As many of you have correctly pointed out, (like Gigiofca in the "J.Crew Student Discount: Upgrade & Downgrade" post, boston_brit in the "Darlings, is it time for a J.Crew coupon code?" post, and many others) it looks as though several retailers are copying J.Crew's style. (Or as FabulousFloridaMommy pointed out, it could be vice versa.)Take Old Navy for example. In the image above, the Old Navy items on the bottom look strikingly similar to J.Crew's on the top.
- Old Navy's Women's Argyle Ruffle Neck Cardigans ($29.50) versus J.Crew's Cashmere argyle ruffle cardigan ($99.99)
- Old Navy's Women's Side-Tie Tanks ($16.50) versus J.Crew's Airy ribbon washed favorite tank ($19.99)
- Old Navy's Women's Active Shawl-Collar Cardigans ($24.50) versus J.Crew's Antique fleece shawl cardigan ($19.99)
I would buy the cheaper items if the fabric/knit was fairly nice....I don't think JCrew quality is all it is cracked up to be on certain items.....but I do love their tanks...I am glad that JCrew has a bit of competition too:)
ReplyDeletejcrew and old navy are owned by the same company so it makes sense they're using the designs with different quality materials. which is nice if you're short on cash when jcrew is so very expensive!
ReplyDeleteChelsea- Old Navy is owned by the same company as GAP and BR, I think your a bit mistaken here...unless something has changed that i don't know about
ReplyDeleteHi Chelsea! J.Crew and Old Navy are not owned by the same company. Old Navy is a part of Gap Inc (which also owns Banana Republic and Piperlime). J.Crew owns Madewells.
ReplyDeleteHowever, current CEO of J.Crew Mickey Drexler use to be the CEO over at the Gap many years ago.
I trash cardigans. I'm in libraries all day, so I throw them in bags to wear once inside because it's always so cold. They also inevitably get ink and high lighter all over them. So, I bought the white version of the ON ruffle cardigan. I havent' worn it yet, but I'm also already thinking about picking it up in black. I also like the grey argyle one very much, but it's already sold out online!
ReplyDeleteoverall, the knit felt pretty good - I thought it was a good deal for a cardigan that will essentially become covered in ink/highlighter and stretched out from being in a bag. And I won't feel as bad since I didn't pay as much as I usually do at the crew!
I have spent many years not liking Old Navy due to the quality, but in the past couple of months have been quite surprised by several of their pieces. I posted a link a couple of weeks ago to the Old Navy preview site for the upcoming months, and the Ruffle Cardigan was showcased in it, as well as some of the other *copycat* pieces. I also purchased two ON High Waist Skirts that are very comparable in fit and quality to the J.Crew Belle Skirts...I paid $18 each for them, and would buy more if they had them in other colors. Just a thought...are we sure these are knock-offs of J.Crew, or is J.Crew copying other retailers? The yellow and brown dress in the lookbook is almost exactly like one on sale in Neiman Marcus made by Tory Burch. I prefer to believe that J.Crew is the original...but are we SURE about this? They are all coming out about the same time...although Old Navy had their ruffle cardigans online already last month...long before the J.Crew Tartines were available...any opinions? I would really, really love to know who thought up the designs first.
ReplyDeletei bought that grey argyle sweater b/c it caught my eye in the store. it's 100% cotton and actually quite nice and well made for old navy and the price.
ReplyDeleteI meant the Tory Burch dress is FOR sale and not ON sale, and the Ruffle Cardigans at Old Navy were available for purchase online last month, but weren't yet available in the stores. :)
ReplyDeleteFFM: You raised an interesting point: who does create the design first?
ReplyDeleteSince I don't frequent too many other stores (besides J.Crew & GAP), I really can't say which firm had the design first.
It would be interesting to find out though :)
Great topic, Alexis :-)
ReplyDeleteffm -- What's your email again? I have a q for you about a J Crew piece.
Confession -- I own the gray argyle cardi. Last week it was sold out online in S and I didn't see the gray one in stores at all the other day. I wore it with gray slacks and a pearl necklace and got raves. It didn't look or feel cheap at all. Could it be a teense softer? Of course, but I will always wear a cami or tee underneath. J Crew had a ruffle neck this spring, so I don't know who was the originator of the design. I will repeat myself for the umpteenth time. I'm sure all these garments are being sewn in the same places. I wonder if the factories help companies knock off items from other companies since they have the pattern in house.
