Tuesday, April 11, 2017

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! :)

39 comments:

  1. Not a new review but if anyone needs a spring dress for a dance, shower or wedding, the A Line Dress in Vineyard Jacquard is marked down to $49.99 - 30%, not FS and available in quite a few sizes. This dress is absolutely gorgeous and the fabric is divine. Looks fab on its own but I have also worn it with a blue striped shirt underneath and a denim jacket to dress it down. Highly recommend. This is an item that gives me hope for J Crew.

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    1. I agree with your recommendation for the dress. I don't own it, but I've loved it since I first laid eyes on it. The fabric is beautifully rich and the colours are so vibrant, I think it's a steal at $35!

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    2. It must have not sold because they made it too much above the knee. I believe the tall sizes all sold out and women must not like the length on the regular.

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    3. I managed to snatch a tall size since I'm almost six feet tall, but it wasn't easy. For years, we have complained that the dresses are too short. What is the result of this complaint? They continue to make the dresses too short.

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    4. well. every ¼ inch of fabric is money....

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    5. I'm 5'4" so it's a perfect length for me. If you are taller, it would be well above the knee. It's clearly a more expensive fabric than most of what they are using now so I guess we're lucky the yardage is what it is!

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  2. OT but Banana Republic now has a line of bridesmaid dresses called Weddington Way. Find that strange since the Crew just got out of it. Curious to see how it performs and if it will stick around. I guess all these retailers have to try something!

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    1. @JessF, oh wow, that is rather curious! I just looked up the line and it seems that it's a collab. with Style Me Pretty, and the dresses don't seem terrible or too terribly priced. (Average for bridesmaids' dresses, I think.) Not bad! When my sister got married a few years ago, we all went to Anthro for their BLDN line (or whatever it's called) and were very pleased with it.

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    2. I noticed that too the other day and thought the same thing about being a replacement for J.Crew bridal.

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    3. I still really think it was a mistake for J Crew to discontinue bridal, so many people I know went to J Crew for their dresses because of the many styles but still with the same colors. I think their bridal dresses started creeping up in price which might have made them lose money as a lot of lower price bride competition entered the scene, it's J Crew's loss and BR's gain for sure. They should have stuck with bridesmaids instead of throwing into athlesiure, they really had a major hold on that market IMO.

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  3. Thomas Mason short sleeve top returned because it looks like scrubs on me. The shirting felt sooooo nice. I've been waiting all the cold months to try it, figuring I would love it. Big disappointment after finally spending the cash. The SA who took the return said they get a lot of these back, and it wasn't just my smaller stature being a fit issue. That doesn't mesh with the online reviews!

    Also tried the Point Sur jeans. Almost loved them. Fit was wonderful and the length was great, but they were a little too jegging for me. I was surprised by this as well. They weren't terrible, but I expected more. I have a pair of J brand shorts, and they are thicker, but they bagged out. I may try Level 99. I tried them in a boutique, and while they weren't too much thicker, they were better, had high waist options, and an SA claims she wore hers three times without them bagging out. I wonder.

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  4. for me most of the stripe tops feel like scrubs. i wear scrubs at work....so def. not buying for out and about.

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  5. OT....stopped at Target today. I saw the Victoria Beckham line. The nicest thing I can say is that if you're a 6 year old girl this line has some cute things for you. I am happy to report I found THE cutest sundress for me. It's from the Who What Wear line. Black and white midsize checked with a scoop neck (but not too low), sleeveless that buttons up the front. The skirt is attached to the waist and it's a 3 gored skirt so it's got some nice fullness to it, but didn't at all make my hips look big. It's a midi...I'm 5"9' and it's mid calf length. It has an interesting waist detail. On the sides of the waist where the skirt is attached it's open just a little...a peak- a- poo with some gathering and a drawstring. I wish it was on the website...but they wouldn't show that detail anyway. It's not too revealing or cheesy looking....I think it looks like vintage styling. And I think it looks like something the Crew would make. I'll be pairing it with a straw handbag, black ankle tie espadrilles, Tippi cardigan tied around my shoulders, big dangly earrings and cat eye sunglasses. Gosh I can't wait for warm weather!

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  6. OTS top in black. I also ordered the red. Doesn't work for me at all. Length is too short. Sleeves are an odd length. I can't wear it partially on my shoulders because it cuts into my underarms. Sizing up may or may not work but I don't think it will.

    I also tried the sleeveless tunic sweater. It hits me at hip length, not a tunic. It's a good price and the fit is ok but it feels very acrylic.

