JCA In the News {twice!}

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Leah, CMG, FirefighterWife, Sandra, as well as JCrewGal (in this post), who let us know that the JCA's "Cece is Back at J.Crew! Well, is it?" post was mentioned in a few articles:

• StyleCaster "Customers are Accusing J.Crew of Cutting Corners on Quality"
• Refinery29 "J.Crew's Shoppers Are Not So Happy About This "Good News"
• KPopStarz "Is J. Crew Cutting Corners With New Cece Leather Ballet Flats? Customers Notice Changes In Discontinued Shoe But Price Stays The Same"
• Business Insider "Customers Accuse J.Crew Of Selling Lower Quality Shoes For The Same Price"
• DailyMail "J.Crew is accused of cutting corners on new shoe quality - while keeping prices the same"
• Racked "Is J.Crew Cutting Corners on New Shoe Quality?"

The comment section from the DailyMail is definitely worth reading. Many readers were not surprised that a retailer would cut costs/corners by reducing the quality. However, there were quite a number of comments discussing the recent quality direction of J.Crew. I wonder if J.Crew's decision to change up the Cece will impact their bottom line...

Personally, I am disappointed by the move. I wanted to see the exact same Cece from last year being offered this year. The same quality, the same fit, the same everything. As I mentioned before, when I saw the new Cece in person, they looked different. Sigh. Well, on a bright note, the new Cece is still better than the Emma Flat. ;)

Are you excited about Cece's return to J.Crew? Did you think J.Crew was going to bring them back with the premise they were still made in Italy?

Cece is Back at J.Crew! Well, is it?

Many of us were bummed out this year when we heard that J.Crew planned to discontinue the Cece Ballet Flat (refer to January's "J.Crew Dumps Cece for Emma!" post, April's "J.Crew Listens To Customer To Bring Back A Favorite" post). JCAs rejoiced when J.Crew decided to bring back the amazing ballet flats this Fall (refer to August's "J.Crew Realizes Love For Cece {it's coming back!}" and September's "J.Crew's Cece Ballet Flat Now Available {for pre-order}"posts).

J.Crew finally decided to send an email announcing the re-introduction of their Cece Leather Ballet Flats (item 64408; $125.00), as well as the Cece Suede Ballet Flats (item 46198, $125.00), today.

I saw a few pairs at my local store and immediately ran over to them. I didn't have time to try them on, but something looked a little different about them. Nothing major, but slightly different.

A fellow JCA reported that the Cece's are no longer made in Italy. The following is a comparison of their old and new descriptions and sure enough, she was right!

New: We resurrected one of our most popular ballet flats from the J.Crew archives—and for good reason. With a cushioned insole for maximum comfort, a rubber sole for maximum flexibility and an elasticized topline so they hug your feet just so, they feel as good as they look. Suede upper. Elasticized topline. Cushioned insole, slight interior wedge. Rubber sole. Import.

Old: Beautifully styled in sumptuous suede (from Italy, of course). Our designers deliberated over every detail to ensure our ballets are the most comfortable you'll ever wear, adding more padding, removing the shank and finishing them with an arch-hugging wedge. We think they've nailed it. Elasticized topline. Cushioned insole.Italian suede upper. Made in Italy.

I am still thrilled to see that the Cece's have returned at J.Crew. Although I am sad to hear they are no longer made in Italy.

I do hope the quality is the same as their older counterparts and look forward to having them stay around!

Have you purchased (or tried on) the newest version of the Cece flats? Do you find the new Cece's to be the same as its predecessors? If so, please share! :)

J.Crew's Cece Ballet Flat Now Available {for pre-order}

Many of us were upset to find out earlier in the year that J.Crew planned to discontinue the Cece Ballet Flat (refer to January's "J.Crew Dumps Cece for Emma!" post). Many of us begged for J.Crew to reconsider (refer to April's "J.Crew Listens To Customer To Bring Back A Favorite" post). JCAs rejoiced when J.Crew decided to bring back the amazing ballet flats this Fall (refer to August's "J.Crew Realizes Love For Cece {it's coming back!}" post).

