As mentioned in Friday's "J.Crew's (Un)Official Blog Is Here" post, J.Crew's blog is now up and running (click HERE to check it out). They have been doing a good job posting regularly, and the "Who Wears What" features are fantastic.In the JCA post's comments, I mentioned that I emailed the blog admin about including this little ol' blog in their Cool Clicks section. Some of you wondered about the outcome. Well, I recently heard back in an email that thanked me for reaching out and that they will share my email with their team as they move forward adding content. The email was polite and professional in its tone.
I appreciated the nice & quick response. Although I kind of got the feeling the JCA wouldn't make it on the list anytime soon. ;) Honestly, I don't think this blog will ever be listed. Oh well, at least I tried. :) In the spirit of good blog will, I look forward to reading the 770 blog and hope that one day the JCA blog will be included.
I also thought we could have a little fun with this. Time to place your bets...
Do you think the JCA blog link will appear on J.Crew's 770 blog?
P.S. Please, do not feel bad about voting "Never!" In fact, that is what I picked when I voted. ;)
I looked at the 770 blog over the weekend and I went over to some of the blogs/tumblrs they listed in their sidebar and they were all very heavy on the photographic element...you know the very stylized, artsy camera work that many of us JCA bloggers just. do. not. have. the. time to do ourselves.
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate the effort that goes into creating tumblrs and blogs that really emphasize the art of ootds in an almost editorial way, I sometimes wonder if the person dresses up for the camera and then wears something else in their daily lives. LOL. Probably not, and the ability of these folks to really "bring it" every day is aspirational, but definitely not realistic for 90% of JCAs.
So long story short (too late, lol), I don't think the vast majority of the blogs here in your sidebar or even your AMAZING blog will be considered. Most blogs on your sidebar are just too darn practical, you know, lots of text, lots of photos of items worn in a very normal way, etc.
I had visions of my blog being like the ones in the 770 sidebar, but when push came to shove, I just couldn't make it work for me. I did exactly one post where I ran around in a dreamy outfit with boots near a decrepit railroad for atmosphere and had people pose me and make me all magazine photo-shoot like and it was definitely an effort.
I hope I am proven wrong and 770 will recognize your blog, you definitely deserve it...I just feel that the 770 is meant to appeal to a different audience. Which stinks, of course, but their choice.
Here is my thing...I want more than just pretty pictures, so I probably *won't* be visiting their blog, not really my thing...I far prefer a nice mix of info AND pictures.
DinaGideon: Your post is *phenomenal*. You captured all the reasons why I do not believe the JCA blog will make it on their Cool Clicks.
ReplyDeleteThe blogs on J.Crew's list are more aspirational and photo intense. (I also think some belong to J.Crew employees & their friends.) Pretty to look at. However, I find the blogs on the JCA list are more useful and of course, have the all-important informational reviews (discussing the good and the bad).
I also think that J.Crew still has mixed feelings about this blog. I was hoping that by listing this blog, it would be a sign that J.Crew still likes the JCA. ;)
Alexis - thanks for this post because I was actually wondering if they would add your blog to the list and I have checked a couple of times. As far as I am concerned, your blog is really the only J. Crew blog that I care to follow. Thanks so much for all the time you put into it and I love this great community of fellow J. Crew addicts!
ReplyDeleteFirefighter Wife: Aw! Thank you so much. Your comment made my day. :)
ReplyDeleteAlexis, I'm with you, I don't think JC will validate our existence or value as customers by linking your blog to theirs, just as they have been behind with updating their site with a wishlist, customer reviews, features which we have all been clamoring for. I revisited the blog and I'm trying to like it but I can't... 1) the font is too small and practically illegible on my BB, 2) the photos are of JC employees and their friends, who are surely paid a fee or salary to post their stylings 3) the "un"official bit grates on me, I find it completely disingenuous (of course it's JC corporate's doing!) Rant over. Now back to the REAL JCA blog!
