Casual linen from J. Crew: Tags are off

So, just when I was in the midst of worrying about what tops to wear, I got an order from J. Crew. I had a gift card, there was a sale, and I dove in. 

Sadly, I ordered fewer tops than I might have, had I known the Zara ones wouldn't work out. But I did get a few nice items and found a way to put together the casual linen with sandals ensemble. This one isn't a neutral look, but I can reproduce that from other pieces in the closet (and on their way to me, LOL.) 

First, the linen V neck sweater in garment dye. Love it! I don't usually wear Vs...and it's pretty obvious I can't wear this one without something underneath it...but that is okay. It won't work in high summer here, but it will work for most of June, September, and on cooler evenings through the season. 

I also got some linen drawstring pants. Mine are not petite; that was the only pair left I think when I added them to my "Finds." They're rolled here. Almost full length on me with a little cuff when let down -- I may have to experiment with length. Do they seem okay in these pics? 

The last sweater is a gorgeous Collection cashmere. Too warm for now, but I could not resist it at the price and know it will be great for later. I don't usually like to buy "between seasons" as it were, but this one seemed too great to let go. 

Thanks for looking! 

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51 Comments

  • Janet replied 9 years ago

    Those colors are so gorgeous on you, and boat necks are so made for you! Nice selections! Those pants look cool and comfy.

  • Isis replied 9 years ago

    Wow; that pink/purple sweater is fantastic!  I just saw the same sweater on a friend IRL, and I love the color and the drape.    She is very different coloring than you but it looks great on both of you....hmmmm, may have to splurge myself although I'd probably go for the green or blue one. 

    The v-neck doesn't look too low in these pics without a cami....but if you feel the need, perhaps you could go with a half-cami in the summer?

    The linen pants are wonderful and the cashmere sweater too!  Great finds!

    I liked your topper-anguish thread although you and I are very different body types. 

  • MsLuna replied 9 years ago

    These are beautiful on you, Suz! The colours are especially gorgeous. I like the rolled up effect on the linen pants!

    Interesting how a lot of summer outfits that are currently in style have sweaters as an item! I do not own any linen sweaters but I've been wearing my open knit sweaters on a regular basis. I often dread summers due to the lack of layering but the trends this time around make summer so bearable!

  • Aubergine replied 9 years ago

    Looks like a bunch of good buys! The pants look so cool and relaxed and the length looks nice as far as my non-expert eye can tell. The colors of the two sweaters are really pretty on you.

  • Vivian replied 9 years ago

    Amazing outfits, you look fab.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Good Grief. You in that shade of lilac is unbelievable, Suz. One of your very best colours. WOW. 

    Love all the new stuff. LOVE. This is modern dressing. Now you feel better about your tops don't you. xo

  • Eliza replied 9 years ago

    Delightful colors for you! I like a lightweight early/late summer sweater and get wear out of mine. Enjoy your great finds.

  • JAileen replied 9 years ago

    Beautiful! I didn't post on your thread about tops since I have nothing to add, but it seems you've figured out your lack of tops, at least a little, on your own. Gorgeous colors, and I also love your shoe color. Congrats!

  • goldenpig replied 9 years ago

    So pretty, those colors are fab on you and the fit is perfect!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Thank you for your kind words. 

    Angie, I was surprised how well this lilac worked. Any of the orchid shades are definitely among my best colours and I knew that -- but I wondered if the neon would make it too intense. It seems not, at least not with the white. 

    And yes! I am feeling more sorted on tops. Still have to order a few and examine a few more when I am in Toronto next week. But things are looking up, thanks to YLF wisdom! 

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Yay. Glad to hear you're feeling more sorted. xo

  • Gaylene replied 9 years ago

    *laughing*

    Well, if I ever come to Kingston to meet you, Suz, I'll know what not to put into my suitcase. I love all of these--and it's easy to say that because they are all hanging in my closet right now--right down to the colours! And I'm a 5'7" dark-haired (well, with more and more salt creeping in) senior! Goes to show that these J Crew silhouettes can work for all ages and body shapes...

    I'll can also testify (well, at least on the basis of a month or so) as to the versatility of these items. Even that cashmere sweater is getting worn a lot because of our cooler temps this year. Good choices!

