Friday, July 11, 2008

Around the Corner: J.Crew's Fall Collection

I was at a J.Crew store today to return a blouse and I noticed that a LOT of new merchandise was being displayed already. I wasn't sure what to make of the new clothes: it wasn't pure "Fall"-wear but it definitely wasn't pure "Summer"-wear either. I guess it was a "Summer-Fall" combo. Anyways, there were lots of cute items in darker shades (e.g. flowy skirts in navy), but nothing looked like the clothes from the "Sneak Peek into J.Crew's Fall 2008 Collection" post.

Also, Beth let us know that she found out through a J.Crew representative, that the J.Crew Fall/August catalog will most likely be coming out around 7/26/08. She believes the new merchandise will be available online around 7/24/08 (if not earlier). She was also told by the customer representative that there might (yes, just a "possibility") be a fall preview online! How exciting would that be?!?

Are you looking forward to the new catalog? Would you be excited by a Fall Preview Online? Or do you think it is still too early to think about Fall? Let us know what you think. :)

61 comments:

  1. Autumn is my favorite season; both weather and clothing wise. Like many have said before summer clothing is nice, but many of us are all about fall, wool sweaters and yes cashmere.

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  2. Probably when the new stuff comes out they will be taking a lot of items off their manikins (sp???). This is a great time to find deals. If anyone is looking for a small size Madras Jacket, I noticed one in my store in Westlake, Ohio. It's up on the mannikin (sp?) on the very top shelf out of anyone's reach. I'm not exactly sure of the size but they usually put up a 2 or a 4. I know from past experiences asking them to look at the size - you can get great deals that way. People forget about the clothes on display!!

    Rachael (please someone guide me through making a username so I can become nonymous and not anonymous!) :)

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  3. I am SO EXCITED for fall stuff! My favorite season! I would love a preview...

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  4. JCrew Guy In Canada & Julie: I agree I like the Fall (and Spring) for the clothing options (I feel I can wear a wider range of items). :) I can't wait for the preview too!

    Rachael: In case you were wondering, one of the options for creating a username without having the hassle of signing up with Blogger is the "Name/URL" option. All you need to do is type in any Name and your done. I hope this helps a bit. :)

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  5. I do love Fall clothing and look forward to a preview, but it is still really difficult to imagine purchasing anything while it is almost 100 degrees outside, and I am frequenting the pool. :) J.Crew isn't the only merchandiser to do this, though...it seems that the Seasonal merchandise moves in and out earlier and earlier each year in the majority of retailers.

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  6. Like everyone else has mentioned, I can't wait til the Fall line hits online and the B&M stores! But like FFM, I'm finding it a little hard to even thinking about Fall stuff when it's crazy humid outside! I'm sure getting a glimpse (a preview!??!) would change my mind completely. Hehe.

    I did read somewhere that Mickey Drexler does believe the Fall and Winter are their strongest seasons; I tend to agree. =) 'Can't wait!!

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  7. uggh I miss being able to go into a J Crew store! My husband and I are living in Japan for the next 2 years so I am stuck buying everything online and my catalogs always get here MONTHS late : (

    It is nice to read all of your updates! If anyone has more pics of the new stuff for fall, I would love to see them!! : )

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  8. FabulousFloridaMommy: I mostly agree with you: I also find it difficult to wear fall clothes right now (since it is so hot outside!!!) But I can totally imagine myself purchasing fall clothes! ;) You are also right that stores have been introducing the seasonal merchandise a lot sooner than they use to. I know in a couple of weeks, I will be seeing "Back to School" every where too!

    Eddie & Stretch's Momma: I think you are right about J.Crew's strongest seasons are Fall & Winter. :) It's those expensive (but beautiful) jackets I buy so much of then. ;)

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  9. Jessica: Too bad there isn't a J.Crew in Japan. I know they ship there, but maybe a store would be nice too. :)

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  10. Hi, Jessica! Alexis did a post on a Fall 2008 sneak peek a month ago. Here's the linky:

    http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/2008/06/sneak-peak-into-jcrews-fall-2008.html

    I hope it shows!

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  11. Jessica there a re Jcrew stores in Japan. Check out Tokyo.

