Monday, July 6, 2009

J.Crew Email: Get Stranded.

"Thanks!" to Marietta who let us know that J.Crew sent an email this morning featuring several of their necklaces (click here) with the caption, "layer upon layer upon layer".

Some of the necklaces include the following:
  • Crystal Symphony Necklace (Item 18011; $98.00)
  • 40" Pearl and Chain Necklace (Item 17752; $59.50)
  • Tiered Crystal Libretto Necklace (Item 18013; $98.00)
  • Crystal Garden Necklace (Item 19693; $98.00)
  • Dangling-Pearl Necklace (Item 17697; $68.00)
It's nice to see the starting price point for these necklaces below $100. As for the layered look, I think it looks great in the catalogs and on the mannequins at J.Crew (have you seen some of their store windows- delicious eye candy!) However, I can never seem to pull it off. I can get away with two necklaces at most- and they have to be pretty thin- not chunky.

What are your thoughts on the necklaces? Do you like the layered necklace look (e.g. what's the right amount)? Do you like J.Crew's take on the look? :)

32 comments:

  1. I cannot look at that Crystal Symphony necklace without thinking of the J.Crew math from Pudding and the Post-Fab Princess blog.

    http://karaleighsayspayattentiontome.blogspot.com/2009/06/j-crew-math-new-arrivals.html

    hehehe

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  2. Maybe it's just me, but I just don't feel like this is the right point in time to be draping yourself with jewels, even costumey ones. Feels like we should all be pulling back just a little, maybe focusing on just one fabulous item (if you gotta make a statement). I'm just not feeling these, or really much of anything from J. Crew lately.

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  3. That J. Crew math post is too funny!

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  4. I agree with Molly, now it's not the time to overdo jewelry. Additionally, I am a "real deal" kind of girl, I'd rather have just 1 diamond/emerald/ruby, but have the real (untreated) thing. The only items in the JCrew "jewelry" section that I have purchased are enamel flowers hair band for my daughter. They are very cute.

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  5. PFP's math is the best!

    I agree with Molly's comment on the limit to draping - I guess that's the difference between the editorial look and the IRL look. Some people can pull it off and look fab, others not so much. My limit is how much I can wear without getting a stiff neck (gawd, that makes me sound like an old woman). I find the twisted crystal necklace is a fab layering piece, but many of those shown in the email would be too heavy for me to add. (they are awfully pretty, though.)

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  6. Frankly, even though they may be pretty or appealing, how many "statements" do we need to make? I agree with Heidi and everyone here - now is not the time for piling it on.

    Besides, $98.00 buys a few tank tops, or flip flops, or a cardi or two, or all of the above on sale, haha!

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  7. Petunia posted a recent pic wearing just one of these. She pulls it off really well. (Of course, she is just lovely, and has a terrific sense of style!)

    I am also one who prefers the real thing, but there is of course no way I could afford a diamond necklace with such whoppers. I am considering my first purchase of JCrew jewelry-not one of the necklaces, but one of the bracelets. I'm hesitating because I think it will just sit in my jewelry box.

    I don't know if there are others like me, but I have yet to successfully purchase any accessories from JCrew. In terms of their shoes and bags, I just find that paying a little more at a discounter like bluefly or gilt groupe gets you further in the end.

    Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

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  8. OT- how should i wash the tuxedo cami?

    it says to dry clean it but do you think i should just hand wash it? i am worried about the unfinished edges on the shirt unraveling.

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  9. Several months ago, I bought the crystal chain necklace, which I've worn a lot. I usually pair it with another J. Crew necklace. But, I can do only two necklaces at a time. Any more than that and I start to feel like I've got "bling" on.

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  10. I like some of their jewelry. I like the simple layered look, but I'm not very good at pulling it off. While I like the look of the larger stones, they don't fit into my lifestyle.

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  11. I can layer pearls fairly well, but not all the crystals, chains and ribbons. Tried it once and it felt really costumey, if that makes sense.

    Wonder how the J.Crew jewelry line is selling these days? Doesn't seem to be quite as much "buzz" as there was over some pieces in the past. Personally not thrilled with any of the items in the pic or any new jewelry releases lately.

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  12. I have the crystal symphony & love it, even though I *do* think of teeth now. *lol*

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  13. Well, Shuluvr, I don't know about the whole jewelry line, in general, but I have noticed a real slow down in items flying out of the sale section.

    Every morning after an update, there's a little more than the night before, and it does diminish by some items, but it is basically always around the same level.