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  7. I tried on the long spaghetti strap dress in gingham. I felt it was tts (really you just need to fit your top size as the bottom is billowy). The dress was at least 6" too long (I am 5'2"). It seemed well constructed and as some reviewers noted there are multiple layers under the skirt including a petticoat to keep the bottom full. The cut of the spaghetti straps made my semi-muscular arms look nice and the tie in the back allowed me to adjust the front coverage to my needs.

    I felt torn b/c this dress is not practical in my everyday life and even tricky for special occasions.Then the SA brought me the crystal beaded rumba earrings to try with it. That sealed the deal. I had the store order a 4 petite for me and hopefully that will help with the excess length.

    I am going to a wedding in Sonoma later this month. Ceremony is outdoors. A spring wedding outdoors in wine country is just about the only place I can think of where a cotton gingham ball gown will be perfectly appropriate :)

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    1. @TheDish, I think that that dress will be perfect for that occasion, but I also think it's such a special piece and worth every penny -- the kind of piece that makes you feel happy when you wear it. I bet you can wear to other events, maybe a summer evening party or a spring brunch. I love finding pieces like that & i hope you enjoy it!

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    2. Sounds fun! You will look fab in that outfit. (I live in SF) Hope the weather cooperates where you go to Sonoma 😉

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    3. That sounds fab! I hope the 4P is perfect for you.

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    4. It's such a gorgeous dress! I hope the size works out for you. Would love to hear how it turns out.

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  8. Tried the pom pom sweatshirt in pale red. The color worked for me, and as I have a short torso, I really liked the length. At first I thought it was a great top, was to match, cute, unique... but after a minute I noticed the fabric is quite rough and stiff. The high poly content is too scratchy. A sweatshirt should be come and cozy and this definitely isn't. Too bad.

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  9. Thanks TM93 and JSR! I think it is a special piece and thought full price was reasonable (bonus - the SA gave me the 30% off purchase in store even tho it was excluded from promo online; so that basically paid for the earrings)! I'm thinking an orangey red lip a-la-Jenna, and that's the outfit.
    JSR - I was born in SF but parents fled to the burbs. RIP Stonestown J Crew - that was my favorite store, it was small but everyone was helpful. SF Center is always such a tourist mess and I don't care for the Burlingame store so I usually trek down to Stanford :)

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  10. Finally received my Drake's Giraffe Print shoes. I ordered my usual size 9.5, and also an 8.5 as the website suggested sizing down one size. I would have ordered a 9, but they were sold out. Well, the 8.5 was too small, back in the box a moment later, so much for sizing down. The 9.5s seem to fit. They're a bit loose, but I think it's manageable, especially if I was wearing these on a hot day and my feet swelled at all. There's a bit of extra length at the toe, but the width seems perfect. While I'd like to try a 9, I think it's unlikely I'll catch one anytime soon. So, the shoes are very cute IRL, but I'm wondering if they're a bit *too* cute with the ribbon? I'd like to wear them more casually as I don't have many special occasions to dress up, but feel like the ribbon tie makes them less versatile. I'll try them with my crop kick Billies tomorrow and see if that works.

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    1. I think these shoes are adorable, really quite special. I think trying them with the cropped Billie is a great idea. That's how I plan on wearing them, with a simple, casual outfit like denim and a tee or a button down.
      I'd love to hear what you think, once you've had a chance to try them with the Billie.

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    2. Thanks, maryeb, I'll definitely check in again tomorrow. What size did you end up buying in relation to your usual JC size?

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    3. @shopgrrrl, I got my usual size in flats and added a small padded insert at the back for my heel, TopCare Clear Gel Heel Liners. I may add one under the ball of my foot, if I need it.

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    4. I tried the shoes on with my Billies and I think my heart actually fluttered, they just looked so cute! So I think I'm going to keep them even though the fit isn't perfect. Every year there's a pair of J.Crew shoes that I lust after for months and months, but don't buy as they're inevitably heels, and though I love to wear heels, I rarely do. So I always talk myself out of those shoes that I just love because I can't be spending $120+ on beautiful multicolour gingham heels that will sit in my closet 364 days of the year (yes, that was last year's dream shoe for me). But the Giraffe Print shoes have such a low, sturdy block heel that I know I could wear them more, and the blue/yellow will be easy to coordinate.

      Thanks for the tips on the gel heel liners, I might look into those if I need them after my first true wearing of the shoes.

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    5. Oh, fun! I'm glad they worked out for you.
      They are definitely more wearable than heels for me. More like a flat.

