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.
I got the Encore trench. It has that same scratchy bits in the shoulder region issue as several other J. Crew coats. I don't know what I'm supposed to do - should I take it to the store to have them fix it? Can they fix it?
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ReplyDeletei've been dying to vent about j. crew sweaters!! my j. crew sweaters almost always pill! has anyone else had this problem? the "dream" sweaters seem to be the worst but i've had problems with cashmere as well. it's so surprising and disappointing. i purchased a sweater stone to help deal with the pilling but it makes a mess... anyone else found this?
ReplyDeleteSubscribing. :)
ReplyDeleteI wore last year's stadium cloth peacoat for the second time today and experienced the plastic spikes Fai and others have mentioned as well. I pulled a few of them out just out of curiosity. My coat is ivory so I can see through the ivory lining that there are many more in there, and not just in the shoulder, but around the armpit area and upper arm too. Has anyone emailed CS and/or Mickey about this? What has everyone been doing to fix it?
ReplyDeleteI've purchased the cashmere shawl collar sweaters annually for the past 2 years now since I love the colors, but this year's sweater purchase was returned. I ordered my normal size in J. Crew sweaters, but the fit was awkward and the quality of the material very disappointing. @Erin...My J. Crew sweaters have done the same.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the dream yarn - some JCA's say it's fine, I say avoid at all costs. The dream sweaters I've seen at my B&M are pilling terribly just on the hangers. IMO, the sweaters are where the quality decline at JC is the most obvious - I have pre-2008 sweaters that get a lot of use and still look great. But since then, most haven't lasted a season (with the exception of some 100% wool pieces). The blends are frankly, crap, and on par with items I'd see at LOFT or Old Navy (but twice or three times the price).
ReplyDeleteI wore the honeycomb cable sweater for the second time yesterday. Not only does the elastic at the waist already appear to be stretched out, which is odd in itself because the sweater runs large so it's not like I stretched it out, but when I took it off last night I was horrified to find giant pills all down the sides and along the sleeves. I recall stacking several discounts on the sweater so I got a decent price (around $38 I think), but still, JC should be embarrassed to put their label on items of this quality. And don't even get me started on the Flared perfect coat, which I originally purchased at full price and later returned and repurchased on sale. I almost wish I hadn't so that I could contact CS to return it now on account of it being defective. Two of the seams completely opened up on the second or third wearing. They wanted $425 for that?? I'm thinking back now to a post I wrote right after I bought it saying how I actually thought the quality was more in line with the price point for a change, and I'm eating my words.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I've started losing sight of my shopping sensibilities which tell me I'm better off paying more for an item and having it last than skimping on disposable clothing. I think the confusion has come into play over the fact that JC's prices are not what I equate with buying crap. (Hey, if dream sweaters could talk, even they'd admit they're crap.) In contrast, I recently purchased a sweater from Marc by Marc Jacobs and the fit and the quality are absolutely lovely. It was priced at $228 for an item that would likely be around $148 at JC, but my confidence that it will still be hanging in my closet next year in good condition is worth the extra money to me.
Funny I was jumping on to "vent" about SWEATERS, but see this vent has already taken off.
ReplyDeleteI was SO disappointed to have to send back the Chunky Cambridge Cable turtlenecks. They are so, so cute on, but the fabric is horrible. Seriously, horrible rabbit hair flying off with a shake. This is a sweater, in style, that has been a staple of JCrew's sweater "looks" for years, and I am hoping that next year they make better choices for fabric so this item can be bought and worn.
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ReplyDeleteEspecially concerned with the quality of the cashmere as I purchased several pieces this year.
Yeah, I wonder why they are flaunting the addition of angora to add texture. Sorry, but that's a texture no one wants! Ugh. The sweaters really are terrible... I haven't bought a single one this year.
ReplyDeleteI'll also reiterate my vent about not offering enough tall sizes in things other than pants. There should be more tall blouses and all of the blazers (at least non collection ones) should come in tall. Apparently they don't want my money.
Pathos, I returned 2 Cambridge Cable cardigans to the store the other day and the SA there gave me a bit of attitude about it. She told me I needed to "shock" the sweaters by putting them in cold water. I told her I was looking to replace my Cambridge Cable sweater from the early 2000s that wore like iron (it has holes in the elbows and the wrists are starting to fray so I wear it at home), not some delicate, shedding stuff that I need to "shock." I have enough to do, thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteI have also returned two Cambridge Cable sweaters and I just told the SA, I like my sweaters to be on my torso, not on my pants or on my sofa. Terrible shedding.