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  12. I just found ccbmum's comment in one of the other posts, and she had kindly and generously included these two links re: J.Crew Fall 2008 line!

    Article with preview - http://blogs.glam.com/glamchic/2008/03/31/sneak-peek-jcrew-fall-2008-collection/

    Possible photography from upcoming catalogs?! - http://www.daymion.com/

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  13. I am very much looking forward to the fall collection. As mentioned in another post, I spent more last fall at J.Crew than I had in a decade. Just loved all the Paris and then Highlands (November catalogue/winter collection) looks.

    I've noticed there's a very fall-looking hacking jacket (item 74125) on the website - does nothimg for me, though. I hope the fall collection as a whole is great, though (again), I just don't know that it will be able to top last year for me :-)

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  15. I love warm cozy clothes especially all the warm colors of fall (they all look great with my skin tone). And I am sooooo excited. Plus it reminds me that there is an end in sight to the horrible NYC summer humidity (even though today was a gorgeous day... it will rear its ugly head again on sunday BLEH).

    SO yay fall! Or yay getting out of the city in the summer... either one really!

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  16. Jessica, there's one in Tokyo at 3F Aqua City Odaiba, 1-7-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo. There phone # is 03-3599-5150, nearest train station is Tokyo-Teleport. =)

    I've read that that's the only J.Crew in Tokyo (via Lissa's blog).

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  17. Alexis: Hurrah! I love your posts!

    The items being marketed now are called "transitional pieces", according to a Gap sales associate.

    I love fall too. I need boots, a new coat, & some new pants (not jeans, cord's or something else). The coat I should've bought this past winter was the
    Stadium-cloth toggle coat
    , but in true JCrew shopping fashion it sold out before I could get it (at the sale price).

    Isn't the Wool Hacking Jacket from last year's fall/winter collection? I'm wondering if it's not even older because of the item number.

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  18. Rach, I didn't realize the hacking coat was old. It isn't on sale, so I guess that made me think it was new. Plus, I think J.Crew does a hacking jacket fairly often, but you may be right. Either way, I'm not buying it.

    Bring on the new stuff :-)

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  19. I was just at the Bellevue store--got the last pair of cafe capris in sweet marmalade, which I've been coveting since January. They're sold out on line but I got them for $29.99!

    Anyway, the salesclerk asked me to fill out an address card so that they may send me a postcard inviting me to some sort of event for the fall launch. I think he said the event is July 24th. I'm unlikely to be able to attend but I'd like to know if the invitation comes with a discount or other goodies!

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  20. I wonder how the yoga collection is selling. Did anyone purchase anything from JCrew's yoga collection?

    Also, the
    Featherweight cotton striped tee item 95503
    is at a pretty low price point, isn't it? Their tee's usually start at least $32.00-34.00.

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  21. I am angry with Jcrew right now... so tonight I am not wearing one JCREW item when I go out. I am wear a dress by a new designer with great stuff (isilli) and mia flats and one of my coach bags. So take that jcrew. I cant believe I have to freaking schlep tomorrow to make up for their slow shipping to get that jacket....

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  22. Rach: Thanks for the "transitional piece" term! Would you believe I was sitting at the laptop for like 10 minutes just wondering what the term for "Summer-Fall"-wear was before I just gave up and called it "summer-fall" wear! ;)

    Would you believe I should have gotten the Stadium cloth toggle coat last winter too! :) I was actually waitlisted for 4 months. During this waitlisted time I saw the jacket in my size/color in the sale section 3 times and yet it was never sent to me. They ended up canceling my order without letting me know. I was beyond furious. :(

    Also, I think J.Crew is doing pretty well with Yoga as they are talking about expanding the line. I personally would turn to Nike or Reebok for Yoga, but that is just me.

    Hexicon: You should definitely fill out the card. When the New Canaan J.Crew just open, J.Crew sent me a card to take $25 off my $175+ order. (I thought the min was too high, but I appreciated the offer.)

    Blumre: I know you are upset, but you made me laugh again when you said you were so mad at J.Crew that you weren't going to wear anything by them! (I know that thought rationale- I have done that before too!) :)

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  23. Alexis... 4 months... a long time!!!


    Ok all have a fabulous night... I am off. Bye

    THanks alexis for this blog you keep me sane.

