J.Crew's Martie Pant {love or leave them?}

"Thanks!" to many of you who let us know about J.Crew's latest email.

The email sent this morning features the newest style pant from J.Crew: the Martie Pant (item B8521; $89.50). Like the Minnie, the Martie Pant comes in several different shades. J.Crew describes it as:

If you liked the Minnie you're going to love the Martie. Higher waist + cropped length = legs for miles. Even better? It goes with just about everything.

We discussed J.Crew's Pixie and Minnie Pants awhile back (refer to the "J.Crew Showdown: Pixie Versus Minnie" post). I am a big fan (alright, fanatic!) of the Pixie. Less of a fan for the Minnie (since I never thought it fit me well). However, I am intrigued by these pants. Especially since they come in so many colors (seven!) besides black and navy.

What are your thoughts on the Martie Pant by J.Crew? Have you tried them on? Already purchased a pair? If so, please share! :)

Quick Poll:  Which pant style is your favorite?

Choose: J.Crew Downing Tote or Madewell Transport Tote

I have been meaning to do this post for sometime now... If you had to choose between J.Crew's Downing Tote (item A4399; $168.00) or Madewell's Transport Tote (item 53228; $168.00), which one would you get?

As an owner of both bags, I understand how hard this choice can be! They are both beautiful totes that will carry everything you need to bring. Honestly, I think you cannot go wrong with either one.

Pro J.Crew: (1) I like how soft the leather is, (2) the bottom seam is pretty and helps keep the bag better propped up, and (3) the wristlet comes off like a cute accessory.

Pro Madewell: (1) I like how easy to maintain the leather is, thanks to the smoothness, (2) the inside zippered pocket is key!, (3) the leather feels like it will last forever, and (4) the simple style really appeals to me. 

Overall: I have an ever-so-slight preference for the J.Crew version in English Saddle. Yet, I prefer Madewell versions in all other color schemes.

Which tote would you personally get? Which one would you recommend?

Quick Poll:  Would you get the Downing Tote or the Transport Tote? 

Quilted Puffer Vest {Retail versus Factory!}

Both J.Crew and J.Crew Factory came out with Quilted Puffer Vests for their respective Fall 2014 collections. I thought it would be fun to break down the two versions and see which one JCAs like more. To borrow a phrase from GigisGoneShopping, a "smackdown!" of the two.

Excursion quilted vest (item B0109; $120.00)

J.Crew retail's current version is a copy of J.Crew retail's 2013 Excursion Vest. When it comes to sizing, it runs large for most customers. I am normally an extra small/size 2 and find the extra extra small fits best.

Pro

• It has a side pocket in addition to the button covered pocket
• Quality: It is always better from retail.
• Color: Comes in both chartreuse and bright ivory this year. Both colors have not been done in vests before.

Con

• Those gold snap buttons are not my favorite. I don't know what it is about them, but I am not a huge fan. Mind you, I do own two versions of this vest with the gold buttons.
• The zipper is only one way. The two way zippers from 2012 are much easier to wear.
• Limited number of colors this year. Last year, there were more choices. Not sure why this year there are only four. :(

Factory quilted puffer vest (item 92465; $98.00)

J.Crew Factory's current version is actually a copy of J.Crew retail's 2012 Excursion Vest. When it comes to sizing, same scenario as the retail version: size one down.

Pro

• The side pockets are more streamlined with the vest. Plus, there are inside snaps on this version that help keep stuff inside. Awesome little feature! (The retail version from 2012 did not have inside snaps, nor did Factory's version from 2013.)
• Quality: I compared this version with my vests from retail 2012 and could not tell the difference. 
• Colors: The factory version comes in a lot more colors. Including red currant and olive moss, both of which have not been used before.
• Two way zipper- love this! Enough said.

Con

• Quality: It's from Factory. I can't tell the difference from the retail version, but I know J.Crew cut costs somewhere. I don't know where, but it's somewhere... ;)

From my comparisons above, it is clear that I am hearting the Factory version a bit more. It's not to say that I don't like the retail version. I do! I just think the Factory version wins out.

