This is the weekly "Looking to VENT with J.Crew" post, a place to share our not-so-stellar experiences with J.Crew.If you have recently experienced a frustrating situation with J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.
Please feel free to share your story on almost any topic— including poor experiences with purchases & orders, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.
Subscribing. :)
ReplyDeleteI know others have had this experience before, but this was the first time for me. I placed an order on sale items and everything went through. I even received the confirmation email. Then almost two days later, I get an email about my order and they don't have my sequin, tuille cardi! I can't believe J Crew can't track merchandise better than that. The thing that gets me is that they still showed that it was available online. Anyway, I feel the pain of all those who have experienced this before. I know that sales are risky, but I thought that I would be okay because I got the confirmation. So disappointing! :(
ReplyDeleteNew markdowns and 2nd cuts online.
ReplyDeleteebe, sorry to hear about your cardi. That's why JCA's were annoyed about the "shopping tip" on the FS landing page about items not guaranteed until checkout. We've all seen that completing a checkout doesn't mean anything in terms of item availability.
My vent is that why can I never find a dress that will fit me??
ReplyDeleteOrdered the factory Blakely dress -really cut but doesn't fit. Almost every dress is too short in the torso so the waist hits my ribcage or the 'hips' hit my waist. I'm not that tall - 5'10"
Anyone with recommendations on a stye I should try?
ebe, they batch-process their data once nightly, so the site doesn't show inventory in real time. which is ridiculous considering the fact that they can afford it a thousand times over. very aggravating! i've been lucky 98% of the time, but i feel for others who order sold-out items & then get the shaft.
ReplyDeleteI dislike the slow shipping. Example: I placed an order very early Friday and received a shipping notice Monday. It is now Wednesday and the item still has not been picked up by UPS. Once UPS gets it it's pretty fast but it sits inthis "billing info received" status forever.
ReplyDeleteI too had an item cancelled. It was still available on the website for 2 days after I placed my order so I'm sure others are going to be disappointed too.
ReplyDeleteI was upset to notice the white jeans on the front of the new catalogue are clearly labeled size 25. They are front and center. I would have hoped J.crew would portray a more average size, or no size at all. I wonder why the stylist didn't position the jeans in another way.
ReplyDelete@MaryMoo, I agree. I'm a bit long-torso'd but only 5'1", and even I find the waist of JC dresses hit me high in the ribcage (like my 3rd rib from the bottom!).
ReplyDeleteJackets also are too narrow in the shoulders for me and I can't go up a size, because then the torso fit would be too wide. Wish they'd cut the shoulders a teeny bit wider (1/2 to 3/4 inch would help tremendously!); then I'd buy them.
Okay, I'm gonna say this again for the umpteenth time... JCREW & Madewell, are you listening?
ReplyDeleteStop the automatic pop up (may I help you?) chat boxes. I'm just browsing, dangit, I don't want to have to make that extra step to click it off when I didn't ask for it in the first place!!!
ITA about the annoying pop up chat boxes...it's like having to swat at flies!
ReplyDeleteSo yesterday I received my stretch vintage bootcut cord in size 27S. I had been so excited about it because I have a factory pair in the exact same size, which fit PERFECTLY. However, in spite of the "short" size, this new pair was way too long! Plus, the overall fit was really strange. The waist was way too high and there is too much room in the back, especially when I sit down. Unfortunately, I can't return it since it's on FS. So I'm pretty disappointed with this purchase. I learned my lesson though...I'm getting my cords from the factory stores from now on (the factory cords even have nicer lining)!
So remember (if this applies to you), the factory short pant sizes are shorter than the regular J.Crew short pant sizes, which can be either good or bad, depending on your height.
Sub!
ReplyDelete@Bendistraw: it may be worth your while to contact CS for measurements (and don't tell them why, you're just asking), and compare them against the pair of pants that you received, and if they don't match, you have a good case for returning the item since it's "defective". HTH.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Connor...nothing is more annoying when I'm in the middle of adding items to my cart and the 'personal shopper' chat box comes up several times in the same session...why is that?! Please make it an option and make it go away!!! I hate it...
