review: j.crew keeper chambray shirt versus j.crew always chambray shirt

I purchased the J.Crew Keeper chambray shirt almost two years ago, and it is without a doubt the most worn shirt in my closet - I wore it all. the. time. It was comfortable, it went with everything, and it was just all around the perfect shirt...until it ripped (even then, I still wore it around the house. shhh, don't tell anyone). While the Keeper chambray shirt was a long time J.Crew staple, it turns out they have replaced it with the Always chambray shirt. Since I was such a fan of the original, I purchased its replacement during a recent 30% off sale. Here are the similarities and differences between the two. 

Keeper chambray || Always chambray

Similarities: Both are 100% cotton, which is very important when it comes to picking the comfiest shirt in your closet! I assume that sizing is very similar between the two - I can't say this with certainty as my Keeper chambray is a size 12 and my Always chambray is a 10Tall (more discussions of that below), but according to the measurements online, both regular sizes come in at the same body length of 27 1/4. If you have the Keeper in a size that you like, I'd advise going with the same size for the Always chambray.

Differences: The most immediate difference is in the color of the shirts. Both are portrayed brighter online than they are in real life, but I assumed they would be similar. Granted, my Keeper chambray has gone through the wash many many times, so some of the color differences is due to fading, but even the online version of the Always chambray is much lighter than the real life version. I personally prefer the slightly lighter coloring, so I'm hoping that the Always chambray will fade a bit with time as well. Another big obvious difference is that the Keeper chambray had two pockets with buttons on the chest, while the Always chambray only has one button-less pocket. While I like the look of the buttons for the most part, the fabric tends to get a bit wrinkly and distorted (as you can see above), and it also puts a limit on layering it under sweaters (the button placement just makes you look...chilly, if you know what I mean). So points for the Always, as it requires less maintenance and is more versatile. The Keeper also had buttons on the sleeve (which I never used), which the Always does not. 

I wanted to also just show you how the tall sizing looks on me here - I'm 5'9'', so I don't always need tall sizing, but appreciate the option if it's available. Since I always felt that my Keeper chambray was just a tiny bit too short on me, I opted to go with the tall sizing, one size down for the Always chambray - I typically order one size down when I buy something in talls, as I find that talls generally run larger overall. I do prefer the tall sizing here - it's two inches longer in the waist (29 inches instead of 27), which I really like (I think it looks more proportional, don't you?). If you have longer arms, you'll appreciate the longer length of the sleeves as well - I always roll my sleeves up though, so this wasn't a big deal for me. I also think the waist comes in at my natural waist as opposed to a little too high. 

Overall, I'm very pleased with the Always chambray, so if you've had your eye on it, get it so we can be twins :)

knowing when to let go

No, this post will not be about knowing when to let go of a boyfriend, although trust, I could write a whole book about that topic ;) Instead, it's going to be about letting go of a piece of clothing. Not nearly as scandalous to write about it but maybe a bit more applicable to this here style blog.

So I bought this striped skirt two years. It was soon after I found out I got into school, and I was really excited to get out of my lab clothes and into more "fun" clothes (jokes on me now, I miss those jean days!). I found this skirt on a sales rack at Banana Republic, and bought it in preparation for school. Well, school came, and I found myself never reaching for this skirt. I never really thought about why, until I was doing a bit of closet rearranging the other day and tried to make an outfit around it. The biggest issue for me is that it's actually a navy + cream combo, and that means it restricts what I can wear with it. I would much prefer it to be black and white, because it means I could mix and match it with so many more of the tops in my closet. It is also too large on me. But I still like it enough, so I paired it with my favorite chambray top and cognac wedges, and went on with my day. Turns out, chambray goes with just about everything.

So I have this skirt that in theory I should like (hello, stripes) but in reality I don't. The thing is, I would like to own a striped pencil skirt because I could see it being pretty versatile, but I would never go and buy a new one because I already own one, although it's one I don't really wear because it's not what I want. So the issue is - do I keep a skirt that is fine, there's nothing really wrong with it, or do I get rid of it and move on?

