Madewell sent an email letting us know that the new Fall season has arrived at their stores. 
Madewell is also offering customers 20% off on any Madewell order. There are no minimums. The offer expires 9/22/08. To take advantage of this offer (click here) call 866.544.1937 and mention the "20% People StyleWatch offer" or the promo code STYLEWATCH.As mentioned previously (click here), the Madewell e-commerce site that was expected to open this summer is now delayed until early next year (because of the system upgrade).
Personally, I am not a big fan of Madewell. I have been in only one store and was unimpressed by its offerings. I felt like the Madewell basics were fine, but I was better off with the basics that J.Crew offers me (both in terms of quality and price point). I also prefer the jackets offered by J.Crew- which are better detailed and crafted than Madewell's simplistic (yet still as expensive) design. As mentioned before, I just don't think I am the target market Madewell is after. :)
Have you ordered anything from Madewell? If so, how was the experience? Would you purchase from Madewell or do you prefer J.Crew? Are you planning to take advantage of the Style Watch offer?
Alexis, I completely agree with you. I think that Madewell is targeted at a younger demographic than myself (late 20s) based on the types of clothes that they carry and the girls that I see in there each time I decide to give it a try. I do like their basics, but would choose J.Crew over Madewell any day since J.Crew clothes are easier to transition from office to weekend which helps me to justify the spend.
ReplyDeleteDawn: I am glad to hear you feel the same way. I just prefer J.Crew so much more! I really don't expect to see myself at Madewell.
ReplyDeleteIf J.Crew were to have another sister store, I hope it would be something like Martin + Osa. :) Martin + Osa offers free shipping and free returns (and no minimums and no codes needed). :)
I hear you guys. I first heard of this brand a few months ago and I'm also a subscriber to People StyleWatch, so I saw the offer. That being said...I'm actually surprised that this brand is an offshoot of J.Crew. Their clothes seem way too trendy for me. Of course, I'm definitely NOT their target market (hit the big 4-0 this summer, although I like to think of myself as a "young 40"! LOL!!). J.Crew is and has always been more of my asthetic. Seems like better quality also. Just my .02!
ReplyDeleteFor my belated birthday sometime next month my friends and I are going into the city for an afternoon of shopping/walking around. We'll probably stop into Madewell since they supposedly have a dj spinning saturday afternoons. I've been dying to go out of general curiosity for months now.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I could have sworn their denim retailed for $98... not $110.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Alexis. I have been in the Madewell at the Short Hills Mall here in NJ a couple of times, and feel like an old fart when I go in there. I mean a REALLY old fart--if you feel old and you're in your late 20s, imagine being...um...on the wrong side of 40 and venturing inside! Not as bad as Abercrombie and Fitch--that place frightens the bejeezus out of me, with half-naked teenage boys built like lifeguards in some Bruce Weber photo standing outside the door luring in young girls, all the lights off inside, stinking of cologne, with the music boomboombooming--I felt like Methuselah the last time I went in there to buy a gift! I think they want to keep people over 25 out by totally alienating them and/or scaring the crap out of them.
ReplyDeleteI'm about to check out Martin and Osa; sounds like it's much more up my alley.
I'm a 21 year-old college student, so I feel like I could go for either J. Crew (for a mature look or something work appropriate) or Madewell (for a casual, school look). I stopped by Madewell yesterday at Century City and loved the fit and colors of their jeans; the prices were expensive, but there is a 15% student discount.
ReplyDeleteLooks very Urban Outfitters, without the tchotchkes and silly stuff. The prices are much higher than I expected!
ReplyDeleteMolly, I know you like Talbots...did you get the notice that they're having a 40% off sale?
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks Mary! :-)
ReplyDeleteHOW have I never heard of Martin + Osa before!! Thanks for that link, though my husband and credit card might not thank you ;)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know quite where to post this comment, but I have a question about jeans, and this post is somewhat related to jeans :)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I am not all that familiar with jcrew jeans. The only experience I've had with them is a pair of cropped hip-slung jeans I got last summer, which fit pretty well but are tighter in the thigh and waist than i'd like. I was curious as to how a pair of reg. bootcut jeans, in the same size, would compare. I just ordered a pair online, and being so far from a b&m, I can never try anything on. Anyone who's experienced both, I'd love to hear the comparison on fit.
i got that madewell email today too. there are no stores in my area so i won't be checking them out any time soon ;). besides, from what i've read here it sounds like they target the very young...which i am not...sigh :)
ReplyDeleteAlexis: OK, i'm loving the tweed wool peacoat at Martin + Osa. thank you for posting that link :) i have never heard of them...how's the quality of their clothing? I REALLY like the look of that peacoat...and it's %100 wool. very nice.
stacie: i'm with you - how did i not know about martin + osa? :) my credit card may be in trouble too...
