Wednesday, May 27, 2009

J.Crew: Confetti-Dot Ruffle Swim Review

This review is for a couple of separates from J.Crew's Confetti-Dot swim "collection", which comes an a pretty wide variety of pieces:


Tops
  • Ruffle Underwire Top (item #15521)
  • Ruffle Underwire Top D-Cup (item #15929)
  • Wide-Band Halter Top (item #15520)
  • Wide-Band Halter Top D-Cup (item #15950)
  • Ruffle Bandeau Top (item #15466)
Bottoms
  • Wide-Band Hipster (item #15591)
  • Ruffle Hipster (item #15469)
  • Bikini (item #15524)
One-Pieces
  • Ruffle Bandeau Tank (item #15468)
  • Ruffle Bandeau Tank D-Cup (item #16592)

The separates are available in gilded olive, slate, cocoa, papaya, tropical aqua, and brilliant navy.  The one pieces seem to be available in fewer colors, but I'm not sure if this is because those colors are already sold out, or because they were just not available.

So first I wanted to share this with you: how cute is this swimsuit hanger?  I love this way of hanging the swimsuit tops - much nicer than those harsh pants clip hangers that they use sometimes!

I tried on the Ruffle Bandeau Top and the Ruffle Hipster in-store in the slate color.  I tried both pieces on in a small.  The top was $44, and the bottom was $42; however, these same pieces are $46 and $44 online, respectively.  The other pieces in the collection range from $44 to $78 online, and there are matching girls' suits as well.  J.Crew describes the top as:
Simply irresistible with rows of ruffles and a cute confetti-inspired allover dot print. Made from our very own J.Crew nylon/Lycra® spandex. Quick drying. Fade resistant. Retains its shape. Removable halter strap (it's perfect for avoiding strap marks). Ties at back. Lined. Import. Our swimsuits are machine washable, but we recommend hand washing as it helps keep the fabric and the shape of the suit looking newer, longer. 
They describe the bottoms as:
Our favorite hipster served up extra sweet with allover dots and ruffle trim at the waist. J.Crew nylon/Lycra® spandex. Quick drying. Fade resistant. Retains its shape. Sits low on hips. Full coverage. Lined. Import. Our swimsuits are machine washable, but we recommend hand washing as it helps keep the fabric and the shape of the suit looking newer, longer. 
I think overall, the fit is true to size.  I think it's definitely true to size for the top, but less so for the bottoms.  I am technically within the small size range for the bottoms, and can comfortably wear sizes 4 and 6 in bottoms, but these were a tiny bit snug.  I would have sized up if I knew that the medium wouldn't be baggy and saggy in the back, which they probably would be.  So if you are on the higher end of a size, you may want to consider sizing up.

I think the top fits fairly true to size.  I had tried on another swimsuit top in a size small, and it was too small (will review that one another time), so I was worried about this one, but it fit just fine - it was appropriately snug, but still nice and comfortable.  I'm certainly not worried abou any spillage or peep-show accidents with this one.  The top has a detachable halter strap, which I like.  I was a little wary of the allover ruffles, but I thought they looked really cute on, and much better than they do on the hanger.  I think they did a nice job incorporating them into the top in terms of the pattern, so it doesn't look too out of place.

The fabric is really nice - I would say fairly standard swimsuit material, but it is of a somewhat thicker and seeminly nicer quality than your average swimsuit.  It is really smooth to the touch, and has a nice amount of stretch, without being overly stretchy.

Here is a picture of the swimsuit without the removable halter strap.  I think it looks cute both ways, and it's nice to have that extra option.

I think the swimsuit looks better in person than it does in my photographs.  It of course, looks great on the model, and is a wonderful accessory to her scalpel-sharp clavicles.  Anyway, so the story behind this swimsuit is this: I didn't really want it in this grey color, and they only had the olive green color as the other option, so I passed, which was sad, because they were offering 30% off full-priced swim in-store.  In the end, my personal shopper was able to honor the discount (plus my student discount) over the phone, once she confirmed that the store was indeed running the promotion, so I did take this suit (exact combination, but different colors) home!

