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! :)
So...this is happening now, and I have so many questions:
ReplyDeleteJ. Crew retail J4266
vs. J. Crew Factory J4551
J. Crew retail J4272
vs. J. Crew Factory J4519
J. Crew retail J4269
vs. J. Crew Factory J4530
J. Crew retail J4401
vs. J. Crew Factory J4554
It's one thing to have items advertised as Mercantile on the retail site sometimes. But to have indistinguishable garments with different names and style numbers on 2 different sites at wildly different price points is just maddening, in multiple senses of the word. Does J. Crew think the retail brand prestige alone is really worth the price difference, and consumers will pay the difference only for a different logo on the tag? Do they think the customers between the two different brands are so different they won't notice the same dresses on 2 different sites, or do they think consumers are savvy enough to look both places and thus the different names and style numbers are an attempt to hoodwink us? Why pay to shoot the same dress on different models for different sites when that money could go towards style guide shoots? Did they actually produce double stock, and if so, what do they do when the retail version doesn't sell and is overflowing the sale section, when Factory already is selling the same thing? What is going on?!?!?!?
(FWIW, I did a live chat with customer service re: the French Floral dress and they said the only difference they could discern was who was distributing it, but I'd be curious if anyone has done real-life comparisons of any of these dresses and their different versions).
At first I was thinking maybe there were some fabric differences or subtle style changes but wow, they seem identical. There also isn't a petite version in either item. It always seemed that the Factory items were a variation of an item released at regular J Crew the season before but not now. Who is making the decisions anymore???
DeleteI have noticed the gap doing this lately too..Exact same item at retail and factory...diffeernt price and one has the retail tag inside and one has the factory one with the dots...not a good move for any retailer to do this.
DeleteI've been a lurker here, but wanted to chime in since I purchased style J4272 and J4401 from the retail website. Received the dresses last week and both had the mercantile tag. My guess is they are the same as the factory items and customer service is misinformed. I generally don't visit the factory website, so I did not know the dresses were also on that site. Imagine my disappointment when I received my order. J.crew has definitely hit a new low imo...felt like this was some type of gimmick.
DeleteWhat I don’t understand is that they clearly shot photographs of the products for the retail store and the factory store with accessories belonging to those stores. This seems really shady and doesn’t make me confident in the brand’s leadership or a possible turnaround.
Deletethis is really confusing. My store didn't have any of these dresses when I stopped in last week but I did notice that they had a few shelves of mercantile branded t-shirts (basic crewneck tees). The weird thing is that I don't see the dresses on the regular landing pages on the factory site but see them when I put the item numbers in. Why would I buy anything from retail when factory has them for a fraction of the price? I like that French floral dress but I agree that it's a bit deceiving.
DeleteThis type of multiple branding can be a “test” of which retail label/pricing strategy is most successful.
DeleteIt’s only a matter of time before J Crew/Factory/Mercantile/Madewell consolidate in some way. I really don’t know what the strongest sub brand is these days ... seems to be madewell, but what about the others?
ruffles - It's a good way to p*ss off your customers, too.
DeleteWe keep hearing how Madewell is doing so great while J.Crew isn't, but if you look at the numbers, J.Crew still has several times the sales of Madewell. If they decided to roll the J.Crew brand into Madewell, I doubt it would have the desired outcome.
That is terrible really, I’d be very mad if I received an item labeled mercantile when there is no indication on the retail site. I thought some of those new dresses were in the newest retail rollout which makes them seem like retail.
DeleteJeanne, ITA. Maybe they think customers won’t notice?
DeleteJ Crew has many more retail stores than Madewell. I wonder if the positive Madewell business results are based on individual store comp sales growth. The brand momentum seems to be at Madewell.
One positive thing about all the recent J Crew store closings is that it
should help same-store sales.
I still say all arrows point toward a consolidation of some kind. If you love Collection (I do), buy now!
I actually bought the third one you listed at Factory and never even realized it was also at retail. While I would have liked a petite version better, I won’t pay more than double for it! That’s nuts. I can’t fathom why they would do this.
DeleteI noticed today that the titles on these dresses have been updated to reflect the fact that they are Mercantile. The mercantile tags themselves are new...Usually it's just J.Crew with the dots (factory) or without (retail). It would seem they're pushing the Mercantile brand across both platforms.
Delete50% off sale with code HOORAY.
ReplyDeleteAlso: free shipping on all orders.
Deleteit looks like there was a sale update, 1000+ items, but every single item I click on is sold out.
ReplyDeleteSame for me on CDN site for days. If it is sold out why waste my time in sale section. Plus quick look not working properly with Chrome browser. Again been non functional for days .