ReplyDeleteI went to Madewell store for the first time last week and I really liked it! I am in my late 20s and I thought I could wear a lot of their stuff, like skinny jeans. Their stuff is a lot trendier (think young hip NYC crowd) and definitely more hip than JCrew. Granted, I wear a lot of jcrew on a daily basis because I work in client-facing profession and I just have to look professional 100% of time (I dont even wear khakis to work because I dont think they look polished enough). But on the weekend I like to wear something more hip. Someone compared Madewell to Urban Outfitters. P'hlease! Everything that can be found at UO looks like it was chewed on and then spitted out. Madewell is just very hip. I didnt buy (or try on) anything because I didnt have the time, but prices did seem a little high for the targeted demographics.
ReplyDeleteEl
I don't really like what I've seen of Madewell either. I guess it could be my age (late 30's), but there are lots of things I like that I am too old for. (Thanks to Melanie, I think it was, I've now been watching trashy Gossip Girl.)
ReplyDeleteTo me, all the Madewell (made well?) outfits look exactly the same, and it's a look that I never really dug: skinny jeans, a big top, and slouchy boots.
Appgal, on me (hourglass with pear tendencies), all J.Crew pants and jeans fit pretty much the same: large in the waist and small in the thighs. On my hipslung and matchstick jeans, the waist issue doesn't matter so much, because the waist is down around the hips anyway. On higher-waisted pants like the high heel jean, the large waist is more noticeable. I don't have the bootcut jeans to compare but I found the bootcut cords to have the same fit issues for me.
ReplyDeleteRe Madewell, I've never seen one, but I can tell from the comments here that I am not in their demographic! (Some days, I barely feel that I'm in J.Crew's demographic . . . no wonder the "older" model in Prague is scowling.)
Mary: I do feel old when I walk into the Madewell store too! Considering I am in my 20's, that is probably not a good feeling. :) The weird part is the clothes (and outfits) online don't make me feel old, but the actual store (with the stores clothes, layout, and employees) make me feel old. ;) Also, your comment about Abercrombie is too funny. I realize when I was 23 that I could never enter the store again for all the reasons you cited. :)
ReplyDeleteMary & Stacie & CCBMum: I really think you will like Martin + Osa. They really offer great quality pieces at around (or lower than) J.Crew prices. I bought a pair of pants a month ago, and I ended up getting it in all three colors (which of course my husband totally didn't understand why). ;) The only drawback to the store is that there are not enough B&M stores. But the free shipping & returns totally make up for that. :)
Mekiki, you are not even supposed to like stuff sold at madewell, you are absolutely not in their demographics. And that's ok, that is precisely the reason why they sell these clothes under a different brand. I am sure most people shopping at madewell would not set foot in JCrew either. And I am sure they would think all outfits at jcrew look the same (how many cardigans does a person REALLY need???). In all honestly, I sometimes get bored in a jcrew store, especially lately, its like the same stuff over and over again... with a little twist here and there. But let's face it, jcrew is NOT an innovator, their clothes are NOT fashion-forward. I buy all my fashion-forward stuff elsewhere. Jcrew is just good for work clothes and some casual stuff. But seriously, every time I see a madras anything or critter chino at jcrew, my eyes bleed. It's just plain ugly stuff!
ReplyDeleteWow anon., I'm sorry you got so upset by my comments. But try not to be so bitey!
ReplyDeleteI didn't like the skinny pants/giant top/slouchy boots look in the past, and I still don't like it. There are some trends that come and go every few years that I do like, and some that I don't. I've just never really liked slouchy boots! There are some looks that I just don't find aesthetically pleasing or artistically interesting.
I don't really like most cardigans either. (I am totally craving the academy cardigan though. I didn't catch onto it until it was too late, and now they don't seem to have the colors I want in stock.) Also, I tend to find the J.Crew stores boring as well, but they do have some very very cool things on the website.
anon @ 9:56: I know exactly what you mean with the madewell/uo comparison. While it may appear similar, all of the urban outfitters clothing looks "ripped" or "distressed" - something I despise. Why would I pay $58 for a baggy t-shirt with "fading?" The madewell clothing looks like it could be cute, but probably overpriced.
