Spring sales roundup – swing trench coat + bold maxi dresses

morning meeting One of my favorite go-to outfits is made up of all basics: the swing trench, skinny trousers, and a gingham button-up. These pieces to me are both timeless and ageless – items which I can easily see myself wearing 10 or 20 years down the road. My trench and shirt from Banana Republic are long sold out, but for anyone interested, I was excited to find very similar pieces at J.Crew and J.Crew Factory:

1. J.Crew Japanese Poplin Swing Trench Coat (in regular, petite, or tall)
25% off everything with SHOPNOW – ends April 14th!
2. J.Crew Factory gingham shirt, 50% off (no code needed, free ship w/ HOPTOPIT)
3. BR Sloan ankle pants, 40% off with code BRGOOD
4. J.Crew Factory Addie loafers (only sz 6 and 6.5 remain)

Shorter length is key for a swing trench – I had to alter mine extensively, but this one conveniently comes in petites! I love both color options and the little details, and pricing seems rather fair for a lined jacket at J.Crew these days. At their factory outlet, everything is currently 50% off with free shipping using code HOPTOIT (ends Monday night) including the classic navy gingham shirt up above. I actually haven’t tried J.Crew Factory petites before, but ordered a few items during this sale: navy striped skirt, leopard belt (+ extra 20% off!), and this chambray shirt as my old one is starting to wear thin. If sizing runs true to J.Crew’s regular store, then the shirt should fit but skirt will need waist alterations. They also have some adorable petite dresses for spring and clearance costume jewelry worth checking out.

LOFT is also having a pretty good sale – use CYBER50 through tomorrow to get 50% off sitewide plus free ship at any price! I love a bold print and think this would look super cute with a solid belt and cropped denim jacket. This sale is also a good opportunity to pick up some jeans online, since so many of the petite cuts/washes are web exclusives.

The popular scalloped lace dress first introduced eons ago (see on me) looks like a signature design that’s here to stay. This spring, both Ann Taylor and LOFT brought back their own versions in a light shade. I haven’t tried on either, so anyone who has…please share thoughts as to how they compare! The AT is pricier but from the photos on zoom, the color and lace on that one look more elegant and better quality than its LOFT counterpart. FYI, mine from 2011 was taken in along both sides – based on the photos and reviews of this year’s versions, my guess is they’ll need similar alterations to achieve a fitted look.

Ann Taylor (40% off w/GOSPRING) vs. LOFT lace dress (50% off + free ship w/CYBER50):

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38 Comments

  1. anny wrote:

    I have a similar trench coat but i dont know what to wear with it. could you do more outfit posts with it??

    Posted 12.1.16 Reply
  2. Serena wrote:

    Ordered and absolutely love the petite bedrock maxi dress from Loft. This is the first maxi dress I own since I'm 5'2 and have always been hesitant about length. I was so pleasantly surprised when it fit me without alterations! Thank you SO much for sharing. PS this is the first time I've commented but your blog has honestly changed my life. Thank you for being such an inspiring and detailed blogger!

    Posted 4.17.15 Reply
  3. Sidney wrote:

    Hi jean. Banana Republic currently has a gingham shirt just like this. There is no petite sizing though. Is your shirt petite?

    Posted 4.16.15 Reply
  4. Fan wrote:

    Jean, thank you for your reply. The trench coat looks very nice on you.
    I am a huge fan of your blog!

    Posted 4.13.15 Reply
  5. Jean wrote:

    Hi Fan! My trench is from Banana Republic and I suggested the J.Crew one as a similar option currently available. I have not yet tried the J.Crew one – the petite sizing is online only.

    Posted 4.12.15 Reply
  6. Jean wrote:

    It was at Argo tea in Chicago : )

    Posted 4.12.15 Reply
  7. Fan wrote:

    Jean, I am interested in the trench coat. Is it running large or true to size. Thanks.

    Posted 4.11.15 Reply
  8. Anonymous wrote:

    Can I ask where you are? Those coffee cups are so pretty!

    Posted 4.10.15 Reply
  9. Kathy :) wrote:

    Came across TC Charton at an optometrist office. Love the frames I ended up getting. Hope it works out for you too 🙂 http://www.tc-charton.com/

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  10. Kathy :) wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  11. Debonita Choudhury wrote:

    Absolutely love the trench coat

    Elegantly Fashionable

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  12. Jean wrote:

    Good to know about both! That probably means the petites length will be heel/wedge-friendly for someone my height.

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  13. Jean wrote:

    Hi there – I bought it off Audio Jungle and it was called Orchestral Advertising : )

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  14. Jean wrote:

    Thanks for sharing your experience on both versions! I agree the fit is a little roomy on their pieces but there some gems worth altering (never regretted doing so for this crochet lace dress I got years ago!).