What are your thoughts on the puffer vests from retail J.Crew and J.Crew Factory? Do you have any additional pros or cons that you would add to the lists here? If so, please share! :)

Quick Poll: Which puffer vest do you adore?

J.Crew Dumps Cece for Emma!

JCAs noticed in the latest roll out of new arrivals, that J.Crew is offering a new ballet flat: the Emma Leather Ballet Flats (Item 06697; $125.00).

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Elizabeth Wei, ShopMurphy, & GigiOfCa (in this post), who let us know that J.Crew plans on replacing the Cece Ballet Flats with the new Emma Ballet Flats.

When it comes to Emma, I have not personally tried them on. Word among JCAs is that they are comfortable. Although I look forward to trying them on, I really love the Cece Ballet Flats and am bummed out to hear about their departure from the line. The Ceces are a classy little Ballet Flat that could dress up a casual outfit. Too bad they couldn't keep both types around...

The Emma Flats look nice too. I also appreciate that J.Crew kept the interior wedge- a small lift that makes a huge difference. Plus, the elastic ruching on the sides of the Emma Flats made me immediately think of Tory Burch's nappa leather Reva ballet flats. With all that said, I still like the *look* of the Ceces more. The Ceces look more polished, where the Emmas look a bit more casual (due to the ruching).

What are your thoughts on J.Crew discontinuing the Cece Ballet Flats? Have you tried the new Emma flats? If so, what are your thoughts?

Quick Poll: Do you think J.Crew should replace the Cece with the Emma?  

J.Crew Sale Continues: 30% Off & Free Shipping

J.Crew sent an email this morning reminding customers they are offering an additional 30% off & free shipping at J.Crew (both online and in stores) with code GIFTNOW. The additional percent offer expires December 24, 2013 (and free shipping on any order expires today!)

What else? There are over 400 new styles added to the Sale section (click here to shop online) section online this morning. YEY! Lots of merchandise for everyone (1200+ for Women and 580+ for Men). From the looks of it, things are moving out relatively quickly.

When checking out the items, I noticed the Liberty Pajama Set in Katie Ann Floral (item 07677) which is on promotion from $198 to $158. Still too expensive for me to justify a purchase. However, it is gorgeous!

Incidentally, is it just me or are we all a bit shopped out lately? From the comments, it is starting to feel that way. (I wasn't sure if it was just me and I was just seeing what I related to.) I am still checking out J.Crew, and purchasing a random item or two, but no where near the levels I did a few months ago (or even this time last year). All the promotions have been nice, but nothing I am overly excited about is pulling me in. 

Will you be taking advantage of this latest promotion? What are your thoughts on the new markdowns to sale? Are you still buying as much at J.Crew lately? Share your thoughts!

Quick Poll:  Are you "shopped out" at the Crew?

J.Crew's Gift Ideas {do you buy the randoms?}

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Irina, who shared the following news/email from J.Crew awhile back with us. J.Crew has released their Gift Idea list for this holiday season. They choose a variety of items they think will delight customers.

Per usual this time of year, J.Crew offers the random gift items that are not a part of their normal merchandise line. For example, the coffee cup and jewelry tray.

 

This got me wondering... do customers really buy these items? I mean, I do. But only after the holidays, when these items go on super sale. I normally would not even consider J.Crew's random gift items pre-Holiday, for gifts. Not because there is something wrong with them, but just because I don't even have them on my radar. When I think of J.Crew, I think clothing and such.

P.S. Is J.Crew still offering their "Gift Clubs" this year? I looked, but could not see any mention of it on the website. In the past, they would offer Jewelry (of the month), Shoes, and the like. Just curious what this year's version is (if there is one).

What are your thoughts on the randoms? Do you buy them pre-Holiday season for yourself or for others? Do you wait for them to go on sale (like me)?

Quick Poll:  Do you purchase J.Crew's holiday randoms? 

Questionable Item of the Week: Paint Splattered Khakis

Over at J.Crew's 770 bog, there was a post featuring photos from their recent Spring / Summer 2013 Collection.  Among the images there was a pair of pants covered in paint that caught my eye: the Paint Splattered Army Green Khakis.

