Dressing Room Diaries: Warm Yellows and Cool Blues From J. Jill
It was so fun to get back into the dressing last week. I only had time to pop into a few stores, so today, I have a small dressing room diary with warm yellows and cool blues from J. Jill.
If youāre new here, welcome. A dressing room diary is when I go into a local store for a try-on session to see whatās new and show you how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5ā4ā³ and weigh around 142 lbs. I have broad shoulders with straight hips, a long torso, and long arms. I often buy one size larger on top. Youāll see me try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me because I want you to see whatās in the stores and get some styling ideas. I will 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 available as regular in sizes XS-4X. Petite and tall are still available in some popular styles, and all sizes are priced similarly.
This everyday cotton tee comes in eight solid colors and two prints. I bought the blue which you’ll see me wearing, but this yellow is sure fun! I went up to a medium to have it loose and sort of slouchy. Iām wearing it with these boyfriend jeans that I really love the fit of. I’d probably fold the hem up one more time to show a bit more ankle with these. Iām seeing a lot of boyfriend jeans around this summer, and wonder if they’ll continue into fall.
I tried this lovely little Kantha jacket on with several different items because I thought it was just so pretty. Itās a little bit too boxy for my square figure, but itās just a beautiful pattern and color. It’s hand-done kantha stitching over a floral print, creating a quilted texture in 100% cotton. look. Iām wearing it with a Pure Jill tank and high-rise cropped jeans on the left. On the right, I’m wearing high-rise full-leg jeans. Iām trying to decide which silhouette I prefer. Which do you like best?
Hereās the same high-rise jeans, this time in petite in the light pomelo color. I prefer the petite version on me, which I ended up buying in the blue denim wash. The leg is not as wide as I saw last spring, which makes them easier to wear. A reader remarked that she was noticing wide legs getting narrower, and I think that’s par for the course. Trends tend to get more moderate the longer they’re around.
This Pima cotton rounded v-knit tank is a very useful layering piece for summer. It comes in five colors. Iām wearing the cyan. I sized up again and twisted the hem, then just tucked it into the waistband. I often find that easier than tucking the whole bottom in, plus it creates a bit of interest in the shape.
This oversize poplin tunic shirt is large and long everywhere. Even though I’m wearing a petite, I feel it overpowers me. I’d go down to a petite S and likely wear it with a pant or legging without a cuff to help my legs look as long as possible. It comes in two other solid colors.
Here’s that Kantha jacket again, this time over some cotton gauze. I’m a big fan of cotton gauze for the summer. This skirt has an elastic waistband for easy on and off. The petite is a full 3″ shorter, which I think would be a better option for me. It only comes in white. The top comes in three colors and one pattern. I’m not sure how I feel about the top with the skirt…it feels kind of bulky. I might opt for a thinner tee or tank. What do you think?
I was really anxious to try this poncho on. The tassels give it a festive vibe, and the tie cinches the waist nicely to give your silhouette some shape. I’d probably wear it over a white tank with white slim-knit pants or leggings and some strappy metallic sandals and silver earrings. It would also make a great bathing suit coverup.
This embroidered sleeve popover top is 100% cotton with an artisanal vibe. It’s 100% cotton and super lightweight. I popped it over white pants, but I think it would be cute over a skirt or blue shorts. Since the sleeves are 3/4 length, I would probably opt for the petite to keep the proportions scaled down a bit.
Here are a few more finds at J. Jill that were not at my store:
Thanks for reading and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I love white tops but noticed that many of JJillās seem less opaque this year. I hate being able to see the waistband of my jeans through my top.
Iāve noticed that about most white shirts these days and Iām not a fan either.
Iām not sure why Iāve become so attracted to yellow and blue but I love the items with those colors! I also like the white on white!
My first post seems to be gone? But I do think you look great in nearly all of these Jill pieces! I only question the white gauze skirts? Iām sure theyāre cool but the style and length? Not my favorites.
This skirt could be an overwhelming shape and length on a shorter person.
Would you consider addressing how you and other blog readers set up their closets? I know some people put all pants together, all jackets together etc. but I am wondering if it would be sensible to put outfits grouped together. Thank you.
I group my clothes by category. All pants and jeans together, from light to dark. All jackets together etc
Not a fan of the wide leg jeans, I find them less complimentary to your body type than the straight leg jeans.
I think the picture on the left. I like a column of white with that jacket. You do look good in that bright yellow! My coloring looks like yours with whiter hair but I would look jaundiced in it. The boyfriend jeans look very comfortable. I prefer the straight leg versus the wide leg jeans. You look great in both!
