Cape Cod Betty shared with us, in the "{Yey!} New arrivals are here!" post, that she purchased the (absolutely gorgeous!) Lucinda gown (Item 93503) yesterday for her wedding. {Congrats again Cape Cod Betty on your dress and upcoming wedding!}After noticing many people (including myself) commenting on how beautiful some of the pieces are within J.Crew's Weddings & Parties Collection, I thought it deserved its own post.
First, I think most of the dresses offered by J.Crew for brides are beautiful in their elegance and simplicity. For example, I really do love the Lucinda gown (Item 93503). I love the style- with a fitted bodice and an overall gorgeous ball gown shape. The fact that it comes with pockets makes it even more fantastic! However, there have been some dresses that I have questioned, both in terms of shape/style and price. For example, [and please forgive me if you own this dress and love it, it's just my opinion ;) ] the Annabelle gown (Item 93741) is not very (universally) flattering and the price tag ($2,950.00) seems excessive.
I am also a big fan of the Groom and Groomsmen collection. I love the idea that J.Crew offers classic styles for the Groom and Groomsmen. Moreover, the suits [like the Year-round solid three-button suit jacket (Item 66258)] are versatile enough to not only be worn year-round, but for a variety of occasions (besides weddings).
I am a bigger fan of the Bridesmaid collection. I love the fact that J.Crew offers dresses "to flatter a wide range of figures." For example, Brides can select a color and allow their bridesmaids to select the actual style of dress, that best fits their body shape. The best part about most of these bridesmaids dresses is that they too, can be worn again at different events! So the cost of the dress can be seen as an investment, not a loss of money! (I know I have been stuck with a bridesmaid dress, that costs just as much as J.Crew's dresses, and I will never wear again.)
J.Crew also offers a few extra services/perks when it comes to those interested in their wedding collection.
- They offer "Special Occasion Coordinators" to help and answer any questions
- According to J.Crew's website, they ship their "Limited-Edition and other delicate wedding gowns in a beautiful keepsake box lined with acid-free paper, and include a long white garment bag and a pretty satin hanger" to keep your dress safe
- They send swatches upon availability
I had a JCrew wedding, atleast on the bride's side... my husband wore a dark brown linen pinstriped suit from H&M! My bridesmaids chose their dresses, they just had to be navy. I think their dresses are still available too, they were happy that they would be able to wear them again but I'm not sure either did. I bought the Vivian strapless satin gown (anyone remember? from 2003 which then went on sale for $99 eventually). We did not use the wedding coordinator service, I'm not sure it was available then. My dress did come in a nice heavy cardboard white box with a cream satin ribbon. The dress was packaged beautifully, with tissue inside to keep it from creasing. There was also a satin hanger and a garment bag included. As stated earlier, it fit perfectly and the only alteration I needed was that the bottom needed to be lengthened (I'm 6' tall). The sizing is true and then interior support system seemed inovative to me and my seamstress, but I was new to the wedding dress thing.
ReplyDeleteMarisa: I do remember the Vivian silk satin gown. I always thought that was such a pretty dress at a great price!
ReplyDeleteI think it is great idea/suggestion for the Groom's suit to be from H&M- the H&M suit probably costs just as much to rent a good suit, and the Groom gets to keep the suit and wear it for other occasions!
I am also happy to hear that the collection is true to size. Especially since you can't really try on any of the wedding dresses because the stores don't carry them. :)
I just saw one of the most lovely wedding dress J Crew has created: the Eyelet Cascade gown. It reminds me of Napoleon empire and 1930's Art Deco dress. Oh if I were to marry all over again, this would be the dress!
ReplyDeleteWhat I would love J Crew to do is make this exact dress in color (black, red, ?) I do attend to social functions in the evening, and one of the reasons I love J Crew is because they make clothing for my size (0, 2). Very difficult to find formal dresses/gowns in my size.
