Tuesday, October 4, 2016

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! :)

63 comments:

  1. Hi. This is off topic but I am perplexed by the website and hoping one of you can enlighten me. Sometimes when I log onto the website it looks a certain way (and the search functionality works a particular way), but then other times, it has a different "look and feel" (and doesn't have as much sorting functionality). I am not describing it very well. Has anyone experienced this? Any tips for getting the "version" of the website I want? (In all instances I am logging on via a desktop, as opposed to mobile device.)

    Thank you!

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    1. I know the website varies for me if I log in on Google Chrome versus Internet Explorer.

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    2. Hi Toronto Modern - I know exactly what you're talking about. I think that sometimes the site (and Madewell's, too) shows up on my laptop in the mobile version. The pictures look stretched out and kind of grainy, and the layout/search is different. I can't seem to find a way to change it, which is annoying. I usually have to open an incognito window in Chrome in order to view the regular site. I'd love to know if there's a way to change the default on the site.

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    3. I don't know that it's even a browser issue. I use Chrome on my work PC & sometimes it switches back & forth if I go from say, Page 2 sale to Page 3 sale. Or from view all to view a single item, then back again. It's very weird & annoying.

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  2. New items hit the sale racks, including the Harlow Cardigan in certain colors. With the credit card discount this cardigan is now about half price. I had been wanting that one too.

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    1. I bought it full price (ugh!) in the peacock blue shade- nice quality and the grosgrain ribbon detail is nice. Would recommend

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    2. I bought it full price (ugh!) in the peacock blue shade- nice quality and the grosgrain ribbon detail is nice. Would recommend

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    3. I love that the ribbon binding on the pale pink and the deep scarlet is an exact match to the rest of the sweater. I didn't buy the green because the ribbon is jarringly different from the rest of the sweater.

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    4. WFF, I tried on the green in store and noticed that. SO weird! It looked ok out in the store, got it in the changing room and the ribbon completely clashed with the sweater color. I love kelly green and was even willing to get past the buttons and purchase, but when I saw the ribbon clashing with the sweater it was a pass for sure.

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  3. CURRNT PROMO ENDS TONIGHT. if final sale is over ( lets hope its time is short lived ) I would order about $5oo worth of items. but final sale......NO WAY.

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  4. CURRNT PROMO ENDS TONIGHT. if final sale is over ( lets hope its time is short lived ) I would order about $5oo worth of items. but final sale......NO WAY.

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  5. Anyone have password problems? I quite often get an password error message while I'm sure I use the correct password. Then I have to do the 'Forgot password' routine, update my password to what it originally was, only to get the error message again after a couple of times. I thought it was my password manager, but not sure as I only have this with J Crew's website:-(((

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  6. OT - Madewell new arrivals, including Sezanne!

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    1. The Sezane stuff is underwhelming IMO. There a couple cute things but all of it is way overpriced for stuff made in China.

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    2. I was looking forward to the Madewell arrivals, but for at least the third fall season almost all of the sweaters have dropped shoulders (and the ones that aren't appear to be cropped). Lots of blends there, too - even in Sézane. Meh!

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    3. Thanks for the heads up, @JSR. I see a few things I like.

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  7. Reporting back on the Campbell blazer in Donegal tweed. Very nice! 100% wool and thick enough to wear as an outdoor jacket in cooler temps. I took my usual size 00 and could comfortably layer a thin sweater underneath. From the front, the blazer nips in nicely at the waist. It does look awfully blocky from the side, though. Quality seems good, and the price after promo was quite reasonable.

    I also tried Boden’s Elizabeth blazer in British tweed (size 2 reg). Also 100% wool, but notably thinner than the JC Campell. The cut was odd. I didn’t find it tight through the shoulders as several online reviewers did, but the armholes were quite high and tight. The body of the blazer is short, reminiscent of JC’s original Schoolboy, and clearly cut for a curvy figure. The sweep of the bottom hem is especially generous, way too much so for my straight-ish figure. A pass for me.

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    1. Oh, TY for both of these reviews and in particular for the Boden one, as I'd been eyeing that item as well. Will be a pass for me as well.

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    2. Also reporting back on Icashmere ruffle polo in light grey, very cute, good thickness, fits TTS. Will see how it wears. Do like the look very much! Would get it in burgundy, but sold out.. but not in hurry for this price...

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    3. Thanks for the review on the cashmere ruffle polo! Cabernet was on my list for winter, so ordered burgundy in a medium when it went on sale. Liked the look of it in the style guide. Will receive it this week.

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  8. Anyone know about the Rainer jean (item F5647)? Really want to try them but there are no online reviews for them. There are reviews for them in white denim but I often find quite a difference in fabric between the different colors. Thanks!

