Tuesday, February 11, 2014

J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs!}

This is the weekly "J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs}" post, to help each other share our reviews.

So if you have recently purchased, or stopped by a J.Crew store to try on an item (or two) from J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.

Also, this request is not just limited to clothes. Please feel free to discuss bags, shoes, jewelry, accessories, etc.

In particular, if you could mention a few of the noteworthy details like fit, size, fabric, and the like— that would be fantastic! Thanks in advance! :)

66 comments:

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  2. Two fails for the crew and semi reviews:

    1. So I bought the marled jeweled sweatshirt on Sunday- looks great! Got the medium it's boxy cut but not huge it fit perfectly. Love the jewels on it- normally don't like all the embellishments but it works with this shirt. Well my love affair ended today.....when I noticed a hole in the shoulder...a HOLE- it's brand new- and of course I was all the way in Dubai...no chance to return. So make sure you do a once over before purchasing!

    Also, I received the leather front tees- in small and medium the black small looks great- the white small makes me look like a round little egg- the white medium looked huge...I hate being in between. Here comes the fail 2. So I want to keep the black one but guess what...can't wear it until I get back to the US- they left the plastic security tag on it!!! One of the things that is making me unsure of the fit is the bust darts...where should they lie? Even the small looks as if the bust darts are too low...signaling it's too big- but it's tight on my hips as it is- can't go smaller. Anyone have advice on bust dart fit?

    well I'm going to start sewing my hole in my sweater...luckily it's in the shoulder seam so I hope it's not noticeable. ;)

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  3. The seamed motorcycle pants were a disappointment. I really wanted these to work, I love the style, but there was some terrible bunching in the pelvis area in both sizes I tried.

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  4. I know this product isn't new, but I ordered the Andie chino in white - been wanting some cute white pants for summer. They fit perfectly, but you can see my skin tone through the fabric, and the pockets are glaringly visible as well. They are going back. SO ANNOYING! Is it impossible to make white pants that don't aren't see-through?? Do people really keep and wear white pants like that?

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    1. I'd wanted a pair of white pants, too, and searched for quite a while. I bought the Scout chinos a year or two ago in white. They are great. Not see through at all. Maybe they will bring these back for Spring.

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  5. Tiered dress in blurred floral was a big fail for me. It's completely poly so completely messed up my hair when I tried to try it on. And it's hard to get it on because it's a small side zip instead of an invisible backzip. The pattern is also not very interesting irl.

    The Sunburst skirt looks so pretty in picture AND irl...before putting it on myself. It makes your bum look awkward if your behind is not flat. I do appreciate the thick fabric though. Looks very well made.

    A lot of people have the French print popover but I just want to add that the fabric is really nice! It's so smooth and silky but still structured. The print is super cute but the allover color of the shirt is not as white as it looks online. More of an "ecru" shade.

    The perfect shirt in floral foulard is really BRIGHT irl. The little all-over dot thing is bigger irl imo.

    Campbell Capri is so so great. Stretchy cotton and fits my bum + thighs perfectly. Beware of the lighter colors though, they could be a little seethrough.

    All of the above are TTS for me.

    Hope this helps!

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  6. OT: a few looks from the JCrew Fall 14 runaway show are on view on the JCrew Instagram account and if you follow the #Jcrewnyfw

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  7. The markdowns were crazy! I'm not even finished w/the list, but I have a good amount of the cuts in a new Irl Pic Guide. So many items on promo. I think a % off is coming soon. The question is an additional 25, 30, 40%...? I threw 25 in there because I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a lower % off. We'll see...

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    1. I agree. Picked up a few more of the new jewelry pieces reduced today - the mint spike and the crystal nouveau necklace. If there is a promo in the next week or two, I will get them adjusted!

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    2. Suzy - that is pretty smart (ordering now and getting a PA later)! Thanks for the idea.

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    3. Same here, Suzy! Just hoping it doesn't bite me in the booty, since I don't have a VPS anymore...

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  8. I received an email for a Private Ludlow event. If anyone wants my 30% off code, let me know.

    Enjoy 30% off exclusive styles from the fall/holiday collection. Good thru 2/17 online w/the code or presenting your email.

