I bought the Calista Cami simply because I’m now hoarding all silk ruffle camis J.Crew produces. They just look awesome with everything and you end up looking put together without much effort. The Calista Cami though has me a little perplexed. I was first suckered in by this image in the latest catalog:

But then if you look at one of the stock photos without a model in it, it looks like this:

And the one with a model in it looks different as well from either picture above. Granted I can see how it can come to look like the others, but not at first glance:

And the version I got looked nothing like the above. Nothing.

I totally did a double take when I got it. Did I get the wrong top? Is this really the Calista? What the heck? The ruffles look like some giant insect mouth. Or maybe a flesh eating plant – what are those things called again? No matter what I do, they just keep closing in on each other. Maybe if I steam it or iron the ruffles down, it would look something like one of the three pictures above, but I have yet to try it. For now, I’d keep it regardless because the Dark Rosewood color is gorgeous and everything else about this top is perfect – length, sizing, comfort, versatility.

I’m wearing: J.Crew Paillette Mirage Tweed Mini, J.Crew Cobblestone Bracelet, Tory Burch Julianne Wedges

Any of you see the Calista Cami in stores? Which version did it look like? If you ordered it, which version did you get? I’m curious as to whether they’re all shipping like this and all require some sort of extra steaming/ironing effort.

Get it here from J.Crew on sale for $59.50.

I was probably most excited by this purchase out of all the things I ordered from J.Crew recently. Is it just so typical girly of me to like shiny, glittery things? Oy. Even the crazy price tag on this one couldn’t stop me. Who can resist this beautiful Paillette Mirage Tweed Mini Skirt??

I know everyone probably thinks this is not an easy skirt for your wardrobe. Is it too dressy? Is it evening wear only? Etc, etc. I pictured this skirt with various casual outfits for fall, so I’m definitely not one of those people questioning whether this skirt is too dressy. In fact, isn’t it cute even when you just throw on a plain ol’ tee?

I’m wearing: J.Crew Vintage Cotton V-Neck Tee, Matt Bernson Bo Peep Espadrilles

I could have even worn this during the summer! Oh well, too late now. This skirt is quite heavy, with all the plastic shiny tiny plates sewn on and flopping as you walk. Very comfy though. I sized up a size for some added length, and I think this length is a good length. My only concern would be that this skirt seems pretty high maintenance…those tiny plastic things can easily get hooked on something and pop off. I’ve also gotten a comment that this may not too shiny and sparkly for work. Grr. Either way, this skirt will be mine. Maybe just not at the current price tag. I will be stalking the Sale section like a hawk….

Get it here from J.Crew for $248.

Today is so not the type of day to try on anything with sleeves; it’s just so humid and hot due to the impending doom that is Hurricane Earl. All humidity and no cooling rain. Bah. But I’ve been looking for some new clothes to jazz up my closet, so I’m blasting the AC and popping the Long Knit Benny Blazer on come rain or hurricane.

Well, I can’t say I was overjoyed by this. The first thing I noticed when I saw it is that it looks bigger than it should be. I ordered a size 6, my usual outwear size at J.Crew these days. But it just looks so big that it comes off boxy rather than fitted.

I’m wearing: J.Crew Sequin Stripe Henley, Lands End Canvas Poplin Skirt, Matt Bernson Bo Peep Espadrilles

Is it just me or does it just add volume? Then I thought, maybe I’m being biased because I’m pairing this with my summer outfit today and it somehow just doesn’t look right. Maybe if I pair it with a typical fall outfit, it’d help me see it in a different light.

I’m wearing: J.Crew Coralie Cami, J.Crew Houndstooth Mini Skirt (Similar here), Steve Madden Intyce Boots

Yeah, that didn’t help. Maybe if I belt it, it would look more fitted?

I’m wearing: J.Crew Coralie Cami, J.Crew Houndstooth Mini Skirt (Similar here), Banana Republic Braided Belt (Similar here), Steve Madden Intyce Boots

It kind of does help a bit. This look may even pass off as “cute”…maybe. The blazer still looks kind of matronly to me. Just how much bigger is this blazer sizing?

I’m wearing: J.Crew Coralie Cami, J.Crew Houndstooth Mini Skirt (Similar here), Michael Kors Watch, J.Crew Cobblestone Bracelet, Steve Madden Intyce Boots

It felt very loose on. I can probably go down 2 sizes to a size 2, I’m guessing. Other than the sizing issue, I’m liking this blazer. It really does feel like a knit, so it’s very soft and comfortable, and can move with your body more so than a typical blazer….but then it looks like a structured blazer! All the benefit at none of the cost. But the jury is still out on this one because I can’t tell if the boxiness comes from the design of the blazer or the fact that it’s sizing really large for some reason.

Get it here from J.Crew on sale for $118.