Wednesday, September 12, 2012

J.Crew Updates Website with New Arrivals!

"Thanks!" to many of you, including life as a cat (in this post), pretty addicted (in this post) as well as Cate O (in this post), as well as Ina, Jcrew girl, Sandra, & Irina, who let us know that J.Crew had an update to its website today (click here to view online).

There are some new arrivals for men (click here) & women (click here). {wahoo!} It looks like Crewcuts (click here) has been updated, as did the J.Crew Collection (click here).

The September catalog (click here to view) is available to view. However, the latest Fall/October catalog featuring Tokyo is not yet up. This probably will not be available online for another two weeks. Although it is probably already available in brick & mortar stores.

J.Crew is keeping us on our toes! I wasn't expecting to see new arrivals until tomorrow. However, no complaints here. Excited to see what is new to J.Crew! :)



More exciting news! J.Crew is offering free shipping with no minimum with promo code FREESHIP. This amazing offer expires Sunday, September 16, 2012.


What items are you most excited about and why? Which items are you surprised (or not surprised) to see? Which items did you hope would be included? Were you expecting a bigger roll-out today? Also, did you receive the latest catalog? :)

133 comments:

  1. Nice to see the sweater I was wondering about last week is now online, though the price, gah!

    I ended up buying the Jules Dress in paisley yesterday with the cardholder promo and my rewards card. It runs small in my opinion, especially around the hips. The sleeves look really nice when rolled to the elbow, or down with a crisp white shirt underneath. It also looks great with a navy blazer and a long necklace over it.

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  2. The only item that caught my eye was the Slim Trench Topper. I am so enamored of black watch. But, $378 is a big ticket. When my SA told me about it last week, I was hoping it would be in a trench coat fabric. Free shipping and no minimum is wonderful for the online shoppers!

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    1. It is. I tried it yesterday and it is GORGEOUS. I don't know why they say it is wool but it felt the same fabric and weigth than the Icon to me. It is unlined like a trench. It isn't waterproof but water-resistent. I am thinking of getting it. Went with my regular coat size (2) and it fits perfectly but has a very slim fit so you might consider to size up to layer. The only thing that isn't perfect in this coat is that the belt is very long, I could almost wrap myself twice in it, lol!

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    2. Thanks for the great review. Now I am very interested. It is either feast or famine with the belts, although I'd rather have it be too long than too short!

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    3. I just came back from my store and they don't have it yet. I'll check back soon.

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  3. They're changing up our morning routines! Not good, not good!

    I'm in MD & rec'd a catalog yesterday. Page 54 features a pj top styled under a sweater, ugh. The best things on the website today are The Fall Denim Collection feature photo's and The Blazer Focus styles.

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  4. Yawn. Looks like the rest of the fall rollout, nothing stands out and the lack of cohesion continues.

    Nothing I have to have, although I am curious about the tweed dress. Interestingly it was $248 in the catalog but is showing up at $215 online.

    OT but I am so tired of seeing the same old items in FS. I wonder if we will see a 40% off soon? There is a cashmere sweater or two I'd like to get...

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  5. While I'm not blown away, there are several pieces that I think are great. The prices though, are of course outrageous. I'm loving; Golden Paisley Blouse, Houndstooth Popover, Slim Trench in blackwatch, Cashmere Schoolboy, Calf Hair Biennial, Lady Jacket in double-serge in the charcoal/navy colorway, Tweed Dress and Jules in paisley.

    BTW, I posted a review of the Peacoat Popover this morning here

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    1. i agree m, that the prices are getting more exorbitant. *off to read you popover review!*

      xox P

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    2. m, you are so right. The three items I like, which are the paisley jules (even though it wouldn't work for me), paisley pants, and paisley blouse, are all so expensive. MEH. I'll just have to wait til they go on sale, or not get them at all. $325 for glorified PJ pants? I think not.

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    3. Thanks so much for your review m. This one was on my "wish list" because it looked so adorable but I'm with you on the pullover aspect. I can just envision the mess my hair would end up in...

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  7. Of course they update the site minutes after the 25 percent off promo for cardholders expires. Crafty, that J. Crew. Crafty.

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  8. Do people really pay $250-plus for a blouse? Am I really out of touch? I thought we were in a recession. Honestly, the pricing offends me. And nothing is really that fabulous. Sigh.

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  9. Has anyone seen the long sleeved tweed dress IRL? any thoughts?

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  10. The prices are getting a bit crazy.

    I do think they could do a bit better on skirts. My purchases have been too heavily weighted toward tops lately because I just can't find any skirts I like. I would love a few more skirts that are not pencils and not poly.

