I think in every recent post, an Aficionada (okay several Aficionadas) has mentioned the École jacket- which sparked its own discussion in each post. ;) I think it is time for this jacket to have its own dedicated post. :)The following are the jackets in the image above:
- Velvet École jacket (Item 97130;$168.00)
- Herringbone école jacket (Item 96698;$198.00)
- Donegal tweed école jacket (Item 97471;$198.00)
What do you think of the École jacket (either the velvet, herringbone, or donegal tweed)? Would you buy it? Do you own it? If you do own it, please let us know (1) what is your review of the jacket and (2) how would you wear the jacket. {"Thanks!" in advance for sharing!)
I didn't see anything but velvet ecoles at my local J.Crew store. I tried it on but didn't like it in velvet either. I'd love to see a tweed version!
ReplyDeleteDid anyone notice that there is a strange draping from the shoulder to the armpit? I am going to order mine in a different size (I got the 2P/going to try the 0 regular) and see what happens. I did love the softness of the velvet, and the Honey Glaze color was truly beautiful. I just wish that it had looked better on.
ReplyDeletejcrewjunkie: i tried it on the other day and noticed that too...it was baggie in the chest/shoulder. i tried the honey glaze too...it was really pretty and had pretty ruffles on the lining inside the body...and bright purple lining in the sleeves. but the jacket did not fit me well.
ReplyDeleteccbmum: Exactly. There was this strange bagginess in the chest shoulder area that just drove me nuts. I hope that a different size eliminates this problem. Keeping my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI do want to share with everyone (again since I also posted about it above) that the Lucille jacket in Spicy Mustard is fabulous! I am wearing mine as I write this (and as DH is sleeping!)
I remember learning about the ecole here and was excited about it. Very soon, I got to try it in the storeand the minute I saw it, I knew it was going to be a huge disappointment! The jacket has nothing special about it. It is too common and ordinary. Maybe I'll consider buying it when it goes on sale for $49.99...
ReplyDeletejcrewjunkie: OMG you have one too? i just read that slastena bought one and posted back to her about the color working for blonds (i'm med. blond). that's too funny that you're wearing it now!! now i'm really feeling "enabled" and want to seek it out at a store tomorrow...but i must hold off since i was in the store mon. and wed. and made some rather large purchases already...:0
ReplyDelete...oops, forgot to mention i was talking about the lucille jacket in my prev. post...:)
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that it's cute but it's no Bella. I don't live near a store so I haven't tried it on yet. I felt like the ruffled collar and turnback cuffs made the Bella more special.
ReplyDeleteAlso, none of the colors in the velvet Ecole are those that I like to wear--it's been interesting to here the blonde Aficiondas discuss the glazed honey (with some concluding it wasn't a color for blondes). I am a fair-skinned brunette and I know that so many of the golden tones that are shown for fall would make me look like I needed a liver transplant! I say the blondes should go for it!
hear, not here. Sorry!
ReplyDeletehexicon: lol! i know what you mean about those gold tone colors! i think that skin tone has a lot to do with it. i have fair skin and that's why i have such a hard time with honey glaze. in some materials like the pique of the andrea and the velvet of the ecole it looked nice on me. but in plain sweater knit it doesn't look that great on me...go figure. i wish it looked better on me because i really love the look of that color ;)
ReplyDeleteoops:
ReplyDeletebaggy not baggie in my post at @ 1:01!! (actually only 10:01 for me).
I haven't tried this on, so I cannot comment about fit, but I can say that with just one hook and eye closure, I don't think it will look as tailored as it could have been had they done three buttons down the front. I do love the Burgandy color in the Velvet, the Sweet Potato in the Herringbone, and the Black in the Donegal Tweed. Also, the Herringbone and Tweed appear as if they would be more flattering on, and this would be a jacket that if I were to consider purchasing, it would be once the price is reduced, and not at full price.
ReplyDeletei bought the ecole in black velvet, and i really like it! when i first tried it on, my first thought was, 'it's not the bella'. i agree that it's on the plainer side and that little hook instead of buttons is a let down. however, on second and third thought, i like the simplicity of it. i bought it in a size down which fits nicely (no weird bagginess going on) and the velvet has a nice matte finish, not a sheen that happens in some lighter weight velvet jackets i've seen.
ReplyDeletein conclusion, it's not fancy or super exciting, but it's a nice staple addition to a fall wardrobe.
