"Thanks!" to many of you, including Fabulous Florida Mommy & ShopWithM (in this post), as well as Marietta, who let us know that J.Crew had an update to its website today (click here to view online).There are some new arrivals for men (click here) & women (click here). {wahoo!} It looks like both Crewcuts (click here) and the J.Crew Collection (click here) got updated too.
The latest Holiday NOVEMBER catalog (click here to view) is available to view. It is so nice to see the warm red backdrop being used again. The holiday catalogs are usually some of my favorites. It really rings in the holiday season. :)As for the new arrivals...
Loving. The plaid pattern of the Plaid Eliza Tee (Item 32644; $118.00) is just perfect for the holidays. So pretty!
The next item I love is the Drapey rêve tee (Item 33579; $55.00). Just when I think I have all the striped & sequins tees that I need, out comes another beauty from J.Crew. My credit card hates this! ;)
Not Feeling. No more ambiguous tees please. Take for example the Camofleur Art Tee (Item 34141; $45.00). Pretty from afar, but confusing on the model up-close.
Oh My! A big "thanks!" to Hollylovescrew (in this post) who spotted the fashion faux pas with the Dulphine Sailor-Stripe Sweater (Item 34633; $69.50). Just click on the image to the right and you will see the importance of wearing a bra. ;)
What items are you most excited about and why? Which items are you surprised (or not surprised) to see? Which items did you hope would be included? Were you expecting a bigger roll-out today? Also, did you receive the latest catalog? :)
HA! Check out the model shot close up of the Dulphine sailor-stripe sweater in coal ivory. You can see her nipple.
ReplyDeleteI love the holiday new arrivals! I especially like a lot of the accessories, like the feather belt and jeweled knit cap. Fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteGod help me I LOVE IT ALL.
ReplyDeleteHollyLovesCrew: Good catch!!! That is too funny. ;)
ReplyDeleteSpring & Alie: Me too!!! There are so many pretty things. Fantastic! :)
Hollylovescrew & Alexis, Same situation with the Dulphine Torque Sweater(just worse) imo. I saw this sweater last night in the store not only is it super sheer. It was unraveling at the unfinished sleeve and the bottom of the sweater. Super Cute though:)
ReplyDeleteThere are a few cute holiday items (very few) but I had hoped to be more excited abou this rollout. And now I see J Crew is using more acrylic(!). What happened to silk, merino, cotton, cashmere, or blends of those? Alexis, the old catalogues are beautiful and I love looking at them but they're just torture! I want J Crew to go back to the quality and style it had then. I wear my old pieces all the time and I too wish I'd bought much, much more...but I didn't know at the time it might be my last chance!
ReplyDeleteI saw a few things when I went to the store last night that I must get....
ReplyDelete*Tartan Boy Shirt-(purchased) CUTE
*Plaid Eliza tee-More of a Shirt
*Gingham Red Perfect Shirt
*Plaid Tuxedo Pant (supercute) IMO
*Reve Tee (NAVY) cute
*See The Joy Art Tee
There were lots of cute things in store last night. I'm going back today to purchase more.
minniemousemiami: That's crazy about the Dulphine sweaters in general! Cute but dangerous! ;)
ReplyDeleteDmmermaid: The older Holiday catalogs are gorgeous! I too wish I had bought more back in the day. ;)
I like the Chunky Fair Isle funnelneck sweater, but ugh--why is it made with acrylic? More like acrylICK. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see the Cypress Plaid skirt online. I love this skirt and have found it be extremely versatile. You can see pics of me in it here and here (scroll down to bottom).
new items = cart dumped :(
ReplyDeleteI like the golden bubbles pencil skirt and the drapey stripe tee. I may change my mind after seeing and trying on the items. I am missing the haya sequin sweatshirt - I had 9 in my cart yesterday but can't pull it up today (I can see it when I search, but can't pull it up to add it to my cart). I also had 9 notte tweed skirts yesterday, now they have only 3 sizes left and none are mine? What's wrong with their site that it can't handle an update? I'm afraid to say they need to get it fixed, because we're still dealing with problems from the alst overhaul.
I see plenty to like this time around. I'm loving all the plaid, the new tees are cute, the fair isle sweater is really pretty, and I love the Whistler cardigan, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'm officially reaching a saturation point. Not much catching my eye except the Salon coat. But after seeing how much nicer the coat material is at AT than at JC, I doubt I'll even bother to check it out. But it is really pretty, so maybe on sale... I have definitely reached a limit on sequins. I can't take them anymore! Also, OT, but I'm wearing a striped pocket tee that I bought maybe 2 months ago. worn it a couple times and there's a hole by the pocket. Should I try to take it back?! I'm very bummed about this.
ReplyDeleteI saw the Reve tee too and it is really cute! But I was at the outlet this past weekend and grabbed the "Je t'aime" tee which looks very similar but way cheaper and maybe a little cuter IMO.
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of you -- loving many of the new designs but the acrylic content is highly disappointing. I'll be passing on the new sweaters as a result.
ReplyDeleteI usually get one of the holiday tees and hopefully they will have a few more to come because I have the snowflake and reindeer from last year and the 09 reindeer is waaay cuter. Actually, this year it looks like a regular deer. Maybe that goes with the camo theme. I have the satin snowflake tee from 08 and it has held up remarkably well.
ReplyDeleteUsually I don't find much to love until I read everyone else's posts and go back to give things a second look. Look forward to reading what y'all think.
It could not be possible for me to love the Tinsel bustier dress more! Crossing my fingers that it goes on sale before completely selling out (doubt it) so I can buy for New Years...
ReplyDeleteAlso LOVING the Merino zip mini. Wish I'd noticed it early this morning before placing an order for 3 sale popbacks, however all of the popbacks have since vanished in my size/color choices so at least I feel accomplished for getting something right at 6am :)
I like many things in this new catalog, but what's with so many short skirts again?
