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! :)
Anyone able to comment on the quality of the men's fair isle sweaters? I used to buy mens in the smallest size because they seemed softer and more substantial but it has been a while. I haven't bought one for my husband in a while because they haven't needed replacing. The boys Crewcuts also has some nice sweaters too.
ReplyDelete2 recent things I tried:
ReplyDeleteThe shrunken boy shirt in forest plaid (c9961).
I thought it might run small so went with a size 8 (I’m usually a 6 or 8 in JC tops). When I took it out of the box LOVED the plaid and colors. I was whispering “please let it fit” over and over. I was imagining everything I would pair it with (gray merino v neck! Forest green cardi! Navy sweatshirt!) Then I tried it on and it was hilariously short in the sleeve - like 3+ inches. Also kind of boxy in the body. I should have ordered a tall size (I am 5’10”) but in other JC button downs (like the perfect shirt) I usually get regular sizing rather than tall because sometimes the tall sizes are wayyyy too long in the body. Like a tunic. I checked online though and this one in tall is only 2” longer in the body in the tall size, so may try that next.
Zinnia crystal bracelet (e8907)
I have not bought any JC jewelry since the wooden acorn bracelet (2008??), this looked cute and kind of vintage-y so tried it out on the promo. One very annoying thing on the website, they only show lots of the jewelry from one angle (usually only ONE photo) and don’t show it on a person. Anyway, the flowers weren’t too huge or anything and overall it was a nice weight, I just could’t stand the weird color (murky lavender?) of the center stones which ruined the whole look overall for me. Plus when I *gently* ran my fingers along the petals some of them were already a tad wiggly so I was worried they would be falling off before long. (keep thinking that a lot of this oversize flower type thing they have been doing lately can be purchased for just a few bucks at vintage or antique shops.) So that one went back too.
I took photos of both (that hilarious short sleeve ha), they’re on my IG. username: navybluecardigan
I wish I could post some reviews but I have three open orders from last week, including one from 11/30. The holiday season may be over by the time I receive my stuff! :(
ReplyDeleteJust got the point sur teddy buckle back jeans. Great price on sale. Fit TTS. one issue. There is about a 3/4 inch difference between the leg lengths. As cute as they are I may have to bring them back. They are cropped so it's noticeable.
DeleteI reviewed the Edged Lace blouse in Marine Salt on my blog here. The blouse runs large and while I know the top is getting a lot of love online, I wasn’t totally wowed. Yes, it’s a pretty blouse but I found the material to read inexpensive. But, take a look for yourself and let me know what you think!
ReplyDeleteI did, however love the Contrast Floral Lace Skirt. I am usually a 12/14 in J.Crew skirts (almost always a 12 but sometimes a 14 in pencil skirts), I have pretty full hips and a smaller waist and I ended up with a 10 in this skirt. I am 5’7” and the skirt hits right below my knees. The lace is beautiful, I don’t mind the elastic waist and it’s nice to have a lace skirt that isn’t a pencil skirt. You can see it on my blog paired with the Tippi in garnet flame and the J.Crew bow coat from a few years ago here. The lining is pretty much my exact skin tone which also added to the love for me.
Lastly, the Collection Wool Flannel Trouser (04471) – these are currently out of stock online but have been popping back in stock regularly. I wouldn’t have paid full price for these but for less than $100 I gave them a try. I am usually a 14 in suiting pants with some extra room in the waist but these fit me pretty perfectly at a 14. They are a little higher waisted but not extremely so. They are not lined, but I found the wool to be very soft and while I would love them to be lined, I think they’re very flattering and with a pair of 3” heels are the perfect length on me, so they are definitely on the longer side. They’ve got a wider leg, more than a trouser leg but not the extreme wide leg of some of the other pants that are out right now. I styled them recently with the tartan perfect shirt from a few years ago and also the polka dot Blythe blouse, you can see them on my blog here
Thanks for the reviews! The lace blouse looks amazing on you!
DeleteI agree with Cate. I think the lace blouse looks great on you.
DeleteI agree with Cate. I think the lace blouse looks great on you.
DeleteI'm not wowed with it either Anne, something about it is a bit cartoonish. I think the the lace is a bit too thickly outlined. It's exaggerated.
