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.
Wasn't there supposed to be a women's rugby shirt in this rollout?
ReplyDeleteAlso, the September Style Guide is on Pinterest, but down at the bottom of their main page. Such a radical change from a company that built so much on the catalog and images... I mean, come on, they changed its name to "Style Guide"! Now to have a year with no catalog in January, July, and August...it's kind of sad.
@silver_lining, apologies if you already saw this, but in the Weekend thread, I posted that someone had asked JCrew on IG where to find that top. They replied something like, 'it will be available next week' (in stores or online? I can't remember where.) So maybe it's in stores this week - I know Ina said there would be a few new things out this week.
DeleteAlso, IIRC, Ina said that they still plan on mailing out this current catalog to customers in Sept, though I can't understand the logic of doing so, when the items have already been in stores/online for a while at that point. Anywho.
+1. J Crew customers have an emotional attachment to the Style Guide - we look forward to it, study it, keep it, and get inspiration from it that generates purchases. We remember the locations and models.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad for myself but also sad for the brand because no Style Guide will weaken J Crews bond w it's customers. I think it's a mistake.
I could not agree more! What could they be thinking??
DeleteHere's what J.Crew wrote me about the catalog: Thanks for your interest in our Style Guide! We didn't send them out for July and August. Our September issue is scheduled to be in homes on September 28th. If you don't receive one, just let me know your name and mailing address and I'll see one is sent out to you.
DeleteFor the first time I am uninspired by the current offerings. I feel it's the same reiteration from past seasons with no strong theme like prior roll outs in past seasons. Agree with the comments on the style guide. Oh well! I do like a few basic pieces but can wait for sale. I still have the original 1988 roll neck sweater! Wore it in middle school/high school? It was oversized on me as I wore tops super baggy with tight leggings under thick socks ;)! Seriously thinking of finding it in the depths of storage and perhaps if it still fits wearing it since they are bringing this back! (Although I do appreciate their modern spin)! It was 100% cotton unlike the blend today.
ReplyDeleteit's time to face facts: there's almost nothing left of J.Crew but the name, the debt, some closet nostalgia, and a century's worth of sequins. Time to send in the clowns - and they have. check my IG @wellfedfred.
ReplyDelete^^yes! JC posted that photo on its FB last week I believe. Someone commented that it's a mess.
DeleteI missed that one. Just wow.
DeleteAfter reading the Manrepeller article someone posted about last week in regards to the new J. Crew offerings (I Still Miss Jenna but J. Crew is pretty Good Right Now) I am starting to wonder if it is only me and some others in this community that dislike the new direction. The comments were all mostly positive in regards to the new rollout and I expected them to be negative. I just don't know anymore. The only thing I wish listed from the new rollout was the Ratti Graphic Diamond print skirt and flats. Nothing else I want or need. Also add me to the list of people disappointed in regards to the changes in the Style Guide.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by the comments on the article! I've been thinking the same thing and have resigned myself to the idea that maybe I'm just not into fashion or what's in fashion right now. I'm back to work and already over seeing everyone walk around in cold shoulders, cut-outs, and ruffles galore with a dash of LLR here and there (the fact that educators are wearing this to work is another conversation). I have no buy-in to these styles and have cut back drastically on my clothes purchases the last few months. My husband even commented I didn't do any back to school shopping! That being said I did like quite a few things from today's factory rollout and purchased two dresses and a shirt. Other than that the few orders I have placed at J. Crew in the last 3 months have been returned.
DeleteI too have been questioning if I'm out of touch or getting older (early 40s) because I really don't get all of these OTS, cold shoulder styles. I can see offering a couple but there's so many at Jcrew and they aren't stopping with them. I just miss classic pieces and the old Jcrew so much. Talbots at times reminds me of older Jcrew as they don't go so far with the Ruffles, OTS etc. but I had a hard time with sizing when I tried a couple of items this summer for the first time. Plus the cuts and prints/colours aren't as flattering as Jcrew imo. i really think Jcrew could do well and make a comeback if they'd return to offering great prints and more classic styling. As many have said if I wanted fast fashion or super trendy I would buy an OTS from h&m, target or somewhere cheaper.
DeleteHas anyone actually received a style guide (aka catalog)? I have not had one since June.
DeleteIf JCAs were the lone voice(s) in the wilderness (this metaphor is already broken), J.Crew wouldn't constantly be making less revenue, would they?
DeleteI think it's more like... well, obviously there are some fans of what they are doing, and they're going to share their positive feelings. Meanwhile, many former fans have already written J.Crew off and can't be bothered to write a downer comment on a positive fluff article.
