Metallic giraffe day coatClick here for product page
Item 96171
Regular: $425.00
Now: $129.99
When I first saw this jacket being offered, I did not think much of it. I neither liked or loathed it. However, (like so many of you,) when I saw this coat marked down from $425 to $129, I just had to give this coat a second look. ;) After the application of an additional 40% off (in addition to the educator's 15% off), the coat was a "must have" for me to get at $66.
Now that I have received the coat, I am happy with it (although I don't "love it"). The fabric (described as "Korean cotton/metallic thread cloque jacquard exclusively woven for J.Crew") is actually a lot lighter than I expected it to be. The sleeves could also be an inch or two longer. A Winter coat it is not. A cold Fall day coat it is not either. The metallic thread fabric itself, really does "pop" on this coat too. If the sun hits you just right, you will be glowing while walking anywhere. :)
When it comes to sizing I would stick to your normal size. For example, I am typically a 0-2 in jackets and a size 2 in coats. I got this coat in a size 2 and I am happy that I did. Although the body of the coat is loose, the shoulders are quite narrow. Also, the back of the coat could really use a slit on the bottom of the coat (which unfortunately it does not). Without a slit, the jacket looks slightly awkward from the side, when your hands are in the coat's pockets.As for the "Mandarin collar with perfectly tied ribbon at neck", it is beautiful. The bow is exceptionally adorable when the collar is closed. However the bow looks a bit "out of place" when the collar is un-button. Thankfully, the buttons are super easy to use (they are snap buttons). (Very much unlike the Katie sweater's buttons!)
Moreover, the fully lined interior of the jacket is lovely with its "interior contrast piping" alongside the "grosgrain trim at interior waistband" (which I think is one of J.Crew's signature moves).
Lastly, would I recommend others to buy this coat? For $425, I would definitely not. This is not a coat that I find exceptional in its quality, warmth, or style. I think Aficionadas would be better off with a Stadium-cloth Bridget coat or a Wool-cashmere plaza coat, in terms of warmth and ability to be used for any occasion and for multiple years. However, for $120 (or in my case $66), I would purchase this coat to wear (alongside my other coats) during this Fall season.
What are your thoughts on the Metallic giraffe day coat? Would you buy it or leave it? If you already own this coat, please let us know what you think. :)
How did you get 40% off...was this coat in the stores??? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 8:39AM: Typically, J.Crew allows you to apply the store's additional percent off if you use J.Crew's red phone. :) There was another Aficionada who mentioned getting this coat with the additional 40% off as well. :)
ReplyDeleteAlexis, yey, I ordered it too!!
ReplyDeleteFor exact same reasons you did. It was a pass for me at the full price, but I had to have it once it popped up on FS. I did not get as good of a deal as you did,but I did have 20% off and 15% off educ.disc. ( which I fought arm and leg to get, I posted on my experience in the Timex post). It is supposed to arrive today. I am glad I ordered size 4 based on you review (I am 2-4 in coats).Looking forward to getting home tonight!!
How did it arrive? Box? Garment bag? It is a Collection item after all.
Slastena: Congrats on the coat!!! :) Please let me know what you think of the coat once you get it!
ReplyDeleteAs for packaging, I thought there would be something more "special" in terms of wrapping. I have purchased J.Crew's Collection pieces (in shoes and bags) and they all came with a little something extra (like a cloth bag). But for this coat, there wasn't! It just came with a hanger (and those paper arms) and the plastic bag. That was it. My winter coats from J.Crew came with more packaging! I guess I was expecting more since it was a J.Crew Collection item. :)
Thanks Alexis!! Mine should arrive by tomorrow and I'm looking forward to receiving it. This coat DID catch my eye in the catalog, but only in the picture of the model holding it while wearing the green twisted placket lawn shirt and waterfall necklace. I agree...would have NEVER bought it full price, but I also received 40% off and paid no shipping, so it was a deal. It's just a fun statement coat. Because of it's shape and bow, it's a little retro, so it's something I will probably keep in my closet for a while. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
ReplyDeleteLeslie: Congrats to you too! You also have to share with us what you think of the coat. :) I agree with you that the coat does seem a bit retro with the cut, but it will be fun to wear once in awhile. :)
ReplyDeleteWill be time soon to create a Giraffe's club. Those who are in possession of Giraffe necklace or pendant also qualify.:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Alexis! I've also liked this coat since I first saw it in the catalog...congratulations on your FABULOUS deal! :)
ReplyDeleteSlastena: Too funny! ;) The Giraffe club... I love it!!! :)
ReplyDeleteFFM: Thanks for the nice words! It really was a fabulous deal too. :)
I got a summer JCrew collection piece and it actually must have been a return b/c it came pretty rumpled and I was disappointed that I paid such high shipping for a lightweight item that was poorly packaged. I sent Jcrew an email and told them so.....