ReplyDeletePathos - ITA. I love my chunky Cambridge cable turtlenecks from years past. They are still in good condition, and a staple with leggings/skirts and boots in my winter wardrobe here in the midwest.
ReplyDeleteI ordered 2 this year and I especially loved the Pine Bough green color ... but both went back immediately. Such a disappointment in a style I adore. The blend is terrible this year. WHY did they have to add angora? It is cheap, allergenic, ugly, itchy, and it sheds terribly.
I also returned a Wynter sweater, the quality was the worst I have seen in a JCrew sweater in 20 years.
I have not had good luck with J Crew sweaters this year.
Jackie: Many JCAs have experienced the same problem with their coats, myself included. It's very unpleasant being "pricked" like that at your shoulder. What you'll have to do is to open up the lining at the shoulder and remove the shoulder pads which are the culprit. I did that with my Stadium Cloth peacoat from last year and now it's fine. Personally I actually prefer the look without the shoulder pads. HTH!
ReplyDeleteannabello, I LOL'd when I read your comment. Drastic temperature changes used in shocking wool will cause it to felt, which makes it very dense like boiled wool. If you put your sweater through the shocking process you will end up with a hand puppet.
ReplyDeleteI second what J.CrewJD mentioned...they really need to start making tall sizes. Forget the quality issues that everyone is talking about with sweaters this year...I can't even bring any home because they are all so short! (Betsey, Chainlink...I'm looking at you!)
ReplyDeleteAn aside-J.Crew cashmere. Has anyone bought any this year? I'm looking to gift a sweater to my mother for Christmas and was thinking J.Crew because she bought me a sweater from here a few years ago (2008?) that I absolutely love. Thanks!
Thanks Greta! Did you(or has anyone else) bring your coat to a tailor to remove the shoulder pads? How much was it? TIA!
ReplyDeletegreta: any tips on where to cut the lining to remove the shoulder pads? i was putting off taking it to the tailor but if i can do it myself, that would be even better...
ReplyDeleteHi all, I'm also wondering about the quality of the cashmere this year, specifically the cashmere tees. I was comparing them to the cashmere tees made by Land's End, which seem to be thicker (and less expensive) but do not have the depth and variety of colors. Any opinions?
ReplyDeleteI brought my Majesty peacoat to the store because of the prickly shoulder pads and they offered me an exchange or pay for the tailor to replace them. I did not want the exchange since I was pretty sure the new coat will have the same issue so I just took it to teh tailor. They told me to just bring the receipt for reimbursement.
ReplyDeleteDon't replace them yourself, why would you? It is defective. I would have them do it even if it was an older coat.
Btw, it is a cheap fix, I live in the area where alterations are expensive ($40 to take in the skirt and $18 to shorten lined pants) but this was only $10.
I bought a pair of socks at the B&M earlier this fall and wore them once. Both heels were blown out by the end of the day and I was wearing a pair of old, worn-in boots that are not at all tight. I thought I was getting a great deal since they were marked way down but considering the single-use I got from them it was no bargain.
ReplyDeleteThe camp socks I bought last year blew out in the heels as well, but I was able to wear them at least 5 times. Still, not great. I'll stick to my Hue socks from now on.
ajc- thanks for the info on replacing the shoulder pads. I just ordered a coat this AM and will keep this in mind.
ReplyDeleteHooray for solidarity on returning the Cambridge cables. Hope they get the message!
Too ridiculous! Needing to shock your sweater before you wear it! I seriously waste enough time trying to catch a sale, let alone fixing the item once I do get it! LOL.
Jackie and Miss JR: I cut open the seam of the lining where the sleeve connects to the back of the coat. My coat is in the color dark fatigue, so the linings have different colors where I cut the seam. You only need to cut open about 3 inches. Once open the shoulder pads are very easy to remove. You can then sew up the lining again. Hope that makes sense!
ReplyDeleteEven though I totally agree about the blends that include Angora and Rabbit, I wore my dream dolman sweater for an entire day, and yesterday wore the Heart sweater literally from 7 AM til 12 Midnight (busy day!) and neither itched my arms or pilled at all. Even when I have had some mild pilling in the past, the sweater comb (3.99 from CVS or the 18.00 from Laundress for j Crew on the website) removed them easily. THe dream is 55% wool, 30% nylon and 15% cashmere. While I wish
ReplyDeleteit was as soft as previous year dream blends, it was
still comfortable.