Deleteit's so annoying! I saw a bunch of popbacks I was super excited about, every single one was sold out. I think every one of like 20 items in a row I clicked on was sold out. Isn't there a way to just remove them from the selection as soon as they are purchased?!
DeleteDrives me nuts - but I still keep looking!
Deletevery much same, lol
DeleteI was waiting for a promo like today’s, so ordered the Dover blazer in glen plaid and the swing jacket in peppermint ice. Yay!!
ReplyDeleteI seriously considered ordering the peppermint ice jacket, too. I love the pink color. If only I didn’t already own so many light jackets.
Delete@jeanne I have been looking for a pink denim jacket and tried several, only to return all of them #sadtrombone Drop shoulders, way too oversized, too distressed, too pink, you mention it. The swing jacket might be the solution, casual and no drop shoulder, pink looks the right shade. So fingers crossed
DeleteNew items at Madewell! for Mother’s Day...All strawberry embroidered. Tops, shorts, dresses, jackets.
ReplyDeleteI might order the embroidered strawberry Crewcuts denim jacket for my daughter, and the strawberry workwear Jacket in cream for me. They also have the Mickey Mouse sweatershirt, what I've been wanting forever.
I think I woke up too late to find anything with the current (and I must say, a delight!) promo. 6am is too late in the hunt game when there isn't a major update...or did I miss that too?? Oh well, I just said that I don't need not another sweater, jacket, coat, T-shirt, jeans, pants, shoe...never mind, always in need of a new shoe!
ReplyDeleteHoping for an afternoon update too!
DeleteRashawnda, I don’t think there was an update this morning. The numerous grayed out items were there when I shopped last night, just before midnight central time.
DeleteI bit on 50% off sale although so much doesn't show up...as Tara mentioned last week, sometimes you can google an item to find it. For approx $20 I ordered the striped crossover pant again, this time in the size up, to try. I found the fit awkward but thought maybe sizing up I can swear them lower on the hips, cut the tie off and wear my own belt. We shall see. AT LEAST NOTHING IS FINAL SALE!
ReplyDeleteAlso ordered some NB for myself and daughter, cotton linen blazer in black (my black linen regent is looking a bit worn) and a the polka dot scarf with pink trim.
I'm so glad you were able to find those pants! I remember you were wanting to try them.
DeleteI actually did try them and didn't like them. 😂 the fit was off but the larger size might allow them to sit on my hips. I have a long torso so elastic waist pants can be problematic if the rise isn't right.
DeleteAnyone own a Madewell leather bag? Reviews? I’m especially interested in the zip-top transport carryall and the zip-top transport tote.
ReplyDeleteJeanne,
DeleteI have multiple madewell bags, including the zip top carryall. I love my bags. The only issue I have with the carryall is how the zipper is attached to the bag. It can sometimes make zipping difficult. Otherwise, I use them almost exclusively to my other bags. The leather is beautiful and I feel as though the bags are well crafted.
Any specific questions I can answer let me know!
Mrs. G - Thanks for the review. I think I’ll stop at Madewell and have a look when I go to the mall to pick up a pair of ship-to-store jeans later this week.
DeleteWoke up at 5 am from jetlag and saw the promo. The website has not updated at all - still the same number of sale items since then. Even at 5 am most popbacks were already sold out. I still managed to find things to buy though: embroidered midi skirt, a ringer tee, the asymmetrical Liberty dress, some hair ties, and the Dragon diffusion woven flats that I've been curious about for as long as they've been available. All that for $131.xx! Wondering if stores have the same 50% off... I have a return I need to make tomorrow..
ReplyDeleteOooh I've also always been curious about those woven flats! Please post your review!
DeleteI, too, bought a pair of NB (the gray 747), as well as the embroidered chambray shop which I have wanted since it was released, and the crewneck sweater in pink ombre stripe for a fill in wear to the office top. All for $54.37 after my 15% off card.
ReplyDeleteCalled CS . They would not do a PA ..over 7days. free shipping today so I reordered the bell sleeved crepe top. will return the other. I still have a mth to return it in store.
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing with the pink vintage cotton pajamas. BTW, if anyone is interested in them, they were under $30 a pair when I added an extra 15% off code. Excellent price considering that the original price was $95. I've been gradually replacing my heavily worn, faded, pilling Bedhead knit pajamas with more durable woven versions. The knit fabric just doesn't hold up like the woven fabric.
DeleteI bought the pink vintage pjs a month ago and wish I’d have waited as this price is great!
DeleteThey got me to place 2 orders today. I checked out with the three items left in my cart after the % off sale went away. Two pairs of new balance sneakers and lace top. After I had more time checked out the entire sale section and ordered some odds and ends. Leopard print pj’s, supima v neck tee, point sur pink seaside pants, and rebuys of things previously purchased now priced lower. Free standard shipping for cardholders is nice as well.