ReplyDeleteIt is good we all like different things...I wouldn't even pay $40 for this coat...I think it is really awful:( If I saw anybody wearing this I would think they got it at Goodwill...looks flashy like I should be in the southside of Peoria, IL!!!
ReplyDeleteAlexis, thanks for the great review on this coat! And congrats on the terrific price! Can you tell us, and I apologize because I know you have said this before, do you go to your B&M when you have an item in mind on the website?
ReplyDeleteMine arrives today as well. I noticed this coat in the catalog and really like it with the Green Silk Lawn Twisted Placket shirt and Waterfall necklace sooo when I saw it on sale for $129 and in a size 0 I went ahead and purchased it! I'll post my thoughts as soon as my "well trained" UPS man drops it off today! LOL.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry but this is a leave it for me...I would not wear it...I really like animal prints but this is WAY over the top...Julia Roberts in Pretty Women...she might look good in it!
ReplyDeleteeugh, it still really rubs me the wrong way that some people are somehow able to get additional discounts off final sale AND the educator/student discount.
ReplyDeleteI really think the educator/student discount should be honored on *everything*.
Just b/c JCrew makes it and it is a collection piece and it's cheap does not nec. make it a do...my PS at JCrew said, "There is a reason some items go on sale..." This is one of those...
ReplyDeleteAlyssa
This is a great retro item that looks like a great statement piece. Thanks for the review, Alexis and congrats to all the ladies who purchased it!
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny that this jacket reminds me of things that my mom wore in the heydey (60s)...she had lots of dressy "cover-ups" that didn't keep the chill out but certainly rocked her evening look.
alexis, you said in your response to anon at 8:39 that j crew lets you apply the store's additional percent off if you use J crew's red phone. is that true even if the item is not carried in stores (if it's "internet/phone" only)? if so, I could just make a list of things i want, and when i see a store-based sale, go in and order them on the red phone, right?
ReplyDeletealexis, how hard was it for you to get the 40% PLUS the educator's discount? did you have to fight for that -- i find that i do, and it's very frustrating...any advice?
ReplyDeleteI liked the style (will probably get the serge coat when it goes on sale), but the pattern is a bit too much for me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I tried on the serge coat that's a similar style it's about 1-2 sizes bigger than my normal, but then I have narrow shoulders.
My closest store is Santa Fe, which is about an hour from me. I called them and asked them to call CS via the red phone and order it for me. My SA had no problem doing that. Although, when she called the CS said they were out of stock (even though I checked and there were plenty), so I called CS myself, explained the situation and she gave me the 40% off with no problem. I guess it doesn't matter if it is "online only" or not.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all of those who bought the coat and love it.... what a great deal! As for me, totally not my style, so I will pass despite the great bargain. On a side note, Gap is offering 30% off full price/15% off sale, using code GAPSTYLE2, with the use of your Gap, BR, or ON card. Now through 10/5. Happy shopping!
ReplyDeleteAlexis, great review! I am jealous of those of you who were able to swoop up the coat! Unfortunately, I have been up to my ears in work as I work for on of the last standing banks and we seem to be buying everyone up! LOL, glad to have a job--- just wish I had more time to spend on my JCrew hobby/obsession! :)
ReplyDeleteAlexis, thank you for your fabulous review. It was very detailed yet unbiased. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI too ordered the coat but since I am in Canada, I likely won't get it for another 2 weeks at least.
At $425, I didn't give this coat a chance, but at $64.99, it was certainly worth it. I realize that this coat isn't for everyone. It's certainly quite flashy. But then again, my staff tell me that I tend to be a little "funkier" in my business dress. So, I guess I could get away with this coat.
I would likely wear it in the evenings or during the holiday season when attending festive events. I might even wear it during the day in the office. I think that I might be able to get away with it as a blazer. What do you think Alexis? Will this work as a long blazer?
I am so glad to see a product review for this! I've been curious about it ever since it came on the site. Thanks, Alexis!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the coat to those that got it. The price is great -- esp for a fun piece.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I totally wanted to be a green giraffe for Halloween...
