"Thanks!" to Desert Flower & Marietta who shared the latest email J.Crew sent today.The email touts their Spring Layers as the follwing: "when it comes to our supersoft knits, two are definitely better than one". To shop the Women's Knits & Tees collection, click here.
The email features the Tissue Garland Tank (Item 23337; $42.50) under the Ruffled Henley Tank (Item 24334; $36.50), which is topped off with the Black Blossom Brenna Shorts (Item 22614; $54.50).
I can't decide if I like how the tops are styled together. Part of me thinks it might be too much flowers & ruffles goin' on, while the other part of me screams in joy like the total girly-girl that I am. ;)
What are your thoughts on the latest offerings for J.Crew's Knits & Tees? Are there any pieces you currently recommend to buy (or even to avoid)?
I love J.Crew's t-shirts but I really hesistate to purchase the tissue tees given everyones remarks about holes and rips after machine washing. I used to get the perfect fit tees but they only lasted one season as well. Anyone have any advice on how to care for J.Crew t-shirts so that they last?
ReplyDeleteGlobeTrotter - looking at these tees and thinking about the ones I already own, I came to comments to ask how people care for their t-shirts as well. For instance, the tissue tees - how do you get them relatively wrinkle free and shaped after washing? And the ruffles and flowers - should these be steamed? I feel like a dork typing this but any words of advice would be much appreciated as I'm not a fan of disheveled and crinkly.
ReplyDeleteI had no problem wearing washing J Crew tees up until a year ago.
ReplyDeleteI really believe the fabric is so sheer that it really does not take much for it to fall apart. I usually wash them in a mild detergent and air dry them. I had no problems until last summer there have been a couple of times they arrived in the box with holes.
I LOVE the tissue garland tank (I bought the sepia, but love all the other colors, especially the lavender), but I wouldn't wear it with the ruffle henley, just too much going on foe me.
ReplyDeleteBTW, the flowers on the garland tank are made in a different cotton (not tissue), so they "stand-up" well (better than in other embellished tanks) IMO.
I wash all my J.Crew embellished tees flipped inside out, in a large mesh bag and on gentle cycle. I air dry them and for the wrinkly ones (ruffles) I steam them. It is a lot of work to care for them and I did develop some holes, not to mention beads coming off after wearing but I love JCrew tees.
ReplyDeleteI also bought the tissue garland tank in sepia, Ema. I think I may copy Fabulous Florida Mommy and wear it under a henley. I am considering the lavender color, too.
ReplyDeleteJCMama, I wash my tees inside out on gentle in a mesh bag, too. I lay them flat to dry on a sweater rack over the tub, and if necessary touch up with a cool iron.
By the way, I have numerous J. Crew tees, cardigans and sweaters and I have never had a problem with pilling, holes, loose seams, nothing.
ReplyDeleteI also wash my embellised tees, tissue, painter tee's, etc. on hand-wash cycle and lay flat to dry. It seems holes are inevitable in the painter tee's and tissue tees. I've been careful w/them but 99.9% still develop a hole in the abdomen area. I'm thinking maybe that's where the most 'pull' on the fabric is, even though I wear them loose. Who knows. Even though I swear off purchasing tissue tee's, I still caved and bought them on sale. ;P
ReplyDeleteI've never had a hole in a perfect-fit tee.
I am very gentle on my clothes and do a lot of handwashing. I no longer buy JCrew tees. My older ones have held up fine. Newer ones get holes easily. So I just don't buy them anymore. I prefer LE tees for lasting quality esp. with their new Fit 1.
ReplyDeleteI launder all of my tees inside out on delicate cycle, then lay them flat to dry, and steam or press them as is needed. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the tees layered and actually styled an outfit last week using the Garland tank and Tissue Ruffle Henley layered. I posted IRL pics on my blog yesterday: Watercolor, Ruffles, and the Schoolboy .
hmm i didn't even get this email! i got a crewcuts one instead? how weird!
ReplyDeletei think there's general agreement with washing the tees (inside out, gentle cycle, mesh bag, air dry) but what you wash it with may just be as important. use woolite or an organic detergent (no harsh chemicals) and fabric softener so the fabric stays "lofty". you can get all kim basinger (who famously asked for evian to wash her hair) and wash with filtered water in a sink... i bought a few JC tees over the christmas sales and have had no issues so far.
