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Dressing Room Diaries: J. Jill Spring Capsule Collection

The newest J. Jill spring capsule collection is in, so of course, I had to pop in for a look. To be perfectly honest I was totally uninspired when my catalog arrived. Then I had a peek online and still wasn’t seeing anything that interesting. Once I got into the dressing room, it was a different story. The colors are soft and pretty and the natural fabrics are perfect for warm weather. Today’s post has a lot of side-by-side pictures so you can contrast and compare.

blonde woman wearing white linen tee, vest and pants

If you’re new here, a dressing room diary is when I go into a store and try on new merchandise so you can see how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5’4″ tall and weigh around 136 lbs. I have broad shoulders and straight hips with very few curves. I have a long torso and arms so I often wear one size larger on top than the bottom. I go between the petite and regular sections to get the fit I am looking for.

 

woman wearing blue and white dress
WEARING – WEAREVER PERFECT T-SHIRT DRESS

This Wearever PerfectĀ  T-shirt dress. It comes in two patterns and two solids in misses, petite, womenā€™s, and tall, sizes XS-XL. It’s an A-line shape in rayon/lycra mix that stretches nicely. I’m wearing a small petite which fits well, but I could also wear a regular to get a little more knee coverage.

This is why I recommend you always check other size ranges because you might prefer the length of a tall and the sleeve proportions wouldn’t change enough to matter.

 

blonde woman wearing white linen shirt with cuffed jeans
WEARING – TIERED LINEN SHIRTĀ  –Ā  HIGH RISE CUFFED JEANS

This linen tiered a-line shirt comes in 2 soft pretty colors in misses, petite, women’s, and tall, sized XS-XL. I’m wearing an XS petite which fits so I suggest you size down because it runs large. If you’re petite, you might think about wearing the tall version over leggings or open as a third layer over a tank and shorts.

Youā€™ve seen these high-rise cuffed jeans on me before. They come in misses, petite, women’s and tall in this denim and soft sage green. The cuff is tacked up the frayed hem is stitched to prevent further fraying. They come in misses, petite, women’s, and tall. I am wearing the regular 4 because the petite was just a hair too short for what I like.

 

TIERED TOP WITH TWO PANTS
WEARING – TIERED LINEN TOPSTRETCH LINEN BUTTON HEM PANTSĀ  (PETITE ON LEFT… REGULAR ON RIGHT)

Here’s that linen top in lavender with linen pants that you’re going to see often throughout this post. I’ve worn J. Jill stretch linen pants for years and love it. This soft pink is a small petite and the white is an XS misses.

 

cropped and non cropped pink pants
HERE’S A SIDE-BY-SIDE OF THE PETITE VS REGULAR LENGTH

Hereā€™s a visual so you can see the difference between the petite and regular pant leg on me. The same linen with button detail is also available in a cropped version here so you can pretty much get any length you want. Theyā€™re stretch linen/viscose/spandex blend that comes in 6 solids and one floral… sized XS-XL, misses, petite, womens, and tall. They have a flat front waist, side zip, and elastic at the back waistband. I find this fabric to stretch out a bit so I like to size it down for myself.

 

woman in dressing room showing two outfits with same white vest
WEARING – LONG OPEN FRONT LINEN VESTĀ  –Ā  PIMA ELBOW-SLEEVE TEEĀ  –Ā  STRETCH LINEN PANTS

This long, open-front linen vest is the first thing I picked up when I walked into the store. Itā€™s just a perfect third layer to go over everything. Itā€™s a linen blend with notched lapels which give it a polished feel. There’s seaming in the back so it doesnā€™t just hang on your body. Itā€™s available in misses, petite, and tall. I’m wearing misses in XS and love the added length.

Under the vest, I’m wearing a great elbow-length Pima cotton tee which comes in misses, petite, womens, and tall sizes XS-XL. It’s available in 7 solid colors and one print. The white is not totally opaque so have your nude bra ready or choose a soft color.

Strangely enough, I prefer the all-white look…even though I may be mistaken for a doctor/pharmacist, etc:)

 

woman showing long dress belted and unbelted
WEARING – PURE JILL V-BACK MAXI DRESSBRAIDED BELT

I love a great maxi tee dress for summer. This one has a V in the back which the sales lady suggested I could turn around to wear in the front. The only problem with that styling idea is that the pockets are sewn down so they would be going backward across your backside. This falls under best intentions:)

It’s available in 2 soft colors, misses, petite, women, and tall, XS-XL. I’m wearing a small regular and prefer this length on me because shorter maxis seem to just highlight how short I am. I would have shown why with a side-by-side but my store didn’t have this in petite. It has nice long side slits for ease of movement. You could easily dress this up or down. I added this braided belt to give a little waist definition which also helps me look taller.

 

blonde woman wearing tunic with white pants and also with navy pants
WEARING – EMBROIDERED BELL SLEEVE TOPSTRETCH LINEN PANTS

This pretty embroidered top is a V-neck pullover that has 3/4 flutter sleeves for a nice airy feel. It comes in misses, petite, womens, and tall, sizes XS-XL. The bust darts keep it from looking too voluminous and slims it to the body a bit. I am wearing an XS petite which fits so it runs large so you should size it down.