DeleteI also think the blouse looks lovely on you, Anne! I received mine yesterday as well, and I actually happen to love it. I found it to run true to size, ordered my usual size 0 on a popback, and it fits nicely. I like that the lace is not so delicate, as I mainly intend to wear it with jeans, but will also wear it with a black skirt and knee boots. I do think that it can be tucked in nicely without taking away from the looks of the blouse, so for those of you who were worried about that, I personally wouldn't be. After receiving this one in the marine salt, I am quite curious as to how the navy will look, and may consider purchasing once it goes on sale. :)
DeleteThanks, ladies, appreciate all of the feedback. I may try a smaller size to see if I feel differently about it...peer pressure, you're swaying me to the other side! Haha. Really though, I appreciate both sides of feedback.
DeleteYou've got to be feeling it to keep it, though, so it only matters if you like it! :)
DeleteBtw, Anne...I love, love, LOVE the lace skirt on you! Talk about gorgeous! It's as if that one was made especially for you! :)
DeleteI think I agree with you about the blouse. It's fine, but it definitely doesn't wow. Something about it makes it look cheap, rather than really pretty and lux, which is how lace should look. You are right that J. Crew does (has done) some lace really well, and I don't think this blouse is one of those standout pieces. It's just meh to me. I would personally not keep it if you don't love it. You can do better!
DeleteThe skirt does look fantastic on you, though!
i love the blouse on you! I didn't consider it before. I'm now checking for it in my size!
Delete@cate I totally agree...I think it is going back but I'm thrilled so many others like it.
Delete@Melissa thank you so much for your kind words about the skirt...I love it.
@blakemdjohns all good points, thank you :)
@sunny thank you, I hope you can find it in your size!
Smackdown review of the J.Crew Factory Long-sleeve Cashmere Tee in Heather Dove vs Macy's Charter Club Crew-neck Sweater here on my Instagram.
ReplyDeleteLove the Macy's one. Didn't realize Macy's had such nice cheap pieces. I must check it out. I actually like my cashmere a bit thinner to layer under my rain coats.
DeleteWatch for early signs of pilling on the Macy's Charter Club cashmere. I bought a zip hoodie a couple of years ago and noticed it was already pilling when I got it home. Quality probably varies (maybe I just got one from a bad batch or a bad year or style), but keep an eye out for it.
DeleteI agree with cate. Bought a Charter Club cashmere sweater two years ago and after I wore it twice, forget about it.
DeleteJCrew pills as well, so I'd rather pay less and have the actual look and fit of the sweater be nicer. I don't expect high quality at $50.
DeleteI don't have any new reviews this week, but I wanted to let my fellow JCAs know about a contest I have going on right now on my blog. I'm giving away a fabulous Dove ladies and mens set (shampoos, conditioners, body washes, deoderants, and hair styling products) worth over $50. Stop by if you'd like to enter!
ReplyDeletexo
Heather
Partial to Pink
of all things, I'm loving the Collection French Lamé Metallic Blouse, e5018. No idea what makes it "French," and lamé is definitionally a metallic fabric - I guess they really wanted to communicate that it might be sparkly, which it is. The color is "metallic mauve," although in most lights it reads more bronze to me than mauve. When I saw it in store I fell in love.The collar and cuffs are well cut, the inside of the neckband is or feels like silk and the front strips where buttons and buttonholes live are silk-lined as well. I've worn it with black silk pants, and that was perfect. Because of the sparkly ambiguous color, it's a difficult match-up. It seems to be meant for black velvet, it's overkill with black jeans, a definite no with winter white. I'm considering trying it with a deep purple velvet jacket that I know I've held onto. The fit is described as "slim" on the website, I found that my regular size was very blouse at the sides and my smaller size fit very nicely. Definitely a keeper.
ReplyDeleteAnother word about the fabric, JC recently offered a pale gold "lamé" blouse in a metallic fabric which was thin and slippery and unappealing. No comparison.
Did I mention they really want you to figure out that it's metallic?
Oops, autocorrect - my regular size was loose and blouse-y at the sides.
