Dressing Room Diaries- J. Jill Corduroy and Cables

Today’s dressing room diary starts with a hot mess of an outfit. Those are always fun, aren’t they? Each piece is nice, but together…just no. They were displayed together on a table, but the combo isn’t working.

If you’re new here, welcome. A dressing room diary is when I go into a local store for a try-on session so you can see what’s new and how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5’4″ and weigh around 134 lbs. I have broad shoulders with straight hips, a long torso, and long arms. I often buy one size larger on top. You’ll see me try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me because I want you to see what’s in the stores and get some styling ideas. I tell you what sizes I am wearing to help you understand how things run.

J.Jill has streamlined its sizing so that every style is now available as regular in sizes XS-4X. Petite and tall are still available in some popular styles, and all sizes are the same price.

Let me start by saying this skirt fits beautifully. J. Jill has managed to make a slip skirt that doesn’t bind or cling to the hips. Bravo! It has a side zip that lays flat and comes in two prints. This one is a brown and sage animal print. This is a tricky length to get right so I would wear it with knee boots and probably opt for the petite.

I topped it with this cozy bouclé sweater which is in the same brown as in the skirt print and fabulous…just not with this skirt. The knit is too heavy and bulky, and the length is too long for the skirt. I tried tucking it in, but the fabric is too bulky. The velveteen jacket is yummy. The color should theoretically go with the skirt, but it looked off to me. It’ll be pretty with lots of other things, like, for example, these cords in soft driftwood.

There are a few smudges on the mirror, so you’ll see spots on these outfits that aren’t on the clothes. This crewneck sweater is the yummiest peacock shade. It also comes in three other shades. It’s got a relaxed, and roomy fit yet runs true to size (TTS). The pants have a windowpane plaid with some varying colors that would coordinate with lots of tops.  They have pressed pleats up the front and back, which gives them a polished look. The inseams are M 29”, P 27“, W 29“, and T 31½“. They have an elasticized waistband in the back, so I would plan on covering that.

J. Jill makes a great long vest every fall. This year it’s this water-repellant one. It comes in three colors, I’m wearing navy. The center back lengths are Regular 30½”,  2X 32″, Petite 28½”, and Tall 32½”. It has a two-way zipper which I find helpful when sitting in long vests and jackets. This petite small is plenty roomy on one me, so since sleeve length isn’t an issue, I would opt for the length you like.

This jacket is what I went to the store to try on. It has the coolest pleated back that dips longer and has a swing shape. The front is traditional styling with a button closure.

This is a gorgeous jacket with unique detailing that will make a statement. It has a velvet trim undercollar and cuffs and is fully lined. I tried on a regular XS which was too small, and the small was in another dressing room, so I plan to go back and try this one again 🙂  The length is R Medium 32½” center back, R 2X 34” center back, and P Medium 30½” center back.

These velveteen pants are my favorite shape of the season…full (not wide) and straight. They come in three colors, including smokey sage, like the denim jacket above. A corduroy denim suit, anyone? The velveteen is super soft and luxurious, with a subtle sheen, unlike some that can feel like cardboard. These run small, so plan to order up. The sweater jacket is more substantial than a standard cardigan and stands in beautifully for a blazer. It seems to run true to size (TTS). This black and camel striped tank is a great layering piece with so much of this collection. The XS is much too small on me, so it runs TTS.

I love the rich cabling on this tunic sweater. It comes in light oatmeal with a gray cast and this ginger snap shade. The sleeves are bracelet length with a slit detail which you could flip up or leave straight. This thigh-length sweater would cover everything you need with leggings or slim pants with a center back length of regular 29½”, 2X 31″, petite 28”, and tall 31″. I’m wearing it with the Pure Jill pull-on jeans. This petite XS is a few sizes too small for me, so these look like leggings, but they do fit TTS as slim pants.

This embroidered bell sleeve top is black with rose, pink and multi-color embroidery. It’s not quite long enough to wear over skin-tight leggings, but because the sleeves are cropped, so you could order the tall to get some extra length. It does have a bit of stretch, but not like a sweater. I’m wearing it over the slim-ankle jeans in Neptune wash. These also come in white, black, and dark fig, which is a deep plum shade. I find these jeans run TTS.

This cape poncho is a cotton blend, so it’s good for milder climates and before it gets too cold. The zipper allows you to pop the big collar and give it some attitude or zip up and roll over to keep your neck warm like a big turtleneck.

Apparently, I was having a better hair day last month :).

These slim faux leather pants are nice. I’m not a fan of skin-tight, shiny faux leather pants or leggings, so I was happy to find this leg shape. I have the hem folded under once. They’re a pull-on style and buttery soft. They also come in yummy rich, deep chocolate if black isn’t your thing. I topped them with the same camel and black tank as shown above and added this faux suede shacket. The boxy shape of a shacket makes them run large, and this one is no different, so I suggest you size it down.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.