ReplyDeletePersonally Alexis, I think it's a disgrace that J Crew has not thanked you profusely for putting together this blog, because this blog must garner a bucketload of sales for them. Sure we criticize (when it's deserved) but we also swoon and generate a frenzy over items (the Tartan boy shirt, Maritime dress, the Liberty shirt-dress, to name just a few) that certainly can not be missed by the management at Crew Corp (and their wallets!). For every person that comments here, there must be 10 who read silently and then go out to the store to buy. Seriously! But you know, the 770 blog is just another manifestation of their obsession with cool-girl status, whatever that is. I find tumblr exhausting in general, a whirlpool of posers who don't really have that much to say. (as opposed to me, a poser who can't stop talking, hahahahaaaa)
ReplyDeleteI don't think J Crew wants to link to this blog because we are too honest. :) They never added product reviews, like other sites have. I think they want to maintain a fantasy of perfection, and I don't blame them.
ReplyDeleteI do think there's hope though, but we'd all have to buy into it. There's a way to express dissatisfaction or concern without being explicitly critical. If you don't like the fit of a product, that's fine, or if you don't like the materials or workmanship, that's fine, but J Crew probably doesn't want some of the adjectives applied to their products that we freely use here, like "crap". :) We could be more constructive.
I personally would be willing to clean up my act. I would really like to see this blog be officially linked to J Crew. But I think that would necessarily require less freedom of speech, and I'm not sure anyone else wants that.
I agree 100% with what Dina is saying! The 770 blog reminds me of a peacock: pretty, but not practical. It's showy, but for all the beautiful feathers, what purpose do they serve?
ReplyDeleteWhile I can appreicate the artistic value of the 770 blog and the ones mentioned in their side bar, it doesn't tell me a thing about what I really care about: The clothes! How do they fit? How do they hold up? What do they look like on a real person? How can I find a sale? I would much rather see real life shots of the clothes worn by regular people and read honest reviews and opnions (good, bad and ugly). Hence, why I check the JCA multiple times a day (and read many of the blogs mentioned on this sidebar), and have looked at the 770 blog all of 3 times.
Yeah, I think for all the reasons listed above JCrew probably won't link to JCA. They've ignored/snobbed the community - and Alexis - so far, I just don't see that changing. Especially since we don't fawn over Jenna/Marissa/DL's every word (or umbrella). They owe Alexis BIG.
ReplyDeleteWhatever. I'm not that interested in the "unofficial" blog. Like CC, that little bit of disingenuity (or disingenuousness? Webster says either is correct) annoys me.
I think dinagideon said it all.
ReplyDeleteAnd while I do appreciate the uber blogs that are more like lookbooks for their artistic appeal, I treat them similar to the spreads on Vogue - beautiful but unrealistic.
My daily reads are blogs like yours and Dina's - that provide humor and insight and real clothing put together in made-for-living ways that I find to be true blue inspirations.
(Not trying to knock the uber blogs here - but most of those gals either blog full-time or work in super-creative fashion areas that allow them the time and resources to really knock out pictorials. I wish I could do that, but I have a point-and-shoot and about five minutes before I have to dash off to work!)
Closet Crisis: I tend to agree that J.Crew use of Un Official is weird, at the very least confusing.
ReplyDeleteDinster: It's a love-hate that J.Crew has for this blog. They love it when we swoon, hate it when we complain. I couldn't agree more with you that this blog generates a frenzy for certain items. I never gave the Tartan Boy shirt that much thought until I read all the JCAs reviews and saw how they were styling the piece on their blogs. Then I had to have that shirt! ;)
Tamara: Great point about reviews! The reason I love our community is that we are so honest with our reviews. We don't emphasize catch prases (like borrowed from the boys), we focus on key temrs (like quality, material, etc.) I wouldn't want to change that either. :)
egyptomaniac: Peacock pretty- I love that term!!! I also agree that seeing how clothes really fit is what makes the JCA community blogs so great. :)
Mommydearest: It's a weird relationship J.Crew has with this blog. They were so kind with the BIRTHDAY code to honor its 2 year anniversary, but that was really it. I know that the original JCrewaholics blogger would get free stuff from J.Crew to review (including the Las Palmas bag- an expensive piece). I have never asked for a handout of free merchandise, just be included in press releases. Yet, I never got any. I always am hoping that J.Crew would return the love a bit. ;)
Lisa: I totally relate. I read the JCA blogs daily but rarely visit the other aspirational blogs. They just don't fit my practical fashion needs. :)
I don't know, personally I'm not sure what the big deal is about J.Crew starting a tumblr. I would have been much more upset if J.Crew had launched a blog that was just like JCA -- reviews, topics of the day, emails, etc. That would have been very disrespectful towards JCA. Instead they've launched their own eye candy blog, which in my mind not only validates JCA's existence but also respects it by creating something different.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely wish that J.Crew would recognize Alexis and the fantastic work done here on JCA, and a link on their blog would be one way to show it. But I don't think you have to like one blog and not the other. Personally, I'll read both.