I haven't been a fan of the Gap in years. However, as a BR Luxe cardholder, I'll definitely keep shopping at ON & BR.
Nothing turns me off more than seeing racks and racks and racks of clothes. That's what I think of when I think of Old Navy. I love it that J Crew stores are small, have small racks/displays, and keep a small number of each item out on the floor. It makes everything so much more special. So, I guess my point is that my shopping experience with J Crew is as important as the actual styling of the clothes. So a copy won't cut it!
ReplyDeleteNow, can we talk about the model in the pink tank? She has the prettiest figure! I see her in the Talbots catalogs sometimes, but she looks much cuter in J Crew. :-)
gigiofca: my email is: FabulousFloridaMommy@cfl.rr.com
ReplyDeleteOld Navy's designs have improved a great deal. I bought an ON argyle polo shirt and a few camisoles to wear under my JCrew cardigans and have to say I love them. The new ruffle cardigans are not bad looking at all and certainly are inexpensive. I'm going to head over to ON today at lunch to see if I can find the side tie tank top. It looks really cute!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEverything is made in China there is very little difference between stores and quality now.
ReplyDeleteI just saw a cotton spandex yoga jacket just like the one I bought at J Crew, there was very little difference but the price, $25.00 at Walmart and $69. J Crew.
A lot of ON stuff is just too cheap looking and turns me off. However, they do have a few surprisingly nice items. I got a jacket (the bell-sleeve swing jacket) which is kind of a cross between the fiona and san telmo (but straight stand-up collar instead of ruffles) and was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the cotton twill. It was $39.50 and looks like it's all sold out online now.
ReplyDeleteI do think ON is targeted at a much lower-income demographic than JC, so you can't really expect the quality to compare. In fact I believe ON's same-store sales were down a whopping 26% last quarter, reflecting that the lower income brackets have been hardest hit by rising food/gas prices and obviously have much less discretionary income for apparel purchases.
Another copy cat item: these shoes look like the juliet heels, but with a higher heel (too high for me!)
http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=37557&pid=594618&scid=594618012
Also the faux-croc ballet flats with the different-color toe box look a little like the penelope flats:
http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=37558&pid=594613&scid=594613032
I hate the way ON fabrics seem to just shrink and shrink. I haven't changed the rise of my pants yet somehow the tanks and tees I bought at ON have just gotten shorter and shorter. Yuck! Perhaps the trend towards longer tees and tanks will help alleviate that, though, I did get mine a few years ago. :)
ReplyDeleteBoden copies J.CREW.
ReplyDeletemelanie: I totally agree with you about ON fabrics. I can never shop at ON anymore because any time I buy something, it always ends up shrinking. It's also more of an issue for me because I need longer tops since I'm 5'8. I used to buy tanks there until I discovered how much better J Crew's were.
ReplyDeleteI am curious about the skirt that resembles the Belle though. There's only one Old Navy close to me, it's hard to get to, and it didn't have the skirt.
Here's shoe style from the Gap...Pepper suede anyone?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=34759&pid=586012&scid=586012012
Cass: That Gap shoe is totally like J.Crew's flat- Good catch!
ReplyDeleteAlexis, thanks for putting in the links for me...I have been too lazy to learn to do it myself. ;) I think the j.crew version of the flat is much more refined looking, but the sole is so insubstantial it is like wearing a slipper. I just so the Gap version at the B&M--it actually has quilted cushioning inside and thick rubber soles so it has traction--all for less than 1/3 the original price of the j.crew version. This is just another example, IMHO, that j.crew needs to improve their shoe soles and interior linings.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the quality of ON's fabrics is usually not great, but the same can sometimes be said of Crew! I usually only buy ON stuff when I can make it into a B&M store, that way I can really see what I'm getting. I bought the grey cardigan and I think that it is really cute! I have a hard time with sweaters being too itchy for me, so I prefer the cotton of the ON version - I just wish that it had some lycra in it to keep it from stretching out. Also, the gap sister stores are having a promo right now, free shipping if you order from two or more stores, good until Aug. 31. I think that they are still having their denim promo at the gap as well . ..