DeleteAnother one of my items that came yesterday was the Wool melton military coat with faux-fur collar in the Heather Charcoal colorway. Wow is this coat ever adorable! I'm really not sure why it lingered for so long and was marked down to 50% off, but I'm glad it was. I ordered a size 2, which is the same as my lady day coat, and it fits nicely in the shoulders and sleeves. The description claims that it's nipped in at the waist, but I don't find that to really be the case. Maybe if I had sized down to the 0 it would be more fitted there, but then the shoulders would feel too snug. If you look at the front view pic of the model in the navy one on the website, you can see it pulling a bit at the bust/shoulder area, so I think they have her sized down to make it appear more fitted. I would say that it has a bit more of an a-line shape to it. Still super cute and flattering though! I love the longer length, gold buttons, and faux-fur collar. I can easily see this one being a 'go-to' item for me. I haven't worn it outside yet, so I cannot attest to its warmth factor, but I'm sure that it will do fine for temps in the 30's like we're having now. This one had been on my radar from its debut on the website, and while I do not think it worth the full-price of $378, I do think the $125 that it's been selling for is reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention that I have broad shoulders, so if yours are normal to small width, you may be able to size down one on the coat.
DeleteMelissa, thank you so much for the positive review. I bit the bullet last week and ordered it. I'm waiting to receive it. "It looks like a classic with a twist" option with the removable faux fur collar option. I feel relief knowing you like yours.
Deletecmg: You're welcome! I'm glad you were able to order the coat before it sold out...hope you love it like I do! Let me know what you think once yours arrives. :)
Delete:: Madewell Review ::
ReplyDeletePenfield® Chatham Flannel Check Shirt (E1452) in XS, RED VELVET - The XS fits me like a glove (I'm 36B). I regret not ordering an S though to compare. I probably would have preferred to wear it slouchy, as the shirt is slim cut, not boyfriend. All sizes are sold out, but you can stalk for popbacks.
The quality of the flannel is very nice. I am impressed. The way its stitched... You can tell a small clothing company puts a lot of TLC into their merchandise. My favorite part of the shirt is the back shoulder; it is sewn to match the pattern with rest of the back fabric. I am very particular about that. It cheapens the shirt when the print is not aligned (like most of J.Crew's printed shirts, with the exception of Thomas Mason-that's why its not cheap).
I am sold on Penfield!
Slim broken-in boyfriend Cone denim jean in Port Stewart wash (e0069) - In this case, "cotton with stretch" = 93% cotton/6% polyester/1% spandex, which made them too Pajama Jean-y for me. I had hoped that "cotton with stretch" would be 99-98% cotton/1-2% spandex. The wash did not look like it did in the picture, and seemed to be less indigo and more heavily sanded.
ReplyDeleteAnne (Fablifeforever) reviewed this above, but here is another review of the J. Crew Edged Lace Blouse I LOVE the blouse (Anne and I have talked about this!)
ReplyDeleteFinally got two of my orders from last week (actually one came in under a week but one took 11 days).
ReplyDeletePatio pants in bi-stretch cotton: black and California poppy. I also ordered neon flame but they will go back. I tried the wool ones on in the store to oohs and ahhs. I really wanted black but they are not available in wool other than with the leather tuxedo stripe, with not great reviews (they are on order and should be in tomorrow.). I took the same size as the wool and sized down as well. Both fit but I could see how the larger size can stretch out and not look great, but the bottom line is I'm not thrilled with the cotton, sadly. It doesn't help that everything needs to be steamed when it's taken out of the package. I'll have to give them a second look or show my husband. But meh. I think one of the issues for me is you can't really tuck a shirt in. Even a tank top shows through.
Rayner jean in black. I sized down and got my regular size. Both fit but I think I'd actually prefer them looser on the hip, and I don't think the pocket placement does my butt any favors--it needs super big pockets that extend down farther. I swear I looked at my rear view and felt like a Kardashian. This is in a size 24/25. I also steamed them. I wish I could try them in a few other sizes because they can be very cool but who knows. I was tempted to order the darker denim at $35 sale price but not at final sale.
After steaming they did soften up (out of the package the leg lies kind of weird) and I have to say these may end up being keepers. The denim has a lot of stretch and sizing up more may make them too large. They look good with heels and flats. I may have to go ahead and order the darker denim version.
DeleteSuz Has - You mean to say you don't want the look of butt implants for a mere $35? All the kids are doing it. lol
DeleteLol, I wish my husband was home because he might actually
DeleteLike these. And I'm
Liking them more--see my part 2! They were just so stiff out of the package.
Blue denim may actually be more versatile than the black, for dressing up.
Delete@gigi, I tried the Rayner jean in black on for my DH who (without knowing what I wrote above) commented on my Alicia Keys butt. Fwiw, he liked them!
Delete