This is the weekly "Looking to VENT with J.Crew" post, a place to share our not-so-stellar experiences with J.Crew.If you have recently experienced a frustrating situation with J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.
Please feel free to share your story on almost any topic— including poor experiences with purchases & orders, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.
The price of the Anya leather flats in my cart on the Factory website were $44.50 yesterday and they are $76 today. Are you kidding?
ReplyDeleteYep, somehow things go from 50% off to 60% off yet prices go up. You basically have to know the rock bottom price for each item. I think $44.50 is about as low as those flats go, best deal is when you can stack a Gilt 35% off. I got two pairs for about $35 each earlier in the season with the Gilt promo. The pricing games are so annoying though. I don't want anything so much that I will pay more than it was last week.
DeleteFYI Gilt promo is available today. Extra 35% off good through 5/14.
DeleteI haven't purchased anything from factory in a while but I happened to be looking at the site when the promo changed from 50% off to 60%. I took note of some prices because I couldn't wait to see what they would be this morning. The cotton shirtdress has an original price of $89.50. With the 50% off promo it was marked down to $49.50 and now with the 60% promo it is $76.50 (Jcrew math).
DeleteI went to J. Crew last night and decided to get the bandana t shirt....So when I go to the cashier he stuffs it in the tiny bag made for jewelry so I made him switch it to the larger bag and then later I see he gave me someone else's receipt!!! They were returning the famed eyelet shirt dress by the way :)
ReplyDeleteNew arrivals at club monaco and I want everything! New arrivals at jcrew and I'm ...all good, thx. The seaside print looks like I let my washer mix colors and everything is sleeveless (huge pet peeve of mine).
ReplyDeleteI agree. I am sitting another round out at J Crew. the seaside print is horrid. off the shoulder and sleeveless is not my thing...
DeleteYeah new arrivals at J. Crew are horrible. Ugliest prints and tired styles..But I do love the cactus shirt!
DeleteOTS, ruffles, any waistband detail (I never tuck!) - totally not my style or totally impractical for my life. Hard pass for me.
DeleteAgreed that new items are an easy pass for me as well. I always still find a few items to love by the time the new stuff makes it to sale but not nearly as much as I used to.
DeleteI like most Club Monaco stuff but those tops with the tiered puff sleeves they are pushing are hideous.
DeleteI like sleeveless for the summer (but not OTS), and some of the non-OTS sundresses look cute to try. Agree I am not liking the current prints and they didn't put out any "normal" pencil skirts this spring, just the tie waist styles that aren't really true pencil skirts.
Delete@Cass yes - the pencil skirts! The tie waist is a nice detail but for those of us who don't tuck... that's a no-go. Very disappointing.
Delete@Cass, possibly not what you're looking for, but the cotton pencil skirts (item G2178 is the Petite version) are quite nice and also lined. They're a bi-stretch cotton that i personally find forgiving and flattering. I bought the yellow color during a previous rollout and most recently, the green (misty forest) since it's a nice neutral.
DeleteComparatively, I tried the Pencil with rickrack, but that one featured my most common issue w/ Pencils -- fits at the waist, but too wide in the hips (I have no bum!)
But if you're asking about Pencils with Patterns, I totally hear that! I am missing those pretty patterned skirts right about now. (Most recently bought a basket-weave one from JCF.)
Yup, no pencils in beautiful patterns anymore! And I don't tuck either. I have no need for solid pencil skirts--those can be found anywhere. Also not a fan of the rick rack for me personally.
Deleteco-sign everything said here. My shopping ban is technically over (4 months, going strong, woohoo) but I still don't see anything I want...
DeleteRe pencil skirts: I didn't like the bi-stretch cotton but LOVE the stretch cotton, even if it only comes in neutral colors (style A1206).
