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! :)
ReplyDeleteA few reviews here.
Factory - HELP gets 30% off & fs no min on Tue 12/9 only. If you're up and see this, you might want to buy now I think the prices are going to flip. Crewcuts girls camel t-shirt currentl nets $11.20 w/the code. I can't see them leaving it at the promo price of $16.
ReplyDelete...and HELP gets 40% off factory clearance items.
DeleteThe dress I have been watching is up 30% this morning. Great sale!
DeleteThere is a beautiful mint cocoon coat on the factory website right now! Haven't seen in person,,,,,has anyone? Is the color true to the picture?
DeleteAnyone want to review the Alpine Turtleneck? No reviews on the JCREW site.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheri - Ema posted a pic and review on her Insta here. HTH!
DeleteOk here's my review. :)
DeleteSize: I went with small like I did with the Cambridge turtleneck sweater this year. Alpine is a little bigger especially in the body but not large enough where I think I could have sized down. The shoulders and arms are right for me.
There is a little poof (?) Where the body hits the hem. Doesn't bother me too much but I can see this being really annoying for some. I have no hips so adding bulk there isn't a big deal.
The pattern is lovely but I'm also smaller in the chest (34B). Larger ladies might not like the horizontal emphasis across chest and stomach.
Material is a little itchy. But I usually wear a tee under all my sweaters anyway. I like the option to remove the sweater if it's too hot.
Overall: B rating. Good but not perfect. I think it would have been perfect if the body was a little mute fitted. I think you'll see some pop backs. I feel fine buying it with the 30% off. But it's also one of the only things I've bought lately too.
HTH. I'll keep checking in if someone has questions I didn't address well here.
I also want to add that I think I'm in the minority with this sweater.
DeleteI'll add my two cents. I bought this last week, and it's still in the shopping bag in my closet. I, too, sized down from a M to a S. The medium made me look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (if he were wearing a sweater), and even though I was sort of on the fence about it in small, I brought it home. If I can find the Mixed Cable Sweater in my size to try on and like it more, I'll return the much maligned Alpine Sweater, especially after reading the reviews on Ema's site. Everyone complaining about the bust being seriously terrible makes me think that my VPS maybe should have pointed out the flaws that I was overlooking.
DeleteThanks everybody!
DeleteYes, I returned mine but I didn't hate it, I just didn't love it enough. I was surprised and disagree about the negative comments ckncerning the fit on the bust thing, there was no problem with the bust, I still looked like I had boobs and it wasn't adding weight there. I think this sweater would have simply needed slits on the sides to make it fall better. The ribbed hem coupled with the stiff/bulky front panel made the side stick out. I tried to pull it down past my butt and it looked much better if only it could have fallen like that by design. Anyway I didn't really need it so I didn't compromise.
DeleteI finally received my Alpine Turtleneck yesterday, and it is going back today. I ordered the XSmall and it fits well everywhere except through the midsection where it flares out in an unflattering way. Like Ema said, side slits could possibly make it fall better, but as is, it just does not lay right no the body. Too bad, because it's quite cute otherwise.
DeleteI also want to add that I would be returning the particular sweater I received even if it did fit well, because mine shipped from a store and arrived looking rather shopworn. It appears as if holes are developing under each arm, too. Not sure if that's from being tried on too many times, or it's just a defective sweater, but either way it would be a definite problem in the future.
In case you didn't see my reviews from last week - I think I posted them Friday:
ReplyDeleteA couple reviews from my box of duds:
Ribbed cardigan (b6506) - this was originally listed as the “elbow-patch cardigan” but had no patches. I tried my usual S and it fit in the shoulders, but the rest of it ballooned out into a round cocoonish shape (if you hover over the grey swatch, the picture of the actual sweater is pretty accurate in terms of its shape). I felt like Violet Beauregarde after she turns into a blueberry. The knit was thick but I had my suspicions on pilling based on what I’ve seen in store. I wouldn’t even consider this on sale.