"Thanks!" to Petra, who let us know that J.Crew already brought the Cece Ballet Flats (item 64408; $125.00) online (click here to shop). J.Crew shares the following description:

We resurrected one of our most popular ballet flats from the J.Crew archives—and for good reason. With a cushioned insole for maximum comfort, a rubber sole for maximum flexibility and an elasticized topline so they hug your feet just so, they feel as good as they look.

The flats are currently available in the following shades: black, burnt sienna, and tawny sand. All three colors were part of J.Crew's previous collection, and all of them are fantastic colors that work with most outfits. (I should know, because I own all three of those colors in the Cece Flats. Not to mention, a back up pair in the black after I heard about them being discontinued.)

For whatever reason, they are currently back-ordered until October 15, 2014. But well worth the wait. These flats are by far the nicest, comfiest flats I have ever owned. Needless to say, but I will say it anyways, I am THRILLED they are back. WAHOO J.CREW!

Are you excited about Cece's return to J.Crew? Did you think J.Crew was going to bring them back? Are there any other items you like to return to J.Crew?

J.Crew Realizes Love For Cece {it's coming back!}

As mentioned in the "J.Crew Dumps Cece for Emma!" post, J.Crew dropped the Cece Ballet Flat from their line. As mentioned in that post, as well as in the "J.Crew Listens To Customer To Bring Back A Favorite" post, I was disappointed by that decision. (It's was a stupid move, IMHO.)
 
"Thanks!" to jnmullings (in this post), who let us know that J.Crew plans on bringing back the Cece Ballet Flats:

This is what my VPS told me earlier today: 

"We’re such a feedback-based company, and love to hear where we’re spot on and missing the mark. I have some great news for you—we’re bringing back the Cece Flats! I don’t have specifics on when they’ll debut quite yet, but they’ll be coming back for fall and will be online only. ...we’re bringing back the Cece’s due to all of the feedback we received,... " 

I'm super pleased to hear J.Crew is bringing the Cece back. The Emma just didn't work for me. I told my VPS that the difference between Ceces and Emmas is like the difference between cashmere and polyester. Can't wait to see what the colours will be. Speaking of cashmere...there are no cashmere tippi's on the website, which is very odd!

Huzzah, this is wonderful news indeed! I am thrilled to see the Cece Ballet Flats will be back at J.Crew. Especially since I did not care for the Emma Ballet Flats at all. Not. At. All.

Although, it is interesting that J.Crew is offering them online only. It is probably to gauge interest in the item. Which is a smart move. I have no doubt they will sell well too. (Although I would like it if they sold them in stores too, so I could see before buying. But I will take, what I can get!)

Are you excited about Cece's return to J.Crew? Did you think J.Crew was going to bring them back? Are there any other items you like to return to J.Crew?

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 Email: The velvet slipper

"Thanks!" to Irina, who shared the following email J.Crew sent yesterday.

The email not only features the Stubbs & Wootton® for J.Crew Classic Velvet Slippers (item 10264; $400.00), but also shares its back story with customers:

Though Stubbs & Wootton founder Percy Steinhart opened up shop in a tiny Palm Beach boutique in 1993, his heart was in early 20th century England: Steinhart wanted to recreate the handmade needlepoint house slippers that men would change into after muddying their boots on unpaved streets (and which quickly became fashionable options for formal, evening and dinner wear). The results are chic (and sometimes cheeky) designs handcrafted by a small community of artisans in La Mancha, Spain, known for their tradition of quality and expertise in stitching and assembling footwear. Luckily for us, Stubbs & Wootton created these quirky, totally-up-our-alley pairs exclusively for J.Crew, which means they're even more special complements to everything from dresses to tapered trousers—and you can't find them anywhere else.

Uh, I don't know what to make of these. Don't get me wrong, I think they are cute. But are they cute on? It is really tough to make velvet slippers work with an outfit.

And of course there is the price tag... $400 is a lot to spend on a trend that I am not sure will last more than a season or two. (I should add, that I do own some loafers myself. Just not at that price point.)

What are your thoughts on the velvet slippers from J.Crew? Have you seen a pair in person? If so, please share! :)

Quick Poll: Do you like the Classic Velvet Slippers?