-lep33 shops
I was expecting to see something new over at Club Monaco...but more of the same as everybody else is doing. Wake me when OTS, cold shoulder, strange cut-outs, strings for shoulder straps, granny dresses, embroidered faux Mexican tops/dresses, dreary pale colors, culottes, crops, jumpsuits, big girly bows, paper bag waists, elastic waists, draw stings and ruffles are done with. Why do I feel like I'm going to be sleeping a long time?! Tomorrow I'm returning a skirt I ordered (from Loft) that I didn't realize has a grosgrain ribbon for a waistband. Yah. Not sure if that's just pure laziness, cost efficient or someone thought that was a good design idea. I'm tried of all the obvious cost cutting features that are making all the clothes into what I would call temporary garments to be quickly discarded when the next strange trend comes out.
DeleteStray Cat, couldn't agree more re: "temporary" garments. Much of what J Crew is churning out these days (and other retailers too) barely makes it through one laundering. Such waste, money and landfill-wise.
DeleteIt's one reason I love Boden, and Brora when I can afford it. British brands that have managed to avoid the fast-fashion train. I have just lowered my expectations for J Crew and am pleasantly surprised when something lasts more than one season.
Hi Ruffles....I have yet to order from Boden. Can you give me some advice on sizing? They are European, correct? What has your experience been? Thanks!!
DeleteYah! Where are the gorgeous printed pencil skirts!? I've owned so many....purged some, some got too big, but I still own a couple. One that will never leave me is the white cotton pique one with the gorgeous watery blue Delft china like print on it. It's stunning. I don't wear pencils a lot anymore, but I find having them useful. When I have to "dress it up a little" , a pretty pencil does the job.
DeleteStray Cat, I love Boden! Their quality is great, designs are on point and they cut their garments like they should! That said, I find them to run a bit small, but they have actual measurements of each garment under the size guide on each garment's individual page. I think they just sent me a $15 or a 20% discount for Boden, I can't remember which but if you give me your email, I can send it to you. I just ordered so I don't think I'm going to use it.
DeleteClub Monaco is SOOOO overpriced for what it is. It used to be a lot more cutting edge, too. Now it's just kind of boring. I still shop Madewell but also ZARA, Topshop, Boden, other British companies, Revolve...JC isn't doing much exciting, that's for sure.
DeleteStray Cat, I agree w Anthro Blogger re Boden sizing. I find their things to run a bit smaller than J Crew's vanity sizing and I always check measurements. I usually go up a size. Ive been delighted w the things I've purchased from Boden.
DeleteI caved on the cactus shirt. I'm a crazy plant lady so I couldn't restrain myself! All of these off the shoulder tops, tank tops with straps that tie, and ruffles aren't doing it for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm exhausted by all the OTS tops! Mini-roll out today with more of those. 🤔😖
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DeleteI placed a factory order Friday. Still just in released status. Nothing urgent (if so I would have rushed) but really?
ReplyDeleteAnd not one item in the new roll out interests me at all.
DeleteI was thinking of this today...REALLY miss the days when I placed a J Crew order and usually hours later (or at the latest the next day) I'd get the "your order has shipped!" email. Now it is 4...5...6 days before it goes out. Of course, that was back in the days when shipping was more expensive, but now that I've seen the ugly side of free/cheaper shipping, I want to go back ;)
DeleteI placed an order last Sunday (4/23) and it was supposed to arrive no later than 5/2 (which was yesterday). I had written it off and then I got a notification that it shipped last night and is supposed to arrive today. How ridiculous! I don't understand it, if the item is in stock why not just ship it asap? Now they had to pay to overnight it to me and it's still a day late.
DeleteI'm guessing they have cut back on warehouse staff to save money and also they have a long queue to process from last week's fairly good promo code.
DeleteI'm sure they're busy but it shouldn't take over a week to ship. Also, why are they so quick to ship to a store (but not to your home)? The item I mentioned above that I ordered on 4/23- well, it popped back online so I ordered it again on 4/25. And it arrived at my store on 4/27. Makes no sense!
