Those of you subscribed to my newsletter got a sneak peak at this already… =)
Let me start by saying, I love J.Crew. I love the styles, I love the fabrics, I love the colors…if I could, I would dress in J.Crew every day. However, J.Crew does not love me. Rather, J.Crew does not love my tiny petite frame, because J.Crew sizing is wacky. Even the J.Crew petites I’ve tried have fit me awful, and way over-sized, so when I found this J.Crew wool skirt in size 00, and it fit, I pounced on it instantly.
Walking past J.Crew, I glanced at the window display, and did a double take. My “spidey-sense” (or maybe I should call it my “petitey-sense”) went off, and I had to take a closer look at what appeared to be a teeny tiny skirt.
First I scoffed, because I know the items in J.Crew window displays merely look tiny because they are pinned to within an inch of their lives in back. That trick doesn’t work on me, J.Crew! So, I walked around to peer at the garment from the side, expecting to see it full of pins. No pins in sight! That skirt was tiny!
Not only was it tiny, but it was a beautiful rust color, which I absolutely adore, and am always trying to find to add to my wardrobe. I ran inside, and with the intensity of a bloodhound, scoured the racks until I found it. A few hanger flicks revealed a size 00 hiding in the back! Score!
I was unsure if the skirt flattered me in the dressing room, but my policy with finds such as this is: “buy now, decide later”, so I bought it to get it home for a better assessment.
Now…on to the skirt:
The composition is a thin, but heavenly 97% wool, 3% spandex, which I love, and it’s fully lined. The waistband is elasticized, which is what makes it so tiny, and the shape is called “bell”, which means it flares outwards from the waistband in a bell shape. The shape and mini cut makes it youthful and flirty, and the addition of pockets makes it…well…awesome.
The elastic waistband allows the skirt to sit wherever you want it to on your waist or hips, which is good for me because I don’t always look good in high waisted bottoms. I prefer the skirt to sit on my high hip, with a little belt added for cute-ness.
The skirt is a bit poofy, because of it’s bell shape, which I balanced out with my cardigan, in my favorite “X” shape, which helps to give me an exaggerated hourglass shape.
I’ll admit, I was a bit insecure about the bell shape because I thought it might be too poofy for my frame (aka…scrawny legs…*sigh*), but the shape is so fun and youthful, that I actually really like it now.
This skirt is still full price on the J.Crew site, and I saw not only this color (henna) but also the light gray (hthr aluminum) in my local J.Crew. More colors online, and size 00 is still available.
Another J.Crew skirt with the same cut, and thus, same petite size:
| J.Crew Velvet Bell Skirt |
Did I fulfill my lifelong dream of dressing like a J.Crew catalog, or what? =)
J.Crew – if you ever need a petite fit model…I’m available!
I think you may be in luck this season – lots of their skirts are very short! Do like that skirt on you – may be too high for taller folks, though!
Is this color "English Saddle" on the site? If so, looks richer in your picture than online. I really like Olive Moss too.
That color is gorgeous on you, honestly the quintessential fall color. I ordered from J.Crew recently and hope things will fit me as, like you said, they have wacky sizing.
Ooooh…in love with the color! I have tops & jackets this color but no bottoms. Will def try it out…although I have the "scrawny-leg" syndrome too when it comes ot A-line or bell shaped skirts!
~G.R.I.T.S.
JulieY – This skirt was almost too short even for me! Yup, taller gals might have a hard time finding good skirt lengths this season.
Aubrey – This skirt color is "henna". It looks more red on the website, but is a red-orange in real life.
Elle – Good luck with your J.Crew haul. Sizing is so unpredictable!
Grits – I think we actually have a very similar body type. =)
Love that color! I watched Oprah when she had their fashion director on the show, it was a great interview. Love love J Crew.
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
I really like the bell shape of the skirt! I gave up on toning my legs, they will still remain scrawny despite how many leg curls I'll do. I give the styling of your outfit an A+, looks like you transitioned into fall quite nicely. =0>
What a great find and the color is amazing! It seems like they've revamped their sizing yet again since the Minnie pant runs more TTS too. Maybe it's time to go back to J.Crew! =)
The skirt looks better on you than it does on the model! And the color is luscious. Now I'm just waiting for it to go on sale…
You totally look like a J.Crew model! I thought it was a page from their catalog =P The skirt looks great on you and I hope they continue this trend away from vanity sizing!
Agree with JulieY, some of their skirts are very short this season. Yeah for us petites out there. Love their clothes a lot too. Love your outfit here, the skirt looks beautiful on you.
