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.
Good morning...so very tired of purchasing J.Crew items, only to have to deal with inferior quality...purchased pants only to find seam not stiched for about an inch under the zipper...called JCrew and they werw kind and sent a replacement...received that pair, same problem, received same style for Christmas, same problem...are you kidding, three pair of pants and all three have a seam which is not sewn an entire inch under the zipper? Bought my daughter a Blythe the day after Christmas...she had not worn it 15 minutes when she noticed a button had come off the shirt. J.Crew, you can do so much better!
ReplyDeleteA Sister Thing, were they minnie pants? Have seen this problem on so many pairs of Minnies! Ugh!
DeleteI just cannot get behind J.Crew at all anymore. I want to love the clothes because I've had such a longstanding relationship with the company, but the last year or so has really spoiled my affections for the brand. The styling used to be inspirational and fun, with a ladylike element that you just couldn't find anywhere else. But now all I'm seeing is skinny pants, short skirts (and even shorter dresses), jarring prints, colors that make no sense for the season, and styling that is Just. So. Boring. And don't even get me started on the increasing price / declining quality issue.
ReplyDeleteIt used to be that anytime I walked by a J.Crew store or got the catalog, I could easily find 10 things I had to have immediately and dozens more that I wanted! I was always dying to buy things - but now I'm just completely tired by the whole brand and can't get excited - and I'm surprised by how sad that makes me!
I too am surprised how sad I am at the realization that I've reached J.Crew fatigue. Given my passion for shopping combined with my love for great staples paired with unique items that make an outfit pop, it shocks me to consider the number of times I've walked into and out of a J.Crew store this year without making a purchase or adding a single item to my wishlist. This has very rarely happened in prior years. Perhaps some of it has to do with the fact that I overbuy when I find a staple I love (the double serge pencil skirts being a great example since I have just about every color from the last 3 years), but I believe much more of it has to do with the increasing price/declining quality issue. I'm not a high earner, but I will always pay more for quality items, even if that means avoiding fun, inexpensive stores like F21 and H&M; I simply want clothes that will last and I'd rather pay extra for one really well-made piece of clothing than bring home 10 "disposable" ones on the cheap. That said, I completely understand the appeal of less expensive stores in that you get precisely what you expect for the price that you pay. This is where J.Crew is in a league of its own, with its climbing prices as it tries to move up the fashion ranks, while it simultaneously churns out merchandise that is of pitiful quality. It's so disappointing to say the least, and it's become a real turnoff.
DeleteI'm not down on J Crew in general, but I do have a story of woe to tell about the Collection cashmere turtleneck sweater (99166) in color "pine". Ordered this in the larger of my lettered sizes, L, and for good measure an XL, too, because the web blurb says "fitted" and I prefer a bit of flow. The L was too close to sausage casing style, so the XL should've been just right. Sadly, the "XL" bag contained another "L" sweater. No biggie; I returned and ordered another XL -- which then turned out to be the tightest of them all, although it was indeed labeled XL. Barely 17" measured pit-to-pit. Returned.
ReplyDeleteWell, over three attempts the sweater has clearly "told" me it doesn't want to be mine, and that's fine. But in case you are tempted by the nice price and fabric, beware of Final Sale! Here are the supposed measurements I was told by online chat agent Sherry A.:
L = 36.5 inches chest circumference.
XL = 39 inches chest circumference.
Wow. That is a very small chest size for a Large.
DeleteI really hope this doesn't come across as snotty (which in Internet means I know it is snotty, so I apologize up front) but if the quality on these items are so bad STOP BUYING THEM. Continuing to give JCrew money despite the crappy quality of the products just rewards the company for bad behavior. If we all voted with our pocketbooks and stopped paying ridiculous prices for subpar merchandise, how long do you think it would take them to fix the problem? I've stopped buying JCrew entirely. Yes, it hurt, but I've been able to find other substitutes and I've even saved money.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, I wholeheartedly agree. I got so sick of "buy-yuck-return" cycle that I am taking some time off shopping at J. Crew. If they ever return to their "quality before quantity", I may give them another chance. But not until then. I don't think I have developed a sudden case of retailer arrogance, I just don't deal well with empty promises and sales pitches that are completely unfounded.
DeleteI don't disagree, Charlotte. I cut way back in 2012 on my JC purchases, especially fs. Lots of other retailers have great styles and cost less for basics-- Boden, Victoria's Secret, MaxStudio are just some of my favorites.
DeleteWeird question: I bought a lady coat in december. Has anyone else bought a coatthis season that smelled icky? It smells like burnt hair- not just in one sot but all over. I have a few j crew coats and they've never had a bad scent. Not sure if I should dry clean or send it back. It looks perfect otherwise.
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ReplyDeleteI was wondering if I was the only one who noticed the increased price/decreased quality issue. every shirt I've bought over the last year and a half has had a hole, messy seams, or split seams under the arms. I've also noticed that the quality of their winter coats, which used to be my go-to, have also declined, and it seems like the only portion of the store that still carries nicely styled, good quality clothing is the collection line, and I can't afford that (though it sounds as if others are having problems with that as well). Like many on here, I've stopped shopping at j.crew after almost everything i bought had to be returned because of defects) Unfortunately, I have yet to find another store/brand that does reasonably priced (but nicely styled) basics
ReplyDeleteThe striped wool men's hat that I bought my husband for Christmas is ALREADY PILLING!!! Come on, JC. The lousy quality is untenable. I've already cut way down on my sweater and tee purchases. Everything costs too much for the lack of quality workmanship.
ReplyDeleteI too sadly, am experiencing poor workmanship on the "tailored" pieces of J. Crew. Today I opened my brand new merino wool sweater (perfect for the office). I put it on at 8 AM and by 2PM it was pilling across the the chest, stomach and under the arms. And I sat at a desk all day (sadly). I do know that you can expect pilling from merino wool eventually but not after 7 hours of near inactivity (?). I have never experienced fabric erosion like this. When I contacted them they recommened a pill brush. I told them that I was going to return it. They said they would take it THIS TIME but they normally do not take items that have been worn. I had the sweater on for 7 hours! I asked that they take this sweater back AND cancel the subsequent order (2 more of these sweaters).
ReplyDeleteJ Crew, Jenna, please take boobs into consideration. I am a small frame, size 4 or 6, but I am busty. 32D. I cannot wear any of your button shirts and many blouses and dresses and jackets. Please be aware that women have breasts and that the average bust size of the American woman is 34DD.
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