DeleteI ordered 4 pairs of shoes from Nordstrom and paid $9 for 2 day shipping. Everything will arrive tomorrow. Meanwhile jcrew charges $8 for ground (if you don't meet the 150 minimum) or $3 extra for ground shipping if you meet the minimum. They need to up their shipping game.
DeleteIf you are getting the free shipping option, it's because they are using "SmartPost" now, which is a combination of services, usually UPS delivers to the Post Office and the Post Office is notoriously slloooowww. They never deliver on time and don't care about customer service. I've complained to JC several times about this but they evidently don't care either. Ditto for Madewell. However, JC is now doing free in-store pickup, which is usually pretty fast. Another issue with JC is that they will not do weekend delivery. So if you want overnight shipping on a Thurs or Fri, you're not getting it till Monday. Why bother paying for it?
DeleteUPS is actually adding Saturday delivery in major markets and most places by next year so retailers can compete with Amazon and have Saturday deliveries.
DeleteEcho. Just waiting for pop a ks of the tie-waist shorts in black and the Petite OTS chambray dress.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd like to try those shorts too.
DeleteHopefully more in black become available. I know that's your color, too!
DeleteOff topic, but this is an interesting piece about how changing tastes contributed to J.Crew's problems: http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/why-j-crews-vision-of-preppy-america-failed?mbid=rss
ReplyDeleteI still have that argyle sweater from 2007 and it looks great
DeleteThank you Caille! I enjoyed that completely different thought on why the Crew (and so many lines which created entire lifestyles around them) are suffering. Times change, people change and need change. I hope the Crew can change too and stay in the game.
DeleteGreat article, thanks for sharing! For some reason I kept thinking about the Ralph Lauren brand as I was reading it - and also the insight that cross-brand shopping a la Amazon has diminished the influence of any one label in general. Interesting read!
DeleteI may be crazy, but to my mind the reason why all these retailers are failing is because they have tried to change. I think of J. Crew of 2008, and the Crew that's in my mall today doesn't even feel like a distant cousin. I think if they would have stuck with quality, colorful classics with a twist, and stocked their best sellers in store the way they were before the redesigns (Jackies, Tippis, Kikis, et al) they would have continued thriving. Same thoughts I have regarding Anthropologie, my other favorite store. It's almost as if these retailers are turning their backs on the demographics (and design ideas/style) that made them successful. There are ways to adapt to the current times without betraying who you are at your core. We all do that when we grow up and age, don't we? Or maybe not. But the takeaway here is that being fickle and losing your identity (read: appeal to your core customer) is not the way to success. If millenials don't go to malls, change your outreach strategy, not your target core consumer and your designs. Phew, that was a mouthful! Apparently I have a lot to say about this, but will stop here :)
DeleteI agree Anthro Blogger!
DeleteObviously there is something wrong with me because I still love the preppy style. My issue is J. Crew feels less preppy. I'm shopping more at Ralph Lauren. J. Crew's quality has been subpar, some items seem strange or I can't imagine where I would wear them. I'm definitely too short for pants with legs as wide as skirts. So I'll still wear the cardigans and jackets and button downs, chinos or jeans with heels or flats because I like them.
Delete@Elizabeth Me too. I keep saying that "my style" (preppy) is out. I see these catalogs from 2007 on Instagram and I swoon. Same with Lilly Pulitzer from the same time. Too bad I was a poor freshman in college at the time.
