This Brand We’ve Never Once Thought About Buying Is Actually Really Great. Here’s 8 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 and now J.Crew Factory 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.
WHAT: Collared Lady Jacket Cardigan Sweater
A structured ladylike cardi has been missing from our lives, and we didn’t even realize it until we discovered this one. Sort of reminiscent of THIS, aka the sweater moment heard round the world, and is the solution of what to wear with jeans to look one step sharper than a t-shirt. Of course, the best jeans on earth, the only everyday bag we use, the most comfortable boots known to (wo)man, and a leopard belt don’t hurt the situation.
Price: $69
WHAT: Cotton-Blend V-Neck Cardigan Sweater
When you don’t know what to wear, make it monochrome. This sweater is, yes, similar to the above, but this one is more of a classic cardigan. Jhuhjzed with a fancy belt, the most INSANELY COMFORTABLE walking boots you’ll ever wear, and oops, leopard print again, this is one of those fall pieces you just seem to wear every day without thinking about it.
And here it is again with a true monochrome look, with no contrast anywhere, and poof, it’s chic. P.S: if you’ve also been searching for the most comfortable block heels like we were, THESE are the ones.
Price: $39 - $55
Cardi | Similar Skirt | Bag | Boots
WHAT: Cotton-Blend V-Neck Cardigan Sweater
Is this the same sweater as the one above but in white? Yes, yes it is. Because we love it. The length is amazing with everything high waist, which makes legs look longer. Admittedly, the monochrome was completely inspired by our Audie (who you saw above) because it’s such a clever way to look chic and intentional without having to think about it too much. Somehow by matching everything in a neutral hue like tan or cream, you can still look classic without being boring and blending in.
We fully plan to wear this to many a fall and winter soirée but if the white witch look is not for you, we also style it with THIS black blazer (also from J.Crew Factory and totally flawless by the way) and tall black boots, and we’re ready for any evening thing. Black and white is also a very lazy lady’s hack for looking sophisticated.
Price: $39 - $50
WHAT: Cotton-Blend V-Neck Sweater
We recently realized a grey v-neck sweater is essential for the “effortless clean girl I don’t want to look like I’m trying but I always want to look put together” wardrobe. And this one from JCF is a cotton/cashmere blend so you get supreme softness and ZERO itchiness. It fits very true to size so if you like a little bit of slouch for casually half-tucking into incredible wide-leg black pants like we do, go one size up.
Price: $39
WHAT: Striped Button-Shoulder Boatneck Tee
When is a t-shirt not just a t-shirt? When it’s striped for one thing, because suddenly you look refined elegant, and French. This tee also has a slouchy, tuckable fit that’s so easy to wear, and the irresistible buttons on the shoulder elevate any dumb old jeans look. We added white boots for a little extra zhuzh. But the tee is really doing all the work.
Price: $40
WHAT: Lizzie Corduroy High-Rise Wide-Leg Patch-Pocket Pant
Yes. These are pink pants. We didn’t realize we needed pink pants until we got these and started wearing them constantly. They’re stretchy, comfy, wildly flattering, but weirdly feel like house clothes, even though they look structured. We are also clearly in some kind of leopard print fever dream, but once you see those leopard flats with the pink pants, doesn’t it feel right? And you’ll notice we gilded the lily even more with the darling little bandana (JCF has the best bandanas and scarves for such an unbelievable price) and we feel strongly that if you’re bored by your outfit, if you fling a little bandana around your neck, you’ll instantly feel jaunty and cute.
Price: $69.50
WHAT: Belted Straight-Leg Trouser Pant
Our quest to find a non-boring fall work pant that faintly reminds us of Annie Hall is never ending. And these pants are pretty much an outfit unto themselves. So easy to wear and super flattering over curves or a belly pooch. The color is pure fall and the fit means you can toss on any fitted tee or long sleeve shirt or sweater and poof, you’re done.
Price: $47
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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