Roxy: Great point- we can like both blogs for different reasons and different offerings. And could you imagine if the J.Crew blog had been called the "Official J.Crew Aficionado" blog and not mention this blog at all! LOL! ;)
ReplyDeleteWith all that said, it just amazes me how much Anthropologie has embraced you and all the Anthropologie bloggers. It would be nice to see J.Crew move towards that direction too.
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ReplyDeleteAlexis you know I completely agree with your second point! Whenever I speak to my PS or J.Crew's customer service, I always make it a point to let them know how helpful and wonderful JCA is. Someday J.Crew's social media marketing strategist(s) will understand the opportunities they're missing out on by not embracing you directly.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they're a little afraid of the honest bunch here. ;) It's why I love the community of course, but I do wonder...
Frankly, I think this blog is competition, so J. Crew probably won't link to it. I prefer JCA though, because I know I'm getting honest info, good and bad, on the clothes. I also love the blogs that Alexis links to because I like how they show the clothes in the real world.
ReplyDeleteBTW, the J. Crew blog is blocked here at work!
PatmosJD: Love that icon of yours. I have that dress and love it!
ReplyDeleteRoxy: Couldn't agree more about the marketing opportunity and the reason of not reaching out more. :)
HimmieFan: That is too funny the JCA blog is blocked! ;)
P.S. I should add that Lands End Canvas has reached out more to me than J.Crew. They offered that gift card to readers, they occasionally have updated me on promos before they were released, and they even offered me a round trip visit to NYC to see their Fall Collection last year. I turned them down because I wanted to remain anonymous. (And NYC is just a train ride away for me. If it were to Paris or London, screw anonymity, my name is Alexis, where do I sign?) ;)
ReplyDeleteSo many great things already said! Kudos to Dina G for kicking it off so eloquently. I agree w/so many thoughts. I know some bloggers are in creative professions & have time/energy/resources/know-how for the pretty pics. I have a desolate road I'd like to take a photo next to (slaps knee), but the aspiration lives in my heart. I don't have the time/take the time/have the energy to apply it irl. Maybe in the near future. There's always hope. Whatever any of us choose to do, I think there is room for many different types of fashion blogs.
ReplyDeleteAs far as JC acknowledging JCA -- THE MOTHERSHIP! -- on 770. I doubt it will happen. Their PR seems to be old school. Skewed towards propaganda and trying to sway the public w/controlled information. I am not in PR, yet believe I'm savvy enough to know how to spin this blog's existence to the company's advantage. Shame, shame, shame on JC for not having someone who is capable of doing that. However, as Closet Crisis and many others have pointed out, JC is simply behind the times in so many ways. I agree w/Roxy that 770 respected JCA by not mimicking it. And I also agree that showing a little love thru some form of acknowledgment would be wise. Regardless of what they do, it seems that the JCA will live on and rock on. Thank goodness for Alexis's stamina and time devoted to this blog!!!!!!!!!
Just saw your 2nd point, Roxy. I have to say that the way Anthro embraced your blog, Effortless Anthropologie has been rather impressive. There's honesty on your site and that hasn't scared Anthro off or caused them to pretend you don't exist. The way they do business has won me over as customer despite the fact that a good number of their clothes aren't nesc a match for me. Same with Talbots. They've utilized their FB fan page and blogs to their advantage. Very impressed w/them as well.
ReplyDeleteGigiofca: I always enjoy your comments. You even coined the term of the "mothership"-- my all time favorite. :) I also agree how well Roxy runs her site and how well Anthro has worked with her to everyone's advantage. Very impressive all around.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alexis! I love this dress, too. I wish I owned it. :(
ReplyDeleteI agree so much with all the comments made here, particularly the praise heaped upon Alexis (to which I will add my own). Thank you thank you thank you, Alexis for starting and maintaining this online community! The reviews and advice are spot on and (as others have said) REAL. I wouldn't dream of shopping online or at a B&M without seeing what the JCAs have to say first!
