Is it just me, or has J.Crew been introducing cuter belts recently? I mean, I have always associated J.Crew with its traditional leather belts (like the Roughed-out leather belt; Item 79844). However, over the last few years they have added some really fantastic and fun pieces into the bunch. Maybe I like these belts so much because I still enjoy super-girly things (e.g. everything Sanrio.) ;)For example, I think the Chiffon rosette belt is absolutely beautiful! J.Crew even suggests using the belt as a necklace or as a headband. (I have to admit, the necklace suggestion maybe a little "out there," but I can totally see that being a cute headband.)
Incidentally, the belts in this post are:
- Chiffon rosette belt, Item 98098, $38.00
- Metallic-leather bow belt, Item 98754, $50.00
- Beaded-flower tie belt, Item 93476, $68.00
I have always been a HUGE fan of JCrew belts...I own small plastic tote upon small plastic tote full of them!!! When I find one I like I buy it in every color....the velvet tortise link and beaded ones from a few winters past are my favorites....I also own critter belts and ribbon belts and silk sash belts....I could go on and on....I really want the beaded flower belt and I have in my shopping bag waiting for a sale but I can't wait much longer and may have to get one at full price and get the other colors when they go on sale:)
ReplyDeleteOff topic...Has anyone seen the new high heel jeans? Just wondering about any opinions on them....Please let me know if you see them in the stores at all...it will be a while before I can escape to one:)
ReplyDeleteI have the Straw-Flower Tie Belt in the Natural color (item 95487) and absolutely love it. I am a very girly girl (who lives with all men!!) and love anything super feminine. I love the way this belt looks with J Crew's Chino shorts (item 88755 which I happen to have in every color!) I wore it last weekend with the Bright Papaya Summerweight Cashmere Cardigan (item 90293), Shell colored Whisper Lame Slim Shirt (item 95057), Guava Wavey Glass-Bead necklace (item 95041), Khaki colored Chino 3" short, and gold Capri sandals (item 72868). I saw this outfit in the catalog and fell instantly in love with it. Got lots of compliments, too!
ReplyDeletejcrewjunkie :)
Anonymous at 6:15 PM: I know what you mean about buying versions of items you like! I also own a few ribbon and tie belts from J.Crew. They are just so pretty! :)
ReplyDeleteJcrewJunkie: I saw the straw flower tie belts in my store as well on sale for $12. I was strongly debating if I should buy one or not, but hesitated (because of all my recent purchases). I also own the Wavey Glass-Bead necklace (in black) and the matching bracelets (in black and Guava). Aren't they beautiful! :) Congrats on the outfit- it sounds perfect!
Yay! I've been dying to hear what everyone thinks about the new belts. I totally agree Alexis---they keep getting cuter and cuter. I'm trying to decide between the metallic bow belt and the chiffon rose belt right now since I'm going to try to keep the belt purchases to one for now. I don't know if it's just me, but I have a hard time actually *wearing* the belts I purchase. I have a drawer full of cute belts (many J Crew) but I'm not really a tucker unless I'm wearing a high waisted skirt. I don't usually tuck shirts into my lower rise khaki's etc. because it just doesn't look flattering on me when the belt is at the widest part of my hips. There's nothing to define my ACTUAL waist. I DO like how the model in the current catalog wears the metallic bow belt (with a cardigan) I think it's more flattering to have an open jacket or cardi etc. on me with a belt. Unfortunately, many of my J crew belts tie at the side which makes this idea difficult to pull off. I'm leaning toward the bow belt since the bow is right in the middle and would look perfect peeking out from under an open jacket or cardigan. Ah, such issues :)
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I received the tie-front dress today and was quite pleased. When I had tried it on in the store last month I was NOT happy with how it showed every lump and bump in my rear. First off, it didn't look bad at all at home---Goodness, the J crew dressing room lighting is not flattering at all! I do think I might have to go out and purchase a half slip (never owned one before) just to give me a little extra confidence though. The "soft azalea" wasn't as soft as it looks online---it's more of a darker magenta in my opinion. Sitll pretty, just not what I expected.
I think that I mentioned in an earlier blog that I did in fact purchase the beaded flower tie belt-- brought it home and asked my mom (who designs girls clothes and is super crafty) to recreate it for me. The flower itself is not silk (it is polyester) and the "tie" is grograin ribbon (5/8" if you are looking to recreate and 72 inches :) ) so I went to a craft store and bought a near identical flower ($5.99 - 40% coupon from Michaels) and the ribbon ($4.00) and bought a vintage pin for $11.00 and made it for under $20.00! I just thought $68.00 is a little steep for that--so I returned it.