J.Crew loves to offer variations of "pants with paint" every year. What I want to know is why? Why is J.Crew still producing khakis with random paint marks on them? Who is even buying them? If someone is buying them, are they doing it ironically? Are customers purchasing the pants really styling them with high heels and an evening bag?

Remember that scene in "Mean Girls" where Rachel McAdams' character says, "stop trying to make fetch happen". (Click here to watch over at YouTube.) I feel like someone needs to do this with J.Crew's paint pants.

What are your thoughts on the Paint Splattered Army Green Khakis? Would you buy this or leave it at the store? Have you see this first hand, and if so, what are your impressions?

Quick Poll: Do you like the Paint Splattered Army Green Khakis (or "Paint Pants" in general)?

J.Crew Classic Schoolboy Blazer {new school vs old school}

J.Crew sent out an email, as well as featured in their latest catalog, the new and improved Schoolboy Blazer. J.Crew shared the following about this newest wardrobe staple:

Some History: School uniforms started in the 1500s in England, but the term "blazer" wasn't coined until 1825 by a group of Cambridge University students (the style was later adopted by '60s Mods as a symbol of youthful independence). Who Knew?

The New Schoolboy Blazer: Sometimes we take a lesson from you. You asked for it, so we gave the schoolboy a few new design updates, making it way better and the only blazer you'll ever need.

The Details: (1) A slightly longer length elongates everything, so it's extra flattering. (2) Our silky stripe lining makes it even more comfortable. (3) Four buttons instead of three add detail and polish. (4) A menswear-inspired ticket pocket can hold little stuff like lipstick or credit cards- though we prefer keeping it closed.

 Some of you already checked out this blazer in person- and the reviews seem neutral towards negative when it comes to the changes. In particular, the comments made it sound like the details didn't upgrade too much (the length wasn't too significant, adding an extra button not a big deal, etc.). Naturally, this makes me even more curious about the new blazer...

Thankfully, there is a super detailed review of the New Schoolboy Blazer in Navy (item 03171; $198.00) with its predecessor, Classic Schoolboy Blazer in Navy (item 28233; $198.00) by Elle, over at her {amazing} "Fast Food & Fast Fashion" blog. Check out her "Review: J. Crew Classic Schoolboy Blazer in Navy vs. New Schoolboy Blazer in Navy" post. There are tons of images that showcase both blazers side by side making the comparison easy.

From the review, it doesn't seem like much of an improvement to make such a fuss about. Even the length (which I was most excited about!) doesn't appear to be that great. The body length increased slightly from 24 1/4" to 25 1/8.

On a related a note, I find the Classic Schoolboy Blazer recent promo-price fluctuation during the past two weeks fascinating. The rarely-goes-on-sale-blazer was a part of the "instant gratification" sale last week- allowing customers to score this normally $198 item for just $99. (Some JCAs even managed to get it for an additional 40% off- for a grand total of $60!) A few JCAs speculated it was to move inventory of the classic blazer (to make room for the new blazer counterpart). Once the "instant gratification" sale ended, the promotional price of the jacket jumped to something like $128 (I can't remember the exact number). Today, the blazer is still on promotion, but for $178.

J.Crew probably believed the New Schoolboy Blazer would handily replace the Classic version. However, I suspect they got quite a bit of push back from customers preferring the Classic Blazer (which encouraged the price rises!)

What are your thoughts on the New versus Classic Schoolboy Blazer? Have you seen the new one in person? Are the improvements worth it? Please share your thoughts! :)

Quick Poll: Do you prefer the Classic or New Schoolboy Blazer?

Jenna at the Oscar Party {like her dress?}

Every once in awhile, J.Crew's 770 blog offers really interesting insight into their inner workings. Their "Getting (Oscar) Ready" post is one of them:

This past weekend Jenna headed to Hollywood to attend the annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Sunset Tower Hotel. So what does one wear to one of the year’s hottest tickets? A custom dress of her own (J.Crew) design, of course.

Here, five of her favorite star-studded moments of the night…

1. “Having Amy Poehler introduce herself to me—and say she knew who I was—and that she was a J.Crew fan. I almost died.”
2. “The gracious Anne Hathaway casually carrying her Oscar around. (I touched it!!)”
3. “Being in the same room as people I’ve watched and loved for years.”
4. “The In-and-Out burgers served at the after-party. I love a high-low mix.”
5. “Dancing until 4:30 am at Madonna’s house. Yes, Madonna. She is still just as hot as she was when I was 16. You do the math. On second thought…don’t.”

