your Thanksgiving?  Did you find any good deals on Black Friday?  

J.Crew Royalty and Purple Rain: Majesty Peacoat, Royal Purple Paisley Print and Beilla Heels

I stopped by the Pacific Place J.Crew in Seattle to return the Natasha tops (I blogged about them a few weeks ago.  I bought two of them at full price because I loved them so much.  You know those cute little dainty buttons?  Well, they don't stay buttoned and they are wardrobe malfunctions waiting to happen.  Let's just say I had an awkward moment in a presentation, which led me to returning both of them). 

I was exited to see the new shipments in with the purple colors, especially the Majesty Coat:

J.Crew Majesty Peacoat

Yummy Colors!

How much do I love this coat?  Well let me tell you about it.  It is so beautiful.  (I didn't take a pic with it buttoned - arg!)  I was a bit surprised by the purple color in real life since it looks different than the catalog or online (Excuse the shoes and tights.  I look like an idiot.  I had on black shoes with black tights and tried on beige shoes):

Majesty Peacoat, Paisley head to toe, new shoes and unmatched tights

If you read my previous posts, you know that I dig the J.Crew Paisley.  I got the summer skirt with navy and orange and love it.  I had to get the Royal Paisley no.2 pencil skirt.  The purple, green and yellow colors are beautiful and the skirt isn't heavy, so you could wear it year round.  I tried on the crazy Royal Paisley with paisley combo with the top and no. 2 pencil skirt, like online:

In real life, it didn't work for me, although I like them separately.  That model would look good in a paper bag, but I can't bring myself to do that much pattern.  It felt too Prince, circa Purple Rain.  

J.Crew Royal Paisley Overkill

  I do like the scoopneck blouse and skirt separately, and can't wait to wear them with other items I own.

I did actually buy something that wasn't purple and neutral.  I got the Biella high-heel loafers in Warm Taupe regular $265 on sale for $59.99!  Shut the front door!  I couldn't pass these up.  These shoes have 4 inch heels.  I can walk in them and they are more comfortable then they look, but they are sitting shoes and not walking a lot shoes.  They are really pretty.  The warm taupe color makes the legs look really long.

Sitting shoes, not for long walks

I now have Prince songs playing in my head. How was your week?