Still think that all of these sweater complaints should go directly to Mickey at his email address.
Hahaha my verification word is CULTOMER - which is what I guess we all are to J Crew! LOL
thanks greta... i'll give it a shot tonight :)
ReplyDelete@ Erin: I haven't bought the Dream or Cambridge sweaters for years. They used to hold up really well before the new blends were introduced, but now the quality is just poor. I've found that their fine knit merinos still wear beautifully, and I guess I've just had great luck with J.Crew's cashmere as all of my regular-weight sweaters still look perfect. I would, however, advise against buying the featherweight cashmere since it does pill a lot.
ReplyDelete@ xoxo: Hah! Hand puppet :)
@ Jill: I've never worn the Land's End cashmere so I can't comment on it, but I ADORE the J.Crew cashmere tees. I have several and I keep returning to them b/c the colors are so gorgeous and the fit is perfect for me. Other brands I've tried, including the higher-end ones, always seem to cut their sweaters too long, too short, or too boxy. J.Crew's cashmere sweaters are the "Just Right" in my Goldilocks Sweater Fairytale.
I have one request...a mobile site for J. Crew. It really bugs me that I would love to check on a single item or a set of items, and have to pull up the overdone, saturated "meant for a real PC" website.
ReplyDeleteNet-a-Porter's site is my fave, followed by the version that blogger allows us bloggers to use for our individual sites, followed by Boden's.
If J. Crew has a mobile site, then they need to make it more obvious to the consumers, as I would happily switch over when I am on my smart phone.
Anyone else with me?
Ack. All these sweater comments make me wonder if I should just return the cashmere sweater I bought last week. Such a pretty color, but will I be looking at a pilly pile of yarn in another month ...?
ReplyDelete@Erin,
ReplyDeleteI will never buy a dream yarn sweater again for that reason. It pilled like crazy after just two wearings. Not only in high-friction areas, like under armpits and elbows, but all over, including the front, back and shoulders.
I've had similar issues with 2008 & 2009 cashmere, but it didn't get bad until 2-3 months later. In contrast, my Ann Taylor & Bloomies private label cashmeres bought 8 years ago show barely any wear and no pilling. I'm going to try this year's cashmere to see if it's improved but if it hasn't I'm permanently swearing off JC sweaters except for the 100% merino wool.
Two vents:
ReplyDeleteI wish J Crew would be consistent with their student/teacher discount policy. I placed an order over the red phone yesterday and the sales rep refused to combine the student discount with the 30% off final sale in-store promotion. He cites that it is strictly a one promotion policy, which is definitely not true. Many sales associate have combined my student discount with the extra 30% off sale promotion without giving me a hard time.
The second one is Madewell-related. I've waited forever for the Spotdot Sweater to pop back in my size and color. It did this morning, but then it disappeared from my cart during check-out.
I've never been a fan of the dream sweaters. I bought two turtlenecks back on 07 or 08. The colors were beautiful, but the quality was very poor. I donated them after only wearing them a couple times. I haven't even considered buying anything in the "dream" line since then.
ReplyDeleteI bought several cashmere tees this year. They look really good so far. Some have gone through the wash once or twice, and still look new, but it's too early to judge how they'll wear over time.
For those considering LE cashmere, check the LEC cashmere sweater on sale plus 30%. I don't own it so I can't comment on the quality, but the price is amazing.
Has anyone bought any of the wynter sweaters this season? I love the look of the wynter cowlneck but am wary to order it, based on poor performance of the dream sweaters I bought last winter. J.Crew used to be my go-to sweater store, but over the past couple of years the results have been very mixed.
ReplyDeleteToday, I have something to vent about! I am grateful J.Crew offers the teacher discount- what I am not happy about is the constant changing in their policy about its use. After hearing about 30% off sale in stores, I rushed over. I tried using my teacher discount and was told I could not with the 30% off sale items- that they "recently changed it for the holidays". Why not let customers know about changes beforehand? This way I am know what to expect before I check out at the register.
ReplyDeleteI purchased an enamel bracelet 2 years ago. I honestly wear it about 2x's a month and the clasp is about to break off. I contacted JCrew and they said they don't do jewelery repairs and I would have to take it to a jeweler to fix. My suggestion to them is to have a jewelery repair option for a small fee. They should stand by their products at the prices they charge. I'm very disappointed.
