Minnie's Missing Something

Minnie Pant in Bi-Stretch Wool - Black, $98 [J.Crew]

So my J.Crew Factory Warehouse trip wasn't such a smashing success after all.

The fuchsia wool Cafe Capris I snagged were, well, snagged - there's a dime-sized hole near my left ankle in the back of the pant :( Unfortunately, it's a minimum of $60 to have my tailor reweave the fabric. Fortunately, it's right above the cuff in the back of the pant, so it isn't really in an obvious place. I think I'll just buy some thread in a matching color & patch it up a bit.

As I was trying on my black wool Minnie pants the other morning, I was disappointed to find one of the side seams had come apart (not sure how I didn't notice this at the sale or when I tried them on at home after the sale).

J.Crew isn't lying about the bi-stretch thing - it's super flattering. This is one of those rare instances where your butt will actually look as great as the J.Crew model's in these pants. But for $98 retail (or even for $15), I really would have liked to see some lining! Maybe a silk or poly lining would have chunk-ified my ass or something, but let's be honest here - wool doesn't feel that great against bare skin. Overall the fit is beautiful, but they're kind of itchy :/

Mecca.

For the past year or so, I've been taking advantage of the sort-of-secret sales at the J.Crew Warehouse in Lynchburg, Virginia (2 hours west of Richmond). Not to be confused with Factory Stores or outlets, the Warehouse (or Factory Warehouse) sales are more like giant sample sales with returns from online orders mixed in - 70-80% of the items are in like-new condition, but be advised that there are a number of items with missing sequins/beads, snags, holes, or other defects.

Today I scored some INSANE deals at the Warehouse's big fall sale, so I thought I'd share :) All images c/o J.Crew except if otherwise noted.

1. J.Crew Crushed Glitter Sandals: 

Original: $265
Current Price (online): $80
I paid: $40

2. J.Crew Bi-Stretch Wool Minnie Pant (Black):

Original: $98

I paid: $15

3. J.Crew New Cafe Capri in Wool (Bright Dahlia):

Original: $118
I paid: $15

A Note About Fit: These gorgeous pants fit one size small in my experience. I'm an avid J.Crew fan & regularly fit into their size 4 pant; I bought a size 2 at the sale and planned on selling them on Ebay, but tried them on out of curiosity & they fit! I've been trying to lose a few pounds lately, so it's slightly possible that I'm legitimately a size smaller (but I am almost entirely certain that 3 weeks of sporadic gym sessions and a handful of veggies twice a day has not caused me to drop a size). Anyway, try these in a size smaller than you usually wear. I suspect J.Crew is subtly trying to tell us that shelling out the equivalent of 23 lattes (or a shiny new pair of Hunter wellies, or a cashmere sweater, or 2 tanks of gas in my car) makes us magically skinnier.

Image Courtesy of Polyvore

4. J.Crew Jackie Cardigan (Bright Yellow):

Original: $62 (no longer available online in this color)

I paid: $20

5. Madewell  Sparkle Bow Tee: (image to be posted soon)

Original: Unknown
I paid: $8

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For the Boys:

Although the primary focus of this blog is women's style and shopping, I thought I'd also share what my brother picked out as well as some finds I picked up for my boyfriend.

My brother scored:

• Merino Wool Fisherman's Sweater - $20
• Ludlow Italian Wool Sportcoat, Black - $25
• Printed Swim Trunks - $10
• White Raffia Fedora - $5
• Khaki Chino Pants - $15
• Argyle Dress Socks - $2

And for my boyfriend:

• Merino Wool Cardigan, Navy - $20
• Gray Chino Pants - $15
• Khaki Chino Pants - $15

Has anyone else shopped the Warehouse sale before? Please feel free to share any fabulous finds! :)

Like I Need Another Black Top...

I don't know about you, but it seems like I have at least a dozen black tees and tops (which is saying a lot, considering that my wardrobe is about the size of 2 mini fridges stacked on top of each other).

Yet somehow, I manage to swoon over another black top every single season. It has lace, or sequins, or epaulettes, or spikes, or polka dots - something to make me lust after a piece that is, more or less, already in my closet. Here are a few of my favorites this fall, divided into three categories based on price:

J.Crew, $15

 {Half My Paycheck} -- $40 and under

Forever 21, $16

Frenchi, $38 [Nordstrom]

{"Rainy Day" Savings} -- $40 - $80  

Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse, $79 [Macy's]

Ann Taylor LOFT, $69

Ann Taylor LOFT, $45

{Don't Even Think About It} --  $80 and up

Equipment, $248 [Bloomingdales]

The Tee by Joe's, $148 [Bloomingdales]

Diane Von Furstenberg, $265 [Bloomingdales]