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  24. Does anyone remember the video on the
    J. Crew website for the Highlands collection '07? I wish I would've saved it because I have looked everywhere online and can't find it:( If anyone knows where to find it, I would love to know.

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  25. Over at the 5th Ave store, I saw a traditional blazer, which is navy color, gold buttons and the cute silk tie fabric on the back collar (can only be seen when you flip the collar). The price is 258.00 I think. Plus they have corduroy jackets in red, brown and navy which looks like Charlie designed. That's what I've seen sofar.

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  26. Blumre: I should be thanking you all (you are the reason this blog is great!) Have a great night!!! :)

    Shelby: I do remember that video! But I don't know where to find it. Sorry. :(

    Webbysuzy: For reasons like that blazer you describe at the NYC store (which sounds beautiful!), I want to take my digital camera to a J.Crew and snap pictures for this blog. But I am always afraid that a J.Crew store employee will ask me to leave. :)

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  27. i absolutely LOVE jcrew in the fall and can't wait for the new stuff to come out!!! it has always been my favorite catalog...love the colors, sweaters, scarves, etc.. even though i recently moved from san francisco to the 'burbs of san francisco where it is hot right now, when i do go to to the city (which is fairly often) i always need a sweater layer and sometimes a scarf...believe it or not san francisco is notorious for being breezy, foggy, and cold (for california) in the summer :)

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  28. Anonymous 6:53pm---I'm on the west side of Cleveland too! :) Come up with a name soon so I'll be able to recognize you in your future posts~

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  29. Shelby - I loved the highlands shoot. I've kept the catalogue, and I still look at it every now and then :-)

    I have the J.Crew Paris video saved - it was just too adorable.

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  30. shelby & la belle helene: i don't have the videos but did save the highlands and paris catalogs...they were great...what a great idea to save the video, i wish i had done that!

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  31. ok, this is off topic and random, but do you guys remember the chino collette (sp) jacket from spring '07? i think it's my all time favorite design...wish they would make it again (or something similar) in wool...:)

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  32. at my local J. Crew (Pentagon City), I was told that 1st fall collection will hit the store on July 21st.

    Tip: If you are looking for ANYTHING on sale, call or stop by the Tyson's Corner store. They just reopened last week after being closed for renovation, so all other stores sent their sale items to Tysons. I found lots and lots of goodies :)

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  33. Everyone: Here is a link or paste to J.Crew in Paris video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lD_YpIm6728

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  34. Jacquie: that's pretty much what they told me too...when i was in the store (in san francisco) last week the guy told me July 22nd...:) and i just happen to have a dentist appt. nearby that day...yay!

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  35. thank you la belle helene! love your name by the way :)

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  36. I so regret throwing out all my old catalogs (bad association with an old relationship - don't ask =P)!! I just recently scored a Lexington jacket from Fall/Winter 2007 season. I do love the jackets they come out with during Fall and Winter!

    Blumre: I know you're not online anymore, but I'm so sorry to hear about your dilemma. That truly sucks.

    Shelby: I know it isn't the Highlands video, but here's a behind the scenes video from their holiday shoot - J.Crew Holiday 2007. =)

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  37. la belle helene:
    Thanks for the link! I had forgotten how good that video was. You can just imagine yourself there, it's like a mini vacation - just beautiful. What a job to have! Hopefully I'll run across the Highlands video sooner or later.

    eddie & stretch's momma:
    I don't remember seeing that video, so thanks for sharing it:) I love all the creativity that goes into the J. Crew brand.

    And thanks to everyone else for the responses!

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  38. Hi - my first time blogging and I hope I'm doing it right. I LOVE this site! Thanks Alexis. I've been only a J.Crew gal for a year, and still obsess daily on the web site...hoping that Fiona that's still on the site somehow magically is in stock now. I wear a 0P so must shop online :(. I am hooked on the Mendocino (have it already in khaki) but looking for it in pink. And would love a Fiona (already have the madras fiona and love that) - if anyone bought these in 0P and is thinking of returning, let me know!

    BTW, I'm in Kansas CIty, Missouri and the store at the Plaza had a TON of Tulip jackets in the red and citrus...cannot confirm the sizes as they were hanging well above my height.