ReplyDeletexoxo, your comment just reminded me to mention that I bought 4 pairs of the slinky rib tights on sale at my B&M, and each pair, after the very first wearing, had huge holes in the big toes. I actually love the fit and the material of these tights, but given that I'm a city gal who wears flats to commute in and changes into her high heels at work, it is SO embarrassing taking my shoes off and having my big white toes stick out of my black tights! I always look both ways first to make sure no one is around ;) And to think, I've worn each pair maybe twice so far. Even on sale, I still paid $10 or more per pair!
ReplyDeleteY, I've been having the exact same problem lately combining promos with my student discount. I recall not too long ago they changed their policy to allow you to use your student discount on sale items, and I was shocked and excited to find that they were also allowing you to combine it with store promos. Then, shortly before Black Friday, it seems to me that the policy must have quietly changed as far as combining discounts. All of the NYC stores I visited the week of Black Friday refused to do it, even after I pointed out that I had been able to combine my student discount with a 25% off $150 promo just two weeks prior. I was told this direction came straight from their district manager.
Erin, I feel exactly the same way! It's so bad that after just a few wears, all of my J. Crew sweaters have developed pills--even the new ones! I've been in the market for a decent sweater shaver, but I'm not sure what to get. It's too bad because I love JC sweaters, but their quality doesn't seem to justify the price!
ReplyDeleteKelley: I bought the Wynter V-Neck Sweater in Stripe a week or so ago. I knew that it was going back to the store as soon as I took it out of the bag. Super cheap quality. HTH!
ReplyDelete@Jill, I am a huge fan of the cashmere crewneck tees. The ones this year DO seem to be a bit thinner, but nevertheless they're wearing well. This is one item that doesn't seem to be too much of a problem.
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ReplyDeleteI have decided I am finished with J.Crew until their quality improves. I have been humiliated more than once by split seams, dropped cuffs, etc. I work in a competitive, male-dominated profession where the last thing I need to be concerned with is how many holes will emerge in the seams of my sweater by the day's end.
ReplyDeleteI live in Europe, in a country that doesn't have J.Crew. My tailor here noticed that everything I bring to him has the same label and questioned why I bothered with it since it seemed to require such high maintenance. I realized he was right.
I fell in love with J.Crew clothes in 2006 and continued to purchase them online when I moved abroad. I return to the US twice yearly, and the last few order that have been waiting have been complete disappointments. Ill-fitting, bottom of the barrel quality. It's insulting. I am done.
Dara, I no longer buy J.Crew tights, which I used to love. Last year I was wearing a pair for the first time and by the time I got from my parking to the office the crotch was down at my knees. I was wearing size small and I'm a 4/6 on the bottom so they should not have been too large. To top it off, once I got to my desk and removed my boots to put on my heels there was a huge hole in the foot. I haven't tried another pair since.
ReplyDelete@dinagideon, my first thought when I read your vent was YES! mobile site! but then I thought back to JC's past adventures in technology. They can't deal with the site they've got. My vote would be to wait on this one.
ReplyDeleteI have had really good luck with JC sweaters, with the exception of one Dream yarn mistake I made before I found JCA and learned the error of my ways ;). I only buy sweaters that are 100% cashmere or 100% merino, so I would recommend those.
ReplyDeleteAs for the student discount, here is my understanding: if the promo is one where the item is automatically marked down (i.e. 30% off sweaters, prices as marked) then you can combine the student/teacher discount. If it is something like the "extra 30% off final sale" that they often run in stores, then it should also be able to be combined. However, if it's one of the "25% off your order with code ____", then it can't be combined with the student/teacher discount.
This is how it has worked for me (except for the odd time when I've convinced them to combine discounts that perhaps shouldn't have been).
Based on the stories above of people not being able to combine their discount with the extra 30% off sale, I wonder if their policy has changed again?
Lands End Canvas is fast becoming my go-to over JCrew. I haven't tried their cashmere, but I do have a few spring-weight cashmere blends, and those are great. (And I think I got them for under $30 each).
ReplyDeleteThe colors aren't as vibrant or as plentiful as J.Crew and their sizing is much more generous (sometimes an L is too small for me at JC and I've had to return a few tent-like mediums to LEC.)...but you can actually leave reviews on the site of fit, quality, etc so as long as you don't grab something right when it comes out, chances are someone has already posted a clue as to how it fits.
