So I recently was in my closet and made a startling observation: I had not purchased a jacket or blazer from J.Crew's current collection in awhile. (Okay, just the past few months. But even in the previous months, not many were purchased.)I never thought about it because I had still been buying J.Crew jackets like crazy, but they were all from eBay (from seasons' past). This got me thinking "why?" After awhile, the answer for me is that the style, construction, fit, and quality are different.
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J.Crew offered the best little details on jackets, besides the silk-tie prints under collars. For example, they also used the most beautiful prints on the inside lining of their jackets. Like a little surprise when you took off the coat. :)They also had the best buttons— whether they were gold crested or nautically-themed, they had character of their own. I recently checked out the Indigo Pea Jacket (Item 39331; $148.00) from J.Crew's current line. The coat is super cute (so much so that I got it this week!), but I found the gold metal buttons to feel a bit cheap.
Even things like fit seem different now. I use to find the older jackets (like for the Lexington Blazer and Juliette Jacket) were tailored and fit me well all-around (shoulders, sleeves, waist, & length). Now, I find the current jackets' shoulders are snug and the body is fine, or the shoulders are fine and the body is loose, or even the sleeve lengths being a tad short. Is this just me?
I should add that I still really like J.Crew's jackets & blazers. I am just not "in love" with them like I once did.
What are your thoughts on J.Crew's jackets and blazers? Do you think their current line stands up to its predecessors? Do you find the fit to have stayed the same for you over the years? If so, please share! :)
I appreciate the tailoring and fabrics but they are not offering tall sizing anymore. Even the tall fits me too short waisted. I know they are supposed to be "shrunken" which I like but baby-doll-empire not so much. Wish they would at least offer a few styles in tall. I have been buying elsewhere--feeling sort of guilty toward my amazing local sales person.
ReplyDeleteI agree . . . I think that the most recent jackets lack the "wow" factor of, for example, my 07 azalea tweed Bella. Quite literally, *every* time I wear it strangers compliment me on it! My 08 Fiona in sweet potato draws almost as much attention. I didn't buy a single jacket from JC in fall 2010.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Hexicon. I did not buy any jackets from Fall 2010 or Spring 2011 and have no plans to do so.
ReplyDeleteI just went through my JCrew jackets and I used to buy MANY per season. Number one, the old ones fit me so much bettter and number two I agree--the new ones are not made as well with as much attention to detail and quality.
I did buy 3 Fall/winter jackets from Talbots. I was pleasantly surprised to find they fit exactly like my older J.Crew ones:)
Absolutely. It says something when people still rave about the yellow French Serge Day Coat from years ago. J. Crew is lacking the signature pieces that define their brand. :(
ReplyDeleteThe quality has gone downhill. They're so busy drafting the next big trendy thing, they don't care about the details.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why I don't have to buy any new blazers is because of my hoarding of 2007.
Agreed! I'm a huge fan of J Crew jackets and have a closet dedicated just to them. However from '09 on there has just been something....lacking. I don't think I've bought a jacket (e-bay aside) from J Crew since the Ecole.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't afford many of the beautiful jackets when they originally came out from '05-'08, but fortunately have been able to nab most of what I wanted through e-bay. I'd say 70% of my J Crew jackets have been e-bay finds and I am completely happy with that.....4 Bellas, a Lexington,the Wool Hacking jacket featured..... For me, I'd rather spend my money on a pre-owned item from '05-'08, rather than a sub-par jacket from the current offerings. IMO there is just no comparison.
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ReplyDeleteI have the wool hacking jacket (from 05, I think) and it is so flattering and well-made. The "schoolboy" style is cute, but I can't help but wonder if it's just another cost-cutting measure to a) use less fabric and b) not tailor them as much. Even the wool schoolboy is not 100% wool.
ReplyDeleteI thought the indigo pea jacket was very cute but was so turned off by the cheap buttons. I brought my navy Porta jacket out of storage to wear instead - the fabric is extremely substantial, and there is a cute kelly green lining in the arms (and blue and white striped shirting fabric lining the body) that looks great when you fold the sleeves back. It's those little details that I miss.
I sold my pink Lexington on eBay a few years ago because I needed a different size, and also because I was confident that they'd come out with something even better. Guess I was wrong about that, huh!
Agreed. I haven't bought a jcrew blazer since 2009. The quality isn't there (or you have to spend $$$ like the cashmere herringbone or prince of wales blazers).
