There is a recent article about J.Crew's latest jewelry accessory for men: friendship bracelets. (Click here for original "Childhood threads with grown-up flair" article published on August 1, 2008 by Amy Scattergood in its entirety.) What I find interesting are the following two paragraphs of the article:Jewelry designer Scosha Woolridge weaves natural-colored linen with diamonds and rubies and anchors the ends with 18-karat gold buttons. This fall, J.Crew is featuring striped friendship bracelets — inspired by '30s-era club ties — in its men's collection, each hand-made in London with hand-dyed linen and secured with an elegant metal buckle.In the image of this post, the "Jewelry designer Scosha Woolridge's bracelets in brown and blue with pink, and a J. Crew offering in gray and red." In my opinion, those bracelets don't look like they are worth $150+. I personally think those are outrageous prices for items any kid in summer camp can make for less than $2. I am also surprised that J.Crew thought their upscale male customers would consider purchasing this type of bracelet. (This bracelet seems like something that American Eagle or Abercrombie & Fitch stores sell for $30. Not so much what I imagined J.Crew's high-end Men's Collection offering its clients.)
Of course, this is friendship bought and paid for: The J. Crew bracelet will be $150 (at jcrew.com), and Woolridge's pieces start at $270 (scoshanyc.com)....
What do you think? Do you think I am being overly critical about these bracelets? Do you think these bracelets are worth the price tag? Aficionados: will you purchase one of these bracelets from J.Crew for yourself? Aficionadas: will you purchase one of these bracelets for the man in your life? :)
youre not being too critical ! are you kidding me? friendship threads from childhood would cost way less. like a dollar or less for a whole role of string to make several bracelets. its absurd. theyre not worth the price tag, $150 for a bunch of string bunched together, no thanks, pass.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous at 8:56AM: I agree with you that these bracelets are mainly a bunch of string. :) I just don't understand why J.Crew thought this would be a perfect addition to their Men's Collection.
ReplyDeleteWe will see those "friendship bracelets" in the sale section very soon. $150? Please.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Alexis-- my hubby is a HUGE fan of J. Crew, but I think that he would think that I have rocks in my head if I came home with that for his wrist. Besides a Swiss Army watch and a wedding band-- my husband is not into jewelry!
ReplyDeleteFor $75 dollars more you can but the GORGEOUS J. Crew Red Wing boots for your man--- and those are worth every penny! I got my hubby them last year for Christmas and he LOVED them.
Mary: Those bracelets will definitely be on "sale"! :)
ReplyDeleteNicole R: By husband wears the same amount of jewelry as yours: watch & wedding ring. I couldn't imagine that bracelet on him. ;)
I did notice J.Crew selling Red Wing boots- and I hear that brand is fantastic!
I can think of many more things I'd rather spend $150 on. How can they sell these for the same price as a cashmere sweater? What on earth are they made of to warrant a high price tag?
ReplyDeleteMath Teacher: A cashmere sweater is such a better investment of $150 than this bracelet- excellent point!
ReplyDeleteLet me get this straight. $150 friendship bracelets and $4500 vintage Rolexes. A $150 recycled tie to express friendship doesn't make sense. Now if these bracelets were made from different cloth by people in a disadvantaged country, and proceeds went to help them - that might put a different spin on it. Too close to GAP for Mr. Drexler, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteGigiofca: I agree that the price tag wouldn't be as outrageous if 95% of the profits went to a charity. ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree that the price of these is outrageous. The kind of men I can imagine wearing them probably wouldn't want to spend $150 for them. I'm sure you could find something similar for much cheaper (or of course make it yourself). My husband is a teacher and sometimes the kids in his class make string bracelets for him (yeah, I think it's a little weird but he is very popular)-- they might not look as "professional" but they are free -- and more meaningful IMHO. Weird to pay $150for "friendship" ... especially if you buy it for yourself!
ReplyDeleteOkay I admit I bought one of the white cotton men's bracelets from last year. It was about $8 and a little pricey for what it was even if it was hand woven. These wool ones are very cool and I'd actually consider getting one for $10, but $150?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I have seen those bracelet and bracelets like them in stores... they are too small to even fit on my tiny wrist how would a guy get them on (the ones that look like a braid).
ReplyDeleteSo guys at prep school wore a hemp braclet and anklet or necklace but really I never thought it was stylish. Thankfully, MMiller doesn't either.
Rosieposie: I laughed at your observation: paying for a friendship bracelet yourself! ;)
ReplyDeleteJCrew Guy in Canada: I can see the bracelet being sold for $8-30 (sans possible "diamonds and rubies and anchors the ends with 18-karat gold buttons"). By the way, I like the picture you selected for your account. :)
Blumre: I agree with you that those types of bracelets are usually worn in High School (even college).
