tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post5229011044507912401..comments2024-03-28T22:25:28.391-04:00Comments on J.Crew Aficionada: Stripes, color, sunglasses (!): Shop 213 new arrivals now - with free shippingAlexis {J.Crew Aficionada}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-13036192133919246372016-02-01T16:12:01.898-05:002016-02-01T16:12:01.898-05:00Except this isn't the first time J.Crew has ma...Except this isn't the first time J.Crew has made sunglasses. I had a pair in college - they were my first "nice" sunglasses - that would be 15-20 years ago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-50048377550245337872016-01-31T19:17:15.302-05:002016-01-31T19:17:15.302-05:00My review of the February Style Guide: http://aty...My review of the February Style Guide: http://atypical60.com/2016/01/31/i-cover-the-crew-lets-look-at-the-february-j-crew-style-guide/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11162137913558958268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-19997303906978137292016-01-28T23:11:57.162-05:002016-01-28T23:11:57.162-05:00I think you talked me right out of the plaid flats...I think you talked me right out of the plaid flats. Plus, over $150 for fabric shoes just irritates me on principle. I'm still eyeing the ruffle button down and the onyx dot shirt. I like the deco print but I don't want a sleeveless shirt just yet.Meginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580852784865116557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-89945634710252388442016-01-28T16:22:07.160-05:002016-01-28T16:22:07.160-05:00I was also a little disappointed to see that this ...I was also a little disappointed to see that this rollout came with no full price promotion. I did order a few things to try and admittedly will play the return/rebuy with a promotion game. I am also hoping to get in to a store this weekend and try some things on to post on my blog.<br /><br />I like the pencil skirt in metallic jacquard, the plaid Sloan flats (although thinking about them now, wondering how quickly they'll get dirty being they're so light), the pink patio pants in 120s wool, ruffle button down and the tie front pants. I am curious about the Teddie pant but not sure I'll love the flare. Can't say I'm crazy about the prints this rollout either so fingers crossed for the next spring rollout.Anne - The Fab Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10235117913749019487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-44522982410719384122016-01-28T13:43:22.610-05:002016-01-28T13:43:22.610-05:00Yes, babayaganyc, very interesting perspective cer...Yes, babayaganyc, very interesting perspective certainly not one I would even know about. I agree 100% with silver_lining, if J Crew could provide the basic items in fun colors, great materials and quality, I would be back. And yes, throw in some on-trend items, edgier pieces, different colors/prints, it would be good I think for many of us to try something outside our comfort zone. I did compare the recent Style Guide to one I have from February, 2012. I keep that whole years worth, that was one of my favorite years, I did lots of purchases and still wear many of the clothes. Lots of the basics were the same but this years was missing all the above mentioned. JRSConiferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03267439414300795711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-70129184705501517502016-01-28T13:28:50.708-05:002016-01-28T13:28:50.708-05:00Thanks babayaganyc. I hope you'll comment mor...Thanks babayaganyc. I hope you'll comment more often. sthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13680983942596949851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-65200396172754270532016-01-28T13:24:18.617-05:002016-01-28T13:24:18.617-05:00Thanks, babayaganyc! Very interesting and helpful ...Thanks, babayaganyc! Very interesting and helpful to have this insight. <br />I agree about the new catalogue. I hope it's not a trend.maryebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10116049169463885844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-52609469874876271652016-01-28T13:13:52.337-05:002016-01-28T13:13:52.337-05:00Hi babayaganyc - thanks for sharing your perspecti...Hi babayaganyc - thanks for sharing your perspective. The concept of flow is so interesting and makes a lot of sense (it's always a bit odd to see the lone rack of completely off-season merch in the back of the store. My B&M has had like, 20 chartreuse perfect tanks in the back for months!). <br /><br />I think that a lot of the JCA gripes boil down to the fact that JC seems to be sacrificing the quality of their basics which is bringing down the brand. Why not keep the quality there and experiment with some trends as well? The basic pants/trousers, cashmere tees, Jackie cardigans, ballet flats, etc can easily be paired with some edgier pieces (which is what they've done- always love to see their window displays!) but now even those basic pieces aren't holding up. It's disappointing. I get what they're trying to do with the "Always" campaign, but the reviews on the website and JCA contradict the notion that they're selling "forever pieces". <br /><br />Anyway, nothing we haven't said or heard before. I thought the catalog felt very much like January of years past. Hasn't February typically been a destination catalog? I'm interested to see what 2016 brings for JC overall. silver_lininghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11145331294538875917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-17361222744040006332016-01-28T12:45:31.446-05:002016-01-28T12:45:31.446-05:00I went ahead and ordered the new Teddie pants in t...I went ahead and ordered the new Teddie pants in two colors (black and golden brandy) - I'll report back when I try them on. <br /><br />I also (perhaps foolishly!) ordered a final sale dress that popped back in my size in a color I wanted - the belted sleeveless dress (with the funny belt that goes in and out - I love it!) in the aubergine. I went down a size per the online reviews, and also went with a tall (even though I'm only 5'5") to get a little extra length. Here's hoping it works out!