Ann Taylor Loft Foil Finish Pencil Skirt

Since the Shimmering Jacquard Skirt from Loft has become one of my favorite go-to skirts for the summer due to its ease of wear and simple sophistication, I was hoping for more of the same when I purchased the Foil Finish Pencil Skirt with the 40% off promo.

Ann Taylor Loft Foil Finish Pencil Skirt

It’s also at 21″ in length, which fits in right along with the “new summer” length I love so much from J.Crew recent line of pencil skirts. I thought surely this would be a winner.

Ann Taylor Loft Foil Finish Pencil SkirtAnn Taylor Loft Foil Finish Pencil Skirt

I’m wearing: J.Crew Favorite Tank, Banana Dahlia Wedges

The description says this skirt has a “shimmering foil finish.” The shimmering part killed it for me. When I first put it on, it looked a bit like a leather skirt to me from a distance, looking tightly bound and drawing light to every bump even though it was the right size and *felt* comfortable enough. You can see from the side profile that yeah I had a bit of a lower tummy but not gee, let’s not amplify that by bouncing light off of it. It looked so much worse than it really was straight-on. Any other print skirt and I would’ve been fine. Dammit. This one only works if you wear a longer top…on me, that is. Anyone out there with no abdominal area issues will probably love this skirt.

Get it here from Loft for $69.50, now with 40% off.

J.Crew Silk Frances Cami

The Silk Frances Cami is the newest addition to my recent, almost obsessive collecting of silk ruffle camis from J.Crew.

J.Crew Silk Frances Cami

I was not too happy with the last one (Kelsey ruffle top) because it did not have enough of the ruffling effect to look cute and flirty and the last thing I need is to look matronly. I’m happy to report that the Frances Cami is a winner. It’s not as ruffle-y as the Palmera (which I adore), but it’s a more demure and sophisticated ruffling, which I’m still a fan of.

J.Crew Silk Frances CamiJ.Crew Silk Frances Cami

I’m wearing: J.Crew Wildcat Ombre Pencil Skirt, Banana Republic Dahlia Wedges

It’s a keeper! Once J.Crew has another extra % off sale promo, I’m definitely going back for more colors. Sizing is true to size, though slightly tight on the girls but still do-able.

Get it here from J.Crew for $49.50-$69.50.

J.Crew Embroidered Ikat Pencil Skirt

I was kind of “eh” on the Embroidered Ikat Pencil Skirt from J.Crew. I mean, the pattern is pretty I guess, but I kind of like my skirts to either be solid or have a bold print, so I wasn’t totally sold on it…

J.Crew Embroidered Ikat Pencil Skirt

I received it yesterday and I have to say, in person this skirt still does not wow me. In fact, I was surprised at how thick and heavy the skirt is; it feels much more like a fall/winter skirt than summer. I definitely could not and would not wear this skirt in the summer because I would probably melt. Inside the thick, heavy skirt is another layer of material for the lining; it’s in cotton, which should theoretically be breathable, but I think it itself is suffocating from the weight and thickness of the outside layer. For the few minutes I had this skirt on – though I was right next to the AC – I felt the tinglings of oncoming sweat. Bahh.

J.Crew Embroidered Ikat Pencil SkirtJ.Crew Embroidered Ikat Pencil Skirt

I’m wearing: Ann Taylor Smocked Waist Button Down, Banana Republic Dahlia Wedges

I think this will be great for fall though…will even keep you warm sans tights. So, it’s a keeper, especially at this good sale price.

Get it here from J.Crew for $69.99.