Dressing Room Diary: New Cool-Toned Colors At J. Jill

Color has been on my mind lately, so when I spied some fresh new cool-toned colors at J. Jill, I went in to try some on. This collection is not brand spanking new, but it is to me, so I hope you see some pieces that interest you.

If you’re new here, welcome. A dressing room diary is when I go into a local store for a try-on session to see what’s new and show you how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5’4″ and weigh around 139 lbs. I have broad shoulders with straight hips, a long torso, and long arms. I often buy one size larger on top. You’ll see me try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me because I want you to see what’s in the stores and get some styling ideas. I will tell you what sizes I am wearing to help you understand how things run.

J. Jill has streamlined its sizing so that every style is available as regular in sizes XS-4X. Petite and tall are still available in some popular styles, and all sizes are priced similarly.

This soft, collared sweater grabbed my attention the moment I walked into the store. The color(s) and softness were interesting, but the set in sleeve was what mattered most to me. I’m so used to seeing dropped shoulder everything these days that a set-in sleeve is refreshing. It takes more work and is more costly for brands to make set-in sleeves, but they’re so worth it. This top comes in soft, gray, and midnight blue that you’ll see me styling later on. The fabric is a super soft blend with plenty of spandex, so it’s very stretchy. I’m wearing a petite large, which is to loose in the body, but the sleeves are the right length. The jeans are a high-rise, straight-leg style in this soft gray or a deep blue rinse. These are petite with a 28 1/2-inch inseam.

Here’s that sweater in midnight blue. I am wearing a regular small in this deep blue, and I prefer the fit for me. It’s only a teeny bit longer through the body, but the sleeves are better, the shoulders fit me, and the V is not so deep. I’m wearing it with these french terry pants in the same midnight blue color. They’re so soft and cozy that they feel like jammies. They also come in a pale gray.

This funnel neck sweater has a honeycomb texture that comes in this pale blue or honey color. It’s a boxy shape with dropped shoulders. The description says it’s long enough to wear with leggings, but I disagree. At 26 1/2″ it’s not long enough to cover your backside, which is mandatory with leggings. See also – The Modern Way To Wear Leggings After 50. It’s super soft, fits beautifully, and has turned-up cuffs. I’m wearing it with their new high-rise jean trousers. These also come in white. The inseam on these in regular is 31 1/2″.

Here are the same trouser jeans in petite with an inseam of 29″. I’m wearing them with this pretty v-neck pullover in purple passion. The sweater has dropped shoulders, is slightly cropped and comes in 3 colors. I like the proportions of a shorter top with fuller legs. ‘

Same straight-leg gray jeans I showed above, this time in a regular length which is clearly too long for me. I’m wearing them with a cropped v-neck cardigan in a soft heathered lavender color. It also comes in navy, but I was going for a low-contrast outfit with medium/soft shades. Cropped and short sweaters are perfect with high-rise pants and jeans and a natural for shorter women.

The J. Jill FIT collection has many comfy options in performance fabrics. This fitted drawstring sweatshirt is lightweight enough to wear at any time. I love the interesting stripe details that step it up from a typical striped top. The pants are perfect for yoga, pilates, etc., in a firm, stretchy, moisture-wicking performance fabric that will be great at the gym or yoga studio. These bootcut pants are a great shape to help cover the top of sneakers.

Same gray jeans that I’ve shared above. I am wearing a small petite in this fuzzy tunic which really is long enough to wear over leggings. It’s super soft and cuddly with an overlapping shawl collar in deep peppercorn color. I thought it would feel bulky, but it’s very lightweight.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the petite and the regular-length trouser jeans. The petite just barely covers the top of my shoe. At this length, they would catch on the front and top heel of my shoes when I walked and certainly hike way up when I sit. The regulars are too long for flats, but I bought them to try with my boots which have a 1″ heel.

This zip jacket is from the FIT collection. It’s so soft and lovely. I’d wear it with non-work-out clothes. The quilting is only on the front and back, which cuts way down on any bulk. The pure Jill long-sleeve tee is totally classic and a great wardrobe basic. I’m wearing these with the French Terry full-length pant in navy blue. This fabric is silky smooth, lightweight, and very cozy.

This marled boat neck sweater is the right length to wear with leggings and slim pants. It’s a soft cotton blend that has stretch and will work right into spring. I paired it with these cotton/Tencel/spandex pull-on pants. They come in three colors, and I’m wearing caviar. Because they ran a bit large, I went down to an XS which made them a teeny bit shorter and the right length for me. I added this paisley scarf in the most gorgeous cool-toned blues with navy and off-white. It’s thick enough to wear as a wrap and adds a real statement to your outfit.

Do you gravitate to these types of pants?

Thanks for reading. and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.