Has anyone purchased any of J.Crew's real pearl necklaces? Any positive/negative experiences with them? They look lovely online, but haven't seen them in real life.
ReplyDeleteI bought a navy Jackie [not retail] last December and it already has a hole. It's not even a year old and I had to throw it away. I bought a quick replacement at Target and we'll see if it can last longer than a year.
ReplyDeleteDissertante, I have a short pearl necklace and it is indeed lovely and worth the price to me(of course i got it with 25% off).
ReplyDeleteJust had a frustrating call with its customer service regarding my order for short Miller boots. Wore them twice and realize that it's too big by half a size. Won't give an exchange for the boots to a smaller size. Really?! Crap policy and will NOT buy from them ever again. Shitty policy got mediocre product and bad customer service. Happy to take my business elsewhere that cares about customer retention and producing quality products/services.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like maybe I should return the Dream Open Cardigan I just bought... it's still new and has the tags on it. I actually got it for only 30 dollars but still... I do NOT want some nasty pilly cardigan that looks gross. This is all way too bad to hear since I'm a new JC shopper this year. I've been happy with things like the Thermal Henleys but on a law student's budget, the LAST thing I need to waste money on is a disposable sweater. I have Target sweaters that hold up better.
ReplyDeleteAND I also recently tried a pair of JC nylons (not thick tights) and I was *beyond* careful when I put them on for the first time. I put them on with gloves since I didn't even want a cuticle to rough them up! There's now a big run right at the waist. Should I/Can I return them? Will they take them? Seems like they should honor an item that is basically destroyed after one wear. Like I said--I'm a new shopper. I know Nordstrom would take them back. Please advise?
I just remembered... I called a far-off store for a top from the summer that I *had to have* and the girls there could not have been ruder. I don't even want the top anymore. I have worked in CS before and they acted like it was some huge deal to look for it. No. I despise rude and snobby salesgirls.
My verification word is SNERSKI. LOL!
My J.Crew tights from last year are actually holding up very well -- no holes, tears, runs, pills, etc., despite the fact that I am not careful with them at all. I do not treat my tights kindly, but my J.Crew pair held up and look brand new, unlike the numerous Kate Spade and Hue pairs I've bought. I guess I got lucky!
ReplyDeleteBUT, my vent is with their leather gloves. I bought the zip leather gloves, which has really weird finger sizing -- the palm part fit perfectly, but the finger parts were waaay too big. Also, they stretched out a lot to where they must be at least a full size bigger. Super annoying! Now whenever I wear those gloves, it looks like I'm wearing baseball mitts!
I bought a crystal necklace in November and it's just sitting on my account with the status "wait listed". How annoying since I bought the matching bracelet.
ReplyDelete@Dissertante: Yes, I purchased the really long opera length pearl necklace during the early on 25% off sale, so that I could see it! Needless to say, I love it, and can not stop wearing it - long and knotted, doubled, single strand - it is beautiful. I never see it on sale, so these promos are a great time to get it just to see it IRL, esp since it is not FINAL. Let us know if you do!
ReplyDelete@Suzy: I only see the double-stranded opera-length necklace--that one?
ReplyDeleteDoes J crew read these posts? I hope so I added up my credit card bills last year, over $7,000. I am increasing unhappy with the quality the betsey sweater after a single wear looks oil and stretched out, my cashmere sweaters pill up, buttons break on the blyth shirts, my tweed pencils snag without a reason, so back to Nordstroms, Sacks, Neimens
ReplyDeleteDoes J crew read these posts? I hope so I added up my credit card bills last year, over $7,000. I am increasing unhappy with the quality the betsey sweater after a single wear looks old and stretched out, my cashmere sweaters pill up, buttons break on the blyth shirts, my tweed pencils snag without a reason, so back to Nordstroms, Sacks, Neimens
ReplyDelete@Dissertante: If you read the description, it is 54 inches long - they are showing it doubled. Look on the website (or your catalog for December) on page 48 - she is wearing it long and knotted (or just holding it where a knot would be). It's really beautiful.
ReplyDelete@Suzy: thanks! what made you go with the opera length rather than the double-stranded necklaces? or the choker? i'm deliberating. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is regarding the student/teacher discount. I made 30% sale purchases both at the register and using the red phone. On both, I was given the additional teacher discount. All depends on who you are dealing with I guess.
