Yesterday was one of the first times in months I’ve set foot into an actual J.Crew store. While perusing the new Spring arrivals, my eyes zoned in on a rack of Cotton Nico skirts wedged into the sale section in the back. I had been stalking this skirt online since it came out and now here it was, in my size, on sale for only $39.99. I snagged it and being so confident that this must look awesome, I headed straight for checkout. I mean, how can this skirt not look good? It has a sturdy enough fabric and neutral enough color to be dressed up professionally or dressed down with a tee for a casual look. Plus, I always love elastic waists as it means the skirt can be hiked up to the waist or worn on the hip for 2 totally different looks.

When I got home, I immediately threw it on and walked over to the mirror eagerly. Well, it doesn’t exactly work the way I imagined. The elastic on this skirt is not a gentle elastic found on most smocked skirts or even the Poplin Wednesday skirt; it is an extremely tightly bound thick rubber band in disguise. If you have any body fat whatsoever, this elastic will cling right onto the bone or muscle underneath and push out the fat. Worn at the hip or even near the hip produced bulges and rolls I have never seen nor want to ever see again. There was also no A-line shape to the skirt when worn low right at the hip; it was just kind of a poofy shapeless skirt that added volume to my hips. But there’s a silver lining – as soon as I pulled it a couple inches up closer to my waist, I saw the A-line shape, all the bulges went away, and it was pretty darn cute. I can picture it styled for work with a tank and long cardigan, pulled together with a belt. Even though it seems like a spring/summer skirt, I think it will work in the fall when you add in the tights and booties. Overall, the Cotton Nico skirt can definitely be a wardrobe staple. Especially at $39.99! Get it from J.Crew here.

The Equestrian Belt in Equestrian Brown is the other item I picked up at J.Crew (shown in both pictures). I usually never wear belts but this belt is probably my favorite item in my closet now. The color is so classy but neutral so that even worn with colors you would never imagine would match (i.e. sapphire blue), it still looks amazing. It pulls every outfit together and instantly adds a touch of style. Makes a simple tank/skirt combo look relatively dressed up.  I was lucky enough to pick it up on sale for $29.99; not sure why J.Crew has now raised the price back up to full price. Get it from J.Crew here for $45.

Yes, my obsession with J.Crew has ballooned into a full-blown blog. As someone with a crazy busy job, it’s tough to physically go to stores to try things on before purchasing.  Ordering everything blind online is pretty frustrating; every style fits and sizes differently. That’s why I’ve really been loving the recent surge in J.Crew blogs online that post IRL and fitting room pictures. Being able to see how clothes fit and fall on real women is so much more helpful than seeing them on size -2 J.Crew models. With Crewlade, I toss my hat into the ring. Hopefully my feedback and pictures will help at least a few fellow J.Crew online shoppers.