One of J.Crew's services includes monogramming. For an additional $10 (and extra 2 weeks for completion & delivery), clients can monogram their items with either initials or a J.Crew critter. To steal a quote from J.Crew's website, to give "your look a more personal touch."J.Crew's Monogram Shop offers monogramming for a range of items for women (including swimsuits), men (including ties & boxers), and crewcuts. Personally, I don't understand why a guy would want his boxers with his initials on them. (Maybe if he does laundry at a dorm or a laundromat, where his "personal effects" need to be identified apart from others'.)
I personally haven't monogrammed too many items (in general). I think the last time I did was in high school, when I got my initials on the L.L. Bean backpack (you know the kind I am talking about too!) :) Although I like the idea of monogramming a J.Crew polo or tote, I always hesitate the move because it would mean I couldn't return the item if I wasn't satisfied with it.
What are your experiences with J.Crew's Monogram Shop? Would you recommend the service or not? Do you think this is more of a corporate / wedding gift than something an individual would get for themselves?
I personally am a HUGE fan of monogramming..... While I do not understand why it is so expensive at J. Crew --since most others (Lands End, LLBean) only charge $5-6 I did buy my bridesmaids monogrammed cashmere sweaters and it was a huge hit! NOTE: I no longer buy J. Crew cashmere unless it is dirt cheap-- as I do not find it to hold up as much as others!
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole! I don't understand why it is so expensive with J.Crew either. J.Crew charges twice as much as the competitors you listed!
ReplyDeleteI also see how monogramming fits with corporate & wedding gifts. :)
But would you also monogram items that you get for yourself?
I love monogramming! I've only got one monogrammed thing from J.Crew (although I just ordered another) because it costs so much there. I got one of the Wellesley cables monogrammed last year. I have a few Vera Bradley bags monogrammed (all of which were free) and my L.L. Bean backpack and Boat and Tote are also monogrammed. If J.Crew offered it for less money, I would do it almost all the time. My grandpa was a pretty successful businessman before he retired and he monogrammed almost all his shirts - I think I picked it up from him!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of the monogram. I have monogrammed car and laptop stickers, leather sandals, sweaters, sweatshirts, polos, baseball caps-- you name it. I just like the fact that the monogram make the garment special! I know a lot of people would find this over-monogramming a nerdy, preppy behavior but I love it and I know there are preps out there who do just as much! I didn't know you could order embroidered critters on J.Crew items- be still my credit card!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had anything from J.Crew monogrammed, but I'm considering ordering a monogrammed swimsuit to wear on my honeymoon. I think it would be really cute to sport my brand new initials on the beaches of Cabo in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteI used my monogrammed LLBean backpack from 8th grade through college... that thing lasted forever! I still have it, though I never use it.
I bought my husband 2 vintage fit polos. Both with his monogram and he likes them. Its small right on the chest in white. But.. I live in South Carolina where that is very common and preppy/southern. I also got him a mongramed oxford shirt that he wears to work. He likes it fine. Also it has never taken 2 weeks to receive the monogram items... but the JCrew distribution center is about 60 miles from me in North Carolina. I also agree that JCrews cashemere is a little cheaper in quality. I'm not sure what the deal is.
ReplyDeleteI also have to tell everyone to watch thier newspapers if they are in a college town. JCrew comes to the University of South Carolina and has sample sells for the college students. The clothes are dirt cheap and never worn but, no tags. Just boxes and boxes of samples.
Five tomatoes- I think it is such a sophisticated look that your grandfather had his shirts monogrammed. (I have always liked it when men had their polos, shirts, & handkerchiefs with their initials.)
ReplyDeleteM.A.- It does sound like you like to monogram! ;) Out of curiosity, how do you monogram leather sandals?
Steph- At first, I was thinking "who would want to monogram a bathing suit?" But after reading your comment, I think that is a great idea! To monogram your *new* initials on your bathing suit to wear on your honeymoon- I love it!!! :)
Leigh- thanks for the heads up about sample sales. Unfortunately, I have never been to one of J.Crews. (Although I would love to!) ;)
ReplyDeleteI never thought of monogramming anything other than my LL Bean backpack I've had since the 4th grade and still use occasionally today (over 10 years later!). But I think a monogrammed bathing suit bottom could be very cute, I might just go an do that!