Cabled pom-pom sweatshirt (b6975) - another boxy, roundish cut that made me feel like I had no shape. The sweater panel is part of the sweatshirt, so you can feel the yarn on your front (it’s not like the panel was sewn onto a full sweatshirt). The arms were cut very generous but the body was short and boxy. As with the ribbed cardigan, I don’t think sizing down would help because then it would be too short in length. The cabled panel on the sweatshirt I received had a pull in the knit.
Double-stripe tee (b6983) - another box with sleeves. When I took it out of the plastic, it looked twice as wide as the item picture. I didn’t realize it had dropped shoulders from the item pic and those are an automatic deal breaker.
The thing with these clothes lately is that they don’t feel at all feminine. The cuts remind me of when I was in high school/college and did a lot of thrifting and often wore boys’ tee shirts - high necks, boxy shapes, no definition. I’m sure this is a combination of “trend” and cost-cutting I hope the pendulum swings back by next fall.
hi.....new arrival crepe athletic shorts B6472 comes only in ivory/black. These were HUGE. I could have sixed down twice. The crepe is nice but see thru...going back.
ReplyDeleteI have place several large orders to TRY items before they all go on sale. I have taken everyone of them off my wish list. Why ? its the drop shoulders , the exposed zippers, the short hems, the extra wide sweaters, ill fitting items across the board. I am sooo bummed ! everything went back....I am shopping my closet again ( maybe that is a good thing )
ReplyDeletewondering what I sent back ???
Deletethe pinstrip regent blazer
the tissue turtle neck
the cashmere collection stitch sweater ( wide !)
staduim drop waist coat
featherlight merino turtle neck
collection inky floral dress (drop waist was at my ankles!)
boucle wool sweater ( very wide )
lambs wool crew neck sweater ( again very wide)
merino wool cardi ( cropped..didn't like it)
silk scarf...long ( just can't figure out how to wear this long style like the models do)
stretch ribbed merino sweater...to wear something underneath or not ? returned ...just don't know if I will wear it...
a few jewellery pieces that I ordered on a whim....and do not really need. maybe order again ?? when sale hits...didn't LoVE any of them
a few more that I do not remember as they were forgettable.....thats all folks
Madewell - Links to reviews and IRL pics (from myself and other bloggers) for lots of items in this post.
ReplyDeleteOT...Princess Kate (in NY) wore a Tory Burch coat yesterday....what would Mickey do to have her wear J Crew. I would love to see her in J Crew !!!!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Kate and Jenna were discussing just that!
Deletehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2867398/Live-long-prosper-Kate-William-mingle-Sir-Patrick-Stewart-members-fashion-pack-luncheon-celebrating-British-creativity.html
Btw (and here I'm going to say something positive before turning on the crankiness), I really like Jenna's pink top (if I were wearing it, I would spend all day running my hands all over it and then people would think I was weird) and navy shoes, but the striped shirt underneath? No! Even Patrick Stewart seems confused by the whole get up.
The colors match; maroon/dark pink hue with navy pants. She wore it in true Jenna fashion. She's tall and can get away with pairing a stripe shirt with that sequin fringe top.
DeleteTried on that sequin top on my collection store. Heavy. Shaggy. Not fun to wear (plus I adnit I was just curious, I have no place to wear it).
DeleteHas anyone received their Ames boot lookalike from factory yet? Mine are supposed to arrive today and I'm anxious to see how they compare to the retail version from Madewell.
ReplyDeleteMine finally shipped yesterday so anxiously awaiting a review from you ladies on what you actually receive :)
DeleteThey are lovely! I received mine yesterday and am wearing them today. They are all madewell--stamped on the exterior and interior soles with madewell, came in a madewell box and even shipped from madewell! A great deal, especially if you got them on sale with the 25% off card stacked on!