ReplyDeleteJill,
ReplyDeleteI am really liking my Lands End cashmere v-neck pullover. The color is a beautiful heather green. I did size down one size though and I would say the LE fit is less slim and a bit boxier. But I think the style I got is kinda a boyfriend fit (at least on me). LE has run 40% off one item promos several times in the last two or three weeks.
My Blythe blouse came today and I'm happy with it. What I'm not happy about is that they didn't give me the 25% off (it came from a WWFI). So now I have to try to get that fixed. I'll be at school tomorrow until probably 6 and then I have to come home and finish packing for Disney. I'm leaving Friday morning, so I have no time to deal with it then. My fingers are crossed that my ps can help me deal with it over the phone. I sent him a text and am awaiting a reply.
ReplyDeleteOn a good note, they did get it to me before I leave town, which I was worried about.
2 vents. I purchased an item that was on promo and they wouldn't honor the additional percentage off. It was one or the other. I was under the impression you could stack the promos.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I've been in my b&m recently a couple times. The things look cute from afar, but when you get up close, they look shop worn and shabby and the material looks cheap. The wool cafe pants, the wool cafe capris, many of the sweaters, etc.... I still think their best sweater material is the 100% merino. It's all I'll take a chance on there any more.
Why do I always cheat on Nordstrom?
ReplyDelete@dissertante: I chose the long length because I have several J Crew necklaces (pearl cluster, a multi strand of small pearls on chains from the summer (won on Gigi's blog, the side knot multi strand, the multi strand with all different size pearls; as well as a few Mikimoto strands purchased for me by my amazing husband! So, the long length seemed a fun way to go, and was nothing like I had. But really, I wear it more now that all the others...many times doubled. It's also great as a longer length to wear with lots of other necklaces at various lengths. As you can prob tell, I am a big pearl lover...since a very young age!!
ReplyDeleteI received the Miller Motorcycle boots earlier this year and the leather is cracking. This is unacceptable especially considering the price. J.Crew should be embarrassed that their "made in Italy" boots are such poor quality! I have vintage boots that are at least 30 years old and the leather is still in perfect condition. Customer service will not do anything about the defective shoe.
ReplyDelete@Netta: That's ridiculous about your Miller boots and customer service not helping. What about that cardstock signed by Mickey that says "our quality. blah blah blah" I'd email Mickey directly and call him out on that one.
ReplyDeleteA sales person at my local JCrew asked me to fill out a card with my contact info when I asked about making an appointment with a personal shopper. No one ever contacted me so I emailed an online personal shopper for advice about a wedding outfit. She sent me an email with suggestions, but I never heard back from her after I sent an email back asking her to find a couple of dresses for me. All I want is a dependable personal shopper. It sounds like a lot of people have had great experiences with them.
ReplyDeleteThe declining quality at J. Crew concerns me. I'm also disappointed in the sweater selection this season. I'm one of the few that like the Dream blend(wool/nylon/cashmere) but I can't handle the blends with the added angora or alpaca. Just too itchy. And my Betsey sweater is a terrible mess. I read the reviews here but purchased anyway because I couldn't resist the aqua color. It's pilling and stretched out at the neck.
ReplyDeleteJcrew sweaters are major fails for me this year. Like Caitlin, I stick to 100% merino or cashmere. However this year, even the quality of these knits seem thinner or if the knit is thicker-gauge, the cut is boxy or unflattering. Since I have saved money by not keeping the sweaters I ordered bought this year, I thought I would treat myself to the Cashmere Fair Isle sweater. It's OK but not a compelling buy even with the 25% discount. It's suppposed to be 7-gauge but it feels like a 12-gauge to me, nowhere like the plush 7-gauge of my old Nola sweaters.
ReplyDeleteVINTAGE J. CREW is BEST
ReplyDeleteI bought a 100 percent pre-owned merino Argyle sweater on ebay about 3 years ago that doesn't have any pilling. Just out of curiousity I looked at the inner tag to see the year it was made: FALL 04 — Now that's what I call quality, that's a 7 year old cardigan w/o pilling.
Go figure, Mickey & Co.
I have an old Limited merino wool sweater that looks immaculate and it's been through the washer and the dryer. I have a J Crew merino v neck from fall of 09, and last year it opened up a hole on the stomach, the knit just came apart. For fun, we washed and dried it like the Limited one. It shrunk to kid size and looked like a 20 year old sweater. Funny. Even their merino sweaters are crap. I've given up on their sweaters. The dream this year was gross, the wynter awful, I'm done.