DeleteOh I'm preppy all the way...except I think that word is "out"...I just say "classic". Making classic styled clothing costs money. And right now the clothing is made as cheap as possible...hence the lack of darting, ample hems and seams, lining, waistbands, inset sleeves, collars, etc. A beautifully made garment is a piece of art to me. I think your point Anthro blogger is a good one. Going with every trend that blows in is definitely turning away customers. I have become disappointed with the Crew because they no longer make garments that were work horses in my closet. I was recently told they have stopped making the Tippi Cardigan...this made me a bit mad and I let the associate know what I thought about it! I think the Crew is trying to please too many people too much...it never works, someone is always left behind. They've had years to turn it around and they still haven't. You mentioned Ralph Lauren, who I love as well, and I thought of Talbots. I've been paying more attention to them in the last couple years. They are consistent in their offerings every season, basically updating for color and the tiniest dash of a trend design feature. I believe the only ruffle I saw in their entire current offerings was the tiniest ruffled collar on a dress. I dislike ruffles but it was so small it didn't even bother me. But nothing so trendy that it looks stupid next year or the next. I appreciate that. My neighbor needed an entire wedding ensemble for her niece's spring wedding which would be also a family reunion. She's 62...I told her without hesitation go to Talbots. I knew without a doubt and without looking at the garments online that she would find a lot of beautiful choices there. Because they are consistent and reliable. What could I have showed her at the Crew? Even though in their fantasy world of perfect weddings they offered nothing a 62 year old woman would feel comfortable wearing to a wedding. Unless she was a 62 year old New York model.
DeleteThat article was written by a guy. I doubt any man has had the same relationship to clothes that women have. For starters, J.Crew has mainly "slim fit" shirts. My husband cannot wear something like that- he's not a skinny 15-year-old. In terms of "preppiness"-- I started shopping JC MORE when they started pairing cargo pants with blazers. I like that mix of industrial and formal. Now that they are going backwards, I don't like it anymore. It's not fashion-forward. It's just boring. Also, I have always mainly shopped JC online. I only go the b&m locations to return things. Doesn't seem like this guy totally gets it.
DeleteI need all of these retailers I used to love...J.Crew, Anthro, Banana, etc. to stop trying to please the Forever 21 crowd. Those buyers have enough stores and offerings to choose from. I feel so stuck right now at age 37....I don't want trendy, wear it twice before it wears out, wear it once before it's outdated clothing and I don't quite fit into the Talbots, etc. demographic yet either. I miss my old J.Crew. I have spent less than $100 there since January and that is abnormal for me.
DeleteAmerican Observer Sorry (that's the Canadian in me saying sorry) but I politely disagree. Some men (myself very much) do care about what we wear and are quite fastidious about clothing.
DeleteMy shirts are all slim fit, my pants tend to be Bowery slim or Ludlows or narrow cut denim. I'm not a 15 year old but a mature male.
Luckily for me the men's side of J.Crew has been strong for years. While there is the occasional miss fire from the men's design team, most of it is strong. While it's not cutting edge, it's stylish, well made for the price and works well with my style.
Just my thoughts.
JCrew Guy I totally agree with you. The men's side has been far better than the women's. It's like they aren't even the same company. I don't know why that is but when I look at the men's items in the store, I'm envious because the quality and styling are much better. Unfortunately they are cut for men, so I can only pull off the occasional oxford cloth shirt or oversized cardigan.
DeleteThanks Elizabeth. My concern right now is with Frank leaving the men's side will things remain as strong as they have been. Fingers crossed the women's comes back to its glory days of quality, cut and style.
DeleteJCrew guy in Canada: Most American men over the age of 28 cannot fit into a slim fit shirt. Of course men care about how they look! That's why my husband (6'0", about 190lbs) is not going to wear a tight fitting shirt that looks best on teen boys. I don't say this to insult you, just making the point that most American guys do not have washboard abs nor slender physiques. I'm 5'10", 117lbs. Honestly, the small men's slim fit shirts would look better on me than most men I know. And a lot of the men's stuff is way overpriced.
DeleteI really can't see anything that I would want to buy that wouldn't look dated this time next year. I just can't anymore with the Otc tops, curtain size ruffles, pom poms and things I have to tie or wrap on my body so they don't fall off. I just want something I can wear to work. Vineyard Vines has some cute dresses that I am saving my pennies for instead. ����
ReplyDeleteThis is a rant against Madewell: So, the ONE dress that I was interested in is sold out in all smaller sizes (everything below a 6)-- why wouldn't they plan better? This is not the first time this has happened. They're losing money!
ReplyDelete