So I bought a sweater from the children's section of J.Crew, an act I had promised myself that I'd never do, regardless of retailer. For a gal who questions whether or not she should be stepping into a Forever 21, moving even further back on the age bracket may seem a bit ill-advised.
I mean, though technically I can fit into some big kids' clothes doesn't necessarily mean that I should be wearing big kids' clothes, right?
Pros? Kids clothing are usually more wallet-friendly. The sleeve length often fit better for a shortie like myself. And sometimes the styles are a bit more fun.
Cons: Kids clothing can be cut to fit strangely for an adult because - well, dur. The materials often don't feel as nice. And the styles sometimes are a bit too fun.
But I broke my own rule with this sweater because I thought the green pattern was lovely. And though the sleeves are a bit wide, I figure it just makes things easier overall for layering and the chunkier fit will keep me nice and toasty.
Do you ladies ever peruse or shop the kids section? Can you recommend any brand offering kid items for adult tastes? Actually, don't tell me. Actually, tell me.
Sweater: Crewcuts fair isle in emerald (same in men's, sim darker)
Top: C.Wonder boy fit (worn here - sim flannel, sim)
Jeans: Banana Republic outlet (worn here - sim, deal, pricey)
Necklace: GroopDealz (the original, sim pink, blue)
Rings: F21 square set (worn here - sim)
Boots: Frye jane (worn here - sim, steal)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Last chance to enter my Blue Nile giveaway - ends tonight! (And a winner for the JollyChic.com giveaway will be announced in a few days - thanks to all who entered).
I have a few items from Gap Kids and Zara Kids... agree with your assessment about the fit, but once in a while you come across something nice like the green sweater you got. :D
ReplyDeleteChoo Choo
http://choochooli.blogspot.com
I buy crewcuts all of the time, especially in shoes since they fit my small feet much better. I don't have any problem with it whatsoever since many crewcuts items are smaller versions of the adult {ballet flats, McAlaster Boots etc.) That being said, I do avoid the pom poms and glitter but why not buy a boy's puffer jacket which is almost identical to the adults if it fits better? I buy a lot of junior size clothes for the same reason although mostly for just basic items.
ReplyDeleteHi. That sweater is super cute on you and doesn't look child-like at all! I'm going to start checking out the boys section! For fit comparison - what is your J Crew women's sweater size and what size did you get in the boy's sweater?
ReplyDeleteHi BCG - I usually wear a XS/S/2 in J.Crew women's and got this sweater in a boy's 14, though if I wasn't layering I'd likely fit the size 12 too. I think the boys are cute larger than the girls' sizes. HTH!
DeleteMy sister is under 5 feet and she often shops the kids' section for basics. Things like T-shirts and her Speedo bathing suit. Why not, everything's cheaper! I think basics are fine, this sweater doesn't scream kid either. Also, I want your necklace.
ReplyDeletethe sweater looks so cute on you. I have bought from kids' section before and I have to agree with you that the cut is a bit different from adults'. I bought from Abercrombie kids and even though it looks fine, I just find the sweaters way too short and snug.
ReplyDeleteHey, there's nothing wrong with shopping at the kids' section. I would. The styles are sometimes much cuter than adult's, I find (but not too twee or anything.)
ReplyDeleteJohnnie B shoes as they go up to 42 I think. I'm a 39 so they fit me fine. I don't tend to look at their clothing though and I don't shop kids ranges elsewhere for me. Your new jumper looks great, no one would know it was from a juniors range, it doesn't look any different than something you'd find in the adult section!
ReplyDeleteI keep forgetting to check Johnnie B - it's their teen line, isn't it, so sizing should be more lenient for us non-kids!
DeleteI love that sweater and wish that I could fit into it! Who cares where it comes from as long as it fits you and your style. Lately I have seen a few fun holiday pieces in the Target girl section that I wish I could fit into or find in the adult section. Love this look!
ReplyDeleteThis looks great and if you can wear it you might as well :)
ReplyDeleteThe pattern on that sweater surely made breaking your rule worth it. The sweater pairs so well with that shirt too. Magical combo!
ReplyDeleteCute sweater!! I haven't been able to shop in the kids section for....oh goodness, since I was a kid. I'm too tall and too busty with too long of arms. Sigh.
ReplyDeletexox
I shop the kids sections ALL the time! You have been missing out! I love the kids sections at Target and H&M.
ReplyDelete-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
December Group Giveaway!
