Painted selvedge jeanClick here for product page
Item 98560
Regular: $285.00
In the "Men's Clothing Collector's Items" post, J.H. mentioned the Painted Selvedge Jean. At the time, I checked out what she was referring to and couldn't help noticing anything beyond the price. Did that price tag really say $285? My eyes cannot believe it. Dear J.Crew, is that price just a typo error from the system upgrade? Please tell me that it is so, because the jeans do not look like they are worth almost $300 (after tax is included).
I mean, I think it's great that the "authentic selvedge cotton denim" comes "from one of Japan's oldest and most renowned mills" that are woven on "original 100-year-old narrow looms". No, really that is awesome. But is the "stonewashed, hand-distressed, hand-splattered with paint and hand-finished" attention that each pair of jeans receive really worth that much? I mean, I could probably save at least a hundred dollars if I buy the Straight-fit selvedge jean in vintage indigo wash jeans (Item 92781; $165.00) or the Straight-fit selvedge jean in worn rinse wash jeans (Item 87571; $150.00) and spend a couple of hours beating-up and throwing some paint on the jean myself. ;) In any case if I bought the painted selvedge jeans (or "made" them myself) my husband would still not wear them. (And I would be out a significant amount of money that could go to better J.Crew purchases!) :)
What do you think? Have you seen them in person at a J.Crew store? Do you think I am being overly critical about these jeans? Do you own any of these pants? If you do, please let me know what you think!
Hey, I haven't seen these but I am still trying to figure out why people pay so much money to buy jeans that look destroyed. And why is it fashionably to look like a slob?
ReplyDeleteI am disappointed with Jcrew for going with this trend (that frankly I was hoping would be over by now) of "distressed" and slobby jeans.
I am very happy with my 99 dollar jcrew jeans that I buy when there is a discount on them or when they go on sale (even though that doesnt always happen with their jeans).
Oh and btw. I call BS on the "japan's oldest mills." This is code for "this stuff was made in china like everything else we sell."
If my BF bought those he would get a nice and probably swift smack.
My boyfriend and I are of the belief that the only people who should have paint splatters on their pants are... those who paint. And, those who paint usually already have paint splatters on their pants so they don't need to buy pants with strategically placed splatters!
ReplyDeletewell said heather! THANK YOU. I feel validated now.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteblumre, I know! ridiculous. :)
ReplyDeleteDidn't YSL or someone come out with what are essentially painted keds (canvas tennis shoes) for $300? Sounds like a project my aunt would have me and my cousins do during a sleepover when we were little!
WTF?? I can't imagine ruining a perfectly good pair of jeans by splattering paint (or anything else) all over it. Call me old fashioned, but I am still struggling to accept jeans that are distressed to the point of fraying and holes. And then charging almost $300 for it? Get out!
ReplyDeleteHAHA! Heather, thats too funny. And so true!
ReplyDeleteThese jeans look awful unless you are an actual painter. I saw a guy painting in town today and he was wearing jeans like this! If my husband wanted to wear jeans like this I wouldn't be seen with him! Thank goodness he knows better...
ReplyDeleteThe unfortunate part of paying full price for a trendy piece of clothing is...that it goes out of style soooo quickly. You would be better off (and get less strange looks!!) if you just threw that money out the window of your car. Seriously, with the exception of that yummy model wearing them, they are ridiculous looking IMHO.
ReplyDeletei think they look just plain stupid. even if you were a painter with naturally paint splattered jeans, why would you pair them with a nice sweater or nice clothes?...i just don't like this look. naturally faded, distressed jeans even with a few holes are ok...but these are ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI saw that picture and laughed. I saw the price, and I almost spit out my coffee. Hilarious.
ReplyDeleteyou guys are coming up with some really great material today! Everyone of you has made me laugh! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteyou guys are hysterical! I completely agree with heather - the only people that should wear paint spattered jeans are THOSE WHO PAINT!!!!
ReplyDeletedidn't j.crew try this a few years ago for women? for some reason I'm remembering having this reaction before...
I think they look ridiculous. You could get the same look at a Goodwill store for about 3.99.