What do you think?  Do you like this swimsuit?  Which other pieces of the confetti-dot collection do you like?  What do you think of J.Crew's swim in general?

I have a few other swimsuits I might review; I haven't decided if I'll continue doing the swim reviews though.  What do you think?

13 comments:

Jordyn May 27, 2009 at 6:09 PM  

Oh I think its just so cute!! I love the top especially. I would be curious how the medium bottoms look...but the small looks fine and as long as you are comfortable I say go with it!!!

krista.alana May 27, 2009 at 6:24 PM  

Super cute suit... I actually like it better seeing it on u... I may go try it out soon if my store's carrying it

HeidiG May 27, 2009 at 8:54 PM  

I think the suit is adorable on you! Wish I was comfortable in a bikini, because I would be all over this. Top would be great with my less than endowed top half. :)

Anonymous May 27, 2009 at 9:12 PM  

Gal, you need to face reality and try this suit in a medium.

Anonymous May 27, 2009 at 11:46 PM  

The swimsuit runs small..try a size up. a size medium would best flatter your great body

Anonymous May 28, 2009 at 8:25 AM  

You are brave to post IRL bikini pics! I appreciate the chance to see this suit on a non-model, especially because my body type is similar to yours. It's a really cute suit.

Anonymous May 28, 2009 at 11:52 AM  

Very cute suits! I could never wear these-- oh to be 25 again! I give you major props for posting IRL bikini pictures. In twenty years you will look back on these fondly!

Julia May 28, 2009 at 1:04 PM  

I think the small is fine, especially if you're going to be actually swimming, because swimsuits always stretch out! Baggy swimsuit bottoms are always a no-no.

KatyO. May 28, 2009 at 5:55 PM  

This definitely fits you well and will stretch out. I made the mistake of buying my J. Crew bottom in M and now I can't wear it anymore because it's way too big because of the stretch factor. :(

And props for being so balls-out and posting pics. You have a great body, so go for it!

Cate May 28, 2009 at 11:32 PM  

very cute! what color did you get?

JTS May 30, 2009 at 10:59 PM  

@Jordan - Thank you! The top is very cute in person. I tried on medium bottoms yesterday, and they are a tiny bit baggy, so I'm glad I stuck with the medium - just gives me a nice workout goal! :)

@Krista Alana - Yay, thank you! I went to a different store last night, and they were also running the 30% off full-price swim, so you should definitely try to get that deal! Especially because it combines with a student discount if you have that!

@HeidiG - Thank you!! :)

@Anon 11:46 - I think the medium top would be too big, and the medium bottoms were a teeny bit baggy :( At least now I have something to work out for, haha!

@Anon 8:25 - Thank you! :) I agree - it is nice to see how things look (good or bad) on a real person!

@Stephanie - Hehe, thank you! I hope I look back on it fondly, and not cringing. Or maybe I will be sad because I can't wear them anymore, haha!!

@Julia - That's what I was thinking! I ended up trying a medium, and they were a bit baggy, so I can't imagine how they would be once they got wet, yuck.

@KatyO - Thank you! Yes, that's why I stuck with the small for now. Will just have to get back to running, haha :)

@Cate - I actually got three colors (!) - navy, aqua, and papaya. I love the navy, and only have half of the aqua suit right now, and don't have any of the papaya suit (random backorders). Are you going to order any?

To everyone: thank you for all of the nice (and constructive) comments. I wasn't sure how I felt about posting a swimsuit review, but I think I will probably post a couple more that I did! Thanks again :)

Anonymous March 22, 2011 at 5:19 PM  

hi there, where did you get these hanger from please?

Jenn (J'adore These Stores) March 29, 2011 at 12:59 PM  

Hi Anon - The hanger was at the store - I'm not sure where they got it from.