  • Catnip replied 9 years ago

    Beautiful!  You look fabulous in both sweaters, and I love the pants.  Well done!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Gaylene, that is amazing!! Actually, I would be completely honoured to be your twin in real life as well as virtually. You have helped me a lot with shopping these past few years. 

    You and Isis are correct that these colours can work for a lot of people. I imagine they would look fantastic on someone with dark hair. 

    And yes...I had it in mind that a cooler summer is predicted for us. I figured that at least in the evenings I might pull out the cashmere. And if not, it will come into its own next spring when I am sick to death of darker colours but still require warmth. 

  • Vix replied 9 years ago

    Hi Suz --

    Wow, these colors are beautiful on you and you look so chic and summery. [Even in the cashmere...evenings can be cool, I know!]

    I have to admit that I tried on the same linen sweater (different shade, multiple sizes) during a big sale and it did NOT work for my shape so I'm glad someone is enjoying it. [I made do with the linen V neck cardigans, more of a need anyway.]

    I know you prefer higher necklines but I think the V is perfectly fine on you -- and you can always go even higher with your underlayer. Enjoy!

  • deb replied 9 years ago

    These colors are wonderful on you!!!

  • Mona replied 9 years ago

    Great haul, Suz. The lilac sweater is divine on you. Happy to know that your tops dilemma is being taken care of.

  • Mary Beth (formerly LBD) replied 9 years ago

    Suz - wow!   Absolutely beautiful :)

  • Susie replied 9 years ago

    Such gorgeous colors on you! And so fab with the white. It might have tAken several tries but these are fantastic tops for you!

  • viva replied 9 years ago

    Oh, I should know better than to open any post that has both "Suz" and "JCrew." Two of my favorites!!! Suz, you look so beautiful in everything and of course I want to immediately copy. Just gorgeous. Easy, current, polished but not TOO .... Everything I aspire to. Lovely.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Too gorgeous for words...

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Beautiful choices, Suz. How did I miss those fab sandals of yours, too? They are perfect on you, both style and color.
    I like how you have the pants rolled. What length will you hem them? (I don't have a suggestion, because I struggle with this question myself, but I'm curious to see what you do.)

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    WOW. I thought #1 and #2 were gorgeous, and then I clicked on #3 and #4. There is some serious total outfit love going on here! I just got back from J. Crew (I purchased the striped dress you recommended!) and I saw those items in the store - they are fabulous. That cashmere sweater looks and feels stunning. 

  • Gracie replied 9 years ago

    Beautiful finds. Yey for white linen pants! I'd love to see yours pin-rolled to taper them a bit more around the ankle. And I'm curious about how they look full length too. My favorite of these two sweaters is the blue one... can't beat a boat neck for "our" shoulders, and the shade of blue is so, so beautiful on you.

  • Peri replied 9 years ago

    Envious as always! Well, in a nice admiring way, not a nasty jealous way!

    Love both, but of course especially the orchid.   Yay!

    No chance of copying...this would be March wear for me.

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    I'm super jammed up busy this weekend but had to log on to say how outstanding this all is! You absolutely glow in that purple vneck! Pants are awesome, cashmere is awesome. I think we wear similar things for our body types so I am saving this....might have to check out JCrew! So amazing I'm passing out....

  • Day Vies replied 9 years ago

    You know I am a HUGE fan of blue with white but I love the color of #1 especially with the V-neckline. It looks like radiant orchid  -- is it? I'm just in love with the whole outfit. Killer!

  • Vicki replied 9 years ago

    Stunning picks, every one of them, Suz, and I'll bet you had a fun time cutting off all the tags.

    Each piece looks so bright and fresh with your white pants.  I'm not surprised that the bright pink works so well on you, because you pull off fuchsia and I recall your pink blazer, as well.  This bright color is a happy color on you, Suz.  Yet, you can go from bright to muted softness with this nice blue hue.

    I am still enjoying reflecting on your comment:  We are fairly low contrast in colouring, but our personalities seem to cry out for a bit more drama, as do our features and facial characteristics. There is a lot of "yang" in us. (Dramatic classic, in Kibbe terms).

    With our low contrast coloring and features, these work in just the right way.

    I am eyeing that blue cashmere; it's beautiful.  What size did you buy in the two tops?  (I don't see many sizes left online).