ReplyDeleteI do have the straw belt--- raffia is simply to hard to work with so I was not about to make that one-- plus $22.00 was not bad.
I just got the rosette belt in the mail this week--- I bought it to put me over $100 for free shipping.... I got the cream and black one and it is LOVELY.... $38.00 may be a bit high for it-- but it is adorable!
jcrwjunkie-- the outfit sounds to die for! I am sure you look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI tend to buy either extremely expensive custom-made leather belts (like these, made by sunnyrising: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5056399§ion_id=5043845 ) when I'm feeling up to the splurge...or else go for inexpensive silk/cloth belts. The retail of jcrew's silk-tie belt is a bit too high for me, but occasionally, I can find them massively on sale (for $10 or less).
ReplyDeleteI really loved their men's silk-tie belts (with leather ends). I bought one on sale for about $10 a year ago, and it cut down to my size. I like wearing it with cotton or linen summery dresses...
The new ones are gorgeous, but a bit too pricy for me. i'll be looking for those in the sale section in a few weeks....
I LOVE all 3 of the belts, and even listed the Metallic Bow Belt (in the other post about the New Arrivals), as one of the items I may have to buy at full price...it is just so pretty in person! BTW...as ccbmum pointed out...the Crewcuts Girls sale section has had this same belt, just smaller. ;) I am also a "girly-girl" and just love all things feminine and pretty...I think all 3 belts "fit the bill" on that. :)
ReplyDeletejcrewjunkie: your outfit sounds FABULOUS!!!!! BTW...I also live with ALL men...well, 4 little boys and my husband...funny to end up with all boys when I love everything feminine and girly. ;)
I impulse purchased the Chiffon Rosette belt in the colors Alexis featured - it was a combination of trying to get to the free shipping minimum, and also trying to step outside my JCrew Comfort Zone (e.g. matchstick jeans, favorite tank and Jackie cardigan!).
ReplyDeleteBut now that I have it here are my concerns:
Like Josie, I'm not a huge "tucker." But even if I were, I am a little confused on where to start, as this belt seems to tie in the back? The ribbons extend from the back of the rosette and are two , maybe half-inch thin, grosgrain ribbons.
Has anyone had any luck with this? How do you recommend wearing it?
The pink is so pretty, but if I don't find a solution I may have to part with it. After all, I am sure there are some marked down favorite tanks at the new store sale... :)
In my earlier comment I stated it is 72 inches of grograin-- BUT I meant 5/8 " satin ribbon--- for those who may recreate! :) sorry for the error
ReplyDeleteOff topic, but are you guys seeing this "be back soon" message on Jcrew? "sorry we're not here right now...but even the best sites need a little upkeep and maintenance. Come back soon, when the new and improved jcrew.com will be up and running"
ReplyDeleteI feel like an insane shopper for trying to buy at this hour, but could this possibly mean that final sale is over?
nicole r., Thanks a bunch for the detailed information on how to make the beaded flower belt.
ReplyDeleteThat is disappointing that the JCrew one is not a silk flower though...$68 seems like a lot for a poly flower even with beads "from a so called famous beading house!"
RE: J.Crew updating the site...the CS Rep told me yesterday that today they are switching their computers over to an entirely new system...not sure what that means for us...she just said it will be alot easier for them, but didn't go into much more detail. :)
ReplyDeleteJosie: You discussed my main issue with belts: I have lots of them but since I am not a tucker, I don't get to wear many of them!!! :) Also congrats on the tie-front dress purchased! :) Although the light in J.Crew's dressing rooms aren't flattering, I find their mirrors are. :)
ReplyDeleteNicole R.: I actually remember you mentioing about how you made a version of one of the belts (I just couldn't remember the post it was under). I think making some of the belts is a fantastic idea (especially since some of the are a bit pricey for what they are). :) Congrats on the Rosette belt- it is beautiful!
Auryane: I mainly buy J.Crew's belts on sale too. :)
FabulousFloridaMommy: I love the Metallic Bow Belt as well! I didn't know stores carried that version- I will have to check it out the next time I am in the store. :)
CopleyCrew: Congrats on the Rosette belt as well- very beautiful! I always pictured this belt being worn around the waist of a black dress. :)
Hi Alexis: I just "happened" upon the belts...they were in a round, clear "bucket" at the front of the store on one of the shelves where all the new merchandise is. They really are pretty in person...just haven't decided if they are $50 pretty, though. I am hoping my Skinny Leather Belt in Silver is going to be good enough for now...according to the measurements the CS Rep gave me...the Small should also work as a skinny "waist" belt, as well as the "on the hip" version...we'll see. :)
ReplyDeleteI saw the silver metallic one in the store yesterday. It was cute....but I thought $50 was a bit steep though.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm the same as the other poster...I nice belts and then remember I never tuck anything in...and end up returning them!