ReplyDeletei think they did a pair like this, but it had patches sewn on them, for women a few seasons ago. pretty sure they were something like $295 and "hand sewn" and "limited Edition"...whatever!
ReplyDeleteBGD
So totally agree with heather! These look exactly like the jeans that my painter is wearing now. He's painting our garage. He'd get a good laugh when I show him this photo and tell him it's $285 a pop!
ReplyDeleteI can live with J.Crew selling $395 Owen hobos that show up scratches by the slightest pressure of a finger nail, but I won't buy patched and paint-splattered jeans - not even in the glorious name of modern art.
ReplyDeleteThanks for using my idea for a post. By the way, I am a girl named Julie. I think most people who buy J.Crew are smart people, so how come J.Crew is always trying to impress us with their cool hyped up jargon. Is it really from some foreign old mill.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness. As my fiance would say - it looks like a bird pooped on them.
ReplyDeleteAnd for $285??? Oh no.
-E
What these jeans make me wonder is who exactly did J.Crew think they were marketing to? I'm in my mid-twenties and I wear J.Crew because I think there styles allow me to look a bit more adult and classy without being too stuffy. My boyfriend likes J.Crew (or tolerates me buying him J.Crew) because of the quality and that it makes him look nice. While I realize they market to lots of different people, the overarching idea that I love about J.Crew is that it is tasteful. Splashes of paint mitigate even superb quality.
ReplyDeleteI can't belive that it is made in "Japan's oldest and renowned mills". Personally, as a Japanese, we do care about high quality and beauty in creation, but we never appreciate such a poor taste... From Japanese point of view, I am very skeptical about J.Crew's description.
ReplyDeleteI think this is their attempt at marketing to the boho chic, or the shabby chic population... And by the way those people always just look shabby and there is very little that is chic about their outfits. Expensive yes, chic, no.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else - J.Crew is about timeless classic pieces - at least it always has been in my opinion. Even if these jeans "are" in fashion now (which is questionable at best), you couldn't keep them in the closet for more than half a season before you'd have to throw them out to make room for the next big trendy piece.
ReplyDeleteAnd....my husband would NEVER wear these! He doesn't even like the Levi's faded look. This extreme look would SO not go over well...
J.H./Julie: I agree that the nice wording just masks the simple truth of: old mill. :)
ReplyDeleteA note on the teacher/student discounts:
ReplyDeleteI just looked at J.Crew's help page and it says that the teacher and student discounts apply to ANY in-store purchase. So those of us who have non-compliant in-store associates should print a copy of the help page and show it to them when we check out in-store. If they have an issue, they should call corporate. I know I'll be doing that myself this afternoon when I get the snotty attitude I usually get when I ask them to apply the discount to my final sale purchases at Willow Grove.
I think it's great that J.Crew also allows you to apply it when you call CS :)
I don't think I could take anyone with paint-splattered jeans seriously. Just saying.
ReplyDeleteHi everybody! I took a look at the website for a better view (views) of these jeans. A lot of different things went through my mind: maybe J.Crew has a small design team devoted to designing things that might not sell, but might get shown in magazines or discussed on sites like this. It's kind of like a high end desinger fashion show. People say "yuck, who would wear that?" but it draws attention, and then people buy the designer's fragrances and handbags and so on.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the people on this site tend to be bargin shoppers. We're not loaded. We want free shipping and other deals and discounts. Although the economy is BAD, not everyone is broke. There are still people (including celebrities) that have plenty of dough to throw around.
Which leads me to the idea that I think celebs might embrace artier styles than a lot of other people. I can see a rocker wearing these on stage.
Finally, I went to art school, so I'm not as offended by these as a lot of you are. I see them as an idea (maybe not a good one, but who knows) made into a design. J.Crew may or may not be expecting anyone to buy them, I don't know.
Meikiki: Thanks for your insights! I see what you mean about celebrities who might be interested in such jeans. But if I were a rocker, I'll be wearing real designer togs, not J.Crew.
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ReplyDeleteI feel like J.Crew is probably in the business of putting out clothes that they think will sell, even if it involves a bit of risk, which it often does. I think that the more likely explanation is that in a the game of hit or miss, this risk was definitely a "miss." At least for those of us with only a small to moderate amount of disposable income.