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    1. Gigi, I'd love to have your code, if it isn't already taken. My husband is revamping his wardrobe little by little, and I've been trying to get him to try the Ludlow. This is the push he needs!
      my email is maqsadshop at gmail dot com. Thank you so much, in advance!

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    2. Unknown - The Ludlow coupon is taken. Hopefully someone will share a code with you :)

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    3. Unknown - I have one. Let me know if you need it.

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  9. Fall 2014 - http://racked.com/archives/2014/02/11/j-crew-fall-2014.php

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    1. Thank you for posting this. But what are they thinking?! Those cropped bootcut pants are unfortunate! I know this is Collection so probably not what we'll see later, and there is always something I like in every season at J. Crew, but I really dislike every single women's look here from the show. Thank goodness they left out the monocles.

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    2. st - Thanks for the racked linked. I saw exactly nothing I liked. Will take another pass again later.

      I know this is collection, but sheesh.

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    3. Sweet Lord what is that? I keep thinking back to the Collection looks from I think 2 years ago, was it the madmen collection? I loved every single look. These looks are uninspiring, unfortunately. :(

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  10. The New York Times has a great slideshow of the J Crew show. Saw a bunch of promising individual pieces but some of the total "looks" are not for me. The floral print with the tulips is lovely. Noticed dropped shoulders on the DANKE printed hoodie - ugh. Dropped shoulders please go away!

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    1. Agree on the dropped shoulders!! They make me look like a linebacker!

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    2. Style.com has the entire runway show up. Some lovely prints!

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    3. and NYMAG.com, the online edition of NewYork magazine. No reviews, but a 1 page format that is easy to look at.

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  11. I tried on several items in-store a couple weeks ago, including the Matte Crepe Tee (#09583). I so wanted to love it's heavier fabric (good for transitional weather) and bright colors to bring me out of the winter doldrums. But I couldn't get past the odd vertical and horizontal seaming in the front that reminded me of autopsies performed on CSI, The Closer, etc. I now think of this as The Crime Scene Procedural Top. On the plus side, it fits TTS, so there will be a scalpel guide should I ever be caught dead in it.

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  12. I know this isn't the right section for this, but I wanted to share. Love the leather tuxedo strip pixie pants (item 04322). The first pair I had, upon trying them on, I noticed a hole in the seam between the leather and the pant itself. (I received them as a birthday present). Back to the store they went. I was able to return them for another pair (hole-free--hooray). I've worn them often and adore them. A little bummed to discover this morning, the zipper is coming apart from the seam. Is anyone else experience what feels like shoddy craftsmanship for a very expensive (yet cute) pair of pants? It should be noted, I wear them for work (desk job) and going out with my husband. Its not like I am running a marathon or anything...

    Lastly, thanks to Gigi's review, I bought the Factory lace print sweatshirt. Thanks! Love your blog!

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    1. Elizabeth Kennedy - Thank you! :)

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    2. I love these pants but I'm worried to see your review- I went through 2 Pairs with holes in the crotch seams until I finally found one without it... Makes me nervous about my purchase

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  13. I don't know if this has been addressed yet... and I know this isn't quite the place for it, so apologies in advance...

    REAWRDS CARDS: I just called up the credit card company asking where the heck they were. well, the customer service rep said that they were mailed out but had to be recalled. so they were resent on the 7th and can be expected to arrive in 7-10 business days. she said they expire march 31. she also said you can call jcrew customer service and they can look up the rewards card if you want to use them now, but when I did that, jcrew said I didn't have any but the credit card said I do ($25)

    shrugs.

    hope that helps some of you ladies. i'll just keep my fingers crossed mine comes soon so I can use it before it expires.

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  14. 1. I got my rewards card in the mail yesterday, it says it expires on March 15.

    2. I got the zigzag stripe short (item 09314) prior to a beach vacation a few weeks ago. LOVE! So sad I won't be wearing them for another 5 months or so. fit is TTS, a little bit relaxed. you can dress them up or down and I got a ton of compliments. the only minor complaint is that the white is a teeny bit see-through, the white goes right across the butt. It's not too bad, but a little noticeable with black underwear.