ReplyDeleteItem 33317 had me in stitches this morning! Cluck, cluck, cluck!
They've finally did it...now they've 'embellished' the Perfect Shirt. What's next on the bedazzled list!
ReplyDeleteI'm in such a non-JCrew buying mood it's pathetic! I don't even feel like 'studying' the new arrivals. A few things look 'ok' to me but I'm just not interested in any of it. It must be me...I hope I get better by spring!
Can anyone comment on the feel of the Dulphine sweaters' material IRL? I know acrylic is seriously frowned upon by most JCAs, but does the blend make it any less itchy?
ReplyDeleteOoh, that plumage mini in heather peach is just what I'll need for the annual Edie Beale Jingle Ball. I'll top it with a chambray shirt, don men's oxfords, rat my hair, pile on the pearls and smile like the Joker.
ReplyDeleteOne note about the Double-cloth salon coat, I hope whoever purchases it is skinnier than the model because the 'tulip shaped' bottom isn't going to do anyone any favors! The model actually looks perturbed by her shapely figure in the side shot.
ReplyDeleteDulphine feels like cheap netting. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
ReplyDeleteWow, lots of nice arrivals for men in particular the Gloverall duffel coat, Fox bros. and the Aether jackets. The double-breasted Fairport trench seems interesting but I can't see so much because the shadow details are blocked (despite a calibrated monitor).
ReplyDeleteLooks like Thomas Mason hiked up prices by $ 10 to $ 135.
Even though I'm mad at Crew... there are some pieces I really like - FINALLY -
ReplyDeleteAnybody know where to find the fuschia pants on the Collection page slide show??? I can't seem to find them.
Thanks!
I am loving the Timber Tweed Pencil Skirt and the Chalet Turtleneck Sweater....I might just have to scoop some of them up...
ReplyDeleteI am curious, does anyone really wear socks and sandals in the winter in real life? I do like the way they look on models......but I am sure that I could never bring myself to leave the house like that...
The vintage cashmere pullover #32123 looks great, but I'm still gun shy of J.Crew cashmere. I have two cashmere v-necks and they do pill much more quickly than my TH or Holt Renfrew ones.
ReplyDeleteI just received the marled wool crewneck #31899 in bright navy and really like it. It's not actually a bright navy, just a regular navy. The Woodland jacket #29666 is also a sharp jacket, slimmer cut, but not overly fitted.
I think I might treat myself to the deerskin gloves #33520.
Am I the only one who thinks the shoes are a hot mess?
ReplyDeleteApparently, I am the only one, but I am really disappointed.
ReplyDeleteSkirts still too short, sweaters look cheap (acrylic, blech!!!), and I already have enought tees. Even the coats, other than my pretty peacoat that I have and adore, aren't charming me.
I do love the tuxedo jacket in the carbon color, and still like the red gingham shirt. I just wish they had that item available back when they released it on net-a-porter. Love the necklace merino sweater, but after my pilling open cardi, I am a little gun shy. I can't afford a $110 sweater if it is going to look trashed after 2 wearings.
I pulled the trigger on a charcoal sweater dress, red cashmere cardi, and black and white cotton/wool tweedy skirt from Ann Taylor last night. I am going to place another Talbots order for a grey shetland skirt that I can actually wear without flashing anyone and a cotton/silk one with a cute little bow decorating it. Just the kind of clothing I would have hoped to see from my beloved J Crew for the holiday.
This rollout is going to be a total pass for me...
Thumbs up: some of the new merino novelty sweaters, some of the silk tanks/shirts
ReplyDeleteThumbs down: too many mini skirts, more tapered sweatpants, and more manly/grunge-inspired shoes.
Some of the new dresses are beautiful, but did anyone notice that most of them are at really high price points? Very few cute ones under $250.
Jruby, yup, shoes are a total pass.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading all the vents about poor quality and now the merino is pilling (which never used too) and seeing acrylic in sweaters-- which will definitely pill--I had fun looking at the new arrivals but won't be purchasing anything.
ReplyDeleteMath Teacher,
My cart did not dump in the night. Everything (all four items are still there....) Might be a setting on your computer??? Just a thought.
It seems that Frank and the gang might be pushing the 'show some ankles' look too much with the model in a dinner jacket (holding a baby). I don't mind this 60s look for weekend wear but if I were going to be enticed into buying JCrew formal wear, heck I want to look timeless (not timely) like Bond-----not like a rock star!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Kitsmommy . . . very little is working for me. It's still more ruffles, sequins, beads, fake fibers, and too-short skirts.
ReplyDeleteI did really like the satin-lapel tuxedo jacket and the crop plaid tuxedo pants--those are the kind of items I expect from a JC holiday catalog, and more importantly, there is a place for them in my life. It's not so much the individual old school items that I miss--it's the way JC used to meet all of my lifestyle needs. Sigh.
P.S. The Petale suiting dress is already marked down--small wonder when the copy describes it as "falls to knee" but it hits halfway between knee and crotch on the model.
Oh, and why is the model in both shots for the two different Couplet dresses posing with her hand on her hip? Funny poses seem so often to be a tip that there is a problem with the item's fit. It looks like she's pulling the dress down to de-pouf it and make it appear longer.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too excited about anything. I do kind of like the plaid holiday pants (I have a pair of the plaid pants from a few holiday seasons ago and LOVE them) and couple of the coats. I might try the plaid pants w/the embellished black or chambray shirt - could be cute for a party. But what is with all the ugly shoes! I used to think J. Crew had the most beautiful shoes anywhere but not so much anymore. Most of the current offering is hideous. I can't imagine showing up to the office or for a date in those!
ReplyDeleteI like the tartan boy shirt and Saint James hat. Unfortunately, I don't see much to like in the rest of the new arrivals - I guess I don't trust the quality of any of it anymore.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are the ombre coat and the dream sequined, striped tee. Ok, that's it.