Although I like some of the J.Crew wedding gowns, I didn't end up purchasing my gown from them for my wedding next year. The gown I chose is very J.Crew-esque though. I'm contemplating getting my bridesmaid dresses from J.Crew but I wish they offered more options for floor-length gowns. It seems like J.Crew is catering to the less formal wedding for most of their dresses.
ReplyDeleteThe bridesmaids in my wedding wore the strapless embossed beach dress in (I think) Capri pink (it was the bright pink from a couple of years ago). My sister, my maid of honor, wore the halter version because it fit her nicer. I also wore the cotton cady version of the Whitney dress (I can't think of the name to find it) as the maid of honor in my sister's wedding. It fits just perfectly (nothing needed taken in or let out), and I'm hoping to wear it again to a friend's wedding this October, only I have to find a good sweater or jacket to go with it.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to get married again, I'm with you webbysuzy, that dress is just downright amazing!
My sister-in-law had the Vivian dress made for her wedding since she didn't want to pay the JCrew price. I was a bridesmaid and wore the JCrew Strapless Embossed Beach Dress in a bright pink. The other bridesmaids wore whatever dress they wanted, so long as we were in pink, green, or brown. I like the beach dress, but I haven't worn it since the wedding...
ReplyDeletewebbysuzy: I would love to see some of their bridal gowns in different colors (like navy or black) for the exact same reason!
ReplyDeleteLynn: I see what you are saying about J.Crew's selection for brides appearing as less formal (although their prices don't reflect that!) ;)
I actually like that the bridesmaid dresses aren't floor length because then they can be worn to other events.
Haus_Frau & Sue.Bee: Love the strapless embossed beach dress too!
I got married in the J. Crew Vivian dress and I bought it when it was $99. It was the best purchase ever! The dress itself was a little plain but I had my seamstress add a gold sash at the waist and the result was stunning. I had so many people comment on the dress - the fabric was exquisite and the dress looked far more expensive. The funniest part was finding my wedding dress on my lunch break at work while surfing the internet. :) And since it was J. Crew - I knew it would be classic and in good taste. Of course, three days after I ordered the dress, they had an additional 25% off all sale items event. :) So I could have gotten my wedding dress for even less! But it was beautiful, appropriate and so classic. I still have the dress and plan on handing it down to my daughter on day. Oh, and the alterations cost more than the dress itself....!
ReplyDeleteI also had a long sash added to my dress in a sea blue shantung fabric. My SIL made the sash and coordinating flower girl dresses (there were 5!).
ReplyDeleteI have to say again that I just LOVE CapeCodBetty's Lucinda Gown...if it were in a different color and I had somewhere to wear it...I would LOVE to own it, as well! :)
ReplyDeletewebbysuzy: The Eyelet Cascade Gown #93739 is really beautiful, too! I could also see myself wearing that in a different color. :)
I wore a J Crew wedding gown, the Suzanna (from about 2 years ago). Strapless linen that was beaded in almost a paisley pattern. It's funny though, it was originally $1299 of $1499 an I thought that was too expensive, my budget was $1000... so I bought a different dress. Then the Suzanna came up in my size half price on a final sale for $699 and I decided to go for it and I am so happy I did. It came in a beautiful box, it fit perfect... I couldn't have been happier :) I actually wore it one year ago this weekend. Too bad I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the first dress...
ReplyDeletesmgraham: Sounds like you got a fantastic deal on the Suzanna dress!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 3:02 PM & Marisa: I think adding a sash to the dress is a great idea!! :)
I went to the J.Crew website today and noticed that their new ad campaign seems to be "Just ask!" Tiny font in the corner of the picture says, "How can we help you? Just ask!" I couldn't help but smile to myself at the thought that free shipping would help me, but I don't think that's what they had in mind. ;)
ReplyDeleteMelanie: Great catch on their website! I think I will make it its own post! :)
ReplyDeleteI got engaged in November 06 and didn't start planning my wedding until the after-Christmas sale hit at J.Crew. My bridesmaids ordered the silk faille Sadie dress in geranium, which they got for about $80.