ReplyDeleteMJ in VA
I agree w/Molly about ON merchandsing. It reminds me of the overwhelming feelings I get in Costco, without the food samples. They *have* changed their sale section, though, and it's made a huge improvement. They now organize by size. Not that the sections are accurate, but it's a lot cleaner than before.
ReplyDeleteThe ON ruffle chiffon tank is pretty cute in person. I don't like the feel since it's polyester but it's machine washable.
It just occurred to me why I don't like the Tartine. The collar is chiffon and doesn't stand up as in person as it does in the photo. The featherweight aspect was also unappealing as I would not be inclined to pair a heavier buttondown underneath. In contrast, the ruffle on the ON sweater is made of the sweater material. It's sturdier and frames the neck nicely.
I'm usually not a fan of Old Navy, shopping in their stores is like shopping in a warehouse and I think the cut of their clothing, especially pants, is poor. That said, I don't think they're too bad for loungewear and knits. I did buy the ruffle neck cardigan in white, it's 100% cotton and the cut is decent. I wanted a white cardigan even though it's so late into summer so I couldn't pass up the price point. I was also pleasantly suprised by the cut of their jackets and a couple of button down shirts.
ReplyDeleteFFM makes a great point about who's copying who though. I don't buy higher end than J Crew so I'm not really on the ball with other designers to know if J Crew is imitating them.
Also, slightly o/t I just starting the book "How Luxury Lost Its Luster" about how everything is mass market and made in China now. Has anyone else read it?
Old Navy for fine for clothes to do yard work in laying on the sofa and channel surfing. I've found the fit to be somewhat boxy and the clothing always, always shrinks. Usually it shrinks making t-shirts and polos way too short.
ReplyDeleteThe Gap has a better fit as does Banana, but in my experience they have the same shrinkage issues.
I've seen some sweaters at both Gap and Banana that look very much like ones from J.Crew. The J.Crew ones are much nicer fitting and better made too.
Could it be that all of the stores are current and that's why the items are similar looking? I'm referring to the men's offerings by the way.
Cass: I couldn't agree with you more that J.Crew shoes need better soles and base padding! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to believe that at those original prices from J.Crew, features like padding are not included in their shoes. I always end up having to add inserts from Dr. Scholls. :)
Boston_brit: I read "How Luxury Lost Its Luster" this spring. I really never buy that level of clothing; it's way above my pay grade. However it was very interesting to hear how Gucci, LV and Prada are not the highest quality. The writer stated that only Channel and Hermes were the ones who maintained real luxury quality.
ReplyDeleteThat being said I do find that J.Crew is well made for the price. It seems that in order to get something significantly better than J.Crew the prices doubles or triples.
Hi All
ReplyDeleteBased on the pictures and the endorsements from FFM and gigofca and others about improving quality at ON, I might give them a shot. I've never liked shopping in that store nor have I found anything I liked there, but maybe I should revisit it. Hey, if it gives the Crew a run for its money, maybe we'll get some of our stackable promotions back!
I got that Gap shoe! It is super comfy by the way. And don't worry my first thought is...it looks just like the pepper suede flat I kept missing out on!
ReplyDeleteON overwhelms me sooo much. I feel like I could get lost in there and no one would find me for days.
I don't see a whole lot of similarities between boden and J Crew. In fact, I can't stand Boden LOL I ordered some stuff from them in the spring and it was all so chunky with huge buttons and stitching and thicker material. It reminded me of the clothes I wore in the early to mid 90s. The colors and patterns are downright ugly sometimes too.
ReplyDeletei'm a major fashion magazine junky and love seeing how j crew and others (gap, banana) interpret the couture designs. i think the major houses like dior, marc jacobs, donna karan, and many others, are determining the major styles and the lower levels are creating styles from there. reminds me of the scene in 'the devil wears prada' when they're discussing the color of her blue sweater.
