J. Crew Excursion Quilted Vest Review

J. Crew Excursion Quilted Vest; J.Crew Classic Mini in Felted Wool; J.Crew Factory Skirted Dress Coat; Hue Tights; J. Crew Perfect-Fit Long-Sleeve Tee; Banana Republic Factory Flats; Color Bubble BIB Statement Fashion Necklace - Turquoise; Selima Sun for J.Crew Sophia Sunglasses; Factory Enameled Dot Bangle

I built this outfit around the Excursion Quilted Vest in Herringbone from J. Crew. I'd been looking for a vest that I could wear to casual events in lieu of a winter jacket and when I saw this option from J.Crew, I fell in love. It has an old-school vibe from the tweed pattern, but the double zipper and black trim give it a more modern twist. I thought I'd be able to pair it with a lot in my wardrobe. 

I ordered a small hoping it would be provide more shape around my waist than in the picture on J. Crew (see here). Unfortunately, it didn't work. The vest is too big and it isn't tailored around my waist. This makes my waist look like the same width as my hips. As a taller girl, this is a big faux pas. People call us big already, so the last thing we want to do is wear over-sized or ill-fitting clothes.

Overall, here are my thoughts:

• SIZE: The jacket fit fine in the arms and the length was fine, sitting just on my hip. 
• FIT: There was little to no shape around my waist. As a tall girl, it's extra important to accentuate our smaller areas to make us look more feminine and prevent us from looking "bigger". I hate it when people say that! 
• MATERIAL: The vest is made of polyester and is filled with a thin layer of down. When I took the photos it was in the high 30's and I was definitely colder than I thought I was going to be.  
• DETAILS: I love the double zipper, standing collar, and black trim. 
• COLOR: I LOVE the pattern and the neutral hues make it an easy item to pair with.

While I think this vest could be tailored to give it more shape, I think I will end up returning it and seeing if a smaller size does the trick.

Readers - Have you had any luck with puffy vests?

Review: J.Crew Factory Skirted Dress Coat

J.Crew Factory Skirted Dress Coat; J.Crew Sandwashed Silk Tee; J.Crew City Mini Skirt; Anne Klein Zya Pumps; Selima Sun for J.Crew Sophia Sunglasses; Hue Tights

Above, I'm wearing the J.Crew Factory Skirted Dress Coat in Viridian Green. After a number of discounts and promo codes, I bought the coat for well under $100 which is pretty reasonable for J.Crew Factory and for a winter coat. Here are my thoughts:

• SIZE: Because I have rather small arms and a small chest, I ordered a size 2. Even though I had tried on other J.Crew Factory jackets in the past, I was worried that the sleeves might not be long enough. Luckily, the sleeves measured to be about 24.5" and fit me perfectly. The length of the coat is obviously shorter on me than intended (I'm 5'10"), but again, I don't mind.
• FIT: The waistband hits me a little bit higher than it's supposed to, but I kind of like how it becomes more of an empire waist, which lengthens my legs. The coat is particularly slimming, thanks to the a-line shape and gathering at the waist.
• MATERIAL: The material is a combination of wool, polyester and viscose. It's certainly not the warmest winter coat that I own, but it's fine for the 40-50 degree weather. Additionally, it's fully lined.
• DETAILS: The tabs at the cuffs add some interest and I think the collar is fun to wear popped. It makes me feel a lot cooler than I actually am ;)
• COLOR: I LOVE the color. It's so fun, bright and unexpected. It will certainly cheer me up on a dreary winter day.

I know I'll be getting lots of wear out of this coat!

Readers - Would you wear a bright coat like this?

Lookbook: Extra Long Blazer

Ann Taylor Stretch Linen Twill Long Jacket; Ralph Lauren Newbury Flap Satchel; Tommy Hilfiger Sunglasses, DL40; Aigle Ecuyer Boots; H&M Skater Dress; Charter Club Scarf; Hue Tights

Finding a flattering blazer when you're tall is not easy!

Let me set the scene. I had been searching for a blazer for months. I wanted something longer that I could wear with skinny jeans (to work) or with a short skirt and boots (for the weekend). I tired on a number of tall blazers, but none were long enough for the look that I was going for. Just when I had given up hope, I saw this CRAZY LONG blazer in the final sale section of the Ann Taylor website. Here's why I love it:

• After a number of promotions and coupons, it cost me under $35! 
• It's not a tall size. Finally I can wear something that doesn't come out of the tall section! 
• The length is perfect, hitting just below the widest part of my hips. This helps create the illusion of a more slender silhouette. On anyone shorter, I'm convinced this would look like a lab coat.
• The button falls at my natural waist. Most of the other blazers I tried on had buttons that hit too high.
• It's structured yet has an a-line shape, which is flattering on pear-shaped women like me.

Readers - Have you found the perfect blazer?