ReplyDeleteI will say that the pic in the catalog of the model in the bridal gown with the baby cheetah is pretty darn cool.
ReplyDeleteSub :)
ReplyDeleteLike the boutonnaire blazer in the heather elm and the rich plum color items...!
ReplyDeleteSort of on topic here - has anyone seen the poppy shade IRL? I'm looking for a pretty red but am having a hard time this season. Red apparenly isn't a big color this year.
ReplyDeleteNew York & Paris - LOL! I was just thinking the same thing about socks and sandals/pumps. I don't think I've seen any real people wear those since the 80s!
Anyone else notice that the shearling toscana hats are missing....the pom poms? WTH, J.Crew...
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the shoes are out of this world ugly.
The poppy is usually a really pretty shade. In the past it has always been a warm toned, true "Christmas red."
ReplyDeleteI favor blue reds with my skin tone but it is a nice color.
I only like a few items from this latest rollout....
ReplyDeleteBling button cardi (hello, black pine diamond!)
Haya sequin pullover
Chunky Fair Isle funnelneck sweater
My wallet is happy, since I started buying Christmas gifts today.... $$$ should not go towards gifts for myself! :-)
On the men's side, I'm liking the Alpaca crewneck and the shawl collar fair isle, but these prices are starting to get out of hand. There's no way I'll be paying over 200 bucks for a sweater. Can only hope for a steep sale discount in a couple months.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJ.Crew did a color they called "holiday red" a few years back - it was just perfect for this time of year - a true blue-based red that made me merry on sight.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the irreverence of the Holiday cover - the woman pushing the tree across ice wearing a festive if impractical get-up.
There are a few items I am interested in - tartan boy shirt, Luminosa puffer vest - but I'm going to wait for sale or promo. I have been burned so many times on pricing lately, especially with the new return policy - I'm just going to wait, and if they are not avaiable any more, I didn't need them anyway - or will find something like it somewhere else. So there ;)
ReplyDeleteThe new arrivals can best be summed up in one word: meh. In past seasons, there was at least one item per rollout that I had to have immediately, full price or not. I can't remember the last time I felt that way about anything from J. Crew.
ReplyDeleteLooked at New Arrivals, looked at Gift Guide. The copywriter from space is still at work. Loved the description of pale grey and pale beige as festive holiday shades. Maybe if your holiday is Festivus.
ReplyDeleteWhich reminds me, time to start rehearsing the Glee Club & Chowder Society in this year's versions of Crewfest carols (Crewfest is sorta like Festivus, only you can't return the presents). Here is the last verse of our version of The 12 Days:
On the 12th day of Crewfest, my PS sent to me:
12 sweaters shedding
11 Prato knockoffs
10 sequins falling
9 seams a-splitting
8 cashmeres pilling
7 flimsy camis
6 minnies clinging
5 brassy chains
4 Mickey cards
3 dropped hems
2 hole-y tees
And some luggage in a pear tree.
ok, I will stop now.
WFF - LOL! Very good...
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm with others, it seems, on the tartan boy shirt. I just received the cashmere zip pullover in black, and I think this would be great underneath. I also am liking the merino sparklegate cardigan (I could just be a sucker for that moss color). Seems likely that one will be marked down though. I would also buy the wooltown skirt in a minute if it wasn't 16 inches. Really, really, J.Crew, is 18 inches too much to ask? Really?
ReplyDeleteThe only things that caught my eyes were the Moonbean Sequined Blazer and Calf Hair Brompton Hobo. But HOLY MOTHER, the hobo is $1,800. I'd rather use that money to buy a Lanvin bag.
ReplyDeletertfit_jcrew I agree with the whole ankle bit. Now admittedly I rocked the sockless look this past summer; but I wore the trouser socks from BR and so it looks sockless even though it's not.
ReplyDeleteFall and winter call for warmth and some colour; not pasty while ankles. I wear solids and striped socks with a little colour. Maybe if I'm tanned and in the Mediterranean area I'll go sockless in November, but until then I'll cover my white ankles.
I just got home from JC - had fun trying on new items. My favorites were the plaid eliza tee (please still be around when my size goes on sale!), the tartan boy shirt (if I wasn't going to Disney this month, this would have come home with me), the bling button cardi in vivid poppy velvet which is a true red. I also tried on a sweatshirt that I don't see online. It came in light and dark gray, had a pouch pocket, 2-3 buttons at a small v-cutout at neck, and was slouchy. It was so soft and comfy, I didn't want to take it off. It's just a little too casual for school and at 65 is too much for an around the house top. But, I hope this goes on sale and I can get it. I also loved (and bought) a new sequin "sweatshirt." It comes in light gray with clear paillettes down the front (similar to last year's crewcut version) and dark gray with even darker paillettes. I thought the dark one was not good, but I loved the light one. Since I missed the haya sequin sweatshirt and this one was a little more subdued and cheaper, I got it.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was there, they got a call that all knits (tees, etc) are 20% off. That included the sweatshirt, which is why I bought it today. Also outerwear was still 25% off.
The bad that I tried on were the sailor strip sweater. I am broad-shouldered, so having the shoulder seam down on my arm was not a good look. Plus, as has been discussed, it's completely sheer. The silk bloussana tunic comes in a white/black plaid. I love the print and material, but it was sheer and it has poufy shoulders, which I did not like. My ps loved it though. The drapey sequin tee is comfy, but quite shiny. Definitely not for me or my lifestyle. You will not be missed wearing this top. :)
That's it. I did not try on any of the tees, although the reve tee is quite cute and I'll probably try it on next time. Also the embellishment on the embellised perfect shirt is pretty and I'll probably try it on next time too.
I was expecting to see more new, so I was slightly disappointed. Maybe more will trickle in over the next couple of weeks.
Summer, every time they roll out a new line, my cart gets dumped. No idea why. My cart on my work computer also dumps periodically, but I haven't figured out the pattern yet. :) I'm not computer savvy enough to figure it out, so I just deal with it.