ReplyDeleteI love the garland tank (waiting to buy it though) and an sa suggested I try it on under the perfect fit ruffle tee. I just think that's too much for me, but they had them styled like that on a mannequin. I guess I can't knock it until I try it, but I think it would work best on smaller chested girls (which is not me).
ReplyDeleteNo more J Crew tissue tees for me. They're too expensive and I've had several develop holes. I have been able to return a couple since I'd saved the receipt, and plan to take another back this week. They tees are so pretty and fun, but I just can't take throwing money away.
ReplyDeleteI like the tees and haven't had any quality problems, but I wish they weren't quite so transparent.
ReplyDeleteThanks all for your advice!
ReplyDeleteHello everybody. I'm sorry to ask about this again, but I'm desperate. Can someone please tell me if the ultra knit pull-over hoodie runs TTS? I usually wear an x-small in tops and a small in most cardigans. I want it to fit well and not look overly slouchy, so do you guys think I should get the x-small or size up? TIA:)
ReplyDeleteKnock on wood, but I have yet to have any issues with j.crew tees. I have them all, too...tissue, painter, perfect fit, slub, etc. None have developed holes. Like Sandy suggested, I do use natural detergent with no fragrance or chemicals (I like the concentrated Method brand) but have no idea if that's what's keeping them good.
ReplyDeleteWould anyone be interested in a NWT Always Cardigan in Navy, size small? I noticed that it is waitlisted until May(!) and I am about to take mine back to the store. I adore this cardigan, but just don't need another one. I'll sell for $37. musingsonmtn(at)gmail.com if interested.
Warning: Long Rant!
ReplyDeleteWhile most of the advise about caring for J Crew tees is very helpful, after reading about 15 comments or so, I started thinking how ridiculous it all sounds! Should we have to go to extreme legnths and treat our tops with kid gloves to care for basically a cotton tee-shirt? A Wal-mart tee for 5$ can just be tossed in the wash with no special requirements, or a degree in "laundry matinence and mechanics." So a 50$ tee should hold up even better, right? The extra 45$ is going to better quaility/fit/preformance/longentivity, right? It seems as a consumer, we buy clothes in good faith expecting (to a point) that the $$$ we invest will return a item of clothing that will withstand normal wear and care for more than one season of use--a "social contract" of clothing, if you will where the consumer is willing to pay in good faithfor a desired item of clothing trusting that, in return the business provides that item of clothing with quality/performace based on the ammount charged. I believe that J Crew has broken their end of the contract, and has stoped providing items that meet the quality/performace expected for the price they are charging.
Sorry for the long rant and "social contract" stuff, I just got done writing a lecture for my students on John Locke and the American Revolution, and it seemed fitting. I'm just sick to death of having to always "hole check" after each arrival/wear/wash of my J Crew tees, and more often than not, finding said hole. You'd think I'd get the point and write a Declaration of my Independance against poor quality clothes, and stop buying J Crew tees, but I guess I keep hopoing they'll get their act together. What do they say the definition of stupidity is? Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting diffrent results? Yup. That's me.
SDS-
ReplyDeleteStick with the XS. I wear small in most cardis, and got the small in the pull-over, and it was slouchy and loose fitting. I wish I would have gotten the XS. Oh, and fair warning, after about 3 washings,it has started to pill.
Thanks so much egyptomaniac, you're a lifesaver:)
ReplyDeleteEgyptomaniac I think you have a really good point. I'm doing that already with my J.Crew cardigans and cashmere so doing it for tees as well would be a lot of work! Perhaps we all need to start campaigning for more durable tees.
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone! I wanted to mention that the Garland tank looks really pretty under V-neck cardigans, v-neck tees, crewneck cardigans, probably even a scoop neck tee (which I haven't tried yet), if wearing it under a ruffle tee feels like just *too much going on* to you. It reminds me a lot of the Ruffles and Roses tank which also looked great worn under cardigans, tees, etc, (with the flowers peeking out). The lighter colors of the Garland are pretty sheer, so layering is pretty much the best option for them anyways. :)
ReplyDeleteEgypto - I was thinking that as I was thoughtlessly tossing my Target Merona pink T in the wash...it was $10 but it washes and wears beautifully. I guess I am drawn to the Crew T's because, well they are so very pretty and I love the colors and the way they are styled!! Now the way they are made....that's another story.
