Friday, April 24, 2009

Questionable Item of the Week: Crystal Bow-Tie Necklace

Crystal Bow-Tie Necklace
Click here for product page
Item 16943
Regular: $98.00

"Thanks!" to Anon at 2:44 PM (in this post) who suggested this necklace for a "Questionable Item of the Week" post. After looking at the necklace online, it is clear why she suggested it! ;)

This necklace is (and I am truly sorry if I offend anyone...) just ridiculous! I am sorry, but it really is (in my humble opinion). ;)

It's just huge and abstract-looking-- like a craft-project gone wrong. It also, kind of reminds me of Christmas ornament-garland. In either case, it's not meant to be worn around my neck (let alone worth $98).

It's a shame too, because I adore the materials its comprised of: faceted acrylic beads, silk chiffon string, and nylon tulle bows. I think a great Project Runway-esque challenge for J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados is to create a necklace using the same materials. I bet there would be some fantastic creations (and for a fraction of the $98 price)! :)

Do you think I am being overly-critical? What are your thoughts on this necklace? Would you buy this or leave it at the store? Have you see this first hand, and if so, what are your impressions?

Quick Poll: Do you like the Crystal Bow-Tie Necklace?

35 comments:

  1. All I can say is... UGH! What were they thinking? Also, where do they get off charging nearly $100 for something like this? Oh man... I have a great deal of J.Crew jewelry but nothing they are currently offering appeals to me at all.

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  2. Questionable is an understatement. This will most likely be a flop...What were they thinking???!!! I feel like they could do so much better...

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  3. I think I can construct this using items from Michaels for about $7.50. What the heck were they thinking?

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  4. The two beads hanging down in the center remind me of those click clack balls from when I was a kid. They are huge! They would give my size A bra a run for its money. No thanks. I don't need four boobs across my chest.

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  5. It's one of Jenna's picks! Maybe that'll entice someone into buying one...ha!

    Any one else notice that the coffin-lining clutch has matching shoes?? They're only slightly better than the purse...

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  6. $98?? Bwahahahahahaha.. Getouttahere!

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  7. Sacre Bleu!

    It's so ugly it's Crewel.

    A serious Faux Pas! Somebody needs to get fired (just kidding).

    E.B.

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  8. I honestly don't think it's that bad. If you shorten the two long hanging crystals up to the top like the rest, it's great. And, if the price was less than half what it is....

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  9. It looks like someone from Project Runway came up with it! (Someone who lost in the first week, no doubt). Seriously, that's not abstract - it looks like they went through the trash to put together a necklace and this is what they came up with. What WERE they thinking?!?!

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  10. Would look great with the Cobra Bracelet from the Fall-hee hee:)

    Honestly looks like something one of my kids might make.

    pass.
    Twiga

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  11. I don't mind "huge and abstract." I do mind cheap looking. Looks like they were trying to rip off something from the MoMA design store and couldn't figure it out.

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  12. cinnamon ruffles I'm surprised you think it's OK. I love the items your post on your blog, can't believe you like this one, even a little.

    As I said yesterday, it looks like something out of the Wilma Flintstone collection.

    Maybe they are having "come to work drunk" Thursdays.

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  13. I seriously wonder if they had the children in the office for craft day, drawing the mother's day cards, then had an idea of getting them to design a necklace and picking the best one. Kind of like last year's bug pins. Really, how does this kind of junk ever make it through all the vetting sessions to actual production. And for $98 to boot. I would seriously laugh to myself if I saw someone wearing this piece. Ridiculous.

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  14. I'm not going to judge until I see it IRL. If on steep, steep sale, it might be a fun piece. It definitely is not for someone who takes herself seriously. I agree that the price is ridiculous, however. It's certainly not as bad as the Atomic Flower Necklace (which I saw online in the Spring Sale, incidentally!!!).

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  15. It looks like they used butchers twine (as in trussing a chicken) to construct that necklace. I agree with the person who said it looks cheap.

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  16. I loved it and bought it at the collection store! I think it looks really artsy and cool...I'm surprised it's so controversial!

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  17. artsy and cool

    BAWAHAHAHA!

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  18. LOL. It looks like something I made at camp when I was 12. Using acrylic beads and string? Yeah, you could make it for $3.00. But $100? Someone at J.Crew is smoking SOMETHING.

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  19. As a man, if I saw a woman wearing this chunky necklace I would be turned off. Not that women are all about dressing for men, but it is rather silly looking and way over the top. If she's gonna spend money on stuff like that, well.... run.

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  20. This is possibly the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen in a JCrew catalogue. I wonder if it is a joke. Perhaps they are trying to see just how far they can go.

    I wouldn't want to wear this even if my 7-year old made it herself and asked me to wear it. Truthfully, she has a better sense of style and jewelry making skills than the people responsible for this.

    What's next... jewelry made with lanyard, snap beads, pasta, or embroidery string friendship bracelets?

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  21. All I have to say is WTF, J. Crew? Are you seriously serious about this nightmare of a necklace?

    T.J. Maxx, here it comes... or watch; it'll be on final sale for $0.99 within a week.

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  22. I've seen it IRL, and it's the cheapest looking thing they've ever sold. J. Crew, let your designers get some sleep every once in awhile, so that they don't end up making decisions like these at 4 AM after six Red Bulls and a handful of nervous breakdowns!

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  23. it reminds me of anthropologie's "close-up" necklace which is a nicer shape and better structured -- it has silk ribbon and big crystals and resin beads. i have that anthropologie necklace and think it goes really well with a plain tshirt or dress or sweater. i get compliments everytime i wear it. there isn't a picture of it on anthropologie's site anymore, but it's on kaboodle
    http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/close-up-necklace

    i'd like this one from jcrew if the ribbons weren't in bows. the bows look too cutesy for me.

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  24. This necklace is better than the Atomic flower necklace...

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  25. oh wow, this one is beyond words. In a bad way.

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  26. That necklace is horrible! I'm offended by it and also that they would think we buy anything.

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  27. Lol, i called CS trying to get a hold of the twisted crystal necklace that i wanted and unfortunately it's sold out, so they suggested THIS necklace if I wanted to get a "SIMILAR" look. LOL this is NOT in anyway similar to the twisted crystal necklace. LOL

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  28. WTH is JCrew thinking?

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  29. I just saw this in person tonight at the KOP store, and I have to say that it did look slightly better in person. Still ridiculous IMO, but not quite so bad as the picture.

    Ashley and anyone looking for the twisted crystal necklace - if you can't find the twisted crystal necklace, I recommend the crystal chain necklace, item 11153. It's waitlisted on the website, but several stores should have them. I got mine at KOP, 610 265 0210, and I know I saw one at the Cherry Hill NJ store as well. It looks beautiful with the crystal pillow necklace, which is how I often wear it. It also is a gorgeous piece by itself.

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  30. lilac cupcake- thanks for recommending that necklace! i totally overlooked it. i think i might just get that one with my red card. $41 isn't a bad price! :)

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  31. Ashley - it's really not a bad price, especially considering how much I wear it ... several times a week, I would say. It even looks great doubled up into 2 strands for a shorter necklace. I am really happy I bought it :)

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  32. I like bows and crystals- but the weirdest part is the two hanging pieces at the bottom. I am super picky- but I tend to like odd numbers, and this two hanging piece thing is really weird. Maybe one could have been cool, so it comes to a point. Anyway it's a miss for me!

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