I bought the velvet ecole in honey glaze. I love how it fits and looks. I'm planning to wear it with the lulu peep toes (which I also love) in honey glaze.
ReplyDeleteI love the navy-it's a really rich color that will look good with denim. and a crisp white tank or tee under it. maybe some jc jewelry to snaz it up. ok, and a patent belt, and maybe some patent peep toes or the salina flats in metallic atlantic.now I've just spent over 300 dollars!
ReplyDeleteI probably eill not spend full price on it, I am officially on a fall budget:(
BGD
That weird bagginess that some of you mentioned sounds like the complaints that a few Aficionadas had about the Casa Rossa jackets - perhaps they're the same cut?
ReplyDeleteThey're lovely (although I haven't tried one on yet) but I think I'll be waiting for them to go on sale. If they sell out before then, it's simply not meant to be -- I'm a college student on a budget here :)
ReplyDeleteI am planning on stopping at the Short Hills store today (Short Hills, NJ) then tend to have most of what is in the catalog. I too do not think that it is the Bella, but like the slit up the sleeves. I am only 5'3" and I find petite length sleeves can be too short and regular can come slightly over my wrist-- so I am excited to see the sleeves back as the models have. Also, I think that I think that I will enjoy the herringbone or tweed better than the velvet.... I sometimes feel velvet is hard to pull off...... I love the honey glaze and pumpkin colors.
ReplyDeleteFabulousFloridaMommy: I wasn't a fan of the one hook and eye closure either!
ReplyDeleteI don't think the ecole is the "it" jacket like the CSR's say (and as someone reported, one even admitted that it could be "doing better")! I tried it on in the velvet and it's ok, but definitely not a full price purchase.
ReplyDeleteI do really like the blue herringbone one though. It looks awesome on the back of the catalog with a turquoisey blue button down underneath...:)
Alexis and FFM: I am not really a fan of the hook and eye.
ReplyDeleteI think to make the Velvet work for me I will have to add an extra hook and eye below the single one that is on the jacket. It will make it more form fitting.
I am not a fan of herringbone jackets because they always seem to itch me which means the only way I can wear them is with a turtleneck and that always seems like a waste to me.
But I really, really want the Ecole in the Sweet Papaya color!!! I also think with an extra closure added on it will look fabulous.
I am so excited and I must resist buying it.... 4 more weeks.... 4 more weeks. I think I can, I think I can.... I hope I can ?!?
I tried this on last weekend -- it looked great on the hanger but had a very poor fit, and the hook closure was disappointing. I liked the saturated colors, though.
ReplyDeleteI agree that papaya color is delight! But the ecole is not worth the full price though, IMO. The herringbone is beautiful, but I wish they felt softer on the skin - after all it is almost 200 dollars!
ReplyDeleteI got my leaf bella when it went on sale. If there were bellas left last time, in my opinion we will have no problem waiting for the ecole to go on sale. With the recession and everything, i don't think these jackets will be sold out at the regular price.
Newyork: Thanks for putting me at ease! For now I will just go to the website and stare at it.
ReplyDeleteI really like the look of it-- that said, I wouldn't wear much velvet in So Cal, except for maybe around the holidays. I like the blue herringbone and the black donegal, though.
ReplyDeleteI agree with those who are waiting for this to go on sale. The hook and eye closure scares me-- I bought a JC lavender herringbone jacket about 2 years ago (can't remember the style name), but it was similar and had the single hook and eye closure. The entire closure popped off in the first wearing (and yes, it fit!)! If I get one, I will probably need to reinforce it with an additional closure like blumre mentioned.
Lisa: the extra closure would also improve the fit and make the jacket show off more of a waste.
ReplyDeleteYea I am not a fan of hook and eye closures either they tend to catch on things and they dont always look good. Thats pretty crumby about one of your popping off.
blumre: I know! I'll be doing the same - state at of on the web, and clicking on my size + color to make sure it is still available on a daily basis! LOL.. I hope it doesn't sound too pathetic!! :)
ReplyDeleteNew york: Pathetic? NO! It sounds strategic!
ReplyDeleteoops ... Stare at it on the web... Not state of it (ugh! Stupid iPhone!)
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's why we are called aficionadas...and we are so obsessed with their products! Even though we won't be paying full price for it, we always want to keep an eye on it!
