Kitsmommy (in this post) came up with a great post topic: "what is your oldest J Crew item that you still wear"? This is a slight take on the post "What's Your Oldest J.Crew Item in Your Closet?"I know there are lot of Aficionadas and Aficionados who have been with J.Crew for years! Many of us have closets that resemble small J.Crew boutiques. So the answers should be a lot of fun, interesting, and revealing (in terms of which items have lasted the test of time- in terms of quality, but also in terms of fashion/ style). :)
My oldest item from J.Crew that I own and wear out on a continuous basis is my black plaza winter coat. I bought this coat 6 or 7 years ago (I can't believe it has been this long!) and it still looks great. It just has a classic silhouette and the fabric is lovely for the fall/winter seasons. It really is a timeless piece for me.
What is your oldest J.Crew item that you still wear out? What are some of the reasons as to why you keep wearing that item (e.g. comfort, classic style, beautiful color, great fabric)?
My username should have been jcrewnewbie. So I can't participate in the same way as far as old items. However, thanks for sharing the info on your Plaza coat, Alexis. The initial price of $350+ can seem high, but average that over 6 years min...it's only $58/year, which is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteOK this is gross but I have a pair of J.Crew underwear from about 6 years ago... I still wear them.
ReplyDeleteI also have a fair isle sweater from maybe 7 years ago that I am still in love with. Though it is pilling so it may be its last year.
The underwear are still in great shape though! LOL --- sorry that really is gross.
I still have sweaters that I purchased 12 years ago when I was 13. They were my first J.Crew purchase, and I was SO EXCITED! It was my dream to be able to buy an all J.Crew wardrobe. Lucky me, I've done it! I still wear those sweaters for skiing, and they are still in great shape. I also have workout shorts, bras, and jeans from 8-9 years ago that I still wear. (Sidenote--I wish that they would bring back their intimates department! LOVED it)
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the age of mine, but one of my older and more loved J.Crew items is a burgundy crew-neck wool sweater my best friend gave me for Christmas one year. The wool is really thick in comparison to recent years' wool. It was a medium and was a bit baggy but I loved the color. Then my boyfriend accidentally washed it and it shrunk and now it's the perfect size. :) I still love it.
ReplyDeleteProbably a sweater from 9 years ago when JCrew was still making those wonderful boucle sweaters. It is the perfect oatmeal color and nubbly rolled edges.
ReplyDeletei have an older black plaza coat too - adore it. i have, from 10 years ago, a brown fake fur jcrew coat with big pockets that is the warmest coziest coat i own and i STILL get compliments just about every time i wear it. i remember when i bought it in 1998 and thought it was a frivolous purchase. i have a wool rollneck sweater from the late 90's too that i just wear around the house when it's cold.
ReplyDeleteI'll let you do the math, but the oldest J Crew item I STILL have (I was ordering from their catalog long before this) is a off-white fishermans cable knit cotton sweater. It was a mens/oversized - LOVE it, nothing cozier. I got it for my 21st birthday, and that was 16 years ago. (yikes)
ReplyDeleteMy oldest Jcrew item is my brick red coat in double cloth, w/ thinsulate. I can't remember the style name but the shape is like the lady day but the buttons are hidden. I think I bought it in 2003 and it still looks great. My second oldest would be my black plaza coat, that is probably from 2004. That one is even warmer, I remember wearing it all winter long when we lived in Germany. Still looks great too.
ReplyDeleteTimeless piece . . .
ReplyDeleteProbably the underpants. :)
I practically lived in J.Crew chinos in high school- and I still pull out some of my 7-year old chinos to wear in the winter...
ReplyDeleteA little OT, but gosh, this brings back so many J.Crew first-time memories! My first purchase was a men's ski jacket (fashionable baggy, the very urban asian look that jr. high and high school kids still rock these days).
My first J.Crew catalog purchase and subsequently, my first J.Crew sale- I remember so clearly! I bought a fire red wool sweater, a heather charcoal cardigan, and a short puffy ski jacket- all of which I would still wear today! I remember begging my mom to make this $88.00 purchase!