Hi FabulousFloridaMommy & Pink1: $50 for the belt is a pricey for me. But when it goes on sale for half that price, I will definitely scoop it up! :) I can't wait to see it in person now!
ReplyDeleteFabulousfloridamommy, do you mean that the measurement they gave you at CS meant that the bow belt will work at the waist and also at the hip? I figured I would have to have another snap added to make it work at my waist. If that's not the case, it might sway me to pay full price :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. The ones I saw at the store (metallic bow belt) came only in one size (and they were too large for a waist.) Online they do come in S, M, and L and I was hoping the small would be smaller. Only problem is they only sell the gold online :(
ReplyDeleteHi josie: the measurements I got were not for the Metallic Bow Belt, but for the Skinny Leather Belt (can't supply a link since .com is down) that I bought off of the Final Sale. When I saw the Metallic Bow Belt in the store and wrapped it around me, it appeared as if it would fit as a waist belt, but I have to admit that I didn't snap it or anything (not sure what I was thinking...I had my 2.5 year old with me, so I was trying to "hurry" is the only excuse I have). Anyways...when J.Crew is up and running...just call CS (option 2) and ask for the measurements on the belt. If they say they aren't available, ask the rep if they will go get one from the "Mock Store" next door and measure it for you. Doesn't make sense they don't carry every size in the store...maybe they had already sold out in the smaller sizes in your store? I would suggest calling back to the store and asking if they do get the silver in the smaller sizes, and if not...could they special order it for you. GOOD LUCK!
ReplyDeletefabulousfloridamommy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion. I forgot about the "mock store!" Now I do remember a CS rep doing that a long time ago for me when I asked for measurements that they couldn't find listed online. As for the belts in the store---it's weird, they just don't have sizes listed on them at all (and when I called the store to inquire about sizing, they told me the same thing--that they are all one size.) Weird that online they are listed as SML. We'll see...
yes, they are very pretty, but definitely over priced. I like the Beaded-flower tie belt the most, but I wouldn't pay $68 for it. actually, it is really easy to make a belt just like that with very inexpensive materials you can find. I made 2 in the spring when they just came out. :) but I wouldn't mind getting another one from jcrew if they lower the price to less than $20 later.
ReplyDeleteTHIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY ALEXIS. :)
ReplyDeleteI know there has been alot of talk about listing J.Crew items we are interested in selling, and I have several that I no longer have use for, but don't want to "bog" down Alexis' site with the details. If you are interested in seeing them, please click Here ...I have set up a blog called FFMsList where I have posted them. You can email me if you are interested. :)
FYI...I made a couple of edits to the FFMsList, so you may want to re-visit (if you have already), and I will try to add pics later, too! :)
ReplyDeleteIronically, my husband will be doing "maintenance" on my computer a little later today, too (needs a new hard drive), but I will be back on and checking emails, blogs, and of course JCrew.com as soon as it is up and running again...hopefully sooner than later. :) (I HATE being without a computer!)
I would buy the beaded flower belt in a heartbeat just b/c it is so pretty and JCrew! I would prefer it at a sale price of say $40 or less.
ReplyDeleteI have the flower belt in navy and in pink - I actually have a great customer service story about the back ordered navy belt. I posted about it on my blog - J.Crew read it and sent me the belt over night!! It's a 3 part blog post... but I think you'll enjoy it since you love J.Crew as much as I do!
ReplyDeletehttp://hotpinkpencil.blogspot.com/2008/03/not-happy-jcrew-not-happy.html
http://hotpinkpencil.blogspot.com/2008/03/jcrew-oh-how-i-love-you.html
http://hotpinkpencil.blogspot.com/2008/03/j-crew-you-are-amazing.html
Kerry,
ReplyDeleteRead your story...amazing...I had a problem with an order...BIG problem and even had a "big wig" lady...can't remember her name...used to come up on the final page after check out call and talk to me on the phone. I had 4/5 defective items in an order last summer of '07. It was a mess. All but one item was sold out and other than receiving the one item again that was fine and a "Sorry" I didn't get any kind of service like you did! Wow! Some people have all the luck and you sure did:) So glad you got the belt. It is amazing looking in your pictures...better than online.
Question about making the belt: How did you attach the flower to the ribbon? Where on the 72 inch lenght of ribbon did you attach the flower? Thanks so much:)
ReplyDeleteOh crap! Looks like I am going to have to make the navy one now. This a.m. it was in stock but now it is gone...sold out....I would prefer to make one...just need a little more info...flower placement on ribbon? Center? Attach with hot glue?
ReplyDelete