Tuesday, December 16, 2008

J.Crew Stores: Resort Collection {already?}

As many of you have noticed and commented, many J.Crew stores have the new resort collection (click here to view online) available for purchase. I saw at a few J.Crew stores in CT, several {beautiful} Spring-like items, like bright color three quarter cardigans paired with short sleeve tees and bright color minis, on the mannequins near the front of the door.

Even though I know it is common for retailers to offer resort/ Spring wear items around this time, it still feels a little "too soon" to see these items (in-person) at my local stores. This feeling might be because I live in the Northeast (where it is pretty cold until late March) and not somewhere warmer (e.g. Hawaii)- so the focus for me is more on warm winter coats and cozy winter accessories. :)

Is the resort collection available at your local J.Crew store? What are your thoughts about the timing of the new resort collection at J.Crew stores (e.g. do you expect them to be available now, or do you think it is too soon, or do you think it should be available online but not in stores yet)? What are your thoughts on the resort collection itself (e.g. are you excited about any of the new arrivals)? :)

51 comments:

  1. The Michigan Ave, Chicago store has several resort items. In fact, when you walk in from the snow and sleet, it feels like you're in a completely different state! Not that I feel like buying shorts when it's 6 degrees out, but it's a nice little mental vacation.

    I noticed a giraffe print cami that I really liked, but they only had sizes 0-6 in the store. Anyone know if their store has larger sizes? Or if this cami will ever be put on the website?

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's pouring rain out here. J.Crew, you guys are so on the ball w/this one.

    In So Cal. I swear we're going through a monsoon right now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are so right. I was at the Costa Mesa store last night and seeing the resort items just felt wrong. Here I am looking for sweaters, because believe or not, it is chilly in So. Cal (not as bad as you guys are getting in the East) and there are all this spring items at the store. It just feels way too soon.

    ReplyDelete
  4. SF-Westfield has resort items in. I am lucky enough to be going somewhere warm shortly, so I picked up the Sara jersey knit dress with the 25% off card. A bit steep at full price ($88), but 25% was enough to entice me yet again. Even with the (relative) freezing weather.

    I think the new bathing suits online are cute - though they are getting more and more expensive!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think this is usually when J Crew rolls out the resort collection, isn't it? I always thought the idea of "resort collection" in winter was that it was for those who go on vacation (ie to a resort!) to somewhere sunny and tropical to get away from the winter cold. And maybe for those of us who like to fantasize about sitting under a palm tree right now..... :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm excited about the new collection just because I do live in a generally warm sunny place (central cali). I prefer cotton sweaters and lighter layering pieces b/c I can get a lot more use out of them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just wait - their bathing suits will end up in Final Sale land for $9.99 a piece.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm really not very excited about *any* resort collection. I understand the purpose, but I can't help but wonder with the economy being as it is how many people will actually be buying resort pieces to go to an actual resort. Mehhh.

    Also, winter has just started here. It always feels like it's too soon. >:(

    ReplyDelete
  9. The J.Crew-on-the-island store in Honolulu, Hawaii has the entire RESORT line including swim suits, embossed halter dresses, and giraffe print 3" shorts! To-do-for collection. It's perfect for Hawaii and I love shopping at my J.Crew Honolulu store. Give them a call if you need something: 808 949 5252.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It is the same when the stores stock Fall clothes in July when it is 85% outside, they are always 6 months ahead.

    I like seeing the early Spring items, makes me want to dream about being someplace warm.

    ReplyDelete
  11. anon at 2:06- do you happen to know how expensive it is to send charge from Hawaii? Is it more expensive than from somewhere else? I really want those giraffe print shorts!

    ReplyDelete
  12. My store has the resort collection out already, as well...even though I live in Florida, I really don't feel like buying Resort (warm weather) pieces while Christmas shopping. I wonder if the resort collection will all be in the sale section by February?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Crappy quality alert!

    Watch your cotton v-neck henleys (99824) if you decide to buy - the button where the "V" meets is really strained by the rest of the sweater, causing the buttonhole to stretch out. All the other buttonholes look fine. Don't know if they all look like this or if it's just mine, just wanted to give other JCA's a heads-up.

