Seek & Find: Will you visit J.Crew this Weekend?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopping by a J.Crew store this weekend to see what's available (if anything!) in the SPRING sale, or to see some new SUMMER arrivals {sigh!} in person, maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the noteworthy items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic!

Also, please let us know if your local store is carrying an additional percent off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S. I noticed that many of you have already been reporting sale items (and in which stores) in other posts which by the way "thank you!" :) I really appreciate how helpful we are for each other!

J.Crew Email: ENDS TOMORROW. EXTRA 20% OFF spring sale & FREE SHIPPING.

"Thanks!" to Marietta, who shared with us the latest news from J.Crew this morning.

J.Crew is reminding us that customers can take 20% off any purchase from the Sale section {no minimum} and get free shipping {on $150+} with promo code EXTRA20. This offer expires tomorrow, 4/30/10.

From the comments in Tuesday's "Extra 20% Off Sale Is Here {wahoo!}" post, it sounds like many of you are snagging some great items at great prices. Congrats! :)

Will you be taking advantage of this promotion? Are there any sale items you are interested in getting?

What J.Crew Item are You Most Excited to Wear?

The weather in New England hasn't warmed up completely yet. However, thoughts of what I will wear this late Spring and Summer fill my head thanks to J.Crew's latest catalog featuring sunny images of Turks & Caicos.

So I thought it would make for a great post to talk about which warm-weather item from J.Crew we are most looking forward to wearing.

The item I can't wait to wear the most is the highly discussed (if not loved) Library-Print Doll Dress (Item 86737; $225.00) from J.Crew's Fall 2007 Collection. I was super excited to find this dress (in excellent, practically new condition) on eBay for a reasonable price a few months ago. Now I can't wait to finally wear it.

What J.Crew item are you most looking forward to wearing during the warm weather season? :)

J.Crew's May Catalog {double check it!}

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Stephanie, as well as Allison & Desert Flower (in this post), who let us know that the latest catalog sent may have a unique promotional code (for something like 20% off on any order, free shipping with no minimum, or $20 off a certain amount).

So check your catalog to see if you got a unique promo code too! :)

Another Interview with J.Crew's Frank Muytjens

The following is a portion of an interview with Frank Muytjens over at MLive (click here to read it in its entirety):

Grand Fashion: An interview with J.Crew's Frank Muytjens
By Todd Truman
April 27, 2010

...Born in the Netherlands, Mr.Muytjens long held a strong affinity for Americana. After graduating from college, Frank spent eight years at Ralph Lauren as Design Director of Outwear, first at RRL and then onto the Blue Label. When the opportunity came along for design within a broader collection at J.Crew, he jumped on it.

He had been designing for four years as Senior Design Director of women's and as Design Director for outerwear and pants when in 2008, he became Head of Men's Design.

I recently had the opportunity to exchange some questions and answers with Frank Muytjens:

Todd Truman: You've done a wonderful job turning America on to its own Americana. Will those re-discoveries continue to play a role in upcoming J.Crew offerings?
Frank Muytjens: They will continue to play a role in our collections. I think authentic, cultural references give J.Crew a foundation to expand upon. At the same time i think it is important to keep our eyes open and let other influences play a role in the design process. At the moment, I'm looking at the Danish painter, Vilhelm Hammershoi and the works of Belgian architect, Vincent Van Duysen. I think that mix of different cultural references is interesting and creates distortion, and that's what we're after.

TT: We have a J.Crew store in Grand Rapids, Michigan where, for men, slim fits are now becoming a part of the landscape. When the trend begins to move away from fitted suits and shirtings, wouldn't the obvious backlash be a return toward a more relaxed fit?
FM: I think that's part of the ever changing landscape...but I think for Men's it will be gradually. I think it took a decade to get guys to buy a two button blazer instead of a three button...

TT: I see a lot of 50s,60s and 70s influence in J.Crew. What are some other sources of reference for you that may not be so obvious?
FM: We're always looking at vintage army/navy surplus and we love the functional details. They serve a purpose and there's a lot of thought behind them because they need to be functional. We pay a lot of attention to the details like vintage buttons, stitch colors and interior details.

