I was on the fence about the Ink Blossom Pencil Skirt from J.Crew. I just couldn’t decide if I hated it or loved it. The colors are ok it seems, but what exactly is the pattern? Floral? “Artistic” ink blotches? Leopard? I just didn’t really get it. But I’m really loving the shorter pencil skirt length so I figured I would try it for myself.

Well, it came and I love it! In fact, while I was trying on different tops and planning outfits for work, I kept pulling this skirt out and thinking the top would look cutest with it. It clearly fills some kind of void in my wardrobe. Out of my print pencil skirts, I have mostly lighter pencil skirts (think Sunshine Peony Pencil Skirt, Canterbury Bells Pencil Skirt, etc.) so this one definitely fits right in.

I’m wearing: J.Crew Victoria Ruffle Tissue Cami, Nine West Getby Wedges

Please excuse the I’m-too-full-from-dinner look. I felt super comfortable in this skirt and really did not want to take it off. The fabric is a soft linen canvas material, much like the Brushstroke Mini actually. Light, moves with your body, comfortable. It is also pretty versatile – matches with light and dark colored tops.

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

It looks so put together even when I just throw on a plain white tee! Gotta love pencil skirts. It also hit me that I now own everything necessary to recreate the J.Crew styled look, so here it is.

I’m wearing: J.Crew Sequin Stripe Henley Tee, J.Crew Distressed Leather Denim Belt, Matt Bernson Bo Peep Espadrilles

Pretty cute, right? I’m a huge fan. This one is a definite keeper. Oh, and I got my usual pencil skirt size. Fits perfectly!

Get it here from J.Crew for $110 (now on sale for only $59.99!).

Ok, now I know I say this often, but the Cropped Vintage Denim Jacket from J.Crew truly is my new favorite piece of clothing ever. I had no idea how a denim jacket would look on me. Would I be able to pull it off? Would I look hokey and more trashy than chic? I had some hope because the J.Crew model looks so super cute and chic in the marketing picture, but we all know how that can end up IRL.

And now I literally want to throw it on top of every outfit. It’s like how belts have been for me recently – it just completes the outfit. If I feel like something is missing, I throw on this jacket and it always look cute (to me, at least!).

I’m wearing: Ann Taylor Loft Smocked Waist Button Down, J.Crew Skinny Leather Belt, Abercrombie & Fitch Dawn Skirt (Similar here), Matt Bernson Bo Peep Espadrilles

Of course, because this jacket is cropped, you can’t wear it with a top that’s cut on the shorter side. Then it just looks like you’re wearing a jacket that’s a bit too short and maybe not the right size. I imagine this is cutest with a top that will be longer than the jacket, paired with a shorter bottom. Or maybe a top tucked into a high-waisted pencil skirt. Will have to try that one. Lucky for me, it’s a no-brainer to pair with dresses and I have a ton of those.

I’m wearing: Ann Taylor Loft Ruched Halter Dress, Nine West Getby Wedges

I just wish it was Spring or Fall and not Summer, because it is wayyyy too hot right now to be wearing any kind of jacket out. I got my usual shirt size in this jacket (a 6), and the arms a slightly too tight but I think maybe I just have plump arms.

I highly recommend this jacket, especially at the insanely dirt cheap price of $39.99. Get it here from J.Crew now before it sells out!

I had such high hopes for the Island Paisley Bubble Skirt from J.Crew. I usually am not a fan of the bubble hem, but on this skirt it didn’t look like the usual poofy skirt. Rather it looked like an uniquely draped mini skirt.

This skirt has two important things going for it – 1) It also has an elastic waist so you know it’s comfortable, and 2) the print is so sweet and whimsical, almost giving off a Parisian vibe to me. But alas, when I put it on, I realized I’ve fallen again for J.Crew’s marketing/styling. This skirt does not really look like the skirt pictured above; it does not have any of the A-line shape of this catalog picture. That A-line shape is what makes the skirt look so flattering because the flare of the hem really accentuates the waist. Without it, the body looks straight up and down.

I’m wearing: Ann Taylor Loft Smocked Waist Button Down, J.Crew Equestrian Leather Belt, Matt Bernson Bo Peep Espadrilles

I was a bit disappointed. If I wanted a straight up and down skirt, a pencil skirt would have been the more flattering choice. This bubble skirt is super short and totally inappropriate for work, and there was really no shape to it. It kind of just sat there and looked like a wrinkled up mini skirt. Then I went shopping yesterday and *happened* to drop by J.Crew and got a few ideas for styling it that could be cute.

I’m wearing: (L) Ann Taylor Loft Smocked Waist Button Down, J.Crew Equestrian Leather Belt, Matt Bernson Bo Peep Espadrilles, Gap Boyfriend Cardigan (similar here)

I’m wearing: (R) Gap Ribbed Tank, J.Crew Long Merino Cardigan, J.Crew Skinny Leather Belt, Matt Bernson Bo Peep Espadrilles

Yeah, it’s cuter when worn with a cardigan covering it up, but what does that say about this skirt? Anyway, sizing wise, I’m usually a size 6 in skirts at J.Crew and I got this in Medium hoping for some additional length. Even wearing it at the hip, it’s still too short for my taste. Overall, it’s simply way too short for me and not cute enough for me to keep.

If you find this totally adorable (I wouldn’t blame you), get it here from J.Crew for $79.50.