There is also a related article which I took excerpts from in the Washington Business Journal about Madewell at Tysons (click here for the full article):
Tysons Corner Center opens three new storesby Gillian Gaynair
May 14, 2008
"Madewell 1937, a new chain of affordable, casual apparel by preppy retail chain J. Crew, also joins the Tysons mix. The merchandise is generally 20 to 30 percent less than that at J. Crew. Seven Madewell retail stores are open nationwide; an eighth one is coming soon to Westfield Annapolis mall. At Tysons, a late summer opening is planned."
For those in the in the Mclean, VA/Washington, DC area, are you excited about visiting the Madewell store?
I would like to have a Madewell here in Orlando...I am interested to see the clothing firsthand in order to examine for fit and quality. As far as pricing goes...from what we've seen in articles and online...it appears that Madewell is priced fairly close to what J.Crew is, and really isn't that less expensive. :)
ReplyDeleteI live in the Metro DC area, and I can't wait to go to check it out in person and see what the fabric and quality is like.
ReplyDeleteAlso it is nice that our area is getting more of the company's attention, since there is a J.Crew store coming into Northern Virginia at Reston Town Center in the fall!
I've seen a few of the pieces and so far "I like". It's still the same quality that J. Crew is known for just on a more casual level. Still very hip, young pieces.
ReplyDeleteHere is the website for more information on the designers and collections: www.madewell1937.com
I am not excited about Madewell but maybe that will change if I like what I touch in person. I agree with FFM about the pricing.
ReplyDeleteWhen the site first comes up I want to say 'whoa, slow down so I can have a look'! Look 8 has a "SLUB BOATNECK TEE $38" & Look 10 has a "RUCHED BABY-DOLL DRESS $89" which is nothing more than a beach cover-up. I know JCrew had a similiar beach cover-up last year (I have two) that were not that expensive & a cuter style (in my humble opinion). I guess they're all about pulling in younger buyers who may not like JCrew's styles.
Here on the West Coast, I've never heard of this shop but I'm interested to see what others have to say about the quality. On an unrelated note, I recently purchased the Light Gold J.Crew Uptown tote an I LOVE IT! I would describe it as a mix between gold and silver. I originally wanted the silver metallic but it was out of my budget. Just want to thank people on this blog who gave me their opinion a week or so ago. Gracias!
ReplyDeleteI was in Tyson's on Wednesday and I saw where the Madewell store is going to be located, I'm really excited to see what it's going to be like!
ReplyDeleteMJ in VA
I am also curious about seeing a Madewell up close. I passed the store front when I was visiting family in NYC but was unable to actually go in. I think, as far as what I've seen so far, I still like J.Crew more.
ReplyDeleteI have been to the Madewell at Soho. My impressin was that they are veered more towards to the a younger crowd, say in their twenties. As far as the material goes, I thought it wasn't as good as Jcrew's items. That's why I think their price range overall is also lower. What caught my eye were some of their wide-leg jeans, and cotton cardigans. I almost bought a navy blue cotton cardigan. It was $68, but later figured it was not worth it. I could have gotten the same thing at an H&M or soemething at a lower price.
ReplyDeletenewyork0311, that's even more than a Jackie cardigan ($62)!
ReplyDeleteI'm not interested in Madewell at all - from the website, it seemed a little too "American Eagle" to me.
Even though I am in the target age range (low 20s), I am also not really interested in Madewell. If I were at Tysons, I would stop in to check it out, and maybe it would change my mind, but from what I saw online it is just not my style. Seems more like "sophisticated college student" wear than "young professional" which is more where I'm at now. If it existed five years ago, however, I may have shopped there so it might be a success.
ReplyDeleteSilver: yes, and the jackie cardigan is of better quality and offers more versatility!!!
ReplyDeleteIn a word, I went in the store but did not see anything I had to have. That just says it all!
The Madewell in Annapolis is already open and has been since mid May. I almost always check it out when in the Westfield Mall in Annapolis, but I'm not sure if I agree with the "cheaper than J.CREW" claim the quote makes. It may just be the items I've looked at (and bought), but it seems the same, if not more expensive. Regardless, Madewell's tees and jersey fabric are the comfiest I have found yet.
ReplyDeleteI plan on visiting the Madewell in NYC this summer, probably in late August to see some of their fall stuff. Their jeans look nice but I won't pay $98 for a pair of denim pants. Supposedly they have nice leather boots and bags though.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Danielle about the comfy fabric. I go to Madewell in LA pretty much weekly (my best friend works there) and really love the clothes. The website is crap so definitely check the store out in person if you can :)
ReplyDeleteThere is a Madewell here in NJ in the Short Hills Mall. As others have said, it does cater to a younger customer base (20's I'd say) and as FFM said, is less expensive than JCrew but not by much. The clothing is attractive, and the store has a nice welcoming environment for people of all ages (not like Hollister or Abercrombie, which make me totally uncomfortable, with the shades drawn, darkened store, overpowering scents, blaring music and occasional half-dressed young man standing in front of the store trying to draw in teenage girls--that just freaked me out!)
ReplyDeleteMary - does the Madewell in Short Hills have a good selection of denim? I know the NYC store has a "denim bar" but I'm not sure about the other stores.
ReplyDeleteI have been to the Madewell at the Annapolis mall. The sales staff were very friendly and helpful and they were having a pretty decent sale. Most of the t-shirts on sale were between 9.99 and 19.99 and then there was an additional 25% off, but much like j. crew it was final sale. The jersey of the t-shirts is very soft and it has a nice drape without being translucent. I think I would shop there for basics like t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, maybe a few accessories if the price is right.
ReplyDeleteI did buy a really cute pair of glitter patent sandals for $23, though. If you go to website, they are the shoes on look 5.
was the sale at madewell extended to anything beyond the tees? i like their sundresses and non-printed tees, but i find them expensive even though they're slightly cheaper than jcrew. i go to the soho store every month or so; have never bought anything but their salespeople are super friendly (especially sunday the SA, who always makes sure to say something nice to every customer he walks by). i wish i could give him a commission, but i just haven't found anything i like enough to buy. i like their bags though -- reusable cloth drawstring bags! very ecofriendly.
ReplyDeleteI had my first visit to the Madewell at Tysons today! It really felt like any other store to me and not really related to J.Crew, definitely trendier although I did like their pocket tees. The only thing I ended up purchasing was a white t-shirt that says "Are you Madewell" on the front- I find it super cute and it was only $10! They have them in navy and grey too!
ReplyDelete