James Perse slub button-up top | black version at Saks Off Fifth
James Perse ruched pencil skirt | burgundy version at Saks Off Fifth
No6 mid-wedge clogs | sold out
Jas M.B. bag | cream leather version on sale at Barney’s Warehouse for $199
In my never ending effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information about what to buy now, and how things fit, I went out a couple of places yesterday to try things on, and I may or may not have bought a couple of things…
First, I went to James Perse to check out the canvas tote to see if it would suit me for a travel bag. I bought it, but will probably take it back because I didn’t think about the fact that there’s no closure on it – at all. Normally that doesn’t bother me, and I’ve flown with bags before that don’t close, but I want to find something once and for all that will hold all I need (aside from my small rollerboard) comfortably and securely. The tote is wonderful, and I love how big it is, and the faded canvas, and if it had a couple of snaps along the top or a zip closure, it would be perfect, but as is, it’s not. At least not for what I want it for. If I was made of money, I’d keep it and use it as a tote over the summer, and/or for car trips, beach, etc., but I need to find a bag that’s more useful than that.
So, I’m going to get the Everlane snap backpack instead, mainly because it has a padded area for my laptop. Does anyone have one of these? How do you find it for traveling? I’ve also considered this tote by Lululemon. Ultimately, I’d like to find something that I’d use for more than just travel, but I’m not sure that’s possible. I would use the JP tote, but I don’t think it’s suitable for airplane travel. I would never use the Everlane backpack aside from traveling, or schleping my laptop, but it seems very well suited to those tasks. And it’s reasonably priced…
While I was at James Perse I tried on a few things I’d been looking at: The crepe jersey a-line tank, and the crepe jersey blouson dress. The tank is a must-have – probably when it goes on sale – and the dress was great, I just wish it had more ruching on the sides as his older styles have (like the skirt I’m wearing in the picture). But it’s a nice departure in that the top is a more blousy fit, which I like a lot. I’m still waiting for this shirt dress to show up in the store so I can try it on – although I’m pretty sure it’ll be perfect, and I’ll have to have it.
Next, I made my way to Northpark, the mega-mall in Dallas, which was FILLED with people yesterday because it was the first day of spring break. Oy. I sort of wandered there for a while, looked at these Rag & Bone pajama jeans (REAL denim this time!) but didn’t try them on, because I was afraid I’d like them, and I don’t want another pair of slouchy pants. Anyway, I ordered the Frame Le Garcon jeans the other day, so I should be good for jeans…
Finally, I stopped into Splendid because they were offering 20% off basics and I wanted to check out some new pieces. I tried on a lot, but nothing that I really had to have, except this circle top, which was on sale in the store, but not online. I could have stocked up on more camis and layering tees, but since I’m trying NOT to own so many multiples of things, I didn’t. But if you don’t have any of their long camis or layering tees, I HIGHLY recommend them, especially at 20% off. The long foldover skirt is also on sale – I have it in two colors and it’s indispensable for traveling because it does double-duty (can wear it as a dress also!).
Here are the Splendid items for 20% off:
Have you done any shopping lately? Any exciting purchases? Or things you tried on?
oh!! the Outnet clearance starts today (hasn’t yet, as of 10:30 EST this morning), and it’s usually REALLY REALLY good, and things sell out super-fast, so make sure you’re on their mailing list to get notification when it starts.
That tank is just right! I’m going to wait til it’s on sale too.
And that skirt is great on you!
You got me going on a James Perse kick, and I bought the cotton cashmere tee in white (it’s perfect, no lie) and the pleated front dress in black. Paid full price for both, but I found the latter for a good chunk off at another store — might have to return and repurchase.
oh!!! my store doesn’t have either one of those, how does the pleated front dress fit? this one – right? i have a similar viscose one that has pleating in the back. i got it when they were having the sample sale, but haven’t been able to wear it…
and i am SO interested in the cotton cashmere tee; i’ve been stalking all that stuff at revolve to see if it goes on sale.
Now I’ve never done this before so I can’t say for certain you can do this but I don’t see why you can’t have a snap closure put onto the James Perse tote. I’ve had a snap button added to a shirt so I can imagine a tailor can do it for a tote. That’s if you really like the JP tote and that’s the only negative point to it.