    I did order the hen boyshirt, a second cashmere Tippi and the dotted crepe skirt with the 20% code another JCA was kind enough to give me.

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  11. I received an email the other day from an online PS saying that new arrivals would be online today, but I just thought she had her dates mixed up. Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the new arrivals actually were online this morning. :)

    The new items I'm interested in are the Italian Cashmere Schoolboy, Paisley blouse, Paisley pants, and Calf Hair Biennial (which I have been waiting for ever since seeing it in the Fall lookbook, and pre-ordered with a discount code). I'll be looking forward to hearing reviews and hopefully see some of them IRL if my store happens to get them in. I will also review the Calf Hair satchel once it arrives.

    For those shopping with the FREESHIP code, or just interested in seeing what items are at promo price right now (some of which have been marked down). I have the Women's list here on my blog, and the Men's list here.

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  12. I really like the Collection Golden Paisley Blouse, as well as the Scoopneck Top in Silk Scarf Foulard. What I don't like is that they've slapped "Collection" on what are essentially last year's Silk Scoopneck/Talitha blouses and tripled the price as a result. Disappointing.

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    1. Whitney-ITA. I ordered the blouse as a pre-sale, tried it on a few weeks ago, and immediately returned it. It did not work for me at any price.

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  13. I love the coats this year: Slim Trench Topper, Double Cloth Slim Trench, Barbour Beadnell Jacket, Snowcap Quilted Jacket, Icon Trench in wool-cashmere, Collection Stadium-Cloth Eisenhower jacket, Peacoat Popover. They are offering some interesting new styles and colors without going all cuckoo (except with the prices!).

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    1. Cate, I was shocked at how many of their outerwear pieces that I feel in love with this season. I usually just ignore their coats because I always feel like I have better ones in my closet. Not so anymore. That Slim Trench Topper will be mine.

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  14. Everything I like is in the $250+ price range...go figure. Guess I'll be waiting for sale. I have an odd love for the houndstooth cafe capris ($325?!?! ouch), double serge lady jacket in bright berry, and the sequin tweed pencil skirt even though it probably looks like it is snag city. That's about it...

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  15. Scratching my head at the $1,200 collection coat. For that price, it would be nice to see it on an actual body! To me, it just looks odd on the mannequin, like they took three different vintage coats, cut 'em up and stitched 'em all together. To that end, it almost reminds me of Molly Ringwald's prom dress in Pretty in Pink that she created from several thrift shop dresses and I expected the end result to be so beautiful and then it was just a mess, even by '80s standards ;)

    I do think the bow tie ring is very cute, although the last 2 JC rings I bought broke within a week (they did refund me for both pieces even though they were FS) so I remain skeptical about buying their rings.

    Not really swooning over this rollout and I bought quite a lot more pieces than I was expecting from rollout 1 so I may be set for the time being :)

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  16. I think I just had my first lightbulb-over-the-head moment about JC's wacky pairings. I immediately clicked on this look because I was like what on Earth is this?? http://www.jcrew.com/womens_feature/NewArrivals/sweaters/PRDOVR~14697/14697.jsp

    Well I'm STILL looking at it. Do I love it rather than hate it? I think maybe I do! Props to JC for giving me some styling food for thought.

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  17. I'm inexplicably drawn to the boy shirt in flannel. Love that yellow!

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    1. Me too, AppGal! What Not To Wear is going to do an intervention on me if I buy one more flannel shirt, though!

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    2. I called to ask about the yellow color(if its as vibrant as shown) and they told me its muted.
      You can see the "real" color if you click on the small color swatch.
      I am disapointed its not bright:(:

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  18. Looks like the factory site also updated with some new arrivals, and are advertising "up to" 30% off with the free shipping code. There are quite a few recycles from last year.

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  19. Just give it a couple weeks, these new arrivals will be on sale. I'll bet on it!

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    1. Haha, Pamela. My thoughts exactly. I'm pretty tired of the same old iterations of button downs, schoolboy & hacking jackets, pencil skirts, blah blah. Anything I'm interested in is bound to get marked down in 60 days or less, and even if it doesn't, I find more creative offerings at other retailers these days. I think I've hit JC fatigue.

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  20. well, some of the stuff i thought was sold out, seems like it is back (unless their website just messed up or something). i just picked up a double-serge cotton pencil skirt in gold burgundy, size 0P.

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  21. I am irrationally excited about the appearance of the Cosby sweater (aka inside-out Fairisle sweater).