ReplyDeleteI hate final sale. I haven't been to a B&M in over 2 months and I cannot go as often as I'd like to try on stuff especially since not everything is at B&M. Why can't JC allow exchanges and/or merchandise credit? Oh, I know... so we customers have to get stuck with unwearable, ill fitting clothing...
ReplyDeleteClosetCrisis: I checked the item description and it says that the Short has a 31" inseam. I don't remember if it was part of the description when I bought the pants or if I simply overlooked it. I will measure the pants I have anyway to compare.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! :-)
MaryMoo, I had the same problem with the retail version of that dress... oh, and just about every other J.Crew dress. I long for the days when they made dresses in tall sizes... I think they stopped in late 2007 or early 2008. I am the same height as you... which isn't that tall at all! It sucks not being able to wear all the cute dresses J.Crew has. The butt darts are always way too high and look ridiculous.
ReplyDelete@MaryMoo: Oh, we are so sitting in the same boat! Glad I'm not the only one. 5'10" here as well.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't really a vent, just a piece of my J Crew story. J Crew, for me, sells fine tops, shirts, jackets and coats. Skirts or pants, sometimes. Dresses, no.
And I sure tried! During 2009 they offered quite a few lovely printed dresses. I ordered four or five of them - and had to return them all. All too short in both the waist and the skirt. No Linen Watercolor Floral for me, no embossed-cotton Aubrey, none of the beautifully Liberty-printed Ericas, and worst of all, no Terra Paisley shift! You see I'm still grieving ;-)
In 2010 there were few tempting patterns (okay, the Canterbury bells shift looked nice, but I was still traumatized...) so I ordered no dresses (and no skirts either) until suiting dresses went on sale in the fall. Then I tried the Banquette and the Petale - fail and fail again. Note that those two also ran large, but it wasn't worth trying to size down as they were too short anyways. (The Banquette came pretty close though length-wise, if you wanted to give it a try...).
By now I conclude that J Crew simply doesn't tailor their dresses for tall women. (which seems a bit weird given Jenna Lyons' stature, but it is what it is.)
The only tailored dress from J Crew that I can wear is the classic silk tricotine Sophia, and even that would fit better if the waist sat a little bit lower. (I haven't tried any other of their silk special occasion designs.) They actually used to make the Sophia in tall sizes (maybe other dresses, too?), but those were discontinued before I discovered J Crew in 2008. Of course the Sophia is strictly special occasion. Many JCAs probably think it's strictly bridesmaid, too, but I believe it makes a fine LBD. My current Sophia isn't black but "light amethyst", and I look forward to accessorizing it with a lightweight wrap for spring and summer occasions.
Otherwise I own three JC cashmere sweater dresses from fall 2008 (two casual Peytons and a beaded black shift that's party appropriate), and I usually layer those tunic-style over a slim black leather pencil skirt with tights and boots or booties. But you aren't looking for a winter outfit of course.
For summer dresses, we tall ladies simply have to look beyond the 'Crew. Have fun!
I wanted to weight in on the dress issue - ultimately I think it's a torso rather than height thing (or at least that is what my detective mind has deduced ha ha!). I'm 5' 7" and have the same issue with JC dresses, especially the suiting ones - they all end up being empire on me because the waist sits so dang high.
ReplyDeleteI think, overall, JC designs for women with a shorter torso. I can never wear anything that has a defined waist - shirts or dresses. I don't even want to discuss all the things I've missed out on because of it - it makes me sad sad sad.
While I love their soft tees, they always seem to get a tiny hole in the front! I just noticed another in a newish henley... I think my belt might be to blame, but I'm slightly bummed by it!
ReplyDeleteI get that hole too! But I have to admit it's happened w/Gap shirts as well.
ReplyDeleteSub :o)
ReplyDeleteFlaminga - exactly! The Sophia fits me well too :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a long torso but I guess it is longer than the fit model used....sigh
When am I ever going to remember that you can't make a same day payment with the crew card?!?!?
