A big "thanks!" to Kater who shared with us J.Crew's latest email. J.Crew Factory Stores are announcing their big sale with (1) new arrivals up to 40% off & (2) summer items up to 75% off.P.S. I love what everyone is wearing in this photo! My family photos never look this good. Usually there is a dog looking the other way and someone looking pretty disgruntled. ;)
Oooo! Is that the red blazer (on right) that everyone is down on bc of the lack of lining? Looks cute. Like the scarf too.
ReplyDeleteLooks like I'm going to the Williamsburg outlets Saturday morning!
What do people think of the factory stores? Is it better to just buy regular JC on sale, or is the quality OK at the factory stores? It's been a long time since I've shopped at one.
ReplyDeleteHi SS! This image is from an older catalog that I actually have somewhere in my office. ;) I think it is a couple of years old. But aren't the jackets still beautiful today! I also like that red blazer. :)
ReplyDeletekristin: in my personal opinion, the factory stores aren't as nice in quality, and you have to be careful. But they produce new versions of stuff from previous seasons, and I think it's fun to go get things I might have missed the year before.
ReplyDeleteA good example I think is the outlet versions of the bella for this fall. I think the one in wool herringbone at the outlet is fine - it's lined, and looks pretty darn close to the "real" bella. But the cord and velvet versions of the same jacket at the outlet are bad - they aren't lined at all, and hang funny because of it.
Just my two cents!
Hi Kristin! I am personally not a fan of the factory stores. I find that regular J.Crew on sale is much better (in terms of price and quality). But that is just my opinion. :) There have been some Aficionadas who have found great pieces at their local factory stores.
ReplyDeleteThere is a post that you might be interested in reading: Love or Hate? J.Crew Factory (Outlet) Stores
Kristin, I find the quality of the outlet stores to be pretty blah! I mean I think it is normally better to buy Jcrew on sale. Though our country house is near an outlet store so I occasionally meander up there. I actually think the quality of the suiting up there is O.K. and worth the price. I got a three piece suit last year for $150!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the factory opinions! I miss the days when outlet stores were discounts on "real" merchandise, rather than all of this lets-make-this-just-for-the-outlet. The JC outlet is more convenient for me to get to, but I think I'd rather just shop occasionally at regular JC for deals. Thanks again!!
ReplyDeleteSince the topic has been bandied about so much, I plan to visit a FS as soon as I can. I think some of the items would be good to have. After all -- I really don't want to do dishes in my silk Piper tank. I love all the blazers in the photos. Great pic.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I too remember that picture from an old catalog!
ReplyDeleteHi everyone!
ReplyDeleteI was at the factory store in Westbrook CT last weekend and was so disappointed.
The prices were ridiculously high for an outlet and the quality was poor. By poor - I mean not anywhere near the great quality of the regular J. Crew clothes.
This store carries Crewcuts now so I was surprised at how little they had for women's clothes.
They had a couple of wool coats and the fabric was very stiff. They also had cotton cardigans for about 49.00 and they didn't look good at all. You could get a better cardigan at Old Navy for $20.00.
If you know your J.Crew merchadise - you will be disappointed. Although some of the cotton t's are a good buy.
But - I have gotten a couple of cotton t's in the past with a twisted seam so they never fit right.
I did get lucky and got a cotton plaid blouse for and additional 30%off $9.97 in the clearance section which was very, very small. The weird thing was that I am normally a size 8 and this blouse is a 12 and fits me perfectly.
Definitely try things on before you buy.
I hate to say that because I love J. Crew and I feel like I am constantly criticizing them lately because of the web problems and the factory store......
It's like J. Crew is my child - I love them expect a lot from them!
Off topic, as others have noted, the sale site is updated with new items. And it's as glitchy as ever -- the Ocho Rios gathered sweater dress first is listed at $6.99. When you click on it, the price really is $80 and some change. Annoying.
ReplyDeleteI was actually at my local J.Crew factory store yesterday - and I saw the "factory" Bella jackets. They had herringbone, velvet, and cord. I actually bought the cord one in a pretty, deep magenta color (and I don't really like pink!) For $60, I couldn't pass it up. They also had:
ReplyDelete-Shawl collared sweaters in pretty colors (I bought two)
-3/4 sleeve waffle tees (got 1 of these)
-an assortment of short sleeved and 3/4 sleeved t-shirts
-basic sweater dresses
-cardigan cashmere sweaters (too short, and I'd rather buy quality than outlet cashmere)
-re-creations of the crest dream sweaters from last year - but the sleeves were WAY too short
-3/4 sleeve argyle sweaters
-sherpa hoodies - my sister bought one
-plain t-shirts
-headbands, some socks, a few pairs of tights, etc. (if anyone missed out on last year's blue "peacock print", the outlets have several items in that print.)
-They also had a rack of peacoats - but I'd much rather wait for the real one with thinsulate to go on sale (warmth is key!)
Note: the prices on the tags of the clothing aren't so great, but mostly everything in the store is 20-30% off, plus we got a coupon book for free with 10% off that we used. We also make sure to not buy anything too tight, because we've had shrinkage issues in the past with a sweater or too.
It seems to me that the factory stores carry more of the "basic" pieces, ie the ones that will appeal to the masses. No sparkly cardigans or silky dresses or the "fashiony" pieces.