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    1. I bought the white jeans many months ago and sent them back. They are very wide and the models who are 6 feet tall look great in them. I am short and thin and could not pull the look off in any way.

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    2. I bought two pairs last winter. I'm 5'6" and actually really like them. They're wide but in a cool way. That said, they're a little out of my comfort zone! I definitely like them better on myself with heels as opposed to ballet flats or oxfords. (I sold one pair on Poshmark and have the other listed!) I love all kinds of jeans but reach for the same ones over and over, so. I might not be the best example of wearing them. If you check out my IG you can see how I styled them one or two ways. @wearthislikethis

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    3. Looks like the leg opening is an inch narrower than it was— 21 3/4 instead of. 22 3/4.

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    4. Suz, how was sizing? Same as billy crop or size down?

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    5. I took my usual denim size. In the Billie crop I got (black) I actually preferred a size down. Because they're high waisted a lot depends on how small your waist is.

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  10. Received the midi shirtdress in stripes (it's now on sale too but pretty much sold out); very simple and classic style. I like how the stripes are placed. Sized up for more room on the shoulder area (no tall size), silk is nice, and length is right past the knees for tall frame.

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    1. I tried this dress in store from a return about a month ago & loved it. Didn't know it was on sale (thank you for the heads up!), so had a VPS track it down in a store. Can't wait to get it. Looks like it's true that stores are keeping some online returns. I've been able to find items that were sold out online. Also, if you use your J Crew card, stores don't charge shipping on sale items.

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    2. Found the Thomas mason gingham dress in store last night. It was marked full price but after some research they sold it at a sale price with 40% off! There was a rack of full price returns.

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    3. @crewmum glad you scored it! It's a lovely dress, and I definitely recommend. I was also able to find it in store & bought @ sale price. For some reason, it seems as though JC prices reset/don't stay current in their systems when an item sells out. It's a small inconvenience that I can live with :).

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  11. Two thumbs up for the city trench! The color is an earthy brown, with a bit of orange in it -- it took me a minute to get used to it, but now I really like it. A cotton fabric that rumples well (if that makes any sense, I don't like stiff trenches) and a cheerful striped lining.

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  12. JCrews quality has diminished considerably; in their materials, sizing, lengths, you name it. Won't be shopping there anything soon. Will only buy Collection Sale items. I have never even considered shopping any place else for my better clothing, I am at a loss.

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    1. Hi Alice, I was also disappointed with some of their offerings for the last two years but I have to admit the summer and fall collections have had pretty good, "old jcrew" items. You see more wool, cotton and silk pieces at an affordable price range again and the styles are getting better too. Maybe hang on for just a little while, what I saw for their winter 16 and spring/summer 17 collections look promising...

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    2. I agree with ebeldani-- the quality has returned on many items. I just got the A-Line Dress in silk windowpane and it actually seems like a much more expensive dress for the price. Just wish it wasn't made in China.

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  13. Rant about Madewell: Deliveries are taking FOREVER! I guess it's nice that they always have free shipping but when it takes over a week to arrive, you forget about what you ordered! Why is taking so long?

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    1. I placed my first Madewell with the promo last week and also opted for the slow but free shipping -- always hard to wait. I'm very curious as this is my first order on how fit/quality/etc will be. I'm a long time J. Crew shopper and haven't really found Madewell appealing but decided to try some wide leg pants after seeing them on a blog and then ended up adding in a couple of other items to try and get up to $200 for the promo. Fingers crossed that the wait is worth it.

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  14. OT - I just saw my J.Crew CC statement, rewards mailed out 10/1.
    ..and of course its snail mail.

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  15. Did not buy anything from the last roll-out but did order a few items from their Net-a-Porter collaboration:

    Sailor cotton twill wide-leg pants - This is the sailor pants iteration I've been waiting for. Pure cotton, no stretch, no gold buttons, wide leg but not cropped. Fits TTS with my JC chinos.

    Stripe-trimmed trench coat - I needed an updated trench which was easier to wear than my icon trench. I love the more streamlined design (no buckles, not double-breasted), the black buttons and of course the striped trim. Khaki color is not too light, not too dark, with no greyish or olive tint. Fits TTS as my icon trench but this seems to be more of a spring coat.

    Gadzooks color-block wool turtleneck - This reminds me of my old classic JC sweaters. Fits TTS (Small), not too tight or oversized. I did not find the wool scratchy. Color-block design is not crazy jarring.

    Overall very pleased with the capsule collection. Pricing was reasonable for Net-a-Porter, designs not trendy, products are well-made and likely to last more than a few seasons. Why can't they offer something like this in their website?

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    1. I just grabbed that turtleneck on popback -- very glad to hear this review. And I agree, this is the kind of stuff I wish regular line J.Crew would do!

