Winter Fashion Try-On Haul: J.Crew, LOFT, Gap Factory & Nordstrom

SIZING NOTES: I’m 5’5″ and I usually wear a small in tops and dresses, a 29 in jeans, and a size 8 shoe. Gifted items are indicated by c/o; everything else I purchased myself.

Emilie Patch-Pocket Sweater Lady Jacket

at J.Crew (S) // long sleeve tee (M) // J.Crew jeans (29)

I saw this outfit on a fellow influencer (I still hate that word) and it looked so good on her. I knew I’d hate it on me, but I kept looking at it, and she made it look so good, I decided to just order it and try it… almost to prove to myself that I was right. Well, I was.

Now, granted, I probably should try this jacket in the medium. It’s definitely too small. And the jeans need to be hemmed. But I don’t think that would make enough of a difference to change my mind. I look like one bit looong rectangle.

It’s just so interesting to me how one person can make an outfit look so chic, and then it totally bombs on another person… and we are even a similar size.

Caslon Stripe Open Front Cardigan

at Nordstrom (S) // long sleeve tee (M) // J.Crew jeans (29)

I thought I’d give these jeans a try with a different top. This Caslon cardigan is a Nordstrom find, and while the mid-thigh length open cardigans are not what I would consider a current look, there’s something about this stripe pattern that appeals to me.

Stripes are trending big time right now, so that helps to update the piece, and I especially like the spaced-out stripe pattern and the navy/ivory color combo as we head into spring. It also comes in the reverse pattern, with thin navy stripes on an ivory background. This cardigan is a soft and comfortable knit, and it runs true to size.

I don’t love the pairing of longer length cardigan with the wide leg jeans, so I changed into the MOTHER Weekender flares and Paul Green lug sole boots.

The boots keep it casual, and the way the flares hug the hips and thighs helps offset the volume in the cardigan, especially with the way it ends right around the narrowest part of my thighs. That draws the eye to that spot rather than my hips or middle the way a shorter cardigan would.

Caslon stripe cardigan (S) // J.Crew tee (M) // MOTHER Weekender (29) // Paul Green boots (8)

Since this cardigan is one I would wear into spring, I thought I’d try it with straight ankle jeans and sneakers.

I also changed from the long sleeve tee into a scoop neck tank. This opens up the chest area, which is more slimming than the crewneck tee; that’s why I usually wear cardigans over scoop neck or v-neck tops.

Caslon stripe cardigan (S) // Splendid tank (M) // MOTHER Dazzler (29) // J.Crew field sneakers (8h)

This is an outfit  I can definitely see myself wearing into the springtime. I like the overall proportions, and it just looks easy, breezy, you know?

I also thought this cardigan might look good with a column of white, so I tried it with white kick flares and the same sneakers, but I don’t care for this denim/shoe combo.

Caslon stripe cardigan (S) // Splendid tank (M) // MOTHER Hustler  (29) // J.Crew field sneakers (8h)

I feel like I need a longer pair of jeans, or a shorter cropped pair if I’m going to go with the flare leg, so I switched into white straight ankle jeans for a more streamlined silhouette.

I mean, it’s okay… but I think it would look better with a loafer or ballet flat of some sort.

Caslon stripe cardigan (S) // Splendid tank (M) // FRAME Le High Straight (29) // J.Crew field sneakers (8h)

So I went back to my closet and pulled out these beige square toe ballet flats. This looks much better to me.

I also think a silver flat would look really nice with this outfit, and bring it even more up to date, since silver shoes are trending right now.

Caslon stripe cardigan (S) // Splendid tank (M) // FRAME Le High Straight (29) // similar Vince flats (8)

And that’s when I remembered these suede loafers had just arrived… I forget why I pulled the blue jeans back on, but I do like them better than the white jeans with the beige flats, for some reason.

Caslon stripe cardigan (S) // Splendid tank (M) // MOTHER Dazzler (29) // Dolce Vita Beny Loafer (8)

VERDICT: I’m keeping the sweater, I think it will come in very handy when I travel to warmer places this winter and as we head into spring here in Philly.

Dolce Vita Beny Loafer

at Nordstrom (8) // Caslon cardigan (S) // MOTHER Dazzler (29)

Not only do I like these loafers with this outfit, I just love them altogether. They are so going to be my go-to dressy-casual flat shoe this spring! They suede on these shoes is ultra soft and thin, the kind that folds under as you slip them on your feet.

I also love the squared-off toe and the piping around the edges. And this color is just so good – super versatile and it blends into my skintone, which elongates the leg and makes them the perfect pairing for light wash denim.

VERDICT: Keeping! In fact, I like these so much, I just ordered the silver pair. Metallics are trending, and I don’t have any silver shoes as of yet.

Caslon Space Dye Open Front Cardigan

at Nordstrom (S) // Splendid tank (M) // MOTHER Dazzler (29) // Dolce Vita loafers (8)

I ordered this cardigan because I liked how it has almost a blazer vibe to it, but with the comfort of a sweater.

The space-dye pattern is kind of fun too, but I think I might like it better if it were a little longer. I feel like it cuts off in an awkward place and draws attention to my hip area, whereas the stripe one above is a more flattering length.

VERDICT: I’m undecided on this one, but it’s probably going back.