Product Review: Keds® for Madewell Polka-Dot Sneakers

Keds® for Madewell Polka-Dot Sneakers
Click here for product page
Item# 87406
Regular: $50.00

Madewell describes these adorable pair of sneakers as:

A marriage made in sneaker heaven. We teamed up with the all-American brand to cover their iconic canvas sneakers in a series of our favorite prints for spring. The result: this adorable spotted style. (Polka dots on Keds? Yes, please!)

Let me start out by saying I am a big fan of Keds. I remember them well from my childhood. I am happy to see they are having a resurgence in popularity again.

Last year I ended up buying a pair of solid black Keds from Anthropologie (of all places!) These were my first pair in a really long time. I completely forgot how incredibly comfortable they are and how timeless they look thanks to its classic canvas sneaker style.

When I saw Madewell offered polka dot Keds, it was a no-brainer for me. I had to get them. Now that I have them, I could not be happier. They look exactly like the pair in the picture. I love the entire color combo of blue and white polka-dots, with a tan leather-like trim. It is perfect for Spring and Summer.

As for size, they are true to size for me. I am always (as in 99% of the time) a size 9. I got a size 9 and the fit is perfect. For reference, I am always a size 9 in J.Crew's ballet flats and heels too.

Lastly, I want to mention the inserts on the shoes- they are divine! Not only do they have a cushion insole & heel, but there is a shock-proof arc cushion! A lot of shoes do not include an arc cushion- so I am especially grateful to see them here. Thanks to these touches, the Keds® for Madewell Polka-Dot Sneakers will be my go-to walking-around sneakers.

You can see a glimpse of the sneakers in real life in the photo above. (You can find the pair in the upper right hand corner. Click on the image to view larger.) This image comes from Closet Crisis's "One Too Many Closets" blog, in her "The Blue Train" post.

What are your thoughts on the Keds for Madewell collaboration? Are you a fan of the polka-dot sneakers? Have you seen or tried on these shoes? If so, please share! :)

In-Store Alert: Drea Pump Marked Down to $139.99

A big "thanks!" to Jenn who let us know the following shopping tidbit with us:

Just left my local B&M, The drea pump is marked down to $139.99! I was able to score the display pair of the light walnut leopard for $117.00! ...

If you have been stalking the Drea Patent Peep-Toe Pumps (Item 64452; $198.00) and/or the Drea Leopard Patent Peep-Toe Pumps (Item 64500; $228.00, now $178.00), now might be the time to pull the trigger and snag a pair.

In case you want to read a review & see an in-person photo of these heels, check out "Shopping with M" blog's "j.crew reviews: chiffon skirt, striped tee, purple..." and "j.crew reviews: stripe blouson dress, heart throb ..." posts. Don't forget to check out "1 More Shopping Blog" blog's "J. Crew Reviews - January (I)" post too!

What are your thoughts on the Drea Pumps? Have you tried them on in store or own them? If so, please share your review! :)

J.Crew Email: This week's discovery {malta sandal}

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Irina, who shared the following email J.Crew sent this morning.

The email not only features the Malta Sandals (Item 64402; $148.00), but also shares its back story with customers:

After a south-of-the-border sojourn for some style inspiration (what happens in Tulum, stays in Tulum) our accessories design team couldn't resist imagining their own handwoven leather huarache. The traditional Mexican sandals made its way stateside in the'60s as a boho-cool summertime staple (we're conjuring up visions of Ali MacGraw rocking a pair with a suntan). Our designer's take: "They've got that undeniable picked-up-at-some-far-flung-marketplace vibe." Ours were handwoven in Italy in three earthy and very rich leathers, "so they get softer with each and every wear." The only question remains- which nail polish color?

Gorgeous pair of sandals! They really are. My only hesitation is the price tag- it seems expensive for a pair of sandals that look like you just picked-up-at-some-random-marketplace.

What are your thoughts on the Malta Sandal from J.Crew? Have you seen it in person? If so, please share! :)

J.Crew Email: Fall's must-have boots

"Thanks!" to Irina, who shared the following email from J.Crew today.

The email features both the Booker Boots (item 49121; $298.00) and the Booker Tall Midheel Boots (item 48300; $348.00).