    Hopefully, it gets marked down soon, because I legit need it for my crazy cat lady sweater collection.

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    1. I just saw it in person and thought it looked even nicer in person than it does online. Also hoping for a quick markdown! I have a feeling we can expect to see one within a few weeks :)

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  22. I'm finding the color combos presented the styling in this new roll out odd and unappealing. Something is off about this new collection. I can't see myself buying much beyond a few basic tees this season.

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  23. I posted links to the reviews of some of the new arrivals HERE.

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    1. ajc, I see you reviewed the silk French Hen shirt. Are the hens white or dirty white? I hate when they use dirty white/beige. It would be so much prettier if the hens are white.

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    2. I don't really remember, but I don't think they are crispy, clean white. But I think Rynetta has this shirt, maybe she can chime in on this.

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    3. Hi Elizabeth and ajc! The hen is definitely not white, it's a darker beige. I'll take IRL pictures and post them on my blog later tonight. HTH!

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    4. Thanks Rynetta! I think the bright lights from the cameras often make their items seem brighter than they are IRL and so often what looks like a beautiful crisp white is a beige that doesn't look quite as cute to me. I think the hens are done right on this shirt, really cute.

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    5. That double-cloth slim trench has been haunting my dreams. I absolutely love the color and the fit looks great on you. Like you, I do not need any more coats but I may have to make an exception for this one. thanks for the review.

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  24. The Stubbs and Wootton slippers were mixed with mostly naysayers but I actually got them in navy with the 25% promo, along with a couple navy cashmere sweaters.

    I clucked at the chicken sweater but I'm liking the navy silk chicken shirt, has anyone seen it in the stores? Does it look well made, not too thin and flimsy?

    This colorblock business is getting dumb. They took that Collection Tweed Topcoat and colored the bottom half. Why??? Ruined what could have been a really cute topcoat that would have looked great with jeans.

    I also like the Cashmere Schoolboy. I have a couple of the cashmere jackets from the 2004/5 era when they were $395./$495.

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    1. I'm so in agreement with you on the tweed topcoat. In a single color it would have been a great classic coat that you could wear or years, providing it holds up. A colorblocked version will look dated so fast.

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    2. Agree, I tried looking at it from different angle because it looks like it is the shade or something...

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  25. I quickly looked it over online. I swear my eyes just glazed over most of it. I like the blackwatch plaid trench coat and the new big paisley pants...golden paisly? Anyway, I didn't get all panickly and start loading my cart. I guess I'm just in a funk over it all. Nothing looks so different than what I've got that I wanted to buy. I don't have a catalog yet, so maybe I'll feel different. I did get an email invitation to a Girl's Night Out event on Thursday night. It's going to be 90% that day and it starts at 5 pm. Really....sounds like a hassle. No mention of special discounts or anything like that. And besides my stores won't even have the new stuff anyway.

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  26. The Peplum Stripe Top, #30589, shows that it is already sold out. Isn't this part of today's rollout? Or am I just late to the party?

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    1. Huh? I am pretty sure it will come back but I do think they miss out on the peplum trend this season. I am sure they will come back with vengeance for the spring. I remember it was the same with polka dots.

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  27. I liked the look of that python skirt until I saw the price tag, when I choked.

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    1. Scratch that... I just read the description. It says 'real python leather.' Why?

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  28. I'm drawn to the beautiful paisley prints, but not to the cuts or prices of said items. J. Crew should consider selling bolts of fabric in the beautiful prints that they do make. But then again, this is J. Crew. The silk might snag before I even cut into it!

    I also like the Blackwatch Tartan topper, but I don't *need* it.

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  29. The Factory boatneck blouse in wreath looks pretty. But if you look closely - is that a makeup stain along the collar?

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    1. Sure looks like it. The loose thread at the tag and the apparent pills on the fabric are not doing much to sell the item either, I'm guessing. It is cute, but the fabric is shinier and obviously polyester-y in person, sadly.

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  30. Very few pieces have my interest. I was really disappointed when I picked up my catalog yesterday. The dresses I like are too short-again. I might try the Diagonal long-sleeve sailor top, the Shawl-collar stripe sweatshirt (not at $89.50), and the Opera earrings. Nothing else. Happily shopping my closet and saving money.

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    1. JulieStyle - I saw the diagonal sailor top yesterday & the shawl collar. Both are cute. Didn't get a chance to try on.

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    2. I tried the Diagonal Sailor top on today at my b&m. I like where the top hits. A little shorter which on me is good. But otherwise it's very boxy and not flattering.