TT: The Midwest may be one of the last regions to shake off the recession. Folks here might be more likely to forage through their closets first before parting with precious dollars on something new. But that's the beauty, I think, of your "Secret Wash" shirts. They are almost timeless. And isn't that the desired effect?
FM: I think guys like old stuff, things with a patina, weathered pieces with a history. If you ask a guy what he loves most in his closet, he will show you his most tattered leather jacket or cashmere sweater with the hole in the elbow. We're trying to give him a piece of his heritage which he can wear for more than one season, and it will only get better with age. ...

J.Crew's Frank Muytjens is getting a lot of press lately! It's nice to see him get his well-deserved acknowledgments from the fashion community.

As for the article... I love that he & his team are creating pieces that will have staying power. It's great to own items that just get better with age. And the quote about what guys love in their closet seemed to really resonate with me too. :)

What are your thoughts on the interview? Disagree or agree with any of the points made? Did it take a long time to convert you (or the man in your life) from 3 to 2 buttons? Is the item you cherish the most, have the most history?

You've Got Mail ...Rewards Cards are Here! :)

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Susan & SE Mom (in this post), who let us know about the following news regarding J.Crew card members: rewards cards are being mailed to qualifying card members now! :)

So if you are a card member, *check* your mail to see if you got your Rewards Card! :)

J.Crew Spotted in InStyle Magazine

A big "thanks!" to DrDrama (check out her {lovely} drbabymamadrama blog), who not only let us know about several J.Crew items being spotted in the May 2010 issue of InStyle Magazine, but also scanned the images for us to view! (Click on the images to see them larger.)

The article on the left features a pair of chinos. Not sure which exact pair they are, but they are similar to the Broken-in Boyfriend Chino (Item 12953; was $69.50 select colors $59.50) in Light Khaki. The article mentions putting together a look with a tailored jacket & pants that are cropped. They suggest rolling the legs about 3 inches above the ankle. When the rolling-up-pants look made its comeback a few months ago, I scoffed at it. All these horrible visions of pegging my acid-wash jeans in the 80's came rushing back. However, the look has grown on me. I now think it is quite cute to wear!

The article on the right features the Suckered Gingham Shirt (Item 26238; $69.50) in Golden Mustard & Abyss Blue. I love the classic look of these shirts! Apparently the gingham style is making a comeback too because I have been seeing versions of this shirt everywhere this Spring. For example, Land's End Canvas has the Women's Gingham Poplin Shirt (Item #39093-6X42; $44.50) and the Gap has the Gingham Western Shirt (Item 735443; $54.50).

What are your thoughts on the rolled-leg look for chinos? What are your thoughts on the items featured in the magazine? Have you tried on or purchase any of the items listed here? If so, please share! :)

Campo Di Fiori Sweater Dress {double-take}

Remember J.Crew's Campo de' Fiori sweater dress (Item 89422; $175.00) from early 2008? Such a lovely dress with its flower design, blooming from the hem. J.Crew described it as "merino wool in a very fine 14-gauge knit, carefully printed by hand with a winsome floral found in the archives of an Italian mill that supplies major couturiers".

A big "thanks!" to Catherine, as well as Crewbie (in this post), who found a dress over at Nordstrom, that shares a striking resemblance. The dress is the ECI Print Linen & Cotton Shift Dress (Item 295571; $98.00).

Personally, I like J.Crew's version a bit more. (Both the floral design and sleeves of J.Crew's version appeals to me.) However, Nordstrom's version is great for those who missed J.Crew's dress the first time around.

Incidentally, to see some real-life images of J.Crew's dress, check out:
-"Spring Has Sprung When I Wear the J.Crew Campo De Fiori Dress!" post over at GingerSnap's Daily Fashion Post
-"Field of Flowers" post over at Love at First Shop
-"J.Crew Campo di Fiore Sweater Dress" post over at goldenmeans

What are your thoughts on the Campo Di Fiori Sweater Dress? Do you like the version from Nordstrom? :)

Extra 20% Off Sale Is Here {wahoo!}

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Maureen1125 (in this post), Lilac Cupcake (in this post), as well as Marietta, who shared with us the latest news from J.Crew this morning.

