Referencing {FAQ}

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs!}

This is the weekly "J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs}" post, to help each other share our reviews.

So if you have recently purchased, or stopped by a J.Crew store to try on an item (or two) from J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.

Also, this request is not just limited to clothes. Please feel free to discuss bags, shoes, jewelry, accessories, etc.

In particular, if you could mention a few of the noteworthy details like fit, size, fabric, and the like— that would be fantastic! Thanks in advance! :)

65 comments:

  1. I have some new reviews on my blog, including peplum green flower top from Lookbook #7, Eddie ATtache Bag and new schoolboy blazer.
    Also other reviews, that you might have seen already here.

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  2. 20% off tees & knits online only exp. Feb. 10.

    We were hoping for something else. Oh well!...

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  3. Love, love, love the peplum top ajc! It hurts my heart that this is $350. Maybe if we all boycott, it will go on sale soonish.
    Just got the perfect shirt in Ashbury floral. Fabric is nice if you like the cotton/silk blend (I do). Fit is ok, this is my first perfect shirt so I wasn't sure. I sized up to a 2 because I didn't want to wait for the final sale "backordered" zero (yeah, like that will ever ship...) I don't mind the extra fabric in front because I plan to wear it knotted at the waist with a pair of high-waisted wide leg pants.

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  4. OT, but it was only time before someone sold the heart throb shirt on eBay for an even more exorbitant price that JC ($200, to be exact). While those of us who'd hoped it would go on sale are sadly scr****d.

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  5. AJC, thanks for the Attache bag review. My store gets no bags and I was really wondering about size and shape on this one. I'm with you on the open top. That's a deal killer for me. I travel a lot, I need a bag that zips up. The shape and size look good, if it closed I think I'd bite especially in red.

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  6. Review of the Jackie pullover in byzantine blue and bright violet on my blog today. To summarize, the fit and colors are nice but the fabric feels very synthetic and uncomfortable. Disappointed and will return.

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  7. Rose, it's interesting that "knits and tees" are on sale yet none of the knit dresses are included. I thought they used to be included in the past knits and tees promos.

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  8. Reviews of a few new skirts, a dress and a sweater HERE

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  9. Heading to the Caribbean next weekend and picked up a couple of things for the beach:

    Wide-Stripe Board Shorts -- I liked these even more than expected. They fit TTS: I wear size 4 in pencil skirts and JC pants, but have always worn a 6 in their shorts. The 6 in the board shorts fit perfectly and I wouldn't have wanted to size down. The material is softer than I expected, but still sturdy. There are functional back pockets and a side pocket on one leg. Really cute fabric in a sun-faded navy & white. Velcro "fly" and lace-up front make them fit nicely. Thumbs up!

    Chambray Bayou Tunic in Navy -- I took my usual size Small (I'm a 4 in Perfect Shirts and Small in T-shirts). The cut is on the generous side but not enough that I would want to size down. Beautiful smooth, soft fabric. I could see wearing this over a bathing suit at the beach or with white pants in the city. A lovely, versatile top.

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  10. Oh Tillary so sad: received the Tillary yesterday, so excited when I took it out of the box, looked beautiful in warm sienna. Then upon close inspection, there are a lot of quality problems: several puckering issues along the seams in a couple of spots. Very obvious when holding it up. The worst issue is along the side the leather is in an entirely different grain on only one area. It looks like the cow had cellulite! It is very easy to see the difference. It looks like a bag bought at an outlet store that didn't pass quality inspection (despite the quality inspection tag inside). I will try to post photos, my earlier photos were too dark. Also emailing dear leader. As a side note: also bought biennal: no quality issues at all, leather is perfectly consistent and is lovely, no stitching issues and bought at last promo, keeping it.

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  12. @ xoxo: I really must be the only person alive who likes that thicker, stretchier fabric on the Jackie Pullovers, haha ;). Makes my top half feel a little more...contained. J.Crew mentions in this month's catalog that they specifically added more stretch to the Pullovers for fit purposes, so it doesn't seem like they'll be changing the regular Jackie twinsets anytime soon. I'm wearing a Jackie cardi from SU07 today, and they just don't make them like they used to.

