For years I have ooh’d and ahh’d over the J.Crew catalog each fall. Even in the years I didn’t buy much, I coveted the layered styling, the amazing color options…I’m talking way back in high school. I used to daydream about working for them, coming up with the intriguing color names for their products, before that was a thing.

As much as I love distressed denim, graphic tees and moto jackets, there’s a preppy side of me that likes to shine through in fall and winter. Give me a good button-down layered under a blazer or sweater any day. Of course, I’ll throw a graphic tee underneath for good measure, but isn’t layering just the epitome of fall fashion? I can’t get enough of it. It creates the thoughtful, interesting and chic look I’m always going for.

Oh Hey, Fall! J.Crew Is Here For All Our Outfit Layering Needs

Try-on sessions are always a gamble, but I knew there would be plenty of tops I loved in my J.Crew order. Their cardigans, sweaters, shirts, and tees are always some of my favorites. The pants and I are a different story and have a history together (one time a pair of jeans literally split on me in the J.Crew dressing room…yeah, funzies,) but their sweaters and tops and jackets (like this sherpa fleece in my photo above) and loungewear…I adore. The sales are always pretty darn good, too! Right now, they’re offering up to 60% off bundle-up styles + an extra 20% off. Use code WARMUP. So, let’s get on with the picks.

The J.Crew Pieces I’m Sure About

(That I Kept Or Wanted to Keep)

1. This Boxy Cardigan

I’ve worn this cardigan almost every day since I tried it on. It’s made out of that softest yarn stuff, and it’s amazing. It’s a fresh shape that I’m digging so much more than a traditional cardigan that hits below my hips. Since I’m on the shorter side, this style is just so much more flattering.

Cropped Cardigan in Supersoft Yarn (s) | Slim Stretch Perfect Shirt (6) | Lavande vintage cotton tee (s) | Dreamy PJ Jogger (s) | Banana Republic Mid Top Sneaker (tts)

Cropped Cardigan in Supersoft Yarn (s) | Slim Stretch Perfect Shirt (6) | Lavande vintage cotton tee (s) | Banana Republic Mid Top Sneaker (tts) | Topshop Black Dad Jeans (30) |

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2. This Cozy Updated Fleece Jacket

This is such a good jacket. It’s cozy and fleecy soft, but it’s so much cuter and more structured than your typical fleece. It’s sporty and casual, but somehow refined and chic. It’s really similar to my The North Face cragmont jacket. I honestly can’t decide which is better. This one is a slightly different ivory color and a little lower in price. Both are amazing finds.

Polartec Sherpa Fleece Jacket (s) | Slim Stretch Perfect Shirt (6) | Banana Republic Mid Top Sneaker (tts)

Madewell Whisper Cotton Striped Tee (s) | J.Crew Vintage Straight Garment dyed Chino (27) | Topshop Black Dad Jeans (30) | J.Crew Pointed toe Sadie Boots (tts)

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3. This Utility Jacket

This jacket is really classic and good. I love the weight…it’s not super-heavy, not super-light. It has a hood, can be cinched at the waist, has great pockets and just all around lovely details. If I wasn’t already heavy on both raincoats and utility jackets over here, I’d be keeping this one. Gosh I am now reconsidering and thinking, “do I need this?” Haha. I love that the length covers your butt but the fit is still not too oversized or overwhelming. It’s super-cute layered over the fleece on the model.

J.Crew Utility Jacket (s) | Slim Stretch Perfect Shirt (6) | Petite Pixie Pant in stretch ponte (PM) | Banana Republic Mid Top Sneaker (tts)

J.Crew Utility Jacket (s) | Petite Pixie Pant in stretch ponte (PM) | | Dreamy PJ Jogger (s) | Banana Republic Mid Top Sneaker (tts)

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4. The Softest Lounge Joggers

These I kept and kept on for the rest of the day. So soft, not too long on my 5’4″ self (joggers are almost always too long!) and just all around cute and comfy. These are fine for wearing out of the house, but not the kind you’d dress up, as they’re too soft and thin (not see-thru, just lightweight.) The hoodie here is in a similar super-soft fabric, but I thought the fit was weird on me. Perhaps size down. It is a great color!