P.S. We love the idea one of our Instagram fans had to turn Jenna’s Oscar party design into a wedding dress. (Look for it in spring 2014.)

Photography Bryan Derballa.

It would have been nice to see an image showing the front of the dress. Alas, the 770 blog did not include one in their multi-shot. However, J.Crew did offer a link to one on their Instagram site (image shown directly below).

I also found another front view over at BusinessInsider (click here). From the images on J.Crew's blog & Instagram, the dress on Jenna looks rather pretty. However, seeing the full view outside the party... yikes! Jenna is a gorgeous woman and the dress designed for her does her no help. It just looks awkward. Maybe this is the type of dress that you have to be posing in a certain way to make it work?

In regards to the notes, I love NBC's "Parks & Rec". To get recognized by Amy Poehler is pretty awesome.

What are your thoughts on Jenna Lyons outfit? Do you like the overall style, length, color scheme?

Quick Poll: Do you like the dress Jenna Lyon's is wearing? 

One More Day: Shop J.Crew's Sale {In Stores & Online}

Tomorrow is the last day J.Crew is offering an additional 30% off Sale with promo code MUSTHAVE.

Are we all shopped out? It seems like from the collective comments that we were not buying as much this time around. Speaking for myself, I can't figure out if it is because I already own the pieces that I want to own or because there is not a lot of new merchandise that excites me.

Will you be taking advantage of this promotion? Any items you are interested in? If so, please share! If you are passing on this promo, how come?

Quick Poll: Are you shopping as much with the MUSTHAVE promo? 

Sneak Peek at J.Crew's December Catalog

J.Crew posted on their 770 Blog (click here) their upcoming catalog cover for December 2012 (image above).

I am always excited to see what the new catalog will look like. However, I am not overly excited about this one. Why? Because there is no emphasis on the holidays.

Usually the November and December catalogs are full of pretty things in warm reds, pretty greens, sparkly golds, and cool blues. This cover is pretty, but it looks like it is for Patagonia (than for J.Crew). Am I suppose to get excited about those outfits? {sigh}

J.Crew knows how to do a snowy location + holidays right. Just look at last year's cover (image of December 2011 below). It is obvious that this cover is meant to ring-in the festive season.

Look at that group shot... loves! Look at all those colorful outfits... loves! Look at the use of holiday props... loves! I was hoping to see a bit more of these aspects in this year's December catalog. Especially since the November catalog was kind of meh.

On a bright note, this is just the cover. I still look forward to seeing the rest of the catalog. And... it means that new arrivals are just around the corner! :)

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's upcoming cover? Are you excited about it? Please share!

Quick Poll: Do you like the upcoming December 2012 catalog?

J.Crew's November 2012 Catalog {take a quick look!}

A big "thank you!" to Life as a Cat (in this post), of the amazing The J.Crew Archives blog, who is currently scanning the November 2012 catalog. WAHOO! She has also posted a preview of some pages in her "J. Crew November Style Guide catalog preview" post.

Also, HeatherInSearchOf (in this post), gave a very detailed review of the upcoming catalog that just had to be shared:

Just got my November Style Guide...like most things J Crew this year, I'm on board with the accessories/shoes...and not much else. What is up with Easter Egg colors for winter?! Lilac and buttercup yellow everywhere, baby pink as well. Thought process may have been "no one else is doing it..."; there is a reason JCrew! Spring will come in it's due time.

Few highlights, gorgeous nudish pink Edie grand bag, two tone oxblood fuchsia little Edie, the Fair Isle turtleneck in greens is gorgeous to me, but not $650 gorgeous...J Crew is trying to grow up in the fashion world a little too fast. Lest they forget, when high dollar fashionistas wear J Crew they say, "It's J Crew, can you believe it?!" NOT "It's J Crew (dramatic pause)". This is a brand in transition, and they're doing it rather poorly at the moment.