Love the sweater and shirt combo, and the necklace pulls everything together!
ReplyDeletexx, Anita
The Daily Melon
I'm jealous! I've always wanted to shop in the kids section but nothing would fit right over my girls. (A not-too-bad problem to have, I suppose.) I had a friend who worked at Abercrombie & Fitch & she'd shop their kids store all the time since the clothes were so much cheaper.
ReplyDeleteI think you look great and I would NEVER guess this is a boy's sweater. Call me sexist but, I honestly can't imagine dressing my boy in that!
Hey, I'd like to have your "problem" ha! ;o)
Deleteha- I love shopping the kids sections! I always make a tour of crewcuts when making my purchases from J crew (plus the kids stuff is always free shipping, so if something really doesn't work it's not so bad.) Great sweater, and it doesn't look kiddy or ill-fitting!
ReplyDeleteI love your look with all the vests and plaids and fairisles recently- such good winter style!
Good point, free ship in Crewcuts, need to remember that!
DeleteHi Lisa, I hear ya! I lot of time kid's clothing looks like kid's clothing...it's loose and shapeless...but that sweater fits fantastically! The pattern is also super cute. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteMerrie @ www.PetiteCareerGirl.com
I could never fit in the children's clothes, but I'm jealous that you can, it opens up a whole lot more shopping possibilities! And I don't think you need to worry about it, because I would have had no idea this was from the kids' section!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you bought it. I love the colours and the design.
ReplyDeleteI have tried in vain to fit into some large boys sweaters. The boobs don't do well.
This one looks like it fits you perfectly.
#jealous
bisous
Suzanne
Yeah, I don't have much of a boob issue to "worry" about, haha.
DeleteI have shopped the girls' section and even at 5'10", I can fit into some of these clothes, which I find rather sad because I think it's a reflection with how overweight and obese children have become. I've never purchased any girls' clothing because it is always too boxy for my taste but I have purchased teen clothing....even in my 40's. But I say "Go for it" if you find something you like in the girls' section. My boyfriend has no problem buying Women's Adidas pants and jackets. He's European and likes to wear his clothes fitted. American Men's clothing is often cut for overweight, beafy guys who don't wear their clothes fitted, so the clothing tends to be huge. So my BF has a hard time finding fitted clothing. Luckily he's secure in his manhood (hahaha!) and could care less that he's buying womens' clothing.
ReplyDeleteOh to be 5' 10" or anywhere close to that. I bet the air is even fresher up there, haha. ;o)
DeleteBeautiful ! and yes, I do.... i call it checking our the fat kids clothes.
ReplyDeleteIt looks adorable on you! I am 4'11" with a very petite build, but I cannot for the life of me, get the clothes in the kids section to fit right on me. My 14 yr old daughter has even taken to wearing my clothes because women's clothes nip in the waist, whereas kid clothes generally don't. But love the idea of the layering sweater :)
ReplyDeleteThis sweater definitely does not nip in anywhere, but it's great for layering!
DeleteOh, I wish I could do this! I sometimes get jealous that the clothes in the kids section are so cute.
ReplyDeletexo,cynthia
You have bought a cute sweater which suits you perfectly! I like both the colour and the design and the pink checked shirt you are wearing goes very well with it!
ReplyDeleteI can't wear kid's clothes because I am too tall for them ( what a pity! )
That is such a cute knit! Well done on getting it for a reduced price in the kid's section too!
ReplyDeleteI would feel funny browsing in the kids section and then walking into a fitting room with kids clothes on my arm, haha! So I have to confess I have no idea if I would even fit in kids clothes. I am probably short enough though.
Away From The Blue
Yeah, I don't think I'd wander into a kids-specific shop to go browsing for myself, haha.
DeleteHey now... nothing wrong with the kids department *every once in a while* - sometimes Target has some cute skinnies or leggings that just do the trick. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat fair isle find though!!
I'll have to check Target kids out too.
DeleteOh my gosh! I would never have guessed it's from the kids section! I wish I could shop the kids section! I probably am skinny enough to fit in the clothes but my limbs are too long!
ReplyDelete~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
Haha, I wish I had your long limbs "problem."