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  13. ajc - I just have to say you go above and beyond to give your reviews. They are sooo helpful to me and I just wanted to say thank you! :)

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    Replies
    1. You welcome Stene! It makes me happy to hear you and others are finding them helpful :)

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  14. My newest Jackie cardigan (royal purple color from this past fall) looks pretty ragged after one wash. I washed it inside out on delicate and hung it to dry. It is pilled under the arms and looks faded. Meanwhile, Jackies from 2007 and 2008 are still going strong...

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  15. I received two shirts that popped back a couple weeks ago. I am super happy with them. One is the Perfect shirt in Carrick tartan. Fabric is very substantial, crisp yet soft. The colours are a little too Christmassy now, so I'll save it for the holidays, but the green/blue/red colours are really nice. The other is the Perfect shirt in aqua gingham - LOVE the colour, I am so looking forward to wearing it this spring. This is actually from spring/summer 2011, so hopefully this year's gingham shirts will be the same quality as previous years because I am planning to buy more as soon as they run a full price promo. I love the peachy finish on the poplin cotton.

    Off topic, but has anyone ever washed their double serge wool pencil skirt in the washing machine, delicate cycle? I have a front loading ASKO machine which does a great job with silks and cashmeres. The last hurdle for breaking free from the dry cleaners is being able to wash something like the double serge wool skirt... but this is my bright dahlia skirt (i.e. precious!!) and I don't want to wreck it!

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  16. Whitney, I'm sure there are others who like the Jackie pullover sweater and some probably will love them once they get marked down. ;^) I'm really sensitive to fabrics and living in such a dry climate seems to exacerbate my issues. I liked the stretchiness of the fabric and the rich colors. If only other sweaters would fit so well.

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  17. Windy City what a bummer about the Tillary. Too bad it is only available online...guess I won't be ordering it as some other JCAs have commented on the imperfections. : ( Because some of the Tillarys have had imperfections I want to be able to see it before I buy it. Same thing happened when I went to my local store to purchase the red Edie bag so many with problems ie. dents, scratches, fading, crushed corners loose threads, etc etc.

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  18. OK who is going to try on that delicious green Madelene dress for me?

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  20. Ok, I did it. I've never ordered a FP item before to try on... but in this case, it is necessary. The green madelene dress has the potential to be a huge disaster... one that I do not want to get stuck with on final sale. I guess I need to start a blog now so I can post pictures!

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  21. J CRew JD - please, please pretty please!

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  22. MY 90 year old mum wore her Christmas present last week, a cranberry Jackie and announced " horrible fabric, horrible fit" She had two Jackies from previous years and always loved them.

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  23. Tabitha, I'm with your mother. I never liked the Jackie cardigan as I couldn't stand the feel of the nylon blend against my skin.

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  24. Windycity, I hope you'll let Dear Leader have it! In case you need more inspiration, check this out.

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  25. And on a happier note, I received the high-waisted denim pencil skirt and I LOOOVE it. A lot of sizes seem to be sold out already, so I'm glad I grabbed this one fast.

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  26. jcrewJD: YES! Please review and post pics (would love to see you start a blog!) That dress is gorgeous. I've been wondering what it was like IRL.

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  27. Another plea, JcrewJD, for a review of the Madelene!

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  28. wellfedfred - how does the sizing run on the denim pencil skirt? can you compare to the regular pencil skirt sizing?

    Thanks so much!

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  29. Anyone tried the Natasha in the new floral or the schoolboy in chambray? Likes/dislikes? These two items are on my "wish list" when the sincerely hoped-for % off FP promo comes. TIA!

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  30. The denim pencil skirt is one of the few things I really wanted to try. Would like to hear how it runs.

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  31. I'm chiming in with rest, JCrew JD please do start a blog and I am dying to know what the Madelene looks like IRL!

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  32. well said, wellfred, well said! posted photos of my Tillary disaster: flickr.com/photos/windycitywardrobe. That being said, I do really like the Biennial, IT is well made no quality problems and nice details like magnets to hold the zippers down. Final thought, also annoyed that the Tillary measurements were so off from the website, it is actually 19" across at the top at its widest point, not 11".

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  33. Hi! Has anyone tried the silk stripe regency shirtdress?

    http://www.jcrew.com/browse/single_product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441818670&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302056701&nav_type=SEARCH&bmUID=1328666039810

    I'm curious about thickness of the silk and fit. I'm hoping it's not a flimsy, airy silk.