  • Quietgirl replied 9 years ago

    Just jumping in to say ditto....fab colors for you!

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

    Great everything! You were right to pounce , for your colors, and fit, and great fluid fabrics.

  • EveningMood replied 9 years ago

    Wow, perfect, relaxed elegance, and you are a lady who knows her colors. You look stunning!

  • Ornella replied 9 years ago

    You glow in both. I love the neckline of the blue top.

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    Success!  Both tops and the pants are definitely keepers!  Beautiful colors, modern fits, terrific fabrics........ and so practical in your "real" life. 

    Well done!  Can't wait to see more!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Thank you all so much. I am in love with these pants, I'll tell you. I think I am going to get a pair in navy, too. Or maybe the brighter blue. 

    Vicki, I ordered a small in the sweaters. I often wear an XS in J. Crew but decided to go a bit oversized here. 

  • Caro in Oz replied 9 years ago

    You really do glow in those colours & I love the fit of the pants on you - the roll looks modern & relaxed imo.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Yay we are sort of sweater twins (mine is blue)! I absolutely love everything you are wearing here. Just gorgeous. I really have nothing else to say!

  • Vicki replied 9 years ago

    A question on your comment that you don't often "shop between seasons" and I'm curious about how you look for these online finds. Was the cashmere sweater something you specifically searched for?

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Good question, Vicki. I wasn't looking for the cashmere. I was looking for linen sweaters or tops for this season -- we are just moving into summer here. But I just happened to see the cashmere while I was on the website, and it was at a good price (especially for a Collection sweater), in one of my best colours, PLUS I had a gift card.

    In February I got another oversized J. Crew collection cashmere sweater in a heavier gauge knit and I literally wore it almost every single day until mid-April. It was that cozy and wonderful. (I wore it as regular work at home wear AND as lounge wear.) So I knew that a lighter weight one in a good colour for me would be a real keeper. 

    I guess I'm always keeping in mind what items have been complete and utter workhorses for me from the get-go. When I find something like that, I am more likely to buy a similar item during the off-season, secure in the knowledge that it will definitely get worn. 

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    These items seem true to your style.  Classic, minimal and modern.  The cuts provide the modern.  For some reason, the Zara tops did not come off as modern on you, even though they had modern touches like asymmetry, paint splashes and high low hemlines.

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Just beautiful Suz:)  Particularly love these colours paired with the white.  Great finds.

  • Inge replied 9 years ago

    We are sweater twins, Suz. I have the linen pullover in the same colour and absolutely adore it. And my word, it looks so stunning on you. Relieved to hear you decided to keep it;-)
    The blue cashmere pullover is beyond gorgeous on you too, so 100% your colour! And the style is amazing on you as well.
    I'm happy to hear you are feeling happier in the tops departement.

  • Neel replied 9 years ago

    Late to the party .... But wow! Those tops are just brilliant on you! Glad you found the right ones for you :)

  • Dekaf4me replied 9 years ago

    Such beautiful colors!!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Thank you all -- happiness factor is sky high in these items! 

    Denise, you said: "These items seem true to your style. Classic, minimal and modern. The cuts provide the modern. For some reason, the Zara tops did not come off as modern on you, even though they had modern touches like asymmetry, paint splashes and high low hemlines."

    Truer words never spoken. I wish I could understand why that is...and avoid the ordering mistakes! But it seems you are right. Simpler is better for me. Similar to Ornella in that way, I guess. 

  • Deb replied 9 years ago

    Lovely, lovely, lovely. The V neck suits you very much, maybe you should try them more often.

  • Joyce B replied 9 years ago

    I love those colors on you. Great gops and the pants look nice and refreshing.

  • Debra replied 9 years ago

    Just lovely :)

  • Lisa replied 9 years ago

    The colors here are stunning on you, but what really caught my eye first, was how well these shapes work on you.  Perfection!  I adore the tops and especially those trousers, this is your fit!

  • neonginger replied 9 years ago

    These colors are AMAZING on you!!! You really look great in the linen trousers as well. Well done!

  • Joana replied 9 years ago

    Great tops, nice draping, colors really suit you.

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    These colors are so fresh to my eyes and they suit you exceptionally Suz! It's a bonus they are also a great quality and trendy fit! Love them all!

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