"Thanks!" to Amy (in this post) who shared her review:

I can't comment on the flat Bookers, but I had the tall mid-heel Bookers in black in my possession for several weeks before I finally returned them. I really loved these boots, and I am a bit of a skeptic when it comes to JC shoes and bags. The leather was very nice and the boots were absolutely perfect in every way, except the shaft was way too high on me (it hit in the middle of my knee cap; I'm just under 5'4"). It was not the look I was going for, so I reluctantly returned them. I didn't try the flat Bookers instead because 1) I really wanted a heeled boot and 2) I didn't think the 1" difference in the shaft would translate to any real difference on my leg. Anyway, gorgeous boot. I wish they had worked out for me!

All three shades (masala chai, black and chocolate) look fantastic for Fall! From the sound of it, it seems like it is best to see these in-person (to make sure they look right).

What are your thoughts on the Booker Boots? Have you seen or tried these boots? If so, please share! :)

Free Shipping On *All* Women's Shoes!

"Thanks!" to many of you, including lunarary & xoxo (in this post), who let us know the following new promotion.

J.Crew is offering free shipping on all Women's shoes (click here to shop online). Even better? This offer doesn't just include regular priced but sale priced shoes too (click here to shop online)! This offer expires Friday, July 15, 2011.

This is a pretty good offer. A great excuse to get a pair of shoes! I love that it applies to all shoes too. Lastly, who else is surprised to see this offer today and not tomorrow? Usually, J.Crew does not run a new promotion while another one is going on. I for one, like it! :)

Will you be checking out J.Crew's shoe selection? If so, please share which items makes the top of your must-have list! :)

J.Crew Email: Straight from Italy: our spring ballet flats

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Ketan, who shared the following email J.Crew sent this morning.

The email features J.Crew's Ballet Flats (click here). I own several (as in too many!) ballet flats from J.Crew. I love the look– from the narrow-ish style to the fabulous designs.

J.Crew has done a nice job upgrading their flats since last year. Refer to the "J.Crew Reveals Anatomy of Ballet Flats" post. I can walk around in the new versions for most of the day. (Which is pretty awesome, because J.Crew's old flats were not very comfortable!)

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's ballet flats? Are there any ballet flats from J.Crew's latest arrivals that you are excited about?

J.Crew Reveals Anatomy of Ballet Flats

As mentioned in an earlier post (refer to the November 18th "Product Review: Glitter Jacquard Ballet Flats" post), I am really liking the new design of J.Crew's ballet flats (click here to shop online).

The new design is also featured on J.Crew's website, with a new feature called "Anatomy of a Ballet: See why ours are the most well-made, comfortable flats around." The following insights are shared:

• An interior wedge cushions the heel and ever so slightly elongates the leg- so not only is it extra comfy, it's incredibly flattering too (we call it our secret weapon).
• An elastic topline hugs your foot just so, keeping them snugly on your feet (no more slipping out of your shoes when walking up stairs).
• A half shank makes the sole more flexible but still provides exceptional support (two qualities we look for in our best friends too).
• A shock-absorbing rubber sole means maximum comfort (it easily takes all-day pavement pounding in stride).

I am a big fan of J.Crew's ballet flats, but they have always been uncomfortable to walk around in for long periods of time. (I called them pretty "office shoes", great for sitting at the office.) So I am I really loving the latest updates to J.Crew's Ballet Flats. I even wore the Cece Leather Ballet Flats (Item 32007; $128.00) for a whole day of walking and felt fine.

What are your thoughts on the J.Crew's updates to their Ballet Flats? Have you seen or own any of these new ballet shoes? If so, what is your review of the fit & style? Would you recommend it to another fellow JCA?

Product Review: Glitter Jacquard Ballet Flats

Glitter Jacquard Ballet Flats
Click here for product page
Item 28692
Regular: $188.00
Store: $69.99

J.Crew describes these "notice-me" flats as the following:

Hot stepper indeed. Add a little sparkle to your step with these couture-worthy beauties. We've stepped up our ballet collection with new design details, including a cushioned insole for maximum comfort, a rubber sole for added traction and an elasticized topline so they hug your foot just so. Metallic jacquard upper. Man-made lining. Part of J.Crew Collection. Made in Italy.

So let me start off by saying... Go J.Crew! Why? Because I honestly think someone from J.Crew heard our complaints throughout the blog-o-sphere about their ballet flats (pretty office shoes, but uncomfortable to walk-around in). As a result of listening, they created a *new* generation of ballet flats that address our concerns nicely.

