Dressing Room Diaries at J. Jill
Happy Friday ladies. I am back in the dressing room today at a store several of you have requested. I want to assure you that I’m being super careful, use copious amounts of hand sanitizer, and always wear my mask. The stores are being very careful to protect us and keeping shoppers far from each other. By request, I’m delighted to see and share what’s new at J.Jill this fall.
If you’re new here, welcome! This is dressing room diaries, where I go into stores and try on garments so you can see how they look on a woman over 25 who wears a size larger than zero. For reference, I am 5’4″ and weigh 145 pounds. I have broad shoulders and straight hips so I usually wear one size larger on top than the bottom. I also have a proportionally long torso and arms.
The lighting is usually dim which makes my picture grainy but you’ll get the idea. J. Jill carries most of their garments in regular, petite, women’s plus, and tall.
I’m a big fan of faux suede so zeroed in on these pants first. They have 5 pocket styling like jeans and come in 3 colors. Taupe is one of my very favorite neutrals so I always have my eye out for cool-toned ones, which this Mocha is. I’m wearing an 8 regular which is a bit big so I ordered the 6. Yes, I did buy these:)
The funnel neck sweater is super soft. It does have a small amount of wool in the blend but is not scratchy at all. I love this soft mink color. I’m wearing the petite medium which fits perfectly so it runs TTS.
Chenille is one of those soft fabrics you just can’t keep your hands off. This is a refined chenille so not as heavy as some. Here’s where the lighting is a problem…I’m wearing this v-neck sweater in the navy. It also comes in a pretty burgundy color called Current. I have on the medium regular. I could have worn the petite but like how this size slouches on me.
These pants are slim legged crops. I chose a regular small which gives me extra length. You could also choose the tall version which has a 3″ longer inseam. I love the side pockets and soft stretchy fabric.
The same sweater as above, in the Pistachio heather. It’s also the same size but appears a bit larger on me because of the way I took the photo. These velour leggings are fantastic! They look like velvet leggings but are a bit thicker. They have tons of spandex so they feel like they’re really holding everything in. I am wearing and bought this medium petite.
**Please know, I do these dressing diaries for you, but I do occasionally find treasures for me:)
This plaid coat is a petite medium. It’s a relaxed shape with dropped shoulders in a Glen plaid. It’s really pretty but the exact wrong shape for me. The round neckline, dropped shoulders and loose shape aren’t flattering on broad shoulders. This would look much better on a woman who is larger through the middle or bottom.
This velvet topper is so pretty! The soft rose shade shimmers when you move. I am wearing a medium petite which fits TTS. It’s a great topper for days when it’s not freezing or just when you’re inside. This is not heavy so don’t expect it to be a warm coat. The website is only showing plus size but my store had plenty so you could phone yours.
Lousy photo, great cardigan! It’s a pretty neutral oatmeal shade that will go with so many things. I am wearing the medium petite so it fits TTS.
Have you shopped at J. Jill lately? They are celebrating 60 years in business!
I love the funnel neck sweater (in both colors you tried on). I’ve had my eye on this sweater since they brought this line out several weeks ago. I’ll be buying it next time they have a sale. Since JJill is my go to place to shop I was happy to see this post. Thank you.
I like the soft looks on you, the mocha pant / taupe top/ navy shoe, look good. I do like soft matte fabrics and suede on myself as well.
Love the Dressing Room Diaries too! You make everything look so good…..thank you. I’m leaning toward the velour slim leg and the faux suede pants– as I just shopped Talbots and Anthropologie for tops and sweaters.
I love that pistachio color. I need to go investigate further.
I am in love with that velvet topper!!!!!!!!!!!❤️
Me too:)
I’ve gotten several sweaters, toppers, tees and knit pants from JIll over the years and all have worn and beautifully.
I so wish there was a store closer than 2 hours away from me. I usually have to try on many pairs of pants or jeans to find the right size at any store and that takes time. I haven’t taken the time at JJill as the hubby is waiting in the car. But I love those faux suede pants! I’m very tempted to order a couple of sizes and send the rest back. I would probably need the tall and they don’t carry them in the store, anyway. I’ll think about it and order through your blog Jennifer, if I decide to go ahead.
Shopping with hubby in the car is always torturous for me, so I totally understand 🙂 I do appreciate your shopping through my links. Thank you so much!
I love the green sweater. I can see where this would get a lot of use in my wardrobe. I usually steer away from turtlenecks or cowls and stick mostly to v neck these days because of an aging neck but I think this would be a good choice for me. You look so pretty in this color.
Thanks, Eve. I love this loose neckline. A scarf would tuck nicely into it as well.
So appreciate your Dressing Room Diaries as know it has to be time consuming on your part. As to the Funnel Neck Sweater, my knee-jerk reaction was due to its boxy ‘n comfort fit I would wear it with leggings, only to scroll down and see you paired it with some. (Great minds think alike …. ha.) Also reading its description I like the blend of its fabric and the fact it is not ribbed. Whereas the chenille outfit I would be more apt to wear lounging around the house. i.e.: Curling up in front of the fireplace during a winter evening.
