J.Crew Petite Coats Review: Colletta vs. Lady Day Double Cloth

After my last successful experience with the J.Crew Lady Day coat, I became infinitely more interested in their Colletta coat. On the model, Colletta looks more feminine and flattering, with a shirred waistband and flouncier skirt. When the Thinsulate in orange went on sale for $130, I jumped at the chance to try it on:

J.Crew Colletta Double Cloth Coat in 0P, Torch Orange

Forever 21 $3.50 tights in gray one-size (buy here)

Tory Burch Reptile Reva Flats sz 5

And here shown with the collar folded down:

J.Crew Colletta Double Cloth Coat in 0P (left) vs. Lady Day Double Cloth Coat in 0P (right)

Immediately you will notice that the Colletta is shorter than the Lady Day. I thought that a shorter length would be more flattering on a short gal (for new readers, I am just under 5 feet tall), but the photos above say otherwise. The Colletta almost feels like a child's coat on me - short and wide and flared.

J.Crew Colletta Double Cloth Coat in 0P (left) vs. Lady Day Double Cloth Coat in 0P (right)

An issue I have with both coats is the high placement of the "waistband." It is nearing empire waist territory which I try to avoid for the youthful n' pregnant effect. The Lady Day (right) drapes closer to the body, but the shirred waist on the Colletta (left) exacerbates the empire effect.

From the back, the Colletta waistband looks lower-placed, but that is an illusion created by my longer hair and the shorter overall coat length:

J.Crew Colletta Double Cloth Coat in 0P (left) vs. Lady Day Double Cloth Coat in 0P (right)

In my rush to return the Colletta I forgot to take measurements, but the Lady Day in a 0P measures: 14.5" across the shoulders, 17" across the armpits, 14" across the waist band, 33" total length, and 21" sleeve length. The Colletta has the same exact shoulders/sleeves/chest measurements, but is wider and shorter starting under the bust and below.

Verdict: The Colletta may be better suited for women with curvier hips to fill out the shirred, flouncy skirt. On shorter women, the Lady Day may have a more elongating and slimming effect. The waistband placement on both jackets is high, so petites with longer torsos may want to opt for the regular sizing.

Readers - did any of you purchase either jacket above? If so, please share your experiences and post a link if you took photos.

American Eagle Jeggings Review in sz 00

I purchased these AE jeggings a while back during a sale for $32, and was initially excited about how they fit and felt. After some thorough nitpicking, I decided to send them back and instead bought the Gap Legging Jeans in 00P, which I now love love love. Since these photos were already taken, I figured I'd share my thoughts anyways:

Jeans: American Eagle jeggings in "Dark Indigo" sz 00

Jacket: Lucca Couture sz XS

Heels: Marc Fisher, thrifted

Continue reading for my review...

What I liked: 

- the weight of the denim. These shouldn't even be called "jeggings" ... more so "very stretchy jeans"

- The dark wash of the denim

- The fit in the waist and hips (12.5" across the waist and 15.5" across the hips)

What I didn't like:

- The non-petite length (30" inseam)

- The AE signature embroidery on the back pockets

- The low rise (6.25"). Refer to pics below on how low the rise is. Butt crack galore when bending over!

Verdict: Return. However, for someone who doesn't mind a low rise plus contrast stitching on the back pockets, these are not bad. The fit was very decent plus the material was sturdy and comfy...not at all flimsy like leggings.

More funky fit...note the itty bitty gap above by my crotch. Probably means the thighs are too tight. I know a reader (Bella) mentioned she was going to order the AE jeggings in sz 14 - if so I'd be interested in hearing how they fit. If anyone else ended up getting these, I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.

The Gap Legging Jeans I ended up ordering in 00P, "faded dark wash" provided a solution to all of the above complaints. I paid about $50 for them which is pretty expensive, but I think they are worth the premium over the pictured AE's. *However* the color of the Gap's are a little more medium blue than true dark. Keep an eye out for those later : )

Summer Work Outfit Giveaway Entries - Please Vote!

**Voting is now closed (but feel free to still comment!)**

Took me hours to upload these, but it was so worth the effort. Everyone looks fantastic!! Thank you ladies SO much for participating, and thanks again to LOFT for the prizes. I am having the voting be informal, because I wanted this to be more interactive and fun, and less competitive.

I'll just start things off with an old pic of my most favorite summer dress ever. It's from the Banana Republic outlet, and fit perfect right off the rack! More pics later : )

Dress: Banana Republic Factory Store, sz 00P

Pumps: Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps in snakeskin, sz 5

Without further adieu, click "Coninue Reading" for the contest entries in alphabetical order...

Click photos to enlarge!