My factory store was one with crewcuts - and it was so adorable! If I had young kids I'd visit the outlet and not the real store - why buy a $60 sweater if a kid is going to outgrow it in a year? There was this young girl trying on clothes and the SA gave her a lollipop for being so good! It was adorable.
Sorry for the long post, I kind of rambled on. =)
Last time I was at a FS, they had some cute stuff (like a factory version--maybe it was cotton--of my snow leopard cardi from last winter). BUT I was with a MAN, so I didn't dig around much. But I did notice the prices were higher than I remember at FS. Guess that reflects the across-the-board price increase for JCrew.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, I liked the basics from the FS. Some of the stuff looked a lot cheaper. I always found regular JCrew stuff there on sale too for really good prices.
This time I will be able to shop myself, so hopefully we will have an open post next week for the factory finds!
Just wanted to let you all know, additional 40% off clearance is back in stores again. Also new markdowns, Olivia top is now 79.99, cheetah cami & lame cami also got marked down today. Some new in store promos (not additional 40% off) are Cord Pencil skirt is 49.50, herringbone & Donegal Fiona's & Ecole's are 25% off. Matchstick cords 69.50 (along with bootcut) and Watson pants are 49.50. I can't remember what else got marked down, but there is still time (until 8/29) to call & make appt with personal shopper for 20% off.
ReplyDeleteI found the cotton at the FC not a very good quality, it lasted only 1season.
ReplyDeleteThe cashmere sweater I bought 2 years ago it still going strong I paid $65.00 for it, I wish I bought more that day.
great just in time for the holiday weekend!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to share my personal experience with the factory stores. New one just opened yesterday in Arundel Mills Mall, Hanover, MD and I had to check it out. It's fairly large in size and well stocked, they had tons of clothes and eager to help SAs near every rack. B/c it so new, everything is very well organized, clean and pleasant, but... Merchandise on display did not hold any appeal to me whatsoever. I felt like I walked into last year's Paris catalogue( which I loved, BTW), but it was totally look alike only. Tons of Bella jackets which were not as plush or as bright as real thing, Lexington jackets made of soft felt???, cheap looking and scratchy, tons of merino sweaters which are not as nearly as soft as regular J crew sweaters. They even had few replicas from current season: Joelle blouse (claimed to be 100% silk) was stiff and crankly, not wisper thin, bateau dress had all the wrong pleats, and prices... Dani peacoat look-alike-- over $200, Joelles at $49.99, bateau dresses at $59, you get the drift. I walked away without purchasing anything.
ReplyDeleteIf I was not so obsessed with J crew, I would probably find some items I would have bought. However, I could not shake a felling that it's not a "real thing", there was such discrepancy in quality of material and craftsmanship b/w regular J crew stores and outlet.
In short, if I really wanted something from J crew that I missed getting in a past, I would hunt for it on Ebay vs. buying similar looking item from an outlet store.
All of it just my personal opinion and is not intended to offend anyone who likes/prefers to shop in outlet stores.
JCrewLvr: Thanks for the heads up about the 40% additional off final sale items. I have already turned that into a post. :)
ReplyDeleteSlastena: Thanks for the awesome review of your local factory store! :) I also totally agree with you that I end up comparing the Factory items to J.Crew's regular items and ultimately become disappointed with the Factory items- its just hard to not compare the two. :)
jcrewlvr: Thanks for the info! Any chance the wool Tuesday Trench got marked down as well?
ReplyDeleteI think I have seen the general quality at the outlets decline over the last few years. I agree with the comments on poor quality fabrics and sewing.
ReplyDeleteOT jcrewlvr: What store did you see these markdowns. I just left my B&M store and none of this was marked down. So aggravating!
I may call CS and have them match the prices at your local B&M.
Thanks.
Student discounts work at FS, right?
ReplyDeleteBased on all the reviews about quality at J.Crew Factory Stores I doubt that I will go.
ReplyDeleteI've had decent success at the J.Crew Outlet with the following pieces:
ReplyDeleteShirts (button down, point collar etc.) - the quality is quite good. I feel like the FS shirts are as good as the retail equivalent from two years ago - before they began to source new mills. Interestingly enough - I often fine the color/pattern/color combo I'm looking for at the outlet.
Boxers - can never have enough and they last. Usually offer 3 for $20 which is a decent deal.
Graphic Tee's - I purchased two this spring and they're holding up very well.
Shorts - picked up two linen/cotton blend shorts this summer and have been really pleased. Excellent quality.
Socks - Some success.
Pieces I avoid - Suits, Jeans, Khakis, most outerwear and sweaters.
This photo made me nostalgic for older J. Crew styles. I feel like a lot of their stuff had a more classic tailored/preppy look years ago, and the colors were more wearable.
ReplyDeletejcrewlvr: What store is your store? Because mine (Tyson's in VA) still has the Olivia's priced at 99! TIA!
ReplyDeleteI love that photo! I remember it from the fall 2005 catalog because I was pregnant and I loved everthing and couldn't wear ANYTHING.
ReplyDeleteI may check it out, because as a SAHM w/ a budget I really love jcrew but can't buy as much there as I'd like and need some lower priced basics with the same style in mind.
gigiofca: "After all -- I really don't want to do dishes in my silk Piper tank." Exactly! I don't want pb & j from my two year old on it either! :)