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    1. awesome. so I love how the info I did get from customer service is totally wrong.

      (eye roll)

      thanks for clarifying... i'll keep an eye out for mine. guessing it should be here soon.

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  15. *FYI*: Sale items in-store are an additional 30 percent off. Just stopped by the NYC flagship today. Will post actual reviews after work : )

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  16. I re-ordered the Blakely Pump but in Shimmer Linen. I sizd down to a 6 1/2 from my normal 7 and it's a much better fit. See IRLs and the review on the blog.

    http://audreybella.blogspot.com

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  17. I ordered the leather front Pixies a few weeks ago when they were on promo plus 40% off. I usually size down in the Pixies but opted for my regular size (12) in these considering the leather and this was a good choice. I've only worn them once for an evening out and did not experience any additional stretching.

    They are beautiful pants - the leather is very soft and heavy. As others noted, they do not have the waist band that the regular pixies have. I thought they did at first, since there is a thick band that folds under on the front of the pants...you can flip this up to sort of cover your stomach but it throws off the zipper in the back a little bit, but not enough to be annoying.

    They are the same thick Pixie material and zip up the back as the regular Pixie pants do. I'm a little concerned about how much they'll cost to clean but after figuring out a few outfits with them, I was sold. I definitely need to wear a longer top/sweater with them since I'm a "must cover my rear" girl when wearing these pants. All in all a bit of a splurge even on sale for $180 but...they really do make me feel instantly fabulous so I hope I can get my price per wear down on these.

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    1. Hi, Shopmurphy! I am with you all the way on the leather pixie pants. Love, Love, Love! Taking mine to the cleaners in Burbank, CA this afternoon to look at the zipper (see my above post) and to price out cleaning. I'll post what I'll be paying. Thanks! -Liz

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    2. I have washed mine - in a front load washer on gentle - and then flat dry. I ironed them (but not the leather of course) and they look and feel great. No issues. Leather can get wet. I also used my 'cashmere' wash from JC/Laundress.

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    3. Wow, leather can go in a front load washer? I got the tuxedo stripe pixies and was thinking about returning due to special cleaning costs...

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    4. The Baddest JCA in the Crewniverse this week goes to... (drumroll) SUZY! For washing her leather front pixies in the washerrrr!

      #myhero

      (because cows get wet, too)

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    5. Here's a stupid question--I have a stackable washer/dryer. It isn't a front loading machine. Could you still put the pixie pants in? My dry cleaner said it would be $35 to clean them, it would take two weeks, AND they'd have to send them out to be cleaned. I wonder if hand washing would work too?

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    6. I do too but instead of washing I used my Dryel bag and cleaning sheet on my Pixies in my dryer and it worked great. Just hung them up and they were perfect. I'm a big fan of Dryel for freshening up sweaters and dry clean items in between cleanings.

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    7. After paying to specialty clean a leather top, I searched the internet for information on washing leather. I wash it in the front load machine, on delicate, and lay flat or hang to dry. This only pertains to unlined garments, like tops and pants. I don't think I'd try a lined leather jacket. I have had zero problems. I'm not paying huge amounts for leather cleaning ever again.

      I am LOL, Gigi! You are so right, cows get wet too!

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    8. Elizabeth Kennedy - I wouldn't put leather pixies in a washer that has the spindle thing down the middle. The front load washers don't have that, which is why I think washing works. If you have the spindle/agitator thing, it's going to twist the pants. *pawk pawk* I'm a chicken and don't take washing risks. I wouldn't w/these pants and the machine I have.

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    9. I don't have these, but if I did I might consider washing them inside out. Pretty cool that you're able to wash these at home!

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  18. Hello JCAs! I posted this in another thread, but thought I'd include it here as well for those interested. :)

    As Mel mentioned earlier today, there are a ton of new promo-priced items today, and most of them are the new arrivals that just came out recently. Hopefully we'll see another extra % off sale again soon, too. :)

    Just a reminder to those who get the educator or student discount, you receive 15% off the promo-priced items, including today's newest additions.

    For those interested in checking out the newly added Promo-Priced items, I've listed them in this post.

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  19. Maybe this has been mentioned but all case jewelry is 25% off in stores today (in Canada at least). Not sure for how long.

