Closet de Jules

I hope everyone is staying warm during the winter blizzard this week. I had a short weekend getaway to Vegas (pictures will be up soon) and avoided the crazy weather in the East Coast.  That being said, you may want to reconsider your date night outfit as Valentine's Day is approaching. Put on a cozy neutral sweater and accessorize it with a splash of pink, whether it’s a simple necklace or a scarf, your other half will sure love to spend his Valentine’s Day by the warm fire all cozied up with you. He might just think some people are worth melting (his heart) for!

Double-cloth Metro Coat with Thinsulate - J.Crew (similar here,  here and here)

Originally from the 2011 winter catalog, this J.Crew Metro Coat has been one of my favorite winter coats over the years. Its vibrant color and the well tailored silhouette cheers me up every winter, not to mention its 3M Thinsulate inner lining that keeps me warm despite the frozen weather outside.




Not sure if it's just me, but I am a bit disappointed by J.Crew's coat selections this year. Where did all the beautiful well fitted winter coats go? As much as I love these boy-inspired looks, all I see are the oversized baggy coats, or chester coats, as the industry defines. We still want to look slim while bundling up with layers after all, right?

Although the metro coat has been long gone in J.Crew's catalog, you should still be able to find them on eBay or other third party retailers. Alternatively, try the Lady Day Coat, which consistently comes back every year, with a wide range of color selections.

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Sunglasses: Original Wayfarer - Ray-Ban
Coat: Double-cloth Metro Coat with Thinsulate - J.Crew (similar here,  here and here)
Sweater: Ribbed Raglan Sweater - Gap - currently 60% off!
Pants: Danie Pant - J.Crew - currently 61% off!
Boots: Tory Burch (similar here and here)
Watch: Burberry (similar here and here)

Update: Julia's Picks on 2015 Winter Collection:

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I had a cozy Christmas in DC. Santa surprised me again this year with the best gifts I could wish for. Another Christmas passed, and another new year is around the corner. I am grateful for a fantastic 2014 with the best people I spent with and some of the best experience I had, and look forward to an even better 2015!


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Sweater: Jack Wills
Skirt: J.Crew (similar)
Cross Body Bag: Kate Spade (similar)
Belt: Express (similar here and here)
Boots: Simone Tory Burch (here)

Ever since I moved to the Washington DC Metro area (we call it DMV which stands for DC, Maryland and Virginia), I visited the Washington Monument many many times. But every time I go, I never had the chance to go to the top as it requires reserved tickets in advance. The monument was also closed for almost three years since the 2011 earthquake in DC. This year it reopened in May and I finally had a chance to ride to the top and enjoy the only sweeping view of our nation's capital.

When it was officially opened in 1888, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world until the Eiffel Tower in Paris was completed. However, the monument remains as the tallest stone structure in the world. And if you have visited DC before, you would notice that this is the tallest building in DC as well. The Height of Buildings Act of 1910 has restricted the height of the buildings in DC ever since, but was not retroactively applied to the Washington Monument. Standing atop the tallest building in DC makes this view a unique and beautiful experience that no one should miss.

The Concert for Valor Veterans Day concert was also held in the National Mall yesterday, featuring Rhianna, Eminem, Jennifer Hudson, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood and many more. As you can see in the picture below, there was quite a crowd already 7 hours before the concert started.

If you ever visit DC again or are fortunate enough to live in this beautiful city, I strongly encourage you to obtain an advanced ticket to visit the Washington Monument. It is one of the most breathtaking views you will ever see.



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Sweater: Fair Isle Ski Sweater - J.Crew (old but also reviewed here)
Jeans: Skinny 7 For All Mankind (similar)
Boots: Tory Burch (similar and similar - BOTH ON SALE!)

What better way to enjoy the sunshine with a cool tropical dress? When I first saw this Lilly dress, I knew it just said “tropical paradise.” Just imagine... you are in a dense jungle full of vibrant green leaves. Poking through the green sea are lovely pink flowers! I’ve been looking for the perfect day to wear it. Now look, here I am lounging and relaxing in the subtropical region of southern China.

The weather is hot and humid here. My favorite part of the dress is the lace design near the neckline. It does make the dress feel more “breathable”. It replaces the need for a necklace as well! Besides the lace on the dress, I also paired it up with a clutch sporting a cut out leather design and scalloped edge. For the shoes, I have the essential travel footwear - Toms, using crochet fabric for even more room to breathe!

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Dress: Lacina Dress - Lilly Pulitzer (similar)
Clutch - Kelsey Clutch - Tory Burch (here)
Bangle: J. Crew (similar)
Shoes: Natural Crochet - Toms (here)
Sunglasses: Original Wayfarer - Ray-Ban (here)

Corals or Forest? Sea or Land?

I purchased this dress just the day before America's legendary fashion designer, Lilly Pulitzer, passed away. This post is to honor Lilly. Thank you for inspiring generation after generation in your own special bright and happy way.




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Dress: 'Wendy' Embroidered Coral Pattern Tunic Dress - Lilly Pulitzer (similar)
Blazer: The Limited (similar)
Pumps: Ann Taylor (similar)
Sunglasses: Original Wayfarer - Ray-Ban

UPDATE -- Additional J.Crew Coat Reviews:

Review for the J.Crew Tipped Peacoat
Review for the J. Crew Double-cloth Funnel Coat 
Review for the J. Crew Double-cloth Slim Trench

A few months ago, I did a review for J. Crew's Double-cloth Slim Trench. Now that we are officially in the coldest month of the winter, I thought I should do a quick review for my favorite winter coat from J. Crew, the Double-cloth Metro Coat.

This coat is made from 100% wool, meaning it is much warmer and softer than the slim trench. The size is relatively bigger than most of the other J. Crew coats, to accommodate a thicker sweater inside. I am wearing a size 00 here, one size down from my normal 0 - 2 size for J. Crew outwears. As to the design and fit, I have no complaints. The coat lacks a belt, but it manages to fit my body perfectly when I button it up. The royal blue color was only released in 2011. I wish J. Crew would continue to sell this color since it looks great on a lot of different types of skin tones. Plus, the vibrant color can add some much needed cheer to your outfit and help you forget about the freezing cold!


Which coat do you like better? This one or the Double-cloth Slim Trench?

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Coat:  2011 Double-cloth Metro Coat with Thinsulate - J. Crew (2012 style sold here)
Sunglasses: RB3025 Aviator - Ray-Ban
Sweater - Banana Republic (similar)
Necklace - Francesca's 
Leggins - Hollister
Boots - Amanda Riding Boot - Tory Burch

Update: Julia's Picks on 2015 Winter Collection:

Hence, I am here participating the "The Fashionator", Petite Fashion Challenge #21 hosted by KT Reed from KTRstyle (hmmm...despite my height, I do wear petite sizes once in a while...). My "fashionator" is a winter hat that is subtly decorated with three pieces of feather. For someone who has migraine headache, hats have been so important to me that they allow me to stay warm, and of course, stylish, for winters in the East Coast.

Eastern Market, DC

"who's the copycat?"

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Old Hat - J. Crew (similar)
Old Sunglasses - Ray-Ban 
Old Blazer - Calvin Klein (similar)
Sweater: Merino Classic Crewneck Pullover - J. Crew Factory
Skirt: Pencil Skirt in Black Watch Plaid - J. Crew Factory
Belt: Glitter Skinny Belt - New York & Co.
Boots: Amanda Riding Boot - Tory Burch