Factory Classic Sweater Dress ($88)
If you like the look of J.CREW but not the price, check out their online factory store. This bold purple sweater dress will quickly become one of your favorite pieces. I just adore the color, but if electric grape isn’t your thing, it also comes in basic black.
Sweaterdresses are great for fall. You can wear them on casual Friday, on the weekends and on the plane. Check back at 1:00PM for Two Ways to wear this dress.
12 comments
Nora says:
Also, I believe JC is doing an extra 30% off sale right now, which usually applies to Factory as well.
RA says:
Belle, can you wear this with black tights? I am always unsure of a black/purple combo. Anyone know if vanity sizing is as bad at factory jcrew as regular j crew?
SL says:
Just a note about J.Crew Factory, as well as BR Factory and others – the quality is CONSIDERABLY worse in the outlet stores and the clothes are poorly made/sewn. I've had many things fall apart, stretch, or other malfunction (button popped off, etc.) on me with only a few wears. Proceed with caution and just try to find sales at the real stores.
Belle says:
SL: I've had good luck with the two sweater dresses I bought from Factory, not such good luck with the “silk” pieces or pieces that have lots of stitching. So I no longer buy shirts from there.
LB says:
RA, Vanity sizing is just as bad at J. Crew factory. I'm 5'9″ and 130 lbs – I should NOT be a size 2 in anything! I was smaller and a size 6 in high school!
Belle, do you know of any brands that make high-quality (or at least higher-quality than Forever 21 and its ilk) non-wool sweater dresses? I've been vegan for two years, and my one amazing non-wool sweater dress from some weird brand I've never found again needs to be retired this winter.
Belle says:
LB: Maybe try like a Boden or a Newport News or a Spiegel/Victoria Secret?
LB says:
Thank you! I will definitely try out sweater dresses from those brands.
cleary says:
LB: Out of curiousity, can you tell me what the objection is to wearing wool, as a vegan? I can certainly get the connection with leather, but shearing a sheep doesn't physically harm the animal (aside from a few nicks).
Just trying to learn!
LB says:
Cleary, thank you for asking!
Sheep used in wool production suffer from painful mutilation, and their lambs are taken and sold for meat. Here is a site with more info about sheep used for wool and meat: https://woodstocksanctuary.org/learn/factory-farmed-animals/sheep/.
mkat says:
The current 30% off Factory items applies – takes the price of the dress down to $61.60 pre-tax. Not bad! I passed up the opportunity to buy a grey turtleneck sweater dress that was on deep sale earlier this summer from Talbot's, and when I went back to treat myself finally for my birthday, it was sadly gone! I think they do that when they bring in the new fall/winter items, even if they aren't completely sold out of those old items. So I feel the universe is telling me I cannot pass up this offer from JCrew… 🙂
anon says:
Belle,
Can you recommend a sweater dress for those of us with a tummy? These straight ones seem to accentuate things.
Thank you!
Belle says:
anon: try something with a waistband and a flare like this https://ow.ly/dRQru