ReplyDeletemath teacher: Thanks for the reviews! I was wondering about the Eliza tee and Tartan boy shirt. I'm glad to know that they're nice IRL. :) Btw, is the sequin sweatshirt you bought the Haya Sequin Pullover?
ReplyDeletemath teacher: Never mind...it can't be the same one since the pullover is more expensive than the sweatshirt.
ReplyDeleteFYI, everyone - the "vivid poppy" this year is not, in my opinion, a true red IRL. It is too orangey to be a true red. I ordered and promptly returned a sweater in the vivid poppy because I thought the color was heinous. It was almost cartoonish.
ReplyDeleteFor reference, I considered last year's Christmas red, "dark poppy," to be a true red.
HTH.
I love the cropped plaid tuxedo pants! TOO cute and I wouldn't have to get them shortened (a regular thing for me unfortunately).
ReplyDeleteI'm inclined to go ahead and pull the trigger now so I can get as much wear out of them before the holidays. I think they have a limited wear period . . .probably could get away with them in Jan or early Feb, but that's it. Ugh . .this is what I hate . . .do you buy now or wait for a sale? If they go on sale after a month that's fine, but if they go on sale in two weeks I get pissed!
I also liked the merino sequin polka dot cardigan. But seems a little pricey at full price. . . maybe on sale.
Also, why are the wool tuxedo shorts still listed as a new arrival and full price?? I got them for $29.99 at my B&M about a month ago!!
Another aside, I was at the Factory store yesterday during lunch and they have some really cute pajamas that are on sale. Also, tons of the decorated holiday t-shirts that were marked down too. If you live close to a Factory store, you might want to try there first for a holiday t-shirt. And as someone said, a version of the Reve t-shirt that was cute too.
Fabulous Florida Mommy, I should mention that the Eliza tee is flattering from the front, but not perfect from the side. It wasn't bad enough for me not to want it though. :) I think it would be really cute under a cardi or blazer as well. IMO, it was a true red. The haya sequin pullover online is sparklier than the one I bought, which is called the shimmer sweatshirt (33583 and priced at 98).
ReplyDeleteThe poppy bling button cardi matched the red in the tartan boy shirt perfectly. Maybe, as has happened before, the poppy color translates differently depending on the material of the item.
Ha ha Wellfed Fred,
ReplyDeleteYou always make me laugh. Would be even better sung over the loudspeaker at Mickey D's :-)
Thanks math teacher! Btw, the color of the Tartan boy shirt online says black, but to me it appears sort of navy. What does it look like IRL?
ReplyDeleteYipes! Nip slip (kind of)! I can't WAIT to get this catalog in the mail -- the winter catalogs are always my favorite!
ReplyDeleteNew York & Paris - I bought the Timber Tweed Pencil skirt a few weeks ago and love it! Just as a fit note I was able to size down one size from my normal J.Crew skirt size. I paired it with the Moss Blossom Calista Cami and the Cashmere Shawl Popover in Bronzed Olive.
ReplyDeleteI really wanted some of the plaid flannel boy shirts but when I was in store was shocked at how poor quality the fabric was. I would rather did out some of my older, nicer flannel shirts and wear them! That said,I like the plaid one that is new today but won't take a chance unless I see it in person due to possible quality issues.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to look at the catalog. Doubt I will be buying anything from JCrew though this holiday season. Usually I go nuts and buy a ton!
Fabulous Florida Mommy, I thought it was black but I didn't look that closely at it. I had it on with dark denim and I tried it with a charcoal gray sweater and that worked. Now that you mention it, one of the sa's suggested I wear it with a navy blazer, so maybe it is a dark navy. Sorry I can't be more help.
ReplyDeleteRe: cashmere, I was checking out AT's new sweaters and this is what they have to say about their cashmere: "Our cashmere is 2-ply with yarn purposefully twisted to keep it from pilling; we increased our yarn tension so that garments keep their shape and stability—yielding amazingly soft and long-lasting results."
ReplyDeleteI have found their cashmere from past seasons to hold up nicely. As soon as they have a good sweater promo I'm going to order some new ones.
I like the sequined boyfriend sweater. I know we all have enough sequins but this is pretty subtle and great for some dress down holiday party.
ReplyDeletejcrew guy, ditto your comments about going sockless in November :-) or anytime during the cold season. Rather wear those colourful JCrew/Corgi stripe socks.
ReplyDeleteCass,
ReplyDeleteI have the black, amethyst and grey cashmere cardigans from this season from Ann Taylor and am happy with them. I have worn each 4-5 times so far. I did have a bit of pilling the first wearing right on the front panels, but I removed the pills (it was just a few) and they have not pilled again. The cashmere is thick and heavy and very plush.
I have been a fan of their cashmere for many years and these are as good as or better than the older pieces so far.
I am wearing the grey one with my grey and white striped Frances shirt and a double faced red skirt from Talbots today :) .
I'll have to check out the new arrivals more carefully, but on first glance I don't see anything particularly interesting.
ReplyDeleteEmbarrasing admission: I'm trying to close out my little mini storage unit so I went through all the boxes last week. I brought home several pairs of gorgeous wool trousers that I bought on FS and never wore because they were an inch or two too long. The tags all say 07 or 08. I hemmed them this week and removed cuffs from two pairs because they looked a bit dated, but otherwise I'm thrilled with my "new" work clothes.
WHAT is with all the mohair/angora/alpaca. There is a lot of stuff I want, but with those fibers in it I will not be buying. It makes me itch and sneeze and I see it in all the cheap stores. Why do I want to spend $150 on a sweater that makes me itch?! What happened to nice wool cashmere blend? Or even just wool? LEAVE OUT THE AWFUL FIBERS.
