J.Crew: His Derby-Stripe Shirt Review

This is J.Crew's His Derby-Stripe Shirt (item #97335), which originally retailed for $69.50, and select colors are now on sale for $39.99.  This shirt is alpha-sized, and is available in shell, dove grey, and blue.  J.Crew describes the shirt as such:

Our favorite boyfriend shirt in new stripes. Looks like you borrowed it from him—but we're in love with the way it goes with a skinny pant. Cotton broadcloth. Point collar. Long sleeves. Chest pocket. Box pleat at back yoke. Shirttail hem. Relaxed fit. Hits at low hip. Import. Machine wash.

I tried this on once before, but in a small, and it was huge, so I left it behind (plus it was a little pricey for an oversized shirt).  I tried it on this time in an extra small, and in the shell color.  The extra small is still a bit big, but I think that is the style.  To be honest, I think I would have preferred it a teeny bit smaller - I realize that big and loose and masculine cut is the point, but it's almost too big and loose.

I like the pink strip color a lot.  The fabric is a nice, smooth cotton, and it is pretty light.  The shirt is a tad bit sheer, but since this would mainly be a casual look for me, I don't mind too much.  I did tuck this shirt in, but Balloon City!  I think I'll wear this untucked with a skinny belt, and then I can pair it with skinny capris or jeans.

I don't have a whole lot else to say about this one.  I think this shirt pulls off the "I borrowed this from my boyfriend" look rather well, and it is really comfortable.

I did pick this up.  I debated about it, as I already own some casual cotton shirts, but in the end, the sale price + the Mickey Card + the fact that those other cotton shirts are much heavier won out.  If you are looking for some styling tips, I want to say that FFM posted some, but I'm not positive.

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

Express: Buy One Get One 50% Off

Express is promoting its Summer Hot List by offering buy one get one 50% off on its women's favorite V-neck tee, which is available in several colors.  I've had pretty good luck with Express's tees - the quality is usually pretty good, and they offer a ton of different types!

Express is also offering buy one get one 50% off on pique polos for men.  I love Express's polos for men (so by extension, so does The Boyfriend), but I can't stand when they put their enormous lion logo all over them.  To be honest, we (I) usually pick up his polos at Old Navy or J.Crew outlet - I don't notice a huge difference in quality, and those are much cheaper (and don't have big lions on them).

What do you think?  Will you check out these promotions?  Where do you shop for tees and polos?

Banana Republic: 25% Off and Work Picks

Banana Republic is offering Gap family cardholders 25% off orders of $100 or more, now through April 26, 2009.  To take advantage of this promotion, enter the code SPRING25 online, or print out the picture above and bring it with you when you shop in-store.

BR is also promoting its women's work pieces, including The Black Suit, The Dress, and The Feminine Blouse.

What do you think of BR's work pieces?  Do you own any?  Will you take advantage of the 25% off promotion?

J.Crew: Vintage Blouse Review

This is a blouse from J.Crew's Vintage Closet line. It is item #14135, and does not appear to be available online right now. It was marked $68. It comes in white, and I think I saw it in a grey color with neutral accents in another store, but I'm not sure.

This shirt is alpha-sized, and I was able to size down from my normal J.Crew shirt size. The shirt has a lot of trim on the front - some thin pleats and dotted embroidery. It also has some of the same pretty embroidery on the sleeves and collar as well.

The shirt is nice from the side. The darts give the blouse a more fitted shape, which I think is very nice. I think you can pull off this shirt untucked and tucked in, which is always nice.

It's a little sheer from the back - you can see the regular size tag through the shirt even. From the picture, it doesn't seem to be so sheer that you have to wear a cami underneath, especially because it's not sheer from the front at all.

Here is a close-up of the front pattern. The dotted embroidery that you can see on the left side of the picture is the same as the trim on the cuffs and collar.

I really liked this shirt, but The Boyfriend wasn't crazy about it. He thought it looked a little too old for me, but I thought it was really pretty. In the end, I left this one behind. I might consider picking it up if it goes on sale though.

What do you think? Do you like this shirt? Do you think it is too "old" looking? Do you like the pieces from J.Crew's Vintage Closet?

Express: Shirt Sale x 3

Express is offering a number of shirt promotions right now. Here is a rundown:

Women's Essential Shirts are on promotion for buy 1, get 1 50% off. I love Express's work shirts. Express is one of my go-to stores for work staples (especially pants).

Men's Pique Polos are also on promotion for buy 1, get 1 50% off. The Boyfriend likes Express's polos, but we generally stay away from the ones with the enormous, chest-covering lions on them.

Lastly, Express is offering a combination promotion (at least I think so). Women's tanks and tees and men's graphic tees are currently buy 1, get 1 50% off. The ad seems to imply that you can mix and match for this promotion, but it's not totally clear.

The ad doesn't mention an expiration date, nor does it mention if the promotions are good in-store.

NY&Co: The Shirt Bar

I've decided to include New York & Company (on a limited basis, similar to Express, ON, and AE) on this blog. I used to shop NY&Co a lot, but it's only at the "Little Mall", which we rarely go to (even though it does have an enormous VS), so I check out most of their clothes online. I shop them mainly for work pieces, but I haven't been there in awhile (plus this is one of The Boyfriend's least favorite stores).

I love the idea of a Shirt Bar. I think a white dress shirt should be a basic staple in my wardrobe, but I have a hard time finding ones that I love - that aren't too dowdy, or that fight right, or that are simple enough to pair with a variety of things.

Just as a note on NY&Co: I have always found (and have heard from others) that their clothes run a little big, so if you're unsure, it's best to try on first!

What do you think? Do you like NY&Co?

Express: 1MX Shirts Dollars Off

Express is offering $20 off each when you purchase 3 or more of their popular men's 1MX shirt. These shirts range from $49.50 to $59.50, so $20 off is a decent savings if you are in the market for some new work shirts. The Boyfriend has a bunch of these, and they are great shirts - good for dressing up a lot or a little.

Express is also offering $10 off each shirt if you buy 2 or more. This offer doesn't say whether it's good in-store as well as online, and it doesn't mention a promotion end date.

American Eagle: Slim Striped Camping Shirt Review

This is American Eagle's Slim Striped Camping shirt (item #0355-5064), which retails for $34.50. It also comes in a pink and blue stripe. AE describes the search as such:

Lightweight, versatile and perfect for your summer wardrobe.

• Soft tissue cotton poplin

• Slim fit silhouette

• Two small button pockets

• Color stripe pattern

• Rolled button-tab 3/4 sleeves

• Pop color interior trim

• Full button-up front

The shirt fit me true to size in my regular AE size, and the cotton was pretty soft. The stripe is also a nice, thin striped pattern, which I also like.

The shirt is a little bit thin for my liking, and I probably wouldn't wear it without a tank or a shirt underneath. It also has cute tabs for holding up the rolled sleeves, and two front button pockets.

I think the shirt looks a little nicer from the back, just because I think it looks more fitted from the back.

I would definitely wear this just as styled - untucked, with the sleeves casually rolled up. I think it is a great, casual shirt that you can also dress up or down depending on the accessories. I left this one behind because I already own a few "camp" shirts from other stores (from past seasons) that I like better than this one.

What do you think? Do you like camp shirts? Do you own any? Would you pick up this one?