ReplyDeleteegyptomaniac, I *absolutely* agree with you. I think that JC's POV is that we shouldn't be wearing more than once/washing these items at all - rather, we should be purchasing the new arrivals. As much as they bloviate about heirloom quality, forever pieces, blah blah blah, it seems to me that nobody at JC has actually tried to launder most of their garments.
ReplyDeleteOff Topic: but has anyone seen the Carrington Crystal Bow Necklace IRL?
ReplyDeleteI'm so tempted to purchase online (there is no J.Crew near me)
SDS and Egypto
ReplyDeleteAgree with getting the XS, this runs oversized. Only tried on and didn't buy, so don't have a comment on the pilling, but isn't that so fitting to mention in a post filled with complaints about annoyingly delicate tees? The fabric quality is what makes or breaks an item. Crappy fabric = crappy tee/hoody/sweater.
Beware of very cute crewcuts tees, they will develop holes the very first time your child wears it and you will be heartbroken! The exception is the city knit fabric which is FABulous!
I do the inside out, mesh bag, air dry flat route as well. I think it was FFM maybe who mentioned that they sell the laundry bags at dollar stores, if that was you thanks a bunch! I spent a few bucks and got TONS of the bags in different sizes, so I can do a whole load, on delicate, of tees, hoisery, sweaters, etc, all in individual baggies.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I still get sequin malfunction, random holes, and pillage. JC tissue fabric is on my disavowed list, as is merino unless on super sale.
egyptomaniac, I fully agree with you. It is NOT unreasonable to expect the touted quality that was bought and paid for. That's the reason that so many of us feel let down on a personal level when a loved brand takes us for a ride. I try and try to not reward JC for showering us with subpar offerings, but to paraphrase, "JCrew, I can't quit you." I have quit buying what I absolutely know won't hold up, though, and keep my fingers crossed on the rest.
I agree with Egyptomaniac, the amount of money shelled out should be equal to the quality of merchandise purchased. I have truly not had any problems at all with J. Crew tees until this past year and I would say that of the tees purchased this last year, 95% had holes in them after 3-4 washings, some developed holes after 1-2(and that's even after using Woolite AND the net bag). I' ve made a pact with myself to send back anything that's even slightly questionable as far as quality is concerned. I did order a pair of skimmer pants(yes, it is a necessary to order a size down) in lilac, but I'm sending them back because the lilac is the color of Yoplait's cherry yogurt. While cherry Yoplait is delicious, I did not think it was a great color for pants,so I think I'll opt for a more neutral color. I also got the vintage silk scarf in the purple. I disliked it very much. It was poorly made, as in the pattern only visible on one side, the edges looked like they were finished by a drunk sewing machine and the color did not look like the one on the web site. I would only buy it for less than $1.00, but the colors are so ugly IMO, I wouldn't even do that.I guess you could say I'm disgusted with JC right now on two fronts, one being quality control, the other, the recycling of styles, month after month.
ReplyDeleteI've never had any problems with my JCrew tees. My perfect fit tees last forever, especially the heavier weight ones. I've never gotten a hole in my tissue tees, either. I hand wash the embellished tees and dry them flat. I have some that are several years old and still look new.
ReplyDeleteI have to chime in and state that none of my tees have ever developed holes. I do wash them inside out on the delicate cycle, and I have a very gentle front load washer. I air dry them. Smooth out the wrinkles and fold. They always look great. No sweater holes either. Now pilling, that's another story. But I remove the pills every few wears by hand. Detergents - I use "green" laundry products, so perhaps that helps? That wasn't the reason - allergies are the reason. Try to use less harsh products for less skin irritations. I wear my tees many more times than once because I love them all!
ReplyDeleteMy three on-sale painter tees aren't worn often because they are stretchy see-through at times and I worry that laundering them too much will give them guaranteed holes. The only JC tees I've been buying are the slub cotton, washed in a mesh bag, thrown in the tumble dryer (inside mesh bag) and left to air dry a while afterwards. They come out as wrinkly as possible, but as long as there are no holes, that's fine with me.
ReplyDeleteI picked up the garland tank in-store; it looks nice how they have it styled on the mannequins with a *plain* l/s or 3/4 sleeve henley. Wearing it with another ruffled top is a bit too much IMHO. It is def transparent fabric so if you are not wearing something layered on top you will need a cami underneath (how I will wear it for summer).