DeleteOh thank you so much. I never got a chance to try the Madewell ones on since I could not get them in store in my size. I did order a 5 1/2 and 6 in the Pecan and got them for $63, so fingers crossed one of them works for me.
DeleteThanks Jennifer! Can't wait for the UPS guy to show now :)
DeleteCan anyone comment on sizing? I take an 8 in J Crew shoes (except half a size up in Martinas), but own the Archive boots in a 7 (yikes!) I have no idea what size to order!
DeleteMine arrived today! They are definitely the Madewell Ames Boots, box, stamp, everything is Madewell (except mine shipped from J.Crew Factory). I ordered the pecan in sz7, my common shoe size. I am usually 7-7.5. I have the archive boots in 7, sidewalk skimmers in 7.5, Ceces in 7, and j.crew boots in 7. I take Frye boots in both 7 and 7.5, and rag&bone booties in 7.5. I hope this sizing info helps. I took them out and wore them around the room for about 30 minutes. Initially I thought they were a bit snug and had wished I had ordered a 7.5. But after awhile they started to stretch and I was comfortably walking around in them. If you plan on wearing thick socks, I would recommend going up a size. They will definitely need a breaking in period as the leather is stiff, not buttery soft like the archive boots. They remind me of the leather used on the J.Crew slip on oxfords from last year. It will crease, and if that is a problem, some might not like it. Until they soften and break in, you will need to wear socks over your ankles to keep them from blistering. Which I was doing, so I was very comfortable in them for the time I had them on. I personally love them....if you can snatch them up at a good price at factory, it's so worth it.
DeleteI got mine yesterday and have since been telling all of my friends to grab a pair. like jeanbug mentions, the leather isn't as soft as my other jcrew boots, and they're bit higher than most ankle boots, but nothing a pair of long wool socks won't remedy. I bought 6.5 and im consistently a 6 in most jcrew heels and flats with the exception of the mila flats from a couple of years ago. would def recommend to JCAs in the market for ankle boots. free shipping and additional 30% off too!
Deletei would grab the pecan too but they sold out sooo quickly.
DeleteI reviewed the silk georgette blouse. Great silk, nice lace detailing, love the shell pink color. I'd recommend to size up if you're tall.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! I love this blouse but refuse to pay full price for a see-through shirt.
DeleteI tried the navy pinstripe Factory suiting blazer to see if it was a match to my retail navy pinstripe Paley pants and they are a near perfect match, indiscernible if worn together. The pinstripes on the factory blazer are a tad bluer than the pinstripes on the Paley pants but for 1/3 the price I will suck it up. I'm in the market for a few new suits and have always loved J.Crew's offering in the past. Now I'm curious to see if the heather grey suiting matches between the two. I have the glen plaid suiting jacket/pants from factory arriving today and will report back on those as well.
ReplyDeleteOverall there's just not a lot exciting me right now...
Also ordered the pique collar blouse in white - I took my usual shirt size 12 and this is a slimmer fit shirt, I am going to need to pin/tape at the bust. I like the covered buttons which makes it a little dressier and the collar is the same pique material that is on the cuffs of the current white endless shirt with a nice silver button detail. It's substantial weight and not sheer, long enough to peek out under a sweater but not as long as the endless or the long end on end shirt.
I received my backordered Ceces in Burnt Sienna and am very disappointed. Sadly, I am going to return them as they do not fit or feel the same as the original Cece. They are large and floppy in my usual size and seem much wider (and I have wide-ish feet). Has anyone else had this problem?
ReplyDeleteA review of the J. Crew Dazzling Sweater in this post HTH!
ReplyDeleteJenna met Kate, who apparently wore J Crew jeans last night to the basketball game. The pic on racked.com is cute. Kate is obviously a Jenna fan too!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2014/12/duchess-kate-j-crew-jenna-lyons
http://racked.com/archives/2014/12/09/kate-middleton-black-dress-nyc-crucial-update.php
Thanks for sharing, traderscoobies. Once again, its good PR for the company. A princess wearing their denim pants, that's motivation for JCrew to work on their designs; quality and fit. We are rooting for you!
