Sunday, May 31, 2009

J.Crew: Eyelet Pencil Skirt Review

This is J.Crew's Eyelet Pencil Skirt (item #14865), which retails for $138.  It is numerically-sized, and is available in shadow and ivory.  J.Crew describes the skirt as such:
A sophisticated, classic pencil skirt covered with allover eyelet details. Cotton. Sits at waist. Back zip. Back vent. Fully lined. 24" long. Import. Dry clean.
I picked up this skirt in a size 4 in the shadow color, which is a nice, rich navy color.  The skirt fits true-to-size.  It is a straight, classic pencil skirt silhouette.  It is lined underneath in a navy cotton, and the actual skirt itself is an allover embroidered open circle pattern.  Boyfriend had a very special way of describing the pattern of this skirt (skip this next part if you're easily offended); he said it looks the skirt is covered in a**holes.  Honestly, I don't know where he comes up with this stuff.  Regardless, I don't see it.  The eyelets themselves are not too large, but appear larger because the trim around each eyelet is pretty wide.  The eyelets are of uniform width, and the skirt itself is a bit thicker and sturdier than some of the other spring and summer pencil skirts.

I happen to like the print (despite what Boyfriend thinks), and I think it is an interesting way to sort of spruce up a basic navy pencil skirt.  The length is a tad on the long side, but I haven't decided if I'm going to get this hemmed yet.  It comes to below my knees, which is not the ideal length, but I am a tiny bit of afraid of how much the tailoring would be on a skirt like this.  I like the navy color, too.  I would say it's a bit on the darker navy side; Boyfriend actually thought it was black when he first saw it.  I have just started to look at navy as a really great wardrobe basic, because I have finally opened up to pairing it with colors aside from shades of white.

Like all of the J.Crew pencil skirts I've picked up this year, the fit is pretty flattering, in my opinion, even for someone with some curves.  The skirt is a nice, straight line down, and is just fitted enough to accentuate curves (although not as much as some other pencil skirts from this season), but loose enough so you can move and breathe, too.  I would pair this skirt with a variety of colors, but I would keep the top fairly basic - nothing too busy - because I think the pattern on this skirt is a loud enough detail on its own.

Here is a close-up of the pattern.

I am definitely keeping this one.  I think it is an interesting twist on a basic navy pencil skirt, and I really love pencil skirts (so I guess I'm a little biased :)).

What do you think?  Do you like this skirt?  Have you seen it or do you own it?  Which color do you prefer?  What would you pair it with?

15 comments:

post-fab princess May 31, 2009 at 9:57 AM  

This is such a pretty and well-made looking skirt!!

Unknown May 31, 2009 at 10:02 AM  

I think it's really pretty. You could try going down a size and wearing it higher. This one looks a little big on you around the waist, and that would help take care of your length issue too. Tell BF to mind his own business and stay out of your closet, as Michelle Obama did to her H :-)

Anonymous May 31, 2009 at 11:10 AM  

I think you should definitely get it hemmed! As Tim Gunn says, "Too long makes you look short."

Anonymous May 31, 2009 at 12:11 PM  

I love it!!!!

HeidiG May 31, 2009 at 3:24 PM  

Very cute skirt!

Anonymous May 31, 2009 at 5:32 PM  

I love this skirt! The color is called shadow which I believe is a cross between navy and gray. I think you could find a variety of sweater/shirts to go with it. I also would consider trying a size down or having it shortened. Enjoy!

dinagideon June 1, 2009 at 11:55 AM  

Now see this skirt I don't think needs to be hemmed. Weird. I actually like the length on you. :) This skirt plus a pair of killer heels, a smart blouse and a gorgeous patent belt--FIERCE.

Petunia June 1, 2009 at 5:29 PM  

I like this skirt a lot!! I would wear it a little bit shorter! :)

Mrs. Z June 4, 2009 at 7:32 PM  

Love the skirt. I bought it to wear to my wedding shower with a pretty white, sleeveless blouse from J.Crew. I agree... go down a size... I went down two sizes and it totally helped with the length and it fit surprisingly well. Now, what shoes to wear with it?

JTS June 4, 2009 at 11:30 PM  

@Paper Bag Princess - It is very well made, I think. A bit more substantial than some of their more recent pencil skirts, too.

@Katherine - Thank you for the advice - I am going to try it in a smaller size. And haha, I gave BF your message. ;) To be fair though, he is my photographer, so I have to let him have his say occasionally, hehe

@Anon 11:10 - That is good advice! I have ordered it again in a size down to see if that helps, but if not, I will probably end up getting it hemmed.

@Anon 12:11 - Are you going to get it? It is a really nice skirt!

@HeidiG - Did you check it out? I think it is really fun and pretty!

@Anon 5:32 - Ahh, that color makes sense then! I am looking into a smaller size after everyone's advice. I will be pairing this with a lot different colors, I think.

@Dina - That sounds like a great outfit (and fierce :)). The picture is also taken at a downward angle, so it is not quite as long as it looks in the pics!

@Petunia - Hehe, that seems to be the general consensus, so I am going to give it a shot. Thanks!!

@Shanna - That sounds like a very pretty and classy outfit! I have ordered a size 2 so I will see if that helps. I am hoping to wear some colorful or patterned shoes with it, but I'm not sure if that will be too much with the existing pattern.

Anonymous July 13, 2009 at 1:45 PM  

Did you end up ordering a size down to size 2? I'm just curious to know if that worked for you.

JTS July 13, 2009 at 2:00 PM  

Hi Anon! Yes, I did order it in a 2, and it finally showed up a few weeks ago. The problem is that I can't decide which size I prefer. The size 2 definitely helped with the length and looked okay from the back, but I feel that it isn't forgiving in the stomach area - the skirt wasn't a straight line in the front, but had a big bulge where my lower stomach is :(

theminniemaven.com January 30, 2010 at 2:39 PM  

J'adore do you have any of the eyelet pencil skirts for sale?

Jenny February 10, 2010 at 3:31 PM  

Hi Lyssa - No, sorry, neither is for sale at the moment. I haven't had the size 4 shortened yet, but if I decide not to keep one, I'll let you know!

theminniemaven.com February 21, 2010 at 8:12 PM  

Thanks Jenny, if you decide to part with one--feel free to email me at lyssaf at gmail dot com.