ReplyDeleteBut I can't imagine a professional wearing one to a business meeting. I wonder if Mickey Drexler would rock these friendship bracelets?
$150??? unbelievable! should be $1.50...maybe $15 max. for using "upscale" materials, buckles, etc. would never buy it for the DH...he would think i'd lost my mind...and for sure he'd return it!
ReplyDeleteAlexis- yes I can't see a man of 40+ years wearing one of those bracelets. And mind you the ones that guys wear in HS and College are normally made for them by girls not a company!
ReplyDeleteRosieposie:
ReplyDeleteYour husband must be an awesome teacher if the kids are making him string bracelets. When kids make you things (I love it when they draw me, particularly as an anime character--my anime self is pretty hot, much hotter than the real me--and yes, the drawing is on my fridge, btw) you know you are important to them.
PS
ReplyDeleteI'm going to investigate those boots. My guy is a real boot lover, and so is my brother. They both love their Blundstones, so I'll have a look at the Red Wings.
Blumre: I agree that frienship bracelets worn by guys are most likely given to them by a significant other- not by a company selling one to them. :)
ReplyDeleteccbmum: Too funny about your husband most likely asking you to return such an item! Mine too. ;)
i agree with what everyone else has said. does anyone else get the 'sundance' catalog? they have some really decent men's jewelry for reasonable prices - i think this style is what j crew should offer for men. they have leather bracelets with silver pieces - they're rustic, manly, well made, and appropriately priced.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone that these "Friendship Bracelets" are overpriced.
ReplyDeleteAren't friendship bracelets supposed to be woven by the friends themselves? Or, I think I remember seeing them in mall kiosks for a few bucks. For $150, I expect a much more recognized guest designer. This must be a marketing ploy to "elevate" J.Crew's image. Lastly, if anyone were to buy these, it would be the girlfriends (like some of you suggested) -- it's sorta like Coach; while they have a substantial men's collection, I feel like the only people who shop there are women, so any guys who wear/own Coach probably obtained it as a gift.
i completely agree that the bracelets look a bit abercrombie or american eagle and not very j crew. definitely one of those items that will immediately be marked down because only a fool would pay more than $20 for it. i would certainly NOT want my guy wearing it. maybe if we were 15 and met at sleepaway camp...but not as adults!
ReplyDeleteSundance Catalog is great. I've ordered two bags from them, and both are very high quality, well-made pieces. I've never ordered clothes, shoes, or jewelry though. If anyone else has, I'd be curious to hear about the experience.
ReplyDeletehmmm...wasn't there a quote on a previous post about not having to spend a lot to look good?
ReplyDeleteHi All - These bracelets are byond questionable!
ReplyDeleteTook the week-end off to go to Indianapolis. I am officially in love with the Astrid Jacket with the berry trim. However, my ssiter and mom really disliked it, so might be a controversial item.
The big news though, is the 20% off I received from the store clerk after I spoke to him about the web problems. It is a small card with J. Crew at the top and then An Apology from Us. It is a 20% discount coupon for use in stores only and basically reiterates what the message from the website was. Did anyone else get one of these this week-end? It expires on 8/14/08.
Amethyst: good point about the quote! ;)
ReplyDeleteJenn_Brak: I didn't know about that 20% off card! I was at a J.Crew on Thursday too. But thanks for letting us know about it- I will be sure to make a post about it tomorrow! :)
I'm a teacher and I work at a summer camp in the summer....I'm going to start cracking the whip on the kids and get them to work faster and then I'll sell them at the low low price of $50!
ReplyDeleteAlexis - The manager at the store said they had just received the cards on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteMSM: I laughed outloud at your comment! Too funny. ;)
ReplyDeleteJenn_Brak: Thank you so much for letting me know! I will definitely make a post about it first thing tomorrow morning. :)
jenn_brak: do you know if all the stores are getting the cards? And, all we have to do is say something about the website problems? I think a lot of us will be at our b&m hoping for a card this week! :) I would definitely buy with the card, especially if I can use my teacher discount with it.
ReplyDeleteMAth Teacher - I think they will give you the card if you express that you had a problem with an order. I assume all stores would get the cards, but do not know. It does say not vaild with any other promotion, but I am not sure your teacher discount would be considered a promotion, so you are in clover!
ReplyDeletejenn_brak: I was planning to visit this week anyway (somehow, I got 2 of the same item), so I guess I'll find out. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed! :)
ReplyDelete