Checking in with my favorite shopping secret weapon

It’s time to check in with my favorite secret shopping weapon, J.Crew Factory. As regular J.Crew is starting to make a lovely turnaround (more on them soon), the Factory store continues to be a great source of classic workwear for me in an office where I no longer have to wear high-fashion dresses/suits, yet don’t want to wear jeans everyday either.

Right now J.Crew Factory is running a solid deal, 30% off your entire purchase using the code HOWNICE. Yes, it is nice! (Though there are some exclusions, that’s not as nice.) Let’s take a look at some of my favorite recent outfits on the website — you can check out all their latest looks here — and talk about some items I love.

Beginning with the look above, which is an ideal work look for me. I absolutely adore the pattern play here with the larger plaid grid up to up and the cute pencil skirt grid below, all set off with a pop of blue from the shoes. Actually J.Crew Factory has a bunch of cute shoes right now — in addition to these I’m also loving these gingham flats, these suede flats in the pale mint color, and these bowed gingham pumps (three words that belong together at all times, right?). I found all three pairs to run true to size, a 9 for me.

What else am I loving? Lots more cute outfit ideas, inside…

top // necklace (no longer available) // pants

J.Crew is where I buy most of my striped tops and this long-sleeve boatneck tee is among my favorites. It’s soft, long and has a great shape that is flattering and lean. But if boatneck isn’t your thing there are lots of stripe variations to choose from right now. In long sleeves there is a cute metallic stripe tee with more white space around the neckline; a simple thin-stripe tee; a mixed-stripe tee with thicker stripes up towards the neckline; a slub tee with thicker stripes overall (another one of my likes) and even a tee with lace sleeve panels in addition to the stripes! I also really, really like this striped waterfall cardigan; I have it in two colors. It’s a steal right now at $23. There’s even a short sleeve striped tee!

For fit, I tend to take a small instead of my usual medium in their long-sleeve tees; my usual medium in short-sleeve tees and my usual medium in their knit cardigans.

This outfit is cute beyond words to me! I love the nude sandals paired with a cute pair of dress shorts to elongate the legs. I realize that not everyone digs shorts for work though, so the shorts here could easily be swapped out for a skirt. You could choose a basic blue to make this a sleek tonal outfit; another pattern on the skirt to play off of the top; a shock of vivid color to stand out from the rest of the work crowd, or a flattering pencil skirt for a look that’s appropriate in nearly any office.

sweater // top // shorts // shoes // bag

Work? Weekend? Where oh where shall I wear this look? Perhaps everywhere! I’m in love with both the sweater in this look (especially in the cream color) as well as the adorable scalloped shorts. Come warmer weather, I think this top, this one in cool lilac or this one in dark ocean would be easy swap-ins for the versatile shorts.

This final look shows pastel colors together that I love — baby blue and purple gingham. That gingham top would also look amazing right now with a pair of skinny jeans and cute pumps, perhaps these kitten heels in black. Maybe a cute necklace to finish off the look?

Have you ordered anything from J.Crew Factory recently?


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