The white pants are is a misses in small and the navy is a misses XS. You can see the extra bagginess in the white which is why I sized down.

 

WOMAN WEARING J JILL NAVY SHORTS WITH EMBROIDERED TOP
WEARING – BELL SLEEVE TOPĀ  –Ā  ESSENTIAL COTTON STRETCH SHORTS

Hereā€™s the same top tucked in with the cotton essential shorts. I very seldom wear shorts but these could change that. They’re super comfy and will be very cool on hot days. They’re available in navy or white in misses, petite, and women’s, 02-18. The fabric is cotton/rayon/spandex with lots of stretch for comfort. The website says they run small but I didn’t find that. I’m wearing a 4 regular and like the Bermuda length on me. They have a front zip and belt loops so you could belt them and wear them with a linen blazer if you wanted to go full-on preppy.

 

woman showing two looks from the j. jill spring capsule collection
WEARING – RIBBED CARDIGANĀ  –Ā  SUPIMA TEEĀ  –Ā  PURE JILL KNIT CROP JEANS ON LEFTĀ  –Ā  BOYFRIEND JEANS ON RIGHT

This side-by-side is showing the difference between pull-on indigo denim crop jeans and boyfriend jeans. The proportions look very different. One makes my legs look longer and one makes my torso look longer.

The ribbed cardigan comes in six colors, misses, petite, women’s, and tall. This is the most gorgeous soft purple and it also comes in 5 other great colors. It’s a cotton blend so hangs very nicely. I am wearing a small petite which feels just right so it runs TTS.

The Supima tee has a relaxed fit, dropped shoulders with a boat neck are all challenges for my body shape which broke my heart because I love this color and the fabric feels so soft! It comes in misses, petite, and womens in 8 solids and two prints sizes XS-XL.

 

jennifer connolly of a well styled life wearing bermuda shorts and line sweater
WEARING – V-NECK COTTON BLEND SWEATERĀ  –Ā  COTTON SHORTS

This sweater comes in 6 colors, XS-XL, misses, petite, women’s, and tall. I’m wearing a small petite in the color eclipse. It’s super lightweight so you could also tuck this in. I’m wearing a small petite so it runs TTS.

I hope you enjoyed this peek at the J. Jill spring capsule collection.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

47 Comments

  1. You look great in everything, even the shorts. IMO most women can’t carry off wearing shorts. In hot weather I find dresses and skirts much cooler than shorts.

  2. You always look great, but I have to say that I love that maxi dress with the belt on you! The color looks perfect!

  3. I love the embroidered top with the black pants and it looks okay with white pants but I still prefer the black. I like tops that donā€™t need tucking to look good. Usually the ones with a pattern can look just fine untucked on me. Is it on the thinish side? I love the bag too.

    1. It is nice and thin which is why I was able to easily tuck it in. Those pants are navy, BTW.

  4. Lots to see and try, thank you. What is the brand of your crossbody bag!
    I like it.

    1. The crossbody you see on the bench in a Gucci Soho. I love it but it is pricey so I saved several years before I invested in it.

  5. Super helpful post… love the side by side ideas and how you shared style tips! Happy Earth Day!

  6. Denise M Withrow says:

    I love your DRD posts! I am a big J.Jill fan. Thanks for showing us how some of these items look! I look forward to reading your blog!

  7. Like the look of the cropped jeans. What did you think of them on you? I’m the same height and wondered if they would be too wide in the legs. Also what size did you try on in the reg. linen pants?

    1. They’re super comfy. I would wear them with something closer to the body on top like a fitted tee. I tried both the XS and the S regular in the linen and opted for the XS because I know they stretch out with wearing.

  8. Love, love, love these posts…so very helpful. Is there a Soft Surroundings near you? I love some of the clothing in their catalogs but am afraid to order not knowing how their clothing runs. There is no store of theirs anywhere near me. Appreciate you taking the time to do these posts.

    1. No, I don’t have Soft Surroundings anywhere near me, sorry.

  9. Kathy Gray says:

    Cannot understand the love of linen. I know it is good to wear during warm weather, but it wrinkles so much! Not a fan.
    I also find most of J Jillā€™s clothing to just hang on a person, not very flattering,

    1. Luckily there are tons and tons of brands so we have plenty of options.

  10. I especially like the print dress on you and the blue embroidered blouse (which I have purchased). I like some of the offerings from Jill, but find their garments run large. I do have a few items from them in my closet, that I really so like. I recently purchased their high waist, seamed down the front denim jeans.
    Love your blog!

  11. Overall, J Jill’s looks are too covered-up/shapeless for my taste. That said, I noticed the V Back Maxi Dress you’re modeling online. ( There is a very similar V Neck Maxi online, too.) I need a dress for an event this summer. I like the color you show and agree this dress could be dressed up or down with accessories. I’m going to try it this weekend. Hopefully the knit doesn’t show every lump and bump.