ReplyDeleteI'm no rock star so the painted, ripped look doesn't work for me. I like good jeans and I'll pay for them too, but not $300 for those. Don't get me wrong, I'm not buying $15 jeans at Costco with tapered legs.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine how silly a guy in his 40s would look wearing those from Jcrew? I'll stick with Mavi jeans and 1921 jeans. I look good in them and no me asks me for a quote to paint their house.
I don't think people are offended by the design per se, but more so the fact that it's Jcrew selling these for $300 bucks and trying to pull the wool over our eyes by resorting to deceptive jargon about "Japan's oldest mill." It's like advertising their sweaters ( I love them!) as Pure Egyptian Cotton. Egyptian cotton yes, but it's weaved/made in China just like everything else is these days -- look at the labels. J.Crew shouldn't underrate our intelligence.
ReplyDeleteMichelle:
ReplyDeleteI posted numerously on the topic of student/educators discount. Unfortunately, despite the proof some stores are not bulging in. I went to Tyson's on Saturday and told the manager 3! times that other stores combine discouts, corporate confirmed and I have a proof on my CC statement in addition. Manager (Michelle) was super nice and sweet, apologized like 3! times and still said : ABSOLUTELY not!They do not allow it .She even stated that she just got an email from corporate confirming that it's only applicable to regular price/promotional merchandise, but not FS. I stepped from the store, called J crew and was told otherwise by corporate. They applied discount to my CC and I asked them to call Tyson's and speak to the manager. They said they would, but I don't know if they did.
Anyone who has been to Tyson's recently, were you allowed to use st/ed discount on Final Sale items? Would be curious to know.
mekiki-as a fellow artist, i see your point. These are what's called "high concept". I would bet that they dont sell that many, but to your point, people see them, and then actually look at OTHER items on the site and buy those...its almost like an advertisement. It's like Runway vs Realway...most of the time designers(esp during fashion week) will show their new lines, but in reality when people come time to order, hemlines are made longer, colors are changed a bit, necklines are made higher, fabrics have linings...etc.
ReplyDeleteLove reading all the opinions on here!!
BGD
Slastena, I was in the Tyson's store yesterday and I asked the person who was ringing me up about the discount b/c I am a teacher. She told me the same thing that you reported, that the educator's discount could only be used on full price or promotionally priced mechandise, not FS stuff (items ending in .99) I was frustrated as well, b/c I have read many times on here that people are getting their ed. discount in addition to FS prices.
ReplyDeleteMJ in VA
MJ,
ReplyDeletethe clerks who ring up merchandise might not know about the rules. Next time I am in, I will ask for manager again. I would recommend calling J crew CS and ask them to apply educators/discount to your transaction. You can read the #s from the receipt, they did it for me on Saturday. I spent over $250, so I could definitely justify my call.:) If it was a small purchase, I would have not bothered.
If you call, ask them to convey the message to managers in Tyson's II. Montgomery Mall and Baltimore Galleria allow discounts as of last week. Maybe if many of us complain, they will do smth about it.
slastena & mj: when I was in Tyson's last week on 7/10 they assured me that there were no student discounts on final sale items. I am more than happy to also email cs at jcrew to complain about the haphazard application of this policy
ReplyDeleteMekiki: in my opinion, price tag and income aside, i think that they look pretty lame coming from jcrew :) i do see what you're saying about those with disposable incomes possibly picking these up because they are "stylish" and artsy (sp)...and i agree that they aren't targeted for the everyday guy...but i really think that they look overdone...and like jcrew is trying too hard to be fashion forward...:) they don't translate to everyday wear to me. i think that's why most people look at them and say...what??? especially because of the pricetag!
ReplyDeletei love that jcrew has gotten more stylish/artistic over the years...maybe if they had gone lighter on the paint they could get away with these jeans as being one of their more trendier pieces...but to me they are way too much, especially coming from jcrew...just my opinion :)
I just noticed that my jcrew cashmere sweaters say on the tag "made in China of Italian yarn." I wonder if these jeans say made in China of Japanese denim? I find it hard to believe they are actually made in Japan.