    Also saw the cute corduroy jackets in tan, red and navy that are very similar to the Charlie cords with a cute pleat in back. I love the fall clothes too! Can't wait to wear my leaf velvet bella :)

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  39. Frances: Welcome to the blog! We love to meet new J.Crew Aficionadas!!! :) (And you are totally "doing it right"! Thanks for the heads up on the jackets and cords!) ;)

    Also, I hope you will be able to find the Fionna Jacket in your size. I have a feeling once the website works and J.Crew restocks their returns, we will see a lot of them available. :)

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  40. Alexis: I hope they will return someday too. I've learned this past year from watching the inventory online that if you really want something, you better get it, and be content with the price and not worry that it might go down again. Or the price will get ridiculously cheap and there are none available in your size.

    But, I still gravitate to the store when I can; it's only 4 miles away. I am a native Rhode Islander and have this inner preppiness within...grew up wearing the pinks and greens together, critter belts and Izods (remember those?). So I love to see the color and fashion combos that J.Crew does - it all seems to work!

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  41. Josie: Hello fellow Clevelander & J Crew fan!!! I was just at the Crocker J Crew today - pretty picked over. I was at Beachwood yesterday and they had a ton of stuff. Lots of shirts for the guys too.

    At the Crocker J Crew today they assisted me in ordering the ruffle-piqued cotton henley over the red phone. The online store says is 34.99 on sale. Well I was able to get the 25% discount, the student discount, and free shipping by ordering from there. So if you see something that is online on sale try your luck at the store!

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  42. ccbmum: Thanks! :-)

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  43. Frances: I know what you mean about buying when you can! But its so hard when you have a feeling that it will lower in price dramatically in a day or two! ;)

    You are so lucky to have a store just 4 miles away!!! :) I am jealous right now. ;)

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  44. It is a bit off the topic but I called J.Crew today to purchase 3 full price items and the rep (very kind) did not give me the student discount on my transaction. She told me that they can't combine 20% off and the student discount. I was in the car and didn't want to present my case at that time but I called 30 min later from home. The first CS person told me that I should have received it and transfered me to somebody else. The second CS person told me that they can't combine promotions (student discount being a promotion) but this one time they would apply it as a courtesy. I just said thank you and hang up the phone confused. I placed another order yesterday and had no problems whatsoever with receiving both discounts. I truly hope they figure out all the policies before fall collection arrives. It is quite disturbing to hear different version every time I call.

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  45. Fall is my absolute FAVORITE time of year, particularly the month of October. I love the weather, the changing colors, and the clothes. I am REALLY excited to see what J.Crew has in store for this season :)

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  46. Eddie & Stretch's Momma: thanks for pointing out my post! i got the daymion mardel site from someone else's post here a while ago (i don't remember who but thank you to whoever it was!) and i found the other one from searching for sneak peaks for fall '08 :) i've been checking out the daymion mardel site ever since to see the new jcrew line...the first group of pictures under "advertising/commercial I" look like jcrew's upcoming fall line (there's no image info though)...the jeans/jewelry/style give it away though...the last ones in that group are definitely jcrew with some fall '08 stuff at the end :)

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  47. I know this is off topic, but I am stunned. I had emailed J Crew about finding the fiona jacket and I received a reply tonight telling me to call and use their "we will find it" service. I didn't think they did this on sale items, but I called anyway. The cs told me that they normally didn't do this for sale items, but that they would make an exception since I had received the email. Well, imagine my surprise when I received an email 40 minutes later telling me that they had searched ALL of their stores and they couldn't find it. Forty minutes! And, all of those stores were closed! Based on previous experiences, I thought that employees had to actually look for the item; cs has said before that they don't have computer access to stores' inventory. So, how can they know that there aren't any in any stores? I think they didn't want to really search (since it was a sale item) and therefore they waited a short amount of time and sent the email. I know I got the papaya jacket yesterday, but I thought it would be nice to have it in pale almond. Oh, well, I'll survive, but I am disappointed - both that I didn't get it and that they seemingly didn't search. (Maybe I'm wrong, and they did search, but I'm highly skeptical!)

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  48. Wasn't sure where to post...
    The
    White denim trousers item 92792
    are now on Final Sale for $69.99. (They're in Final Sale but don't have Final Sale on the item page or order page.)