    1. Belts are game-changers for a dress like this.

  12. Sandy Hanna says:

    Love your try oneā€™s! J.Jill is one of my favorite stores. The first dress , the t- shirt dress, looks adorable on you. Did anything come home with you? Also, as someone who is wanting a break from skinny jeans, Iā€™m interested in the knit denim crop jeans. Did they have pockets? Iā€™m only 5ā€™1, and sz 12-14. Wondering how unflattering they would be.

    1. They do have pockets in the front that have top stitching. They will be on the long side for you so if you can wear a small platform or wedge it would be a nice balance.

  13. Outfits are so cute. Love the embroidered top, so pretty. Like the untucked look. I just canā€™t get onboard with linen. Gets too wrinkled for my taste . I have owned pieces in the past and after 5 minutes I look like I just stepped out of bed after sleeping all night in the top! Love your DRD and always look forward to them.

    1. Linen is definitely an acquired taste:)

  14. Such a difference in look between peasant blouse untucked vs tucked. One way you’re off to a rock concert, the other way to a more polished occasion. I’m not a big fan of clothing that doesn’t hug my body somewhat. I look and feel slimmer. The linen pants and shirts don’t do much for me because of that. Absolutely love both dresses but sleeves are a problem. At 74, I have skinny, wrinkly arms. I can barely look at them myself…. If they had 3/4 sleeves, I’d snap them both up. I know a cover up would help, but I live in steamy SW Florida so that’s not the answer. Thank you so much for the fashion shows. I look forward to them every day!

    1. I’ll be hunting down more dresses and hopefully will come across some with 3/4 sleeves

  15. Show us more JJill. I love the fit of their garments. Their color palette does seem to run toward softness which tends to wash me out but looks great on you.

  16. The ‘tiered linen top’ looks very tempting to purchase! Love the shorts and both the modeled tops on you, as well as the T-shirt dress. Can see the latter even working with cropped leggings underneath, the v-neck cotton sweater draped over the shoulders with a pair of loafers (or similar) for a relaxed look on a cool or overcast day.
    -Brenda-
    P.S.: A few weeks ago in your Sunday musing email; I think you featured a blue and white striped piece which I believe was a buttoned nightie that resembled a shirt dress? IF so, I am wondering if you have the link for it. (Thank you!)

  17. Thanks for the DRD. The comparison of petite vs. regular in the stretch linen button cuff pants is very helpful. Theyā€™re cute, but wait! No pockets, again?

    1. Lol, I love pockets too!

  18. Thank you for your review from my favorite store! Most of my wardrobe comes from J Jill. I also recommend their stretch linen pants you tried. They are so comfortable. Also, their maxi dresses are favorites of mine. I have only seen the maxi you tried on line and would love to see the pink color to make sure it is actually a soft pink in person before ordering. With my silver hair and fair skin I donā€™t want to look washed out.

    1. They didnā€™t have the pink in store but it looks like a soft rose to me.

  19. Leslie Greaves Radloff says:

    I’ve worn JJill for years. Always feel good about buying there because of company’s mission statement, and fit/ style of clothes. Almost always buy as so using that with a garment in tall let’s me have length for the idea suggested – tunic, or belted without so much bunch on hips. There sales are great too. Clothes for grown-ups without dowdy.

  20. Hope you purchased both dresses because they look so good on you! Great idea to belt the tee-shirt dress.

  21. I always look forward to your DRD. It helps so much to see the clothes on you instead of just looking through a catalog. I like your choices today. Thanks for doing this. I’m still not able to get out much yet.

    1. Their catalog wasnā€™t inspiring at all so I was pleasantly surprised when I put things on.

      1. I just ordered the embroidered linen top after seeing it on you. I’ve been looking at it for a while, but you decided for me! Thanks again for your DRD!

  22. Hi Jennifer,
    Would you say that you are a petite inverted triangle in body shape?
    Love your blog!!!!!!!

    1. Yes, I sure am but I buy many garments in the regular department because of my long torso.

  23. Really like the boyfriend jeans on you. Also liked some of the tops but I wonder if the petite sizes run big?

    1. I think a few did but it was mostly based on the shape of the garment.

  24. Really enjoyed this post! Thank you! I love the cuffed jeans and both of the T-shirt dresses!

    1. I love my cuffed jeansā¤ļøā¤ļø

  25. You chose some beautiful outfits. All classy and look wonderful on you.
    This is my favorite time of the week.
    And your hair looks great.
    Thanks for show off the newest styles. šŸ‘Œ

    1. I’m so glad you like them, I do too

  26. Great reviews! I also recommend JJill’s Linen Mixed-Media Tunic. I bought it in “peach blossom,” and it looks and feels great! It’s 30% off right now, so I may get another color.

    1. Thanks for the suggestion!!

    2. Iā€™ve looked several times at that Linen Mixed-Media Tunic! I do love the peach blossom and the grey in that top. I better act soon before my size is gone! This tunic would mix well with my existing summer wardrobe. Thanks for drawing attention to it Tricia!

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