Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Weekly Share: Other JCrew-like Retailers

This is the weekly "Other JCrew-like Retailers" post (similar to the "Off On A Tangent" posts), where we can share our finds from other retailers that have offerings similar to J.Crew (like Anthropologie, LE Canvas, Gap, BR, Talbots, Ann Taylor, and the like.)

If you have recently encountered items that are similar to J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.

Please feel free to share your story on almost any topic— including experiences with certain merchandise pieces, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.

11 comments:

  1. Banana Republic is having 50% off sale today, FYI.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've shared numerous J.Crew-like items in this post on my blog. Included this week are alternatives for the beaded rose necklace, classic pavé link bracelet, drapey crepe henley tunic, and flared ponte dress, just to name a few. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I used to look forward to the Target designer collaborations. Just saw the Altuzurra collection today. Very very very disappointing. The quality of these lines used to be above the regular Mossimo, Merona level, which is to be expected. Not anymore. The idea was there, just not the execution. Fabric selection was shiny and thin. I do not wait for the door to open to see these anymore. The last one I got excited over was Missoni. Don't waste your time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Boden rolled out their winter items on Monday. I wrote more on it here at this blog post.

    Most of my winter preview orders are shipped, so hopefully I can get some photos of them up soon. :)

    Also, Boden seems to be carrying their new lower prices on clearance items still, even though they said they would only last this weekend. I was able to purchase some beautiful dresses for way less than they were last spring/summer, so if you had your eye on something a few months back, but wanted it at a lower price, there are quite a few items on very deep discount. I received all my clearance items, and the two dresses I purchased were very lovely, and I am pleased that I received them for so little money! I wrote more on the clearance "sale" here.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I few things that I've tried lately…

    Old Navy - This Camo Print Shirt (please note the link is to the Canadian Old Navy site because it's sold out on the US site) is a great alternative to JCrew's. The color is lighter IRL so the pattern is more subtle than the JC version, which I prefer. I found the fit to be slimmer through the body on the ON version, which I preferred as well. I sometimes struggle with JC shirts because the size that fits me through the shoulders is often too big in the body :/ Anyway, I fit in a size 2 at JC and bought an XS in the ON for about $14. Totally worth it.

    These Grey Moto Skinny Jeans are amazing. I didn't have any Old Navy jeans - I try them from time to time but I never found a pair that fit me right, until these. The rise isn't too low, they are stretchy but still have structure to hold you in and the wash is really good on these. They are a dark grey with just the right (natural looking) fading along the knees and the seaming along the knees just looks cool. I can't wait to wear these with my booties and slouchy sweaters once it cools down.

    Banana Republic - okay, I have been frustrated that Factory has excluded the puffer vests from all promotions. I just want a black puffer! So I tried BR's Quilted Vest. It is a lot thinner than JC's, but I live in a mild climate so that didn't bother me and it is a sleeker look. I like the fact that it has waist tabs so you can cinch it in and I like the look of the gold hardware and brown trim from afar. I don't like the look and feel of the brown trim up close, though. Personally, I think it looks kinda cheap. I wish they had just used brown ribbon trim instead of the faux suede. I think I'm going to return this one, even though I got it on sale for great price, and wait for a promo on the Factory vest. The fit and rest of the materials and construction on this was really nice - the faux suede was the only thing I didn't like. I have a retail JC puffer in XXS, but an XS in the BR fit great, especially with the waist cinched.

    Loft - I'd really like to get the JC retail Endless Shirt, but like the vest at Factory, it's been excluded from the recent promos. So I tried Loft's Tunic Softened Shirt. I'm 5'4" but have a long torso, so while the Endless Shirt was LONG, it wasn't overwhelming. The Loft Tunic is shorter by about 2 inches, so it might be a better option for those who thought the JC version was too much. It doesn't have any stretch in the fabric and the cotton is thinner than JC's shirt so it's less structured, which is fine by me because I was planning on only using this shirt for layering and it plays better with my sweaters. I could wear either a 0 or 2 in the Endless Shirt and while XS in the Loft tunic has some room, it will work fine. I paid less than $24 for it, so I'll be keeping it and using it to recreate this look from Man Repeller that I have been obsessing over for months.

    Finally, Uniqlo has been having some good promos lately - I ordered a flannel shirt this weekend for $19.90 and they currently have their washable fine merino sweaters on sale for $19.90 as well. I can't comment on the quality yet though.

    Hope this helps someone! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Limited - A look at the upcoming Scandal Collection, inspired by Kerry Washington's show.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Madewell! Love their sweaters right now.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Some Brooks Brothers picks here including some JC Liberty shirt look-alikes!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Terrific (IMO) promo going on at Madewell right now (through till Sept 22), in stores and on-line with the code "WINWIN". 20% off purchases of $100+ and 30% off purchases $200+ And of course, free shipping on all US orders (or on Canadian orders $150+)

    Some exclusions, including jeans (boo!), transport totes and certain 3rd party merchandise, as follows:

    Offer not valid on jeans; denim jackets and vests; the Transport Tote (styles 53228, B2427, B3367, B1671, B2241); and merchandise from any of the following third-party brands: Chimala®, Dr. Martens®, NSF®, Penfield®, Rachel Comey, Saucony®, Sessùn™ and Vans®.

    I ordered the Sculptor Cardigan (Item A9472). Very unsure of how it will fit, but I'm very curious about it, even if I have to wait until November till it ships. Also very excited that I'll be able to visit a Madewell store this weekend - there isn't one in my city, so this is extra exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ann Taylor - Flash sale!!! 70% off of sale items thru midnite w/FLASH70. The trench dress I love nets $39. Review here.

    ReplyDelete

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! :)