ReplyDeletethe holiday catalog is what i love most about jcrew! so excited:)
ReplyDeleteMany pretty things! Love that red gingham shirt -- you just KNOW it's going to sell out, urgh. ... Love the sleepwear, there's so little of it that I usually buy at least 1 pr of flannel sleep pants at holiday every year.
ReplyDeleteEverything I'm clicking on from the Browse Catalog pages keeps coming up with 'Men' in the titlebar, including Jenna's gift picks for women .. rut ro, coding bug, someone better get on it! :)
I'd love to see color come back into the shoes. And I'm dismayed to see acrylics creeping in. That's a total dealbreaker for me, especially at JC's price points.
At first glance I liked a lot. After a more detailed review-not so much. My favorite is the Washed crepe Flora dress-but $395-not happening. Also liking the Coquette hobo in shimmer leather in espresso. Once I see it all in store, I'm sure I'll like a couple of other items. But they're all too pricey now, and the fabric content on some sweater-acrylic is a bummer :(
ReplyDeleteJulieStyles, I like the Flora dress too, but I'm confused by the copy vs. the product photos. It says hidden zippers at the wrists and in the photos they are clearly exposed. It also says exposed back zipper and the photo shows a keyhole button closure without a zipper in sight. I need to ask my PS to look at it in person and let me know which details are on the actual dress. I don't like exposed zippers at all so that would be a dealbreaker for me, whether on the wrists or back.
ReplyDeleteI would buy a dress like the Flora with the expectation that I could wear it once or maybe twice a year over several years. Exposed zippers will date it very quickly so not worth it as an investment piece IMO.
WFF, that is the best! Crewfest is sorta like Festivus only you can't return the presents. THE BEST!
ReplyDeleteI looked carefully through the entire new arrivals section and I like exactly 1 thing - the tartan boy shirt. Where are the holiday pretties?!?
btw, knits and tees are 20% in-store and the sequin tee and tank are included.
What is the difference between the Haya Sequin Pullover and the now missing from the website Haya Sequin Sweatshirt...other than $15???
ReplyDeleteThe Haya Sweatshirt has been in my cart but was dumped last night and has now gone missing....
Cass: I totally agree with you on Ann Taylor cashmere looking like a good bet, although I have never tried it before. I've heard many good reviews, so I'm hoping it'll be worth it (although I'm reeeealllly trying not to spend any more $ right now, having spent a fortune at JC this fall).
ReplyDeleteMathteacher: Can you describe the feel of the Dulphine bling-button cardi? I really love the styling and color options, but others have said acrylic is incredibly itchy.
Thank you, kitsmommy, for the AT cashmere review ... really glad to hear it's thick and plush, b/c I have several of the v-neck sweaters on the way. They have some new colors now too, including "Frappe" which is a pretty camel.
ReplyDeleteI was all, "Oy" on the new arrivals. Just kind of depressing. Though I do like the women's tuxedo jacket - it looks elegant and well-made.
Agree that the acrylICK and WHYlon blends are dealbreakers. I am a total sucker for a cowlneck and a zipper, but can't do it w/ those fibers.
I love the cropped plaid tuxedo pant, but I'm still not daring enough to wear cropped pants in the winter. LLBean has a really nice pair, full length, for about $150. They are a part of their new upscale line and they are gorgeous on the model in the catalog.
ReplyDeleteLauren, I don't know the difference but I do know that the haya sequin sweatshirt that is now missing went on sale in store for 99. My b&m had none left.
ReplyDeleteAli, I tried it on over the tartan boy shirt, but I didn't think it felt itchy when I felt it. I don't know if it would feel itchy after time with a cami underneath. Sorry I can't be more help.
Sadly I'm going to pass on all acrylic content sweaters. I really don't want to spend $$ on disposable clothing.
ReplyDeleteThere are some few cute items I'd like to see IRL but that's about it. I'm not that excited about this new roll out.
What is up with Alpaca Flurry popover priced @ $425? It looks like a hot mess! Also, is the merino wool polka dot cardigan already sold out?
@wff: You've made my hectic day! :-D
I just told my DH to read it and he was LOL!
SallyO, I looked at the L.L.Bean pants and J.Crew had similar bootcut plaid pants from Holiday 06, I bought them in both patterns. I still wear them every fall because I am truly mad for plaid. They are 100% wool and fully-lined, really cute dressed up or down. I'll definitely be buying the J.Crew Holiday ones this week. Would love them to be full length since I'm tall but I'll see if my tailor can work some magic to let down the hem at all or just wear them tucked into knee-high boots. Plaid is the ultimate preppy, sexy, cute!
ReplyDeletejcrewphd, I totally WTF'd on that popover too. I have a similar synthetic fleece popover that was given to me when I was an intern. It has a company logo on it and is very good quality but like the J.Crew version, it looks like something you pop on after your workout and not something you plunk down $425 for!! I keep it in my car in case I get stranded on the highway in bad weather. 'nuff said!
ReplyDeleteHave to chime in on Alpaca Flurry. ITA, ITA. Looks like leftover giveaway from Homecoming weekend at Dartmouth. And the suggested styling? Belted over a pencil skirt? can't make this stuff up. What were they thinking?
ReplyDeleteI think they were thinking lets make a crazy amount of profit selling to some crewlade drinkers out there. Aside from the design issue shouldn't this $425 price tag be made of either 100% Italian cashmere with gold thread woven through them instead of wool/acrylic/poly blend?
ReplyDeleteIt's just plain madness...
I thought of Kitsmommy and Hexicon when I saw the two new pencil skirts measuring in at 20". I was so hoping for some great fall pencil skirts in a wearable length for tall gals and/or those who work in a conservative environment. Since I'm both of those, I struck out on all the skirts and dresses in this rollout. Like many of you, I'm passing on the sweaters partly becuase not much caught my eye and partly because I flat out refuse to wear acrylic. There were a few things I liked but I don't need since I already own items that are very similar. I can't say that I'm disappointed because I wasn't expecting anything to work for me.