ReplyDeleteI think the concept of these jeans are insulting to real artists! If you are geniunely creative, you aren't going to pay $300 for paint splattered jeans, sweaters with patches, etc.! You will alter them yourself, or it will happen naturally as a result of your vocation. :)
slastena: If you don't mind my asking, what all did you buy?
ReplyDeleteblumre: Which store should I start with when I get to NYC? Any that I should avoid? Yes, I'll be classified a "tourist" but since I have been there many, many times I won't look the part.
What are people wearing with their Sea Glass Piper tanks? I want to wear in in NY, but am not sure what to pair it with. THANKS for suggestions! :)
Kater:
ReplyDeleteplease, do so (email/call). I can hope we can make Tyson's reconsider the policy if we stand united.
off topic, but I found another page with items not online (shirt and braclet)!
ReplyDeletenew items. Not really digging the top, but still, what's up with the mystery items??
Since the website does state that the student / educator discounts apply to any in-store purchase, I would think that would qualify as false advertising if the discount doesn't actually apply in all cases.
ReplyDeleteI just saw an e-mail that says new stuff will be in stores friday! OH YAY, YAY, YAY!
ReplyDeleteJcrewjunkie: oh just avoid Rockefeller center. Its a mad house unless you go on a weekday morning. Hit up 45th and madison. 16th and Madison (by union square) is a HUGE store and then you can always go look around union square. The soho store, on prince street I think, is fun and so is the south street seaport store. Columbus circle is also big but it can be a mad house.
Jcrewjunkie:
ReplyDeleteI bought Crystal-button starlet jacket in pink - runs true to size, got it in 4 ($169 -25% off); several pieces of jewelry ( love it, love it, love it) Sunset charm bracelet and Seaside charm bracelet. Also Clesea blouse in checkered pink ( not shown on-line, but similar to this one.
Also tried new matchstick denim jeans in light/washed blue- not sure what the color is called, but it's a new one for the fall collection. Loved jeans, too steep of a price- $125, must be "premium denim".:)
As of past weekend, Tysons' had tons of Starlet jackets, poplin minis, Dauphne patented t-straps in many colors, glitter-dot shorts, buttery twill cargo pants, Caterina tops, metallic linen Antonia dresses and numerous tees and tanks.
Clerks were helpful- Mark especially, store was PACKED. Check out line was 150 people, insane! When J crew CS suggetsted I go back and they will tell the manager to apply d/c , I said : No way!:) So they did it over the phone, but I am yet to see it reflected on my J crew CC.
Anon 2:49 pm:
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you!
BTW:
ReplyDeletemy orders from 6/30 are yet to arrive, also, no orders from 7/7 and 7/9 yet. Today is what?16th? Hmm.
I have these jeans and am very insulted by all of your remarks.
ReplyDeleteAnon who has these jeans: You obviously need a style consultant.
ReplyDeleteokay whoa sluggers.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all Anon were you joking? I assume not but why be offended, its a matter of personal taste. We don't like the jeans but if you do and you wear them and they are comfortable and you feel good wearing them... why care.
To the second anon- this is a friendly blog. Please try to remember that.
Personal taste is personal. Remember everyone will have different opinions. Try not to get offended too easily.
J.Crew Guy in Canada-
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA your post was hilarious!
It's nice having a guy's perspective.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not buying $15 jeans at Costco with tapered legs."
"no me asks me for a quote to paint their house."
Hilarious!!
You've got to be kidding, right? Even true Painters by profession don't wear their paint covered jeans in their everyday life outside of work. I have to say that I'm over the BS in the descriptions...how gullable you would have to be to buy into all of that. Give me a break.
ReplyDeleteOhhh, slastena, what are you going to wear your Pink Starlet jacket with? I absolutely LOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteslastena and jcrewjunkie: I LOVE the Starlet Jacket, as well...I want it in the Blue to wear with Gray now and in the Fall...if only it would get marked down further...sigh...
ReplyDeleteJcrewjunkie and FFM:
ReplyDeleteHere is what I would wear with it:
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=2371121
I would love to hear more ideas.
First of all, I'm a big J. Crew fan so don't take my comments the wrong way, but...
