This is the weekly "Other JCrew-like Retailers" post (similar to the "Off On A Tangent"
posts), where we can share our finds from other
retailers that have offerings similar to J.Crew
(like Anthropologie, LE Canvas, Gap, BR, Talbots, Ann
Taylor, and the like.)If you have recently encountered items that are similar to 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 experiences with certain merchandise pieces, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.
I placed my first and last order with Tory Burch. They cancelled part of my order and when I asked to cancel the whole order they said no and I could return it at my own expense. Welcome to Tory Burch! Not!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I ordered two bracelets from TB last year, and the quality was so disappointing irl that I returned one and sold the other on ebay. I probably won't be ordering anything else from them online!
DeleteOther than a pair of sunglasses I got at a TJ Maxx (which I actually do love), this will be my first experience seeing anything in person from Tory Burch. My expectation for the item that will ship is pretty low now and I expect to have to pay to send it back to them. They made it clear that it is okay for them to cancel sending something to me (in fact I should know it is always possible any time I order), but I cannot cancel them sending something to me??? My takeaway was that the customer comes last.
DeleteCate, that is awful customer service :(
DeleteThe Tory Burch items I have purchased have been mostly ballet flats, one bag, and tops/dresses at Nordstrom or occasionally NM retail stores. I've had no quality issues, but I haven't purchased any jewelry and was able to try on/inspect everything before buying. I'll be wary about considering online purchases after hearing your and Whitney's experiences.
Many J.Crew-like items in my weekly 'You Look Very Familiar...' post here on my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteAnthro reviews here.
ReplyDeleteHi, all! As many of you know, Boden rolled out their Autumn line this Monday morning. I wrote a post on it that morning, but have since updated the post with more information.
ReplyDeleteI have a 15% off coupon (with free ship) provided by my affiliate program in that post, and in the blog's sidebar if you all need a % off.
Dina, my Boden catalog is very dog-eared. There was a lot to like.
DeleteHi, Cate, lol, I get that. I guess they didn't send the little adhesive tags this time so we could mark our faves, huh? ;)
DeleteMy catalog had the little adhesive tags, actually, but I prefer to dog-ear the pages. There was a boiled wool winter coat in a pretty gold color that would look great on you!
DeleteHi Dina,
DeleteThanks for sharing this. I'd never heard of Boden before reading this blog-- I can't believe it!
I was hoping you might have advice on their sizing: I'm looking to order their Lexington skirt (item WG470). It looks like the fit would be very similar to the J. Crew box-pleated crepe skirt (item 41460).
Boden's sizing chart indicates I'd be a size 12 in this skirt, but I'm a size 2 in the J.Crew skirt! Any advice?
Thank you!
Amanda
Hi, Amanda! I just wrote you a response at the above post. I hope it helps you with your decision. :) I love that skirt, so cute and airy, but I definitely can see where you would be worried about sizing, especially since it is a new company for you, and its sizing chart seems a bit restrictive. I do not, in any way, shape, or form, think you would wear a size 12, even the size UK 12 (a US 8). Trust me on that.
DeleteFor anyone else who really likes Boden, definitely go to the item page and check out the "garment measurements" under the "measurements" tab. I find it an invaluable tool, and as far as I can tell, Boden is one of the only companies who uses it.
The only time the measurements may look funny is if the garment is made from a jersey or stretch material, since that kind of material has a "negative ease" built into it. So a 26" waist on a jersey dress in their measurement chart will easily fit a size 29" waist on an actual human being. :)
Good luck, I hope if you buy it that you love it!
Earlier this week I ordered the Baggu Duck Bag (canvas tote) in Navy Dot after seeing how adorable it looked on the Quotidienne website here, and after reading numerous reviews about how great it is IRL. It arrived today, and I am very pleased with it. The canvas is sturdy and durable, yet still soft enough to hang comfortably when worn cross body. It is large, but not overly so, and will easily hold a tablet, laptop, groceries, or simply just a wallet, phone, & makeup bag. They are sold online at Nordstrom, Baggu, Amazon, Quotidienne, and Ebay (I'm sure some other places, too). I got mine on Ebay for a great deal, but would have no issue paying the regular price of $26. I plan on getting another one or two in different colors/patterns, possibly sailor stripe and black. Such a cute and extremely functional bag!
ReplyDeleteYou can see the sailor stripe bag worn cross body style here (on the Kaizen Fashion Project website), and the polka-dot one that I got on a mannequin here. :)
DeleteSorry...HERE is the link to see the stripe bag worn cross body style.
DeleteI have a bunch of Madewell reviews on my blog. Many of them are sale - good to nab while there is still 40% off! Find them here
ReplyDeleteI hesitate to lump Boden in with J.Crew - prices on sale are similar but Boden's quality and policies are just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I purchased a pair of silk foulard cafe capris from J.Crew, at $91, not final sale thankfully. It was a beautiful pant, perhaps even worth full price of $198 or whatever it was. The fabric was even more beautiful than the catalog. But the boxy cut was very different than the slim cut pants on the model - making me wonder if it had been pinned or tailored for promo pictures. I returned them, as I don't have a tailor I can trust to slim the legs.
I returned them and for the same money ($95), I bought three items from Boden's sale - a navy peplum merino sweater, a pale pink merino cardigan, and a gorgeous printed cotton tank with a pleated neck. Free shipping. All three items are "classics with a twist," in high quality fabrics, great colors, sharp tailoring - something that J.Crew used to do so well. Plus, Boden gave me seven days to return everything.
I used to love J.Crew so much...and still wear clothes I bought from them in high school - in the 90s! My standard travelling outfit is a velvet tee-shirt dress with short sleeves that I bought in 1994! The cut was stylish for me back then at age 18 and still looks appropriate for me now at 37. Looking at it today, the fabric, qualityt, and tailoring is more similar to what is offered at Boden than what J.Crew is offering.
I get that J.Crew is trying to be more trendy and "fashion" or what-have-you - but the cuts are just as boxy as Boden, Ann Taylor, Talbots, etc. I bought exactly two things in 2013- the seaside blue Emmaleigh and a pair of bootcut jeans. I ordered over $1500 of merchandise and returned it all - because of of poor fabric quality, dowdy cuts, and colors that did not match the catalog or online pictures.
This is turning into a vent, and a long-winded one. The J.Crew I knew is gone - but at least Boden is offering me a place to find my new trusty classics. And for basics, I can do GAP, Uniqlo, or even BR.
Nordstrom - I reviewed the Halogen leather-front top last week in this post. Just added measurements today for S, M & PM per request.
ReplyDeleteFran Fringe necklace and Beaded Rose necklace dupes from Baublebar on my blog
ReplyDeleteGroopdealz - Fan fringe necklace, $9.50. I have one and it's a good knockoff. Hopefully the same vendor source.
ReplyDeleteH&M now has the 15% Off Student & Educator discount. Show your ID in store to receive the extra % off on your purchase.
ReplyDeleteKate Spade - Addtl 25% off sale items with 25JULY. Gigi's Picks.
ReplyDeleteGap - addtl 40% off sale items with GAPWOW, today, 7/30 only. 5 chambray shirt picks, all net under $30 after promo is applied.
ReplyDelete