Lou & Grey Side Striped Cozy Cotton Terry Sweatshirt & Joggers

sweatshirt at LOFT (S) // joggers at LOFT (S) // P448 sneakers (option (39)

Okay, big transition here to athleisure and matching sweatpants/sweatshirt sets! This fun forest green with the blue and white stripes caught my eye, and I ordered both pieces with Lou & Grey was on sale at LOFT last week.

It’s not as soft on the inside as I was hoping, but I absolutely love the fit, and it’s lightweight enough to carry me over into spring. I also love how it looks with these P448 John sneakers.

VERDICT: Keeping! I think this is so fun and definitely more of a current look than leggings or even the wide leg sweatpants.

I’m not sure exactly where I would wear it, but I can see it being good for travel (maybe topped off with an oversized denim jacket) or for running errands or just hanging out at home when I want to look more put-together than workout gear.

Lou & Grey Luvstretch Wide Leg Pants

at LOFT (S) // Splendid tank (M) // On Cloud sneakers (9)

I’m gearing up for more travel this spring, and I thought these pants might be a nice option to have. They were also part of that Lou & Grey sale at LOFT last week. Unfortunately, the waistband is super right, and I don’t love the silhouette. Plus, they’re almost too long… I really should have them hemmed up a smidge.

Lou & Grey Brushed Back Hoodie

at LOFT (S) // wide leg pants (S) // On Cloud sneakers (9)

This is the “matching top” and it is ironically almost too big, whereas the pants are too small in the waist to be keepers. I feel like it should be more of a cropped fit to offset the volume in the pants.

VERDICT: I’ll be returning both. If you have a larger waist to hip ratio (meaning a small waist compared to your hips) these pants might be worth a try. But I am more of a straight body type these days, and they just weren’t very comfortable.

Lou & Grey Funnel Neck Signaturesoft Drawstring Top

at LOFT // wide leg pants (S) // J.Crew Field Sneakers (8h)

Another Lou & Grey piece, I thought this funnel neck top would be versatile enough to wear with wide leg athletic pants and denim, and I guess it is, but I don’t like the fit.

Here’s how it looks with the MOTHER The Pixie Dazzler and Vince Oasis sneakers…

I’ve learned through trial and error that tops with an elastic waistband like this always create a straight line at the hem. There is no way to really front tuck or adjust it to drape or create a different angle, and that straight line across my middle just makes my middle look even wider than it already is.

It somehow manages to obscure my actual waist, which is a few inches above the hem of the top. All that to say, while this top is super soft, and the color is really nice, it just doesn’t do much for me.

VERDICT: Returning. It’s soft and comfy and cute, but it doesn’t do much for me.

Stripe Ribbed Collared Midi Dress

at LOFT (S) // VEJA Esplar (39)

This is such a cute dress to wear with sneakers or flats this spring!

I know that navy and white stripes for spring is far from groundbreaking, but stripes are really having a fashion moment right now, plus the polo neck collar on this stretchy body-con midi dress look very current. I also love those long contrasting navy cuffs.

All that said, it is not very forgiving when it comes to camouflaging those inevitable lump and pumps. I’m wearing shapewear here, and I’m still not thrilled with how it looks from the rear view, so it’s just a matter of how comfortable you are with how it looks on you.

For me, I would probably feel too self-conscious to wear it out and about, even though it’s super cute, so it’s currently in my return pile.

Relaxed Fleece Half-Zip Sweatshirt & Sweatpants

sweatshirt at Gap Factory (S) // sweatpants at Gap Factory (S)

This is a similar sweatpants/sweatshirt set from Gap Factory. I was drawn to this pretty blue color; again, thinking ahead to spring. I like that you can wear it now and later.

I love the quarter-zip style of the top, and the raglan sleeves are always a bonus for me because they de-emphasize square shoulders. In this case, the waistband of the pants is comfortable, and I like the rather large elastic cuff on the pants too. Plus, pockets!!!

VERDICT: Keeping! I really like the matching sweatpants/sweatshirt idea for athleisure looks this spring.

High Rise Wide-Leg Jeans with Washwell

at Gap Factory (29) // thermal tee

While we’re on Gap Factory finds, I ordered these wide leg cargo jeans to compare to the pricey AG Gatina pair from last week’s try-on haul. I kept them casual with a thermal tee and P448 sneakers… I mean, it’s a young look, but I don’t hate it.

My biggest issue is that these jeans run small. The waist is really tight, so I re-ordered the size 30, but I’m afraid that will make them too long and even wider through the leg.

VERDICT: Undecided. I’ll have to see how I feel when the size 30 comes in.

Sherpa Zip Hoodie

at Gap Factory (S) // thermal tee (M) // cargo jeans (29) // P448 John (39)

I do, however, love this sherapa hoodie! Especially this ivory color. In fact, I love the color combo of this entire outfit. Light neutrals are so fun for later winter/early spring.

This hoodie is cozy and comfy and sporty and on-trend… I even like the gunmetal hardware. It runs true to size, and it also comes in black and camel.

VERDICT: Keeping, for sure! I need to figure out some other ways to wear it, but this outfit (maybe with different jeans) is definitely going into my weekly rotation.

Well, that was pretty short, for one of my try-on hauls! I have a bunch more things waiting to be steamed so I can try them, but with our power outage this week, I didn’t get around to it. I will definitely plan another try-on haul for next Friday.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear if you order any of these pieces and what you think!