ReplyDeleteI know I shouldn't wait until the last minute, but I do it with most of my other cards -- it is just jcrew that doesn't allow it!
Appreciate having a place to vent this minor, but ridiculous annoyance.
Sorry to tell you taller ladies, but according to the CDC, the average height of American women (over the age of 20) is currently 63.8 inches.
ReplyDeleteI'm 5'5.5", and I pretty much always have to have my crew pants taken up, or sometimes I'm lucky enough to find a "short" size. Sleeves are a nightmare for me. I usually have coats and blazers taken up, and I cuff most sweaters and blouses. Unfortunately, petite sizes don't fit me either.
If Jcrew made their stuff any longer, I think they'd lose more customers. Of course, their mini skirts are another story all together!
Tired of the games. Yesterday the Featherweight cashmere short-sleeve cardigan was fully stocked in all sizes; and now that the 20% off sweater commenced it's been yanked.
ReplyDelete"We're sorry. This item has been so popular, it has sold out. We've got other great ideas--just call us 800 562 0258, we're here to help"
Yeah right.
Hey, I'm enjoying this conversation - thanks :-)
ReplyDelete@JCK: Of course. We tall ladies know we're above average.
Kidding aside, as I wrote yesterday, I'm not venting. I would never expect one brand to cover all my clothing needs. Offering lots of sizes (petites, talls, plus...) can reduce profitability especially for pieces that are made and sold in smaller quantities. I'm happy that JC offers tall sizes at least in some of their bestselling basics.
But consider, if you love a piece of clothing you can almost always shorten pants legs, pencil skirts or sleeves. It's a hassle, but you can make it work for you. OTOH I cannot lengthen anything unless the manufacturer has kindly left some extra fabric in the seams or hems. JC doesn't do me that favor. (There's my vent!)
@kater: You are of course right. Skirt length is a matter of personal preference, but the upper body just has to fit. I happen to have a proportionately short torso, thus no problem with their fitted shirts (I happily roll up the too-short sleeves.) But their tailored dresses are seriously short-torso'ed and totally unforgiving about it.
@MaryMoo: Just for you I'll confess my rather un-fashionista source for simple sleek summer dresses (no cute patterns, unfortunately): Spiegel.com, specifically the "V-Neck Sheath" and "Long Bias-Cut" dresses from the "Washed Linen" collection. I own several colors and they always draw compliments. It's a cheaper brand and I've had seams come apart on one dress after three laundromat machine washes, but that's easy to fix (they instruct hand washing, but I disobey!). I do *not* recommend the matching blazers. Spiegel.com sizing is not explicitly "tall", nevertheless those two dress designs have been very flattering on me. I take my JC perfect shirt size.
(Note they haven't issued any colors this year yet besides black, white and flax - sheesh. And the *white* long bias-cut dress was a failure last year because the cheap cotton lining ruined its drape. Other colors were unlined.)
Apologies to all JCAs for my lengthy-wordy comment posts. Will shut up now :) Have a great afternoon!
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ReplyDeleteI decided to pull the trigger on the Tulip cami, as I had a rewards card that I needed to use before the 15th. I got it home and the left front seam (that goes right over the chest) is completely crooked. Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!
ReplyDeleteJ Crew, please get on trend with longer skirt lengths! There are SO many designers/brands putting out midi skirts and dresses, why not you??? Balenciaga was the latest, there wasn't a single above-the-knee garment in the entire show! I'm not suggesting that all of your skirts and dresses be long, but please offer some!
ReplyDeleteBalenciaga Fall 2011
More long, these colors seem so suitable for J Crew, though too polished for the brand. I love the blush color with charcoal.
ReplyDeleteArmani Fall 2011
The slow shipping makes me crazy. I ordered some items on February 16, went on vacation, came back, they still aren't shipped and one item was canceled due to out of stock now. Grrrr... I work for an online retailer, and we very customer obsessed. However, this is not the type of customer experience that makes people trust you.
ReplyDelete