I had a beige corduroy boxy peacoat style jacket for an embarrassing number of years (I had it from just before I started teaching, which was 14 years ago). That jacket had staying power! I wore it literally until it fell apart, and always got compliments on it and questions about where to get it. Last spring, with the lining in tatters and the sleeves worn away, I finally had to concede that the jacket belonged in the big J.Crew store in the sky, but I did shed a small tear that it was gone. I really miss it!
ReplyDeleteblumre,
ReplyDeleteI have JCrew white cotton bikini underwear from 5 years ago:) Hey, as long as you wash them...hee hee:)
I have a pair of flannel and FLEECE lined chino from 2002....love them still...I wish JCrew still made the POLAR FLEECE lined ones....glad they still make them in Talls though in the flannel lined...I get a pair or two every year....
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ReplyDeleteoh man, good question. i have a couple wool turtleneck sweaters, hoodies, and vnecks that i wear all the time, from college, so they're prob almost 10 years old. i can't believe how well they hold up. i also can't believe that jcrew doesn't even make this stuff anymore! oh well, i guess i have enough things like that anyway. i have a coat too, i think it was the chesire, it's dark gray with a black velvet collar that i got on sale. love you jcrew!
ReplyDeleteI have a barn red wool pea coat that I still wear-as a matter of fact I just threw it in the bag to go to the dry cleaner's! It's at least 10 years old. It's not as fitted as today's styles, but it fits me perfectly and I love it for those days when a puffer is too casual and a dressy wool black coat is too dressy. And the shade of red is PERFECT! Plus I remember getting it for only like $69!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby still wears my black wool rollneck sweater from 1990-I bought it in an XL b/c it was SOOO cool to wear them way- big, and now it fits him perfectly!
These are my favorite kinds of posts, Alexis!Thanks!
That would be a black ribbed merino wool turtleneck sweater in men's size S. I bought it in 1997 from a clearance catalog and still wear it quite a bit. It's a little boxy since it's a mens, but it's soooo warm and soft.
ReplyDeleteThe oldest items I have are the favorite fit tanks! Love them.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: a bit OT:
How do the thin strap PERFECT FIT TANKS fit compared to the favorite fit tanks?
I want to order a PF Tank but don't know whether to get the same size as I normally wear in the FF Tank? Thanks for any help!
Julie
I have a skirt which I bought at a trip to Chicago in the winter of 1996. Yeah, it's THAT OLD. Isn't it great that J.Crew has pieces that still look good even after almost 13 years?
ReplyDeleteI have a grey cable knit sweater bought in 1992 which is a bit big on me now-- but I still turn to it on a cold day when I am looking for something cozy!
ReplyDeleteI have an aqua fair isle thin wool sweater from college, so it's 12 years old. I still pull it out every once in a while!
ReplyDeleteI have a white pleated "tennis" skirt in cotton which I still wear. It's from the late 1980s when I was in high school. It's a size 8 and the waist measures 24"! Talk about vanity sizing!!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I haven't been wearing J Crew for as long as some of you have, I do still love some of my first purchases! Remember the year that J Crew put patches at the elbow on almost all their sweaters? I have two cashmere Grandpa Cardigans from then (a soft fuchsia and a soft orange) and they are still so fabulously thick and warm. I am wearing one right now as a matter of fact! I also have a black merino sweater/jacket from that same year with plaid patches at the elbow. I love the way it fits and still get compliments on it each time I wear it!
ReplyDeleteI have a Nehru Collar Coat with the Thinsulate in Camel color. I also have a "grandpa" like roll collar sweater with elbow tweed patches. I also still have a pair of cords that are thick wale with a zipper on the side.
ReplyDeleteI also have some undies (bras and panties)! I am only 32 and this is making me feel old.
I have a men's wool roll neck sweater in light gray that I had to shrink in my drier so it would fit. That was 10 years ago, yikes! It's still my go-to sweater for skiing or cold winter nights. Why don't they bring back the roll neck sweater as a "vintage" item, they are so warm!
ReplyDeleteMy oldest item is a charcoal heather grey merino wool cable sweater from around 1994. It is a bit boxy but, the quality of the wool and weight is so much heavier then what they make today.
ReplyDeleteI still pull it out every winter to wear.
My oldest J Crew item I wear is a red full body fleece nightgown that is pants- like a pajama jumpsuit, or a onsesie PJ for an adult. It buttons up the front. I got it in 1997 for Christmas from my dad, and I still wear it when it gets REALLY cold.