Pullover Hoodie in Cloud Fleece (s) | Dreamy PJ Jogger (s)

Pullover Hoodie in Cloud Fleece (s) | Dreamy PJ Jogger (s)

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5. This Graphic Tee

You know I love graphic tees. My latest roundup is here, and I should have included this one! I love J.Crew tees. They have a cotton blend that just washes and wears beautifully soft, and they’re even that way right off the rack. I’d say these are slightly oversized and have a nice fit. The sleeve length is a bit longer than I love, but perfect for layering, as is this gorgeous color. You can see the sleeve length below in the olive chinos pics! I wore it here how I’ve been wearing it around the house most…barefoot with my fav comfy jeans and the awesomely soft cardigan.

Lavande vintage cotton tee (s) | Cropped Cardigan in Supersoft Yarn (s) | Topshop Black Dad Jeans (30) |

Lavande vintage cotton tee (s) | Cropped Cardigan in Supersoft Yarn (s) | Slim Stretch Perfect Shirt (6) |

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The J.Crew Pieces I’m Not Sure About

1. This Green Sweater Dress

Sweater dresses and I keep trying to be friends, but then I’m just never quite sure how I feel about them. I honestly think it’s because I just rarely have an occasion to wear a dress. BUT, I do love having one on-hand for family gatherings or holidays and something like this one you can easily layer with a cool jacket or beautiful statement coat. I love how the taller boots look with it, too. Sadly, the green is selling out, but it’s still available in black. This one from Aqua at Bloomingdale’s would be a great alternative. So cute and under $70!

J.Crew Ribbed Knit Midi Dress (s) or this similar dress | boots (similar) | AllSaints Balfern moto jacket-on sale! (6) all sizes here | Banana Republic Mid Top Sneaker (tts)

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2. These Olive Green Chinos

First off, yes, these fit amazingly well, and they’re cute and this olive color is great. BUT…I feel like I never grab for a pair of chinos. Granted, I don’t work in an office or somewhere that doesn’t allow jeans, so that’s probably why these are in this category. I also am not sure how I’d style them for fall or winter, versus this more spring-eque styling here. But they’re supes cute with the red and blue tee. (Which is Madewell, not J.Crew, but who’s counting…)

Cropped Cardigan in Supersoft Yarn (s) | Lavande vintage cotton tee (s) | Madewell Whisper cotton tee (s) | J.Crew Vintage Straight Garment dyed Chino (27) | Banana Republic Mid Top Sneaker (tts) | Adidas stan smith mule (on sale!)

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3. These Ponte Pants

OK. These remind me of my issues with J.Crew pants…TOO SMALL. I even sized up to a Medium, granted a Petite Medium, but sheesh. Whew! Tight. The fact that they are black hides some of the tightness here, but otherwise they are great pants! I would probably need to be a Regular Medium, but I would then have to hem them to this perfect length. If you can find your right size, they are thick, stretchy and perfect for (honestly) an upgraded legging you could dress up. They have an actual waistband and zipper at the back so they pass as regular pants. I wish I could speak to the regular sizing, but yeah, the petite runs really small. Oh, and this turtleneck is cute, but I couldn’t decide what I thought about it. SO, it wasn’t a keeper this time, but it fit well and was flattering. It’s navy and tan, but could pass for black stripes.

Cropped Cardigan in Supersoft Yarn (s) | Slim Stretch Perfect Shirt (6) | Petite Pixie Pant in stretch ponte (PM) | Banana Republic Mid Top Sneaker (tts)

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4. This Leopard Blouse

Well, it’s a good thing I didn’t love this because it’s now sold out. I think it just had the wrong proportions and length, and is too light of a fabric for fall (maybe it was a summer item and I failed to notice that?) The print is super-cute but the collar was too precious for me. Where’s my moto jacket??? (This puff sleeve blouse from Free People is cute and similar, if you’re looking for another option, and this one from Bloomie’s is super-cute, too!)

Flutter Sleeve top (s) | Petite Pixie Pant in stretch ponte (PM) | rag n’ bone Maya jeans (29 sized up 2 sizes to fit thighs) | J.Crew Pointed toe Sadie Boots (tts)

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Shop J.Crew Outfit Favorites For Cute Fall Layering

xo,

L

Hey hey from Portland, OR. Would love for you to follow me over on Instagram for all things casual mom-wear, lots of foodie pics and donuts, some kitchen dance parties and some social justice. xo

This one’s for the pinners…