I also bought the Severn lace mini skirt over the weekend to attend a bridal party. I was so so happy when I was able to fit into a 00. But they only carry this size at the store not online. Now, I'm so tempted to get the Dolce tweed mini which they have in 00 too at my store.
Thanks for the heads up about the great fit. I feel your pain with J. Crew. I gave up on them this summer and devoted my shopping time to LOFT and Banana. I will have to peak in so that I can search for this skirt.
I love that you paired it with navy. The bell shape is not so bad since it is a few inches above the knee. If it were to stop at the knee…that would look strange.
Hey you look TALL in these pics!!! What a great skirt and I LOVE the colour and pockets??? Perfection!
You do look like a jcrew model there :) that skirt color is awesome, it seems like it would be very versatile and match everything too. I don't think I even own anything that color or even seen a color like that around. Oh now I want to purchase it too!
Super cute outfit!!! And yes you do look like a J.Crew model!!! :)
I love the skirt, and especially the color combination of rust/dark blue. It looks very Fall :) You could totally be a J.Crew model!
PS I hate my scrawny legs, too.
This outfit looks so great on you! I'm really loving that rust/navy blue combination. I'll definitely have to check out JCrew sometime to see what they have that'll fit!
Thanks for the awesome post!
Kileen
http://cuteandlittle.com
Love the color of the skirt for fall! I'm really surprised too that J.Crew even makes skirts that small… if only it comes in a more fitted silhouette, I'd be all over it! :)
Lovely skirt in a lovely, lovely color. Even after seeing your newsletter preview I went online and didn't recognize the skirt. I hope it goes on sale with 00's left…esp since it came in so many color choices! Curious why they made it numerical sizing if it has an elastic waistband.
I loooove this color. It looks great with your skin tone and the length is lovely on you. Lookin good!
How cute!! I have to admit, the concept of an elastic wool skirt is very interesting. I will have to stalk j crew for a sale. The skirt looked so indecently short on the model…Hopefully that will put everyone off and there will be plenty of 00p skirts left over. Such beautiful color available too, j'adore.
This looks beautiful! I really love the rust with the blues as well.
Banhannas – I tried doing all kinds of stuff to "build my calves"…yeah, never worked…lol.
stylepint – I hope it's a trend! I would be so happy if I could shop at J.Crew regularly.
Em – I'll be watching the sales as well. I'd like to get another color or two if the price is right. =P
Claud – Yes! I saw you got the lace skirt in the AN Forum. Hmm…I might be going back to J.Crew very soon…lol.
their regular size in that skirt fits great as well, I think it has to do with the elastic. I almost bought the same one in gray. love this look btw.
Yes, I too agree that your picture belongs in J.Crew catalogue. That color combo looks so lovely.
Is this at a park? You were bold enough to take pics in public?? Lovely water view.
Great pictures! This is so funny because I was at JCrew Monday, saw this skirt and thought "perfect for the really tiny petite ladies like Kellly" hee hee And here you've bought it and it looks so great. I absolutely love your outfit!!
The skirt is so cute. You did a fabulous job with the outfit! I've been eyeing their bell skirts since I first saw them in the catalog. :)
you look fabulous in this outfit
I'm proud to be petite if this is how good we can look.
keep up the good work
Petite From London, England
The skirt is so cute. You did a fabulous job with the outfit! I've been eyeing their bell skirts since I first saw them in the catalog. :)
Yes, I too agree that your picture belongs in J.Crew catalogue. That color combo looks so lovely.
Is this at a park? You were bold enough to take pics in public?? Lovely water view.
How cute!! I have to admit, the concept of an elastic wool skirt is very interesting. I will have to stalk j crew for a sale. The skirt looked so indecently short on the model…Hopefully that will put everyone off and there will be plenty of 00p skirts left over. Such beautiful color available too, j'adore.
I love the skirt, and especially the color combination of rust/dark blue. It looks very Fall :) You could totally be a J.Crew model!
PS I hate my scrawny legs, too.
Thanks for the heads up about the great fit. I feel your pain with J. Crew. I gave up on them this summer and devoted my shopping time to LOFT and Banana. I will have to peak in so that I can search for this skirt.
I love that you paired it with navy. The bell shape is not so bad since it is a few inches above the knee. If it were to stop at the knee…that would look strange.
The skirt looks better on you than it does on the model! And the color is luscious. Now I'm just waiting for it to go on sale…