"Thanks!" many of you, including Marietta, who shared an email J.Crew sent today.The email features the Alpaca Long Cardigan (Item 30104; $118.00) which is described as:
An oh-so-soft piece that's perfect—belted or left open—for throwing over skinny jeans or paired with a petite skirt and heels. Cut long with a shawl collar and an effortlessly elegant drape, this versatile cardigan is destined to be a cool-weather necessity. Acrylic/superfine alpaca/merino wool in a 7-gauge knit. Looser fit. Long sleeves. Welt pockets. Hits below hip. Import. Dry clean.I also must be getting use to J.Crew's styling for women because the cardigan looks super lovely in the email above. I love the Heather Umber and Black versions. And that shawl collar is divine!
What are your thoughts on the Alpaca Long Cardigan? Do you like or dislike the style of the cardigan? :)
I personally love the style and color and am considering purchasing it, but need to hear from JCA's on the shedding and itchiness factor. Plus, like last year the sweaters seem to be mostly acrylic, and I think that the cost may be a bit high.
ReplyDeleteI did try it on and found an XS to fit through the body just fine, but the sleeves were way too tight (and I was just wearing a tank underneath). This may be a little tricky, but it's so darn cute!
I know nothing about this cardigan. I'm giggling over the styling in the photo though. The model has that skirt hiked up about as high as it can go and it looks like the belt is right under her bust. She looks like she's wearing things that are 2 sizes too small!
ReplyDeleteI plan on getting it to wear with my skinny jeans. Love the colors. What is with J Crew and their super tight sleeves on sweaters? I have had this issue with all the sweaters that I have ordered from them as of late.
ReplyDeleteI tried on this cardigan and loved the length and fit but the material was slightly itchy on bare skin and I fear it will sheed something fierce...despite this I'm still considering the piece.
ReplyDeleteDesert Flower, to quote one of my fave songs by the awesome band Cake:
ReplyDeleteShort Skirt and a LOOOOOOOOONG Jacket...
I guess if that is what that band wants in a girl, J. Crew can deliver. LOL.
Good call Dina, I love that song! And now will have the "la la la la la la, la la la la LA la" chorus in my head all day (hee hee!).
ReplyDeleteThat skirt is so ridiculously short, I can't imagine the model could even sit down in it. There must be JC catalog shoot "outtakes" somewhere with them trying to sit down between pictures.
It looks versatile, soft, and the colors are pretty, but I'm concerned about the fit. I got the Dream Shawl cardi last year, and it was a total bust for me, not only because it became a pilly mess after one wearing, but also because a) it looked terrible left open but b) when belted, it had so much extra fabric at the center that it completely covered my chest area, so you couldn't see the cami or whatever I was wearing underneath. In short, it was not flattering.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm worried about the fit of this new open cardi.
hmmmm. i dunno about this one. it looks heavy — more jacketlike, and I prefer light, layerable cardis. and, i hate to say it, but it does look like it'd itch.
ReplyDeleteoh and silver lining? i'll bet there's no sitting at shoots, just like there's obviously no eating....:)
somehotdishes.blogspot.com
I think that is a big price tag for a mostly-acrylic sweater.
ReplyDeleteI bought two long cardigan's from the Brora sale this summer for almost the same price. They are gorgeous Scottish cashmere.
I think my sweater-buying days at JCrew are over. Let's hope they come out with some nice frocks during the next roll-out!
LOL Dina!
I like the styling of the sweater and the colors are nice but I would not buy it due to the itchiness factor and being made of acrylic as others have stated as well. Acrylic pills so fast and is usually found in lower end sweaters. I don't mind paying $20 for an acrylic sweater but not JCrew's prices!
ReplyDeleteI predict this will be the *new* Library Shawl Cardi! Have seen IRL but didn't try. When I saw it at a JCA shopping event, it was 90 plus degrees out and I was not into buying for Fall yet! But, it's a beautiful sweater and the colors offered are gorgeous. I am certain one will end up in my closet soon!
ReplyDeleteNot sure about Alpaca (usually stinky and itchy), but shawl collars are always a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI liked the look of the Library Shawl Sweater, and as others stated, I don't like Alpaca.
ReplyDeleteDon't be martyrs, there are other sweaters out there that fit this "styling need." Check out Anthro--lots of longer, open-styled drape-y sweaters in neutral colors.
karenina,
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you on the alpca being itchy (I don't know about stinky:) I just tend to stay away from alpaca period b/c everything I have ever tried on made with it is itchy. I am sure there is some nice alpaca out there somewhere but I have not felt or found it yet!
I loved seeing the sweater in the store - It is so pretty - but looks and feels to me like a pilling nightmare ahead. I'm going to wait on this one and see how it holds up - maybe a buy on sale if they don't look shopworn once in the sale section.