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  16. FYI-popbacks on the Avery Heel in tweed! Ina posted a pic of the Duchess wearing them in her IG. Get them while you can!

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    1. @anna maria i will keep an eye out for u with the navy cape scarf.
      What is ur IG name,so i can DM u?

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  17. Hi Ina! It's me quila_the_corgi!

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  18. Received the Paisley Printed Leather Heels- only had a chance to try them on quickly but they are def beautiful. They are a tiny bit long in my usual Jcrew size but don't think I could size down even if they were available. I love how feminine/pretty they look, the quality looks good (happy there's a leather lining) and the lower heel height is great. The strap was fine for me (a couple of reviews said it was short but I didn't find that). They feel a bit stiff but hopefully will be comfortable. As Doodle Dachshund had mentioned in a previous review, the pattern placement is quite different but I'm happy with how they are on mine. I'm very happy that I received the sale price (price adjustment) because the regular $300 cdn price would be too steep for these, even the sale price is pretty high but they are pretty unique.

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    1. Forgot to mention the only thing I wasn't keen on is the toe cleavage. Wish there wasn't any but they have a lower cut.

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    3. I reviewed them on my IG in case anybody wants to see them IRL

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    4. Hi Ina, yes you made me really want them when I saw your pic! Thank you for all of the reviews you do!

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  19. Got the Billie Demi boot crop jean in brookdale wash, with the let out hem. Some say it runs small. I preferred one size down in the Billie in black, so I ordered a size down and my regular size. They definitely run small! I tried them on after dinner and would have to lie on the bed to zip the smaller size. :( my regular size fits but much smaller than the black pair. Not sure if this fabric will stretch out more with wear but I'll try them on again in the morning.

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    1. And they went back, sadly. And I tried two more in store that were on the Sale rack and they just didn't have the same fit or feel as the black ones.

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  20. New promo: 30% off select items and 40% off sale items. Their was also a decent update to the sale section.

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  21. I bought the long downtown field jacket in deep forest last week with one of the promotions. I wear a 10/12 on top and went with the medium which is a perfect fit. I love this jacket. I've been looking for a darker mid season coat to wear in lieu of a trench and I think this is it. I'm 5'8" and it hits me mid thigh, I love ability to cinch it at the waist (which is more apparent from the rear than front. I probably won't wear a ton of layers underneath it but I can comfortably fit a light sweater and tee with it. I wear my shorter field jackets all the time so I'm optimistic I'll get a fair amount of wear out of this. The hardware is definitely a brighter gold but I think it gives some visual interest to the jacket.

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  22. Tried the lookout high rise cords in fatigue color--they seem to have disappeared from the website, but they shipped from an order I placed in late September. They ran extremely small, as in, I took a size 29 in the Sammie chinos, which fit fine, and then ordered a size 29 in the Lookouts and could not get them over my thighs. Returned them immediately, will be looking elsewhere for high rise skinny cords this year!

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  23. Ordered the chateau parka in the yellow color. It is really pretty and after all the positive reviews I could not pass it up. When i put it on I felt like a little lion, but I wasnt made about it. The sleeves are a little long and big around but I guess that is ideal for layering. I am 5'2" and it hits at about the knee maybe a little above. Its a cute little a-line and I am excited to wear it.

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  25. I love loungewear and had to try the "Mile(s) by Madewell" offline sweatpants. Even though the tag says 100% cotton, the heathered ones felt like a poly blend. They were not at all soft - they are french terry and basically no different from the JC Factory sweatpants that I tried and returned. Plus, they had a long crotch and were not in any way flattering. Granted, my favorite loungewear from JC are the weekend skinny sweatpant and the first iteration of the Saturday pant, so my expectations probably need to be adjusted. These are in no way worth $65, IMO.

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    1. I also ordered the black offline sweatpants and wasn't going to even open them based on the heathered ones, but I opened the package and despite the description saying "cotton", these felt like old school gym class warmup pants, and are actually cotton/polyamide. Deal breaker right there. I find it really annoying that JC and Madewell are so frequently wrong with their item descriptions.

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  26. Has anyone tried on the Harlow cardigan in the online-only red colour? I'd really like to order that one, but I've found that the sizing is inconsistent for the various colours -- the teal fit TTS, but the yellow in the same size's arms are too narrow and short (and since it's final sale, I can't return or exchange it) -- and would prefer to only order one size right the first time rather than two and get stuck with a dud size.

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    1. Hi Xan, it's not final sale as of today for that cardigan. I just checked to make sure so maybe order today in case it changes again tomorrow. :)

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  27. Styling the boatneck stripe shirt, navy wool sailor pants, and paris print silk scarf on the blog tonight. Everything runs TTS.

    Heather
    Partial to Pink

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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! :)