J.Crew is offering customers 20% off any purchase from Sale {no minimum} and free shipping {on $150+} with promo code EXTRA20. This offer expires 4/30/10.
This is the sale that many of us have been waiting for. I am thrilled to see both offers of the percent off & free shipping together. Let's hope this sale extends to brick & mortar (B&M) stores too!

Will you be taking advantage of this promotion? Are there any sale items you are interested in getting?

J.Crew Spotted in People's Style Watch {all over the place!}

People's Style Watch (click here) is crushing on J.Crew big time for awhile now. Honestly, who can blame them? Certainly not this J.Crew Aficionada!
A big "thanks!" to Desert Flower, who not only let us know about several J.Crew items being spotted in the May 2010 issue of People Style Watch, but also scanned the images for us to view! (Click on the images to see it larger.)

What are your thoughts on the items featured in the magazine? Have you tried on or purchase any of the items listed here? If so, please share! :)

J.Crew Clearance Center Warehouse Sale {in May!}

A big "thanks!" to AppGal (check out her lovely "Musings on the Mountain" blog) who shared the following {fantastic} news with us!

J.Crew's Clearance Store in in Arden, North Carolina is having a major warehouse sale. This event takes place in the first weekend of May:

Saturday, May 1st (10AM to 4PM)
Sunday, May 2nd (10AM to 4PM)

If you are interested in learning more about similar sales, refer to the "J.Crew Clearance Center Warehouse Sale {this weekend!}" post, the "J.Crew Clearance Center Warehouse Sale {drool-worthy}" post, and also DinaGideon's "J.Crew Clearance Center, Arden, NC...It Is as Awesome as it Should Be!!!" post over at her {phenomenal} My Superfluities blog.

The location for the store is:

J.Crew Clearance Store
1 Clifford Way (off N.C. 191)
Arden, NC 28704

Some additional information on this store: "As always cash and all major credit cards will be accepted at the sale. Gift cards, personal checks and J.Crew credit cards may only be used for purchases made in the Clearance store." Moreover, store hours are "10am-8pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sundays".

Congrats to all those in the area!!! :)

Keeping Time with J.Crew's Classic Timex Watch {DIY style}

Me loveth this watch! I have been wearing it non-stop since I got it over the Holidays. Slowly, I am starting to collect the watch straps (up to six besides the black strap that it comes with). ;)

This blog has discussed J.Crew's Timex Military Watch (Item 10884; $150.00) a number of times (refer here, here, & here, as a few examples). There was even a post about a J.Crew Timex comparable watch (refer to the "Keeping Time with J.Crew's Classic Timex Watch {double take}" post.

A big "thanks!" to A who shared her do-it-yourself (DIY) tutorial on creating her own Timex for J.Crew-comparable-watch. The following is her how-to guide:

I was slow to warm up to the Timex Military Watch ($150, 10884), but I loved how Summerilla and DaniBP styled it so I added it to my (already quite long) J.Crew wishlist. I couldn’t justify spending that much on a new watch when I had just received a fairly nice watch from my husband as a birthday gift, so I did some sleuthing to figure out if I could get a cheaper substitute.

I ended up finding the Timex Men’s Metal Field Watch (#T40091) selling for $34.48 on Amazon.com and ordered it to see how close of a match it was. When I received it, I was thrilled to see it was almost an identical match! Of course it came with an absolutely hideous watch band and I wanted to take advantage of J.Crew’s cute interchangeable bands.

I considered taking it to a jeweler to remove the band, but since I knew I was never going to use the existing band, I decided to carefully cut the band off myself with kitchen shears. After removing the band, I put the watch face onto one of the J.Crew watch bands and voila—a Timex Military Watch for less than a third of the J. Crew price!

I’m including a picture of my watch and the version sold on by J.Crew. One difference I’ve noted is the word “Expedition” below “Timex” on my version, and there are a few other small differences, but the measurements and specs are identical, so it’s easy to use the interchangeable bands.

Also, note that Amazon also sells a version of the same watch with a green face, so make sure you don’t order that one if you want the dark gray face (although some people might like the green, it looks like it could be cute!) Anyways, hope this info helps other people who might be interested in duplicating my little experiment!

I have to say that the watches look amazingly similar. What is even better about A's version, besides the price tag, is the calendar date function on the face of the watch. Fantastic!!!

