OOTD: 11/19/11 J Crew Vintage Thermal Tee

Top: J Crew Vintage Thermal Tee, sz. XS

Jeans: J Crew Matchstick Jeans in Clound Nine Wash, sz. 27

Belt: J Crew

Boots: J Crew Vintage Roaster Boots

Bag: Chocolat Blu

Feelin' a little back country in this outfit.

Despite some initial disappointment, I decided to keep the Vintage Thermal Tee I received a few weeks ago. I loved the colors and stripes in these thermals, and they were getting some initial good reviews on the JCA, so during the STAYWARM promotion I went ahead and ordered one. Serves me right. I always have buyer's remorse when I buy things that aren't already on sale.

I ordered my normal sz. XS. I loved the fabric and color. Construction was adequate-- could have been better. But I felt the whole thing was too short. Short thru the body and short thru the sleeves. At 5'9", I understand that many things are going to be short in the sleeve for me, but this top felt overly so. No matter, as I hike the sleeves up on most things anyway as a matter of comfort.

It did bother me that the length thru the body wasn't as long as I hoped. Usually J Crew makes things long and lean just the way I like, but it wasn't the case with this top. When I raised my arms, a little skin was showing. I was constantly retucking all day long. Oh well. I still really like the material and fabric. And sadly, since I'm no where near a B&M, it wouldn't be cost effective to pay postage to return just the one shirt, so I'll make do. It still works as a nice layering piece.

And now we return to that back country look. It was kinda-sorta intentional. I've discovered that around this time of year I tend to revert back to my small town/ rural Minnesota roots. When the holiday music starts playing all of a sudden my standard fare of pencil skirts and cardis no longer seem appealing. I long for rugged jeans and boots and cozy sweaters. Maybe it's the accumulation a whole year of work attire weighing down on me, but by this time of year, it seems all I want to wear is cords, jeans, and boots.

And of course on this day the outfit was totally venue appropriate. We took Child to the opening of a new a 'Bass Pro Shop' store in our area, which is basically a hunting, fishing and outdoor sports store on steroids. The place was ginormous. Child was in heaven. He got to sit in all the boats and ATVs, crawl around in all the tents and camping gear, and watch the giant fish in the live tank. With my boots, jeans, and thermal, I felt like I fit right in