J.Crew really has not been that exciting to me lately. I don’t really like anything enough to go to the store to pick up or to make the effort to get tag-alongs for the free shipping online. I did place an order for a few things over the weekend, which I’ll share in a preview thread tomorrow. But the highlight this week has been the Banana Republic Give & Get 30% promo, which finally lured me back into the clothes shopping world for a brief weekend. Here are the few things I picked up that I’m really excited about.

Banana Republic Silk Cascade Ruffle Shell – in both Sidewalk Gray and Bright Berry

Silk ruffle tops are my new thing now. Love them, can’t get enough. They are so easy to wear but look so professional. I can stumble out of bed in the morning, pull on a silk ruffle top and a random skirt off the hanger in my closet and I’ll look put together. People at work even comment at why I’m so dressed up. It’s pretty awesome.

Get it here from Banana Republic for $69.50 (but I’d wait for a promo!).

Banana Republic Pima Cotton/Wool Shawlneck Cardigan

I pretty much bought this sweater out of my love and obsession with J.Crew’s Palisade cardigan. That cardigan is perfect because it serves as a coverup/cardigan but loosely and casually holds the cardigan in place so the two sides don’t flap whenever the wind blows. I hate it when that happens. I feel like an unwilling flasher. The one thing I don’t like about the Palisades cardigan is that the material is so thin, it feels like it stretches out so easily and looks kind of sloppy at the end of the day. This cardigan seems to be slightly more substantial, so we’ll see.

Get it here from Banana Republic for $89.50.

Banana Republic Leather Patch Pocket Jacket

None of you know me that well, but if you did, you would scoff at the fact that I bought this jacket. I mean, I just never pictured myself to ever wear a leather jacket; it just wasn’t me. Then I somehow stumbled on this while I was browsing BR looking to maximize my use of this great promo. It looks right up my alley, even paired with a typical outfit I might wear. I thought about how I thought I was SO not a denim jacket person before I bought one from J.Crew and saw how unexpectedly adorable it looked on. I can totally look awesome with leather jackets and not even know it (probably unlikely…), just like a few of the reviewers on the BR site. So, at 30% off, I had to buy it if even just to confirm whether or not leather jackets work on me. Plus it always makes an order super exciting when you’re buying something totally new and un-you.

Get it here from Banana Republic for $298.

ETA: Got the email of doom today – this jacket is no longer available and they are crediting back the full amount. BOOOOOOO.

I was a huge fan of the Paper Bag Skirt from Banana Republic when I tried it on and of course, I purchased it on the spot.

I was hesitant from just the pictures online, because it looked like the elastic waist was quite muffin-top inducing. Now I realize I’m just a bit too traumatized by the tightly bound elastic waist skirts J.Crew has been pumping out. This skirt, in contrast, is unbelievably comfortable because of the waist. It’s a wide-ribbed elastic, which means it gently clings onto you, comfortably wearable either at the waist or at the hip. Surprisingly though, the material feels just like one of those sporty, waterproof jogging shorts or windbreakers, and if it was not for the detailing at the waist, I would mistake it for a sporty skort of some sort. When I wore it today with my top untucked, I did not feel dressed up as if I was wearing a pencil skirt. I felt like I was about to bust out jogging at any time.

I’m wearing: J.Crew Silk Frances Cami, J.Crew Studded Bar-Car Belt, Banana Republic Dahlia Wedges

But when I paired with a dressier top (tucked in) and heels, I felt this was as perfect as skirts get – so comfortable, slight A-line shape, accessible and not obtrusive pockets, and perfect length. Sizing wise, I picked up my usual skirt size and it fits perfectly. I’m definitely going to pick this up in another color. Just wish they had more colors!

Get it here from Banana Republic for $59.50.

I don’t know why but I have a thing for above-knee white skirts for summer. They look so summery yet well matched with everything. White is one of the staple neutral colors in any wardrobe but really, summer is the only season when white can be worn as a bottom without incurring weird stares. So, I like to stock up. This Cotton Eyelet Skirt from Banana Republic has a 5 star rating on their site, along with its label as a “customer favorite.” At 18.5″, it seems like the perfect length for a casual white skirt.

It is definitely a cute, casual white summer skirt. The eyelet detailing makes it look more expensive than it is (especially if you get it during a BR promo), and it fits relatively comfortably. It’s a little shorter than I had hoped, but I don’t think it looks inappropriately short. A little more A-line shape would have been great as well. Is it my favorite skirt ever? No, but it will be a nice addition to the white skirt rotation.

I’m wearing: J.Crew Vintage Cotton V-Neck Tee, J.Crew Studded Bar-Car Belt, Banana Republic Dahlia Wedges

I wish they had made this skirt with an elastic waist though rather than the zipper. The side zipper feels like this hard strip of metal against a relatively fluffy, soft eyelet material, so it kind of stuck out a bit on the side but not noticeably so. Sizing wise, I got my usual size, but I could have sized up a size just for some additional length. That’s all personal preference. I’d recommend this skirt, but probably only at 30% off (going on through end of today!).

Get it here from Banana Republic for $69.50 (plus 30% off today).