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! :)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for a review of the jcrew factory belted trench and the jcrew icon trench. I'm fairly petite, clocking in at 4'11 and 100lbs. I know factory carries petite sizes, but I just wanted to know the quality before I fork out $$$. Thanks!
Hi julieann- I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the factory trench. It felt very similar to my retail icon trench. The main reason I didn't keep it was because the color didn't work for me, but if it had I would have definitely kept it because it was so nice. I know other JCA's have been happy with the factory trench as an alternative to the retail version.
DeleteGreetings julieann - I bought the retail Icon trench a couple months ago during a 30% promotion. JC is currently offering 25% of all full-price items this week, so you may want to take advantage of that. While I have a few Factory items, I've been trying to go more quality over quantity, and thus do retail over outlet when I can. I looked at the Banana Republic trenches, which are much less especially with their promos, but didn't like the fabric of the classic trench or style of the flared trench. Okay, back to the Icon . . . it's a really sturdy coat that is great when your winter wool coat is too much, but it's still too cold for something lighter. Fabric is great, I've heard many reviews that the Japanese cotton is similar to the Burberry (way more expensive) trench. I would advise trying a couple sizes. I'm a size 6 in JC blazers, Small or 2/4 in tops. While the trench fit well in a 6, it was a little too small to wear comfortably over blazers or anything super bulky. Thus, I sized up to an 8. I e-mailed my VPS about this. She said it was a common question, and she advised sizing up in order to accommodate anything I might wear under it. Overall, I am satisfied (again, the promotion helped), and expect to have this classic item in my wardrobe for years.
DeleteI haven't seen the Icon IRL, so I can't compare, but I am very happy with the Factory trench I bought two years ago. I was pleasantly surprised by the more than satisfactory quality.
DeleteAlso, I am 5'4" and purchased a regular size in the Factory trench. I sometimes order a petite in outerwear, but Factory didn't offer. I ordered the larger of my JC sizes so that I would have room over a sweater or jacket. This gave me a little bit of room, but not much. Like most JC coats, it is not designed to wear over a blazer. I found the sleeves to be a little long on me but not long enough to go to the bother of altering. Given your very petite size I think you would definitely need a P or alterations.
DeleteHi julieann. I'm 5'1", ~105 lbs, and I tried the icon trench in 00 late last summer when it was heavily discounted, but I found the trench to be too big overall and returned it despite the awesome price. I can't remember details on the quality, but I remember thinking that if only JC would make it in petite, I would be sure to get it. As you mentioned, factory is now offering it in petite, so I jumped on the 50% off, and it's on its way to me.
DeleteThanks for all your wonderful replies! I might try the petite factory version. Clotted creame, let me know how it goes!
DeleteJulie
Got a bunch of items to review so will be adding posts later, but so far the strappy mirror heels are a keeper! I wish the straps could be tighten up further, but they are very comfortable; if they show up again on pop backs, recommend!
ReplyDeleteA review of the pleated flare dress would be greatly appreciated. Finally a dress that looks fabulous - at least on the Web site model. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI tried this dress and lots of new arrivals yesterday and will review it. Just working on the new post,where you can see the dress on me.
DeleteHTH
Review of the
Delete-pleated flare dress
-embroidered tunic
-top in brushstroke floral
-sweatshirt in photo floral
-cove floral surf dress
-metallic trm linen tee
-popover in honeypie print
-popover in photo floral
boyshirt in neo tropical jaquard
-top in photo floral
--eyelet tee
You can check it out here.
hi ina!
Deletethanks for the reviews... my VPS is sending me the embroidered tunic... I told her to go my usual size even tho she said it was a generous fit. even tho you only got to try the one size, do you think that was the right call? it does look kinda roomy (although, it is a tunic kind of shirt)... I feel like I'm often in the middle of two sizes. :/
Just tried the 0 and I liked it better in my regular size. I would stay with you reg size.
DeleteHTH
Thank you! You tried regular 0, right? You're totally my same height. 5'2".
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DeleteHi Susan,in the dress i tried the regular 0.
DeleteSusan,my comment below Miss JRs was in answer to her question about the embroidered tunic.
DeleteThe dress review is on my blog.
HTH
Two retail only necklaces (sorry) and the flower bud tassel necklace (thumbsup) reviewed here. The tassel necklae is 25% off w/GOSHOP.
ReplyDeleteFactory - 50% off extended thru today. Reviews in this post of the cutaway top, punk floral pencil skirt & punk floral cardigan (wth!) .
ReplyDeleteHas anyone tried the triple eyelet dress (item a3489)? It's basically sold out online, but there are frequent pop backs. Wondering how it looks and fits in real life...
ReplyDeleteThe eyelet shirtdress (a3930) is still FP online, but is on sale for $109.99 less 40% instore. The key to getting this dress to look right on your body is to fit it to your hips.
ReplyDeleteI actually did not give this a second glance until I saw it on Wendy here;
http://onecantgetoverthehabit.blogspot.com/2014/03/j-crew-review-of-two-summer-dresses-and.html
Then I tried it on. It seemed roomy, so I went with the smaller of my two dress sizes, and the pockets were a disaster and poofed out. Gigi had the same issue:
http://www.gigisgoneshopping.com/2014/04/j-crew-eyelet-shirtdress.html
Then, when I was in the store to do a return, I saw it was on sale and had to try it again, because for me, nothing is better than an easy summer dress. I went with my larger of my JC dress sizes, and it was MUCH better. The key to this dress is that it has to lie loose over your hips. It's not a fitted dress, so it's not figure flattering, but it is a very cute easy dress, loose and 100% cotton, and IMO, perfect for summer.