ReplyDeleteI bought the Vivian wedding dress for $75- they had it in petites, and it fit perfectly w/o alteration. I thought it was kind of plain though. One day, I was browsing the current catalog in the store, and noticed that one of the wedding spreads had the geranium bridesmaid dresses and also a dog that was wearing a bow that appeared to match the dresses. I was curious about the bow on the dog, so I used the red phone to call J.Crew, and they told me the bow was actually a flower girl sash in geranium. The sash was on sale for $12- since it was short, I ordered two for my tailor to sew together (and the J.Crew rep even gave me f/s despite the sale price).
I did happen to use the Special Occasion coordinators. One of my sisters has an odd shape, and the coordinators worked with me to send a variety of different dresses in geranium. Even though the dresses were on final sale, they told me returns would be no problem for a wedding. They also sent a substantial swatch of fabric (enough for some alterations).
I appreciate all the love about my Lucinda dress. I'm dying for it to arrive in the mail next week. Aside from that I've already got my bridesmaid dresses, the cotton cady (currently on sale) strapless in bright berry. And my maid of honor will have it in last season's bubble gum pink (I can't remember the color name). We also have the refined silk cashmere (brown) wraps and brown lucie kitten heels.
ReplyDeleteI've had wonderful help from the JCrew wedding specialists. I even ordered another dress (Limited Edition Lillian duchesse satin gown) and they helped me search far and wide for it. It arrived few weeks ago, and it's just not what I'm looking for. So sadly, I'm selling it on eBay and hoping to get back what I paid for it.
Anyway, I am a jcrew girl tried and true and am so excited to have a JCrew wedding ... I only wish I didn't have to wait a year!!
Clarification: Camilla Cotton Cady dress ... I love the wide band around the waist, and it has the pockets. I think that's one of my favorite things about the newer dresses, that they have pockets.
ReplyDeleteCandid Engineer: Sounds like you got a great wedding dress at a fantastic price!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for sharing with all of us your experience with the Special Occassion Coordinators. I was, personally, unsure about what kind of assistance they provide. But it sounds like they help out a lot- which is great to know! :)
Cape Cod Betty: The Limited edition Lillian duchesse satin gown is also beautiful! Too bad it didn't work out.
But the Lucinda dress you picked out is gorgeous! Please let us know how it works out.
I also think it is great that your bridal party will be dressed in J.Crew. The color of bright berry is super pretty. Congrats again!
My guy and I are both in love with J.Crew. I just drool over the whole wedding section, both the men's and women's clothes. I'm only 21 but rest assured that when the big day comes, both of us will be wearing J.Crew.
ReplyDeleteI really love the jcrew wedding dresses. I often wish that they came in (slightly) shorter lengths, and colors other than white, so I can wear them on other occasions. (when I see the bridesmaid dresses on sale, especially simple styles, I snag them for myself!)
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'm always a bit shocked by the prices (often over $1000, sometimes over $2000). For that price, I can work with a designer for a custom-made, custom-designed gown. I find that nearly all dresses from jcrew need to be tailored to fit, and I imagine that this would be even more important for a wedding. Still...props to Jcrew for finding fantastic fabrics (which isn't always accessible to smaller, though highly skilled dressmakers and seamstresses).
I would definitely consider outfitting my bridesmaids in jcrew. While the shape isn't an ideal fit on everything, I like the possibility of letting my bridesmaid choose the best shape for their body, while coordinating in the same color.
TO ALL J CREW AFICIONADAS........DOES ANYONE HAVE THE SUZANNA BRIDAL GOWN FOR SALE?
ReplyDeleteHello there,
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone pretty pretty please have a size 2 Lucinda ball gown for sale? I am desperate to find one for my wedding!
Thanks:)