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  31. Loooooooove that paisley print, would have liked to see it executed in a silk/wool blend pencil skirt! I think Jules is just a few inches too short for me to wear to work. although if the price drops low enough, I would consider wearing it over a pair of Minnies.

    Love the leopard chiffon dress, but I'm going nowhere fast, so that's just window-shopping.

    I really don't see anything else I want. Oh well. I feel a % off sale coming on soon, so I'm holding tight on the few sale items I'm hoping to pick up.



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    1. I agree with you on the short dresses. I see at women in my office building crotch length skirts, but IMO it's a very casual look and inappropriate for most offices. Some women try to dress them up by wearing stillettos, but that just makes it worse.

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    2. that s/b: *wearing* crotch length skirts...

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    3. Following Elaine's line of thought, I'm dreaming of a "Long No. 2 pencil skirt in Italian Paisley". Eh, J. Crew? I've been loving the longer skirt hems this year.

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    4. flaminga, how awesome would that be!? Sigh. This morning I was wondering why they don't remake the belle skirts from Fall 2008, they would be so nice in the paisley. The belle was a nice a-line with a little shirring in the front and back center and while I didn't care for the solids (too much wrinkling), the printed floral one is still in heavy rotation in my closet.

      Wish they'd have done something like that in cotton or silk or some type of blend. I don't care. Just a cute skirt that is wearable in the gorgeous paisley print. I guess I can dream?

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    5. I'd like to see one too. My sovereign paisley one is longer and I love it!

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  32. I liked the golden paisley blouse but ouch, $300 for a silk top? I also like the look of a few of the dresses: the rush hour dress (sparkly without sequins!), the abstract stripe dress (love the graphic pattern), and the wool crepe V-neck dress, which is in double-faced wool, and might be a great option for winter, but would have to check the length first before biting on it.

    The prices just seem to keep rising and rising and it's not like the economy is getting any better! I must be getting old or something but it is getting harder and harder for me to swallow the price increases which seem to be well above the rate of inflation - especially when I remember older J. Crew items which were better quality and were reasonably priced to start (even after factoring in a lower salary at the time). I will be patient and wait a month to see if the prices drop...

    Off topic, and in case anyone missed my post yesterday, I'm running a J. Crew-themed giveaway on my blog. The prize includes a J. Crew canvas shopping bag, the Poppy King lipstick and a 20% off $150+ coupon. Contest ends next Tuesday - please check it out.

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    1. I agree. I was just thinking about this the other day. I started shopping at JCrew around 10 years ago or so. From what I remember, a pair of suit pants used to cost $90-100 full price and were 100% wool and fully lined. Now looking at the website, the suit pants run $140-200 - basically double the price, and not lined.

      So, I found a nifty inflation calculator online. $90 in 2002, adjusting for inflation would be worth $114.65 in 2012, or about 27% increase - far from the almost 100% increase Jcrew has put out. Now, I know costs have gone up and all, but still seems like a stretch to me. Some of the items I think they just add $5-10 to last years price each year just because.

      It might not be so bad if the quality was still as good, but in many cases it's not. The sweaters and t-shirts are thinner, the wool skirts are thinner, instead of 100% wool, we see acrylic, polyester, and other materials mixed in to lower the cost (and quality), and so on. It's a bit disappointing really.

      There are many, many items I see online this fall I really love, but if I paid full price, I could buy like 1-2 items ($300 for a sweater - really?). Otherwise, I wait for a sale and hope I can still find my size before they sell out so I might have a chance of picking up 4-5 of the items I like instead and still passing on another 3-4 items I like because I can't justify spending that much money, especially when I don't dress up for work anymore. Sigh.

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    2. @imbachick, the wool suiting pants are a great example. I remember when they were fully lined and made in Japan (this was in the late 1990s) - the quality was incredible. At the time, they cost just under $100. I also remember the dresses from that period - pure silk, wool or cotton, and none over the $200 mark, mostly at the $150 mark. It was an insult when they replaced the silk tricotine fabric with poly tricotine last year, but still charge the same or higher prices.

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  33. The prices, the prices!!!!!

    The only item that caught my eye whose price I would even consider paying was the long-sleeve tweed dress. It's a unique, timeless piece in a beautiful fabric and a modest length (not another mini-dress as so many JC dresses are this season). But as many other JCAs have noted here, these prices are insulting. Let's indulge in a little math:

    If you look, for example, at the 17 sweaters listed under the New Arrivals section, their average price is $194.94. If you remove the max price sweater and the min price sweater and take the average again, to try and minimize the effect of any outliers, you're left with an average of $186.73. If you think the median is a better statistic, that number is $158.