ReplyDeleteSub
ReplyDeleteThis model could also use a bra:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jcrew.com/womens_feature/NewArrivals/teesandknits/PRDOVR~32459/32459.jsp
Sequins, zippers, and open cardigans. Everything looks like a rework of something in a recent rollout, only FP. Yawn. With my debt never-ending, clothes have to be a lot more special than this to make me charge my card some more.
Ok, I have been holding back my comments on those complaining about acrylic for some time. I don't get it. What is so wrong with acrylic? I have a 100% acrylic sweater (the horror!) from H&M from years ago, it goes through the washer and dryer without a thought, tough as nails and very warm in winter. Acrylic is often softer and warmer than wool. Do you all hate it because it isn't a "natural" fiber? If that's the reason, I have a very well known bridge for sale.
ReplyDeleteAcrylic is a form of plastic, and I would prefer wearing natural fibers. To each his own.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, I hope you are right. Others, please chime in? In a related subject, I also don't understand why JC introduced even more Dream cardis this rollout if they are horrible 100% of the time (which seems to be the consensus here). I don't doubt that many have had issues with their Dream cardis, but is JC that oblivious or are only the people having problems posting?
ReplyDeleteAnybody? Any luck with Dream sweaters/acrylic sweaters?
I don't like acrylic because it is often found in cheaper-looking items, but I think mohair, alpaca and regular lambswool are worse in terms of itch. So generally I won't buy any sweater unless it is cotton/silk/cashmere/merino or some combination thereof.
ReplyDeleteJC is not the only retailer using these cheaper blends now--many of my fav stores are--but I am cruising right past those sweater offerings and only looking at the merino/cashmere for winter.
Ali,
ReplyDeleteAT always has a sweater and/or cashmere promo for the holidays, and there are usually coupons floating around for an extra 20-30% you can take off that, so if you want to try the AT cashmere, you should be able to get a great deal if you hold out a few more weeks. Also, although there are limited sizes/colors left in january, I have gotten some amazing deals like cashmere cardis for $25.
A form of plastic? Wow, the cotton/wool/etc. lobby would be proud of that comment. After I thought the acrylic comments that are ongoing on this blog seemed haughty to me, I looked it up the other night to see if I was missing a secret that everyone else understood about how evil acrylic is. It is actually more absorbent and faster drying than cotton; the website listed many other positive attributes. I have only recently really started to pay attention to the content of knits because I am so very tired of having everything I buy pill. A Daisy Fuentes (ick, I know) 100% acrylic sweater I bought at Kohl's, for around the house, is as shaggy as a sheepdog (but the warmest thing I own, so I keep it for lounging; yet, that 100% acrylic H&M sweater I previously spoke of is indestructible. So I am torn on acrylic. I know there are many haters of polyester, but it always washes up nice and does not wrinkle like thin cotton can. How nice is it to have a garment that you don't have to treat with kid-gloves, tinker with out of the washer, hang dry, then fluff, on and on. I recently took out a 100% merino wool v-neck sweater I got from J Crew last fall, one of my first items purchased from them. I find it to be not necessarily steel-wool itchy like regular wool can be, but rough, like wearing sandpaper. Yet, an acrylic/merino wool blend v-neck I bought at the Limited years ago is not aggravating to my skin and holds up to abuse. My point with my rant is...try to become aware of how vulnerable you/we might be to marketing and lobbyists. They are more pervasive and persuasive than you would ever think. OT, I recently read that the PRISON lobby has quietly been behind the opposition to legalizing drugs, because drug offenses are BIG business. A prison lobby. Who knew? Anyway, polyester is a derivative of petroleum, do you all avoid that too? Do you know what "unnatural" products are in your lipstick, mascara, foundation, conditioner, jewelry, etc?
ReplyDeleteI think I only saw one mention of this within the entire thread of comments, so I thought I'd bring it up again (as it is driving me insane): In the Collection's 7th look there is a pair of fuchsia pants on the model. What are they and where can I find them!?
ReplyDeleteEvery sweater I own that has acrylic from my college days and first few year of working pilled. I don't care for it b/c to me it is not warm at all. I know that on What Not to Wear both host mention staying away from acrylic b/c it pills and does not hold up well. From my experience I agree.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there are actually acrylic sweaters out in the world that don't pill but I have always seen acrylic sweaters at low end stores. That is fine if you want to pay $20 for one. I am fine with that for myself. But no way would I ever pay JCrew's high prices for a sweater with acrylic in it. It is traditionally the mark of cheap goods.
Hi Sweet Peaches - I don't think the fuschia pants have been released yet. This is probably the first of a couple Holiday rollouts so they may be in the next one.
ReplyDeleteMy main beef with acrylic is that it seems to be one of many cheap shortcuts JC is taking (like the fishing line cami hems), while the prices are the same as or higher than previous years. As a result, the items are not holding up to reasonable "wear and tear" (or even one wear/wash, as some JCA's have reported).
Christy mentioned the Toscana trapper hat - I was looking through previous holiday catalogs, and in 2008 it was $165, had the pom-poms, and was listed as "Made in England". Last year, $165, but "Import" (read: China). This year, $175, no pom-poms, "Import". I know that a lot of people won't notice or care, but to people that are more familiar with the brand this is just a symptom of a bigger problem.
My aversion to acrylic (and polyester for that matter) are purely personal, I don't recall any lobby or marketing effort geared at asking me to dislike it. I've had a lot of both in the past, partly because at the time that is what I could afford. I found that both were uncomfortable to wear because they neither kept me warm in cold weather or breathed well in warm weather. Acrylic I've owned doesn't hold it's shape after washing and wearing, and takes on a shiny appearance that I identify with cheapness. I frequently have my polyester lined pencil skirts relined with silk by my tailor, a cheap alteration that makes them much more comfortable, wearable and long lasting.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that many retailers, not just J. Crew, are adding acrylic to so many garments because it is an extremely inexpensive textile. That's also the reason it shows up at low priced retailers like F21 and Delia's. It is frequently used in disposable clothing, items you pay under $20-$30 for that are not meant to last more than a season or a few wearings.
