Product Review: Sketchbook Roses Belle Skirt

Sketchbook roses Belle skirt
Click here for product page
Item 96173
Regular: $140.00

Michelle posted a great review of the Sketchbook Roses Belle Skirt (in the post "J.Crew Stores: Additional 20% 0r 40% Off Sale?") that deserves its own post. The following is Michelle's review:

"...I wanted to post a review of the Sketchbook Roses Belle skirt because I love it so much and feel like a lot of people might overlook it. It's not as flashy as some of the other pieces this season, but it is definitely a beautiful, classic piece.

I was curious about this skirt because the pattern is similar to that of a Chanel scarf I saw in Lucky magazine last month or the month before. I thought the skirt was pretty online, but I was afraid that it was overpriced. I was pleasantly surprised by it when I saw it in the store. I tried it on, and I fell in love with it. The silk taffeta is so soft and smooth and light as air. The roses do look like a charcoal sketch, as they are soft shaded graphite color, but they also have a hint of shimmer because of the silk taffeta fabric. I tried the skirt on and decided it was worth every penny; I took it home with me.

The shape of this Belle is a bit fuller than the cotton taffeta Belles. It almost looks as though it has some crinoline underneath it, even though it doesn't have anything but the thin lining layer. The fuller shape gives the skirt a flattering, waist-cinching 50s silhouette when paired with a form-fitting top. I paired this skirt with a tucked-in black cashmere ¾ sleeve turtleneck, skinny black patent belt on the skirt's waist, pearls, and simple black heels, and put my hair in a loose chignon. When I saw myself I was vaguely reminded of Grace Kelly in Rear Window, which is impressive because believe me I look nothing like Grace Kelly. I made a polyvore set with this look (which does even come close to doing it justice), and this is how I plan to wear it to my rehearsal dinner this Friday. I am so glad I paid attention to this skirt!"

"Thanks!" to Michelle for a great review! :)

What are your thoughts on the Sketchbook Roses Belle Skirt? Do you love it or would you leave it? If you already own this skirt, please let us know what you think?

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Love it or Leave it: the Whisper Lamé Tiered Skirt

Whisper lamé tiered skirt
Item 93403
Click here to visit product page
Regular: $175.00
Now $99.99

When I first saw this skirt online, I thought "huh?" I wasn't sure what to make of it. It seemed a bit too "flashy" for the regular J.Crew line. (In fact, I couldn't understand how J.Crew's marketing team decided on the word "whisper" to describe the item's title. It is more like "loud" to me.) When I saw this skirt in-person at a store, I thought, "definitely overpriced for the material!"

J.Crew online states that the skirt is "a very special limited edition, silvery and pixie-like, in Italian cotton with a metallic sheen. It took weeks to get the tiers just right—each one is different by design, giving the skirt that extra edge." Uh, two weeks devoted to its tiers but no one during that time bothered to line the skirt (currently it is "unlined")? (For that price, it should be at the very least lined with some special, limited edition fabric as well.)

I am thinking that this skirt is meant to be targeted towards the younger demographics of J.Crew (e.g. late teens with lots of disposable income), because I definitely don't feel like it is targeted to me. :) I am just saying, for that price I would much rather get one of J.Crew's jackets, like the Refined canvas Fiona jacket, on sale.

What do you think of the Whisper Lame Tiered Skirt? Do you love it or would you leave it? Do you own it? Let us know what you think! :)

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Not what it seems: the Dark Chambray Swing Skirt

I had my eye on the Dark chambray swing skirt (Item 90972) for ever. Imagine my delight when I saw it in the sale section last week for just $19.99 plus shipping. Naturally, I bought it immediately (not even caring that I had no "free shipping code" to apply to the order).

I just received it today and... so disappointed! Besides the skirt color not being as dark as in the photo, the skirt hits above the knee (20 inches long). The picture with the model wearing the skirt, clearly shows the skirt hitting below the knee. I naturally called J.Crew's customer service (which by the way, the menu prompt is now different) who told me that the skirt is in fact suppose to be 20 inches long. She also told me that she was surprise to see how short the skirt was in-person as well (since her friend has the skirt).

I am strongly considering returning the skirt. I thought it looked cute/classy below the knee. However, I think it looks a bit too "young" above the knee (especially when I am 5'8 in height).

For those who have this skirt, what is your impression? Were you disappointed or delighted with the skirt?

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