Review: Tall J.Crew Emmaleigh Dress in Super 120s

Tall J.Crew Emmaleigh Dress in Super 120s; Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Leather Pumps; J.Crew Leopard Print Scarf (similar here); J.Crew Polka-Dot Bag (similar here); J.Crew Factory Bracelets

Above, I'm wearing the tall size J.Crew Emmaleigh Dress in Super 120s. It's the same dress I featured in this post back in August. I apologize for not getting a review out sooner...I had to order three different sizes before I found one that fit the way I like. I find that J.Crew sizing is inconsistent and it's tough because you can't try on tall sizes in store.  First off, this dress is way more flattering on me than the J.Crew Memo dress I reviewed here. Why? There is no weird pleating or bunching around the waist! Here are some other things to note: LENGTH: The tall length is fine on my 5'10" frame and hits just above the knee. I did try on a regular size in store and found the length to be too short (about 2-3 inches shorter than the tall size). MATERIAL: The material is gorgeous (Super 120s merino wool) and looks and feels expensive. It's silky to the touch but has enough structure to be work-appropriate. It's also fully lined. CUT: It's a shift-silhouette with a straight skirt. These types of dresses are typically more flattering on women without curves, but I wanted to try anyway. I ended up going with a 4T. I think the hip area might be a little tight on me, but if I went with the 6T, the bust would have been way too roomy. Ultimately, I liked the dress, but I wasn't in love. I think I'm going to return it, because I don't think I can justify the price for something that's not quite perfect. On a positive note, however, there are plenty more J.Crew Wear-To-Work dresses to try! Readers - Have you tired any of the J.Crew Wear-To-Work dresses? Which silhouette do you like the best?

Review: Tall J.Crew Pencil Skirt

J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Double-Serge Wool (Crimson Maple); J.Crew Merino V-Neck Cardigan (Hthr Flax); J.Crew Painter Boatneck Tee in Stripe; Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Leather Pumps; Ralph Lauren Newbury Flap Satchel

I recently added this Tall J.Crew pencil skirt to my collection. I fell in love with the rich burgundy color and soft wool material. Perfect for fall!

This is actually my first Tall skirt purchase from J.Crew. The regular-sized pencil skirts fit me well, but I've always been curious about the longer length. Verdict? Win!

• LENGTH: The Tall size is 25.5" long, which is two inches longer than the regular size. On me, the Tall length hits me right below the knee—well before widest part of my calf. This is the best spot for a longer pencil skirt to hit as it accentuates the curves of your calfs rather than making you look stumpy. I find that longer length pencil skirts look best when paired with heels (to balance out the proportions).
• MATERIAL: The double-serge wool has a weightier feel which is great for cooler weather and the skirt is fully lined to hide any imperfections.
• CUT: I went with a size 6T because I wanted a slim, but not tight fit. With pencil skirts that go below the knee, you should be able to move, sit, and bend, but the skirt shouldn't be too loose or else you'll look frumpy.

Readers - Have you tried Tall J.Crew pencil skirts before?

Elevated Style Tip of the Week: Try Something Nu!

Yes, we're talking about the NuBra here! I bought this one from Amazon for $30 and was very skeptical at first. I mean, how long could a sticky bra last? Would it actually provide any support?

Surprisingly, this sticky bra works wonders! It does look a bit awkward and it certainly feels a bit awkward at first, but one you get used to it, there's no turning back to regular strapless bras. And no, that's not me in the photo!

I bought my first and only NuBra last August. I've worn it about 40 times and it still has a bit of wear left. I'm an a-cup, so I can't speak for women with larger cup-sizes, but the NuBra provides plenty of support and coverage. This one in particular doesn't have any extra padding, so if that's what you're looking for, I wouldn't recommend it. It does, however, enable you to enhance your cleavage. All you have to do is stick the cups further apart and use the clasp to pull them together.

I guess my secret's out! Here are some outfits where I'm wearing the NuBra. Can't tell, can you? It's perfect for strapless and backless dresses/shirts.

I'll definitely be purchasing another one. It's totally comfortable and feels like you're not wearing anything!

Lookbook: Tall Banana Republic Ikat Strapless Dress

Banana Republic Ikat Strapless Dress (on sale!); Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Pumps; Express Blazer; H&M Bracelets & Earrings; Vintage Bracelets from Grandmother

I couldn't wait to try on this tall banana republic dress, but I will admit, I was a bit nervous. It's the first tall sized dress I've ever tried on from Banana Republic. 

• Size: I was happy to find that the dress fit me like a glove! It's a size 4T (I usually go for a size 6 or 8) but if you remember from this post, I decided to size down because it's better to have a strapless dress that's too tight than one that constantly falls down. While the dress fits me perfectly, I'm not sure it would fit anyone much taller. At 5'10", I'm definitely on the shorter size of tall. The waist falls in the right place and the length is just above my knees, which is right around where I like it. 
• Material: The material feels expensive even though it's made out of cotton and polyester. Additionally, the dress is fully lined. Not bad for only $28!
• Function: This is a perfect example of a dress that can go from work to date night. For work, I would add a black, white or tan blazer. I went with black because I'm still on the hunt for the perfect summer white or tan blazer. Let me know if you have any recommendations!

Overall, it's a fun, flattering dress that I'm sure will get a lot of use. What do you think?