I did so much shopping in February, you’d think I’d be done now but nope. I strolled the mall this weekend and bought a lace trimmed sweatshirt from LOFT and a denim dress from Forever 21 that I’ve had my eye on for awhile. THEN, today I ended up purchasing a few things from the Outnet which was totally unplanned. The only things I got from the clearance section was a DvF iphone case and a Nixon watch but I also got a T by Alexander Wang hooded sweater. I hope that’s it for awhile but I doubt it, I have my eye on other stuff too. I have to remind myself to pace it because spring isn’t even here yet, there will be other stuff to buy later.
so funny, i was JUST thinking that i could do that myself – maybe – just a couple of heavy duty snaps on the inside of the bag would make me feel a little better about it…i’m going to play around with it a little, and maybe order the backpack anyway and compare the two.
you know – i like some of the new loft stuff – that new line, i forget what it’s called, has some “grechen” pieces LOL and they were doing 30% off recently – i almost bought something, but didnt. and congrats on getting some stuff from the outnet!! everything i was interested in sold out instantly. as usual.
Oops — sorry I forgot to link. This is the dress (http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/james-perse-dress-pleated-front-collage?ID=881509&cm_mmc=Google-PLA-ADC-_-Women+-+Dresses+-+1+-+PLA-_-64888857991-_-adc_pg_301_11038_52b4a66fe4b04ed53579afbd_38418016831). So it’s more of a fitted dress than the other, but I like that the tight skirt is balanced by the blousy top. I might need to try it on again to make sure I feel comfortable going out like that. (80 y/o-29 y/o situation again.)
I did feel kind of crazy for buying that tee at 110, but it fit perfectly. I hope it does go on sale because you’d love it. However, I’m wondering how you wash your pricier tees. The tag says it can go in the washer, buuuut is that a good call?
I also have another question that you might have answered before, so I hope I don’t sound silly asking. I know you’ve been interested in capsules and etc., but have you ever tried the one in/one out policy? Or when do you decide to sell/give away stuff? I’ve been doing it periodically, but I’ve got some piles going on.
-Sheera
love that dress – it’s similar to the one i tried on yesterday, but with short sleeves. and the skirt on the one i tried on isn’t as ruched as this one, which i didn’t like as much…
i tend to wash on cold and hang dry nearly everything. except cashmere and silk. for those, i do them in the dryer with dryel – which has served me well generally. i think for the cashmere blend tee, i’d dry clean it, honestly. or maybe wash cold/hang dry…i don’t know. but knowing me, i’d forget to put it in the dry clean pile and wash it anyway! good thing is that if the tag says you can wash it, then i’ve found that most places will take things back if you’re not happy after following THEIR directions….
i have thought about the one in/one out rule lately, actually i just last night sold one of my jerome dreyfuss bags, and ordered a new one š so i guess i’m following that rule! i also sent my sister two boxes of clothes/shoes recently, so i am trying to get rid of some things, i just have a very hard time with that –
*Washing cashmere tip: Put your sweater inside-out in a lingerie bag before washing on delicate/cold, and then dry on a rack. I’ve always had good luck with my cashmere by cleaning it that way. But I don’t wash often, just de-pill carefully. I like your Dryel idea for in-between cleanings, Grechen.
As for shopping, I’m once again trying hard (well, not so hard, really????) not to shop. I say that, tho, after just logging off of my PayPal acct. after paying for a Bella Dahl top on ebay. Funny story: My neighbor told me the other day that she was expecting a delivery of an important document from UPS but she was at work in the next town, 15 miles away. So when the UPS guy showed up at her workplace, she asked if he would just leave it at her house. He asked where she lived and when he heard her address, he said,”Yeah, you never get deliveries, but your neighbor two houses up gets a LOT of packages!” Yes, that neighbor would be me. Hence, the decision to curtail shopping activity. It’s good to know that UPS would miss me if I were gone!????
haha! my new UPS guy is getting to know me very well also š
thanks for the cashmere tip – although with my inhabit stretchy cashmere i think i found that it pilled worse when i washed it as opposed to dry cleaning it, so i stopped doing that. and with the new stuff, i’ve just dryel’d it infrequently, and sprayed febreeze in between. i figure cashmere is always layered, so it doesn’t get too many “body oils” on it…and i try not to get it dirty!