These shoes, and its sister-products like J.Crew's Cece Cracked Metallic Ballet Flats (item 32828; $128.00), all have a nice amount of padding. Even more padding then the Lux Shimmerveil Ballet Flats (click here for a product review)! The elasticized topline has just the right amount of snugness to make sure your foot stays in place without digging into the skin. These make walking around a lot more comfortable than its predecessor ballet flats.

But there's more! The new generation of flats have a rubber sole instead of the traditional leather sole. This is so much better because it adds a layer of comfort when walking. It also provides better traction. For the leather sole ballet versions, I would have to add a sole gripper. I don't have to for these new ones! :)

It also seems to me that there is a slight interior wedge. Again, I love this because it adds a tiny bit of height without the pain of heels.

As for the Glitter Jacquard Ballet Flats style... The ballet flat is quite pretty in person. The use of gold and silver is enough to make the shoes shine, but not to the point like its Glitterati counterpart. I also found it true to size.

Lastly, my local brick & mortar (B&M) store is selling them for $69.99. I noticed that they are still full-priced online. If you are interested in them, it might be worth calling your local B&M to check on price.

What are your thoughts on the Glitter Jacquard Ballet Flats? Have you seen or own these ballet shoes? If so, what is your review of the fit & style? Would you recommend it to another fellow JCA?

More on the J.Crew & New Balance Collaboration

As mentioned in previous posts like "J.Crew & New Balance Collaboration" "J.Crew Kicks It Up a Notch with Ads & New Balance", J.Crew is teaming up with New Balance for a new sneaker.

New Balance's online marketing and PR associate contacted me to share their press release about the upcoming product line. More exciting, there are lots of images of the shoes for us to view (click here to view more).

New Balance for J.Crew Collection
10.29.2010– New Balance and J. Crew, two iconic American brands, join forces on a Made-in-USA sneaker collection for Holiday 2010.

Built on New Balance’s legendary 1400 lifestyle silhouette, the New Balance for J. Crew collection was designed, developed and made in New Balance’s Maine factory for the discerning male who appreciates classic styling. The combination of the classic sport styling of New Balance and the clean aesthetic of one of the country’s leading fashion lifestyle brands, J. Crew makes it a perfect collaboration.

The collection features two unique colorways of the 1400 sneaker in premium suedes, which were designed in tandem by J. Crew’s Head of Men’s Design, Frank Muytjens and New Balance. The first, a never-before-created navy and the second, a moss green. In addition, the shoes have domestically tanned leathers from premium made-in-USA partners in an on-going effort to support local American manufacturers.

The limited edition 1400s will be part of the exclusive line at the J.Crew Men's Shop at The Liquor Store in Manhattan as well as the new J.Crew Men's Shop in Copley Plaza, Boston starting early November 2010 and will retail for $130.00. They will also be available online at J.Crew.com and sold in the J. Crew catalog.

The Holiday 2010 collection is the first of an ongoing partnership for the two brands. Stay tuned for more on this collaboration in 2011.

For more close-ups of the 1400 and a glimpse at the production process behind them at the factory in Skowhegan, check out the microsite for the collection HERE.

Again, I think the sneakers do look pretty darn good. I would love to see something for the ladies. :)

Now that you have seen more images of the exclusive New Balance for J.Crew sneakers, do you think you will get a pair? Do you think they should include the Women with this partnership?

Product Review: Lux Shimmerveil Ballet Flats

Lux Shimmerveil Ballet Flats
Click here for product page
item 24404
Regular: $285.00
Now: $189.99

J.Crew describes these over-the-top glam ballet flats as the following:

Flat out fabulous, in gorgeous Italian leather imbued with a hint of shimmer. Designed with couture-inspired details, including a luxurious glove construction with a soft, breathable leather insole, and an interior wedge (bascially, it's the footwear version of shock absorbers—trust us, your feet will thank you). Leather upper, lining and sole. Part of the J.Crew Collection. Made in Italy.