    So, giving JC the benefit of the doubt here, let's work with the $158 figure. I ask myself, what would a sweater have to be for me to even consider paying that much? Well, it would have to be cashmere, or an otherwise excellent wool fabrication that would last multiple seasons. Also, a beautiful color, a timeless cut, or something so uniquely stylish that it would be a head-turning piece.

    Of the sweaters offered at or near the $158 price in new arrivals, we have (1) The Honeycomb Wool Sweater Jacket at 158, (2) Collection Tippi at 188, and (3) Inside Out Fair Isle at 118. The only one that meets my requirements is the Collection Tippi. The other two, IMO, are not cute and even if I like them now I likely won't like them next fall/winter. Yet, JC's cashmere has not been high quality in recent seasons and has not held up well, so would I pay $188 for the Collection Tippi?

    Talbot's has their dupe (the Audrey cashmere sweater) for $139; Boden's Cashmere Crewneck Jumper is $149; Macy's Charter Club Crewneck Cashmere is $119, currently on sale for $99; Garnet Hill's is $138; LL Bean's is $99 and recommended by Good Housekeeping!

    I'm slowly but surely off the Crew-lade :( My whole wardrobe used to be JC and now I am buying more and more pieces at other retailers because my budget can't keep up with this nonsense.

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    1. LemonFraternite - That was awesome. Add my state tax onto that $158 and that keeps me from clicking submit.

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    2. Don't forget another $8.95 to ship it! Arrgghhh!

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    3. That long-sleeved tweed dress is the only thing I want too. But someone here mentioned that the fabric could be a deal-killer on that one and she's right...need to see it in person first!

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    4. Average or median, they are just as bad. I paid less than the median on a cashmere sweater. I for sure won't pay that much for the honeycomb one, which is mostly artificial fibers and a complete disaster as far as fit goes. I will have photos of it later this week on my blog.

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    5. Amen. I love this whole comment! I really think they've priced me out. I don't even dream of buying full price, and even sales are iffy since they so often do FS. The last few months I've found myself checking the site less and less. =\

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    6. Thanks for the props ladies :) I agree with pathos and Rebekah below as well, this season it is now undeniable that JC is trying very hard to quickly move the brand in a high-end direction. The problem is, I think they started with the prices and the quality, design, and service haven't kept pace. This was the first thing I thought actually when I saw they are preparing a big Factory reboot next month--it made me feel like they are going to rebrand Factory as the JC for the 99% (not to get political but you get it) and basically refashion normal JC into more and more Collection items with eye-popping prices. In the interview with Gayle posted on here a few days ago, she says, "I'm so happy that we are slowly getting away from being a brand that's just the basic piece that you mix. I think anybody can afford a piece of J.Crew. But then there are the pieces that you hope to one day be able to afford as well." I don't want to afford one or two pieces of JC--it used to be the backbone, the building blocks of my entire wardrobe. Now, many of the pieces I see are pieces that I don't think I will ever be able to afford, at least not if I'm spending responsibly. And I am (very luckily) solidly middle-upper middle class!

      I like some Factory items but don't have any Factory stores that are nearby and easy for me to get to, and the quality is typically worse than normal JC. As a longtime customer it's hard to swallow the feeling that you're being pushed out and you're no longer welcome. I hope someone from JC reads this blog.

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  34. Just saw the most gorgeous skirt in store which I don't think has hit the website yet. It is a metallic bronze leopard pencil skirt and it is so striking in person that I would've walked out with it today if not for the $298 price tag. Instead it's been added to my sale radar and I exchanged my ill-fitting Super 120s pencil skirt for the No. 2 in multicolor tweed which was marked down to $79.99 in store (currently $118.00 online). I also saw a whole bunch of the postage stamp minis in navy tweed on the sale rack but none of the tickets had been marked down... does anyone know if this is now on sale? I literally just bought it a few days ago with my 25% off and still found it rather pricey for a mini, so I'd hate to think it's cheaper now - although I would most certainly do a repurchase and return if it's way less than the $97 or so I paid.

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    1. This is the skirt I saw in-store today. Maybe more of a cheetah than a leopard print? Whatever it is, it's stunning in person http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/outerwear/wool/PRDOVR~15839/15839.jsp

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  35. The only thing I really like is the Colorblock Check Mini, but I'm concerned about the description that says "Sits above waist"--what does that mean? I don't think I've ever seen anything other than "Sits at waist" or "Sits at hips". Trying to figure out what size I would have to order so that I could wear it low enough for it to be a decent length.