<br /><br />carmencatalinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00452340331297270570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-61982869792141324242016-01-28T10:20:45.489-05:002016-01-28T10:20:45.489-05:00I wasn't wowed at all by the new catalog. This...I wasn't wowed at all by the new catalog. This is a transitional period, so I have hope that "full spring" will be better. <br /><br />I'm one of the minority who liked the edgier direction J Crew was heading in before, and I do understand Jenna Lyons' comment re: responding to customer feedback. (I am a designer in a NYC fashion office...so naturally I can get away with-- and am drawn to-- the more daring styles.) It's true that collections are designed a year in advance, and there is a term called "flow" which means that this month's delivery has to "sit well" on the sales floor with the previous few months' deliveries AND the following few months' deliveries. So a drastic shift in vision would make the sales floor look like a chaotic mess, and then nothing would sell because nothing would look good in context.<br /><br /> Also, if nothing is selling (which seems to be J Crew's current problem), the direction to take is not always clear for a designer, so it tends to be a time to get creative and try new ideas. Sure, J Crew can add more basics, but they also need to evolve the brand and keep it exciting in order to keep customers coming back. <br /><br />I think the biggest testament to J Crew listening to customers is the fact that they have hired a new women's designer from Madewell.<br /><br />To me, the new delivery looked very boring and too casual. (I am not a Madewell shopper.) The only thing I loved was the Collection Sloan Jeweled D'Orsay flats. I did, however, "like" all the D'Orsay flats. Not sure about the Teddie pants...they're giving me a late '90s flashback. I do love the Patio pants and was glad to see them introduced in Super 120's. Thought the Marlo Crossbody in neon orange was cute, and liked how the Crystal Floral necklace looked on the model.babayaganychttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11789430214493795044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-68398922760637186422016-01-28T09:57:28.706-05:002016-01-28T09:57:28.706-05:00I think the sunglasses are a smart move. They are ...I think the sunglasses are a smart move. They are reasonably priced and seem to be well-made. People who are loyal to the brand and are in the market for a new pair will probably give them a try. Definitely better than the fragrances (too subjective).Emahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08331051805268660458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-25608669869307359732016-01-28T07:38:56.771-05:002016-01-28T07:38:56.771-05:00Silver lining, I'm shaking my fist with you. ...Silver lining, I'm shaking my fist with you. Saw the boat neck stripe in that delicious cherry red and said oh yes! Saw the 22" length listed online and knew it wasn't going to work. Seriously bad move as J Crew's sale section is already full of too short tees and sweaters. :(shopalothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13998866869869291994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-46518871623864522382016-01-28T06:51:20.162-05:002016-01-28T06:51:20.162-05:00I'm short-waisted, and I can't even do 22&...I'm short-waisted, and I can't even do 22". Truthfully, I'm glad that JC is putting body length in the item description so that I don't waste my time with tops that will be too short for me. Unfortunately, those new midweight stripe boatneck tees are 22". Whyyyyy! *shakes fist*silver_lininghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11145331294538875917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-69271456835918216852016-01-28T00:38:30.436-05:002016-01-28T00:38:30.436-05:00I couldn't believe it when I saw that sweater ...I couldn't believe it when I saw that sweater was 22 inches. sunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08615231893297330454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-41930074400601571572016-01-27T22:49:28.302-05:002016-01-27T22:49:28.302-05:00Teeheehee, good for you, cagliari67, what a great ...Teeheehee, good for you, cagliari67, what a great score! Whoever is in charge if the website seems to get sloppy from time to time. A few weeks ago they put that indigo gauze popover on sale for a few days, but they changed it back a few days after that. (Meanwhile, they're also doing this thing now where they only put Regular sizes on sale, but not the Petite version, so strange.) Anyways, enjoy your shoes!TM93https://www.blogger.com/profile/18166897306461544844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-21411130918734578762016-01-27T21:39:30.153-05:002016-01-27T21:39:30.153-05:00I don't mind the sunglasses at all. The styles...I don't mind the sunglasses at all. The styles are classic but not boring. I wouldn't pay full price (I don't pay full price for clothing or accessories) but with a percentage off they will cost quite a bit less than Ray Bans.<br /><br />Re: new arrivals, As others have said I'm noticing many of the fall items are being reintroduced, either in additional colors, slightly different fabrics, or patterns. The wool back zip sweater, which was only available in a few colors (I got the charcoal gray) is reintroduced in neon watermelon and two blues which I thought came out this fall, but the name is slightly different and they are all full price. <br />I like the tipped cable sweater but 22" body is basically a crop top. Suz Hashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13861014424535094375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-12910075944759752352016-01-27T20:35:58.347-05:002016-01-27T20:35:58.347-05:00Thank you so much! I really love the striped midi ...Thank you so much! I really love the striped midi skirt, but sadly, when I went to two stores today, neither of them had it. Hopefully it's just a late arrival for some stores!Xanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705291440110092322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-3881711486668650242016-01-27T20:00:31.884-05:002016-01-27T20:00:31.884-05:00Really like the look of the shades, but I have pre...Really like the look of the shades, but I have prescription sunglasses from Barton Perreira. They make incredible eyewear, but they are a wee bit $$$.