ReplyDeleteAlexis, I am SO excited you did a review on this jacket! I also jumped on the giraffe club bandwagon when I saw the price drop and am expecting mine tomorrow. I definitely view it as a fun jacket for a night out. I am bummed to hear it is tight in the shoulders. I am between a 12 and 14 and if something is tight in the shoulders, I will go up. They were sold out in size 14 so I decided to gamble and go with size 12. We'll see when it gets here. I also live in a milder climate (northern CA) and can get away with wearing one or two thin layers under it - so maybe that will help. If anyone else joined the giraffe club and finds they need a 12 instead of a 14, let me know and we can swap :)
ReplyDeleteEveryone: Thanks for sharing your perspectives- I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments and takes on this jacket. :)
ReplyDeleteCheri: Thanks for the thanks! :) I definitely do go to the B&M store to see if I can try on an item I have been wanting in the store, but to also buy items through their red phone. :)
JCrewJunkie: Congrats on getting the coat!!! :) Let us know what you think of it when you get it. :)
Marta: I agree with you that the educator/discount should be universally applied. :) I have been told numerous times that it could and could not be applied in addition to a final sale- it's so confusing.
Anon at 10:34 AM: Yes, the stores will many times apply the discount to items that they don't necessarily offer/carry if you check with them first. I did double check with a sales associate first about the order and she said it would be fine. :)
Anon at 10:35 AM: It was not difficult for me to get both discounts applied for this particular order. The phone associate was very pleasant and accommodating and just verified with the store that they were offering both 40% off and the educator's discount. I think what it comes down to is if your store allows you to apply both discounts for in-store purchases- if so, then the customer phone reps can verify that over the phone and apply that to the order. I hope this all helps. :)
Crew Girl In Canada: I was planning to wear this like a blazer too! :) Just a long white sleeve tee (or light sweater) underneath and some dark trouser jeans. Because this coat is so "flashy", I don't want to take away from it or compete with it by wearing another flashy item. (Unlike the image of the coat that J.Crew used, with the model wearing yellow pants!)
Mack & Nicole R & Melanie: I am happy you liked the review! :)
Yes, this would make a great Halloween costume...I just can't even begin to imagine wearing this coat or how anyone could like it...yuck! Green??? Giraffe??? What???
ReplyDeleteI kinda like it--I love retro looks--it grew on me esp at that price. But I have to say, I LOL when that anon said "Great I am going to be a green giraffe for Halloween" that is funny stuff:)
ReplyDeleteDo you think the winter coat that looks like this with the bow top will fit the same way? (the yellow one?) It caught my eye, it could be heavier and I love the bow.
ReplyDeleteMack, if the giraffe coat doesn't work for you, let me know if you are willing to sell it. I wanted one but was too late :)
ReplyDeletealexis: the last time I ordered over the red phone, I was told I could not apply both discounts, even though the sa told her I was discount. I was told to choose, like I would pick 15% over 40%??? :) I was able to get the 15% through an email, though. I think it depends on the cs - some will, some won't.
ReplyDeletea - I'm getting it this afternoon - I'll let you know if it doesn't work :)
ReplyDeleteHello all!! I just received my metallic giraffe coat and I have to say I LOVE IT!! Sure...it's not for the faint of heart...it's a little metallic-ey (is that a word??), and I would NEVER pay full price for it, but it will be so easy to dress up AND down so I know I'll get great use out of it. It's definately not a winter coat, more of a long blazer. For those of you asking if you could wear it professionally, I would say yes, especially if you are in a more creative/less conservative field. I know they are sold out, but if you did order this you won't be disappointed!
ReplyDeleteI get the impression that this Giraffe coat can only be dressed DOWN....It's one of those items I wouldn't even accept for free cause it would take up space in my closet and I wouldn't wear it :((
ReplyDeleteI agree with jcrew canada guy -if I REALLY like something I'll get it for full price-no questions asked.... :)
I tend to like neutral colors when it comes to coats/jackets so I can dress them up (bags, accessories etc)
I like FFMs polyvore combinations for this coat but I am waiting for other coats to go on sale (Dana, lady day coat, classic peacoat)-yes,I am boring :)))
Congrats to Alexis and everyone else who was brave enough to order it!!!!!
Elma
Got mine on Thursday. It is exactly as Alexis had describe it. I am surprised as well that sleeves are so strangely short: not true bracelet sleeves, not full LS, smth in between. Fabric is very nice and shimmery, it is much prettier IRL then pictured. I have made an outfit with it on Polyvore:
ReplyDelete-Pretty in Green
Need to figure out couple more outfits.
I noticed that outline of this coat is identical to French
Serge Day Coat (item 96311), only difference is fabric itself.
Slastena: Congrats on getting the coat!!! I know about the sleeves- weird that they are not longer. ;)
ReplyDelete