One comment there brought up something I was wondering... given the lead times involved for not-yet-fast-fashion, isn't it true that most of what we're seeing is still Lyons's work rather than Somsack's? I mean, isn't it likely that part of the reason she's staying on for like a year is to oversee the execution of stuff she's actually responsible for....
A lot of popbacks this morning and sale at 25%...no thanks.
ReplyDeleteI agree Ann. 25% and final sale.
DeleteRidiculous
DeleteJ Crew has fallen too far from its base and the sad part is that there isn't anyone to fill that - Talbots? They want to compete with Zara and H & M and others. That's not their core base. Unless the company dramatically changes its strategy it is doomed IMHO. I am buying less and less and less every quarter.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. Boden has replaced them for me for workwear (although the prints are usually a little "off" to me--great quality and customer service). Otherwise I shop at Everlane or save up for higher-end designers. It's a shame.
DeleteI don't actually see it that way. I feel like J.Crew is competing now with The Gap, which, to me, has fallen way, way off the mark for a long time now. They're both kind of this fake preppy, made-in-China cheap quality stuff. Zara is much better quality (well, some of it- you have to look). H&M is garbage. Madewell is still cute but there are not enough dresses. I just don't understand who J.Crew wants for their market anymore. I know it isn't me.
DeleteI know it's mentioned every time, but can we please stop with the OTS, skinny tie straps, and ruffles? It's almost fall, I want plaid button-downs, normal sweaters, and cords!
ReplyDeleteI second that. JCrew please move on from OTS (now with a tie neck option for fall) one shoulder and short waisted peplum tops on repeat. Adding one sleeve doesn't make it into an autumn garment that most people can wear in real life. Even my millennial daughter working in a fashion forward marketing office in EU urban centre would struggle to find opportunities to wear that one. So it is not just my demographic that is sad to find little of practical interest in the latest rollout. I can't fathom whose aspirational lifestyle jcrew is designing for now. Or just following the Zara herd with World Global Style Network garment templates. That could explain the huge variations in sizing and garment fit between styles. Oh - And please please enough of the crimes against merino (cold shoulders with ties and big ruffles on sleeves). Leave that to Zara and H&M to produce in acrylic for those who feel the need of a one season wonder. Precious natural merino warrants stylish, elegant design.
DeleteOT - Vancouver Cda stores 30% off sale section per phone info - did not physically visit to see if picked over.
GoWest - agree!
DeleteGoWest- Zara is actually much better quality than many J.Crew items. And most of Zara's clothing is NOT made in China, unlike J.Crew's. I really wouldn't compare Zara and H&M. They're not the same at all.
DeleteI can't say I really care much about style guides, especially paper versions. I can my own outfits together. Perhaps they can move to online guides or be more active on social media like other brands. I don't need unnecessary wasteful paper magazines in my house.
ReplyDeleteI wish they would keep sales consistent. It's 50% off (sale) in store, but 25% off online. What are you playing at Crew.
Hi, do you know which store has 50 off sales ? I been eyeing the lady coat... would pick up if they can adjust to store price
ReplyDeleteThanks so much....
I was sad to see that the JCrew in Burlington, VT has closed. We just did a quick trip to Stowe and we usually would stop in Burlington at the mall so I could visit JCrew. The Pottery barn and Williams Sonoma also closed in that mall so I guess it's a problem in general in some malls.
ReplyDeleteThe Burlington J Crew closed sometime between February and April! I go to school up there and I was also disappointed to see it closed... it was my go-to place...
DeleteReceived an Email from factory that there is an extra 20% off $100 purchase but in stores only. That is great if you have one near you but not everyone does. My cart has a few items in it from yesterday's roll out that I would like to purchase but I would like the extra 20% off please.
ReplyDeleteFound code toppicks gets 25% off $100 or more so even better!!!!!
DeleteThanks for the tip! I'm going to try asking for a price adjustment then!
ReplyDeleteI just picked up the new forest green (really a pretty deep emerald) velvet Avery pumps. They are beautiful and I kept them, but I got sad when I realized they didn't have the "made in Italy" embossed.
ReplyDeleteChicago has imposed a 7 cent bag tax for all retailers. However, retailers have the choice of passing on the cost to the consumer OR just eating it themselves (the retailers only have to pay 5 cents each for the bags). J.Crew and Madewell are actually charging the 7 cents from consumers, even if you buy a lot. Meanwhile, stores like Nordstrom and Anthropologie are paying the tax themselves and not passing it on to consumers. This is yet another examples of J.Crew's penny pinching that just makes them look cheap and careless.
ReplyDelete