Tuesday, July 14, 2015

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! :)

42 comments:

  1. i don't usually hear about bathing suit reviews so here's mine:

    i bought the GATHERED FRENCH BIKINI TOP (item c4345). last year my bathing suit purchases were all XS. (i'm usually an XS or S in tops and waver in the size 2-4 range depending on fit of skirts/pants)... but i bought this bikini top in a size S and i'm really glad i did. it's definitely on the skimpier side but nothing's hanging out and i don't feel too boob-alicious in it... plus i think it's going to work really nicely under my rash guard. (oh... i'm a 34B for reference).

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    1. oh... and there's removable padding which i just find annoying no matter what... so the first thing i did once i determined it was the right size was toss the pads

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  2. No reviews from me but rather some impressions from the August style guide - furthering the conversation from yesterday. I found a lot to like but nothing that really knocked my socks off.

    I like the Gemma flats, but I'm not a ballet flat purist. Gemma's will be one of those items that folks wither love or hate. The asymmetrical Sloane flats are good. I saw some suede Sloane heels (as high as Elsie's) in the Cambridgeside store yesterday. I like the look of them but they're too high for me.

    As discussed a little yesterday, there are two new prints on dresses, skirts, tops and shoes - marble and scarf. Both are fine but neither a huge love for me.

    I'll be really, really curious about the Sunday Slim chinos. The description of "somewhere between slim and slouchy" doesn't give me a sense of what they'll be like. If they work I'll order a bunch.

    Also promising are the micropleated midi skirt and the perforated eyelet A line skirt, although both are poly - bummer.

    Finally - I know there have been JCA's wanting a Tippi in navy - they have it in the style guide!

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    1. Thanks for this Cousy. Also noticed not all the products sold online is featured in the style guide..so I'm hoping there will be more goodies for us to love online. :-)

      I can't wait for Monday!

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    2. Oh, one more thing. The asymmetrical Colette D'orsay heel looks great, though it sure seems to be higher than a transitional kitten. More like one of my favorites, the Valentina. Certainly close to 3" high which in my view is higher than kitten. It comes in cat-print, red, light brown and black. Would love it in a jewel tone and the $248 price seems high.

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    3. Oy... traditional kitten. Sorry.

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    4. I do hope *all their shoes are made in Italy again. That is the reason why I keep buying shoes from them.

      I also hope leopard skirt in serge wool no.2 comes back, this will be the third fall season I'm hoping the Crew will make it. With all the mentions of leopard print..I'm hopeful.

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    5. Made in Italy is fine but even better IMO is having leather lining and soles. Especially if we're talking $248. Collette is made in Italy according to the style guide.

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    6. Thanks, all, for sharing your impressions of the new catalogue. Fun to read, especially since the SA at the store closest to me told me they wouldn't get the new guide for a few weeks, when they received the new items. Bummer.

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    7. I saw the Sunday Slims in the store today but didn't try them on- they had cream, rust, navy and an olive-y green which bummed me out because I was hoping for a khaki. They did not look very slouchy though!

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    8. Got my hands on a style guide today, and all I want are the adorable gray kittens. =(

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    9. Banana Republic's city chinos are slouchy, if that's what you are looking for, but they are roll-up style. The fabric is a great weight - thinner than some of the J. Crew chinos but substantial.

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  3. Cropped Shell in Black - This looked sheer on the website, so I expected to need a cami under it. I was pleasantly surprised to see that, even though it is sheer, because of it's loose fit my nude bra was not visible. The pintucks, lace detail and tie back closure make it a very pretty top. I bought a regular 0 and it is not cropped on my 5'3" self - hits at high hip bone. A petite would be slightly shorter, but still not cropped, IMO.
    Inset Embellished Tank in navy - Blingy tops are usually not my style, but this is so pretty. The glass beads look clear on the navy.They are faceted, add just a bit of sparkle and look to be well attached to the top. A very pretty shade of navy, definitely blue, not 'maybe black'.
    Adding my love for the Vintage Cropped Jean. I got the Parisi wash. I thought it would be a nice light color for Spring and Summer. Super comfy in my usual size. They feel soft and maybe stretch out a bit with wear, but not enough for me to size down. I like wearing them with flats and kitten heels; so I'm very excited to read that there are more kitten heels coming in this next roll-out.

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    1. I wish I can buy the linen sundress, I just don't know where I would wear it to. It's marked down today with additional 40% off. Gotta have self control and not spend in case I see something I like from Monday's roll-out. :-D

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    2. I think the linen sundress dress is beautiful. I am SO over the sequin though. I wish the design was done some colorful silk.
      Also, agree w/JSR, I don't think I would do much wear out of it.

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    3. JSR: I actually think that the dress can be worn casually. I love it with a denim jacket!

      anon: I agree, the dress is beautiful. And, I am SO not over sequins! I love the sparkle!

