tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post7017730340780022093..comments2024-03-28T05:33:23.130-04:00Comments on J.Crew Aficionada: J.Crew's Jenna Lyons & the Cult of J.CrewAlexis {J.Crew Aficionada}http://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-13633504804245092682013-04-21T16:34:25.304-04:002013-04-21T16:34:25.304-04:00I agree, especially regarding the hemlines. I am ...I agree, especially regarding the hemlines. I am not especially modest, but at 5'9 I can't wear most of the dresses or skirts. It's a bummer. All the "Collection" pieces are so outrageously priced I wonder who is actually buying them.Sheilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07346251545205984597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-2096283227987794352013-04-19T00:51:58.322-04:002013-04-19T00:51:58.322-04:00Agreed. The prints & the spot on color choices...Agreed. The prints & the spot on color choices are what draw me in to buy, along with staple items. Other than that, I don't see J. Crew as necessarily "trendy."Carohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07705993074336534368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-63015634416682818702013-04-18T13:39:29.233-04:002013-04-18T13:39:29.233-04:00Jenna Lyons named one of Times most influential pe...Jenna Lyons named one of Times most influential people of 2013! Congrats Jenna! Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06131725199217155913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-22708650095073290022013-04-18T11:53:20.776-04:002013-04-18T11:53:20.776-04:00PS: I had never really tought of myself as part of...PS: I had never really tought of myself as part of a cult but I see it now. lolD*skahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06231271723410897584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-19627346317862714652013-04-18T11:51:57.786-04:002013-04-18T11:51:57.786-04:00I blame the sad state of quality at J.Crew for the...I blame the sad state of quality at J.Crew for the recent uptick in my Ebay trolling. I'm now more obsessed in finding "j.crew of yore" items that I missed out on when I was a poor college student. I love about half of their new stuff and do buy it but then return about half of that for quality issues. So about a quarter of their new stuff makes it into my closet. And yes, it is usually the classic with a twist items since most of their collection pieces have no place in my life.D*skahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06231271723410897584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-26879378330044221242013-04-18T11:39:03.829-04:002013-04-18T11:39:03.829-04:00lol. Sadly I have fallen into that trap and bought...lol. Sadly I have fallen into that trap and bought some preciousness for the life that I wish I had. One or two peices still remain unworn. At least I got them on sale. lol.D*skahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06231271723410897584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-77556438955331981662013-04-18T11:34:52.824-04:002013-04-18T11:34:52.824-04:00I try not to play that game. If I love it, I love ...I try not to play that game. If I love it, I love it. If I don't, it's not stepping foot in my closet even if they made 1 of it in pure gold. I wish they would quit with their games though. Last year I bought one dress five times over (yes 5!) just to get it at the lowest price and ended up paying about 20% of the original price. Good thing three SAs at my local B&M are all my size. They love when I return stuff they want.D*skahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06231271723410897584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-45167074296558689332013-04-18T11:28:08.915-04:002013-04-18T11:28:08.915-04:00Agreed Alexis. I don't only want the cool fact...Agreed Alexis. I don't only want the cool factor. I want the quality and timelessness too. I was wearing J.Crew before all the cool kids thought it was cool and will probably stille be wearing it long after the cool kids think it's passé. Plus if you edited your closet well, there are older JC pieces that work so well today's offerings. JC needs to put a little more focus on their base customer and stop trying to push us off on the Crewlet.D*skahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06231271723410897584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-56761039481359252322013-04-17T16:39:34.354-04:002013-04-17T16:39:34.354-04:00I know!! They have put a lot of eggs in the Jenna ...I know!! They have put a lot of eggs in the Jenna basket!!allysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10105746248597402408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-32820510991289425132013-04-17T13:47:30.046-04:002013-04-17T13:47:30.046-04:00It's nice to hear about someone who started at...It's nice to hear about someone who started at the bottom of a company and worked their way to the top! Sometimes it's hard to believe that ever happens anymore. On a side note, personally I don't "get" the Gap comparisons. It seems that J Crew and Gap are aimed at two completely different audiences and price levels. Other than the fact that Mickey Drexler has led both companies, the comparisons stop there. One of the things I feel both Lyons and Drexler have done is stepped up the brand to the next level--where years ago they may have been compared to LL Bean and Gap, now they are more in line with stores like Anthro and Club Monaco.AJLinBostonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02033349027431270122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-39092965492415440032013-04-17T13:27:30.402-04:002013-04-17T13:27:30.402-04:00Agreed Cate. I think that they play the scarcity ...Agreed Cate. I think that they play the scarcity game pretty well.cousyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321886213526230764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-69284976617640502592013-04-17T13:21:13.760-04:002013-04-17T13:21:13.760-04:00Not that they bother to send me the catalog(though...Not that they bother to send me the catalog(though I spend thousands at the store), but I truly dislike the "style guides". <br /><br />Didn't some alert JCA'er note recently that JC is going to scale back their catalogs in favor of different modes of advertising? Very smart.cousyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321886213526230764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-4907315372939737532013-04-17T13:07:07.281-04:002013-04-17T13:07:07.281-04:00With regard to our everyday (clothing) lives vs. o...With regard to our everyday (clothing) lives vs. our aspirational (clothing) lives, I feel like I do pretty well at JC for the everyday stuff. Tippi's, #2's, Valentina's and Macalister wedges are meaningful staples for me. I bet the bulk of JC's revenue comes from that kind of item (does anyone know the detail on their revenue?).