    Come one, JC, we need a % off promo. We're waiting.

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  14. i think the layers look nice in theory, but not in practice (at least on me). but, then again, i'm not really a jewlery person (just my engagement ring and wedding band usually). although i've never seen the jcrew ones in person, the costumey stuff can sometimes come off as cheesy to me.

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  15. I'm sure J. Crew, as well as any other retailer, would love it if women wore "layer upon layer upon layer" of $98 necklaces.

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  16. I don't like the rhinestone ones to me. Rhinestones just scream cheesy! And I agree, layering is hard to get right IRL. Also, I think those necklaces are too expensive! I don't want to pay more than $50 for costume jewelry.

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  17. I agree with cortney_joy, the rhinestones are cheezy and too expensive. Also, I bought a goldtone bracelet about a year ago and the "gold" is starting to discolor. I bought it on sale because I was afraid of this happening. I don't wear it that often and always keep it in my jewelry box which is lined. Is anyone else having this issue with the goldtone jewelry?

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  19. I agree with Molly too. When so many glitzy things are piled on a model in a catalog shot, it can look eye-catching - but in real life, anyone wearing so many shiny necklaces would just get weird stares. I just can't fathom wearing rhinestones in my 30s - they remind me of playing dress-up in my grandmother's closet. But I'm not a big fan of their jewelry in general. In that department, my heart belongs to the Sundance catalog...

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  20. http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0709/profiting_off_the_obamas_29066b65-8269-431d-93c7-98c4dcb777cf.html

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  21. Lil Miss JCrew - interesting link. J.Crew's VP of PR said the White House did not approve of the press release. Wonder if they will get slammed like the Beanie Babies manufacturer, using children for marketing purposes. Or will Mrs. O's fondness for J.Crew allow her to let this one pass.

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  22. I love the layered pearls look, but all the crystals, ribbons & chains is just too much IMO. It's a hard look to pull off without looking junky, and to me, those crystal necklaces look kind of cheap & 80s.

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  23. I guess we can't call anyone a hypocrite until we hear what the official White House says. Until then, I'm going to really try to give the Obama's the benefit of the doubt.

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  24. Lil Miss JCrew - not sure if you are referring to my post, I'm not saying anyone is a hypocrite, just that it will be interesting to watch how it plays out. Will it be a big misstep for J.Crew or will it be another big marketing coup?

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  25. Hi Shulvr, oh no...not insinuating you calling anyone anything! I echo your thoughts...I would think Jcrew is either sweating bullets after that report, or feeling pretty spiffy about what they have done (if they had gotten permission). My guess is that Mrs. O may have to eat her words if she's allowing selective companies to use her children's names and images...but you know how all politicians are, left and right...they forget what they've said as soon as they've said it!

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  26. Lil Miss Crew - you are so right. The words are tailored to fit the situation, that's politics. People have short memories.

    Apologize for going on the defensive. It's hard to get the meaning of comments sometimes and I thought maybe I came off in the wrong way with the initial remark.

    Thanks for sharing the link!

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  27. Shulvr, oh, no biggie!! :) I totally agree w/you. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out...

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  28. Back to the jewelry issue ... I do like a few of the JC pieces but bought them mostly on sale, which puts them at a pricepoint I think they are actually worth. My favorite ever is still the Taj Mahal necklace, none of the new stuff.

    Styling multiple necklaces at once is just not the real world (mine, anyway), kind of JC catalog-only, but one thing I have picked up successfully is weating a long necklace hanging down from the *inside* of a collared shirt vs. outside the collar. I get a lot of compliments on my outfits when I do that ... give it a try, if you haven't, with your long necklaces ....

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  29. I love the "look" of the layered necklace, and I've duplicated it in the privacy of my own room. However, I can't quite get up the nerve to leave the house with all those necklaces on -- I feel like I look overdone.

    I recently pulled out a Monet-brand necklace that I bought 10+ years ago. It must've been Jenna's inspiration for the crystal chain -- it is exactly the same.

    OT...I recently ordered the bouquet sash belt. I am a huge JCrew belt fan, but I was disappointed by this one. Despite the luxe description -- "lush Mantero silk satin" -- one of the flowers was made of the material that Oriental Trading uses for its "grass" Hawaiian skirts.

    The belt arrived crushed in an envelope, which just made it look worse.

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  30. i purchased 2 of them..and i love them...i just did a mini post if you wanted to check it out!! going to post my photo soon!

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