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  11. Mr. Brown Short brought me 7 packages yesterday. OINK! Here are my thoughts:

    Navy/white puckered gingham jacket- ordered my normal size in jackets. Shoulders and sleeve fit well although sleeves very long. Body of jacket too big. Very nicely made...but going back.

    Trench Dresses- Ordered size 6, normal dress size. Too big. Not reordering because it wasn't flattering on me. I really didn't like the khaki color.

    Clip dot blue gingham skirt- ordered my normal size 6...huge. I could probably wear a 2 it was so large. But I wasn't thrilled with it. Back it goes.

    Mustard color Jackie Embellished sequin sweater- When I put this on and looked in the mirror it was like being blinded by headlight! Total overkill on the sequins for me. The embellished flower are quite large and really "showy". What was I thinking?

    Red Rumba earrings- Wish these were a tad bigger, but I like them. Keeping.

    Navy espadrilles with gingham ties- Really surprised these fit! Cute and keeping.

    Pale blue lace up sandal with orange pom pom-Super cute. Keeping.

    "California" tee-cute. Keeping.

    Sailor Chino-I wanted to like these! Fit well except the waist was way too big. Returning.

    Raynor Chino-Cropped and straight legged. I'm 5'9" and these pants made my legs look short. And the waist was too big. I even sized down. Back they go.

    Out of the 7 packages/boxes I got I'm keeping 2 tee-shirts, 2 pairs of shoes and a pair of earrings. Well...I tried!

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    1. Thanks for all the reviews @straycat!
      How is the sizing on the blue lace up sandal with the pompoms and the California tee? Love both of these.

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    2. Love those navy espadrilles! Tried them in store, but I need an 11 & it's sold out. I'm also a fan of the CA tee. I haven't bought it yet, but totally agree about sizing up.

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  12. Hi maryeb......I ordered the California tee in M and L. Small wasn't available and that's my normal size in the vintage tee. In the California tee the M fit nice and fitted. That's how I like my tees. In the shoes I ordered the bigger size of the shoes I've been fitting this year. I can wear a 9 1/2 in a lot of brands, but the Crew runs small on me. The 10 in the blue/pom pom sandels fit. As did the espadrilles.

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    1. Received online orders and everything is a keeper.

      Collection full length wool & silk wide leg pants in pink. Pants are well done & high quality. Pink is a really rich color that perfectly matches Drake silk green Bengal pajama top. Fit is tts and they work well with a stacked heel (I'm just over 5.8.). The leg is wide, but it's comparable to J Crew's full length linen pants. So, if you like the style of that pant (it's available again this year), then you'll be happy with this style. I was able to purchase with my VPS during 30% off your purchase and added educator discount. This is a pant I can wear for multiple seasons.

      Linen wide leg pants in citrus. I tried these again after returning them and noticing that they fit like my pink gingham pants from last year i.e. pockets showing. I decided to give them another shot when I was able to purchase on sale. They look great with the lemon tee and tulle hem cardigan. They also work with Thomas Mason grosgrain ribbon stripe shirt and Michael De Feo long sleeve stripe painted tee.

      Denim ankle tie flats with ribbon. These are super cute and @inawonderland5 & @crazyaboutjcrew have both reviewed. They're a great option for weekends and work. I like the alternative take on a ballerina style. For around $40, they're a really nice spring, summer and early fall option. I've worn my denim pom pom flats from last year a lot, so I know I'll wear these too.

      Linen short with ruffle trim. I sized up for extra length. This is a very cute sale short. The ruffle is a nice detail and makes the leg of the short wider which I prefer. Linen is a nice quality and will work well with tees & linen tanks. Can easily see these getting a lot of wear on the weekends & on vacation.

      I have 3 tees from new arrivals on the way, so I'll review once they arrive. I also ordered pink wide leg cotton pants to try & made in the shade tee in khaki, but they're on backorder.

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    2. I love the ruffle trim short. Which color did you get Tara? I'm waiting for them to hit sale.

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    3. Chambray color called oxford blue. They're on sale for $44.99 + 40% off. I hope we're referencing the same short (G2050) 😍.

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    4. Oh, different, I'm talking about the one with the ruffle on top, it's high waisted and comes in Black, white and green and a seersucker stripe.
      I don't like buying shorts too early in the season because I tend to lose a little weight in the warmer weather and then my shorts are too big, at least in a structured short like this, so I'll wait a few weeks and hope they go on sale.

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  14. I'm styling the beaded tassel earrings and Factory leather mules on the blog today. Shoes run TTS and a good deal for the price. Happy Easter!

    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! :)