Lookbook: J.Crew Perfect Shirt Regular vs. Tall

J.Crew Perfect Shirt in Classic Stripe (Tall); Gap Shorts; Bauble Bar Necklace; Jack Rogers Basic Navajos Sandals; J.Crew Bracelets; H&M Earrings

J.Crew Perfect Shirt in Classic Stripe (Regular); Gap Shorts; Banana Republic Necklaces; J.Crew Viv Printed Patent Flats; H&M Earrings; Tommy Hilfiger Sunglasses; 

Can you guess which shirt is the tall size? 

It's the pink one! 

• Overall Length: In the first photo, you can see a clear difference in overall length. The tall size is a good two inches longer than the regular size, even though both shirts are a Medium. The extra inches give me a longer, leaner look whereas the regular size cuts me short. The tall size is also easier to tuck into jeans and skirts.
• Sleeve Length: I always wear my button downs with the sleeves rolled, so sleeve length doesn't matter much to me. I just wanted to show you that the tall size has sleeves that are plenty long!
• Shape: The tall size has a better overall shape to it. It looks less baggy and more tailored. I'll definitely purchase tall size shirts from J.Crew more often!

Lookbook: Hunter Rain Boots Review

J.Crew Featherweight Cotton Cardigan; J.Crew Stretch Perfect Shirt in Classic Stripe; Banana Republic Scarf; William Rast "Jerri" Stardust Ultra Skinny Leg Jeans; Hunter Tall Rubber Rain Boots; J.Crew Earrings; H&M Bracelet

It was a rainy day today so I broke out my rain boots and thought I'd do a review. But first, here’s my rain boot history starting from when I was a freshman in college:

Freshman Year – I didn't have rain boots. My socks always got soaked when walking to class in the rain. It was miserable.

Sophomore Year – I bought some crazy polkadot rain boots from Target. They looked something like this, but had white dots and were hot pink inside. I think my college roommate bought the same pair. Clearly I was on a college budget, but I desperately needed something to keep my socks dry.

Junior Year – My crazy polkadot rain boots died. I tried another pair of Target specials.

Senior Year – My second pair of Target rain boots died. I suffered the rest of the year.

Year After College – I bought some horrible green and blue Chinese Laundry rain boots. They were cute in concept, but were way too short on me. Not only were they impractical (i.e. I couldn’t stomp through puddles without getting my pants wet), but they also did nothing for my proportions. I definitely got some weird looks commuting to work on the subway.

Present-Day – I finally splurged on a pair of Hunter rain boots! I needed something practical and stylish and was ready to spend the big bucks. Are they perfect? No. But they are pretty close. Here’s my review:

• Color: I'm not really sure why I went with this color. It's a little drab, especially to wear on a rainy day. I wish I had opted for a brighter color, like a green or even a yellow. 
• Style: I like these boots because they feel more mature and sleek than my previous pairs. Although, don’t get me wrong – I did love my crazy polkadot rain boots from Target!
• Height: These rain boots could stand to be a good two inches longer. The shaft height is only 14", which may reach the knees of a petite girl, but not on me.
• Circumference: The fit is a bit tight. They fit over tights no problem, but sometimes it’s tough to pull them over a pair of skinny jeans. I find that tucking your jeans into long socks helps with the bunching. At the widest point, my calf has a 15.5" circumference. Hunter rain boots claim to have a 14.5" calf circumference. You can see how snug they are on my calf in the photo above. Hunter rain boots do come in wide calf, which means a 16.5" calf circumference.
• Functionality: These rain boots are extremely practical. The longer shaft height combined with the tight fit prevents me from getting wet. And if you're wondering if I splashed around in the puddles today...the answer is YES!

Lookbook: Banana Republic Tall Shorts

Banana Republic Pleated Short in Tall; J.Crew Factory Thandie Sweater; J.Crew Scarf; H&M and J.Crew Bracelets

I just discovered that some retailers sell shorts in tall sizes and I think the whole concept is kind of strange! Why do they sell tall shorts when they can simply sell shorts in different inseam increments? Maybe it's a marketing thing—it certainly worked on me!

I had to try a pair, so I ordered some tall shorts from Banana Republic. According to the website, the difference between a regular and tall size for these shorts is an inch. In reality, these shorts still feel (and look) really short on me, but having an inch less of fabric would look even more ridiculous.

I'm not much of a shorts person anyway. I much prefer skirts and dresses in the summertime.

Have you tried tall shorts before and had success?

Victoria's BEST Secret: Long Yoga Pants

I always bought capri-length yoga pants because I could never find any that were long enough for me. UNTIL NOW. I recently discovered that Victoria's Secret carries long sizes for yoga pants. The best part? The yoga pants shown above come in up to 5 different inseams!

1. Most-Loved Yoga Pant
2. Yoga Foldover Pant
3. Classic Pant
4. Yoga Legging

I've already tried the Yoga Foldover Pant in both the 34" and 36" inseams. The 34" pair was perfect for running—long enough, but not so long that I'd trip. The 36" pair was way too long for me. Great for hanging out around the house, but not practical.

I'm about to order the Most-Loved Yoga Pant in the 34" inseam. At $25 a pair, you can't beat it. I'll let you know how they fit once I get them!

Now, if only I could motivate myself to take some more yoga classes...