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    1. All ballet flats too were 25% off in store too. Re-checking online, all seem to be regular price on the website. Scored a few case necklaces I have been waiting to see on sale.

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  20. OT - J. Crew's Fall 2014 ready to wear collection can be viewed here. While some things are a bit too far out for me (see look 25), the denim coat in look 6, the topcoat in look 15, and the Liberace-esque bronze glitter capris in look 27 (yes, judge me) are all calling my name.

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    1. Mel, yes the topcoat is beautiful. I'm so glad *finally* decided to keep the black one from holiday. The denim coat is interesting, but it looks like no shoulder seam = poss linebacker look. I do like the rich colors overall.

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  21. Bought the lightweight merino tunic last week and wore this weekend. The side slit issue turned out to be less a problem than I feared. Still wore a cami underneath.

    Styling-wise, it feels fresh but for that reason poses a challenge. It's very clean, not very feminine and I don't love it with Minnies, at least not for my curvier size 8 shape. I'd like to try it over one of the printed, cropped Collection trousers, either with loafers or a sexy strappy heel, OR take the sporty route that J Crew is definitely pushing, with a cropped solid pant (Pixie?) and some of those colorful New Balances.

    Today I tried the Flower Sleeve Sweater. Was too beige for my coloring but would probably look great on non-blondes. It was stiffer and heavier than I'd hoped. Wish they could do this in merino. In cotton, it's less sophisticated, more casual, and I think the way it's styled on the model (with classic blue jeans) is the way to wear it. I just won't be wearing it ;-)

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  22. Flipped through the lookbook slideshow on style.com. Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Shoulder lines. Sleeve lengths. Hairy shaggy sweaters. Ankles. Oy. Although I did smile at the latest Halloween outfit, the Gorey-like sketch of a gothic pumpkin patch, black on white pants. Had to rejuvenate my sore eyes by looking at Marissa Webb's line.

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  23. Click here for reviews of the flower-sleeve sweater, linen c'est la vie tee, cutout floral sweatshirt & collection cashmere sweatshirt.

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  24. Has anyone tried item 05843, the Collection Rylan blazer?

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    1. I have it. I love it. What do you want to know about it??

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    2. Ohhh I want to know too! How's the sizing? (I size up from my shirt/tops for schoolboy.) How's the fit? Is it boxy? Thanks in advance!!!

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    3. Hi Eileen. It is not boxy. I did not size up, but I think that you could without a problem. I love the colors!

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    4. Thanks Suzy. I was wondering if it's boxy but you've already addressed that issue. I'm looking for a black blazer but I want something different from the schoolboy. Since I'm tall I was considering the tall schoolboy in black but I noticed that the body length of the regular black Rylan is actually longer than the tall schoolboy. The sleeves, on the other hand, are a bit shorter so I'm not so sure. I have the grey schoolboy but I like the look of the Rylan.

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  25. Factory Relaxed Utility Pant. These are lightweight but not too thin. They are kind of a rip-stop fabric. 100% cotton. They can be rolled or not, both looked good. The back pockets are rectangular flaps, which worries me because they don't always lay right after they're washed, but at the sale price I'm taking my chances. The Edinburgh Stone color is more of a blush than a tan. TTS, same size I'm wearing in other J. Crew bottoms.

    Factory Printed Stretch Chino Short. These are 5" inseam, hooray. 97% cotton, 3% spandex, machine wash, tumble dry low. The zipper is on the left side and there are 3 beltloops which are just enough. TTS, I got the same size I'd get in the cotton chino shorts. The blue is a bit more faded than what I expected from the web site picture, but I like it better in person.

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  26. Just got my order from the Factory XOXO promo. Button down in Bright Kelly was a FS but really nice for $11. TTS. Merino Charley in Brilliant Blue, nice color not as bright (which is good) as I had thought. Really cute and I did not expect to like it was Thorn and Crystal necklace in Deep Violet, this is the tiny thorns so very dainty and pretty nice for Factory jewelry, also it was only $10 so all items were keepers.

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  27. Has anyone bought the double strand gemstone bracelet? I am waiting for it to go on sale.... thanks!

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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! :)