DeleteApparently Jenna didn't recognize the jeans - someone told her.
DeleteWould it be awful to wonder whether J didn't recognize them because they weren't splitting at the seams/knees?
Well, good luck and happy travels to the Duchess, Himself has an awful crush on her. It may be too late for me to let my hair grow out.
Here's a review of my latest purchase/return. This top is currently sold out, but I expect there will be pop backs.
ReplyDeleteCollection gilded floral jacquard top (b3443)
Pros: The fabric is simply gorgeous. The top is lined in silk, which makes it wonderfully wearable during winter for those of us who need an extra layer in winter. Hidden zip. Fits TTS.
Cons: Too bad they wasted this beautiful fabric on a piece of shapeless sack. There are NO bust seams and the shoulder seams fall hopelessly off the shoulders. The arms are nicely done, not too loose or tight, but the drop-shoulder creates a body that is too wide and boxy. This is only exaggerated by the stiffness of the fabric, of course. A seam down the middle breaks up the floral pattern.
Verdict: Return.
Personal thoughts: I had high hopes for this top. Alas, J Crew hit a new low for me. I could not believe the lack of tailoring on a collection piece that retails for $350. The thickness and stiff nature of the fabric calls for clever shaping with seams. On the other hand, I am perplexed as to why they felt they needed to add the front seam only to break the beautiful floral pattern. (Cost-cutting measure? On a collection piece?? My stupidity for not noticing it on the stock photo.) The shininess of the lurex threads in the jacquard weave does not show whatsoever on the website. It somewhat limits the use of the top in my view and should be made clear in the description and photos. (The words "slightly shimmery" in the description box is an understatement of the century.) Still, this would be a minor quibble on my part if the tailoring of the top were superb. Glad I didn't get this on final sale!
That's unfortunate, Ivanka. I considered buying this top, but it was sold out in my size. Good thing I read your review.
DeleteHi JCAs. The alpine turtleneck sweater reviewed here.
ReplyDeleteLOVE THE CHATEAU PARKA!!!! I got my normal size-(P8) and it fits great, with enough room for sweaters [and my gear....] I hope it works out as something cute but functional. Also I love the double zipper!
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who own stadium cloth- how do you feel about the warmth? I have owned many crew coats with thinsulate- so this one makes me nervous that'll be cold?
Stadium-cloth is amazing, definitely the warmest of their coat fabrics (and of other retailer IMO). I don't own any coat with thinsulate but my Elements coat definitely stands NYC winters (in non snowy days. When it snows, I prefer to wear a puffer or parka). HTH!
DeleteI didn't keep the Chateau Parka, but it seemed like a medium-weight coat. My Cocoon coats seem a bit warmer. The Chateau Parka seems like the same weight as the Stadium Cloth Elements coat from a couple of years ago, which is still a substantial weight coat like Ema said.
DeleteReceived my Colby Crossbody Bag in Mixed Leather, black/blue combo. First off, it is so beautiful. The leather is high quality, pebbled and soft, the nubuck portion is high quality also. Was a little disappointed and maybe my mistake but I thought the leather portion (bottom) was black and the nubuck - navy. But in fact, the leather portion is a very dark navy and the nubuck is a lighter navy. The only black part is the handles and the cross body strap. It is not a keeper for me and I had the same issue with a bag from Madewell that I saw in store. It is basically a tote size that folded in half that can be used as a cross body, not sure I really get the description of using it as a clutch. On my small frame, (5'1") it is just to large and for the price (even with a 30% off promo) not something I would reach for. But on someone taller, I can imagine it would be stunning. Must say J Crew usually hits it out of the park on bags, boots and coats and this bag certainly will not disappoint for the right person.
ReplyDelete