Old Navy: Cross-Front Sundress Review

This is Old Navy's Cross-Front Sundress (style #633406), which retails for $19.50, with select colors/patterns on sale for $15.  The dress is alpha-sized, and is available in solid colors, striped patterns, and a floral pattern.  Old Navy describes the dress as such:

Get all dolled up in the season's cutest --and most comfortable--dress! Lightweight cotton voile and a sexy cross-front silhouette make this beautiful and breezy.

I tried this dress on in a size small, and in the blue stripe color.  This dress has an elasticized bust, and has no side or back zippers, so it's either over-the-head or over-the-waist, however you like it.  I believe this dress fits mostly true to size, but you should size up if you are larger in the bust area.  I don't recall having a big issue with the bust when I tried this on, but I ended up getting it (in a different color), and it was a little too cleavage-inducing for me.

The dress hits above the knees on the model, but it went pretty much right to my knees on me, and I love this length, so that is a huge plus for me.  If you are a taller lady, or have long legs, then you should check out the length and make sure you like it.

As for the fabric, it is a really nice and soft cotton, but be warned that it isn't terribly drapey, and doesn't move and flow very much.  The fabric is nice and light, so it works great as a three-season dress, to me.

The dress lends itself a bit to the pregnant effect from the side.  I think this is again a sizing issue - the empire waist doesn't come down all the way below the bust, so instead of creating any type of curves, it just falls down in a straight line, and can add volume.  I think this is a matter of opinion whether this is a plus or a minus - most of the time, I don't really care too much if a dress makes me look a little bit preggers, so this was okay for me.

I think the back is interesting - I like that they went with another cross-back.  It makes the dress very summery to me.  It also makes the dress confusing if you're trying to put it on and you can't locate the tag quickly. :)

Here is a close-up of the pattern I tried on.  It was a diagonal stripe pattern with purple, blue, bright pink, and black stripes.  I like the sort of brushed-pattern effect for some of the stripes - makes it seem more casual - and I think the diagonal stripes work well with the shape.

Here are the product details from Old Navy's website.

I ended up picking up this dress, but in the color posted at the top of the post (the green/blue/grey stripes).  I actually got this dress to wear to Poland, and I picked it because I think it would work as a long, flowy top over a pair of jeans.  After wearing it the other day, I might also put a tee underneath to hide the cleavage (more than I am comfortable with), but I like this dress because I think it's cute, but simple enough to play around with styling.

What do you think?  Do you like this dress?  Do you own it?  How would you style it?

Old Navy: Gauzy Cross-Front Babydoll Top Review

This is Old Navy's Gauzy Cross-Front Babydoll Top (item #660040), which is alpha-sized.  It retailed for $19.50, and select colors may be on sale now.  Old Navy describes the top as such:

As light as a feather, this gracefully gauzy top features a cross-front bodice with lovely ruffled trim and a decorative side tie.

I tried this top in in a small.  The color photographed oddly - the top really is the same as the color picture above.  I did not really care for this top.

It fits true to size (I usually wear a size small in Old Navy tops, regardless of the sleeves).  It has a fairly fitted empire waist, and a more flared silhouette below the bust.  It has a tie on the side, which I thought was kind of an unnecessary detail.  I'm not sure if the intent was to be a bit of a faux-wrap effect, but I didn't really like the tie.

The top has a ruffled cross-front.  The nice thing about this top is that it is not cut super low, even for being a cross-front.  It has spaghetti straps, which aren't really my thing, unless they're part of a layered look, and I wouldn't really want to cover up the rest of the top, because I think it is a cute silhouette.

My biggest issue with this top was the fabric.  It wasn't really that nice feeling.  I think it was the "gauzy" effect, but the fabric was on the rougher side, even for being 100% cotton.  It was also on the stiffer side, and not flowy the way a gauzy top should be (in my mind).

Here is the product information from Old Navy's website.

I left this one at the store.  I wasn't completely in love with the top itself, even though the shape was fairly flattering, and I really didn't like the fabric, so I knew I would hardly ever wear it, if ever.

What do you think?  Do you like this top?  Have you seen it in person?  Do you own it?  What other details could you make you overlook a less-than-desirable fabric?

Old Navy: Flutter Sleeve Plaid Top Review

This is an Old Navy top that I'm calling the Flutter Sleeve Plaid Top (item #653504).  I could not find this top online - not when I initially tried it on, nor now.  The top is alpha-sized, and retailed for $19.50.  It might have been a cotton/linen blend, but I'm not positive.  Either way, the fabric is smooth, and is light-medium weight.

I tried this top on in a small, and I believe it fits true-to-size.  The top is fairly loose, and it is very comfortable.  It leans towards the shapeless side, but is cut slim enough that it isn't too shapeless.  The top is essentially sleeveless, with a small flutter hem that I think adds a nice detail.