ReplyDeleteThanks Alexi for posting these occasional reflection pieces! I agree with Lolita. Signature pieces are lacking; also everyone else: fit and quality issues.
ReplyDeleteAmen to all of this about jackets! I am hoping that Fall 2011 will bring back some of the sharp tailoring and special details. We shouldn't have to troll on Ebay to find what we need-and I'm sure JCrew would rather we buy new! So come on JCrew, help us out here...pretty please
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what they were called, but the Scottish wool herringbone blazers from '07-'08 with the silk tie fabric under the collar, the leather button closure and gorgeous lining - I managed to buy them in two colors and always scour Ebay for more because they fit me like a glove!
ReplyDeleteThe last jacket I bought at JC was the marled thandie and though I like it, I missed the details, just like you mentioned - the fully gorgeous lining and the fitted shape - the thandie is kind of boxy, which for me only makes it appropriate for more casual wear.
I only started buying J Crew heavily about 2-3 years ago, so I missed out on some gorgeous pieces! I, too, try Ebay for some older pieces, but they're few and far between.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the name of the pink jacket in the post? AMAZING!
I'm completely with you Alexis. The detailing, fit and quality are not even close to what they were in those fabulous jackets -- Lexington, Bella, Hacking, etc. I couldn't afford to buy them back then, but have stalked them on eBay and am so, so happy to have found some of them (at reasonable prices). The difference between the Lexington to the Boutinniere (similar tipped edges) is really obvious. The heavy quality of the wool, the perfectly tailored fit, and those amazing buttons make the Lexington 100x better. I always get compliments wearing these jackets. I was at J.Crew wearing the ivory/yellow Lexi and had literally 4 different women ask me where on earth I got it. The SA was like, oh yeah, those were the days! I hope so much that for fall they can bring back some of those great details.
ReplyDeleteLisa, the Scottish jackets were Robert Noble wool, I think. And jbird, the pink jacket is the Juliette ruffled blazer. Very nice - and the buttons are metallic leather. The difference between the quality of the 05-08 jackets and the mid-08 and onward is like night and day. Even used older stuff from eBay looks better than some new-off-the-rack pieces from JC now, IMO.
ReplyDeleteOh.Alexis.Amen.
ReplyDeleteWow, all these comments make me really sad that I never experienced the "good" years in blazers and jackets! my jcrew obsession didn't start until about 4 years ago, and it's hard to know what to look for on ebay sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI will have to say though that my schoolboy blazers are great and are my go-to blazers. Of course, this is coming from someone with no reference point. I have never seen or tried on an older jcrew blazer so it's hard for me to compare :)
Wow. Even with a still-serious J.Crew habit, I haven't kept any jackets since 2009. I have ordered them, yes, but they have all gone back for a variety of reasons (fit and quality mostly). I hadn't noticed as there are at least 10 JC jackets in my closet, so I didn't feel like I was lacking or anything... hmmm. Nothing I am really tempted by this season, either.
ReplyDeleteTwo words..plastic buttons! Drives me nuts & looks terrible. And 3/4 sleeves.. my 2 pet peeves. I bot my sister a coat 2 yrs ago and her tailor raved about the structure & especially the lining...very cool..THEN.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I am not the only person who sold their pink Lexington and now regrets it :) Oh and I also sold my NWT grey Lexington - really new meaning tissue around all the buttons etc. I managed to get another one after regretting it almost immediately that was also listed as NWT, and while I am glad to have found it, it came with the buttons hanging by a thread and a ripped lining (NWT??)- I was definitely wishing for my pristine new one...! :) I haven't bought any blazers for years, they just don't compare to these...
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ReplyDeleteSo shopwithme, you are saying maybe it is worth stalking my jackets back on ebay...? (eg my azalea Lex?) And I now want the ivory/yellow Lex also that I passed on when it came out...?
ReplyDeleteMaybe there is hope?
I have 1 Bella and have given up on another but would love those 2 Lexingtons....(and not for an arm and a leg:)
There used to be like, 10 Lexes on eBay at any given time and now it's been a while since I've seen one. Seems like the word has gotten out! ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree, I miss a lot of the cute details like the pretty silk prints and the nice buttons. I do really like the schoolboy blazers, but wish more of them came in tall or just with they were a smidgen longer.
ReplyDeleteI also wish J.Crew would cut out the vanity sizing so I could find one that actually fits, but that is a problem across the board and not with just the blazers.
ALL of the jackets lately have been huge. I'm talking about the military style jackets, etc., they are just a giant potato sack. I don't know how they can look good on anyone.