    Also, for anyone who has purchased the patent Biella: does the vamp stretch at all? I tried this, it fit everywhere, but felt narrow around the vamp area where the stitching is located.

    Lastly, my engineer stadium coat is cute, BUT the stripes don't match at the seams on one of the sleeves. Wondering if anyone encountered this. The other sleeve is fine. Thank you!

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  34. Re: denim pencil skirt. It runs in jeans sizes, I wear a 10 in most pencil skirts and am very comfortable in the 31, but could have been happy with the 30 if the 31 had been gone. I was just leaving room for a nice dinner or two with that higher waist, probably was being too cautious. That said, it's very flattering on. It was just written up in Refinery 29 as one of 10 essential spring skirts, whiich is why I grabbed it at FP. Refinery 29 described the wash as being by dark, whch it is not, it's more a worn medium, so maybe there will be more choices later?

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  35. em in espana, I just received the Natasha top in watercolor floral 83329. I had tried the style in the store and sized down to a 2. I usually take a small in tees and always like a 6 in perfect shirt. I love it, it is 100% silk but lined with polyester and so quite substantial. The fit is perfect not gapping at the underarms which I hate. Once the weather warms up a little, it will be perfect with a cardi. I also got the Boy Shirt in Indian Voile - Classic Navy 62765. I am in love, this shirt is perfect for all seasons. Slightly sheer but not revealing, the color is beautiful and the shape I think quite fitted, compared to Perfect Shirts. Of course, a % off would have been the best. I am not sure why the Boatneck Popover was not considered a knit for the promo. I just repurchased mine with my rewards but would be happy to get some more money back. I also love the blog reviews they are wonderful and so helpful I will never be up to that level but hope I provide some information.

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  36. I received my Tillary tote the other day and I think I will keep it. It is on the heavier side but still bearable. I got the blue color and it was very well made, not weird stitching or leather problems whatsoever.
    I usually don't like bags with no shoulder straps but I love this shape and color so much. The 2 not so small outside pockets are also nice features.

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  37. Oh, autocorrect, what have you been imbibing? I meant to say, Refinery 29 described the color as very dark, which it is not.

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  38. Thanks Josanne! Did you find the colors to be similar to the image on the website?

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  39. Posted pics and review of the turquoise frog bracelet here.

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  40. Rec'd my latest shipment, including the flannel lined waverlys -- thank you Gigi for your recent review! I know these rec'd lots of love when they first came out, and the second time around (I jumped on that early bandwagon, but returned), I love them! I ordered one size up -- on me, with these thick-ish pants, they look better as loose boyfriend-type pants rather than fitted. Ever since the winter break, kids and I have had some difficult mornings (you've read about the parents that were charged in VA for having too many tardies? coulda been me!) and I've been driving them to school in pajamas and just praying that I wouldn't have to get out of the car. These are a much better, almost as comfy alternative!!

    Also received the factory sequin zebra tee -- LOVE!!!

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  41. @Louise@cosmeticbee - -yikes!!! Do not wash a wool skirt - even your cleaners are not "washing" it - they are dry cleaning! Get Dryel or one of those "dry clean in your dryer" kits - they work great. WHy would a wool skirt need washing? If it is really stained or dirty, you should take it to a professional.

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  42. Sort of OT but I saw a new paisley pencil skirt that is being released in my Glamour magazine. It's gorgeous!

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  43. @Louise@cosmeticbee -- I agree with Nina. I'd hate for you to ruin your beloved dahlia skirt. My experience with wool & cashmere is that they lend themselves well to handwashing IF and only if, they are a knit/stretchy fabric. I handwash my wool & cashmere sweaters, flat-airdry on a mesh rack and have not have a problem. I have noticed that over time (we're talking 5+ yrs) they may shrink by about 10-15%, mostly in length, which is okay, because I can still stretch them to fit.

    A woven wool skirt, I'm afraid, will definitely shrink and you will not be able to stretch the fabric back to its previous shape.

    I have 2 double serge wool skirts, and truthfully, on the rare occasion that it gets soiled, I spot-clean immediately after I get a stain. If the stain comes out, as it usually does, I see no reason to dry clean more than once a year since it's lined and doesn't show dirt.

    That may be TMI about my clothes-cleaning habits, but I'd sure hate for you to ruin a favorite skirt.