ReplyDeleteI hate the hook and eye. I love the buttons Jcrew uses so to me, it's a shame they did the hook..granted the buttons fall off all the time, but their buttons are usually pretty unique-I love the buttons on the lexington jacket from last year
ReplyDeleteI wanted to love this jacket, but it didn't work on me. I think if it had buttons instead of a single hook, then it would have worked. The colors are beautiful, though.
ReplyDeleteGood call, caw - those Lex buttons are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGlad you agree, silver lining. They are a bit frail though and look like they are hanging by a thread. I have had to sew them back on, I hate sewing buttons though and unfortunately jcrew makes me do this often!
ReplyDeleteI just got off the phone (yet again) from a CSR and she told me that she got the Ecole in velvet in the Sweet Papaya color and loves it. I am thinking that I might go the Sweet Papaya or Burgundy route with this jacket as I am getting the Andrea AND the Jacinda in the Honey Glaze. Also, bgd's idea of Navy Ecole, white top, jeans, patent belt, necklace....etc. sounded FABULOUS!!! I love that look. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of this jacket. I just feel that it's a little blah.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do like the med. blue that kater mentioned. I think it's a fun color for a jacket.
I'll pass on this one (unless it goes on a really GREAT sale.) ;)
I looove the sea green donegal and the sweet potato herringbone. They are great colors, BUT I will NOT be buying any of the ecole jackets because I do not like the hook-and-eye closure. I prefer buttons on a blazer and I won't buy one that does not have button closure. It's a traditional-look factor, but there's also a warmth factor -- I don't want the wind blowing right through my coat!
ReplyDeleteI agree that it probably wouldn't hang right, either-- I have a small chest so it's not like I need to "locked and loaded" (lol) for a jacket to fit right, but I bet that there would be a lot of gaping and the hook-and-eye looseness would probably make me look even smaller!
ReplyDeleteheather: i too need help in "that" area...lol... and the ecole did nothing to help the situation ;)
ReplyDeleteI had tried this jacket on when I saw it in the local B&M store but was sorely disappointed. Now, I MAY have tried the wrong size, so back to the store I go! I'm still disappointed with the hook and eye though, like most of you. But blumre's idea of adding one more closure is genius! :)
ReplyDeleteI really thought the Bella had achieved Lady Day Coat status, and would be back this year. I wish I had picked one up last year. Can you imagine the Bella in this years colors? Especially that blue herringbone? We'd all being frothing at the mouth right now.
ReplyDeleteAre there any sewing/alterations experts on here? I wonder if a good tailor could refit one of these Ecole jackets with buttons. To me, the blue herringbone might be worth it if I could be guaranteed a good result.
anon @ 12:16
ReplyDeleteIt would be relatively easy to put 1 or 2 buttons on the ecole jacket, you could even do it yourself if you have a buttonhole feature on your sewing machine or an attachment. It just seems like a nuisance to have to make such a topical alteration on an expensive jacket, unless you were bringing to the tailor for other alterations as well.
Maybe they'll bring the Bella back later in the season.
heather: I am what could be considered totally boobless. I mean VS makes a killing off me each year with their padded bras (plus, I am a phobic about my undies and bras being the exact same color...don't know why). At any rate perhaps that is why the Ecole had all that strange bunching on me. Unlike the others I actually like the hook and eye closure on some fabrics (and I love blumre's idea of adding an extra hook and eye). I still wear a fabulous cashmere beaded sweater/jacket from J Crew circa 2006 and love it. For the most part however, I prefer buttons, especially on more substantial fabrics.
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather-
ReplyDeleteI have no sewing skills or a machine, but I'm glad to hear it could be done. To me the hook and eye is too skimpy. I would only do it if it goes on sale. I agree, we shouldn't have to go through all that for such a pricey item.
Anon 12:16
jcrewjunkie: I have a chest (36C) and the ecole still had that funny bunching on top. I think if I had sized down, it would have been too small through the shoulders (I also have broad shoulders). When I had it on, I was wishing the hook and eye were placed higher on the jacket; it might have worked on me then. But, I still think 3 buttons would have been the best. It would probably be flying out of the stores if it had buttons, IMO.
ReplyDelete@jcrewjunkie, hee, I'm glad to know I'm not alone--not only do I have to match my bras to my panties but they also have to match or complement my outfit!
ReplyDeleteI miss J.Crew underwear. I still have these mesh thongs they made in the 90s (I bought 8 pair) that were weightless and invisible! Too high-waisted for most stuff now, of course.