I've had a lot of people ask me how to do a closet clean up. Between the time I found out I got into school and before I moved two years ago, I got rid of a lot of clothes in my closet. It was right around the time that I was getting better about figuring out what worked on my body, what I wanted in my closet, and what I didn't, and so I got rid of the clothes I had accumulated over the seven years I lived in Madison. Over the past two years, I have really honed in on my style, and realized that works for my dress code and what doesn't. I've held on to quite a few pieces over the last two years that I bought before I started school because I thought they would work in my current lifestyle, but I realize now that I never ever reach for them. With another move coming up, I've been slowly working my way back through my closet. There's definitely certain items that are easier to let go - ones I haven't touched since moving, or ones that just aren't as nice as they once were. I've either passed them on to friends/family members, sent them in to ThredUp, or donated them. 

The harder pieces are ones that you just don't wear as often although there is nothing really wrong with them. I have a really hard time letting go of those pieces. I paid good money for them, I should make it work somehow! But because I have clothes I like a lot more, I wear those instead, and occasional try to make something work that I'm just not as excited about. So when a closet clean up comes around, and I come across something that I haven't worn in a while, I try to make it work. I tried this skirt with three or four shirts before I found one where the colors worked together, and a belt that kept the skirt from falling off. While I like this particular outfit, I don't think that getting dressed should be such a hassle. I've spent years trying to build a closet with clothes I'm excited to wear, so holding on to something because I paid $20 for it two years ago is not a good enough reason to have it take up a hanger. 

So to wrap up this novella about a striped skirt....I'm selling the skirt. I know that once it is gone, I won't even miss it. And then some day, when I come across a striped skirt that is in the colors that I want, in a size that fits me, I won't feel guilty about buying it. Or I'll never find one I like, and that's okay too. 

What tips do you have for getting rid of those pieces that are fine, but not great? Do you hold on to them in hopes you fall back in love, or get rid of it and move on? 

Chambray: J.Crew [exact]

Skirt: Banana Republic

Belt: Gap [very similar]

Shoes: Frye [exact, some sizes on sale]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact currently 25% off]

midwest is best

You guys know I'm all about the scarves - when you deal with close to six months of winter a year, you learn quickly that a variety of scarves is needed to deal with the constant freezing weather. I was super excited when Kelsey, a fellow Wisconsin girl, reached out to let me know that she had started her own Etsy shop that sells a variety of beautiful home-made scarves and if I'd like to try one out. A homemade scarf made in my favorite city? Yes please.

I went with the Madison Infinity scarf in butterscotch - it is so soft and I love that it's a little bit of home. The butterscotch color is a great addition to my closet since I own very little yellow, but I love the way it works with my favorite chambray shirt and leopard flats (that are currently 30% off!). 

Interested in one of these beautiful scarves for yourself? You can enter the giveaway below (US residents only please), or you can use the code FRANISH15 to get 15% off an order (good through April 15th). 

Scarf: c/o Midwestern Comfort [exact]

Chambray: J.Crew [exact]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [save | exact]

Shoes: Madewell [exact on sale]

Belt: Gap [very similar]

Nails: Essie [exact]

Ring: c/o Rocksbox [use code franishxoxo for 1 month free!]

a Rafflecopter giveaway

how to wear a blanket scarf: for work and for play (+video)

and by work I mean school and by play I mean the library, but really who's counting. Do I feel like a slight blogging cliche by wearing my blanket-like scarf all the time? Yes, but:

Okay but really, I've been loving this scarf and wearing it almost every day - one of my classmates has it too so we are twinning most days :) It's just so dang cozy and comfy and warm. It actually was out of stock for a few days when it first came out, but it's back online now if anyone wanted to pick one up for yourself (or as a Christmas present, which someone told me they did on Instagram, which is so smart!). There's a little video at the bottom of the post showing you how I "tie" my scarf, even though it's not really evening tying it so much as stuffing it together ;)

Shirt: J.Crew [exact]

Scarf: Target [exact]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Belt: Madewell [very similar on sale]

Shoes: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Watch: Michael Kors [exact in rose gold @25% off]

Earrings: eBay [exact]

Bag: Kate Spade [similar]

slight switch for the library in my Boden tee, Gap ponte pants and Sperrys 

september budget

1. Ann Taylor Top: originally $50, on sale for $25
2. Old Navy Sweater Dress: originally $40, on sale for $28
3. J.Crew Chambray: originally $78, on sale for $55
4. J.Crew Factory Skirt: originally $90, on sale for $35
5. Banana Republic Shirt [seen here]: originally $65, on sale for $40
6. Pearl earrings: $6

September budget: $189