The green ribbon cord toothpicks are sweet and unique, but your bum must be in summer condition or you may end up looking like one of those lumpy plastic Christmas sacks your parents used when they were too lazy to wrap your toys...odd bits poking out in all directions. A print on a toothpick is NOT forgiving! The vivid jade, more foresty if you ask me, pencil in serge is beautiful...but I am a pencil skirt fiend who cannot be stopped; I could be totally biased and wrong on that skirt. I don't know about any of you, but I find tweed hard to pull off without looking like I'm going for granny chic...yet, the lady jacket in corkscrew pinks is quite the stunner. I could always buy it for my gran this X-Mas and admire it from afar.

The hothouse dress is gorgeous, and if it has the right weight to it, could be a nice score for J Crew in their ever quickening race to the top of the fashion ladder. One note, I wish they would add more interest pieces to their special items such as the hot house dress. I'm sure it has a plain back. I'd like to see a nude mesh center panel with invisible zipper detail to spice it up, nothing low cut, just something else to look at other than the print.

I'd love to see some full skirts from them, the Green Tinsel fabric on their no. 2 pencil would do well on a full skirt. Page 32, why does J Crew pretend the chiffon dot top is not see through...better yet, why did they MAKE IT so see through(shakes fist at sky)???

Moving on to the collection pencil skirt in brushed wool, in chartreuse, with a thigh high slit...I like; however, only chartreuse? J Crew, I realize you are striving to be chic, but give us a color option, and pairing it with a brown lady print sweater??...the model is laughing for a reason. Although, I would totally buy that sweater in ivory or red...again only one color option, and that color is an unfortunate shade of dried mud they beneficently call caramel (eyes roll out of head).

I'm not going to lie, I will buy the polka dot sequin top in both colors (champagne and black), completely versatile and festive. The flame floral jacquard skirt in "dried papaya" (cue second eye roll, they roll farther away)...what to say...it's a digital print, an affordable alternative to the pointelle that is making the rounds at D&G right now...but I can't help to think that with a mix of cotton/nylon/silk, the only silk to be found may be in the washing instruction tag...I wouldn't put it past you J Crew!

The moral of the November Style Guide story is this: For winter, J Crew wants you to douse your self in pastel, wear fair isle at every turn, and always, ALWAYS part your hair down the center!

That review was really great! (Had me laughing, like at the shaking fist of fury over the Chiffon Top being see through.) Of course, now I am curious about the catalog even more. Can't wait to get it in the mail (how do some customers get is so quickly???) to see all the new items.

What are your thoughts on the latest catalog? Did you already get a copy? (If so, how?) Do you like the styles displayed on the pages? Anything you love or question? Please share!

J.Crew Updates the Sale Search {meh}

Rebekah (in this post) made an observation that I could not agree more with:

i don't like the new side bar in the sale section - how when you click on a clothing category, the rest of the categories disappear from the side bar now and the only option are further refined searches (size/colour). this means you have to click twice to look at the next category instead of just once. i know it's a small thing, but what was the point of changing it? so annoying.  

I do not care for the new update to the Sale Section search either! I am sure J.Crew's tech department thought this enhancement would be helpful to customers, but the opposite is true!

I now have to open a category in a "new tab" in order to have a tab with the other categories of merchandise available. It is an extra inconvenience when shopping the sale section (click here to shop online). Minor negative. But a negative nonetheless.

If someone at J.Crew is reading this, please take note of the comments and the poll results and consider making another change (as in changing it back, please).

What are your thoughts on the re-design of the Sale Section search function? Are you a fan of the new design or do you prefer the earlier design?

Quick Poll: Do you like the new Sale Section search?

J.Crew's October 2012 Catalog {take a look!}

A big "thank you!" to Life as a Cat, of the amazing The J.Crew Archives blog, who is scanning the October 2012 catalog. WAHOO!

To view the catalog in an easy-to-view slideshow, check out her "J.Crew October 2012 Style Guide catalog" post. She will be updating the various sections in the next few days. Yey! :)

As many of you have already mentioned, new arrivals are expected to be available online Thursday morning. Exciting!

What are your thoughts on the latest catalog? Do you like the styles displayed on the pages? Anything you love or question? Please share!