I already own a ridiculous number of J.Crew ballet flats, so I did not think I needed to add another {expensive) pair to the bunch. But I had to give these flats a second look, thanks to the great posts (links at the bottom of post) from Dina and Kathy. Ultimately, I ended up getting them in Metallic Gold, along with the Piera Ballet Flats (Item 26323; $185.00, now $109.99) in Black.

Overall, the Lux Shimmerveil Ballet Flats really are lovely shoes. The Italian leather with shimmer is absolutely gorgeous. The shimmer is just the right amount too— where it gives off a splash of sparkle without going overboard.

When it comes to fit, it is true-to-size. I am normally a size 9 in ballet flats from J.Crew, and the size 9 in these flats worked out great. I have a narrow foot (which is one of the reasons I am drawn to J.Crew's ballet flats in the first place) and found these to be snug on me. So I suspect if you have a wider foot, these flats may feel a bit uncomfortable for you at first. However, the material lends itself well to flexibility. So you should not have any real issues with fit.

The main reason I bought these was for the interior wedge. I love wearing flats but find that some of my jeans are an inch too long for them. (I can't wear heels, because my feet hurt after taking two steps. I swear, tweens can walk in heels better than I can!) These flats have the perfect amount of heel height and without looking like wedges. It really is hidden well.

But as far as comfort goes, let's not kid ourselves J.Crew! These shoes are not any more comfortable than their existing flats. (I was hoping they were too! But not so.) I wore them to a cocktail party and had to stand for a few hours. My feet hurt just the same as if I were wearing any other J.Crew ballet flat. There really is not enough padding to make my feet say "thank you" like J.Crew suggests in their product description.

Overall, I do like the shoes and would recommend them... on sale! ;) Definitely are not worth the full price tag.

For great reviews and real life images of these shoes, check out:

• "Casual Sequins Times Two!!!" post
  over at My Superfluities...
• "Some Shoe Reviews" post
  over at Two Hands Full of Daisies
  
• "Mistakes I've Made, Part Four..." post
  over at DaniBP Mop Philosopher
  

What are your thoughts on the Lux Shimmerveil Ballet Flats? Have you seen or own these ballet shoes? If so, what is your review of the fit & style? Would you recommend it to another fellow JCA?

Product Review: Camden Two-Tone Brogues

Camden Two-Tone Brogues
Click here for product page
Item 28441
Regular: $250.00

These throw-back-to-the-classic shoes are described by J.Crew as the following:

A truly handsome (and seasonless) borrowed-from-the-boys style crafted of rich Italian leather, with a two-tone design for classic flair. Leather lining and sole. 7/8" stacked heel. Made in Italy. Catalog/jcrew.com only.

Honestly, they are handsome! There is something absolutely stunning about the two-tone version too. I can easily see them being worn with a pair of broken-in boyfriend jeans and a black tee. Move over ballet flats, you got some serious competition!

"Thanks!" to socialscientist (in this post) who shared her great review of these shoes for us:

...The leather is also surprisingly soft and supple. There are also just nice additional details that seem fitting of J.Crew. The (wooden?) sole is beveled where it meets the bottom of the shoe so the sole slants diagonally (in cross-section) through the several millimeters of its width. Also the insole is leather as well, not synthetic.

They're a little bit narrower looking in person than they seemed in pictures, at least toward the tip. Or maybe this is because I've gotten used to seeing them from the front, foreshortened. In any case, I looked at the picture in the July catalog again and it does look like the two-toned one visually appears narrower at the tip due to the two color blocks and the black. The narrowness looks slightly odd because I feel as a shoe, it should look wider and flatter. Instead it has somewhat of a tubular look; I keep thinking of various tubular vegetables for some reason. Chili peppers? Carrots? Or maybe some sort of pointy dance shoe. It could also be that my feet are kind of narrow - I sized up from a 5/5.5 to a 6 in these because 6 was the smallest size offered.

Other than that, I'm quite happy with them. I tried them on with a few outfits, inspired by the catalogs, and they look great. One thing though, since the insole is leather they'll squeak if you wear them barefoot. So slipper socks may be a good idea. Yeah my main issue is that they look slightly tubular and narrow, but that should be less of a problem with the solid colors. I may start a blog and put up pictures later.

"Thanks!" again to socialscientist for her great review of the Camden Two-Tone Brogues!