ReplyDeleteI still wear my jcrew men's olive beaver pants that i bought about 3-4 years ago. They are in excellent condition and are ultra comfortable. I still receive a lot of good comments when i wear them. I also have a pair of cords that i still wear that i bought about 5-6 years ago
ReplyDeleteMy oldest item I still wear is the same as my oldest item - my wonderful purple wool sweater with ribbed cuffs. I think it's from 1997 but I'm not entirely sure. It's held up better than my Wellesley or Cambridge sweaters have!
ReplyDeleteGreat question! My favorite, go-to oldest piece of Crew is my dark grey zip front hip length boiled wool cardigan from eleven years ago. The pockets zip, it is so warm, and is the perfect shade of cozy. It was a splurge then at $35 but I wouldn't have thought twice if I'd have known I'd still be wearing it over a decade later! Seriously, I one of the reasons I look forward to fall every year is so I can pull this sweater out again. Sadly, the seam around the bottom edge of the zipper is starting to go. I have no idea what I'll do when it finally gives up the ghost...
ReplyDeleteI think the quality of items from many years ago was much better...I wonder if 10, 20 years from now we will even have some of the items we are ordering now! My wool sweater from 2000 looks fabulous and the wool is devine:)
ReplyDeleteI have a big black turtleneck sweater from I swear it has to be the early 1990's (im showing my age here). I still use it, Its really warm and roomy, the kind where you can pop it over your clothes in the morning and go walk the dog. I love it and its so old but still looks great!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for sharing! I love reading these comments- in part because I remember almost all the items you are talking about! It is great to hear that some of our J.Crew items have turned out to be such great investment pieces!!! :)
ReplyDeleteJulie:
ReplyDeleteI would probably size down for the perfect fit tank. They run a bit big, especially with wear, and I heard a SA say the same thing.
Wow. This is hard to remember. I think I have a few sweaters from, like, 10 years ago or more. There's this stretchy, nubby wool one with rolled cuffs and a cowel neck in a pretty periwinkle color that I love. I remember it was such a treat to get myself something from JCrew back then, and only on sale or with a coupon. I don't seem to have the same restraint I used to :-P.
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ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that other Aficionada's have their J Crew underwear. I think I have had mine for 6 or 7 years. I also have a barn coat that is similar to a pea coat in black wool that I bought about 8 years ago. I would say that it was one of the best deals I got since I paid about $69. I've had to have the pockets sewn about 7 times but other than that it's still in amazing condition considering I live in that coat during the winter months.
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of navy suede loafers that are between 10 and 15 years old. Many, many people ask me where i got them, and how to get a pair. they're simple and elegant, with NO decoration -- just slightly elasticized in the back with a very thin sole. i've had them resoled twice, and wish j crew would make them again -- they're timeless. i've had compliments from salespeople at jcrew and ralph lauren. why doesn't jcrew go back through its archives and make some of these old classic items again? it could be a new niche -- along the lines of yesterday's new york times piece about classic clothes from the 20's.
ReplyDeleteI have a favorite tank from probably 2000-ish that I sleep in other than wearing thin from washing so many times it's still in very good condition. I also have a calf length black cotton drawstring skirt (similar to the sunwashed cotton collection) and a few perfect fit tanks from about the same time period. I just re-discovered a dark gray wool cable knit hoodie I bought in probably 2001 that's in pretty good condition. The pocket needs re-sewn but other than that it's fine! My husband has a few t's and roll-neck sweaters that are I don't even know how old!
ReplyDeleteI have a mock turtleneck, the color of army fatigues that I put on after work. I got it in the late 80's and it still looks great. (although my daugher asked me what was up with that collar.)
ReplyDeleteWell, technically I don't still wear it, but the oldest item that I wore most recently was a heathered brown-ish color sweater jacket that zipped up. It had a hoodie and nice deep pockets. I LOVED that thing. I wore it so much that the arms were stretched out a few inches below my hands. I forced myself to get rid of it after I lost a bunch of weight and it no longer fit me and was no longer flattering :)
ReplyDeleteMy Mom bought me a brown wool flannel blazer when I was in high school circa 1991 and I wore it as a jacket first, then later as a blazer. I still wear it every fall. Styles were a roomier shape back then and I used to be able to wear layers beneath it but now I just wear a light knit shirt. It's so comfortable and still looks great.