I recommend trying in person, or if you have some hips, to go with your larger dress size or size up one.
AudreyS - Thx for the link love. I also think that going up a size is the key to a good fit on the eyelet dress, though I haven't tried doing that myself just yet.
DeleteAgree, AudreyS. It's a cute dress. I loved the navy version, which I reviewed here.
DeleteSome reviews of new arrivals and sale here and here
ReplyDeleteCouple reviews of recent purchases:
ReplyDeletePATIO SKIRT IN PHOTO FLORAL
item a4637
Love this print and fit in my regular size 4 - could have gone up to a 6. Fit is on true waist and lots of pleating makes it puff out quite a bit. Nice light cotton. Loved this until I got home and the hub said it didn't look good. Ordered the dress to see if that is more figure flattering.
PINK GEO TOP
item a1328
Got this in a size 2. I normally wear a 2 in coats, but a 4 in perfect / boy shirts. The cut of this item is probably only good for very small chested ladies. It has a pleat all across the top part of the chest - which can help someone like me but may prove too much for others. It falls in an A line away from the body which is also great for me after 4 kids, but does require a small tuck in front to keep from looking huge. Very thin cotton great for summer.
I was ready to buy the cove floral surf dress until VPS told me it has an exposed back zip.
ReplyDeleteMore Factory reviews - 5" oxford shorts, sailboat print shorts, exploded eyelet mini, shiny stripe mini and another stripe mini. I liked them all, even though I don't really wear skirts much these days.
ReplyDeleteI picked up the Maltas in silver. I'm usually a 7.5, but I sized down to a 7 and they fit well. The only issue is the straps feel a little loose on my foot, although I do have a slightly narrow foot. I'm going to wear them around the house and see how they feel before I decide to keep them or not.
ReplyDeleteI really like the cutout tank one-piece swimsuits in dark charcoal & colorblock. I am showing far more skin along the cutouts (in front, lower torso/upper waist) compared to the model on the website. Maybe because I have more of a straight boyish figure? Though with the yellow top portion of the colorblocked suit nipples are an issue - the suit has no padding, just lining. I'm a size 0 in dresses, 5'4", 110 lbs and size 2 fit beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI tried a bunch of stuff today and posted pics on my Insta (crazyaboutjcrew). Not crazy about this rollout, especially the prints. I tried to try different stuff from what ina tried yesterday as we are the same size. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAlso receibed my factory 50% order and I am in love with the floral punk shorts. Reviews were spot-on, go down a size from your regular short size. The dress is good for the price but was very static-y and I probably need to hem it as it is knee-length on me and I prefer above the knee. I didn't care about the Charlie, the colors are duller (notably the pink is much more of a purple than on the shorts). Last, the vacationland shorts are very pajam-y and much pinker than the silk blouse from retail (that was a salmon-blush). They also fit a bit smaller than the punk floral.
DeleteFactory - SALE25 gets an addtl 25% off. Prev promo prices haven't flipped yet.
ReplyDeleteIf you need, I've reviewed tons on my blog or hit up the Factory Irl Pic Guide.
I just bought the Isabelle printed pumps in the botanical print :)
DeleteAwsome deal USD 64 - 25%
Thank you so much for the review gigi!!!!! <3 <3 <3
I added a review of the windowpane silk dress...It's really nice dress, material and fit are not bad, though most likely I would pair with a belt because there is not definition of waist but that is the style. The slit is also ok but a little too high for me so am undecided on that one, but if you can work it, it's an interesting piece. Next is the garden floral lace dress, most likely I'll post next week.
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies - just received a price adjustment on my Isabelle pumps I ordered last week after seeing Gigi's wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteSo, I now have a question - the matelasse sheath dress - does it suffer from giant armhole syndrome? The armholes look big on the model and I have recently had to leave the puffed sleeve super 120s dress in the store because the holes were just too big.
I may have tried this on in the store in an aqua color, does this sound like the dress? It has a horizontal seam across the bust. If this is it, I did not think the armholes were giant. The fit was really nice and so was the length, but I wasn't sure if I liked the horizontal seam. I remember thinking the fit was so good I would get over the seam :)
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ReplyDeleteWhen the workwear shirt in pink plaid went on sale in stores last week, I had my vps order it for me. I received it this week, and I'm wearing it today. Love the colors, the quality is good, and the fit is flattering. Based on a review that Ina did of the shirt a while ago, I sized up from my normal shirt size of 0 to a 2, and that was the right decision. The price right now is really nice with the extra 50% off. I posted a pic on my instagram: allthingssimplified for anyone that might want to see it IRL.
ReplyDeleteI wore the marled jeweled sweatshirt today and while I love the look of the top and it fits tts, the jeweled bits kept grabbing the ends of my shoulder-length hair. This happened at least a dozen times today. In the future, I will need to wear my hair up with this top. Ouch!
ReplyDelete