Seen About Town: New BR Concept Store

I was in the SF Westfield mall last night, and I noticed a new store under construction across from JCrew. Behold:



It says "Introducing Edition by Banana Republic: An extraordinary new accessories boutique defined by exquisite craftsmanship and timeless style, Opening May 2009".

Ok. BR has really been doing NOTHING for me lately, but I am intrigued by this concept. Is is the best time to be testing a high end accessories boutique? Perhaps not, but I like to see brands trying new things and I think the store could be cool. I am envisioning Handbags, Jewelry, Shoes, Scarves, Sunglasses, etc.

Sidenote: Does anyone else remember a few years ago when BR had an intimates line, with great underwear and pajamas? The stuff was soft, pretty and really well done. Then it disappeared completely. What gives?

Have you heard of this new Edition boutique? Will you visit or keep an eye out?

My Item to Watch: Crocodile Cocktail Jacket

This jacket was my favorite piece from my local scouting trip.






The jacket fits very nicely in the shoulders and has a slight swing shape but not too triangulary. It hits at the top of the hip. The cotton feels hefty but not too stiff. The sleeves are 3/4 but not too flared or tight, just a nice fit on the arm. One thing made me a bit nervous, the round buttons feel a little loosey-goosey, maybe its just because I am not used to a round button but I felt like if I fumbed too much it might come loose.

I tried the 6 in this jacket, where I wear an 8 in the Victoria Cami and often a Medium in Tshirts.

I really liked the contrast between the darker gray and the white of the pattern. While the Canvas Atelier jacket (in the same cut) is a really great basic, this crocodile pattern had a really nice subtlety to it that made me think it wouldn't feel too noticeable or trendy on a given day, while offering a little bit of personality.

The price is still $168 but I am hoping this unique piece finds its way into a promotion or a sale. I think it would go well with jeans, white pants if worn with a dark top (slate rolling ruffles tank?), navy, or even a fun colored short in the summer.

Hope this is helpful! Really like this jacket!

JCrew New Arrivals IRL

This evening I visited a B&M store on a whim and found they have received many new arrivals...but no catalog! I tried to take some pictures of what I saw. Granted, not all of them worked for me, but I thought it would be nice to see how the items looked on a real person.

I will try to note what size I tried on. My standard size is 10 on the bottom, 8 on the top but lately I have often been sizing to a 6 on top if I want something really fitted.

Merino VNeck Ruffle Cardigan $118, size Small for really fitted
This is cute. But is everything gray? Seriously. No other colors at my store. And not for $118. But I like the length on this.


Jayne Dress in Tea Rose, Tried in size 10.
Eek. I don't love showing this pic...I had high hopes for this dress but it seems to fit me wrong...the bottom seemed dangerously clingy but the top far too drapey. The real reason I wanted to show was because the color was different than I expected--I had envisioned more of a dusty rose, but this was brighter or even coral-ly?


Gateau Skirt, Tried an 8 with the A-Line Shape.
Gah. Not for me. A-Line Skirts just make my pear shape look too much like a triangle. I did like that the skirt had a nice feel and sleek horizontal pleats.


Charmeuse Pencil Skirt, Tried an 10.
OK I am starting with the funny items first haha. This skirt sorta baffled me. It has the feel of comfy silk pajamas, but its like a tube of fabric with the elastic waistband. It is comfortable, but I just don't know if I am cool enough to rock it. Was also a bit longish.


Vintage Slim Distressed Jean, Tried a 30R.
These are cool--I have not had light or distressed or slim for that matter, jeans in a long while. And I love the idea of rolling these. But I just keep thinking that I don't want to pay $100 for jeans that will be just for fun or a trend...I do have my gears turning about maybe distressing a pair of jeans I already have, will keep you posted!



Sateen Pencil Skirt in Pink, Tried Size 10.
This skirt was on the sale rack for $29.99 (?) already. I really don't know why. It was really cute but the light color made me worry a bit about showing lumps and bumps. I left this one but a nice springy piece.


Slub Cotton Ruffled Scoopneck Tee, Tried on M
Nice Tee, love a scoopneckline, but this will have to wait for a sale. Overall I think the tees are really nice.


Boyfriend Miliary Jacket, Tried in Small (sized down from medium)
This jacket is cool, but a bit big and boxy. Even the small and later the XS were too square on the body, but I really liked the concept.

Here is the SMALL:



Here is the XSMALL: (note I have never worn an XS in anything)



Keegan Trench in Coal, size 6.
This jacket is still on my mind....I just keep thinking that it will get lower and it might be a bit too short. Jury still out, but I really like the coal.



Canvas Atelier Jacket, Tried on in Size 6.
I really liked the cut of this jacket, but the color was a bit pale on me. I ended up liking the Crocodile Cocktail jacket better, which I will review in a later post.



Scalloped Shell in Size 6.
This is so much cuter in person--I love the satiny finish of the scallops. It fits well and is not too short or revealing. It does seem a bit wider in the shoulders--not cap sleeve, but wider than a regular shell. Thumbs up, I have my eye on this one!



I'll post some more later! I like some pieces, but none that I need right now--I had one favorite that I will post about soon.

OOTD February 26, 2009

Here is what I wore today:


Martin + Osa U Neck Cashmere Sweater in Navy
JCrew Bria Cami in Champagne
Paige Premium denim Robertsons
Luchesse Cowboy Boots in Tan Mad Dog Goat
Burberry Scarf

This isn't a remarkable outfit, but I have been trying to wear some of the pretty camis with the U/scoopneck sweaters and it works pretty well. Sometimes I don't think the cardigans look good with the ruffles underneath, so this is an alternative. The sort of peek out of the scoop, adding detail at the neckline.

The picture below is a washed out example, but hopefully you get the idea. I look so odd staring at the iphone screen--must work on photo solution this weekend!

O.M.G.

LOST is just ridonkulous. News at eleven.

A Good Book = A Better Week

I have always been such a bookworm, I can't deny it. As a kid I would have a book in my hand almost anywhere I went; I would read a book at the dinner table if my parents would have let me (they didn't). This drove my sister crazy as she would have rather been involved in playing or generally driving each other crazy rather than watching me read the latest Babysitters' Club or Young Adult mystery book.

As an adult though, I find it really hard to keep up the habit of reading books on a daily basis. I still love to read, but I find that since I stare at words on the screen all day and then unwind by watching TV all night, that I am not as often found reading a book late at night. Exceptions: Harry Potter, Jodi Picoult, etc.

However, I notice that when I have a book to read, I generally feel better, like my downtime is more my own. I pull out the book at night, I pull it out on the commute, I find myself reading it instead of planning my outfits in the morning (see earlier posts). My love of reading has stuck with me and once I get into a book, I really can't put it down.

These days I am reading Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States by Bill Bryson. Its a non-fiction book and really interesting and amusing. I love Bill Bryson's books and often find myself chuckling out loud.

Next up though, I would love a good novel page turner or something recommended by you all! Please post a comment with a book you love that you have read recently or long ago. My taste involves all genres but I have been definitely guilty of choosing books right off the Borders Bestsellers shelf.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Please Vote: Victoria Cami

Hello all....

So I love the Victoria Cami, as previously stated. I am interested in getting another more vibrant color since I currently have the Ivory. Right now, the colors on sale are:

Cerise


Golden Olive


Which one do you think I should go for? I want something that will work with white pants in spring and go into fall with chocolate brown. I know this is silly, but any suggestions will help!

So far I have asked 2 very important style consultants and have one vote Cerise, one vote Olive. Help break the tie!