The pattern on this top is a pretty yellow/green/blue plaid.  Below is a close-up of the pattern.

I thought this top was pretty cute.  I think the sleeves really won me over, because I think they elevate the top from just being another sleeveless top.  I also think this piece would work really well as a both a standalone and layering piece.  However,I wasn't really looking to buy the day I tried this on, so I left this one behind.

What do you think?  Do you like this top?  What do you think of the flutter sleeves?  Do you like the pattern?

Old Navy: Printed Banded Scoopneck Top Review

This is a top from Old Navy.  I have no idea what it is technically called, but it's printed, banded at the hip, and has a scoopneck.  It's item number 634320, is alpha-sized, and was priced $15.

I like this shirt a lot.  It is made out of a nice, soft jersey material, that flows and hangs very nicely.  It fits true to size, and is meant to be a more relaxed fit.  I think the top looks pretty nice from the front - it has a flattering scoopneck, and blouses nicely.

From the side, I think it's still a cute looking top.  It's still a relaxed fit, but doesn't add any extra weight from the side.  I like the length on the sleeves - not too short, and not too long.

From behind, it is a basic, banded top, but nothing super special.  Again, it drapes nicely, and has a nice silhouette.

Here is a close-up of the pattern on the shirt, as the main pictures came out a little blurry.

Overall, I did like this top, and I even bordered on loving it, but I was trying to be good, so I left it behind for now.

What do you think?  Do you like this top?  Do you like the print?

Old Navy: Belted Trench Review

This is Old Navy's Belted Trench (item #633439), which is alpha-sized, and was available in a number of colors, including this khaki (above), black, and this fuchsia-y color (below).  This trench retails for $49.50.  Old Navy describes the coat as such:

Classic, confident and eternally cool, the trench coat exudes a mystique that still feels modern. Smooth brushed twill, an eight-button double-breasted front and tie belt add signature style to any outfit.

I actually initially picked up this coat in black, as a classic wardrobe staple (and, I'll be honest, I saw Angelina Jolie rocking a black trench).  I also picked up another red waterproof trench that Old Navy was carrying at the same time, and I didn't really consider another color at the time.  (These pictures are from the Old Navy dressing room, but I have owned this coat for awhile.  I wore the coat out shopping that day, so just took pictures of it since the mirror was right there!)

During the Gap Give & Get promotion though, I saw the fuchsia one in person, and I loved it!  Since I had 30% off, I picked it up.  (Just a side note here: I wish I had tried it on first, as BOTH pockets have holes in them!  I probably could have gotten an additional percent off for that, as it was the only one in my size and this color.)

Anyway, I simply love this coat.  The brushed twill fabric is super soft and light, and moves very nicely - not stiff at all.  (The waterproof trench is very stiff.)  The coat body is not lined, but the sleeves are.

The coat has a classically trench appearance - double-breasted with a waist defining self-tie.  I picked this up in my regular Old Navy top size, and it fits perfectly.  It has slightly off-seam pockets that button closed.  The coat falls about mid-to-lower thigh for me, which I think is a nice length for a spring coat.

Here is how the coat looks when it's not buttoned or tied.

Here are the product details from Old Navy.

Overall, I love this coat.  I wear it pretty much every single day now that spring seems to have finally asserted itself over winter.  It's soft, fits well without looking too mature, and I love the fun color.

What do you think?  Do you like this coat?  Do you own it?  Do you have another trench that you love?

Old Navy: Stuff & Save is Here + Free Shipping

Old Navy is running the Stuff & Save promotion again!  When you use your Old Navy, Gap, or Banana Republic card as payment, you can save 20% on any Old Navy purchase.  This offer is good in-store and online.

For online orders, use the code STUFF5O when you checkout, and the discount is automatically applied to your Old Navy merchandise.  For in-store purchases, I believe you have to have the Stuff & Save card.  (I'm saying this based on the fact that there was a card included in the mailer for this promotion.) 

Gap Family: New Arrivals 30% Off

Gap is offering 30% off of new arrivals at their family of stores (Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy)! Use the code NEW30 at checkout. This offer is good for 4 days, April 6 through April 9, and is online only.

Gap is also offering free shipping on orders of $150 or more.

Old Navy: Spring Sale Up to 40% Off

Old Navy is running an online-only spring sale, with select items up to 40% off. It's unclear how long this sale will last for.

Old Navy: Denim Jacket Review

Old Navy's Denim Jacket (item #610900) was briefly discussed in yesterday's worthy substitute post, as a nice substitute for J.Crew's Nolita Denim Jacket.