DeleteIf I was able to I would. I do still do it for team shirts (think football, baseball) because they run large and are cheaper. Lovely sweater - this is something I would've picked up too!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look like a child's sweater at all. So you can definitely get away with it. Gorgeous color and print Lisa! I can't fit into a child NOTHING! LOL
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
This sweater looks gorgeous with that necklace and not "child like" at all. In fact, I think J. Crew offered a similar one for adults last year made in Scotland. I actually wore a similar fair isle sweater from H&M yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI do occasionally shop in the kids section. Although I haven't tried J. Crew yet. Kids stuff is really cute and super cheap, so I don't see why not. You are right though that the fit is sometimes weird. In larger sizes it tends to run wide...which can look a bit odd.
I sometimes buy kids' things... and at 5'7", I'm not exactly kid sized. I recently discovered though that I can wear a Patagonia's size girls' XL. The girls' down sweater is $115 vs the adult down sweater at $240.
ReplyDeleteKind of makes you wonder sometimes, doesn't it ... so if the kids size XL can fit a womens XS-S and pretty much the same amount of material is being used, why the upcharging? Oh yeah, because retailers can ... ;o)
DeleteI can see why you might want to bust into the kids' section for this sweater--it's SO pretty. I love the colors in it. Also love your boots!
ReplyDeleteI am way to big to shop in the kids' section but maybe the boys section I will have to check it out. I know other petite shoppers also buy from Target's girls section.
ReplyDeletealice
www.happinessatmidlife.com
Not that I have a ton of experience with it, but I find the Crewcuts boys stuff fit larger than the girls.
DeleteI always check out girls and boys sections. This year I grabbed the Sherpa-lined vest from Crewcuts. Luvvit! Got my sister one too, and she hasn't taken it off yet.
ReplyDeletetotally cute!! (F21 does have a kids' section that doesn't look too weird...)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea! I need to do a browse ...
DeleteYou are right: cute pattern this sweater. And the necklace is beautiful as well (I am so a necklace girl).
ReplyDeleteGreetje
Lisa, There is nothing juvenile about any of these items: Au Contraire!
ReplyDeleteLove the fairisle with the gingham, bot the apttern and the color play, if you will.
I shop childrens often, and except for the bust it fits perfectly. For a good skirt that fits without alternation, I can only buy childrens, I am an 8 or 10 girls because of my waist. In Manhattan there is a section of Madison Avenue devoted to beautifully made and designed clothes. They are pricey, but they offer some lovely things. If you ever come to Manhattan i will direct you! ( and go with!!)
I also do well at F21, as then run small, I do haae to be choosey there though, in terms of style, but I can sometimes wear their smallest skirts.
Anyway, you look great!!
XX, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com/2013/12/winter-white-dress-for-a-holiday-party/
I apparently have man shoulders because that's wear kid sizes seem to hit me the worst most often. I like F21 too, but agree, gotta be extra picky there since I'm not a teeny bopper!
DeleteI have thought about shopping in the kids section of J.Crew but with my chest it always stops me. So annoying sometimes that the chest gets in the way of getting better deals!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish I had that "problem," haha ...
DeleteIt's a really cute sweater, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteLoveee the combo! Those boots are amazing!
ReplyDeletehttp://simplysassysstyle.blogspot.com/
dawn
The sweater is perfect. The colors are great. Very female friendly.
ReplyDeleteLovely lovely lovely. Pattern, pattern and pattern!
ReplyDeleteI buy kids' running shoes (tax free! and I don't care how they look), and sleeveless T-shirts from Petit Bateau for summer (we call these 'vests', but I think you'd call it a 'tank'?). I often try plain children's sweaters but have never found one which fits well enough ... but with that pattern I think it would be worth it!
That sweater is so cute! looks great on you :) I buy my shirts in Kids sections. I find them cute and yeah, it's cheap too!
ReplyDeleteCute sweater! My Ugg boots are the kid version. They fit better and were cheaper :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly I've never thought to check our kids footwear, but I have women's 7.5 feet, so I suppose that sizes me out of most kids options?
DeleteWhile I myself can't fit into children's sizes, I've heard the Gap is good.
ReplyDelete7% Solution
Ooooh, this striped sweater is PERFECT!
ReplyDeleteXo, Hannah
sweetsweetnoir.net
I did that all the time before I had kids and got chunky. Though sometimes I can find shirts and such in the Gap kids section, but never pants lol. I think it's cute and it fits you great! It's not like it's a hello kitty faux fur vest (something my daughter begged me for a Tarjeh and Santa brought her.)
ReplyDelete-Ash
www.thestylizedwannabe.com
That's one super cute kid sweater, and it doesn't look like it's for a kid.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great Christmas and Happy New Year!