Best-Of After-Holiday Sales: J.Crew

The
Christmas tree is waiting to be composted, the guest laundry is done, the china
is stored until next year and every last bit of New Year confetti is vacuumed
up.  Time to scour the interweb for the
best post-holiday sales!  This week we’ll
feature our fav sale items from the big retailers. 

Luxuriously Cozy
I love
the timeless look of a fab velvet blazer.  J.Crew gives this old standby a great update
with the Eden
Blazer ($79.99, previously $148.00), which is available in unconventional
color options with ruched patch pockets and a shirred waist.  Pair it with a ribbed tank to dress it down, a
paper-thin turtleneck for a hot librarian look, a slinky cami to sex it up,
fancy pants and opera-length pearls for a party, or I love it in “darkest
midnight” with designer denim and a Dolce
Popover sweater, which, incidentally, is terrific for breastfeeding moms ($49.99, previously 68.00), in spicy olive or pale sand with skinny jeans and riding boots for
daytime wear.  

Spit-Up Defying and Breastfeeding-Friendly
Sweaters
make the winter season worthwhile.  They’re
cozy and delightful, flattering and functional, even more so if they’re subtly
detailed cardis, perfect for the nursing and postpartum mum.  I love the Dream
Cabin Cardigan ($99.99, previously $148.00) for its sliming asymmetrical lines,
exposed zipper detail and bottom-up zipper (perfect for a temporary post-holiday or postpartum pouch).  Try it in
heather fog paired with the Beaded
Marrakesh Tissue Tee ($24.99, previously $39.50) in soft blossom to soften
its motocross vibe and camouflage spit up. 

Military Chic
I know
it’s a bit premature, but I’m over winter, and I’m counting every minute the
days get longer as a blessing.  I’m already
looking forward to strappy sandals, tan shoulders and warm spring showers even
as I watch the dirty snow outside my house melt, collect dirt, freeze, and then
accumulate more dirty snow.  I love a
bright pop of color to snap me out of my winter funk in springtime, which is
why I’m going to wear J.Crew’s Silk
Tiered Cami, a great post-baby belly camouflager, in bright papaya ($29.99) or autumn sun ($39.99, previously
$88.00) with tighten-and-rolled Herringbone
Field Pants ($19.99, previously $69.50) in military green (to mask grass stains) with strappy gold or bronze wedge sandals to my first
springtime birthday party, the zoo and out to lunch with the chics.  If it’s chilly, I might layer with the Dream
Cabin Cardi in navy.  

Better Than a Diaper Bag
In general,
I loathe diaper bags, even pricey designer versions, so instead I opt for large
hand bags that can fit a diaper or two, a thin changing pad, some wipes and a
few snacks (I leave a more robustly-provisioned bag in my car or use a saddle
bag for longer stroller outings).  Triple
bonus points for bags that can be worn cross-body for hands free emergencies,
which are becoming increasingly common as I chase a preschooler whilst carrying
my infant.  J.Crew’s Georgie
Tote ($199.00, previously $278.00) or the large Georgie Satchel (shown right, if you can
find it in-store–it’s sold out online) in pale gold are both terrific options,
and at this price point, it’s difficult to find a better quality metallic
option that doesn’t look cheap.  As you
may know, I still love muted metallics, even several seasons after their
comeback, because they’re great bling and make a killer year-round neutral.

Detailed Tees
Detailed,
tissue-thin tees are where it’s at with layering this year.  They’re perfect for year-round wear, change
the look of your cardigans in a snap and are easy to change and launder in the
likely event of juice and sweet potato puree spills.  Check out the Silk-rose
Tissue Tee ($19.99, previously $36.50), the Perfect-fit Scoopneck
Corsage Tee ($29.99, previously $34.50) and the Slub
Cotton Beaded Starburst Tee ($19.99, previously $36.50).

Happy
New Year, mamas!

– M.