    I've read about these on another blog back in the spring & the blogger gave them a good review. (One even posted about hurrying to buy them before they sell out! lol)

    Does anyone own these & recommend them at the current sale price? Thanks

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  49. Thanks Webbysuzy I'll be on the look out.

    Tomorrow my goal is to get my BF to buy a pair of driving mocs (they are on sale online and full price in the stores so he will just try on and then order them). YAY

    Thanks Alexis, that was such a sweet comment.

    We just got back and while I wore no JCrew tonight, I feel I am ready to step back into it tomorrow. I mean I have to, I can't walk into a JCrew not in their clothes.

    What do you guys wear to shop at JCrew? I find I get better service if I wear recognizable Jcrew clothes. Though I do try not to dress head to toe in Jcrew... maybe a gap tank top or banana sweater... but that gets harder and harder these days (oy I boy too much). Alexis you should make a post about this!!!

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  50. I saw those new "Charlie" jackets yesterday as well - they look very similar to last year's corduroy Charlies (which as I recall, sat in final sale FOREVER so I can't imagine why they're going that route again), except the sleeves have a little puff to them, and the back has some ruching similar to the summer's Andy jacket. I checked out the link that E&S'sM posted, and the pictures look SO J.Crew (there's some pics from last summer as well) - I haven't decided what I think of the clothes yet... possibly because it's 80 degrees out! I always jump at the first "next season" thing, then have to wait like, 3 months to wear it - by which time there's always something new and fabulous out!

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  51. Math Teacher: I made a very similar comment about their "we will find it search" for the Fiona Jacket. I had the same experience you did. I too had requesting one and they came back within an hour with an email saying they could not locate one. Except I was able to find one just a few hours later (thanks to another wonderful JCrew Aficionada) in my size and color at a store (and they had more than one in my size/color at the time). Imagine that? If they bothered to perform a proper "We will find it" they would have found a jacket for me.

    Webbysuzy: I tend to wear J.Crew when I go to J.Crew (because J.Crew is the majority of my closet). ;) I find its better to dress "up" (no matter the brand) when going to J.Crew because then the SA treat me better. I know it sounds weird, but I think they do.

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  52. Jcrewbug,
    That's great about the pique ruffle henley---good deal! Have you had difficulty in the past using your student discount along with extra 25% off sales? The blond manager wouldn't let me combine my teacher discount last time.

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  53. I try on a lot of clothes when I go to MOA (mall of america) so I always wear something super comfy and easy to take on and off....The people at JCrew know me by now....I might wear JCrew jeans but that's about it!

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  54. silver_lining: i always jump at the first "summer-fall" stuff too...and then i always make lots of returns because i usually like the stuff that comes out in sept./oct. better :)

    i saw those cord. jackets in the store too and i can't say i love them...i don't care for puff sleeves :)

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  55. Josie: I have had trouble. What I learned is that it never hurts to ask. And whatever the answer is I accept it. Cause I know even if I didn't get the discount I'd still buy the clothes anyway. I'm pretty much a deals only at J Crew girl. At Xmas time my fiance spoils me with full price items but that is about the only time I get anything from the most recent line! So usually whatever it is I am buying - I am getting a good deal anyway. I was recently in Nashville and they wouldn't let me combine offers. But then I came back to Cleveland and both the Crocker and Beachwood stores let me. It was the guy manager at Crocker that let me call CS and apply the 25%.

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  56. rach: I am also interested in the white denim trousers and would be interested in what people think about them.

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  57. michele and Rach: I tried on the white denim today and they weren't great. You can see the pockets and its just not a good look. They are more see through than I expected. I tried the trousers and the cropped.

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  58. I thought the women's haberdashery button-down shirts looked good... I really liked the teal one. Nice saturated colors, can't wait to pair them with sweater vests!

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  59. blumre: Thanks for the info re: the white denim trousers. I think I will pass on them in favor of forthcoming fall goodies.

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  60. michele: sounds like a good choice to me

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  61. Just stopped in my favoriate crew shop and got a sneak preview of fall. I have the catalog - lot of new sweater/jackets and some way cool shoes too. Some of the larger stores are offering private preview shopping this coming saturday. New stuff should be online some time next week - barring any more tech fiascos.

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Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)