ReplyDeleteI've thought for a long time that Gap, Inc. was copying J Crew designs, and in fact have made it a practice to search out Gap, ON and BR for items before buying from J. Crew. I've had a lot of good luck recreating J Crew outfits that way, and it's much cheaper with all the rewards I get by using my BR credit card!
ReplyDeleteI am going to go to Old Navy today and see if they have any of those argyle sweaters still. :)
I really like Boden. It is big here in the UK. Huge in fact. Everything I have bought from them is better quality than JCrew in my JCrew experience of 7years and Boden experience of 2 years. I own Boden skirts (12), sweaters (5), coats (4), jackets (2) and tees (10) All are very nice and high quality. Only returned one defective item and I can't say that about JCrew. I returned 5 defective items in July alone from JCrew.
ReplyDeleteI used to buy Old Navy in the 90's and early 2000's. My husband has a blue ringer tee that was bought in 1996, has been in the wash every week since then and doesn't have a single hole in it nor has it shrunk...amazing men's t-shirts back then....I also buy their clothes for little girls....
ReplyDeleteAnother item I noticed Old Navy imitating was the ruffle collar henley:
ReplyDeleteJ. Crew:
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/knitstees/polos/PRDOVR~92675/92675.jsp
Old Navy:
http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=14295&pid=595939&scid=595939022
I have to say, judging from the photos, I think the J. Crew version looks better. I worked at Old Navy for 3 years (just quit very recently), and knowing the quality of their tees, my guess is that their version is a lesser quality. Old Navy has certainly improved their styles and the quality of their merchandise, though. And I agree with what some people have said about the stores feeling overwhelming and like a warehouse. They're not all bad, though. Some stores have been remodeled to have a cleaner look (my store was unfortunately not one of those). And we would always initially try not to have the racks packed full of clothes, but we would get so much shipment that the backroom would be too full and we had no choice but to move it out to the salesfloor. But yeah, even as an employee I sometimes preferred shopping online to shopping in store. :P
I have a pretty big affair to go to soon and am looking for something to wear. My husband is going to be a judge and I will need something for the swearing in and a dress for the party.
ReplyDeleteI am considering the metallic daisy dress or the rosette dress. Anyone know how they fit?
Then I will need shoes....
Thanks!
Oh and the metallic laura shift, I really like that one. Has anyone tried it?
ReplyDeleteMJ: Does the free shipping at the *4 stores* require a coupon code? I want to order from BR and GAP, but haven't seen that free ship code...can you help?
ReplyDeletehey ffm: luxe works for the four stores checkout if you use your luxe card.
ReplyDeleteI posted about this before, but this item from ON looks like a long-sleeved version of the Antique Fleece Shawl Collar Cardigan from last Spring:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product
.do?cid=14571&pid=599310&scid=5993100
42
I was so excited to see this online, as I really love my white shawl collar cardigan and wanted to get it in grey as well. Unfortunately the ON version just looks hideous.
Molly: I agree, that model is too cute! Her name is Marcelle, I believe. She also models in the Victoria's Secret fashion shows! I think some of JC's other models do similar stuff as well. I think it's amazing how chameleon-like models are, and how they can go from looking dowdy (talbots) to sexy (VS), to very wholesome and gorgeous (J. Crew).
mary: Old Navy is definitely hit or miss on the items...I was really pleased with the Belle like skirts I bought, and I also bought a Black and White Striped Cap-Sleeve Tee that is really adorable with my white wide-leg pants...I have been pleased with all 3 items. Some of the garments are definitely not the highest quality, but then the price isn't high, either, so I really don't expect too much from them. Also, I find the key to avoiding too much shrinkage with ON clothes are to either remove them quickly from the dryer or not put them in at all. :)
ReplyDeleteAshley, I bought that shawl collar cardigan from ON in the hopes that it would be close enough to the J. Crew version. I was also disappointed. It was too long and too baggy. Even going down a size didn't help much. I really wish I had gotten that piece from J. Crew in every color!
ReplyDeletejcrewbug: Thanks! I don't have a BR card, but do have the GAP card and receive free shipping on a $100 purchase...only thing is this time my cart doesn't even equal close to that much. ;)
ReplyDeleteashley - I agree about the shawl collar cardigan look alike at ON - I was so excited to see it in a store last week, but then I tried it on, and it looked horrendous! I was so upset. It was like the fabric wasn't heavy enough to hold it's shape or something.
