Wednesday, February 19, 2014

J.Crew Factory Exclusive Early Access: Shop new arrivals before everyone else


"Thanks!" to many of you, who shared the following news/email from J.Crew Factory with us.


J.Crew Factory is offering a sneak peek at the latest arrivals with prices up to 30% off! They are also throwing in free shipping (no min!). Both these offers are just for today! So check your email to see if you got the invite and code.


It's crazy how many duplicates of regular retail there are over at the sneak peek section. It is starting to overlap now. Not sure how that will work for them in the long run...

Have you received this email? Will you be taking advantage of this promotion? Any items you are interested in? If so, please share!

61 comments:

  1. If we didn't get the email, can we still use the code?

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  2. I have to say, it's a little disheartening to see the copies of items from just one or two seasons past show up on the Factory site. I personally think it cheapens the retail brand and makes everything look less special.

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  3. Hummingbird skirt, you are mine! (Sorry, Louise.)

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    1. Hummingbird skirt all SOLD OUT! I knew it!

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    2. Strange. There wasn't even a 'low stock message'. It was in my cart one minute and sold out the next!

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    3. Plenty of hummingbird skirts in store... they were just put out yesterday. Not as cute in person. I don't think the print looks as rich on the cotton as it did on the silk at retail. Also, pretty much everything in the store is 40, 50 or 60% off. Really good deals to be had!

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    4. No worries, WFF - I'm just being grumpy. It's great that JCAs get another shot at something they missed out on the first time around!

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    5. J.CrewJD, thanks for the tip! I called one of the Factory stores close to where I am and got the skirt with 40% off.

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  4. I'm pretty sure they pulled the hummingbird floral pencil skirt, as it's now sold out in every size. Hopefully it comes back, because I'm hoping to pick it up.

    There are a few things I like, though, with the baseball sweater and hummingbird clutch. It does suck for those who bought retail, though.

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  5. Could someone please post the link to the sneak peak:)

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  6. I agree with Louise - and there are even some things I have seen simultaneously on the Factory and retail sites....I don't understand that. What's the point?

    In other news, I got a shipping confirmation for my first EXTRA50 order last night. So two Majesty Peacoats are en route. Yay.

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  7. I jumped on the humming bird skimmers. I won't be surprised if the cotton is not as beautiful as the silk as J.CrewJD notes but I'm hoping that I will still find the print/fabric to be beautiful. Cotton also gives me a little more flexibility with wear. I've purchased a number of silk or silk blend ankle/capri pants and love them but I am more selective about when it works for me to wear them. I think in this case the copy works ok - I would guess people who have the silk love it and those of us who missed out will be happy to have the cotton alternative.

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  8. I sorta like sorta don't like the factory dupes. Like Louise said it does cheapen the brand and makes you mad if you spent the money for the piece at retail. It is nice though to be able to buy an item that was hard to find, or sold out before it came down to a price that I was willing to pay, even if it is lower quality. I don't often shop factory,as there isn't a store nearby, but I miss the original just for factory designs. As far as this rollout I like that big flower sweater and the navy/green jeweled collar sweater. I wish the jewel sweater was cotton though instead of wool like retail since that is why I didn't buy it in the first place. I also love the hummingbird prints since I missed out on those the first time. The skimmer pant and 5" short (yay) say they are online exclusives. The minaudière and skirt may be available instore so it might be a good idea to call your b&m for a charge send since the skirt seems to be very popular. Some reviews would be nice is anyone is shopping today.

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  9. Even though I have signed up on both J Crew & Factory I never get the emails (not in spam either). Is there a way for someone to post a link? May try to call b&m and see if they can give me a run down of what's in store.
    I agree with others that I don't like seeing retail copies so close to their first release. I also think that it cheapens the brand. But I really don't have use for silk pants in my every day life and have plenty of special occasion clothes so it's nice to see things I can actually wear.

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  10. another request for the link. I used to get Factory emails, and now I don't.

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  11. Since I have slight OCD issues;) I called a store and in Canada the pencil skirt is $140 with 40% off. SA said it was a really nice sateeny cotton, but unlined. She didn't see anything else sent other than the skirt. HTH!

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  12. Here's the link

    http://factory.jcrew.com/AST/Factory/FactoryBrowse/FactoryEarlyAccess/early_access/early_access_2014.jsp?srcCode=FAEMSL00365&rmid=20140219_Factory_Early_Access_New_Arrivals&rrid=140122&em=ms.wendyyu@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. And here's and here's the Lin k to sign up for the Factory First emails if anyone needs it

      https://factory.jcrew.com/factoryemailclub/sign_me_up.jsp

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  13. I love the Factory Keating Boy Blazer in Chambray. Not sure if I should take an 8 or a 10. I have a retail schoolboy blazer from a few seasons ago in an 8. After reading Gigi's reviews, sounds like the blazers run small. Plus with it being 100% cotton, I'd expect shrinkage. Thoughts? Thanks!