Quick Poll: Do you like the latest October 2012 catalog?

Questionable Item of the Week: Tangerine Resin Petal Necklace

"Thanks!" to Cousy (in this post) who pointed out an interesting addition to J.Crew's Jewelry Collection: the Lulu Frost for J.Crew tangerine resin petal necklace (item 25490; $278.00).

I have to share Cousy commentary on this statement piece because it is pretty amazing:

You know how there are J Crew items that aren’t your style but you can see how other people might like them? I call that Not My Thing, or NMT for short. ...

But every once and again there’s an extraordinary item that defies taste, reason and the laws of nature. Judgments about these items aren’t subjective, but objective: their hideousness is fact, not opinion. These items join the Pantheon of Ultimate Ugliness (PUU, pronounced “pee-you”). To qualify for PUU status, it has to be universally unfathomable that the item was designed, approved, manufactured, wholesaled, priced and offered to the masses. Indeed, it must boggle the mind that dozens of experienced people signed off on it.

It is our sad obligation to acknowledge another entry into the PUU: the Lulu Frost for J Crew Tangerine Resin Petal necklace. Please – before you click on the link, make sure your children are in bed and your pets are secured.

...I am a deep believer in the Almighty, but one look at this necklace caused me to fall to my knees and plead WHY??? WHY???

And then it dawned on me. This $278 “pitch perfect mash-up” can unite the world. This necklace is so dreadful ... JCA’s, together we can draw the line, take a stand and right a wrong. J Crew, for the good of all mankind, please don’t sell this necklace! Do I hear an AMEN?

LOL! Oh yes, this necklace is hideous. The definition says "showstopping" and that it does. That it does.

This looks like a craft project, where someone took the tin can full of remnants (from necklaces of yore,) and pieced them together. (How did J.Crew come up with "marigold" as its color?!) The individual pieces are quite lovely, but all together it looks ...complicated.

If you are interested in this necklace that features "a pitch-perfect mash-up of antique, vintage and modern influences that makes for supersweet retro-chic designs with a twist", you will have to wait until November 5th. (Is this wait-listed?)

P.S. The Bugle-Beaded Bug Pin (Item 11348; $50.00) is looking really good right now! ;)

What are your thoughts on the Tangerine Resin Petal Necklace? Would you buy this or leave it at the store? Have you see this first hand, and if so, what are your impressions?

Quick Poll: Do you like the Tangerine Resin Petal Necklace?

Let's Babble About the Bubble

Congratulations J.Crew, you did it! You broke me and now I am obsessed with your Bubble Necklace (item 92687; $150.00). {sigh} Well played.

Honestly, I did not care for the necklace when it first came out in Spring 2009. (I believe it was around then.) I initially thought "meh". It is too big and clunky, and the price tag... woah! Just beads people.

Then last holiday season, I got my hands on the red version for an incredible price (thanks to all those post-holiday-lets-liquadate-merch sales). I did not wear it much at first, but slowly it became my go-to necklace.

The red version is great, a classic, but it doesn't work with every outfit. And that is how my collection of Bubbles began...

Next thing I know, I am getting all the colors being offered including my all-time favorite: white. (As an aside: I have worn the white version every other day and it is worth every penny of full retail price! I receive a compliment on the necklace each time I wear it.) Who knew the red Bubble Necklace would have been my gateway necklace?!?

J.Crew is selling these like hot cakes! Every time I stop into a J.Crew store, I notice a fellow shopper checking out with one of these necklaces in her shopping bag. It doesn't help that J.Crew keeps re-introducing them in additional amazing shades.

So now I am obsessed with these darn necklaces and can't seem to get enough of them. Am I the only one?

Are you a fan of the Bubble Necklaces from J.Crew? Do you own multiples of J.Crew's iconic statement necklace? If so, please share your obsession! :)

Quick Poll: Are you a fan of the Bubble Necklace?

Dear JCAs: Still Team Jenna?

In several posts around the JCA Blog (most recent examples include "J.Crew Works Fashion Week {2012}" and "Looking to VENT" with J.Crew"), there have been comments surrounding Jenna Lyons— from her fashion to her style direction at J.Crew, to even her overall likeability.