ReplyDeleteI just do not have the time for hand washing, steaming, ironing my tees. I just wash them inside out with my environmentally friendly detergent. Some I will air dry but others just on a lower dryer setting inside out. They key is to buy on good sale so if they don't last it's not a big loss. If something gets a hole after only 1-2 wearings I will take it back for a refund, though.
I have a couple of perfect fit crew neck tees, and they are in disastrous condition. After one washing, they completely lost their shape--the crew neck is more of a boat neck now. I can only wear them to bed. I much prefer the Gap's version, which are thicker (without being so thick that you can't layer them under a sweater) and can be washed over and over without losing shape. Banana Republic's aren't bad, either. I'm very leery of JCrew's t-shirts since that experience.
ReplyDeleteI love J.Crew tees and I have a lot of them, perfect-fit, painter, slub, tissue, etc. I use the handwash cycle with Woolite (no mesh bag) and tumble-dry on delicate with a large load of other lightweight clothes for about 15 mins then lay flat to dry.
ReplyDeleteI've only ever had one tee develop holes - the chiffon roses tee from last summer had 3 tiny holes after the first washing. I repaired it myself as my color/size was SO meaning no exchange possible and I live in Canada so it is a big hassle to try and exchange items. Much less time and cost to just stitch it up myself and I've had no further holes on the tee since. Yes, I understand the position that one shouldn't have to repair a tee after one washing and I agree but I'm also practical and it was only once.
I do consider myself lucky, after reading so many negative comments I have stopped buying tissue tees, which seem to be the worst offenders. I still buy the other fabrics without problem so far. I really like J.Crew tees. The fit, styles and colors are better than LE, gap or BR IMO. I have other brands but always find myself reaching for J.Crew.
Does anyone have comments on the new dryers that have the "steam" function/setting?
ReplyDeleteI am looking to buy a new one, and the sales rep told me that you just pop in a wrinkly shirt, put that setting on, and 20 minutes later your shirt comes out looking like you just ironed it.
I am nervous that this would shrink clothes. I almost always air dry my clothes, and then use one of those hand-held or stand up steamers to get wrinkles out. I am nervous that this "steam" function is not for clothes that you wouldn't put in the dryer to begin with (ie delicates, merino wool V-neck JC sweaters, rayon tops like from Anthro, etc)
does anyone know if the Bryant leather platform peep toes run true to size?
ReplyDeletepixelant, I have the Bryant peep toes in black leather and I bought my regular size 8. I will need to have the left one stretched a bit as the back of the ankle strap is tight and digging in at the back of the heel. I would size up 1/2 size if possible and add a gel insert in the toe or on the heel strap if needed.
ReplyDeleteHTH - if you have any other questions, just ask!
The quality at J. Crew is out of control. I purchased the Pippa mirror flats in silver. I wore them once. On vacation. And the tinfoil stuff started to peel! And then when I tried to return it, all I got was attitude. When I call customer service, they are great! But in the store, good Lord, they are snotty! It isn't my fault that $158 dollar shoes peeled after wearing them once!
ReplyDeleteI also had purchased the Lou Lou blouse, and I loved it. But I noticed at the seams it was starting to rip after wearing it like a few times. I hadn't even drycleaned it yet. Then when I went in to return, the saleswoman was like you got the blouse too tight and that is why it ripped. No, it ripped because your jcrew factory used crappy silk.
Blah, I love jcrew but I am tired of defective products and the attitudes I get from sales clerks when I rightfully return said defective products!
Thanks all. Quite an education on caring for my delicate tees. I can't help but go for a few because they're so pretty but in general I opt for the Gap's favorite tee in cotton. They're the work horses of my closet and they are super easy to care for (ie throw in washer and then dryer). However I became inspired to reorganize my wardrobe and I pulled out my steamer. Some days you just want some frills, what can I say? Although I hear you on the question of quality - after I drycleaned my silk cami ruffle top, the neck never seemed to fit properly as it did when I purchased it. Wah :(
ReplyDeleteHas anyone every tried to return a once washed item to jcrew. I ordered several items in medium which were washed one time on super cold and even air dried. I ended up needing a large? Can they tell that it was washed if even only 1 time?
ReplyDeleteAny advice is appreciated. Is it better to return via UPS or in-store?
Thanks in advance