ReplyDeleteJ. Crew has been borrowing (stealing, perhaps) ideas from Ralph Lauren for quite some time. The painted jeans thing was something that RL showed a couple of years ago in a NY-Bohemian-style collection. Now, I can think of worse things than borrowing ideas from an American fashion icon, but when it costs just as much as "the real deal," I think I'd rather have the real deal.
What I like about J. Crew is that the men's styles are in the same vein as RL but GENERALLY speaking, more affordable/accessible to us common folk. But to answer the Aficionada's question, I'm not into the painted look.
Ha,HA,ha, ha, haaaaaaaaaaaahhh! Not only am I laughing at them, but so is J Crew..... laughing all the way to the bank!!! If that is no the ULTIMATE of J Crew thumbing their noses at their customers, Idont kow what is. I feel it is so arrogant of them to even offer this ridiculous jean. The price is the topper and J Crew is testing the waters to see just how far they can go. It is the ultimate insult an they should give their customers more credit.
ReplyDeleteslastena: Your outfit looks beautiful! I love the jacket with those shoes...just FABULOUS! How about pairing it with a white tank or tee and gray pants with the same shoes. I would also put a turtleneck under it this fall...either white or gray...with the gray pants or jeans. :)
ReplyDeleteNow for them to get marked down further...I really would like to get the blue one...does the jacket run true to size? I think I will probably need the 4 or are the shoulders on it narrow?
Fabulousfloridamommy:
ReplyDeleteThank you for the ideas ( I especially liked the advice on transitioning into fall), they are grand, I will put another look together utilizing your suggestions.
As for the fit of a jacket, I found it to be true to size. I was able to wear(button up) 2 , but it was tight all over- bust, shoulders, sleeves. 4 fits perfectly: I am moving freely in it, not too tight, not too roomy. My store did not carry blue or white, pink only, and it was an impulse buy of sorts, but I am glad I got it. I have t-straps in berry , so they should go well together. Do you have a chance of trying the jacket in a store?
I can get you precise measurements once I get home tonight.
slastena: measurements on the jacket would be great and very appreciated...I didn't see it the last time I was in the store. My store doesn't get alot of things that are online or even available in other stores, which makes No Free Shipping and Final Sale even MORE frustrating...hopefully they will end the Final Sale soon, though. Thanks for all of your help!
ReplyDeleteFFM;
ReplyDeletehere is my Fall look.:)
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=2436559
slastena: That looks Fabulous! I think the turtleneck is really going to be a great compliment to the jacket...I also think that the Cotton Taffeta Belle Skirt seen Here would look beautiful with it in the Dark Fog color...so feminine and pretty. :) It appears as if pairing black with bright colors (retro 80's)is big for Fall, so a pair of black pants or a black skirt and your Kinzie Peep Toes would probably look really great, as well. :)
ReplyDeleteI was joking. I don't have those jeans.
ReplyDeleteAnon: Thats a good thing... I would never say it out loud but I was a little bit concerned for you sanity. I am glad you're O.K. though. Hehe
ReplyDeleteThese jeans are only for the very young--hard to imagine someone over 25 (and that's stretching it) getting away with this look. And for that price!? My boyfriend works in construction on films, and is often covered with paint splotches. Maybe he should sell his artfully distressed jeans on ebay! And so pretentious with the "Japan's oldest mills" selling point.
ReplyDeleteslastena: I have both the Bobbi Brown palettes in your polyvore outfits ;) I LOVE her fall palettes!
ReplyDeleteMichelle:
ReplyDeleteI adore Bobbi Brown, I think I own every palette of hers.:)
Dear FFM:
ReplyDeleteI did not forget about you!
Here are the measurements for the Starlet jacket (size 4):
shoulder width ( from the highest point to the highest pt all across- they are reaglan sleeves)16 1/2 inches, sleeve length= 6 inches, jacket vertical length= 21 inches.
With 30%off, now would be a perfect time to get one in blue!:)
Although,you might want to wait until Fall ( see my earlier post).
slastena: THANK YOU SO MUCH for the measurements on the Starlet Jacket...I am still debating...it may be wise to hold out and wait for the Fall Collection like you said. :)
ReplyDelete