One area of discussion is about the "Jenna" look. (You know the look, which includes signature black framed glasses. Refer to image in the post as a visual example.) Some JCAs are tired of seeing spitting images pop up at J.Crew (and even Madewell). While others are eager to copy that style.

Another topic relating to Jenna is worded best by WellFedFred (in this post):

st has raised a point worthy of serious consideration. I've noticed that no one criticizes Jenna directly, but we do see many statements that begin "I really like Jenna, but..." or "Jenna's wonderful, but..." So if design has a certain monotony, if prices bear no relation to value, if inventory control is a joke, if items rush to markdown suspiciously early, if fabrics are thin and skeezy, who is responsible? Who should step up and say "I'm the president of the company and something is wrong and I'm going to fix it?" I will be the one who dares to suggest that the president of the company should step off the pedestal of adoration and earn that famous paycheck. Although I really adore Jenna, it's just...

Lastly, there is overall "Jenna fatigue". Don't get me wrong, there are several JCAs who cannot get enough of Ms. Lyons (whether it be at fashion shows or store openings). However, there are some who are tired of seeing her and reading the same type of interviews from her.

I find it really interesting all the conversations that are going on about one particular member of the J.Crew family. So I thought it would be great if we could have a post to centralize those thoughts.

Quick Poll: What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Jenna Lyons?

A Tale of Two Coats {help me out!}

Fellow JCAs, I need your help! I manage to secure the Double-Cloth Townhouse Trench (Item 49612; $350.00) in both "Heather Majestic Purple" and "Vibrant Flame". But I don't know which one to keep!

Please help me decide! If it helps at all, I have included a real life image of the coats (please note that I did use the flash on the camera):
For some real life images and reviews, check out the following:

• 1 More Shopping Blog: "J. Crew Mid-October (I)"
  [heather camel]
  
• atlantic pacific: "a simple state" [vibrant flame]
  
• extrapetite: "Review: J.Crew Townhouse Trench Coat in Petite"
  [heather camel]
• gigi's gone shopping: "J Crew - up to 25% off on outerwear"
  
• kelindakelinda: "j.crew review -- the double-cloth townhouse trench" [heather majestic purple]
• pencil shavings: "Fashion Friday: Night Out @ the Phil"
  [golden mustard]
  
• shopping on the fly: "J Crew: a Townhouse Trench"
  [heather majestic purple]
• the (chloe) conspiracy: "Outfit Of The Day (J Crew Townhouse Trench)" [sea salt]
  

As you can see, the Heather Majestic Purple is more of a blue and the Vibrant Flame is more of a red. Both are lovely and bright. Now tell me which one I should keep!

UPDATE: Okay, I am including these two quickly snapped images of me throwing on the coat. (Ladies, I don't know how you all incorporate OOTD photos with your blog. It was so hard finding a spot for the digital camera to rest on, let alone coordinating it to snap an image on self-timer. "Kudos!" to all of you who make it seem so seamless!)


UPDATE 2: Thank you everyone for your votes and great advice. Based on all your great comments, questions, and suggestions, I decided to keep the Heather Majestic Purple version. Yey! :)

Quick Poll: Which Double-cloth Townhouse Trench should I keep?

Favorite J.Crew Covers of 2010 {& more!}

Over at J.Crew's Facebook page (click here), there is a poll asking customers which cover from 2010 is the best. I thought this is a great question to ask our own JCA Community.

While we are reminiscing about last year, it got me thinking about what our favorite items from 2010 are. Also, what items from 2010 we regret not getting while we had a chance.

For me, the Vintage Bateau Top (Item 24484; $42.50) makes the top of my list for favorite items. I definitely got my fair use of this versatile top. It's classic design will be a go-to for years to come. The second item I love is my pair of Vintage Slim jeans from J.Crew. This year, J.Crew's denim won me back. The Vintage Slim cut is just perfect with its slim fit (not skinny-matchstick-tight which looks great on others, just not on me).

Which cover from 2010 is your favorite? What item(s) are your favorite from 2010? What item(s) did you miss out (& wished you got) from 2010?

Quick Poll: What is your favorite catalog cover of 2010?