Anyway, as I mentioned, my aversion is purely personal and I certainly don't think all people should stop wearing acrylic. I'm simply not buying it for myself.
math teacher: my cart was dumped this morning...so it's not just you :)
ReplyDeleteI despise acrylic. From personally experience, I have found it pills quickly and doesn't breathe in the least.
ReplyDeleteIt is a cheap shortcut and for the prices J C is charging, it shouldn't be in their garments.
To be fair, I see that Talbots and Ann Taylor are using a fair amount of it and I won't buy garments containing it from them either.
I don't loathe all synthetic fibers. I have a couple of poly shells from Ann Taylor and Loft that look like crinkled silk, wash beautifully, and travel like a dream. It is nice to have a pretty top that can be tossed in a suitcase without damage and washed out in a hotel sink.
Still, I draw the line at acrylic anything...
Desert Flower,
ReplyDeleteSorry nothing worked for you and thanks for the thought.
I did pick up the striped serge skirt a while back, and it is fine on me since I am only 5'4" but that is the only skirt that has impressed me this fall anyway.
I have had much better luck at Talbots this year on the skirt front, but I have to buy petites. They fit perfectly and since most run 21-22 inches they hit mid to bottom of the knee on me.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWith exception to the dream shawl cardigan from last year, I have several dream sweaters (mostly from 2008) and they have pilled a bit where my arm rubs into the body of the sweater but not enough to never purchase them again. The dream shawl cardigan has hardly been worn and it has alot of pills.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Portland' 100% merino sweaters from holiday 2008 are the best! They still look like new.
It's interesting that some think others can't make their own decisions and are swayed by a lobby. Sure there are a lot of sheeple out there but on this blog there are plenty of discerning and very meticulous shoppers.
ReplyDeleteI bought an acrylic sweater once and it was not warm enough when I was cold and didn't breathe when I was too warm, same as Desert Flower's experience. It also had the most unbelieveable static cling problem and made me shock everyone I came near, even when I rinsed it with extra fabric softener. I was in high school, interested more in the style than the materials and that sweater made me start looking at every content label thereafter. I can take a small percentage of it on a garment that is lined but not in a sweater, especially as the major component.
I agree with xoxo, not liking acrylic does not make us sheeple under the spell of lobbying/marketing wizards. We have our reasons. To each their own.
ReplyDeleteThis topic on acrylic is so interesting and I have started to really take notice, on purpose, everywhere I shop (whether mall stores or boutiques with brand names.)
ReplyDeleteMy early experiences of purchasing and wearing acrylic and other synthetic blends have left me "burned" and I also find it typically translates as the stuff of cheap sweaters, that do not wear well and cause tremendous cling. Those came from inexpensive stores and most definitely pilled more than the sweaters I bought after entering the work-force and spending good money on brands that could be trusted, including J Crew. I quickly learned that you get what you pay for.
Fast-forward 15-20 years and things are just so bad everywhere. Pretty much all of your basic mall stores are using mostly synthetics/blends to make their sweaters..BR, Gap, ATL, ON, etc. the list goes on. It has truly become difficult to find 100% wools, high wool contents or even better-mixes of cashmere/cotton/wool/silk. Those are some of the most comfy, warm and breathable mixes I own. No pilling, outstanding wash & wear type sweaters that still look fantastic 20 years later (and I am not exaggerating;) But, sadly, these are nowhere to be found anymore. I am even seeing it in higher-end designer labels--blends.
I took note of an interesting experience at Marshalls. I go there every Fall to check out the sweaters that come in from Italy. These are the bulkier knits, done up in fabulous cables and interesting shapes. Often they are sweater coats and the like. They have ALWAYS been 100% lambswool or merino...year after year. Really great, quality stuff. But guess what happened this year--BLENDS! No more all wool, but same prices (which for Marshalls is the pricier stuff)! I have decided we are doomed to learning to accept that wool..is no longer going to be the fabric of our life. Wait, that was cotton;) But anyway..the sweaters are changing everywhere, and I think it's just a matter of discerning what kind of money you are willing to pay for those blends. I certainly will not be paying the full retail price that J Crew is currently suggesting.
Clothing is mostly disposable these days. It just doesn't hold up like it used to. I will not pay $125 for a sweater that is a blend and will look ready for the garbage (after shaving it with each wear and trying to keep up it's appearance all Fall/Winter). I do buy certain sweaters, but only on sale, at a disposable price.
I just don't see J Crew making any changes when even some of your higher end brands are pumping out these same blends. Sadly, it's hard to find investment pieces anymore.
Funny how people think *they*, as individuals, are resistant to lobby/marketing efforts but most clearly aren't, or else this would NOT be a billion dollar industry. The point about cost/benefit is well taken, but as Sweetsy indicated, doesn't hold water. I thought that by buying J Crew the items would last longer, but they do not. Currently, the oldest items I own in my wardrobe are a sweater from the Limited, that H&M sweater, a very cute polyester skirt from Express that has to be over 6 years old, and a wool lined skirt from Banana that's also very old (to be fair, I had to donate a lot over the last year after losing a lot of weight). Maybe one would need to spend more and go above J Crew to get things that last, but I simply cannot afford that luxury. In the meantime, I am not seeing a connection between price and longevity at all, whatsoever. Just like many, in fact, I have hemlines galore coming out of my silk camis from J Crew, which were $88 at FP and worn a few times. That is outrageous! Is it J Crew? Or is it that silk is a tough fabric and doesn't hold stitching well? Yet everyone loves silk and probably turns their nose up at a poly skirt that will last way beyond the day it goes out of style. I, personally, cringe when I notice something is wool, because more times than not when I touch it, it is itchier than hell. My BF wanted a sweater from J Crew bad, because of the color, but it literally felt like steel wool. Cotton can be a nightmare too. This "tissue" crap from J Crew looks like a nightmare after ONE trip to the dry cleaner! And I will not buy cotton sweaters from AT Loft anymore, they pill like crazy, yet are 100% "Pima" cotton, which we are all led to believe is a better cotton. It's all a bunch of nonsense, and consumers are left holding a pilled, faded sweater while the rich suits that head these companies make more money than they know what to do with.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you with hem issues, I took my cami and a pair of silk shorts I had worn once, where the hem came out on the leg, back to j crew and asked them to have their tailor fix the items. The hem stitching appeared to be fishing line, seriously, and I was not going to pay to trust a tailor to fix them. Consider doing this, because if we don't take things back (yes, even after the return period) and let them know we expect more, this downslide of bad quality will continue until...?