I completely agree with you. I am a huge fan of cozy these days and chenille is lovely for that.
Love J Jill I will have to go in and see the new collection. Talking about faux suede leggings, I bought a cute pair from Zara for $39.90 last week. Three color ways and they are high waist and the zip stays!!
Happy weekend 🙂
Happy Weekend! See you here tomorrow for would you wear it!!
Love the faux suede pants and the velour leggings (they look super comfy). JJill can be hit or miss with colors for me since I gravitate towards jewel tones. Thanks for showing us some of their latest fashions! So glad that you’re being careful and staying healthy.
I simply love the jewel tones and plan to experiment with them a bit more next year.
I love the look of funnel neck sweaters and have just purchased one in a wine colour. I tried on two sizes and bought the smaller one. The larger one was the same fit as what you are wearing in these photos. This fit looked very boxy on me.
I have a question as to how sweaters should fit. To me, you could have gone down a size, but should you have? I’m quite confused about this.
I love that neutral mink colour you are wearing, but unfortunately when I wear a colour like that you can’t tell the difference between my top, hair and skin!!
I could probably have worn a small in regular because the small petite sleeves would have been too short on me. That’s the exact type of sweater that is easy to size down with.
Thank you Jennifer for showing what Jjill has in person. Knowing I will not be a store this winter your comments are appreciated.
Sue
Jennifer, those faux suede leggings are fabulous on you. I agree, the plaid coat isn’t particularly flattering and is better suited to thicker middle/bottom heavy individuals.
I have a warm/cold relationship with JJill. My closet always sports several of their seasonal items. That said, I find their sizing is never consistent. Some days I can wear a 6, others an 8 and even other days a 10. Some JJill tops I take an XS while other’s are so tiny I need an L. Dresses, well suffice it to say I cannot wear them – tight on the top 1/2; baggy on the bottom 1/2. Never tried their coats. The inconsistency makes it difficult to purchase online as I find I’m returning 3/4 of the time.
All said and done, those faux suede leggings are coming home with me as well. Just can’t figure out if I need a 6 or an 8 regular 🙂
I hear you. It can be such a challenge to buy online.
Today, it is very evident why taupe is one of your favorite colors! This cotton rich, taupe, funnel neck sweater just blends so beautifully with your makeup and hair. What a versatile sweater! I would love to layer it with a vest and add a simple long necklace. I would also wear it with my favorite slim jeans. This is a sweater that I find myself gravitating to, over and over.
Thank you for the fun blog today!
My hair used to be a taupe blonde so it feels right to wear:) It’s getting a lot lighter as the silver threads it’s way in.
I do shop JJill, but sometimes find that their merchandise doesn’t w
\hold up well. Fabrics that pill or don’t last more than a season or two. I mainly shop heir clearance for that reason. I picked up a very lightweight down car coat for a steal last spring and have worn it a lot this fall once the temps dropped. I look but often don’t buy till items I like get marked down.
I’ve enjoyed your blog for a long time and JJill is my favorite store. Thanks for sharing your shopping trip.
Your comments are always so helpful. I find J Jill has wonderful linen tops and puffer coats and jackets.
I’m a long time JJill shopper and love the velvet topper and plaid coat you modeled. However, I moved to Florida from the northeast a few years ago, and it’s never cool enough to wear heavier fabrics. I’ve started wearing a lot of Lilly Pulitzer dresses since they’re colorful and cool, and almost always wear sandals. Do you have any fashion advice for us Floridians? I am over 70, but haven’t given up on looking stylish.
Lily seems perfect for Florida! I do find my style changes with my location. Look for natural fibers only and the looser the better when it’s humid:) Dresses are the perfect option for hot weather.
Elena:
I moved to Florida in 2015 and out went the Northern clothing and shoes, in went breathable, casual and comfort clothing along with open toed sandals. I also like my Lily dresses to wear for running errands and casual lunching with friends.
I found natural fabrics (linen, silk and cotton along with blends with a touch of rayon) the best choices for year round wear. Even light sweaters in these materials work for the colder (uh hem, lower than 75 degrees) days. I love linen and 1/2 my wardrobe consists of clothing made from it. Love that it pops into the washer then dryer and holds up well. I even wear long slacks in linen all summer long 🙂 Most stores carry linen down here. Poetry ( online ) has high quality Floridian weight linen items but I also shop at Nordstrom, Anthropology, JJill, Madewell, Talbots, TJMaxx, Marshalls and even find unworn high quality designer items on Poshmark. For high quality sandals and comfort shoes, try Nordstrom and the Shoe Spa (only in Palm Beach Gardens and online in florida). DSW also has a good selection at great prices.
Hope this helps you some. You will love Florida the longer you live here. No more digging out from under all that snow 😉
PS: IF you click on then purchase straight from Jennifer’s links, you’ll find some special sales and curated outfits as well as keeping this marvelous blog alive.
I have shopped j Jill over time and it’s ok , I do like the velour leggings , finding a long enough tunic is a lot of work at 5’8”, soft surroundings helps me there ,, thanks for these try ons they are always helpful