The "29 Reasons To Avoid Spending Money On J.Crew’s New Fall ‘Style Guide" post (click here to read in its entirety) pretty much says it all. I especially found the "...catalog is filled with little Easter eggs of fashion disaster surprises" pretty funny. I have to agree with the author that the outfit featured in the top post is not pretty. The sweater, skirt, and hat are all lovely but not lovely together. The necklace... I don't even know where to begin with that one.
On the flip side, they also have a "Best Sales Now: 10 Perfect-For-Work Items From J.Crew Starting At $18" post (click here to read in its entirety). I am personally crushing on the Long Colorblock Field Jacket (item 02745; $198.00), which is on sale online for $179.99 (before 30% off with code FALLSALE) and in stores for $149.99 (before additional 40% off). GigiOfCa reviewed this jacket (in this post), and it looked amazing on her!
What I enjoy about these two posts is the range of emotions displayed for J.Crew... just like me! I love J.Crew, and I totally drink the crewlade. There are so many pieces I stalk to own. But man, oh man. Sometimes they put out a piece or style something that has me scratching my head. ;)
What are your thoughts on both posts from the Gloss? Are there any items that make your questionable list? Any items that make your lust list? Please share! :)
Haha, yeah, my good friend posted this to my personal FB page and while I definitely agree with 95% of the thoughts in the article, there are items in that list that I own and love! Didn't tell her that. ;)
ReplyDeleteI am definitely buying a whole lot less from J. Crew...I still love their bags and scarves and tees, but there has been a whole lot of, "yeah, this look/item is not preppy enough or special enough" for me to want to spend money on it. The pieces I am choosing are very traditional J. Crew, so I am grateful that they are still producing more classic pieces. And even though I am personally buying less, it seems J. Crew is doing better overall, so maybe the folks who they are targeting with these more edgy/less preppy looks are buying, so kudos to J. Crew.
I guess if they can sell it, then more power!
I think Tom Mora (Head of Women's design) said it best: (taken from Elle Magazine, link below)
ReplyDeleteThere's been a lot of online debate about J.Crew's new catalogs, and how the outfits look "too edgy" for longtime fans. Can you respond to that?
You know, it's funny. I think we're a brand that does so many different things. We speak so many different ways. We have online photos, the style guide, the show—you can deconstruct all of these pieces, and they're all truly classic wearable pieces, it's only how they're put together that's different. And that's just a suggestion to our customer. We're saying, "This is our idea. This is a new way to do something." And I think it's really still J.Crew at its heart."
I completely agree with him. Yeah the styling is sometimes wacky, but separated a lot of it are pieces I love. Or if I don't like it, someone else does. J. Crew does a really good job catering to their very vast audience. From college students to retirees And everyone can find something to love or something that works for them.
Link to Elle article: http://www.elle.com/_mobile/news/fashion-style/j-crew-spring-2014
The article was insanely perfect. I too agree with many of the items chosen for being "Ick." Personally, I am not going to spend that much money on pants with rhinestones that I will hate next year. I hate most of the prints this year. Enough said. My job allows me to wear denim so I have paired much of the J.Crew denim with nice classic blouses/tops and blazers with single color cashmere sweaters. I am NO funky monkey that's for sure. Look, I know there are a lot of bloggers out there wearing some of these hideous over priced items and you know what --- it's because they are promoting the item and getting "$$$" for it. I'm sorry, but anyone in the real world would not wear some of these over-the-top brocade pieces to a real job --- unless your job is to have someone take your picture at NY fashion week, wearing 4 inch stilettos that are 500.00 and carrying a $1000.00 handbag.
ReplyDeleteI'm part of the real world...classic, clean and stylish from season to season. I'm not about to go into debt (like the U.S. government) to wear $300-1000.00 J.Crew collection items just so my picture is allover a blog somewhere.!
There is my rant. Keep it classic and clean J.Crew...those that love you will continue to buy from you because we actually want to shop your store.
Shariyu, I agree with you. I loved both the Gloss pieces. I wear skirts and dresses in the spring and summer but in the winter it is denim and cords. I too pair them with a nice shirt, sweater, something fun...but nothing over the top that's for sure. I think the sale section, speaks volumes about what is really not selling at J Crew.
DeleteI agree with Shariyu and JRSConifer-- I understand the brand wants to move forward but somwewhere down the line they lost good tailoring/quality/ Too busy to be visionnaires of the fashion world but ignoring what large part of the jcrew customers wants - wearable pieces, classic with the twist. I am tired of silk capris. Not that i dislike the idea to begin with but they were pushed upon us with such a force, month after month after month-- I don't own any! I really (subconciously) resented the item. The agressive style of "here, we will show you how" is not working with me.
ReplyDeleteI'm also tired of unlined wool capris for fall/winter months.
DeleteI totally agree with the Gloss piece and agree with others that the overflowing sale sections speak volumes.
OT, but does anyone have an opinion on two similar sale dresses - the paneled stripe dress and the stripe ponte dress? Both are marked down to $59.99 before the 30% off, and the stripe panel dress is eligible for the 50% summer discount.
ReplyDeleteBoth dresses are available in all sizes. Is something wrong with them that they haven't been purchased? Do they fit badly? They're pretty short, for sure. And they were part of an August or September roll-out, which seems late in the season for this style.
I was thinking about buying one or two of these dresses for my daughters. Would love some input.
Cousy - I reviewed the stripe ponte dress in this post. The paneled dress looks like the same cut. I'm 5"2" and didn't find them to be too short. I'm not sure how tall your daughter is. Hope the review helps. The blue/white one is an addtl 50% off w/FALLSALE, if you didn't notice that.
DeleteGigi - you're the best! Thanks so much. You really make a huge contribution to everyone who reads this blog.
DeleteHaving read "29 Reasons....." in the Gloss, I had a good chuckle--but it was spot on. I can honestly attest, I could quite possibly be the oldest person here (58 years young). I've been shopping J. Crew for years...Years! Back in the day the quality was superior and the pricing was excellent. There have been years when Crew was "meh" other years when Crew was fine.kind of like wine--you know? Some years are excellent whereas other years are just not too great. While I "get" that Jenna Lyons is trying to make J. Crew an edgier brand--that's fine...but don't be ridiculous in some of your product choices. Example: Those Italian Ballet flats that were selling for ..what?? $300--or something? Guess what? I get Repettos during the sales in France for the equivalent of $150 USD. $1,000 for a sweater..you're kidding, right? That's my airfare to Europe. I still find great stuff at J. Crew and at J. Crew Factory. The Number 2 Pencil skirts are a staple in my wardrobe...The Tippi sweater is another staple..as are other items..but honestly...if you are going for "edgy" make sure it is great quality and classically "edgy" not outlandishly edgy.
ReplyDeleteWell there are 2 of us 58 years young :)
DeleteHello JRSConifer and Catherine! I always thought I was alone up here in the 50's!! My birthday is tomorrow - 56 years young!
DeleteHow does everyone explain jcrew's record sales the past few years? According to the logic here, sales should be in decline. One needs only to look at their financial reports (which Alexis posts every quarter) for proof that what they are doing is obviously working. People inherently believe if they don't like something, no one else does. Some people like crazy pants, some people like $1000 t shirts. Do I understand it? No. Are there people like that out there? Yes. There has to be or else jcrew wouldn't be doing as well as they have been.
ReplyDeletethat was a funny read! thanks for that link. P
ReplyDeleteSUZY! Happy Birthday! Remember, we are not getting older--we are getting younger and better!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Catherine!! You're so right! Have a great weekend!
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