Agreed. I just bought a gorgeous dark pink wool jacket on ebay, and it's from 2004! The fit is terrific on it, the wool heavy and the gold lining with contrast light pink piping is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteSydneygirl -- Definitely worth stalking! But like silver_lining said, the word is out, so they're definitely harder to find now. At least at reasonable prices. (Also note that Lexis run about a size small, compared to today's sizing.)
ReplyDeleteYour comments, as always, are so insightful, Alexis!
ReplyDeleteI find the current quality is a reflection on the "Trendy, Fashion Focus" J. Crew has taken of late. Trying to compete with the Runway in a down-economy instead of focusing on the Classics might cause a tightening of the belt in many areas. Time taken for proper tailoring, materials for special details, the time for enhancing those special details, and general level of quality might all suffer.
I was at a lecture last evening and as I looked at my J. Crew Boyfriend Blazer on my lap, was surprised to see the difference in hue of the blazer (lighter, brighter navy) compared to my Jackie cardi (darker, deeper navy). Now granted, my blazer was from the Crewlet, but the point being that color hue is yet another indication of quality.
"Trying to compete with the Runway in a down-economy instead of focusing on the Classics"
ReplyDeleteTrue, true! and focusing on placement in Harpers, Elle, etc. to appear more trendy and expensive. Boo!
Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts on this topic. Everyone has such a great perspective on J.Crew's jackets over the years. The conversation in this thread is a really interesting one too, one I hope J.Crew takes notice of.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was just me that found the jackets of recent seasons to not be fitting properly, let alone missing the final touches (like the silk tie & button embellishments). Since so many of you are experiencing the same fit situation, it makes me curious as to why J.Crew changed the cut of the jackets.
I have bought more from the 2005-2008 seasons in the past two years then during those actual seasons! I remember thinking back then that the great jackets would never stop rolling out and that there was a better jacket just round the corner- so I have to pace myself & money! ;)
I also found that the 2005-2008 jackets on eBay are getting harder and harder to find. In particular, the past year or two they have been getting snatched up pretty quickly. It's easy to see why, when the thickness of wool, style, cut, and details are so amazing!
What's the style name of the pink jacket in the post?
ReplyDeleteI own quite a few jackets from the 2005-2008 time period and I agree, they all rock...even the outlet bellas (which I PREFER to the real Bella, the wool is a polyamide blend and that makes it so soft).
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I want to give major props to a current offering--the Prince of Wales Schoolboy, that is a gorg jacket that goes with a ton and wears very well. Granted, it is super-expensive (I got mine on ebay for way cheap, still not sure how the seller managed that--maybe someone who worked at one of the retail stores?) but it is amazing.
I think the reason this one stands out is because it is so much like the jackets of the past. Hmmm.
Sorry, forgot to say that the gorgeous pink jacket featured in this post is the Juliette Wool Jacket. :) I have the grey version and regret not getting the pink as well to this day! ;)
ReplyDeleteDina, I love the Prince of Wales Jacket! It is such a throwback to their earlier jackets. Congrats on getting this piece for a great price! :)
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ReplyDeleteI totally agree with this post!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I got my hacking jacket in 2006 because J. Crew just doesn't make the schoolboy style like they used to. My jacket is still looks brand new despite many trips to the dry cleaner and it has the sweet details like grosgrain on the inside of the collar and the beautiful lining. I've seen schoolboy blazers in the store that were pilling and look and felt much cheaper than what J. Crew currently sells it for. I have a Lexington that I saved up for and another I got on sale that same season and regret not buying a wool bella because it's been impossible to find in my size (6). Like everyone else, I thought J. Crew would keep churning out great styles with great quality and I felt ok about not having the money to get everything I wanted at the time but now I'm on the hunt for items I missed.
ReplyDeletedina -- It's great to hear that the Prince of Wales blazer is of the same caliber. Congrats on the fab score!
ReplyDeleteSo so true!!!
ReplyDeleteI have an academy jacket from 2004. It looks like I bought it yesterday, is fully lined, and fits great. When I bought the velvet academy jacket (I think it was '09) it is unlined and bunches. I think Ann Taylor and Loft have also suffered quality reduction and price inflation over the past few years.
The past few Jcrew jackets I've bought were from the factory store and that was over a year ago. They were fully lined, but in a cheap, not-so-soft fabric. I find the prices don't match the quality.