ReplyDeleteSweater woes with Lady lace popover.
ReplyDeleteFirst: Received sweater with unravelling lace.
Second: The replacement sweater they sent me was the wrong size (and they charged me for shipping)
Third: The neckline was sewed incorrectly and the inside seam folded over and was clearly visible across the front neckline.
Fourth: Yep, I really wanted this sweater...the inner layer of chiffon was sewn incorrectly and puckered so much that it made the lace pucker across my chest.
I took the last one back today. I believe that was originally a Collection item priced at $198!
Lots of new markdowns in store today--I tried on a gazillion things (felt guilty that the PS had to put them back), but nothing was a 'love.' As many have said, most of the clothes looked shopworn, so it didn't take much imagination to think they wouldn't last very long :( So many pieces I wanted to love!
ReplyDeletehas anyone purchased this year's cashmere shawl-collar cardigan? if so, how is it? it's a great style and i really want it to work out but i just can't bring myself to take another risk and end up disappointed. the thing is, the cost of j. crew cashmere really should guarantee quality but it doesn't. i was gratified to read everyone's posts and know that it's not just me... but disappointed as well. maybe i shouldn't even be considering yet another j. crew sweater. ditto on the merino btw... no disppointments there.
ReplyDeleteErin, try one of the cashmere sweaters from LEC right now. With code jolly, pin 1235, they are $45. Much better quality, too! If you spend 50, you also get free shipping. My j crew shawl collar cashmere from last year looks like hell, even after I combed it to death.
ReplyDeleteThere are no comments on the Love post and almost 80 here.
ReplyDeleteThe quality issues are really alarming!
Yes, to me the quality has really gone downhill this year. I have not bought a sweater or a jacket this year! Unheard of for me!!!
ReplyDeleteREALLY wish J.Crew would extend their PA window to longer than a week. By the time a package gets to me after its ship date, I only have about a 3-4 day window to get a PA. If it was extended to 14 days (like Anthro, for example) I could probably catch more PAs instead of playing the re-buy game.
ReplyDeleteWhile I know a lot of JCAs have complained about too few items being offered in tall sizing (and I personally would like to see even more petites, though I've found the proportions to be increasingly erratic from item to item), it makes me sadder than sad that this is the first season I can wear JC pullover-style sweaters due to the shorter length and yet... [insert plethora of quality issues here].
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think I mentioned during Black Friday week that I placed a phone call to CS to complain about how rude the manager was to me in the NYC Fifth Ave store when I asked about combing the 25% off promo with my student discount. Well the rep on the phone assured me that my feedback would be forwarded and that they would look into my purchase (I gave them the transaction number) in order to credit me back the 15%. Because it took them about 2 weeks to get back to me, I ended up exchanging two of the items for size and one for color simply because I didn't want to wait to wear them or accidentally forget to bring them back before the return period ended. When I finally did receive an email from CS, they said they would not credit me back the 15% on any of my items because of my returns. I responded that I had in fact made exchanges for other items rather than having received any money back, and I also pointed out that I had spent quite a lot at multiple stores throughout the city that week, none of which honored my student discount. Long story short, it is clear to me now that they have decided to ignore my response entirely. I even sent a follow up email a week later that has not received a response. Honestly, I'm so burned by this on principle, I haven't even been inside the store or on the website in 2 weeks which is a personal record. I've decided I'm on a self-imposed JC shopping ban until they start treating their customers properly and stop trying to sell us poorly made merchandise at inflated prices. The Marc Jacobs website has some really cute stuff and I'd rather pay a little more for quality and good CS.
(original) Genny, this is the first year I have not purchased a coat from J.Crew and my husband is shocked. I bought and returned a few sweaters but did still buy/keep my Jackie twinsets and took the plunge on two cashmere LS tees. So far they are holding up well.
ReplyDeleteMy gripe is about the return process. It took over 2 weeks from the date the returns arrived to have them processed. That is excessive. I have another box of returns to ship and I'm wondering if it's better to wait until after Christmas.
