Shopping Reviews, Vol. 52, Black Friday and Cyber Monday Purchases

Two (or three) weeks later and I’m finally sharing some of my Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases! Okay, and also the Wednesday before Thanksgiving purchases because sales creep is a disturbingly real thing now.

Anyways, there are some major winners here and a few losers, so read on to see what I kept!

J.Crew Factory Velvet dot midi skirt, 0

As soon as I ordered this skirt, all I could think was, “please be exactly like my striped skirt from J.Crew Factory!” And what do you know, it is! The fit is exactly the same and it feels like I’m wearing the same skirt but with polka dots. I’m in heaven. Plus, it has a lining, so it’s not see through (though I still might wear a slip, just to be super safe).

Verdict: I kept it and you need to get it right away too.

J.Crew Factory Printed quilted puffer vest, XXS

Alright, I feel terrible sharing this vest because it sold out within one or two days of going up on the site. But, I linked to the page it’s on so you can stalk the page in case it gets restocked and you can still check out J.Crew Factory’s big selection of puffer vests. Also, J.Crew has a similar vest, but it’s obviously more expensive. In terms of sizing, I had to size down, but I’ve had to do that with other vests from J.Crew Factory, so I would suggest it for a better fit.

Verdict: Keep.

J.Crew Factory Classic crewneck sweater, XS

I can never have enough tan/cream/white sweaters, but I also can’t seem to find the perfect white sweater.  This is a little closer to cream, but it comes close enough to being the perfect sweater that I don’t care. It’s super soft, comfortable, and warm. I also like that it’s fitted so I can wear it to work.

Verdict: Keep…..and I may have just ordered the gray color.

J.Crew Factory Floral lace peplum tank top, XS

I thought this would be a cute top to do for a dressed up post….but there was nothing special about it. I know it looks fitted in the picture, but it actually felt a little big and boxier in person. Normally I like a loose peplum, but it just felt off in this case. Also, the lace pattern felt a little bigger than I would normally expect. It sounds odd, but during the winter, I see smaller, lighter lace patterns, but this felt a little larger, more like something you would see out of J.Crew Factory during the summer.

Verdict: Return.

Old Navy Quilted Sherpa Vest, XS

First, it’s warm, fuzzy, and cute. It’s a little bigger than their normal vest, but that just means you can wear an oversized sweater under it. Second, if you want this color or the black color…you need to watch the page like a hawk. It’s been going in and out of stock and I had to put a back in stock alert on it. (Thank you shoptagr!) Basically, don’t wait for it to go on sale, because by the time it does, it’ll sell out again.

Verdict: Keep.

Old Navy Classic Flannel Shirt-White Tartan, XS

I’m a sucker for a good plaid shirt that’s actually a flannel (what’s the point otherwise?). This shirt fit the bill. As you can see, it’s a little long, but nothing that you can’t solve without tucking it in.

Verdict:Keep

AE Mixed Media Tiered Lace Top, XS

After seeing this top on Merrick, I wanted it to work so badly….but I hated how loose the sleeves were. For long sleeve lace tops, I prefer the sleeve be a little more fitted (less chance of snagging). Also, I just couldn’t see where I would ever wear it. If you’re interested in it, it’s a very light weight top that zips up the back. The sleeves and upper piece are also sheer.

Verdict: Return

ASTR the Label Wrap Front Sweater, XS

I’ve been staring at this top for a year. A YEAR. No joke. It’s also one of the most clicked on items in my shopstyle account. You guys apparently love to look at it too. So I finally took the plunge the other week and ordered it…Initial reaction? Oh my god, it smelled bad. I don’t know if it was the packaging or yarn but the sweater carried such a bad smell with it. Next, this sweater is cute…but it’s not really for petite girls (as you can kind of tell in the picture). It’s also really impractical. Honestly, all I could think about was how cold I would be in it. From the picture online, I really thought the panels were heavier, but they were actually a much lighter weight and kind of flimsy. Also, the panels aren’t sewn together at all where they cross over, so yes, your boob is technically hanging over one of the flaps. The yarn was soft, but that can only go so far, when you’re cold, smelly, and you can feel a boob kind of hanging out of your sweater.