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    1. Many people say to size up in the Keating Blazers.

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    2. Elizabeth Kennedy - Just to confuse you, the previous release of the Keating seems to run a little small. The most recent linen one I tried on here was tts. They've adjusted the fit on a number of Crewlet items. I'd start out w/your usual size and then exch if nesc.

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    3. Thanks, GiGi! I swear, your blog gets me through all the Confusion (Crewfusion?!) I read it DAILY. :)

      I ended up ordering a 10. Oddly enough the 8 was listed as being final sale as I was about to checkout and I didn't want to be stuck with something I couldn't return. I figured at 100% cotton, it will shrink in the dryer.

      As a p.s. I bought dryel for the leather tuxedo stripe pixie pant and they washed up beautifully.

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    4. Elizabeth - Crewfusion! I love it. I'll have to see if it's on the vocab list. Good luck w/the sizing. Yay for your pixie success. And we all have to one again thank Suzy, our fearless JCA for helping us avoid dry cleaning bills if possible.

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  14. I agree with many on the relative closeness of release for J.Crew and Factory items. Honestly, many of the factory items are just not quality and you have to be really careful what you select, even with retail J.Crew. I plan on going to the factory on my lunch to see what they have. I liked the hummingbird from last season but never purchased anything because over $200.00 for anything seemed ridiculous for a print. If anything, in my opinion, prints should not be that pricey because most people tire of them quickly. Oh well. I received a few pics from my VPS yesterday for the March style guide and I'm disappointed. Many of the items are things j.Crew has carried all year. Navy blazer, linen tee, denim. But, they had a suiting tweed navy skirt for 98.00 that caught my eye. I'll have to see it in person to see if I really like.

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  15. Does anybody know how the hummingbird skirt runs? CS couldn't give me measurements since it is sold out. I am debating between a 00 a 0 since that's the size I take in retail. I don't have a store near me to try on, so I'm thinking of doing a charge send.

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    1. If the hummingbird skirt is anything like the other pencil skirts in the printed cotton material with a hint of stretch, I always feel like they run a little big around the waist (which I don't mind one bit, actually). I have three skirts in the same material from the Factory. Unlike the retail versions, the pencil skirts aren't always lined either. If it were me, i'd try both on and see what looks best, returning the one that doesn't work for you.

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    2. I generally find that I can go 1 size down from my J.Crew pencil skirts in the cotton factory skirts.

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  16. I succumbed and called/ordered the hummingbird skirt and scarf, which came out to ~$48 and $24, respectively, with the in-store prices. I'm usually a 0P in the retail skirts, so sized down to the 00. The CS said there may be a dress coming out soon in the same print, but wasn't 100% positive (would love to see a dress!). Does anyone have any experience returning factory charge/sends, just in case the skirt doesn't live up to what I'm hoping it'll be?

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    1. JennC - Yes, you can mail a return back to a store. I've ordered before and was told it's not a problem. I'd be sure to photocopy your receipt, send it via USPS Priority so you get a tracking number. You can definitely fit that scarf & skirt into the Flat Rate Envelope if they don't work out. To tide you over, click here to see a pic of the scarf on wofoci's instagram. Third item down. So pretty.

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    2. I bought the Hummingbird scard and even though it's 100% poly, I thought the print pretty enough to warrant buying it anyway. I thought a scarf in that print would've been so pretty last year, but retail never made it. J Crew factory read my mind!

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    3. none of the factory stores around me got the scarf. would you mind sharing what stores carried it?

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    4. I ordered it on line today with the free shipping, so it came out to be $26 with change.

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    5. Thanks, Gigi, for the return info and instagram pic (looks prettier than the muted stock image)! I'm with you there, Wendy, on wishing retail had made it in a scarf (more versatile too for such a memorable print). Unknown, I called the Paramus, NJ store (201-291-0489) to place the order, but realized after the fact that it was also available online (#75221 in the 'bright hydrangea' color).

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    6. Err, actually looking at the website again and comparing it to the instagram pic, I'm not sure that is the same scarf after all.

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    7. JennC-I think it's the same print. It's just that the stock photo are very muted and washed out. I can see the image and it looks just like the hummingbird print that's on Instagram. Fingers crossed! ;-)

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    8. JennC - Wendy's right. Bright hydrangea is the name of the hummingbird print in the scarf.