1. AM of Aspiring Minimalist 5'3," Field: Construction  

Dress: Le Chateau size S, Cardigan: Costa Blanca size S, Shoes: Clarks size 7, Bag: Roots

2. Amanda 5'2," 120lbs, Field: PhD student

Jacket: Ann Taylor, Skirt: Banana Republic, Shirt: NY&Company, Shoes: Payless

3. Anni 4'10," Field: Museum archivist intern

4'10"  Dress: JCPenny petites, Necklace: H&M, Shoes: Cinderella of Boston sz 4.5

4. Callandra - 5'1" 97 lb, Field: Accounting  

Cardigan: F21 XS, Silk Blouse: Banana Republic XS, Cropped Cigarette Pants: BR 00P, Scarf: Martin&Osa, Bag; Loeffler Randall, Pumps: Nine West sz 6

5. Catherine - 5'1," Field: Medicine

Skirt: Anthropologie Odille sz 0,  Shirt: HM, Belt: Michael Kors, Shoes: Ann Taylor perfect pumps, Bracelets: H&M, Necklace: Banana Republic, Purse: Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Mini

6. Elaine of Curls and Pearls, 5'1" 

T op: Smart Set XS(Canadian), Vest: Mexx US size 2, Pants: BR sz 0P, Shoes:  BCBGirls, Necklace: Birks

7. Elle from ElleandIsh 5'1," 100 lbs, Field of work: Engineering
Top:  Club Monaco, Skirt:  Forever 21, Shoes: Lanvin, Bangle: Coach

8. Eva 5'0," 94 lbs, Field: special ed. teaching

Dress: H&M sz 2, Flats: Fendi sz 6

...so I know the rules were no "non-contest" photos and no casual wear, but Eva wrote to me and said she couldn't try on work outfits due to injuries from being attacked by one of her students. She said she loved the blog and asked to participate anyways ... how could I say no? Look at that smile : )

9. Janice(#1) of Coastalpolitan, 5'2," Field: Finance

Top: Club Monaco XS, Skirt: Banana Republic 00P, Belt: Club Monaco XS, Cardigan: Nordstrom BP sz S

10. Janice(#2) of Couture and Crayons, 5'1," 110lbs, Field: mom and entrepreneur

Top: LOFT (s), Belt: LOFT (xs), Shorts: Banana Republic (Petite 00), Shoes: BR, Necklace: Target

11. Janine of A Petite Diva 4'11," 110lbs, Field: accounting

Blazer: Worthington Petite sz 2P, Tank: Target S, Skirt: Bebe sz 0,  Shoes: Aldo Stalcup sz 36

12. Jessica 5'3," 95lbs, Field: Accounting

Blouse: J.Crew Annalise 0P (sides taken in), Belt: J.Crew satin skinny XS, Necklaces: J.Crew, Skirt: Banana Republic 00p (sides taken in), Shoes: Banana Republic Jackie pump

13. Jessy from Little Dust Princess  Field: tutor

Bow T: F21 sz S, Harem pants: Charlotte Russe XS, Studded Heels: Zara, Purse: Holt Renfrew

14. Keshia, 4'11,"  Field: Accounting

Dress: Ann Taylor (sold here), Belt: Ann Taylor (sold here), Cardi: F21, Shoes: Bandolino

15. Khatu of I am Khatu  Field: Finance

American Apparel Trousers(XS), Arden B Shirt(XS), Burberry Shoes (35), Ralph Lauren Belt(XS)

16. Love n Salt  5'2," 103lbs, Field: Accounting
Jacket: Express XS, Top: Ann Taylor XSP, Skirt: Banana Republic 00P, Heels: Steve Madden sz 6

17.  LovesCardigans  5'1, 90 lbs, Field: Medicine (but no lab jackets required!)

Jacket: Juicy Couture sz petite, Blouse: Theory sz petite, Skirt: Phillip Lim sz 2 Shoes: Ports sz 5 & Loeffler Randall sz 5.5, Bag: LV Speedy 30

18. Petite Little Girl  5'2," 97lbs, Field: IT

Pencil Skirt: Bebe sz 0, Blouse: H&M sz 2, Cami: F21 S

19. PetiteXXS   5'0," 80lbs, Field: medical

Dress: LOFT in XXSP, Cardigan: American Eagle in XXS, Shoes: BR Jacky Platform Pump in 5.5

20. Ping from All About Fashion Stuff  5'2," 95lbs 

Top: H&M sz XS, Skirt sz XS (from a local boutique), Pumps: Jessica Simpson sz 5.5, Cardi: Zara XS

21. ReallyPetite  5'0" 90lbs, Field: entrepreneur

Blazer: H&M sz 2, Shell: Banana Republic PXXS, Skirt: Bebe sz 00, Shoes: Tory Burch Angela sz 5

22. Sahara from Mix and Match by Sahara, 5'4," Field: Tech

Skirt: Banana Republic Factory sz 0, Shoes: Michael Kors

23. StylePint from Pint-Size Musings,  5'1," 30-24-33

Top: Madewell sz XS, Skirt: DIY silk bubble skirt, Cardigan: Artizia XXS, Shoes: Aldo, Belt: Urban Outfitters S, Necklace/Earrings: Forever 21

24. Thifa of Student Kitchen, 5'1"

Skirt: H&M, Blouse: H&M

25. Vana 5'0," 105lbs, Field: Legal non-profit

 Long Cardi: New York & Co., Eyelet dress: Urban Outfitters pins & needles, Pumps: Nine West

26. Vicky of VickysDailyFashion Field: Tech/Engineering

Top: F21 szS, Skirt: BR sz 00P, Jewelry: Swarovski & Express, Heels: Kenneth Cole sz 6, Bag: Coach

27. Yvonne from SimplyYvonne   Field: Graphic Design

Blouse: Dillards, Skirt: NY & Co, Shoes: Madden Girl

And...that's it (please, please let me know if I left someone or something out)! I hope you guys show these ladies your support, even if you're one of the participants yourself.

Please vote by stating in your comment: "My favorite two entries are  ____ (include # & name)"  This will help distinguish actual votes from general nice comments : ) 

Update: Comments will be moderated to one vote per reader or IP address. And please, no spammy links.