I do think Talbots jackets have really become much more tailors and chic. I've found some at Marshall's for as low as $25. They are fully lined and fit beautifully, have great patterns, and come in great colors.
As far as quality goes, I notice that most company's attention to detail is getting dubious at best. But, I think it has to do with the price of most anything going up, up, up. So instead of staying true to a certain level of detail or quality, they cut corners to cover costs, and not have to put out merch that ends up being to costly in the minds of consumers. Subsiquently going to the sale rack and really losing the company money. For me this quality issue is really evident at Jcrew outlet. Quality there was fairly comparable to retail three, four years ago, now some of it is worse than Target or F21, but still 3x as much.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Overall, I agree with the general concensus that J.Crew's jacket quality has gone downhill. I have two of the Scottish wool blazers from '05-'08 and they are tailored like a dream, more fitted, and I love the tie-silk details under the collar and on the inner seams. However, I just bought two wool schoolboy blazers in the past few months - in grey tweed and classic navy - and I'm very pleased with both of them. The navy in particular has become the darling of my spring wardrobe...not as fitted as my older blazers and lacking the little extra details but still excellent quality and I love those sharp brass buttons.
ReplyDeleteAs for their coats? Psh - forget it. I have a camel hair trench from ca. 2000, a black Plaza coat from 2003, and a classic grey peacoat from 2005 that you can pry out of my cold, dead hands before I'd swap them for any of the coats I've seen for the past few years.
I have to (politely) disagree about the quality of the POW jacket. I feel the fabric (which is very lightweight and develops mysterious fuzzies) and buttons could be of better quality. That said, it is definitely a stand out among jackets that, I agree, are overall declining in quality.
ReplyDeleteFor me the best JC year for jackets was 2008, as I really liked the styles and I think the quality and details were still sharp. I must have 8 or 10 from that FA and HO season--the various astrids, ecoles, etc.. I've only bought two fall/winter jackets since.
Has anyone seen the Rialta IRL? I have hopes for it, but lately I've tried to pay $100 and under for my jackets. Or under $30 in the case of the Bonnie--thanks, Mickey, for the markdowns ;)
oh, Alexis, I totally agree. I first became a JCrew fan because of the wonderfully detailed coats and blazers. The fun *full* linings (silk and grosgrain), under collar silk, buttons, and fit were superb. I actually have outlet pieces from years back (cotton suiting) that look leaps and bounds better than the retail blazers coming out now.
ReplyDeleteI am kicking myself a little for not nabbing the white and yellow lexington that I saw for under $50, thinking it would be too thick for california wear. Was just lovely.
pleeeease, jcrew, bring back the details and quality from years past!
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ReplyDeleteGem Twin - What is this about them not offering tall sizing anymore? I see some suits on the website-is this the last season they're offering it???
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of older J. Crew blazers, and I totally agree with the general consensus: the details are lovely. And though I doubt anyone reading this thread wants to give one up, if there's anyone out there with larger sizes (and especially tall larger sizes) to sell, I'd be happy to take them off your hands. caralynnlewis@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say is Fall 2008 Snow Leopard Simone jacket!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this jacket and only found it due to an exchange with fellow JCA Mack. Thanks Again Mack! Totally agree that they do not make them like this anymore...:(
ReplyDeleteAmy- Yes I have seen the Rialta and it is really pretty, but I was concerned about the length being too short for me.
I had the POW jacket home, tried it on with several different things, returned it. Fabric was soft, plaid was well matched, but on me the shoulders did not sit well, and it was just a little too short in the hem, and short-waisted.
ReplyDeleteIA with Amy and WFF on the Prince of Wales. I was so excited when I saw it and was ready to make it that one Christmas gift from my parents but when I tried it on, the fit was off (too shrunken) and the wool was paper-thin. While it's a nice blazer overall and was far better than the offerings at the time, it just didn't seem worth full price for my budget.
ReplyDeleteI used to love JCrew jackets and the offerings of the past few seasons has been really lame. Most of them have been very fitted and very short - there hasn't been much of a variety. I've been wearing my old ones and looking to different stores for more variety.
ReplyDeleteI agree with several of you - quality and fit have gone downhill and they are too focused on trends. They def need to go "back to basics".
ReplyDeleteGlad I bought several J.Crew jackets in the years before the quality tanked. Since 2008 I've only purchased the superfine cotton suiting jackets in two colors and the gingham schoolboy jacket that I picked up at the end of last summer for a song. I've worn the superfine cotton jackets a fair bit and they have some nice detailing like striped sleeve lining for contrast when you roll them up and the navy one from 2009 has a lace edging where we used to see tie-stripe silk.