Verdict: Return.

BLANKNYC Life Changer Moto Jacket, XS

Is this jacket life changing? Well it’s a little tight in the arms, but I was wearing a loose sweater under it (see below). A lot of people just mentioned wearing it with a shirt, so I should have tried that. It did also make me go into a crisis of if I was a cool enough girl to wear a jacket like it. Also, do cool girls zip their jackets up all the way, or do they only zip them up to where the flap is in front? But really, am I cool enough to wear this jacket?

Verdict: Yeah, probably not if I’m doing this much thinking. Though I might also try sizing up or looking for it on sale.

BP. Cozy Mock Neck Sweater, XXS

I really  need to stop impulse ordering cozy sweaters on Nordstrom because then I get really wonderful ones like this. Which as soon as I put on, I didn’t want to take off and then I ended up wearing it for the rest of the evening. So I guess I’m keeping it. As with most BP sweaters, it runs large, so I sized down. It has a little bit of a mock neck, but that’s loose and actually pretty comfortable. The knit is also insanely soft.

Verdict: Keep and keeping the black. Not sorry.

BP. Dolman Sleeve Sweater, XXS

After seeing how cute this sweater looked on Ashlee and how much I loved the cut, I decided to order it from Nordstrom. Sadly, I remembered a little too late how much shorter I am than Ashlee. As you can tell, the sweater was definitely too oversized on me. I felt like I was drowning a little in it, to be honest. So if you’re petite, stay away from this sweater.

Verdict: Return

J.Crew Cable-Knit Turtleneck Sweater-Dress, XXS & XSP

I was selected to do a survey for J.Crew about some of their upcoming pieces and this was one of the pieces in the collection. The second I saw it, I was so excited and could not wait to order the sweater dress. Well color me disappointed. First, the knit is thin. Like see through thin. Now, you could pair this with a slip to avoid this problem, but I was so confused why this was happening with a sweater dress. Second, I think they got something wrong in the proportions department because the top was loose, but the bottom was tight. This was sadly emphasized by the buttons. I thought it might just be me (the bottom being too tight, top too loose), but I was reading the reviews and a lot of other people mentioned the same thing as well.

I was thinking about maybe keeping one of the larger sizes that I ordered (to avoid the tight bottom half), but in the end I decided that I probably shouldn’t wear a full cream dress, it felt like a bit too much for someone who is already that pale.

Verdict: Return (maybe try the gray??)

J.Crew Embroidered Flower Sweatshirt, XS

I think I mostly just ordered this because I was sad that the amour sweatshirt sold out before I could order it. This one fit okay, but I just wasn’t in love with the embroidered flowers. They felt a little old lady in person.

Verdict: Return

J.Crew Lace Top with Built-In Cami, 0

As one of the few people in the world okay with wearing this color, I felt it was my duty to try out this top. The fit of was great and I surprisingly did not feel strangled by the cami. The only downside is that this color does not work well as a lace with see through parts. Why? Well it actually looks like moss is growing on you. If this top were still available in black or white, I would definitely consider getting that color.

Verdict: Return

J.Crew Tie-Back Top in Stripe, XS

I thought I was getting a regular striped top with a cute back. Remind me to look a little closer next time. What I actually got was a striped top with big puffy sleeves and a cute back. Oy.

Verdict: Return

J.Crew Tie-Neck top in Stewart Plaid, 0

I’m so torn. I love stewart plaid, I love halter tops, I love bows….but is all of them together too much? Is the high neck pushing it? Also, in case you’re curious this is a lighter fabric, this is NOT heavier flannel.

Verdict: Unsure

J.Crew Velvet Peplum Cami Top, 0 and 0P

I think this tank may have made me okay with velvet being back. Maybe. In terms of the fit between the petite and regular. The petite is a little bit shorter and a little more fitted. I definitely felt like the regular was boxier and that felt wrong with this fabric. I also realized how much I wasn’t used to tank tops because all I could think about was how slim the straps were!

Verdict: Keep the petite I think.

Alright, so that’s it, I think! Have you gotten your Cyber Monday purchases? What did you keep and return?