    ReplyDelete
  14. silver_lining: Yes I noticed the same problem, I received mine yesterday. I also found that it was fitted in the shoulders and loose in the body, and the seams are crooked around the shoulders. Good thing I got this on sale!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi casual-crew! I got mine on sale as well and even though I LOVE the color (light spearmint), I just can't get past the fit and craftsmanship. It feels like the cuffs/hem will lose their elasticity with one laundering. Such a shame, because it looks SO nice on Vanessa in the catalog (which may explain why the putty color is sold out in some sizes!).

    ReplyDelete
  16. As a skinny but flabby person who hasn't worn a bikini in well over a decade, the resort stuff just depresses me a little when it first comes out. I want to wallow in my sweaters a little longer...

    ReplyDelete
  17. silver_lining: I will keep mine, I got the spearmint color too, I know what you mean about the hem losing its elasticity I wished I sized down to allow for this, I am not sending it back through the mail during the Christmas return season.

    I wonder what the quality of the RESORT/Spring collection is going to be? I hope not like the Henley sweater.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Cali stores mostly have the resort collection out, its beautiful, but just too cold for me to even think about buying the stuff right now, maybe if you were going on a long vaca to Hawaii, or somewhere tropical, plus the pretty camis (light pink, hot pink, ivory), look a whole lot like the Lydia to me & I already have the ivory lydia.

    ReplyDelete
  19. After seeing declining quality on lots of pieces in 2008, I'm definitely going to be more choosey about what I purchase from JC in 2009. Last week, I tried on the polka-dot Nicky skirt (so far, B&M only) and while it looked so cute on the rack, upon closer inspection one of the pleats had all of the stitches coming loose. When you're charging almost $100 a piece, the item should be able to withstand more than one wear, but I think this may be JC's MO: just keep the styles/pieces changing so much that nobody can keep up, or wear anything more than once, and they won't notice defects like this.

    Some of my most beloved JC pieces are from several years back that I purchased off of eBay. Would love to see them get back to well-constructed garments that actually last beyond a washing or two. Kind of ironic that they're always touting their items as "classics", "keepsakes", whatever, when after a wear or wash some of them are ready for the trash.

    ReplyDelete
  20. A lot of retailers have switched to "Disposal clothing" at a lower price point, Old Navy, Gap to name a few. The thinking behind this styles change so fast the consumers are less concerned about quality. Well at J Crew they are stocking these disposal items but at a higher cost? WTH!

    I will be purchasing alot less in 2009, I just cannot afford to be purchasing low quality items, and losing money by returning clothing by mail living in Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yes, I don't WANT disposal clothing. I want to buy something that is higher quality, higher design, better fabrics, better made. I don't mind spending more money, but I want my items to last years! JCrew get away from disposal clothing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I was in the store and called it "spring stuff" in front of the PS ... she quickly corrected me and called it "resort collection". I didn't mean to laugh, but I kind of did. To me, it will just be the first of the spring line that goes on sale!

    ReplyDelete
  23. The resort collection drops in late November/early December every year as it has for years.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The resort collection has a lack of petite sizes. Only one dress and a few tops. In fact, I think the number of pieces available in petite sizes has decreased over the past few years (while it has remained more or less the same at Ann Taylor/ATL and Banana Republic). Totally sucks for people like me.

    ReplyDelete
  25. yes spring and resort are entirely different. The spring line will have a much different look (we can see this from the sneak peak looks... much different then the resort wear) this is NOT a spring line, but a resort line for those rich people who go to aruba or hawaii or wherever around the Christmas holiday/break from work. I know tons of people who do this, and they like to buy some new clothes before they leave for the warm weather. it is entirely different than spring clothes. you can see that what they are offering are clothes someone would take on a tropical vacay.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Lindsey B. the resort line might go on sale, but it is NOT the first of the spring line to go on sale. It really isn't the spring line, but resort line. Just as JCrew is trying to go more upscale, so are the lines. A resort line is an upscale line for upscale shoppers.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Okay..I am totally with you that many stores (esp upscale) offer resort wear lines. That is fine but I cannot see how it can take up the whole store during Christmas!?? WTH? I mean people can only shop the sale section for gifts! There are not any specialty sweaters, fun gifty items etc. It is close to impossible to buy winter clothes/gifts. That part is strange. It will effect their sales for Christmas IMO.