I had stopped shopping at BR because I thought they had so many quality issues and their styles didn't appeal to me at all. But I bought a couple of Martin trousers on deep discount at BR.com the other day and when they arrived I was gobsmacked. Fully lined, good weight, nice tailoring. Compare that to the Super 120s trousers I've bought at JC recently (unlined, fabric too lightweight to drape well, strange pulling). And for $40-something! A lot of BR stuff is still weird, and synthetic fabrics, but I know where I'm buying all my work pants from now on!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
ReplyDeleteI am waiting to make my returns through the mail until AFTER Christmas. I think it will be better that way...
I threw my husband into a state of shock when I did not even go into J.Crew when we were at the mall. We rarely go only a few times a year but I knew there was nothing I was interested in...at the time only online ONLY items I wanted:) I used to rush there first!
Oh, and my gripe is returns too. I returned 7 items all from one order a long while back. I only got credit for 5 items. It was like they completely ignored the other two items!!! I had to call and they did credit me but still what if they hadn't???? I am really losing faith in their whole system including returns.
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate J Crew offering to sell me a sweater for almost DOUBLE the in-store price, I have to say no thanks. I chatted online this morning in the futile hope of avoiding pestering a PS at my store to place a red phone order, but no such luck. The chat rep told me bluntly to go to the store and use the red phone; guess they aren't worried too much about the bottom line, or it seems they would make it easier for me to give them my money :)
ReplyDeleteI am terrified of sending returns through the mail... I guess I just don't trust them! I'd much rather take them back to my local store... but I know many JCAs don't have a local store. Bummer.
ReplyDeleteJust checked the Sale section, and there are over 100 sweaters marked down right now. That's the third highest number of sale items below swimwear and shoes. I think that J.Crew needs to take a serious look at that in terms of what stock items are moving (and staying) off the shelves, and ask themselves why that might be.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion? Shoes and swimwear -two things that usually have to fit the customer *really* well to be at all useful - are very tough to sell when you sell them almost exclusively online or through the catalog. If they want to push them they should carry them in more stores. With the sweaters, J.Crew either needs to lower the initial price point on those crappy blends or concentrate on making fewer styles of higher quality. Heck, they don't even need to look any further than their own "All Time Favorites" section for inspiration! I've been stalking the Boy Shirt in Classic White for months and it's not supposed to ship until April!
Oh Mickey, style so pretty, don't you understand? You friggin break my heart when you sell these crappy blends.
Right on, Whitney. If they're going to continue to do mostly shoes/swim online, they should at least have free returns (and yeah, no Final Sale) for these items.
ReplyDeleteAnd on the blends - search the word "acrylic" and get 77 women's items (20 of which are sweaters) as opposed to 8 men's. Ugh.
Dissertante: Their pearls seem nice but I would only get it on sale. I have one of their 17" pearl strands that was marked down in store this summer from $135 to ~$35 after an extra 30% off sale items. I also have freshwater pearl strands from Amazon and from a local jeweler. I noticed my Jcrew one doesn't lie smoothly compared to the other two, something with the knots maybe. Luster is ok and there weren't pits on the surface. Shape isn't completely round but good enough. Honestly, for the retail price, I think you can get a better quality item from a jewelry store. But if it's on sale, it's not bad.
ReplyDelete@Hwin: on sale as in the promotions now, or further reduced? the jcrew store nearest to me doesn't carry these necklaces.
ReplyDeleteHi! I think the current 25-30% off is a good deal. You can always return it if you don't like it, or go compare it to a local jewelry store's strands to assess quality. For instance, when I hold my necklaces next to each other, you can tell by eye which one is the most expensive and which one is the cheapest (the Jcrew falls in the middle). One thing that's nice w/ the Jcrew pearls is attn to style details, like the rhinestone clasp is very pretty & unique.
ReplyDeleteToday I'm wearing a pair of JC tights from last winter. They were in seemingly great condition when I tucked them away in a drawer last spring, so imagine my surprise upon discovering in the bright light of my office that there are worn out patches ALL OVER so it looks like I have a skin disease. I'm seriously so embarrassed and I don't even have another pair to change into.
ReplyDeleteBetween this and the fact that CS has chosen to disregard my past two emails about being due a credit which a phone rep had assured me I would receive weeks ago, I've officially had it. It does not look like I will be shopping J.Crew in 2012. I've been a longtime die hard fan, but I work too hard for my money to throw it away on disposable merchandise. And if poor quality is the trend at all similarly priced retailers, I'm happy to spend twice the price on half as many items elsewhere as long as they will last me from year to year. I'm careful about what I buy and my clothes shouldn't need to be thrown out long before I'm tired of them.