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of the other posters, the quality of past years' products was exceptional and I'm not sure it is the same now. I have several sweaters and a barn coat that are around 10 or more years old and I'm still wearing them.
Anyone have vintage Clifford & Wills items they still wear? I still wear a lot of those items and wish they had kept that line. Fun suiting and accessories.
For thos unfamiliar with it, Clifford & Wills was another line in the JCrew brand. It had its own catalogues and was discontinued before the dawn of online shopping.
ReplyDeleteI have several C&W items that I still wear and treasure. Their suiting was great, I wore a jacket from the mid-1990s to an important meeting last week.
Anonymous 11:05am
ReplyDeleteWow! Clifford & Wills! Now that brings back memories. I remember Tweeds catalog. They were J Crewesque with a European style.
I have a number of cashmere Ts and cardis from the mid-90s that I still wear, as well as my ice blue pea coat from 1999.
ReplyDeleteAnd only this summer did I toss my late-90s J.Crew undies. They were whisper-thin and didn't show under anything--and still in pretty good shape--but they were too high in the waist for today's pants.
I think you all have talked about this before, and at the time, I couldn't remember what I had that was really old. Now I do! In 1989, my father bought me a black leather belt that's about two inches wide. It has a rectangular brass-colored buckle. It's very simple, and for some reason, I'm crazy about it. I still wear it today with jeans and shorts. And I'm endlessly searching for a replacement -- but there's not too much of that kind of thing for women. Kinda found one at a Coach store, and my boyfriend bought it for me, but it's not the same ...
ReplyDeleteThe oldest JCrew item I have is a wool melton jacket from 1993. I still wear it a couple times a year.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is a fuschia sweater set that is pretty old, probably had it about 10 years. It's not the Jackie twinset. The "shell" is a skinny-strap tank and the cardi has full-length sleeves. They are ribbed mercerized cotton, so a little dressy and a little sexy. It used to be part of my first-date outfit but I'm married now so I wear it for other things, of course. ;O)
When I was first dating my husband about 5 years ago I asked if he would mind if I tweaked his style a bit and bought him a new outfit. It was JCrew of course and he has been addicted ever since. Whenever he buys JCrew now he always comments, "Yes, the first one's free." LOL
I still have and wear a navy wool peacoat style jacket from C&W from the late 90's. Its style and cut still makes it wearable now. And the wool is of really good quality and has held up well from years of use.
ReplyDeleteI didnt think anyone here would remember C&W!
I haven't worn in ages, but I still have a rollneck sweater with wide 6" horizontal stripes in deep red and heather brown. It is so warm, but I live in a warmer climate now. I think it's from the mid 90's.
ReplyDeleteI do miss those days. Everything was so tasteful. You didn't have all these eye searing bright colors, rather there was a nice selection of unique, yet elegant colors, and the quality was so nice.
I have a cami from about 11-12 years ago that I just now put to rest...in my "treasures" box no less. It was from my very first J. Crew purchase. I also had a blue tee from the same order that was still going strong up to a year or two ago when it had an unfortunate meeting with some bleach. I don't think the stuff now reflects that same long-lasting level of quality, however I still find it superior to most everything else out there.
ReplyDeleteI have a striped knit dress that was from spring 1994. I was a junior in HS when I got it, and I wear it around the house in the summer. I have a number of perfect fit T shirts from the late 90's as well. I can't believe I've been wearing their stuff for close to 20 years now.
ReplyDeleteI have a J.Crew paisley silk slipdress in nice neutral colors that I bought on sale in 1999. I wore it to my high school and college graduations, and now I still wear it to work with a cardigan and heels.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest item that I still wear is an ivory v-neck boucle sweater... it hits below the hips and is a bit baggy, but it still looks great with a pair of skinny jeans.... perfect comfy casual wear!
ReplyDeleteOT:
ReplyDeleteDid anyone ever try cutting out the itchy front part of their Amelia tank? Just wondering how it went....
Thanks:)
My oldest items that I still wear are a charcoal grey merino v-neck sweater and a red wool peacoat from at least 10 years ago. I also have some tall leather black boots, which are about 8 years old.