    Why SO much resort stuff? And yes, of course all these items will be on a mad sale as who is really
    ready to buy this stuff unless you are going somewhere warm? Even then--you buy a couple new pieces perhaps?
    Also, it does appear like a spring line in that it is not just a quarter of the store--it is my whole, big store! Did I say that already? LOL! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Honestly, how many J.crew shoppers need "resort wear"? People who jet off to sunny locales/cruises in winter aren't shopping at j.crew, they're over at Chanel shopping for such items.

    ReplyDelete
  29. "Resort" in the fashion industry is now.

    It is for people going on cruises and vacations to get away from the cold.

    This board may not exactly represent that sector of society, lol. This board is the 'Education Discount' crowd.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anon at 10:18, I totally agree with you. And Anon at 10:24, while I can understand your point (most people on this blog ARE looking for sales, yes) almost everyone I see in the 4 DC-area stores are in the sale section, NOT in the resort section.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anon @ 10:18 - Banana Republic sort of has a "resort line" out in stores right now. They call it "spring preview," since Banana has never sold swimwear to my knowledge.

    http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/category.do?cid=40918

    ReplyDelete
  32. I understand that the resort line is separate from the spring line, but I can't help but wonder if the concept is a bit out of date, if not silly, particularly in this economy. Now, I actually like looking at the "pre-spring" line when the weather is cold and icky, but before Christmas is a bit too soon.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Although, I am not ready to wear resort clothing yet. I think the resort line is a refreshing change from the winter clothing featured for past few months and I find I'm looking forward to Spring.

    From the resort line, I really like the the chiffon pleated merino cardigan and the new vintage denim.

    ReplyDelete
  34. The Sanur dress is intriguing- it looks so good on the model, but I'm no model. Has anyone seen this in person or tried it on? I have a larger chest and am wondering if it will still look nice or just hang down like maternity wear.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Cynthia - BR does sell swimwear, both at their stores and outlets.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Even my local discount store has "cruise wear" lighter weight clothing for people going away on vacations to somewhere warm.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous @ 12:52...I've never really noticed swimwear at BR (online or at stores...). Then again, I don't really go to the beach nor do I swim at a pool all that often...

    ReplyDelete
  39. My store only has some resort so far, still mostly winter. I like to have some resort because I usually go away somewhere warm every winter, and it's fun to get new stuff for it (that you can wear again in spring). But I agree it is silly to change the whole store to resort when people are looking for gifty xmas sweaters!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Does anyone else have trouble with Google Blogger? I have an idea but every other time I try to use it it says I have the wrong password. Then I end up having to post anonymous. Annoying!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I disagree with the poster who says J.Crew people don't go on warm weather vacations in the winter! I live in the Northeast and TONS of people I know (myself included) have family in Florida and go there a lot. Also people that can't afford to shop at Chanel DO go to Florida and the Caribbean!

    ReplyDelete
  42. agreed agreed! You also can be wealthy and still choose to shop JCrew! Not everyone who can afford to jet off to a tropical location over the holidays only shops at "Chanel". and you can afford to go to tropical vacations and not afford HIGH end designer. I really don't think some people realize the different stratus of wealth.

    ReplyDelete
  43. ^I definitely agree that some people do go and the resort section is fun! My only point was that it seems weird for it to overtake the store when I don't *think* (could definitely be wrong!) most people are looking for that right now. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Amy you're very right that it shouldn't take up the whole store. I was also just trying to defend the line in the first place :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Evem talbot's have resort wear.

    I saw them at the Costa Mesa store and liked the print with the fushia/yellow/brown on the creame background.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Tina: I have last year's Sanur dress ... I like it but I have pretty much no curves. :( I have problems with the top falling down actually so I always make sure to put on a cotton strapless bra so the dress has something to 'cling' to. But it creates a great silhouette and the skirt is swingy, so it is very forgiving, bump-wise!

    ReplyDelete
  47. OK, I have to change my POV on the resort line after seeing it in person...I LOVE so many of the pieces!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. I have the sanur dress also in black from last year. This is one of my favorite dresses to wear in the summer. I could have kicked myself for not getting it in other colors. I will be getting it in the navy and chocolate brown this year. This dress is very comfortable and hangs in all of the right places.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Nice Blog and you are working really good i really appreciate you for this step keep going like this
    Wordpress tutorial | PHP tutorial | Pure css

    ReplyDelete

Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)