Dressing Room Diary: Best Festive Looks From J.Crew Factory

Here is an unusual combo for you. There wasn’t a shirt or sweater in the store that I really liked with this skirt, so I decided to try a {red plaid flannel shirt}. Lo and behold, I liked the combination. I can picture it with warm tights, black knee boots, and a short, cozy sweater or jacket for a casual day of shopping or lunch. Slip skirts are hugely popular right now, and this one fits well. The waistband is elasticized in the back, so it doesn’t pull over the hips. The red is selling out at lightning speed, so I bought it in black which you will see next week.

{This plaid flannel shirt} would be as comfy while sipping hot cocoa by a roaring fire as it is with a pair of jeans for every day of the week. This plaid comes in lots of color combinations, including a gorgeous jade with ivory, and is really nice quality.

Here’s the flannel shirt tucked into {relaxed boyfriend jeans} with a {black sweater blazer}. I have worn my beige version of {this sweater blazer so often} that I decided this black one would be a smart investment in my wardrobe. I love the gently curved lapels, two-button closure, and medium weight. The length is perfect for me, too…but enough about me :). This blazer comes in four colors: classic (regular) and petite lengths.

{These jeans} fit so nicely that they almost came home with me, too. The distressing is small and just on one leg, so the effect is subtle. They have a nonchalant vibe, like a pair of your favorite broken-in jeans.

*Size tips- They run large, so I sized down. The classic(regular) inseam is 28″ unrolled, and the petite inseam is 25″ unrolled, so you can roll and fold up to your desired length.

You really can’t go wrong with plaid around the holidays. Black Watch is my favorite because the navy, green, and black combo is as subtle as it is festive… so {these tartan leggings} caught my eye. I see myself in these for a tree-trimming, family get-together wearing these {velvet navy slippers} and {this longer sweater} which covers my backside 🙂 or just for opening gifts before getting dressed to start the day. These also come in a red tartan.

This {quilted pullover} is really soft with a boxy, loose fit. It comes in six colors and would be great over a pair of {these pintuck sweatpants}, which have a slim silhouette. I would have tried those on if my store stocked them.

*Size tips- I always go up one size in leggings, and these require it because they run a bit small. They do not come in petite, but the length is perfect, plus, you can always tuck the leg bottoms under, and they will stay put.

Tossing on a plaid scarf gives a festive look to any and every outfit. {This scarf} comes in seven color options (I’m wearing emerald) and is super soft. It measures 25″X77″, so it’s substantial, cozy, and just the right size to wrap twice around your neck to fill the neckline of your jacket.

These {essential straight-leg jeans} are another winner from J.Crew Factory in the jean category. They’re a cotton/lyocell/elastine blend that is super soft and pliable. I know many people prefer stiff, hard denim fabric, but I prefer mine on the softer side. I also like that they’re a slim fit through the hip and thigh. These come in classic, petite, and tall with inseams of 27, 24, and 30″.

This {mock neck cable sweater} feels extremely soft and fluffy to the touch. It comes in six colors, sizes XS-3X. A mock neck is a cozy alternative to a crew neck without the bulk and squeeze you get from many turtlenecks.

*Style Tip-The pale colors are less opaque than the darker ones, so I would not size down in them if you want a closer fit.

This {plaid scarf } is reversible to a classic houndstooth and feels timeless rather than festive to me. I’m wearing it over this {sweater polo}, which seemed to be flying out the door at my store. It’s in a machine-washable acrylic/polyamide/wool/ elastane blend that is incredibly soft. This comes in four colors, and I think it runs large, I so suggest you size down unless you prefer a slouchy fit. My store was almost sold out in all colors so check online if you’re interested.

Here’s a classic plaid look for you! These {tartan straight-leg crop pants} are ankle length in the (classic) regular on me. Remember, I am 5’4″, which puts me at the top end of the petite category, meaning I need to shop in both categories to get the best fit.

The classic has a 27″ inseam, the petite is 24 1/2″, and the tall is 29 1/2″. This is the length I personally prefer because crop pants tend to make your legs look shorter. There are no rules here, so it comes down to personal choice.

I styled them with a {classic cotton shell sweater} and a coordinating {cotton cardigan.} These come in oodles of colors to mix and match. I find the quality of the cardigan much better than the shell. The armholes are big and too loose for my taste in the sleeves shell. If you plan to always wear it under the cardigan, it’s fine, but the quality isn’t great.

Here, I popped on a {schoolboy sweater blazer} in black. It comes in four colors in classic and petite lengths. It’s really cute, but I don’t like this blazer with these pants. The length of the blazer cuts my body in half visually, and it’s not a flattering look.

*Style Tip- This sweater blazer would be better over a bootcut pant that’s several inches longer and covers your shoe or bootie. Outfits look more pleasing with a 1/3-2/3 visual in length. Either long over short or short over long. 50/50 is boring.

Sadly, this pretty blouse has sold out! I hate it when that happens. I’m wearing it with a fabulous pair of {velvet pants} with a straight leg and full rise. It comes in this black or great forest green with a 28″ inseam in classic, 26″ in petite, and 31″ in tall. These are a really lovely quality. I can picture myself sipping champagne during intermission at the Nutcracker wearing these velvet pants with these {low dressy heels}, this {showstopper top}, and this {amazing evening bag}.

Sadly, this tweed lady jacket is sold out, too!

These {full-length wide-leg jeans} are a great fit, and I appreciate that the hem is finished. I am over unfinished hems for now and want a more elevated look these days. Here’s how J.Crew Factory described the fit-“Slim at the hip, easy at the thigh, with a slim, wide leg opening.” That pretty much sums it up.

The website shows them rolled up, which puzzles me, but each to her own. The inseams are 30″ in classic, 28″ in petite, 33″ in tall. On second thought, these would look sort of cool folded once at the hem, worn over this kind of {warm winter boot}.

This {Lady Day coat} was a delightful discovery. I fully expected the fabric to be rough and scratchy, but it’s soft and lovely! My neck is very sensitive to itchy fabrics, and I could have worn this one all day sans a scarf. It comes in three colors: classic (regular) and petite. Because I have a long torso, the classic fits at my waist best, and I actually prefer the additional length it gives me. This is fully lined and a great alternative to this much more expensive one from J.Crew.

A reviewer complained about the sizing, but I found this runs totally true to size because I always wear a 10 in coats. On the right, I’m wearing this {cute little tartan top} that has a bow closure at the back of the neck. The bow wouldn’t show unless you go sleeveless, but the face-framing ruffled neckline would.