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  44. Popped into my local B&M and actually purchased a couple of things full price! The postage stamp mini in confetti tweed (64052) is just adorable, with lots of color woven in -- mostly pink, but also noticeable blues, greens, yellows and white/offwhite. Love it! It is not fitted like a pencil skirt (slightly a-line the website says) so I went a size up to get a little extra length and it looks fine.

    My store also just got a white popover with navy and white shadowed polka dots -- it is so cute, I had to get it. $88, like the black polka dot popover online. I'm assuming it's the same cut. TTS.

    I also have, from a couple weeks back, the sunflower necklace in mint (74790, $68). This necklace is GREAT. I wore it today for the first time and got six or seven compliments on it. So pretty.

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  45. Louise, You may want to do a quick search on the blog written by the women who founded the Laundress. They have step-by-step instructions for machine washing wool outerwear and wool blend Chanel jackets. While I've never washed anything wool or cashmere that has a lining, their advice on other types of items and materials has worked for me.

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  46. em in espana. I think it is actually brighter IRL because of it being silk. If you compare it to the dress in the same pattern I think the colors are much more crisp, in the dress the colors appear more muted. HTH.

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  47. The Elsie Skirt and the Jenna Cardigan in Nightfall Floral are positively SUBLIME!!! Say what you wanna say as far as J. Crew vents (and I do agree with some quality issues) but J. Crew has THE MOST stunningly breathtaking prints my eyes have EVER SEEN--the Nightfall Floral--is esp. juicy!!! LUVE

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  48. Got my final sale with 30% off shipment today and quite the combination of items. First, the Sorel Caribou boot, great deal $62 plus a wonderful winter boot. I have been stalking this one for a while, it would show up I did not pull the trigger and then it would disappear. With all the lovely spring colors, this may seem like a crazy choice but we had over 2 feet of snow last week and another 6" on Monday. So I will be wearing them for quite a while. Great fit, the inner sock part comes out and they are waterproof. Second, was the Ashbury Floral print Perfect Shirt, I had tried this on in the store and so for me this was good Final Sale item.

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  49. Has anyone reviewed the Thomas Mason gingham shirts for women? I'm quite curious as to what makes them double the price of the mini-gingham perfect. Any ideas before I spend all of my hard won J. Crew rewards? ;-)

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  50. A few reviews, including the Matinee Trench, Polly Popover, Ripplestitch Sweater on my BLOG tonight.

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  51. Muffy - Thanks for the tip about the Laundress site. I'll definitely take a look at it. I try to avoid dry cleaning as much as possible.

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  52. Finally received my rewards card in the mail yesterday!!! Boy did it look beat up!!

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  53. Has anyone ordered or seen the Lucca sandals in the Heritage green color? Trying to decide between the green and the navy. I would love to get the green if it is similar to the extravagant green of the Blythe or their spearmint, aka a dark aqua. If it's more green, I will go with the navy. Any advice is appreciate, I would like to order soon for an upcoming trip. Tia!

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  54. Ema

    I have the Lucca sandals in the green and navy. The green is a bright aqua color like the extravagant green color and the navy is a medium navy color not a deep navy. Both are very pretty.

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  55. Ema

    The Lucca sandals seem to run big. In a Mona I wear a 8 and in a Lucca I wear a 7 1/2. The green would match the dresses for your Florida trip you posted .

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  56. Mimi, thank you so much for the quick reply. I ordered the green in my regular size, hope that they will work with the dress and other things for Florida!

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  57. I received my online order today and sadly, everything will be going back :-(

    My order included the "Lace Necklace Tee" in strawberry and casablanca, both XS. The fit was baggy and unflattering. The strawberry color looked horrible on me! On my monitor it looked like a pretty bright pink but IRL it's more of a tomato orange. The color swatch in the catalog was too small to make out whether it matches or not.

    The other items I received were the Luxe Tulle underwire top in warm jade (32C) and the Tulle ruched hipster (S). First off, the color was not as vibrant as in the catalog which bothers me. Second, the top was way too low cut. It barely covered my nipples! I have the Liberty Briland underwire bikini in the same size and that one fits perfectly. The Tulle also has too much padding in my opinion.

    Do the D-cup swimsuits have better coverage? I might reorder and size up if any coupon codes come up.

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  59. Ok, reviews of the Madelene dress as well as the Clea in green are here.

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Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)