ReplyDeleteI ordered this sweater and it fits very nicely (SD). It belts well and actually looks good open. But I am worrying about the pilling factor so i don't think it is worth the price. I will return and wait for sale if I don't find something comparable somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteFit is MUCH slimmer than the Dream Shawl..slight itch but not enough to warrant major concerns (not like last year's true angora pieces). Fit was nice but I agree with others..the XS in J Crew sweaters have extremely tight arms. I have found this across the board and feel this is actually an issue they need to address (pretty certain others would agree.) For me, xsmall arms are skin-tight and cannot be worn over long sleeves even while fitting the body. Not sure about the pilling factor (crossing fingers it won't) but agree it's too pricey to be containing ANY acrylic and ultimately, for what it is.
ReplyDeleteI have this sweater in both the stone and umber. I LOVE them! I am not concerned with it being itchy as I normally wear long sleeved tees under my sweaters in the winter months. Nor am I concerned with pilling because I have a sweater shaver and it works amazingly well. Even my cashmere sweaters pill. I bought mine in medium- my usual size and was pleased to find a nice length to the sleeves.
ReplyDeletelbelleconner or others, I forgot to check, what is the actual % of acrylic and other fibers?
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of alpaca, or itchy; also not a fan of acrylic. Will avoid this cardigan for sure. No worry - J Crew always has plenty I love!
ReplyDeleteThere was a store called "Everything Alpaca" that opened at the mall near me - it didn't even last six months, I think. I itch merely upon reading about Alpaca... I don't wear cardigans, but if I did, I'd never spend anywhere close to $118 for a sweater that, based on how the materials are listed, is mostly acrylic. Criminal charging by j.crew, IMO...
ReplyDeleteAdorable styling, to be sure: I always feel at my most effortlessly chic when I've pulled my skirt up under my bosom.
I had high hopes for this cardigan but when I tried it on few weeks ago it was very itchy and I had to take it off right away. I was wearing a tank top and where I live I only wear a short sleeve or tank under a cardigan. Also, I looked at the yarn and maybe it is the Alpaca hair, but they looked like human hair and it totally freaked me out. I tried on the Heather Umber and the 'hair' color was brownish black. Also the high acrylic content should not equate to high $$.
ReplyDeleteGreat color but acrylic and itchy.
ReplyDeleteThe bag looks good in this picture though.
I think this cardigan looks sloppy and the colors are drab. I wouldn't buy it if were cashmere and cost fifty bucks. I am also one who would never buy a sweater with acrylic, whatever the content.
ReplyDeleteThis was not even on my wishlist but I fell in love when I tried this sweater. The drape of this sweater is awesome & slimming, opened or belted. I had to size down (XS)& even if I was wearing a long-sleeved tee, the sleeves were not uncomfortable tight. It did not feel itchy as other alpaca sweaters I have tried. The heather umber shade is gorgeous & a versatile, unique neutral that goes well with a lot of items in my closet. As for pilling, it is too early to tell. Yes, it is pricey but I used my rewards card to ease the pain. But even without my rewards card, I think I would have shelled out the bucks for this. The smaller sizes are going fast & there are no other items in this rollout that are as compelling as this one, at least for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd all this time I thought the tight arms in my XS sweaters and tops were just because I had huge guns! Silly me! What with the 100 push-ups I do each night, I thought my own body flaw was the reason my sweaters were loose in the body, but skin tight in the arms. But seriously, glad to know I'm not the only on with this problem.
ReplyDeleteJ Crew you should really consider making sweaters for normal gals with arms that are not stick thin!
I don't wear acrylic so no, I'd never buy this sweater.
ReplyDeletesome comments
ReplyDelete1. I saw this sweater at the store and thought it was cute but didnt try one.
2. re the too tight arms, so glad to hear I am not the only one as a size 2 or xs i could figure out what the story was with the sweaters.
3. as a knitter let me state that not all alpaca is itchy. i am make a shawl now it is not itchy at all, its probably not the best quality. parts of the alpaca are softer than others
OT, but I browsed thru my local JCrew over my lunchbreak...and seriously, there is NOTHING that I wanted, except maybe a pair of cords & jackie cardi. Everything else looked so old/ragged/yuck. Everything. I picked up an "art tee" in black just b/c I needed a basic black top and not only was it $45 it seemed like it may fall apart any second. Such a bummer. It's now my go-to store when I feel like browsing but know I'll be "good" b/c there's absolutely nothing I'd actually buy! (And I am pretty easy to please, usually...I can almost ALWAYS find something I want!)
ReplyDeleteHere's me wearing the sweater IRL on ABC's blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://abiggercloset.blogspot.com/2010/07/jcrew-new-arrivals-rimini-cardigan.html
It fits and feels very nicely.
ajc- I checked and my sweater's tag says it is 45% acrylic, 37% alpaca and 18% wool.
ReplyDeleteThe overall style of the sweater is very cute, but does look like many other sweaters you can get for much less $$$ at other retailers. Also, the Heather Stone color looks transparent in the online pic. I would definitely not pay $118 for a sweater you can see through.
ReplyDeleteI personally like JC's 'snug' sleeves (saggy sleeves on my stick arms just look awful IMO, especially if the body of the cardigan is billowy).