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    9. Thanks, Wendy and Gigi, for clarifying that! Free ship code I no longer need: FABCAJY42.

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  17. Anyone know how the 5" Factory shorts compare with the retail chino shorts in terms of sizing?

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    1. I think they are sized the same.

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    2. I bought some last year and took the same size as the retail chino.

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  18. I am interested in the boyfriend jeans but I doubt they will sell out. Most of this stuff looks like we have seen it before.

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  19. Well, I'm confused. I was going to order the striped jersey maxi skirt, but it didn't apply the 30% discount. It only applied free shipping. No thanks! I think that email is very misleading.

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    1. The marked prices (in red) are 30% off the retail price. That's all it means. The code just gets you free shipping.

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    2. Jruby18 - I've been confused by this email before. They've done similar ones where you think a code is going to get you x%, but it's just good for free shipping. Tomorrow it'll be 40% off & free shipping no minimum. j/k But kinda not cuz that's happened before,

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    3. Yes the prices in your cart are already marked down 30%. The email was a bit misleading, I agree.

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    4. Well, in a way I'm glad. I don't truly need the skirt but at the price I thought I would've gotten it at, I was going to do it. So, it's just as well for me.

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  20. Well, I caved and paid $75 for the hummingbird skimmers. probably not worth the price if you think about the quality, but I love that print and I've always cherished my more "unique" printed J.crew pants and skirts! I'm actually not surprised that J.crew offers factory dupes several months later. They do a limited run in the regular store, people go crazy for the hot ticket items and when they release cheaper versions in the factory it's bound to sell out because people have been lusting after these things for so long. Pretty good marketing strategy lol. I mean I def got swept into the hummingbird craze!!! Everything else at factory, I can wait for a sale lol.

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  21. Here's a free shipping code:

    FABDZ69PT

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    1. Just tried the code and it's not working. But thanks for sharing it, Gigi.
      I might still pick up something in the hummingbird print and pay the $5. I'm thinking the shorts, since the skirt is sold out. I do love the print.

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    2. maryeb - The code was good for yesterday, Wed only. I would call and tell them you didn't receive a code and ask to have the shipping waived. Or if you did receive a code, tell them you didn't know it was only good for one day.

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  22. The humminbird print shorts, minaudière and pumps are online only. The shorts & pumps specify online only. The clutch could show up in-store, but currently is avail online only even though the description doesn't state that. I ordered the shoes since they're described as having a leather sole.

    My new arrival picks here.

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  23. Just spotted this on Facebook:

    J.Crew Factory

    Put aside your weekend plans. Shop our sale this Friday through Sunday, in stores only. (Everything is 50% off.)

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  24. No hummingbird print pants or multistripe skimmer pants at any J Crew Factory store. They have not been shipped out yet per the SA at my local store. She offered to order them for me tomorrow when the promotion starts.

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  25. Not true. We had a factory store open last Friday and they had the pants and skirt and shoes and all the new arrivals since then

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    1. bikeWPB - The info I shared about hummingbird print items being online only is what I was told by in-store & online reps. They rarely have full information, so I can only go by what they say. It's always good to hear the varying reports from JCAs. Then we can piece it all together.

      I'm wondering if they beefed up your store with a special shipment since it had a grand opening. It would be a fail to showcase print materials with the clutch, skimmers, etc... to potentially new-to-the-brand customers and not have them in-store.

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  26. Just wanted to give an update on the hummingbird skirt and scarf which arrived today! The skirt is really beautiful; its a cheerful hydrangea blue (although I think its slightly more muted than the stock photo), and as someone mentioned previously, has a nice, soft sateen-like finish which i think elevates the cotton. I sized down to a 00 (am usually a 0P) and the fit was great - sat up towards my natural waist and hit right at my knees (I'm just under 5'1"). The scarf, on the other hand, was a disappointment. I would say that the stock photo is accurate insofar as the color is very dark and muted, the print appears faded and not as 'sharp' as on the skirt, and on the whole doesn't appear spring-like at all. Will be a return, but 1 out of 2 isn't bad at all!

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    1. One last thing, now that I've had the chance to try the skirt on around the house, it seems to be quite wrinkle prone ... but then again, I'm a double-serge wool girl, so maybe I'm just not use to the cotton.

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  27. I tried on the botanical print pencil skirt in 6 & 8 in this post.

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  28. Factory crystal peach bracelet & crystal spiral necklace reviewed on 1060 Pairs.

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