This Brand We’ve Never Once Thought About Buying Is Actually Really Great. Here Are 7 Pieces On Real Women To Prove It.
by The Candidly Team
You know those stores you always just walk past at the mall? Not because there’s something wrong with them necessarily, but your whole life you never set foot in one, so it would never occur to you to do it now. I mean there must have been a reason at some point, right?
Well, that’s our story with J.Crew Factory. We saw it around online but we just scrolled right past. Which is weird considering how much we love J.Crew. I guess we just assumed it must be a worse J.Crew, so why bother?
Welp, turns out we were dead wrong. J.Crew Factory is its own thing. And it’s a very, very good thing for those of us who like to dress chic but not spend a fortune doing it.
If a lifetime of perusing the mall and now scouring online for clothes has taught us anything, it’s that mixing high and low is the hack for making all our Gap and Old Navy and HM clothes look like we spent just as much on them as we did on designer.
And no brand is lending itself to this pursuit better than J.Crew Factory. Of course the prices are amazing. We expected that, but with its classic sensibility, chic cuts, pretty colors, and incredible size range, it blends seamlessly into our existing staples that we spent a little more on and creates an overall look of luxeness (not a word).
We actually took it upon ourselves to style 7 lovely pieces from J.Crew Factory and show them on our own dang bodies just to prove how good this stuff is.
Enough words. Let’s get to the looks.
1. THE “COOL GIRL” BARREL JEANS
WHAT: Barrel-Leg Jean In All-Day Stretch*
We started off skeptical about this trendy denim shape, up until we realized just how flattering they are on legs. Skimming, slimming, elongating - whatever you want to call it. And yet, because they’re spacious, we exist in complete comfort. It’s a sort of visual trickery that brings us real joy as cozy-seeking people who still want to look put together and cool. This pair has suuuuuuch a good, spot-on fit for a great price. They’re better than most designer barrel jeans we’ve tried on.
Major sidenote: They sell a pair of extremely comfy, bow-embroidered jeans you might love if you enjoy being festive for the holidays (as we do).
Price: $64
2. THE PERFECT-FITTING SUEDE SKIRT
WHAT: Faux-Suede A-Line Mini Skirt*
This is such a prime example of J.Crew Factory making pieces that look like you spent WAY more on them than we did. A suede skirt equates to instant fall chicness no matter what we wear it with - a big, old sweater, a plain white tee. But this skirt also fits like a glove. It isn’t too tight but has the cutest, tailored shape that makes you look smooth and sleek from the waist down. We paired them with the most INSANELY COMFORTABLE tall boots* that we did splurge on, because they’re perfection, so the whole look is very luxe, but you’re deeply, deeply comfy.
Price: $49.50
3. THE CHAMBRAY SHIRT THAT LOOKS DESIGNER
Shirt* (gifted) | Pants* | Belt (gifted)* | Similar Shoes* | Bag*
WHAT: Ruffleneck Button-Up Top*
Details are what make classic clothes look original. They’re also what make them look expensive. The ruffle detail on the collar and sleeve of this top do incredible things to elevate your look, even you just throw it on with your go-to black pants. Some of our favorite brands are making shirts with this ruffle detail, but the major downside is they cost 3X as much as we’re remotely willing to spend. This one is perfection and is well in our price range. It comes in other colors and a stripe (that you can bet is in our carts). All of them look great with any jeans we own, but the chambray is the ultimate answer to the weirdly frustrating question of what actually looks good with black pants?
Price: $49
4. THE ELEVATED AND BEYOND COMFY BALLET FLATS
WHAT: Velvety Square Toe Mary Jane Flats*
We’ll start with the bad news - these shoes sell quickly. And given that they’re stunning and statement yet classic and timeless, and don’t cost a small fortune, we get it. So if you can’t get your hands on this exact pair in your size, it’s still worth it to peruse J.Crew Factory’s little, curated shoe shop for something special. Like THIS* or THIS*, for example.
Price: $29.50
5. THE CLASSIC FALL CORDS
WHAT: Corduroy Full-Length Essential Straight Pant*
We need more pants options in the cold-weather months - something that isn’t jeans or just boring work pants. Corduroys are the obvious answer. They’re soft, stretchy, comfy, and make us look we’re starring in a 90s rom-com that stretches through the chilly season. This pair comes in some idyllic fall colors, too.
Price: $64
6. THE COZIEST EVERYDAY SWEATER
WHAT: Crewneck Sweater In Extra Soft Yarn*
This knit crewneck is soft and warm and comes in every color you could desire while costing a third of what most sweaters of this quality do. It’s the only thing we want to reach for in our closet every chilly day of the year. Seriously, there are 3 more colors in our cart as we speak.
Price: $49
7. THE BARN JACKET WE”VE WANTED BUT ALWAYS COSTS TOO MUCH (UNTIL NOW)
WHAT: Field Jacket*
We’ve wanted a barn jacket for a loooong time. Yes, to recreate the English countryside look of our dreams but also because it’s that ideal, not too light and not too heavy layering piece we can slip in and out of throughout the day without ruining our whole outfit as so many dumb, ugly jackets can do. This one makes everything lovelier, and there’s plenty of room to layer it over sweaters and sweatshirts and other cozy pieces.
Price: $79.50
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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