ReplyDeleteAgree that they should have cardis of different shapes and sizes but I would be so =sad= if they uniformly sized up all the cardi sleeves - unless they start making XXS or petites :)
This is the only item that I pre-ordered and I love it. It's something that I can see wearing a lot into Fall. For me, it was a must have.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone seen or tried on the Honey tweed jacket? I looks amazing but Nordstrom has some similar ones at a better price point, but not at that yummy color? Any help?
ReplyDeleteI like the style but it is a pass for me. I am also a knitter, which has made me very picky when it comes to sweaters. I can get much higher quality yarn for half the price. Now, if only I had unlimited free time to knit! I also agree with Isabella - not all alpaca is created equal. I will take a nice alpaca/merino blend over cashmere any day!
ReplyDeleteI have noticed the same thing, on cardis, henleys, etc., TIGHT SLEEVES. My god. I was wondering if my arms are too fat for my body. Bought the ruffle henley in the store over the weekend that was promo'ed at 29.50, without trying on got a small which is my usual size. It fits perfectly except the sleeves are UNCOMFORTABLY tight. Maybe I'm Asperger's, but man...irritating. If I go to a medium, I am sure the rest of the shirt will look sloppy.
ReplyDeleteLast acrylic I bought, last year a sweater at Kohl's, mind you, Daisy Fuentes line, wore AWFULLY. Looked like steel wool within a couple wearings, the sleeves were especially bad. Now acrylic scares me, even though I know that was "cheap". Still was 35 bucks!
ReplyDeleteYou all should look at the metallic military belt. OMG. It's so cute and only $25 full price. I wore it around my waist this weekend with my scalloped zipper cardigan, and it was just too perfect.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of cardigans, Nordstrom has a merino wool boyfriend version of the JC Infinity Cardi and also last years JC stripe long cardi for $69. They look the same, come in great jewel-tone colors and also two thin stripe tones: charcoal/black and navy/cream. I haven't tried them but they look really cute!
ReplyDeleteNordstrom also has a version of the Gallagher Tipped Cardigan right now. I have it featured on my *You Look Familiar* post today, along with the Dream Varsity Stripe cardi look alike. Click Here to see them.
ReplyDeleteAlmost forgot, I also have a Maya look-a-like posted today, too. :)
ReplyDeleteOne more...Jordyn featured a great Nordstrom substitute for the Long Merino Wool cardigan a while ago on her blog. Click Here . :)
ReplyDeleteI refuse to pay J.Crew prices for acrylic sweaters. Actually, I refuse to pay any price for acrylic sweaters... why wear a cheap, synthetic fabric when there are amazing alternatives like cashmere, merino, and cotton? Ick. I'd rather have one cashmere sweater than two or three cheap acrylic sweaters. Just a few years ago J.Crew didn't use acrylic in many (if any at all) of their sweaters and now it seems the norm. Too bad.
ReplyDeleteI share Amy's sentiments. I was in J Crew today as well. There wasn't anything I wanted. A few pieces looked mildly interesting, but not enough for me to delay my subsequent errands and try on. The reason I was in the store in the 1st place? To return the dream cabin cardi. I wore it once to an ice hockey game and it pilled so badly. Also, because it's off white, the sweater and the pilling looked dirty. And no, *I* wasn't playing hockey in it. I've never worn & returned something to J Crew due to dissatisfaction, but I had to in this case. Even on sale at $70, it was not worth keeping. Pilling embarrasses me. The blend on that sweater is 55% wool, 30% nylon, 15% cashmere.
ReplyDeleteSo what is the deal. Is it the nylon that's pilling or can some be expected to occur in wool anyway?
I wanted to post a follow up on this cardigan:
ReplyDeleteI finally had the chance to try it on at my B&M and really like it, so I ordered it in Heather Umber, size XSmall from the red phone since they didn't have my size in the store. I'm sure there is more than likely going to be some pilling (hello again sweater shaver), but I do love the length and the comfort level it gives when wearing it. I think it's going to look really cute with a tee, bootcut or flare leg jeans, and clogs this fall. I wouldn't pay full price for it, but the promo price is decent. I will consider getting this one in the Black, too, but will probably try to get it at a further markdown.
FFm - What sweater shaver do you use. I have an electric one that takes a D battery and I swear it does nothing. I've also tried BR's sweater stone and no luck w/that.
ReplyDeleteGigi - I have a little "manual" sweater de-fuzzer I picked up at the fabric store - it does a great job. You have to have the area you are shaving relatively taut,and just lightly run the comb over the area. I was also told by online PS that the cashmere sweater wash helps the fibers not pill so much - but I can't say I have really noticed much difference.
ReplyDeleteGigi - I have a little "manual" sweater de-fuzzer I picked up at the fabric store - it does a great job. You have to have the area you are shaving relatively taut,and just lightly run the comb over the area. I was also told by online PS that the cashmere sweater wash helps the fibers not pill so much - but I can't say I have really noticed much difference.
ReplyDeleteSuzy - If you're talking about one like this, I don't think I've ever tried that one. Thanks for the tip on how to use it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Gigi - that's the one. Best 3 bucks I ever spent.
ReplyDelete