JCA beats JC's (Un)Official Blog hands down, IMO.
I agree with Dina -- J.Crew's blog seems to focus on the very stylized bloggers/tumblr people. While that is inspiring and gooorgeous, JCA has a more awesomely everyday appeal. Don't get me wrong, though, I LOVE this blog!
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I check JCA more often than I do JCrew.com, haha!
PatmosJD: Thank you so much! It's really all the wonderful members of our community, including you, that makes this place great. :) As for the Vintage Violet Shirtdress, so so pretty! I couldn't believe that I saw it sold for $200+ on eBay recently.
ReplyDeleteAmy Kelinda: Thank you too! I too check the JCA community blogs more than J.Crew now. ;)
I know that this blog on more than one occasion has compelled me to purchase a J Crew item, most recently the Odeon oxfords. And even the poor reviews of the Velvet Ruby jacket didn't dissuade me from buying it, and it turns out I love the thing. The sizing info we share is most useful, you know you want to buy an item, you just don't know what size. Some of us don't have time to go to the stores, some don't even have stores in their towns/cities.
ReplyDeleteWell aren't we all pessimistic! (Sorry, but I also voted for the "heck no" option).
ReplyDeleteI would feel much more goodwill toward JC if they did add you to the blog roll.
Alexis, you and your blog rock and I think JC views you as competion.
Alexis: $200+ on eBay for the Vintage Violet Shirtdress?! That explains why I don't own it. :P
ReplyDeleteTamara: Its great that we share sizing info with each other! :) Even though J.Crew's sizing is relatively consistent, there are the occasional pieces that are outliers.
ReplyDeleteKitsmommy: LOL! I know, we are a bit pessimistic. Even I voted for "Never!" When I saw some votes casted for "Yes!", I was surprised. ;)
PatmosJD: If I remember correctly, it went for $275. Crazy price! But it is super lovely. :)
i was planning to "follow" the 770 blog, but i can't seem to figure out how to do it with iGoogle, and i don't want to be forced to join tumblr just for 770. so i'll just have to keep getting the interesting updates from you instead!
ReplyDeletecmf221: That is too bad the blog can't be followed with Google. I find the only way I can keep up with all the posts is through Google's Blog reader. :)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say J.Crew will never add you to their blogroll. They just might, depending on how things evolve. They are going forward as a private company now and I would not be surprised if they tried to approach you Alexis. It would be difficult to work with them and stay anonymous though. But I love your comment about a trip to London or Paris and "screw anonymity". We would all be cheering you on if that were the case!
ReplyDeleteAfter re-reading all the comments, maybe the (un)official title *is* the nod that JCA *is* the official J Crew blog. Could be....
ReplyDeleteHaha @ Gigi! You're right :)
ReplyDeleteAlexis, although I totally think that you deserve recognition for all your hard work, I don't even *want* them to list your blog. Thanks to you, this is "our" space--a place where we can have honest discussions without any corporate intermediary. Thanks for all you do!
ReplyDeletexoxo: I like your optimism! :) And I totally would come out of the shadows for a trip to Paris or London. ;)
ReplyDeleteGigiOfCa & Lolita.lee.love: If only that was true! ;)
Hexicon: Thank you so much! I agree that its nice we have a place where we can honestly share our experiences. :)
Hexicon, you make a good point. I think it's so awful JCrew doesn't at least thank Alexis for all the free publicity and interest she gives them, but the lack of overt corporate participation makes JCA great. (Of course we know they monitor JCA)
ReplyDeleteAlexis, I can't think of anything to add to what others have already said about this blog and the community.Please keep doing what you're doing. If the glimpse of F2011 lookbook is an indicator, JC is already sifting through the blogosphere, and is responding to many of the things we've screamed for - simpler more realistic styling, colors with color in them, absence of ruffles and embellishment on everything, longer skirts... This is your success. Now they should stop playing price games so we can afford to buy the stuff!
ReplyDeletemommydearest: So right! J.Crew does like to frequent my blog, so why not say hello? ;)
ReplyDeletewellfedfred: I couldn't agree more about Fa 2011- It's like they listened to what we wanted. :) If only they would stop the pricing game! Frankly, I am nervous about buying because it all goes on sale! ;)