I initially saw this jacket online, but was unsure if I really wanted it, as I haven't owned anything remotely close to this since I was in 6th or 7th grade. I also tried to figure out what I would wear it with, as I wanted to avoid Glamour's dread "Denim Tuxedo". One night, the Boyfriend and I were out, and we popped into Old Navy (with much sadness on the Boyfriend's part, because he does not like going to Old Navy at all!), and I was able to see the jacket IRL.

I tried it on to see if I would like it, and the Boyfriend laughed at me, and asked if I was seriously going to get it. Well, as you can see from the pictures below, I did! I think it is a nice, versatile piece.

The fabric is a nice, thick fabric. It is a little stiff right now, but I haven't worn it anywhere, so I would imagine that it might become softer with more washes. I love the dark wash, and plan on pairing this with some khakis and white pants this summer. I'm not sure if I'm ready to pair it with skirts yet, but we'll see.

Even though I haven't buttoned the jacket in the pictures, it does button closed, and I find that it fits true to size for a somewhat fitted fit (not overly fitted, but definitely not relaxed). Now, hopefully you will forgive my sounding like a broken record, but there is just no love for really short petites in the world. The sleeves on this jacket are way too long if you have short arms. Luckily, this jacket comes in petite and tall, so especially for the petite ladies, I would suggest ordering this in petite if you can (only available online).

I had to roll the cuffs on the jacket twice to be happy with the length of the sleeves, and believe me, this was not the easiest task. It took so much time/effort that the Boyfriend managed to take about 10 pictures just while I was rolling up the sleeves. Next time, I would probably try to roll the sleeves up when I wasn't wearing the jacket, and try to button them closed, so they are not flaring out like the cuff is in the picture on the right below.

This jacket also comes in a much, much lighter shade called "Vancouver". I went with the darker wash because I thought it would go with more outfits, and I'm just not a fan of light denim (just my personal taste).

Old Navy also has a denim jacket that is in a wash that is between the light and dark ones, but this is from a previous rollout of new arrivals. While it is $19.99 right now, there are limited sizes available.

The Old Navy details about this jacket are below.

What do you think of this jacket? Do you own it? Do you like it?

A Worthy Substitute: Old Navy for J.Crew

J.Crew's Nolita Denim Jacket (item #10296) currently retails for $98, and is available in both regular and petite (sorry, tall ladies!). J.Crew describes the jacket as such:

The kind of jacket everyone should have in their closet. Now with a perfectly distressed, weathered look that's as soft and comfortable as your favorite pair or jeans. Cotton. Classic fit. Straight shape. Point collar. Long sleeves. Button trim. Patch pockets. Stitching details on coat. Hits at hip. Import. Machine wash.

I actually never considered purchasing the Nolita jacket, because I already had a very worthy substitute - Old Navy's Denim Jacket (item #610900) in Dark Worn color. This jacket comes in regular, petite, and tall. It also comes in a much paler wash, called Vancouver. It was originally $29.50, but is currently marked down to $25 - almost 1/4 of the price of the Nolita!

This jacket fits very well (check back tomorrow for the full review of this jacket), and unlike J.Crew's Nolita Jacket, it does not come with wear and tear already built into it. You may like this "distressed" sort of look, but I prefer to spend my money on clothes without holes in them. Note that the Nolita jacket has "distress" in the back, front, and sleeve.

What do you think? Is the Old Navy denim jacket a worthy substitute for J.Crew's?

A Worthy Substitute: Old Navy for J.Crew

J.Crew's Elizabeth halter (item #95001) is a very beautiful piece, but also comes with a high price tag for anyone shopping on a budget or just looking to save money. It retails for $88, and is occasionally on sale (when they have any available) for $59.50. They are available on eBay starting around $50ish dollars, but the sizes and color combinations are limited. [I have a few of these halters, and hope to do a review on them at some point.]

What makes the Elizabeth halter special, in my opinion, is its collar. The ruffle is frilly enough to be feminine, but not so frilly as to be overwhelming, or make you look like you should be in the 16th century. The silk is also very delicate and light.

Old Navy offers an online-only style, the Ruffle-Trim Shirt (item #646156), which Old Navy describes as such:

For those days when you wish your job was outdoors! This breezy ruffled shirt, fashioned from lightweight cotton batiste, is ready for work or play.

For everyday wear, I prefer cotton to delicate fabrics like silk, satin, chiffon, etc., so I think this shirt is a great find! I can see wearing this both to work and out for dinner, and am seriously considering using my Gap rewards to add this to my wardrobe. The collar detailing is not as elaborate as J.Crew's Elizabeth halter, but I think that could be an advantage in the sense that you don't have to fluff or spray starch the collar to get the frilly look you want.

And while the J.Crew Elizabeth comes in some very pretty colors, I simply love lavender, and think it is a great color for spring. Old Navy also offers it in a blue flower print. Colors and details are below.

What do you think? Do you like this shirt? Do you think it is a worthy substitute?