ReplyDeleteI have the leopard pj's and they are cute. You could wear the top as a shirt.
DeleteYay! That’a a bonus considering the set cost under $10.
DeleteI love the idea of wearing a short sleeve pj top as a shirt, but I think I wear my pjs much too loose for that to work well. Too bad.
DeleteMaybe open over a tank and shorts if it's loose? I bought mine in a M (usually S) to get the extra room on top. The shorts have a tie, and if they ride lower on the hips that gives a little length.
DeleteI picked up the Persimmon Parke blazer, navy belted shirt dress, the grey 247 NB sneakers and the light Charlesfield wash toothpick jeans. I also requested a price adjustment for the order I placed on Friday (black keyhole dress and the navy tie waist cotton dress...which is now a higher price so we'll see if they honor the 50% off what I paid because last time I was told that the price was now higher and I "got the better deal" when I made my purchase. I'd like to only keep one of the navy dresses so we'll see if any of them work out. These prices are crazy - I keep saying I'm not buying to buy but I find it hard to turn down some of the deals.
ReplyDeleteHi Anne, I ordered the 247 nB also. I have the 711 cush NB from jcrew but couldn’t resist trying these.
DeleteHas anyone by chance purchase the New Balance 791 leather court? The sizing seems all over the place, some say TTS while some went down as far as 1.5 size smaller. Don't really want to order 3 different sizes just to see which one fits.
ReplyDeleteIs that the style that comes in pink and gold? I ordered in my usual 8.5. I also didn't want to try 3 sizes!
DeleteI have the pink ones. I'm usually a 9 in NB sneakers (9.5 in J.Crew shoes almost across the board) and I went with an 8.5. They have pretty narrow toes so my guess is depending on foot width, etc. dictates how far people are sizing down. The 8.5s are a perfect fit on me if not a smidge tight in the toes but not a deal breaker and they'll give with wear. Mine came with pink laces though, I think the stock photo shows white laces.
DeleteI ordered these as well. I can be an 8.5 or 9 and went with an 8. I didn’t want to order multiple pairs either.
DeleteI went with 9.5, which is my 'smaller' shoe size. But with the unsure sizing there may be chances to change when the returns come in.
DeleteI tried them on in store a few weeks ago. They felt 1/2 size large. Super cute on - they made my feet look smaller!
DeleteThanks everyone! I have narrow feet and usually wear 8.5 (rare occasion will wear 8) so I will think I will go with the 8. Fingers crossed!
DeleteI think you should be ok. I vary between 8.5/9 and got the 8.5. I have a little room in the toe but not much.
DeleteI ordered the open-front sweater blazer, the vintage pajamas, and the leather hair-ties to try, because the prices were just too good.
ReplyDeleteA few J.Crew reviews on my blog today. Some of my purchases are sold out at the moment, but I'm sure they'll pop back periodically.
It’s not on promo but I ordered the regata print skirt at full price a few days ago. I was longing for the good old days of jcrew and the skirt made me nostalgic so I’ll try it. Wish I had gotten a promo for the cdn price but it’s mostly sold out now. Will report on it after I receive it.
ReplyDeleteI bought the skirt. I really like it. It's lined. Has Pockets. Colorful old JCrew pattern. Comfortable with the elastic back in the waist. I usually wear a size 4 and went with an XS.
DeleteThank you @ Miss JR! I’m usually a 2 in Jcrew skirts so I’m a little worried as I ordered an xs. It’s sold out in all sizes now.
DeleteReview of the Evie ballet heels in black suede. Most of the times I wear 5.5 for Jcrew pumps/ loafers, sandals and pointy pumps sometimes I need 6. These feel snug, but not terribly so and I'm not sure if they'll stretch with wear. The lining is synthetic, not leather though, and I think I can feel the difference. The shoes also feel a bit stiff on the sole. I love the toe box though, sleeker than round toe yet more comfortable than pointy ones. I'm on the fence about keeping them. They're classic and will go with lots of outfits, but they're not as comfortable as how I knew Jcrew footwear to be (Jcrew are you cutting down on cost? :( ). My Cole Haan block pumps are more comfortable, but then they cost 4 times as much :).
ReplyDeleteDid you get 5.5 or 6?
DeleteOops I forgot to include that. I got 5.5.
DeleteFor those of you who missed out on the Regatta Print skirt it is available at Nordstrom.com. I initially purchased 2 sizes directly from JCRew S, M, simply being unsure of the sizing. Too large, ordered an XS.
ReplyDelete