Banana Republic Pique Pencil Skirt

I know I’ve been wearing this Pique Pencil Skirt from Banana Republic in practically every post I’ve made recently. Apologies. But doesn’t it just look amazing with everything? Only during spring/summer do we girls have the luxury of wearing white skirts and pants, so I say take advantage of the sunny weather and wear them with everything. Just wearing white makes me happier…is that weird? Anyway, this pencil skirt is pretty awesome. I haven’t had the best luck with them from J.Crew, as they’re all super long and just don’t look flattering on me (for the most part). This Banana Republic skirt, however, hits me right above the knees, and is a thick, almost denim-like fabric, so it looks versatile enough to be dressed up as a pencil skirt or worn as a white denim skirt. I think.

Banana Republic Pique Pencil SkirtBanana Republic Pique Pencil Skirt

I’m wearing: Anthropologie Coil Flower Tank, J.Crew Equestrian Belt, Gucci Grease Platform Sandals

Unlike most pencil skirts that feel constricting, particularly as you walk, this skirt has a perfectly located back vent that makes it very comfortable.  The denim-like fabric also does wonders for your, ahem, backside if you wanted any lift in that area (which I do, because I have nothing going on there). Paired with heels, this skirt makes any outfit look polished yet effortless. Is there still a weird pooch like problem if I tuck the shirt in (as all pencil skirts seem to have)?

Banana Republic Pique Pencil SkirtBanana Republic Pique Pencil Skirt

I’m wearing: Anthropologie Coil Flower Tank, J.Crew Equestrian Belt, Gucci Grease Platform Sandals

Yes, but I think I figured out a solution though it’s still unproven. Spanx is the way to go. I found this thing called “Higher Power” which I think is the perfect solution to this problem I’m sure many ladies have with pencil skirts. Because it extends all the way up to the rib cage rather than middle of your stomach, it’s less likely to roll down when you move. It also covers down to your mid-thigh so you can wear with shorter skirts. Also perfect since it’s quite windy in NYC and now I will no longer be paranoid with every wind blow that the whole street will see my underwear. Not bad for $36. I have a couple of tights from Spanx that I wear in the winter and I loved the tummy-flattening aspect of the top part. I have a feeling no matter how flat my abs are, there will always be that weird pooch with pencil skirts. Anyway, buying this as a solution is a thought that just hit me a few days ago and I ordered it online, so it’ll be a few days before I can come on here and verify for you all whether I was right.

But I digress. I highly recommend this pencil skirt and you can get it here from Banana Republic for only$ 69.50. If you wait until one of their 25% promo days and combine it with Bing 25% cashback, you’re looking at a very affordable and timeless investment.

J.Crew Softspun Cotton Henley

The Softspun Cotton Henley from J.Crew looks like a stock-up-able, buy-in-every-color type of tee. It’s slouchy, it’s casual, but with the henley style, it’s just a tiny bit sexy. Versatile enough to be dressed up or down, it’s perhaps one of the softest tees I’ve ever felt.

J.Crew Softspun Cotton HenleyJ.Crew Softspun Cotton Henley

I’m wearing: J.Crew Whisper Chambray Tiered Skirt, J.Crew Patent Oval Belt, Nine West Getby Wedges

However…look closely at how dangerously close the “girls” are to poppin’ out of this shirt. It is so low cut that it’s grazing the top of my bra and would probably even show the top of my bra if I wasn’t careful. Wore with the top 2 buttons unbuttoned, it borders on severely inappropriate IRL. Much more so than even these pictures show. I got a Small so it’s not a size issue for me…it’s just way too low cut. I don’t know how comfortable I’d feel wearing these around the office knowing anyone taller than my shoulder can practically see the goods all too well. BUT besides that, I really love this tee. It’s comfy, it’s slightly sexy, and I adore this color for summer. Perfect with neutrals like gray and – my favorite – white.

J.Crew Softspun Cotton Henley

I’m debating whether to return this one. I may keep it just to wear on the weekends, simply because it’s too cute and comfy to pass up. Probably would not pick it up in the other colors though. Get it from J.Crew here for $34.50. BTW you guys will notice I’ve been wearing some items repeatedly in every picture (and to death IRL). It’s because I absolutely adore them and think they look great and are comfortable for every occasion. The wedges are supremely comfortable and I love that splash of gold that glamorizes every outfit!

J.Crew Cotton Tipped Pocket Cardigan

As promised, here is my review of the new J.Crew Featherweight Cotton Tipped Pocket Cardigan. Now if I had done a review of it last night right after I got it, it would probably be very different from this review after a full day of wear, but let’s talk about the pros and cons of this sweater.

J.Crew Cotton Tipped Pocket Cardigan

This sweater is frickin’ adorable. I knew it would be from the pictures. It’s a very unique looking sweater. It adds fun and interest to an outfit as much as a printed cardigan would, but without sacrificing the neutrality and match-with-everything quality I look for in sweaters. I can pair this with a printed skirt if I wanted whereas I would incur some serious print clashing if I instead wore another printed cardigan. To me, this sweater totally gives off that posh, well-dressed, preppy vibe. Love it and want to wear it with everything.

J.Crew Cotton Tipped Pocket CardiganJ.Crew Cotton Tipped Pocket Cardigan

I’m wearing: J.Crew Sequin Stripe Henley, Banana Republic Pique Pencil Skirt, Nine West Getby Wedges

So I wore it today with the Ruched V-Neck dress I debuted yesterday on here. My minor fear of this sweater’s flaws came true. What is the flaw, you say? Featherweight cotton. Oy. Is featherweight crewspeak for thin and flimsy? This sweater is so thin that just pulling it on and off, I can feel it stretching out. By the end of the day, this thing had lost a lot of its shape. I have a habit of pushing up my sleeves when I know I’ll be typing something for a while, and at the end of the day, I had these big floaty arm tubes loose around my forearms. I had to keep pushing them up just to avoid the sloppiness of floaty arm tubes. Oy. There is no real weight to this sweater (“feather” weight, har har) so it doesn’t really drape or hang, it just kind of clings to whatever fabric you’re wearing underneath. At the end of the day, I was no longer really loving this sweater when I looked in the mirror. It didn’t look as fitted and instead looked kind of like a loose box. Here’s another picture of this cardigan buttoned up, pre-stretch-out.

J.Crew Cotton Tipped Pocket Cardigan

Ugh, so frickin’ cute. If only it would stay that way. Now the silver lining is…this cardigan is machine washable, so hopefully after I throw it in my next load of laundry, it’ll revert back to its original cuteness. Get it here from J.Crew for $68.