ReplyDeleteI have a j.crew suit from 1995, I think. I still wear it. It is grey, wool...classic. Bought it on sale when I was a poor graduate student. I'm sure it was a bargain at the time but I just remember my fear in thinking I'd spent too much to justify the purchase. Well, all these years later, the suit goes on! It's worth noting that I don't wear a suit every day, or even very often. But when I do, this one is a winner.
ReplyDeleteStill have a wool rollneck and a grey barn jacket from my high school years...late 80's!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of plaid boxers that are about 18-19 years old that I wear when I faux tan. :) They were also my first JC purchase.
ReplyDeleteI love JCrew suiting...it is timeless and I have several that are 5 or so years old...they still look great. My husband has (and I've stolen from him) several roll neck sweaters in cotton, wool, and cashmere left over from college.
ReplyDeleteMy 1993 wool jacket was made in Hong Kong. Some of my other old (8+ years) items: shetland sweater made in Scotland, wool sweater made in Italy, wool slacks from Sri Lanka, cotton blouses from Hong Kong, silk blouses from China.
ReplyDeleteLots of shoes and boots made in Italy, and I think that is still the case for many. Belts made in USA. My longtime favourite leather Scooter jacket (anyone else have this?) circa 2000 made in India. Another leather jacket made in Italy, although I think this was a "collector's item", as they were called before the JCrew Collection was introduced.
I have 4 C&W suits and they are all wool and ALL made in USA. A couple of other jackets as well. No wonder I am still using them today.
Some shoes from 1995 or so. They are black pumps with a kind of squared toe and a stacked heel. They were so well made, they always come back to life when called on!
ReplyDeleteI got this CHUNKY button up fisherman-like sweater/coat back in 2000. This thing is soooo heavy but is wool and very well made. It has literally broke a hanger it is so heavy :o) However it's perfect for NW weather and I plan to keep it a long time!
ReplyDeleteProbably a J. Crew swimsuit that I got back in high school (about 8 years ago)
ReplyDeleteI am still wearing a gabardine suit that I bought in 2002. I had to replace the pants because they wore out, but I am still wearing the jacket. Unfortunately, now J. Crew has discontinued the color ("rye"). I also have some button down shirts that are pretty old.
ReplyDeletemath teacher-3:41p
ReplyDeletethat post made me LOL-cute! :0)
I didn't really get into J.Crew until I got to college. I do have two pairs of flats from a few years ago - one pair is green suede with a pointy toe, and the other is a pair of pink herringbone ballet flats with a pretty velour bow. The soles of the ballet flats are dying, so this will probably be their last season, but the green flats are still great to dress up a casual outfit or to wear with dress pants!
ReplyDeletejulia - 7:10
ReplyDeleteIf the soles are leather, take them to a shoe repair shop and have the soles replaced or put rubber sole savers on them for a less expensive fix. I put sole savers on all my new shoes with leather soles. It helps them last longer, especially they come into contact with water or snow.
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ReplyDeleteI have socks from JC with holes in em & I still wear them to this day. :D
ReplyDeleteToss the socks, Jeff...
ReplyDeleteholey socks...not an attractive look even if you don't take your shoes off in public!
I just put a pair of lavender corduroy pajama pants from maybe 1997 or 1998 in the Goodwill pile.
ReplyDeleteThose lavendar pants sound so comfy:)
ReplyDeleteI have an ivory pencil skirt from the mid-90's. The fabric is very hard to describe. It is not boucle or tweed more like a top layer of paper thin fabric that has been lightly shredded. The fabric is delicate and I have to be careful not to catch it on anything.
ReplyDeleteI always think I should end my love affair with this skirt, but I never can get part with it and wear it to work as well as for dressier evening events.
Mine is a leather bomber jacket from 1999. It's great, rich leather with lining that's wearing out on the inside (to be replaced!). It always draws a nice comment!
ReplyDelete18 year old thick Charlie Brown wool sweater large which I'd love to find again. J.Crew doesn't make sweaters like this anymore. I still have the original one, but not presentable enough to take out.
ReplyDeleteModel O zip-front winter jacket, black. Have had the zipper replaced twice since I got it in the '90s, but it still looks great, and it's machine washable. Also have a couple of sweaters (brown wool fisherman's knit pullover and dark gray wool roll-neck pullover) that I'll wear till I depart this mortal coil, I s'pose :)
ReplyDelete