<br /><br />I also like Ray Ban; who doesn't love Wayfarers or look good in them and so timeless.<br /><br />The J.Crew products look good, but need to see them in person to decide if they are worth the money and how thye look on.<br /> jcrew guy in Canadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087438754180803097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-20978870579203348952016-01-27T19:39:59.565-05:002016-01-27T19:39:59.565-05:00That is honestly the type of arrogant we-know-bett...That is honestly the type of arrogant we-know-better-than-our-customers that kills brands. Wow, Jenna and Mickey, disappointing. <br /><br />I used to be the lemming drunk on the crewlade who purchased everything J Crew offered just because it was J Crew. There are very few of those customers left, it seems, and the company is doing nothing to stop the bleeding of customers smart enough to know better now. <br /><br />It's so sad. I really don't have a retail home anymore. ruffleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01121478944826442351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-87191249445982322832016-01-27T18:00:52.207-05:002016-01-27T18:00:52.207-05:00@silver lining, mine too! I work in analytics, so ...@silver lining, mine too! I work in analytics, so it frustrates me to no end that they are sitting on valuable data and not using it. I emailed Mickey and got a snippy response that they talk to customers all the time on site visits, etc. I even offered to do a bit of consulting for free and he turned me down! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01588446361735490736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-21475332556460868322016-01-27T16:47:32.689-05:002016-01-27T16:47:32.689-05:00Jennifer D, the black and soft sand Kikis were als...Jennifer D, the black and soft sand Kikis were also available last summer/fall, I also picked those up on sale before Xmas. But all the brand new spring colourways (electric red, hyacinth, peach) were put into the final sale pages somehow at the beginning of January. They disappeared after a couple of days and were replaced by the older clearance stock.cagliari67https://www.blogger.com/profile/16618905266377358932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-53702532673197386332016-01-27T16:41:29.002-05:002016-01-27T16:41:29.002-05:00The problem with Jenna's reply is that what we...The problem with Jenna's reply is that what we write here, on the whole, is enduring feedback. It isn't just a mood that hits us for a season or two. The issues they have, the requests we have, many of these have been there for years now and could have been taken into account for a rollout that was determined one year in advance. And I think they might be making things up, saying customers asked for sunglasses and customers asked for the scoop back swimsuit to return. There's a pretty good cross-section of customers who post here, and those are not things anyone has mentioned in all the time I've been around here.catehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17121234545386465542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-47859830930645673042016-01-27T16:22:41.204-05:002016-01-27T16:22:41.204-05:00Sharon, that is fascinating. My job involves minin...Sharon, that is fascinating. My job involves mining and analyzing data to inform decision-making, so to see a company like JC have so much information at their disposal and do nothing with it is just frustrating. Surely there is a way that creativity and metrics can coexist. Just because there's a 12-month cycle doesn't mean that there is nothing to be gained from customer feedback. <br /><br />silver_lininghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11145331294538875917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-52297932267062121252016-01-27T15:42:20.565-05:002016-01-27T15:42:20.565-05:00It appears that J.Crew is rebooting the Kikis, but...It appears that J.Crew is rebooting the Kikis, but in doing so needed to get rid of discontinued colors first, hence the markdown and final sale. I was able to purchase pairs in Black and Soft Sand before Soft Sand completely disappeared and Black went back to $150. Glad they are making a comeback. I have several pairs from a few years ago that I have found to be comfortable, TTS, and stylish.JenniferDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05330952312382241389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-24826769964219848222016-01-27T15:26:02.981-05:002016-01-27T15:26:02.981-05:00I ended up ordering the Sloane D'orsay flats w...I ended up ordering the Sloane D'orsay flats with the mini bow in black suede. I so wish JC would offer these flats in some different materials. I have a sad feeling I will end up returning them because the bow strap is too sparkly. <br /><br />I tried the metallic ones that were offered back in November---way over the top sparkly. They looked like something a disney character would wear. I missed out on the plaid ones (but truth be told, probably too holiday for consistent wear). These flats would be so great---the mini bow was adorable in person-- if they were offered in plain black leather with a contrasting bow (think white or red leather) or even the mini bow in an animal print material (printed leather or calf hair)...Even black leather with a patent leather bow would get me to order them. But suede with a metallic bow seems like it might feel too holiday. We'll see...I ordered them because on Monday night they said there were only a few left. Still says that so now I am wondering if that was made up...? My hopes are high!<br /><br />I also ordered one of the 10% shirts-- mostly because I am curious what 10% means...? Ten percent chance it will last 5 washes? haha.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18383849022571878696noreply@blogger.com