ReplyDeletemekiki, all i was trying to say is that its a completely different brand, and its clearly for younger people. They are not trying to please people who shop at jcrew. And they dont expect women in their 30s to wear the same stuff as college students. Again, its ok for you not to like any particularly look, you are just not targeted by this brand. But I also think you have no right to say that all of madewell looks are exactly the same because it is simply not true or true to the extend that is true about every single brand/store out there.
ReplyDeletemekiki... out of curiosity, what stuff on the website do you find cool?
The things I want aren't in stock right now, so they're not showing on the website. I do want the Academy cardigan in navy or green, the lame skirt (short & dressy with ruffly tiers), and the dylan swiss dot cami in any color. These things are all on sale and keep coming and going from the website, but I haven't caught them in my size.
ReplyDeleteI'm with (most) everyone else - I'm 27, and I think Madewell looks like it's made more for the college demographic, or the NYC crowd. When I first saw their stuff a while back, I thought the same thing...Urban Outfitters. Sure, it's higher quality than UO and doesn't look messy/cheap like most of UO's stuff, but the overall vibe is kind of similar. I really wanted to like it, but I'm not completely feeling it so far. Must shield my eyes from the onslaught of ankle boots.
ReplyDeleteand it's not the lame skirt, as in "man, that's lame." It's lame (an accent over the e, French speaking people?), as in metallic fabric.
ReplyDeleteWell, I like to add that I prefer J.Crew because they actually make clothing for men. :)
ReplyDeleteI am really NOT a fan of this store or anything it has to offer.
ReplyDeleteBtw...Martin + Osa looks fabulous...thanks for the link! :)
ReplyDeleteFFM, i thought madewell did not have any stores in FL. Have you been to the store?
ReplyDeleteanon @9:55: Sorry if my post sounded as if I have been to a store...I should have said that I am not a fan of what I've seen offered online at all. Florida doesn't have any of the stores so I haven't been to one. From what I've seen online, the clothing just isn't for me, nor is it targeted for my age bracket. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it totally depends on the store. I LOVE the LA (Century City Mall) one and always find great things. But I have been to the VA one and don't really have good luck there. You definitely can't judge it by what is online!
ReplyDeleteMartin + Osa is owned by American Eagle, if I recall correctly. I am wondering if the quality is better than AE? Does anyone know?
ReplyDeletemelanie -
ReplyDeletei am a former martin and osa employee and i have to say that the quality is great, especially the cashmere...at times even better than j.crew. they are working on building their image and defining their style but it's a great store and definitely a place to check out if one is near by.
Just going to point out that what 'anonymous' above me said is a complete lie. I LOVE Martin + Osa, and their construction and material is a lot better than AE.
ReplyDeleteHowever, their cashmere sweaters (I've bought 4 on sale) feel like J. Crew's cotton sweaters. This isn't a bad thing and I like the sweaters, but it is extremely apparent (by feel and the price that they sell for) that Martin + Osa cashmere is a lower grade than J. Crew's. (Realistically if I can buy a cashmere cardigan on sale at Martin + Osa for $45, and the lowest I've ever seen a J. Crew cashmere cardigan go on sale for is $95 (maybe $75 if it is a hideous color), then that's also a pretty good indication of the difference in quality)
I will say that I love Martin + Osa blouses, dresses and outerwear, but if you really want a super soft sweater, probably not the place to go.
Sabine -
ReplyDeleteI do not think it's very nice to say that I was lying. You can disagree with my opinion if you would like. As a former employee, I am very aware of the quality of their clothing and believe in their construction and stick by what I say. I'm not sure what you own from them and will be the first to say that they have had quality issues in the beginning but what stores doesn't when it's just opening. If you are not happy with anything, you can return it - no questions asked even if you have worn it.
Madewell is amazing.
ReplyDeleteTheir denim fits like a dream, and every top that I've tried so far has been sooo soft, comfortable, and flattering.
It is pretty obvious that most of the women who have posted here are NOT in Madewell's target demographic. So naturally, they should not be surprised to find that they prefer other stores such as J. Crew.
And Madewell's prices ARE cheaper. In case you didn't know, college students (their TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC) receive a 15% discount on all purchases. That should be a hint.
All I'm saying is... don't knock it if it wasn't meant for you in the first place?