J.Crew: Lightweight Peasant Top Review

This is a white top from J.Crew that I'm calling the Lightweight Peasant Top (item #17028), which retails for $69.50. It was available in this color, white, and I cannot recall if it was available in other colors (I want to say no, though). It is alpha-sized.

I tried this top on in a size small. I believe this top runs on the bigger size, and would have liked to have tried this on in an extra small. I believe that the fit is supposed to be pretty loose and flowy, but I still think it ran a bit big in my regular size. I would recommend starting with a size smaller, and sizing back up to your regular size if you need/want to.

The fabric on this top is incredibly light, and very, very comfortable. I believe it's cotton, and is very soft to the touch. However, it's also a bit sheer. I think it's a nice, very lightweight fabric for summer, but it feels a bit on the too light size. The fabric hangs very nicely, and moves and flows nicely as well.

The fit is also very comfortable. The sleeves and the body of the top are cut very generously, and the top is very roomy. This top goes on over the head, and goes on and off very easily. The top itself is fairly shapeless, given that it is so loose, and sizing down may help with that. I don't think the top adds too much volume to the midsection from the front, but I think it adds a bit from the side. I think this is partly because of the very loose cut of this top as well, and not necessarily that it is an unflattering fit.

The top has a couple little details near the neckline. There is a bit of smocking right at the neckline, with a tad bit of shirring underneath, which sort of draws the neckline to the center. In addition, there are two sort of shoulder "patches", which are made out of a cream-colored embroidered lace-like material. The "patches" are cream colored, and are see-through (there is no white fabric underneath them). I actually really liked these little details, but I can see how some people might think it makes the top look a little dated.

I personally don't think you can do a ton with this top, in terms of dressing it up or down. I think you can play around with accessories and colors a lot to create a lot of different looks for this top, but because it is so light and casual, I don't know that you could really dress it up very much.

In the end, I left this top behind because again, I wasn't shopping. :) I really like this top, but I think it's a bit overpriced for such a light, breezy top, even in light of the details. I would consider picking this one up on sale though.

What do you think? Do you like this top? Have you seen it or tried it on? How would you style it? Do you think it is worth the price? What other colors would you like to see it in?