J. Crew/Madewell Haul

Disclaimer: I didn't buy this all at one time because I am a poor grad student and that would be insane, but I got all of this in the last month or so, largely on sale (yay!).

Madewell Afternoon Dress, $98 at madewell.com, J. Crew Collection Cashmere Plaited Sweater, $129.99 at jcrew.com: I am a huge fan of dresses like this, that are very simple with classic shapes in comfy fabrics and fun colors.  Why?  Because you can wear them so many ways!  I put a blazer over it and wore it to work, but I can also wear it with a pair of wedges and some fun statement jewelry for a night out, or with a cozy sweater and a pair of boots around for errands.  However, I am the most excited about this sweater.  I've loved this silhouette that J. Crew has been doing in all cashmere for a long time, with the French girl sweatshirt-chic vibe, but those sweaters run about $250.  This one was a magical sale find for $45.  TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS DOWN FROM THE ORIGINAL PRICE.  INSANE.  Granted, pink stripes is not the world's most practical color choice, but it's really cute (and much more neon in person), it's a cozy, flattering fit, and I think I can wear it a ton of ways.

J. Crew Button-front Dress in Linen, $138 at jcrew.com: This is the kind of dress that I saw online and I saw in-store, and I thought it looked kind of blah and dumpy.  But then it was on super sale ($45!), so I tried it on (it also comes in an adorable black and white print that I think is sold out online).  I got this in a 6, as it's a heavy linen blend with no stretch, so it seemed safer to size up.  It's much shorter on me than on the model, and I like to wear it with the top two buttons undone and the sides pushed back so it's more of a v-neck.  What I really like about this dress is that it's really well made--it has a lining, bra keeps, deep pockets, etc--and it has a shape that's pretty universally flattering.  The wide, full skirt would be great for adding the illusion of curves if you have narrower hips but also has lots of room for my ridiculously wide hip bones.  The top fits my chest really well, which is great for me, and the waist is also fairly fitted, which is also great for me.  However if you have a large ribcage, this may not be for you, as the torso is fitted and has no stretch.  My absolute favorite thing about this dress, however, is that it manages to look like something Sophia Loren would have worn while also still being modern.  It's a perfect warm-weather sundress.

J. Crew Drapey Elbow-Sleeve Tee, $39.50 at jcrew.com, J. Crew A-line Ponté Dress, $128 at jcrew.com: I have this weird thing with t-shirts where I accumulate a lot of basic tees, realize I have no blouses or nice tops, end up trading in all my tees for blouses, then realizing I have no tees, and the vicious cycle continues.  I wanted a basic tee to wear with my colorful minis and my legging-pants, and this J. Crew version fits the bill.  It comes in a bunch of colors, was 25% off today, and has a fit that is the perfect combination of slouchy-casual and slightly sexy.  I got this pink dress for work (wohooo unpaid internships) and for $45 as well!  I got it in a 6, and I really like it.  It's a good length, short enough to be flattering but long enough for an office, the v-neck is flattering without being scandalous, and the combination of the fitted waist and a-line skirt is both comfy and flattering.  I just realized that this is the third pink dress I've bought in the last few months.  I have a problem.

Tell me about your shopping adventures!  What have you bought lately?

Images via jcrew.com, madewell.com.