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    5. Rynetta - I love how you styled it! Pairing it with a jean jacket does make it casual. :)

      Okay. I ordered the dress. I'll see if size 2 fits.. Since reviewers online said it runs big. I don't think I have seen this dress in person. I've only seen the pants at a store.

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    6. JSR: I think that you will love it! Please let me know what you think when you get it! And, thank you!!!!

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  5. Did you see this? Strange branding decisions. And, I already know of at least one factory store in a traditional mall (Plymouth Meeting, PA), so I guess this is just the same model with a new name?

    http://www.buzzfeed.com/sapna/jcrews-plan-for-outlet-stores-in-regular-malls#.kljOmZZ0x

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    1. There is a J.Crew Factory store in the Hamilton Place Mall in Chattanooga. It opened last year and it is not an outlet mall. I don't shop factory, too many knock offs and poor quality. Changing the name will not help that.

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    2. Why not simply open more Factory if seems like they will sell the same items (as in a crappy quality)?? From the article (thanks Heather):
      "The label for J.Crew Mercantile, like J.Crew Factory, will feature the J.Crew brand name and two diamonds, and the same J.Crew Factory division internally will work on the Mercantile stores"
      This might be a great news to those who want to shop on the budget. To me personally, this whole Factory/Mercantile expansion only cheapens the JCrew brand. Ugh.

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    3. I think MD likes the name, also a new name lets them create some marketing buzz. That's my guess.

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    4. Yes, Cate, you are absolutely correct. I good diversion from what's happening at JCrew proper, too.

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  6. Where is everyone viewing the catalog at? Is it online somewhere?

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    1. Some ladies have the style guide. The photos on Pinterest will upload by Sunday in time for Monday's online launch.

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  7. I feel like I've been doing more returning than keeping these days...and I guess I don't have much energy to review the non-keepers!

    I can't recall if I've posted about these, but if I have, I'll say it again...I have been loving the cotton suiting this summer - the Thompson blazer and Campbell trousers have been in constant rotation. I took the smaller of my two pants sizes in the Campbell trousers and while they do have some stretch I don't find that they're sloppy at the end of the day as many reviews online have stated.

    I have also gotten a lot of wear out of the Paley suit pants which work well for my curvy bottom half. I take the larger of my two bottom sizes (14) in these pants but they still have a slim silhouette and I like the ankle length of these, as they're still professional. I personally don't mind that they don't have belt loops as they sit exactly on my low waist.

    Also, I tried a few bathing suit cover ups that were keepers - the gauze stripe tassel dress and the metallic piped tassel beach tunic will be a great addition to my almost non-existent cover up collection. I sized up from a L to an XL in the stripe dress which was the right call and a L in the metallic tunic was perfect - they will both get a lot of wear at the beach this summer!

    And finally, I've been getting a ton of weekend wear out of the black Cyprus sandals. I sized up from my usual 9.5 to a 10 and while they did take some breaking in, they are a steal and on trend for the summer! They do get unbearably slippery when wet, but I think that's true of a lot of sandals.

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  8. I ordered the midnight floral shift dress (item c4473) online and was super excited to wear it. I wore it to the office today (my first day of wearing the dress) and the seams of the dress split on both sides--literally the jacquard fabric was coming away from the hem. I ordered my size (tried it on in store to be sure and a 10 fit true to size) and it fit great!! However, the fabric is so delicate that it tore from the seams and I doubt it can be repaired! Thank goodness it is lined or I'd be walking around the office in a cardigan wrapped around my waist. I am really bummed out in the quality of this dress. I am returning it and getting a full refund. The CS rep was nice about it.

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    1. Oh no-sorry this happened to you! I have my fingers crossed mine won't do this. Haven't worn it yet, and am a little anxious about doing so...

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  9. Does anybody know if the 75% accessories is still going on in stores? I haven't been in a store in forever and I need a new travel tote! And I can never say no to more jewelry :)

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    1. Anthro blogger, it was a few hours ago when I called a store to look for something. Happy hunting! ;)

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    2. Still was today the 15th.

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    3. Yes, it is. Just came back from a store in NYC (after making over $300 of returns, and purchasing $0). Seen nothing I like, but the 75% is still on! Without being advertised, may I admit...Sort of like a sale for insiders :)!

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  10. Did place an order this morning, nothing was final sale. Can't beat Tippis for $23, Jackies for $29, Pixies for $20 and Vintage Tees for $11. All the oldies but goodies but a good time to stock up. Even the Navy Jackie was on sale.

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    1. JRS, majority of my purchases are oldies but goodies! :)

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  11. Has anyone tried the cropped shell? I'm wondering about sizing (stupid final sale, grr). https://www.jcrew.com/browse/single_product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441858033&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302024078&nav_type=PRMNAV&bmUID=kWcDQV9

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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! :)