J.Crew FO: Polka Dot Bow Skirt Review

J.Crew Factory Outlet is carrying a copy of the polka-dot bow skirt from last summer.  It is item number 12698 at the outlets, and was marked $64.50.  I actually just recently bought this skirt from the lovely Slastena through the JCA exchange, but in the pink dots.

I tried this skirt on in my regular skirt size, and I found that it fits true-to-size.  One difference between the retail skirt and the outlet version is that the outlet version does not have the off-seam, grosgrain-trimmed pockets (similar to this season's Nicky skirt).

I think the skirt looks good from the front, but not so much from the side.  It puffs out in the front, and to be honest, I think it looks kind of awkward.  This may have been because I didn't adjust the pleats properly.  I don't remember the retail version looking like this.

It does look nice from the back though (I think), and I like the length of it.  I didn't notice a huge difference in fabric quality between this and the retail skirt either (pretty sure it is some type of cotton).

I love the navy blue polka-dots, but I didn't really want to fork over $64.50 for the skirt, even if it did retail for $98 or something like that.  Luckily, the outlets run frequent promotions, so I may consider it if it ends up going on sale.

What do you think?  Do you like this skirt?  Do you have the retail or factory version?  Do you like the blue or pink dots better?