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  15. Jean wrote:

    Good to know! What a bummer – thanks for the insight on that one.

    Posted 4.9.15 Reply
  16. knightleyemma.com wrote:

    I have the LOFT Bedrock Sweatshirt- it's a BIT cropped BUT looks good on me (5'3," & LP). I already got compliment on 1st wearing!

    Posted 4.8.15 Reply
  17. Helen's Collection Statement Jewelry wrote:

    Love the first look! Chic and professional!

    Thank you for sharing the sale alert too!

    Trendy statement necklaces: http://www.helenscollection.com

    Posted 4.7.15 Reply
  18. THEDASHINGRIDER wrote:

    super cool look. the jacket is so stunning!
    x fiona THEDASHINGRIDER.com

    Posted 4.7.15 Reply
  19. Soprano2 wrote:

    I found that The Limited also has a black checked shirt in petite, the sale price appears to be 40% off regular. http://www.thelimited.com/product/gingham-shirt/4526159.html?dwvar_4526159_colorCode=175&prefn1;=saleStatus&ppid;=c68&start;=68&cgid;=womens-tops&prefv1;=regular I have a blue one from there that I got on sale a couple of years ago, I love it!

    Posted 4.7.15 Reply
  20. Anonymous wrote:

    Hi Jean! Can you tell me what music you used in your scarf video? Thanks 🙂

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  21. Alice wrote:

    Love this quick post and the casual look!

    xo, Alice / House of Inconnue
    The Blog || The Shop

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  22. Caitlin Morton wrote:

    I love that first look! It is so professional, classy and stylish! I love that look! Xo

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  23. Anonymous wrote:

    Love your jacket.

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  24. Cindy Chan wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  25. ilfaith wrote:

    I tried on both of the Loft maxi dresses. The bold "Bedrock" dress was a little overwhelming…but I ended up buying the Ikat print maxi. It's not as low cut as it appears in the photos, and I liked that I could wear it with a regular bra. I am a shade below 5'3" and just under 100 pounds and the 00P fit perfectly. The length was such that I could wear it with flat sandals…I think it would seem too short for me with much of a heel.

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  26. mybeautrip wrote:

    Love your look…specially the flats!
    xxx

    http://www.mybeautrip.com

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  27. tailoredandtrue wrote:

    Love this simple outfit in the first photo! Gorgeous!

    http://www.tailoredandtrue.wordpress.com

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  28. Anna wrote:

    absolutely in love with your shirt!! I'm obsessed with B&W; gingham at the moment <3

    https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  29. One Stiletto At A Time wrote:

    Love the animal print flats! Very chic

    XoXo One Stiletto At A Time

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  30. Jeanne wrote:

    Love your flats!
    ♥♥♥
    Jeanne
    http://fashionmusingsdiary.com

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  31. Miriam Henderson wrote:

    I love gingham shirt and trench coats in spring!
    X
    Miri

    http://currentlywearing.com

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  32. Joyce TeawithMD wrote:

    I like the black gingham shirt from jcrew! Backordered until July, just FYI. Also Jess from WhatJessWore.com has a great review of both sleeveless lace dresses from Loft and AT. I like that the one from Loft this year has a blue lining but it runs big on me.

    As always, cute picks!

    XO
    Joyce
    http://www.teawithmd.com
    A dermatologist's guide to health & beauty!

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  33. obsessnconfess wrote:

    I tried on both the AT and LOFT dresses. Both of them run a bit large however the AT version is definitely a better material if you're up for the alterations (I tried the 00P in both styles). I find LOFT and AT tend to fit larger for their dresses although I did find that the petite floral eyelet dress from AT fit me perfectly. I think for someone as petite as you it might still run large but it's an interesting texture and I personally love the fit. Now I'm just anxiously waiting for the weather to get warmer so I can wear it out 🙂

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  34. Sasa Zoe wrote:

    Love the lace dress:P

    Shall We Sasa

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  35. Fun Fashion Mix wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  36. reshma wrote:

    I always look forward to your sales post because I get so overwhelmed with all the sales, but you really help narrow down some great pieces! I actually ordered this scalloped lace dress from Loft already. I came in a few days ago and sadly I was a bit disappointed. I wasn't a huge fan over the material, it was a bit thicker for my liking and the sizing was a bit off for me. It is a beautiful alternative to the pricier AT dress, I agree… but it just wasn't for me 🙁

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  37. Dorigamii wrote:

    I need that gingham shirt in my life!

    http://www.dorigamii.blogspot.com

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply
  38. Diana wrote:

    Lovely post!!
    || D I A N A ||
    http://www.TheNeonFactor.com

    Posted 4.6.15 Reply

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