ReplyDeleteI was always curious about the monogramming so I'm glad you wrote this post, Alexis! Do you get to pick where the monogram goes or are there only a set number of styles / locations / fonts?
ReplyDeleteHi - I found your blog from Third Coast Preppy's blog. I am a big monogrammer - I think I need monogram rehab. I bought a small pink canvas tote from J. Crew 2 years ago and I ordered it in store from the "red phone" and the default color of the monogram was navy blue, but I asked the order taker if I could change it to Kelly green and she said no problem. They did a fine job, but I agree with Nicole R - it is pretty expensive. $10 for a monogram is a bit pricey. Last week I ordered a J. Crew tote from their sale items but I did not have it monogrammed. I will take it to my local place and have it done for half the cost.
ReplyDeleteAnabelle: I think those LL Bean bags last practically forever! ;)
ReplyDeleteMelanie: I do think you are right that there is a set number of styles/location/and fonts.
I think the choices (critter, initials) and location (on chest, in the middle) depends on the item itself. (Some items have more options than others).
Hi Mom x2! It is great to know that you can change some of the options (like changing colors of the monogram) if you call in customer service!
I also like your tip of using a local monogram-er. This way you can get the item and if you like it, you can go ahead and monogram it, and if you don't like it, you can have the option to return it to J.Crew with no problems. ;)
It's probably worth mentioning that monogrammed items cannot be returned or exchanged, which is part of why I hesitate to use that service. $10 extra, and you're stuck with it...even if it doesn't fit.
ReplyDelete*grins* I never have items monogramed in general. My initials are ill-chosen for monogramming (though not quite as inappropriate as a friend's: Anne Stacey S____). She, understandably, refuses to have anything monogrammed.
Just wanted to mention the sweet lady that I talked to today at J.Crew on the phone. I had White 5 inch shorts on waitlist and wanted to change to another color so it would get here faster. I happened to mention I was going out of town on Saturday and she offered to upgrade my shipping for free! I love the customer service!
ReplyDeletemelanie, there are only two styles - the standard ABC or a diamond. Most products just allow chest placement although I know the racerback tanks have it on the back, which I think would be really cute!
ReplyDeleteAuryane: Your friend's initials are too funny! ;)
ReplyDeleteLaverte: That really is great customer service- Fantastic! :)
Five tomatoes: I like the monogram on the back of the racerback tanks too! I saw it in the catalog and thought it was really different & pretty!
I like monogramming, as well, but have never had anything done by J.Crew...I don't like the idea of being "stuck" with the item if it doesn't work out, either. Maybe if you were to try the item on IN the store and then have it sent away to be monogrammed?
ReplyDeleteI've never monogrammed anything because I don't have a middle name, and just two initials seems so boring, haha!
ReplyDeleteI always did think $10 was a bit pricey for a machine to stitch up to three letters onto something. But I can see the appeal for special occasions and gifts. :)
PS. I bought the Candace sweater jacket in Sweet Orange today, and it is perfect! I got it for 35% off the sale price in the store too. The color is a lot closer to what you see on the model than what it looks like pictured alone. I'm already planning outfits to wear it with!
Alexis-
ReplyDeleteThe sandals I'm talking about are the Stephen Bonanno "Emma sandal" (www.sbsandals.com)- they are amazing! :)
I am a huge fan of J Crew monogramming because I got my money's worth and then some with the items that I got monogrammed. I bought both of my sons the small duffle in navy when it was on sale this past Christmas and then had their initials (block) put on in white. These bags hold up wonderfully and the have a miriad of uses. They have withstood sleepovers, camping out, basketball, football, baseball and school gym class along with trips to New York and Florida!! There is not a worn place on any of the corners even though my sons are not at all careful with their belongings!!
