J. Jill’s latest collection just dropped last week, so I popped in to try it on. To be honest, I raced in because I spotted some gorgeous new colors that looked exciting for spring. The colors are vibrant, soft, and just plain pretty in this collection.
If you’re new here, a try-on is exactly what it sounds like. I go into a store and style some of their latest collection so readers can see what things look like on a woman over 50 rather than on a young model. I share some sizing tips and styling ideas for how you could wear them. For size reference, I’m 5’4″, which puts me on the cusp of petite. I have broad shoulders and straight hips with few curves. J. Jill carries sizes reg, petite, and some talls in sizes XS-4X. I usually reach for petite first but do shop in all sections for the best fit.
The store was a riot of soft and bright colors for spring. These slim-leg jeans in Iced Mauve caught my attention on the front table. Soft rose is predicted to be a popular color this season, and these come pretty close.
*Sizing info– This regular length has a 29″ inseam, which is too long for me. A narrow leg like this looks better at or slightly above the ankle, so a petite would be a better fit on me with an inseam of 27″.
This sweater seems to have evaporated into thin air off the J. Jill website. They are one of the most frustrating brands to do these try-ons for because they often change the links with no warning.
I had a J. Jill Knit Camp shirt very similar to this one several years ago and found it an invaluable piece in my travel wardrobe. This is a 100% cotton knit that comes in 3 shades and has a lovely amount of stretch, which makes this a very comfy shirt. It runs true to size.
I’m styling it with these wide leg vintage wash jeans. They’re a cotton blend with tencel and spandex, which makes them very soft and comfy. I sized up to an 8P, which has an inseam of 29″. These also come in tall with an inseam of 34.5″. Because the pants have a wide leg, I’d prefer a shorter and slimmer top. These do run true to size, but I sized up for a slouchier fit.
This Knit double-breasted peacoat is very reminiscent of my much more expensive Frank & Eileen Sweatshirt Peacoat. It’s a cotton spandex blend with a stand collar in navy with horn-colored buttons. This classy-looking jacket is cozy and a great weight going forward into spring. This ran large and long on me, so it runs true to size and I need the petite…which seems only available online.
This light magenta sweater is labeled “quiet luxury”, which strikes me as strange because it’s not a neutral. At any rate, it’s a pretty melange of pinks with purple in a cotton blend with a reverse stocking knit stitch that drapes nicely. It has a soft cowl neck and also comes in a fresh light green, which they call banana leaf. I love that this has set-in sleeves, which makes for a slimmer silhouette.
These are the same slim ankle jeans I showed above in Mauve. You can see here how the petite is a much better length for a slim pants. These will be best with a lower flat or sneakers. If it’s still cold where you live, add some fun socks that match the color of your shoe.
This Military Peplum Jacket was displayed prominently in the front of my store. The color is Light Barley. It’s a cotton chino blend with Tencel and woven spandex, so it has a nice stretch. This is not your average chino jacket by a long shot. It has a sassy pleated peplum with a raw hem and gold buttons to give it the military vibe. This ran large on me, so I suspect the petite would be perfect (also only online),
I went for a column of color for this look so the jacket could take center stage. I layered the jacket over the knit camp shirt in cream and added these high rise patch pocket jeans in the light vintage canvas color. These also come in 2 other washes. The leg bottoms of these were cuffed up twice, which I unfolded once. To be honest, I’d prefer pants without cuffs here because the jacket has so much going on. I like the color combo but would prefer these demi boot jeans for a sleeker combination in this outfit.
I was surprised to read this is a Dolman top because it doesn’t have lots of extra fabric under the arm…so I’d describe it as a subtle Dolman. I’m wearing the plum, and it also comes in gray or strawberry pink. The neckline is a slight boatneck shape, which, combined with the subtle dolman, would be flattering on women with narrow shoulders and broader hips. The knit is refined and would layer under things easily. I popped on this border printed scarf in shades of navy and white with tiny pops of the violet color from the sweater. J. Jill always has great scarves each season.
These knit cargo pants in navy blue are super comfy with a pull-on style featuring a faux fly and real belt loops. The fabric is a substantial knit that feels similar to ponte. They call it “an elegant interpretation of a key trend”. I love the elevated look, which will allow more women to try it.
*Fit Tip – the placement of cargo pockets can be problematic for women who carry extra weight in their hips and thighs. I’m not saying this is a bad thing because I believe we should wear what we love. Just know the pocket detail draws the eye, so be sure you’re comfortable with it.
This polo collared shirt is made of waffle knit, cotton blend fabric that is as soft and cozy as your favorite PJs. The colors (3 of them) have a speckled look, which gives it a more relaxed vibe. I’m wearing the violet shade, which has less intensity because of the speckling. I went up a size in the slim jeans here, and I think I prefer the 8P because the legs don’t cling as much as the 6P. Both fit, but it’s a matter of how they drape on my body. They are also a “hair” longer in this size, which I like because I’m on the cusp of petite.
I love this combo of navy peacoat with a colorful scarf and simple denim jeans. It’s a very wearable look you could finish off with some comfy navy loafers, an easy tote bag, and a pair of modern earrings.
What colors are you gravitating to this spring?