ReplyDeleteThe gingham schoolboy is still hanging in the closet with the tags on. It didn't make the cut for my Caribbean vacation or Southern U.S. trip because I find the fit isn't so great. I'll try it out this spring and see how it goes but I definitely am not interested in any of the current jacket offerings with lower-quality fabric and less-tailored cuts.
I do love the Bella and Lexington jackets. One of my all-time favorites that no one has yet mentioned is the Duchamp Astor jacket that came only in a vintage scarf print. Fabulous, well-made wool jacket in a feminine cut that is so flattering. Love it.
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ReplyDeleteSeriously, it isn't just the jackets. I recently saw a rack of suiting at an outlet store, that was from full retail. There were 10 pairs of black super 120s pants. Most of them were from HO 10, but the one pair that was from 2007 (identical style number) had tie silk piping on the inside. The newer ones had nothing, just plain. I know this detail doesn't alter the way the garment looks from the outside, but to me it makes a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteAnother example. The old lady day coats has gorgeous contrasting grosgrain ribbon trim at the inner waist, and often had the gorgeous printed linings. Now, they are plain.
Agree with gem twin... wish they still made talls. I'd buy much more.
egyptomaniac, I am with you on eBay... most of my J.Crew wardrobe is from there because I had no money back when all the good stuff came out!!!
I agree. The quality of EVERYTHING has gone downhill. I was actually thinking the exact same thing about that '08 jacket when I saw the new one in the store. I wish I snagged that jacket back then.
ReplyDeleteI really don't purchase much from J.Crew anymore b/c the quality is so piss poor.
Thanks for the shout out Twiga - I'm so glad you love the Simone :)
ReplyDeleteMy "reunited" moment with J Crew was around Fall '07 with this one: The Ava Jacket
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/wool-pique-ava-jacket-9
That was back in the day when you had to jump on things FULL PRICE and snap them up before they sold out. I got the Ava in black, but really really wanted it in purple and could never find it. From that point on I became a crewlade drinker after years (and years) of dabbling around with J Crew. Sigh. I am happy to say I have several bellas and lexingtons. I have to give a nod to the Maggie - I think they did a good job on that one - more recent history.
They have come out with some cute jackets recently (if you can get the size right) - but to completely agree - just not the same.
I used to spend thousands at J.Crew, but they've lost me. Quality is crap but yet the prices are higher. Every jacket I've ordered online in the past year or so has gone back, as well as pretty much everything else. Using Gigi's line ...not much passes the Forever 21 test(meaning you can find almost the exact replica at F21 for considerably less and same quality!). Sweaters are thin and pill, jackets don't fit in the shoulders and no longer have that special lining or buttons, ruffles over and over 'til I want to puke, and what bothers me the most is after I spent $795.00 plus tax on that beautiful sold out antique lace top they put the same thing in the outlet six months later for less than $200.00. How's that for an "FU". Like I said, I pretty much don't even bother with the crew anymore. I used to save their catalogs and cherish ever one, now they go into the recycling bin about two days after receiving them.
ReplyDeleteI must agree totally with this post. First it was the quality of sweaters that took a nose dive, but the coats/jackets still were good. I can not recall the name but I purchased a wool/military style double breasted coat with faux fur collar in 2010, it is bottom of the barrel quality, and had pills on it when I took it out of the package(ordered it online).
ReplyDeleteNow the shirts are getting bad, I have a pique polo I purchased last year. It started to come apart at the collar seams after just a few washes. Yet I have J. Crew pique polos from years ago, some almost 10 years that are still in great shape.
I have burned so many times by J. Crew over the past couple years as far as qaultiy goes, I must have 5k worth of J Crew sweaters that I have bought in the past few years that I can not even wear anymore they look so bad, I wear $200 J Crew sweaters to garden and play with my dog. I keep hoping it will get better, keep giving them chances, but sadly I think I am done with J Crew.
I totally with agree you . I think that the most recent jackets lack..
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Your post on J.Crew was very helpful. I applaud the finding that the jackets are not the same anymore and that the sizing is smaller. I agree with you that the most recent jackets lack the "wow" factor of, for example, my 07 azal. I also agree with Hexicon. I did not buy any jackets from Fall 2010 or Spring 2011 and have no plans to do so.Custom Jerseys
ReplyDeleteFabulous blazer. Jacket Back Digitizing Nice.
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