ReplyDeleteAshley: Thank you for providing that link! I was actually trying to find that shawl cardigan from Old Navy to include it in the image of this post. I also agree with you- it looks completely the same (style wise) as J.Crew's version. :)
ReplyDeletekater: I think you are right about the fabric being to flimsy to hold its shape on the ON cardigan.
ReplyDeleteI could just kick myself for not getting a grey JC version! My B&M was always sold out of the grey in my size, so I settled for the white. I wish I had known about the red phone back then!
But I truly adore that cardigan. It adds a little polish, even on those days when you're just slummin' in. But I'm guessing among Aficionadas, those days are few and far between!
make that slummin' "it", not "in"!
ReplyDeleteFFM
ReplyDeleteI love the belle skirt at JC. I just don't want to pay full price. I guess I'll head out to ON to see how it looks on, but will definitely pay attention to the quality of items before I spend.
Thanks!
And yes, that model Marcelle has the most gorgeous body ever. She was born to wear swimsuits. I hate her :)
ReplyDeletehdayton: I think all of the dresses you are thinking about are pretty (I haven't tried on any of them though), but out of the three, I think the Laura is the most timeless and classic of them all, and looks perfect for the type of event you will be attending. It's a bit pricy, but I think you could wear it again and again.
ReplyDeleteYou might also consider the silk taffeta Gracie dress, although the colors might be a little out there for the type of even you go to, unless you choose boring black. The Deep persimmon might work, though.
Ashley: Thanks for your suggestions. I think the Gracie in chocolate brown would be lovely! My only hesitation is that I am nursing and not sure if I can find a bra that will (lock and load me) to fit in that dress! You are right about the Laura it is a stunning dress but a bit on the expensive side.
ReplyDeleteFFM and blumre: have you tried on the rosette dress, the laura shift or the gracie?
ReplyDeleteHere's another option for the shawl cardigan:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=14988&N=1200206&pCategoryId=199&categoryId=2099&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_2099&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Pebble%20Melange%20Grey&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses
or a tinyurl: http://tinyurl.com/5rxf7w
hdayton: I have not tried on any of those dresses, but think they are all very beautiful! I also agree with Ashley that the Laura dress would be perfect for the event you are going to. It is the priciest out of all you have named, but...you said you really like it, and it would work with the type of undergarment you need due to nursing...it seems to be the best choice, and then the Gracie would be my second choice if you could find a bra to work for you. :)
ReplyDeleteKberry: Thanks for the link! It looks like a more sleek, grown-up version of J. Crew's. I might have to check it out sometime...
ReplyDeletehdayton: I tried on the gracie gown and it's really pretty but the waist nips in a bit funny and makes your hips look huge. :) That was just my experience, maybe it works better on other figures!
ReplyDeletehdayton: Have you tried looking at the dresses in Anthropologie? I buy from there when I have an affair to go to. You can get a nice one for less than $300 & there's less risk you will bump into someone in the same dress.
ReplyDeleteOne should also take a look at JCrew's yoga line...although the styles have been tweaked the colors are almost the same (bright peacock)as Lululemon. Having tried yoga wear from both companies, I think that I will stick with Lululemon (although a bit more expensive, the fabric quality and wear quality are just BETTER!). Also the headbands from JCrew's yoga line look suspiciously like the "dance" headband from Lulu.
ReplyDeleteit's totally possible that neither JCrew nor ON were the originator of their designs - retailers frequently get "inspired" by particular designs from Europe or high fashion brands, so they could have both been inspired by a 3rd party design and these were their takes on it.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxiously waiting for my big package from JCrew...I ordered the twisted placket deep Hydrangea shirt(soooo expensive, but oh I love them twisted placket shirts for more formal things), will post a review once it gets here!
I have 2 yoga pieces from JC, the yoga hoodie is lower quality compared to the yoga jacket. The zipper on the hoodie is flimsy, and the sleeves come to my wrist normally JC sleeves are long on me. The yoga jacket I love.