Re Ecole alterations, in the abstract, a hook and eye closure can be flattering because you don't have the extra bulk from the overlapping fronts. My leopard cardi fits like that--but, a hook and eye closure is not going to wear well on thick fabrics like the velvet or tweed.
But--I used to sew all my own clothes when I was a teen, and he roll of a lapel is one of the hardest things to get right when sewing, so you should be extra careful about adding a buttonhold-you need more overlap than you think and it could wreck the fit of the collar and lapel, given that the Ecole fronts were not designed to overlap. JMHO.
hexicon I liked their underwear too and I back then I actually fit into their bras too. Their underwear was great though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hexicon-
ReplyDeleteIf I did it, it would only be with a great professional tailor. I just think it would be so cute.
Anon 12:16
hexicon: Do you mean the leopard cardi with the satin trim from a couple of years ago? I have that one as well and still get tons of compliments when wearing it!!
ReplyDelete@jcrew junkie, yes, that's the one I mean. In the TV show "Veronica Mars," it shows up on the evil slutty stepmother!
ReplyDeleteI am going to wait for a blazer with buttons or even one button. I don't think a hook and eye belong on a blazer. Just doesn't do it for me. Too bad because I love their fitted shapes.
ReplyDeleteThe velvet is the same fabric at the bella jacket last year. Oddly enough, I adored the Bella jacket (it's one of only 3 Jcrew items that i've ever purchased at full price), but the same color in the ecole doesn't seem to work for me.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed the fit issues as well, though in a very different way. I have broad shoulders and chest for my waist size, so most Jcrew tops/jackets tend to be a bit too tight through the bust/shoulder area. This fits perfectly. Unfortunately, the cut is a bit plain, and the fabric doesn't seem as luxurious as the bella, so I'll e passing on this one. (my bet is that this will make it to the sale section, so I might pick it up then)
Ecole is a study in contrast that is growing on me. Hook & eye closure and unfinished sleeves contrast with the jacket's other wise pedestrian design. If you are under 5-4, order the petite so that it does not look matonly. Did not plan on purchasing this one, but did in olive velvet. (Velvet adds to the contrast in this fashionista's mind!)
ReplyDeleteInitially pairing with Elizabeth-like halter top that showed up in my B&M--its between purple and pink and adds to the contrast.
I was really disappointed in the herringbone ecole when I saw it in person. The fabric was thin and kind of scratchy. Maybe the jackets hadn't been steamed well, but they looked cheap. Same for the herringbone Fiona.
ReplyDeleteBut. . . the Tuesday trench in wool was gorgeous. The most beautiful fabric, with a soft feel and elegant drape. You really can pull it in at the waist and it will move. If you tie the belt behind your back, it looks kind of like a ''swing" shape. couldn't resist.
I know I'm a 'tweed late, but...
ReplyDeleteI must say that I bought the donegal version of the ecole jacket, and that I have mixed feelings about the purchase. The jacket will, undoubtedly, last through a few fashion progressions, since it does not have the overt ruffle, etc (but I love artistically placed ruffles! ...so I look to my ruffled garments to fill that void)--and ability to transition, in a garment, is definitely a plus. However, I have come to realize that the pumpkin color is a bit too orange for my taste, yet not orange enough for my taste. But, I do I love how it looks online, in the 'logue, AND on display, so I'm hoping my affection for the color will grow in time.
I must also comment about honey glaze-- At first, I disliked the color, instantly comparing it to 'mustard'. Who wants to wear a hot-dog dressing? However, after fondling a honey glaze sweater and buy it quite against my impulse to stuff it back into the rack--quite odddly, I know--I FELL IN LOVE! I have light brown, naturally ashen-toned hair that has been slightly artificially 'warmed' (but faded) and VERY fair skin (I have to buy the absolute fairest foundation from Lancome, so go figure) that has, to my remorse, quite pink undertones in the facial area but golden undertones on my arms and neutral undertones elsewhere. I have found that the golden honey accentuates peachy hues in my skin, giving my skin quite a creamy, porcelain look, which is the best I can hope for with transparent ahem pale skin. Very complementary!
Give it a chance, o fellow fair-peoples, if you can afford to!
I have an ample bosom and discovered the cut of the Ecole to be perfect for my shape. I have no bunching in the chest area or arms. I like that there are no buttons and find that the hook and eye is sturdy. If you are a DD gal this is a great jacket for you! (just order up one size)
ReplyDelete