    Also, seriously, enough with the ridiculously short dresses. It's making me crazy.

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    1. Caitlin, I tried it yesterday and even if I wouldn't say that it sits above the waist it definitively sits high. I tried my size and one size up and I don't think that you can really wear it low on the hips by construction. Not sure if it helps a lot...

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    2. That does help and I know what you mean - if it has a small, defined waistband I would probably have to size up 4+ sizes to get it to sit any lower, and then it just wouldn't look right. Oh well, looks like nothing for me this time around. Thanks Ema!

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  36. Oh, and the Collection Python Skirt is $2500 Canadian. I'm pretty sure that's the same amount I put down on my car :).

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    1. LOL! Why have a car when you can walk all over town showing off your new skirt? Even in USD, that skirt is almost as much as my crazy Manhattan rent. When it comes down to a decision between a new skirt and having a place to live next month, I think I'll save my money for the latter ;)

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    2. According to the description that skirt is python leather! Not a sequined or metallic print, but the real snakeskin. That probably explains the price, which is indeed higher than my (Upper) Manhattan rent.

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    3. Yeeah, I live in Astoria, and in USD that IS more than my rent, haha. Anyone else think actual python leather is a little.. creepy? I can't logically figure out why-- I mean, it's not really different than any other leather-- but it definitely gives me pause. Kate Spade does python things from time to time, but they're always embossed, not the real deal.

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    4. The price is actually on par with snakeskin pieces that Ralph Lauren does from time to time. But they're Ralph Lauren, you'd expect that. I have an irrational fear of snakes but I own several python shoes from J. Crew's past years. None of them scared me but that skirt nearly made me drop my laptop. It looks like the model is actually being swallowed by the snake!
      No matter what, that skirt is never going to be in my closet. It gives me the chills, in the wrong way.

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    5. This is totally OT, but isn't the sale of python in CA illegal? Would stores in CA carry it? There are going to be some pretty ticked off fashionistas, if so ;)

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  37. Free ship promo is a joke! What new arrival could you buy that didn't already cost $175 and qualify for free shipping!

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  38. *sigh* almost everything that I actually want is "Collection". Is it just me or is there a lot of "Collection" piecees?

    Oh and that python pencil skirt is super scary. It looks too much like an actual snake...

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    1. There does seem to be a growing proportion of collection items. As if the prices haven't gone up enough on the regular items!!

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    2. D*ska, I thought I liked the print, when in fact that is REAL leather.

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    3. D*ska, you are not the only one noticing the word "Collection", I noticed that last month, so sad. Prices are overwhelming. The designs are somewhat underwhelming.

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  39. The Blackwatch trench looks nice but the lack of lining is a dealbreaker for me. Although not Blackwatch tartan, I saw a similar plaid wool trench at a local boutique for about the same price and it is lined to boot. I'll have to go back and try it on.

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  41. OT - I wasn't sure where to post this, but I just opened my September Birchbox and saw that it included a $25 off a $75 purchase coupon for Madewell! I love their sidewalk skimmers, so I will be using this to purchase a pair.

    If you are a Birchbox subscriber, make sure you look underneath all the tissue paper and see if you received a Madewell coupon too. It's valid til Sept. 30.

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  42. These prices are exorbitant!! The only things I actually like in my price range are the fair isle sweater and peter pan collar sweater (which is not new)--- and I can wait. Sigh... What happened to the good old exciting fall roll outs??? With skirts under $140??? And sweaters under $150??!!

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  43. Went to B&m today as I still had rewards card to use and tried on new arrivals as well as some recent sale items. Tried the new paisley Jules. Love the color and print. Wished it was longer and a heavier fabric. The hem puckered. Only had a 6 to try instead of my usual 4. It was ok, not huge so it may run a bit small for Jules. If i was buying I would want to try both to compare. Tried pencils in snake print, multicolored tweed and new abstract. Love the abstract which is now on my want list. I just don't wear skirts much. All fit tts in usual size 4. Hate the navy tweed cafe capri cause it made me look huge. Ordered the jeweled sweatshirt on last promo and tried it today. A love for sure! Don't size down so you can fit a blouse under. Small worked best for me. This is a good alternative to the jeweled collar sweater. Tried the optic dot top-runs small. Oversized merino sweater is HUGE! What did I come home with? My first bubble necklace in white. It was $99 and I had a $75 reward card. (I already asked: it was the last one). And the jade snake tippi.