What are your thoughts on the Camden Two-Tone Brogues? Have you seen or own these shoes? If so, what is your review of the fit & style? Would you recommend it to another fellow JCA?

J.Crew Email: A VIP look at a design team favorite

J.Crew is a busy bee with all these emails sent out today! ;) "Thanks!" to Walt, who let us know about another email J.Crew sent out to the Guys today.

The email above features the not-yet-officially-released-online Alden® for J.Crew Cap Toe Cordovan Boots (Item 20853; $595.00). J.Crew describes these shoes as:

A handcrafted masterpiece in genuine shell cordovan leather by Alden® (est. 1884), an icon of old-school American shoemaking—and it's ours alone. Alden's integrity and attention to craft have long made us loyal followers, and these boots are no exception. Each one is handcrafted entirely in the U.S. using shell cordovan (for its magnificent lustre and extraordinary durability), which is vegetable tanned for six months at one of the country's oldest tanneries. Features all of Alden's hallmark details including their famed Goodyear® welt, full-leather lining and tempered steel shank. They don't make them like this anymore. If properly cared for, these boots will last for generations (to make sure they do, you can send them back to Alden for resoling). Because these are handmade, your size may be on back order. We recommend putting yourself on the waiting list (trust us, it's the worth the wait). Double leather outsole. USA. This shoe was shaped over a Barrie last and runs o

The description is pretty interesting for a few reasons: (1) It looks like they didn't get to finish it. The last sentence leaves me wanting more. (2) I like how they state up-front that these shoes may *already* be on back-order. Didn't they *just* come out? (3) I love that they insist you get on the wait-list staring now. How about ordering enough so no wait-list is needed? ;)

As for the shoes itself, they do look pretty darn awesome! And I have to give it to Alden for actually resoling shoes for customers anytime. (I am curious, will they offer this service for free or for a fee? If it's free, than the price of the shoes seem way more reasonable.)

What are your thoughts on the Alden® for J.Crew Cap Toe Cordovan Boots? Do you like the shoes? Will you order it?

J.Crew Spotted in Lucky Magazine

A big "thanks!" to Desert Flower, who not only let us know about a J.Crew item being spotted in the recent issue of Lucky Magazine, but also scanned the image for us to view! (Click on the image to see it larger.)

The item featured is J.Crew's Camden Leather Brogues (Item 23936; $250.00) in Light Ginger. J.Crew describes them as the following:

A truly handsome (and seasonless) borrowed-from-the-boys wing tip oxford that we're absolutely loving with everything—from cut-off shorts to dresses, skirts and more. Nubuck (nutmeg, black) or waxed napa (light ginger) leather upper. Leather lining and sole. 7/8" stacked heel. Made in Italy.

These shoes have grown on me! I find the details of the classic style to be absolutely darling. It's too bad none of my local stores are carrying the Camden, as I would love to find out how comfortable they are.

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Camden Leather Brogues? Have you tried on or own a pair? If so, please share! :)

J.Crew Spotted in Lucky Magazine

A big "thanks!" to Desert Flower & GingerSnap (of the lovely "GingerSnap's Daily Fashion Post" blog), who not only let us know about a J.Crew item being spotted in the recent issue of Lucky Magazine, but also scanned the image for us to view! (Click on the image to see it larger.)

The item featured is J.Crew's Marjorie Suede Ballet Flats (Item 13054; $98.00) in Black. J.Crew describes them as the following:

We were inspired by dance but designed these shoes for real life, so they're comfortable and practical as well as prim and pretty. Soft Italian suede upper with grosgrain trim and a sweetly tied bow at the toe—a classic ballet detail.

I think every lady should own a pair of black ballet flats to complete their wardrobe. The Marjorie Suede versions are fantastic to wear all-year round. They are like the "little black dress" for your feet!

I personally own a ridiculous amount of J.Crew's ballet flats. (I honestly could start my own store with how many I own!) So I feel like I am knowledgeable enough to state that J.Crew's ballet flats are not "comfortable". I have mentioned this before, but it's worth saying again: their ballet shoes are fantastic office shoes. (As in, you sit at your desk all day. Not to wear if you are on your feet often.)

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Marjorie Suede Ballet Flats? Are there any pairs that you are currently interested from J.Crew? :)