ReplyDeleteThere is more cotton to JC compared to Lulu, and I can wear JC around town doing errands as well as working out, LULU is just for yoga.
I agree with anonymous. I too love Boden & I am buying more from them. The quality is terrific & sizing is more consistent, better than JCrew. I have not had to return anything from them. They always offer 10% off & free returns & shipping, so value-wise, it's a great alternative to JCrew. Plus, you run less risk of bumping into someone with the same clothes as you. Which is a problem with JCrew clothes if you work in Manhattan.
ReplyDeleteterrablanca: Agreed! Those twisted placket shirts are so flattering!
ReplyDeletehdayton - I don't know about fit on the daisy dress, but I love the back of it. I find JCrew to have good fit for dresses. Now the rosette. I own silver. I tried it on and was surprised! Funny thing is I have a 6 and am usually a size 4. So I don't know if it was sewn incorrect, mismarked or if the dress runs small. I never got to try a 4. I'm sure I purchased a return. The V in the front comes kind of low. So if you need a nursing bra or something this may not do it for ya.
ReplyDeletemary - Thanks to FFM, I picked up one of the ON high waist skirts in grey. I prefer it to the JC belle, actually. Definitely give ON a try. You have to be in the mood and know what you're going for. It's not nesc fun to just go and look around. Three out of four times there is a kid yelling his head off.
I was in a b&m today and saw a woman with one of the waterfall type necklaces on from J Crew sort of like this one like (98264). It matched her handbag. Super cute. Then she had a pink cardigan w/ruffled neck. Four hours later and now that I'm home, I *just* realized her pink cardi was from Old Navy. Ha ha! She was doing the hi/lo. And boy did it work.
ReplyDeleteFFM, Melanie, Gifiofca and Marie: Thanks for your help! I think I will just have to go try a bunch of dresses on and see what works. I appreciate your advice!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I own a few pieces of the JC yoga line and I wear the yoga jacket quite a bit....(in fact, I'm wearing it right now). So far, I really like them. The quality is what you would expect from jcrew and the fabric feels great. And of course the colors are so much fun.
I meant Gigiofca!
ReplyDeleteFFM- the free ship code for gap and sister stores is MULTISTORE. You must purchase from at least two of the stores. (i.e. gap and old navy) But I have to say, with at flat rate 4-7 day shipping fee of $7.00...who needs a code! $7.00 is cheap!
ReplyDeletegigiofca
ReplyDeleteThanks for the second endorsement of ON belle skirt. I've had the same sort of head splitting experiences you've had in ON. Cavernous, lots of screaming children, clothing not always well-made or age-appropriate. But if they're improving on quality, I'm in! And you can't beat the prices.
Thanks for the code MB! :)
ReplyDeleteOld Navy has a stuff and save promo through 8/21. So if you have a GAP, ON or BR card, you save 20% on your purchase. The code is STUFFSAVE.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of the ON ruffle polos. The quality is not quite as good as JC, but they were only $15 each. I have a Gap polo and that one has the same feel as the JC ones, but the buttons hit differently. Both are better quality than older versions. I think you just have to cherry pick your items.
ReplyDeleteI had noticed that some of the clothes at GAP and BR looked really similar to some J.Crew pieces. I shop in both stores, but not as fervently as at J.Crew. For kids clothes I prefer Old Navy, Gymboree, and GAP because I find Crewcuts prices totally outrageous. In Brazil, the closest thing we have to J.Crew is Richard's. They have beautiful, high quality and incredibly expensive clothes (today it's cheaper to shop in the US than in Brazil). They started out as a men's store and have a wonderful selection of men's clothes. The look and feel of the stores and lifestyle they try to sell is very similar to JCrew's in my view.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that too! They also have these canvas printed minis that are very jcrew. Last week, I got a pair of an old navy rip off of the suede driving loafers, in royal blue. They're fun and I won't feel as nervous wearing them in bad weather as I do with my jcrew Kensington loafers!
ReplyDeleteI know it's very popular around here, but the tartine cardigan hasn't won me over yet, so I might pick up a ruffle cardigan from ON, and if I like it, I may buy a second one from jcrew (since I think ON only has black + white in the solids).
ReplyDelete