ReplyDeleteNatural fibers are just that—natural to the touch, breathable and cool or warm when required.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in W.Africa synthetics like polyester are always a no no unless you want to smell like an ox. And after a 8 yrs the UK & Germany acrylics just didn't cut it when that damp cold sets in. No lobby needed, personal experience is all it takes.
lbi: I grew up in W. Africa (Sierra Leone) during my childhood. We have a lot in common along with JC. :-)
ReplyDeleteCharlotteSometimes: The reason why so many JC camis' hems fall apart so easily is because they use a "hidden" stitch technique which according to my tailor is a bit harder to do. I've noticed that JC uses this stitching on majority of their silk and some woven cotton camis. Before I've taken my undone hems to my tailor to have it re-hemmed with the same stitching but now I take it back to JC for them to fix it. I think they'd rather fix it than have me return for a refund.
As for the acrylic debate. I think it's all up to personal experience and preference. My mother always dressed me in natural fibers (i.e. cotton, wool, linen..) and I don't mind the wrinkling and the slight itchiness I may get from such garments. Natural fibers, especially wool, breathes better and keeps me warm. I own one sweater from ON that is mostly acrylic and I don't like wearing it in the winter since it doesn't keep me warm, gets static where ever I go, and it has a shiny sheen to it that appears to be cheap. I bought it for cheap $20 or less and at the time I liked the style of it and didn't mind the fabric content much. However, ever since I had kids of my own I read the fabric contents even more carefully because I don't want my kids to feel my garment to their skin and feel roughness and synthetics. I dress my kids in natural fibers and organic cotton if possible and occasionally synthetic blends for outer wears.
I know that polyester and other synthetic fibers have their place in the textile world. My DH loves wearing his 100% polyester Nike "Dri-fit" shirts for workout, but that's it.
I guess for those of us that's been around JC for quite sometime are just put off by the prevalent use of acrylic in sweaters this season. If we wanted acrylic sweaters we would be looking at F21, H&M and lower mall retailer and no way in the world pay over $100 for them.
What also makes it so frustrating is JC would not put % of fabric contents to their item description. Instead of wordy descriptions of how much we are obsessed with it and want to own ever color of it why not put some REAL FACTS (i.e. fabric content %) out there JC?
jcrewphd, I have been pulling my hair out over meaningless and sometimes downright misleading descriptions in catalog and on website. Now I know what to do thanks to you! When the little chat pop-up pops up, I will ask it to tell me the exact fabric content! If enough people do this enough times, and fill out the feedback form that often follows, word will get back. I note that the law does require disclosure of this info on a tag on the actual garment, so one is not asking for a state secret. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteI dont think the nipples are a fashion faux-pas- especially since there is an entire team watching over the photo shoot.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you watch any recent runway show, there are nipple allll over the place.
wow. reading a couple of these posts makes 3 little words come to mind:
ReplyDeletetin foil hat
I am on my way to a B&M today to pick up the Blvd wool trench coat I had to get repaired after only wearing it for one week. A button near the collar popped off, and another was on its last legs, and I was not paying for the repairs out of my pocket. Plus, I purchased it two weeks ago at 20% off, and it's now 25% off, so I called to ask for my price adjustment, which I happily received. The point it, JC can't expect to keep customers happy unless they do the right thing and give us quality pieces at a fair price. I am not an acrylic fan either (cheap, unnatural material) and will not be paying J Crew's high prices for it. I don't like paying $78 for an AT polyester top when I can get silk for the same price. If more retailers want to use cheaper materials nowadays, fine, but don't expect us to pay the same prices for less quality.
ReplyDeleteJust my $.02 on the acrylic debate:
ReplyDeleteIMO there is one type of fabric in which acrylic is not a problem: suiting boucle. I'm a huge fan of boucle suits 1) because I'm always chilled; and 2) they doesn't wrinkle. Over the years I've acquired many suiting pieces in wool-acrylic blends and I've been perfectly happy with them.
But as for the JC acrylic-blend sweaters, these days I avoid JC sweaters altogether, no matter what the fiber. The quality isn't there. :-(
I don't buy or wear petrochemical based synthetics like acrylic and polyester because they look and feel cheap and they give me hives. But, charlotte, if you want to wear them, knock yourself out.
ReplyDelete@wff: I plan to do that myself whenever the chat option pops up. ;-)
ReplyDeleteFabric contents by % should be clearly stated on the item description instead of some wordy description (that often don't make sense) to entice the customer to buy it. I feel like JC is treating the customers as fools (along with all other trickery they've been doing lately)...
Dick, actually, it's called awareness. If that's paranoia to you, that is sad, and the cause of much of what went so wrong in with our country over the last decade. My point in playing devil's advocate on acrylic, a perspective that is usually persecuted on this blog, is to remember to analyze ourselves and our thoughts, instead of just going with the herd. Again, I didn't hear a response to whether all of you who avoid synthetics in clothing also worry about your lipstick, toothpaste, hair product, underwear, etc. And from what I was reading, the reports of "hives" from synthetics are suspect, it's exceedingly rare.
ReplyDelete