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  44. I just chatted about tweed dress, it is 100% wool and the lining is cotton/acrylic/poly. Copy says cotton/acrylic/poly and does not mention wool but the CS told me this is incorrect. That's a good, because you'd def boil in cotton/acrylic/poly tweed. The skirt length is 21.5 in size 6, bust 37, waist 30.5, hip 41.5. shoulder measurement is 14.75 which seems wide, maybe this is not correct with the sloppy copy that they have. They did not have shoulder to hem or bodice, sigh.

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    Replies
    1. and the dress is showing up at $248 in IE and $215 in Firefox???

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    2. ajc I noticed that too! i may bite through firefox, just in case it updates to 248...

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  45. Ugh, I am intrigued by the tweed dress, but check out the back view pictures online - that looks like some sloppy workmanship with the zipper around the waist. Hope it's just the picture or something, but I don't have a very high opinion of J.Crew's craftsmanship or attention to detail any more.

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  46. Loving the lady jacket in pink with the navy trim and some of the bow jewelry, but that is about it. I think I will sit back and see how quickly the lady jacket goes to sale price or hold out for a good October promo. Feeling a bit of j.crew fatigue.

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  47. I admire Jenna's taste and great eye for fashion but am wondering how she let many of the current designs go into production. I am aware there's a long friendship and working relationship with Tom Mora, but time to tighten the ship and have a more critical eye. She's wearing those glasses, no? Enough with colorblocking already. When I clicked on the new arrivals section, almost all the categories had colorblocked items in there.

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  48. re. the prices: i think JC is just trying to transition to the big leagues. what used to be a brand consisting of easy-to-wear classics for the middle-class is very quickly becoming a "designer" brand with prices to match. although prices have creeped up steadily for many years, i feel like the increases from season to season have been much more drastic since they started setting their sights on showing at fashion week. now that they're attracting the high fashion crowd, they don't need us (i.e. they're loyal long-time customers) anymore. i think i bought (and kept) less than a handful of pieces this entire year, and those were at deep discount. i'm pretty much only an ebay and weekly exchange customer now.

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    1. Agree. These past 2 seasons I can def see the influence of "high end" or whatever you want to call it. I recognize in J crew items see on Shopbop and other such sites. The Jcrew prices are on par with these designers. The trend is on par. But I wouldn't buy these items from Jcrew like I would from Rag & Bone (to name one) bc the quality, tailoring and fit are just not on par with the design houses. Jcrew is a mall store lets not forget. So they either need to design and sell to that market or they need to be in boutiques and change into a collection. As far as I can tell they are trying to be both and I think it fails.

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    2. Totally agree with you ladies!

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    3. A lot of the UK prices are on a par with Gucci and Prada which is insane.

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    4. Tabitha, that is amazing. There is a step change in quality from J.Crew to Prada/Gucci that warrants a price difference IMO.

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  49. I went into my b&m today to make a return and saw some of the new arrivals. I definitely saw Gayle's bedazzler influence. A blouse w/rows of rhinestone chains. A sweatshirt w/little blobs of rhinestones. Didn't love that. Tried on some other things and nothing was grabbing me - especially at FP. I did, however, run into BR and got a pair of navy Sloan ankle pants for about $50 w/the 40% off. Much better than minnies at double the price.

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  50. Nothing I want yet. Feeling very priced out. I would need to purchase some of this stuff on pop backs...two years from now to afford it.
    Other thought: still no petite sizing for denim, but we got wedding dresses and a Jules dress (bc that needs to be shorter). No Tall sizing for most dresses/ bridal, but it seemed like maybe a bigger selection of blazers were Tall this time? Am I nuts?

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  51. Tired of colorblocking, peplum, and polka dots!

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  52. I have to say I really love the collection lookbook this time around. The Tokyo-themed surroundings are beautiful.

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  53. if anyone is interested, i have a few 20% off $150 online codes that i won't use. they expire oct. 31:

    RAFCNKENM
    RAFSTL9KR
    RAFLD7RG3
    RAFNBWL5N

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    Replies
    1. Hi, if you still have any I'd love one! snapsparkchik at gmail dot com.

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  54. Thanks so much Colette, I tried to use these but was too late:(
    If anyone else has a % off promo code that they won't be using, can you please email it to me at
    jaimemonika68@aol.com
    Thank you so much JCA's! Have a great day!

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  55. FYI there are alot of things in the sale section that don't have their sale price shown. For example, the zig zag tee is $99, but it shows up in your cart as full price. I chatted with a specialist who said you'd have to place the order over the phone to get the price. Too much work to have to chat to get the price, then call to place the order. UGH.

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  56. They finally have a picture up of a model wearing that ugly Collection trench. It confirms it is hideous.