Thanks Sydney
The Kantha jacket is pretty and I do like the cut of the boyfriend jeans whereas for wide-legged bottoms I personally prefer them in a soft draping fabric rather than a denim. As to loose boxy tops; something one can always do is open up the side seams in the position where you would wear a belt and slip it though so it is only visible in the front which will assist in creating an hour-glass body shape, will also hide any imperfection and still be comfortable to wear. -Brenda-
I ordered the short sleeve gauze top, really wanting to add gauze to my summer wardrobe. I ended up returning it. On my petite plus body, it was to shapeless. Iāve been eyeing the embroidered crinkle sleeve top online, and like it on you. It would make a nice transition piece in warm fall temps. You should wear more yellow, that tee is adorable on you! Finally, although it is boxy, the jacket really is nice and seems like a unique item that would stand out.
I like the gauze top and skirt, although I think I’d add a belt over the top to get more waist definition. But that might make one hotter, LOL. I like the slimmer pants on the left, but I think denim is a better complement to the jacket than the ivory.
JJill is my favorite store. I have many pairs of pull on Wearever and Pure Jill pants. So comfortable and basic to go with their fun tops. I love following you because Iām your size (5ā4ā, 140#). How do you look so good in zippered jeans and pants? I gave them up when the zipper section wasnāt lying flat against my tummy. Going up a size was too baggy. I noticed youāre wearing size 8 in some and size 10 in others.
I have long given up sticking to one size because each garment varies with the fit. Each brand differs too! I don’t usually try on curvy cuts because my hips are straight. It’s hit and miss to be sure!
I really like that little jacket, so different. I know what you mean about being a little boxy but still cute. I’m so glad that the wider pants aren’t as popular anymore. Love the tied t shirts.
Thanks for these diaries. But when you say āHere are a few moreā¦..ā, I donāt find a link to click. I just have a whirling black circle. Do you know what causes that? I would love to see more.
It should show you a shopping widget. Perhaps your internet is a having a glitch? I’m not sure but you might try refreshing the page.
Thanks for the twist and tuck idea on tees, I like that idea. I also really liked the cinched poncho on you (it’s the fun piece to elevate a casual vibe, I like with jeans as well with the poncho but maybe a straight hem not rolled or cuff so they aren’t competing with the poncho)……the tie front adds a nice slimming accent to the silhouette.
Dear Jennifer, thank you for your very informative blog! Re: hair loss – just some experience from me. It is my every day “fight” , used to have hairstyle like you – but in January decided to get it cut, very short. Use roggaine and 2 capsules Priorin per day, no hairdryer, washed it first 3 months only twice a week and. … after 12 weeks saw many many “new” hairs. Result now : love my short hair cut, not as short as in January- but my hair has now more volume, less hair loss, so it works now for me – hopefully for longer..
Anyway Jennifer, thank you for your always exzellent Job,
Yours Angela
Thank you so much for sharing your struggle and solutiuon Angela. I really appreciate it.
Hi Jennifer, I really like the jacket from JJill, you look so good in yellow, it makes your face look very happy!
Thanks Pat.
In the first picture, I prefer the pants on the left. I think they are more flattering on you, than the ones on the left. Iām not a fan of the wide legs.
I am 5ā7ā, 120 lbs., and I donāt think they flatter me either – straight legs, to me, always look better – style or no style.
Jennifer, Love the jacket on you. So pretty. I love how you tie your tees. How do you do it? Also, how did you find the rise in the boyfriend jeans?
The rise in the boyfriend jeans are medium/high depending on your torso length. I really liked that jacket too š
Without sounding rude, I think most of the colors today āwashed you outā. You are a pretty woman and richer vibrant colors look better on you. Please everyone wear what you feel comfortable in and feel good about yourself!
Thanks Sandy. I donāt think of white, yellow or blue as subdued. The kantha jacket is definitely muted. I totally agree. We should wear what makes us feel great!
I bought the white top with the embroidery on the sleeve. This weekend I put it withe my grey wearever pants. Cute
They does sound cute
As dang cute as that Kantha jacket appears, youāre right, it does create a boxy look. It would square out and shorten my already shrinking frame. But, I love the colors!
I find that the pull over shirts/tops offer a specific challenge. You end up with a mass of fabric across the front and if itās a longer style, it risks pulling around the mid section. You would need to size up to over this but then this look can overwhelm.
I appreciate your dressing room exercises so much! I need this visual picture to imagine what may work for me.
I think Iād be tempted to add a belt to this one.
This isn’t about the clothes but does anyone know what to use
to help maybe make the marionette lines on the side of the mouth
not so noticeable? I so enjoy your site and I’ve told friends about it.
Thank you
I kind of like the white gauze top and skirt together (maybe because it’s a very hot day and it looks so nice and cool!). I would take it home and steam or press it a bit to see if that helped the look. Don’t know if you are supposed to iron gauze but maybe steaming would be better.