Tuesday, July 1, 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! :)

23 comments:

  1. I ordered the matelasse sheath dress and paneled skirt.

    The sheath dress suffered from what someone here aptly described as "giant armhole syndrome," which is fine if you have perfectly toned arms and shoulders, I guess, but also made this very ladylike dress look somewhat athletic rather than refined. Still, the deal breaker for me was the large chest - I am a petite but took regular sizing and the chest area was way too big in the smallest size. It bagged and it sagged and would cost way too much to alter. Pretty fabric, even though it was somewhat bedspread-y.

    I also order the navy matelasse paneled skit in my smaller and normal petite sizes. Both were too short, unfortunately - a skirt that was knee length on the model ended a good three or four inches above my knee and the fit was bizarre In my smaller size, the hips were super tight, which made the rest of the skirt really flare out, made me look like a tarty middle-aged woman out on the prowl on a Saturday night. Seriously, this thing could not have been more unflattering. In my bigger size, the hips fit better but the skirt still flared out weirdly and was too short still for office wear. I am considering trying the straight size but am not optimistic. The fabric again, is lovely, and I do prefer it in a darker color.

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    1. Flower Power......I have warned everyone before to not fall for J. Crew's use of short models. I'm 5'9" and have ordered the skirts and dresses after looking at the pics of the model and assumed they were "model height" and been sadly disappointed with the mini garment I've received! WHY oh WHY don't they say how tall the model is and what size she is wearing. Others companies do it and I find it very helpful. We should all start a talk about that gross trend of the huge arm hole and send all our comments to the Crew. I've returned so many things because so much of my bra was exposed. I HATE the trend of layering a camisole or tee thing under a sleeveless garment, but I understand why it's being done. It's just ugly, poor design and J. Crew should know better! The garments I've bought at Ann Taylor this summer don't have those huge arm holes, so it must be a choice of the Crew to do those. Seriously, it's ugly, juvenile and (like you said) unladylike!

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    2. the site gives the length of the garment in the description under the photo -- ie-- "37" from high point of shoulder (based off size 6)" or "23 1/2" long" which helps me much more than how tall the model is or what size she wears. even if the measurement is a bit off, it gives me a good idea of where it will fall.

      no defense about the arm holes tho :/

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    3. Thanks for the info!!! I'll try using the measurements next time I order online. I need all the help I can get....hee!

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    4. Samples are used for photoshoots, not garments off the rack. So they're longer, bigger, etc. than what gets produced. They're also pinned and manipulated quite a bit to get the look they want, so you just can't completely trust the catalog or online appearance. I call in to ask for measurements for 2 sizes to help me gauage which to order. It also gives me a better idea of the cut than the photo. I.e if they tell me it's 38" for a size S chest, then I know it's cut big.

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    5. I even noticed some aggressive pinning in my local stores. They pinned the heck out the washed chambray dress and the arrow print shift dresses to make them more flattering on the mannequins. If they have to manipulate that much on a mannequin there is pretty much zero chance it's going to look good on me!

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    6. I've always hated the pinning. Its like false advertising. If the clothes need to be taken in to be flattering, make them that way!

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    7. I hate how they pull, pin, tuck, etc. garments for display and photos! When I see a mannequin in the store with the big clip in the back pulling in inches and inches of the garment I want to yell! It's just not right.

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  2. I would love a review of the factory rain jacket. Any JCAs tried it and can talk about sizing and how the fabric feels? TIA!

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    1. Anthro Blogger - What's the factory rain jacket? I don't see it.

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    2. Cute, but very thin, lightweight fabric. Doesn't add any warmth at all. Would be fine in light rain, would not hold up in heavy rain. Fits TTS.

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  3. I wore my Factory Frankie chinos last weekend. They look, visually, similar to the Andies. However, the waistband is thinner & there's a button closure instead of hooks. They're thinner & a bit stretchier. Definitely don't *feel* the same, not that it's a bad thing. I thought they were cute rolled up whereas I did not like how the Andies looked rolled up. Also they fit slightly larger, in my opinion. I have Andies in a 6 & an 8, but I thought the size 6 Frankies felt a tad bigger than the size 8 Andies. They're still a cute, more fitted option for a chino, though, & at a decent price point as well. If you've tried the Old Navy skinny boyfriend khakis, they are comparable. (I LOVE the ON khakis!)

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    1. I also got the Factory Frankie in poolside, lovely color and fit really nice. I like how the softer fabric feels more comfy than the Andies.

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  4. A review of the J. Crew Camden Jeweled Sandals here

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  5. does anyone have a sneak peak of august? I'm dying to see it!

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    1. I don't, but I will say that the store near me had the new roll out, and it was lovely. Dark greens and blues with black accents and pretty silk dresses, It seemed like nicer fabric all around at a glance.

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    2. Thanks KnitYarns! Hoping to see it soon!

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    3. I'm dying to see the new stuff, too....Hope someone can take pics of what's new in store..

      Can't wait!

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  6. Hi...sale JULY ends tomorrow. What is next ? final sale ? there are 1600 items in the women's sale section today....no movement. Can they blame us ! Canada day promo...free shipping....wow. Very underwelmed this summer....have purchased mainly from Winners and Marshalls. My wish list is all but deleted because dresses and pants have huge arm holes or pants are too low rise.....the fits are all just off. J Crew's linen is not worth the extra cost as I have found the items look old quickly ( linen tees I am talking about you) I have not found this at other retailers......who is sewing J Crew's clothes ?

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  7. Can anyone comment on the sunglass print scallop shorts? I'm intrigued.

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  8. OT but just got an email for cardmembers to "shop a day early for 40% off sale styles with code CARDSONLY. Guess we know what the sale will be tomorrow...

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  9. I received the Petite Drapey Drawstring Pant in red currant. So disappointing. The color is not the same as pictured on the site. It's not deep red but a mauve color with red undertones. I'm not sure if I want to keep it. Hope J.Crew will come out with nice (red) pants this fall season....and leopard in No.2 Pencil in wool! I've been waiting for them to make it again, 3 fall seasons, and still nothing..

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  10. i am looking for a sunwashed pink translucent bracelet - does anyone have one they'd be interested in selling. please email megamugi@gmail.com

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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! :)