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    1. Lira, you are so right! I know I said yesterday it would be nice to see it on an actual body, but I think it looks even worse than it did on the mannequin! The individual elements are nice, it's just so much thrown together that it looks like a big ol' mess.

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  57. I too would love a code is anyone has one to spare.

    musingsbyjacquelyn at cox dot net

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  58. I just posted IRL pics of the slim trench topper and golden paisley blouse here

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  59. Double posting from the reviews board here, but just reviewed a number of items from the new rollout, including the Contrast Knit Blazer, a new color in the Collection Sequin Colorblock Tank, the Inside-Out Fair Isle Sweater, the Silk Boyshirt in French Hen, and the Merino Zigzag Sweater in this post.

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  60. Wow Colette - that was so nice! I missed your codes - I missed all love from JC this time around - no 20% off, no 25% cardholder (and I am a longtime cardholder). Ok, this is turning into a vent! :) If anyone has a spare 20% code I would love to take it off of your hands! :) Thanks!!

    mackenzie_0007 at yahoo dot com

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  61. I would also love a coupon code if anyone is willing to share (I am not a cardholder... just fyi). I really want a french hen sweater (I know... I know... I just can't resist). I will buy it full price, but a coupon would definitely help. jlvanwinkle27@gmail.com Thanks!

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  62. Can someone tell me what the 20% off codes are from? Do you have to be a cardholder to get one? I've made several orders in the last month and haven't received anything. Thanks!

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  63. Also, does anyone know the price of the postage stamp mini in navy tweed in store? Thanks!

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    1. I saw them hanging on the sale rack yesterday but not one of the tickets was marked down and I was in a hurry, so it may be worthwhile to call your B&M and ask. I just noticed it's now $98 online which doesn't make me too happy since that's what I paid on promo last week and I bet it's cheaper in store. My guess would be $79.99 based on the other sale price points I was seeing.

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    2. I just called my store and they told me it is still full price in store.

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    3. How strange, but good to know! In my store there was one wall with all the sale skirts and all of the postage minis in navy were hanging there alongside the multicolor tweed pencil skirt and the really shiny multicolor pencil skirt (I forget the name but it's $129.99 online). I imagine we'll see a markdown soon now that it's been marked down online. Fingers crossed!

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    4. Was back in the store today and all of the postage stamp minis had been moved back to the full price section. I'm thinking it was either a mistake that they were placed with the sale stuff, or they were anticipating a markdown that's not happening quite yet.

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  64. There are a lot of new Promo-priced items (as well as some that have been marked down) for both the Women and Men. I have updated both lists, which can be seen here and here respectively.

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  65. On Jcrew factory, are they getting "old" j crew items or making replicates of older items? Ex-heart me sweater, zip back silk polka dot tee, and boatneck blouse aka talitha? blouse maybe

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    Replies
    1. They are replicates with slightly different fabrics/details. HTH!

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  66. Despite myself, I made my second B&M trip this week to check out the new arrivals. Was hoping to find the inside out fair isle sweater with the pants it's paired with online, the collection cafe capris in tuxedo foulard, as well as the green wool long-sleeve dress I am no longer able to find online (was it online only? Is it already sold out?) Left with just the sweater as they have not yet the received the other items or very many of the new suiting pieces in general according to the sales associate who helped me. I hate myself for paying FP for the sweater but it was one of those items that caught my eye online because I thought it was weird and then the more I looked, the more I loved.

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    1. And I again drooled over the shiny cheetah print collection skirt that's priced at $298. I'll never go that crazy with my FP purchases but I must have that skirt!! Just noticed it also comes in a dress online: http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/dresses/cocktail/PRDOVR~11102/11102.jsp

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  67. I just posted about a sweater that looks extremely similar to the Inside-Out Fair Isle Sweater, but without the actual inside-out yarns (for those who might've been curious about the Inside-Out Fair Isle at first glance but didn't like the unkempt look) HERE.

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  68. So many of the looks in this catalogue are too weird for any actual person to wear. I used to love J. Crew but I've decided I'm completely over Jenna Lyons. Her weird looks have migrated too deeply into their collections. And the comment about wearing your PJ top under your cashmere? Come on, who is going to do that? It's so ridiculous. I want my old J. Crew back. Every catalogue I get I like less than the one before. Ugh.

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  69. Reviewed some more of the new rollout items, including the Sparkle Row Cami, Colorblock Check Mini, Honeycomb Wool Sweater-Jacket, and a new green/navy/camel colorway in the Colorblock Stripe Tippi in this post.

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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! :)