Sweater: Talbots Charming Cardi, sz. XS
Top: J Crew Factory Crosstown Tee, sz. XS
Jeans: J Crew Trouser Denim Jeans, sz. 27
Shoes: Clarks 'Revel Hop'
Bag: J Crew
This polka-dot top is one of the things Husband brought back for me from his recent venture to the J Crew Factory store. Usually. I'm not a fan of crossover or wrap style tops where the wrap parts is fixed in one place, because my bust doesn't fill out the pre-set wrap. But for super cute polka dots I was willing to give it a go.
I knew the basic shape of the cross town tee in advance, so I knew what I was getting myself into. It has elastic banding just under the bust, which usually isn't the best on me. Normally, the area right under the bust is one of the narrowest points on a woman--but of course, that is not the case with me. My ribcage measures almost 37" around. Considering I'm a sz.2 everywhere else on my body, that's pretty massive. And sadly that's below my bust, not the actual 'ladies' themselves. I know I contribute to it a little because I do a lot of lat pull downs and rowing builds up the area muscle wise, but still-- I can look like a line backer real easy if I'm not careful.
Regardless, I love the look of empire waists, but they just never seem to work on me. I always need to size up to accommodate my rib cage. But then that creates all sorts of new problems because the 'ladies' don't fill out the bust, and then the rest of the top is to large and billowy. Boo. Dresses are usually a nightmare for me too, where everything is loose and baggy, except the part right under the bust.
So getting back to the cross town tee, it was a gamble on fit. But I had a feeling that even the XS would be on the big side in this style so I took a chance that the elastic banding would accommodate my freakish ribcage--it did. And like I expected, the bust gaped and drooped a bit. Fortunately I could just pin the material up a bit, bringing the v-neck a little higher and more appropriate for work.
The material leans toward that 'tissue' junk J Crew likes to use so much that is rather see-thru. Nothing a cami underneath can't fix, but then that creates new problems with how deep the V is on the shirt vs. the cami underneath. The material is still better than most of what I see in retail, and I don't foresee this developing holes at all. The print is a little misleading too. Online it's called "red" but the dots are definitely more orange in person. Still very cute overall, and considering the in-store price, very worth it. As long as I wear a cardi over it the white is still work appropriate, and the cardi hides some of the volume in the body of the shirt.
This looks cute on you - I like the green cardi with it. I recently bought this tee also, but haven't worn it yet. I thought it looked quite dumpy on the hanger, but is surprisingly flattering on!
ReplyDeleteLove the orange polka dots with the teal cardi! And I totally empathize with the crazy torso fit. Except in my case, it's a freakishly large waist. 28" at the smallest point, versus 29" ribcage below my (unmeasurable because I don't own an unpadded bra) bust. I can't do wraps either, but I also have trouble with structured silk and cotton dresses because the darting at the bust is always cut too big. Like you, I'm a size 2 or 0 everywhere else.
ReplyDeleteAnon- Thanks! I hear ha-- on the hanger it doesn't look like much. But it can be cute if styled right I think.
ReplyDeleteKeilexandra- Isn't it so frustrating!?! I hate knowing that certain styles are just simply a no go for me no matter how cute they may be on others. But.... I try to tell myself it could always be worse, and I'm glad there are ways to camoflage!