ReplyDeletejcrewjunkie
Oh no, Final Sale on the web is back!!! SW :0
ReplyDeletewow...good thing i placed an order yesterday...i ordered jeans on sale in two sizes to try them and return one! whew...thankfully, they aren't final sale! they added lots of good stuff from past seasons though ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, as soon as I got the heads up from anonymous, I went over to the website! A lot of good things, but the whole aspect of 'final sale' scares me. So far, I'm only comfortable with putting a favorite tee and top in there because I know they'll fit right, even though there are a lot of good deals! And man are J.Crew shoppers fast! No sooner had I put the dictionary tee in my cart did it disappear! Haha... ^__^
ReplyDeleteJust saw the final sale as well! I notice that alot of the items are from last season. Like the Solid silk taffeta Phoebe blouse and the Solid Rivoli blouse.
ReplyDeleteI always had my eyes on the Solid silk Elizabeth halter, but find it kind of pricey. Does anyone have any experience with this top?
friedwontons - I've seen the Silk Elizabeth Halters in stores and they look beautiful hanging there... I never tried one on though, because I was afraid I'd fall in love with it and HAVE to buy it! XD
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy! Oh I so want to get it and especially since it's on sale now, but I know that shade of red and yellow will not look right on me. Well, I guess that is a good thing since I already done enough Jcrew credit card damage last week =(
ReplyDeleteI own 2 Elizabeth halter tops: in Navy and Yellow. If I could, I would purchase it in every color. They are just AMAZING. Forewarning: I am 4-6 on tops and had to go to XS, they are cut LARGE.
ReplyDeleteBoy, half of the jewelry I really wanted= beehive pendant, enameled corfu necklace= were gone in a blink, as I was pressing submit order buttoon they disappeared from my cart. What a disappointment!
No kidding about the items disappearing from the cart!! I have been looking to get the Chino Adelaide Jacket (from last fall) in navy, size 6. (I was even feeling kind of psychic when I stumbled upon it in the sale section tonight.) Well they had it in a 8 and I was willing to take my chances but "poof", the "you can look but you can't touch" fairy stole it! Argh!!! Good Night! ;{ SW
ReplyDeleteWow, this final sale is juicy! Too bad about the Elizabeth halter being cut so large though. I've had my eye on it for ages online, but I've never seen one in person, so I was thrilled to see it in final sale, but I don't want to buy something that's too big when I have no store within 3 hours of me in case I need to return it
ReplyDeleteThanks Slastena for the help. Hmmm I usually wear an XS in Jcrew for tops and now I'm a little worry about the top being too big. Oh well not getting it anyway so need to get it out of my mind! But I will defitney try it on next time I see it in the store.
ReplyDeleteI swear Jcrew shoppers stalk Jcrew.com for good finds. Everything is gone so quickly!
Final sales again, but this time, I am not so excited... Final sales of winter items in Summer... I hate to say this, it seems that J.Crew really needs to clean inventories.
ReplyDeleteUgh, final sale is always such a disappointment! Especially this round - the prices are too high, especially for the stuff from last season. $49.99 for the Eliza cami? I got mine for $19.99 earlier in the year from jcrew.com. Final sale + no free shipping codes <$100 = I'll be sitting this one out. I'll just anticipate the new Fall stuff instead! :)
ReplyDeleteTo friedwontons:
ReplyDeleteMy friend usually wears XS in tops as you are and she had to return her Elizabeth halter in XS b/c it was too tent-y on her. :) I would definitely recommend trying it before purchasing considering it is a final sale. Otherwise,as I have mentioned it before- it is lovely and is one of my favorite blouses to wear in summer.
HI M.A.: Thanks for letting me know about those sandals. I can definitely see how you can incorporate them with any J.Crew outfit too! :)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 10:16 PM: Thanks for the heads up! I totally agree with the "oh no!"
CCbmum: You totally lucked out with your order from yesterday! :)
Amy: It is amazing how fast items disappear in shopping bags. I always hate when that happens too! :)
friedwontons: I agree with you that the Elizabeth halters seem pricey still.
Slastena: That is awful that you necklace disappeared right as you were pressing the submit button. That has happened to me before- It is just the worst!
Stephanie: If you were the elizabeth halter underneath another piece, I am sure it will look beautiful and more tailored to your body.
SilverLining: Totally agree with you: majorly disappointed that this is a final sale.