<br /><br />Where I part ways with the Jenna approach is that their definition of "cool" is so limited and overused. If you ignore their hype and look only at bulk of their collection offerings, then its all about leopard, snakeskin and sequins. I don't think those are cool, imaginative or distinctive. I don't see fashionable women wearing that stuff no matter what city I'm in. And it is SO repetitive and boring.<br /><br />The JC characteristics that truly inspire and get me to spend more include the prints (yay hummingbird), the excellent swimwear, and the color palette. Those are what set the women's offerings apart from other retailers.<br /><br />Interesting item in the article that Jenna "edits" Mickey. If that's true, then she needs to do much more editing. We don't need to see dozens of capri pants at any given time (even if naked ankles are all the rage in the JC office). A little more scarcity please!cousyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321886213526230764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-78421972752835847312013-04-17T12:08:56.557-04:002013-04-17T12:08:56.557-04:00Pre-Jenna-being-in-charge J.Crew was much better, ...Pre-Jenna-being-in-charge J.Crew was much better, in my opinion. I have bought a tiny fraction in the last few years than I did before. Quality is low, and I can find similar pieces at other retailers for much less. <br /><br />J.Crew used to have more unique pieces (unique like the beautifully detailed jackets, not unique like crazy skunk print skirts and colorblocked capri pants) and now it is more just like everyone else. Perhaps it is because everyone knocks off J.Crew.<br /><br />Knockoffs are knockoffs, and usually they are crap, but when they are the same quality as the real thing, there is no incentive to buy the real thing. You can walk into TJ Maxx and find dupes of $120 J.Crew items for $19.99 with similar quality. I am just really over what they are doing the last few years, and have only bought the truly beautiful standout pieces that will stand the test of time. It makes me sad, but I think Jenna has alot to do with my alienation from the brand.J.CrewJDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07464373354705821248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-52129220616565314822013-04-17T11:24:44.557-04:002013-04-17T11:24:44.557-04:00That's a great description of how I feel about...That's a great description of how I feel about J. Crew too. Thankfully they still produce some non-aspirational clothing so I can still shop there. I think Jenna seems great too.catehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17121234545386465542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-56690706727708218612013-04-17T11:21:55.336-04:002013-04-17T11:21:55.336-04:00I wasn't sure if he was talking about those ex...I wasn't sure if he was talking about those exclusive only-made-25-of-them items, or if this theory applied to new rollouts when they seemingly sell out of something new and exciting right away (then stock is fine in a few weeks) or the "rare" pop-backs when there is just-one-left-omg lol! I have to believe that their online sale strategy uses a scarcity tactic :)catehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17121234545386465542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-85115953228126071652013-04-17T10:45:49.167-04:002013-04-17T10:45:49.167-04:00Whoops! ;)Whoops! ;)Alexis {J.Crew Aficionada}https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-603635182598268042013-04-17T10:45:28.354-04:002013-04-17T10:45:28.354-04:00Allyson: I also think that all this Jenna-centric-...Allyson: I also think that all this Jenna-centric-love can be a bit dangerous for J.Crew. What happens if she does decide to leave? Alexis {J.Crew Aficionada}https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-3524555239554978792013-04-17T10:44:21.831-04:002013-04-17T10:44:21.831-04:00Yeah- I kind of get what he is saying, but at the ...Yeah- I kind of get what he is saying, but at the same time, I always see those "scarce" items in the sale section. (Like the python mini Eddie bag.)Alexis {J.Crew Aficionada}https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-2114827137955021072013-04-17T10:42:37.648-04:002013-04-17T10:42:37.648-04:00Thanks for sharing Unknown! :)Thanks for sharing Unknown! :)Alexis {J.Crew Aficionada}https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-80699349400613794502013-04-17T10:42:23.703-04:002013-04-17T10:42:23.703-04:00Thanks for sharing Gigi! :)Thanks for sharing Gigi! :)Alexis {J.Crew Aficionada}https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-62373747995287500492013-04-17T10:42:01.371-04:002013-04-17T10:42:01.371-04:00Couldn't agree with you more that the cool fac...Couldn't agree with you more that the cool factor should not be prioritized over quality. I have jackets that are almost ten years old from J.Crew, that are holding up better than the ones I purchased this year (and wore once!).Alexis {J.Crew Aficionada}https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-80786359616209602013-04-17T10:40:35.262-04:002013-04-17T10:40:35.262-04:00I think you are right- Jenna has shifted the compa...I think you are right- Jenna has shifted the company over the years and J.Crew definitely tries to go above their image. Sometimes it works, but I feel like the things that sell out quickly in my store are the "classics with a twists" not the "trendy and now".Alexis {J.Crew Aficionada}https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-85642024169962830572013-04-17T10:39:11.420-04:002013-04-17T10:39:11.420-04:00That is great- about the brand promoting the life ...That is great- about the brand promoting the life wished and really had. I think its so true for so many of us. I feel the same way whenever I browse through an Ethan Allen/ Pottery Barn/ Restoration Hardware catalog. Then I look up at my real house and think, not even close! ;)Alexis {J.Crew Aficionada}https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317882250647868056.post-81346368974652580802013-04-17T10:37:47.846-04:002013-04-17T10:37:47.846-04:00LOL! I thought the same about the light fixtures- ...LOL! I thought the same about the light fixtures- I could not imagine spending $8000 for a light fixture, let alone recognizing one in a store. ;) <br />Alexis {J.Crew Aficionada}https://www.blogger.com/profile/01823796392253094261noreply@blogger.com