What are your thoughts on the Timex for J.Crew & comparable watches? Do you like the style? Do you own J.Crew's Timex or a similar version? If so, please share! :)

J.Crew's Frank Muytjens on Hand to Talk {D.C. edition}

A big "thanks!" to Drewablank (check out her {fabulous} "this-that-and-whatnot" blog), who shared the following {exciting!} news with us.

Over at the {fantastic} Project Beltway blog (click here), there is word that a "little get-together" is planned for this Wednesday evening with J.Crew's VP of Men’s Design, Frank Muytjens. How exciting! :)

The details of this fantastic event includes:

J.CREW REQUESTS the PLEASURE of YOUR COMPANY
for SOME SINGLE MALT (AND A BIT of STYLE TOO)

Our head men’s designer Frank Muytjens
will be on hand to talk shop.
(ask him about the elements of a great suit, what’s in
our Secret Wash or other burning questions…)

Wednesday, April 28th
6–8pm

Hosted by:
Grant Allen
Vinoda Basnayake
Matthew Donohue
Walker Lamond
Andrew Reese
David Smith

J.Crew Men’s Shop
3222 M St. NW
Washington DC
Kindly RSVP to: 212 209 2737

Guests will received 15% off all purchases
(exclusions may apply)

Seriously, this event sounds amazing. I love that Frank Muytjens will personally appear to share his advice & skills. He has been doing an amazing job at J.Crew over the past few years. :)

Congrats to all the shoppers in the area! If you plan to attend, please, please, please share details! :)

J.Crew Email: Jenna's vacation picks

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta, who let us know about J.Crew's most recent email, which showcases all of Jenna Lyons' picks for the latest catalog.

Click here to view all the items selected, including the following:

Jenna's Picks
"Inspired by a family trip I took last year, we shot this month's catalog in Turks & Caicos. I'm still taken with the beauty and ease of island life. Here's what I'd bring if I went back."

1. Cozumel Tunic (Item 26153; $78.00)
2. Gladiator Sandals (Item 26415; $110.00)
3. Double-Chained Mesh Bracelet (Item 28021; $75.00)
4. Jeweled Jardin Jacket (Item 26115; $495.00)
5. City Safari Pant (Item 27099; $69.50)
6. Luxe Terry Bloomer Short (Item 26449; $45.00)
   
7. Caden Leather Cork Wedges (Item 25624; $150.00)
8. Linen Charter Skirt (Item 26135; $79.50)
9. Linen Silk-Pocket Cardigan (Item 25772; $88.00)
10. Coral Reef Tank (Item 26236; $110.00)
11. Dahlia Cluster Ring (Item 27943; $58.00)
    
12. Jericho Tote (Item 26082; $258.00)
    

The Jeweled Jardin Jacket (Item 26115; $495.00) is already sold-out! I think I read from fellow JCAs on this blog that it was practically sold out a few minutes after the website updated with new arrivals last week. Incredible!

The Luxe Terry Bloomer Shorts (Item 26449; $45.00)... I can't decide if they are cute or dated. I would love to see these in-person to find out. Although, just looking at the online images I can tell they are too short for me to wear out (but great for in-side the house).

What are your thoughts on the items selected? Do you like the color palette? Which items would have made your top picks of new arrivals that you are loving this month?

The Great (Weekly) Exchange {looking to sell}

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share among yourselves. This post is where you can mention your items and outside listing/ auction site (like eBay and eCrater & the corresponding user ID).

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Please note: this posting is not for resellers. If you are a reseller, your comment gets automatically deleted & you will get publicly called out on it. :( So instead of this, simply do not post in the Weekly Exchanges. Thanks in advance for your cooperation! :)

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Please note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do you have any items you would like to swap/sell/share among yourselves through your outside listing/auction site?

Sidenote: What's up with JCAs writing "sub" or "subscribing" as their comment? It just means they are subscribing to all the comments (which are then automatically sent to their email) in that particular thread. This way they can stay aware of all the comments posted. :)Great (Weekly) Exchange

The Great (Weekly) Exchange {looking to find}

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who are looking for and interested in buying certain items. Please feel free to share a J.Crew store location and/or your outside listing/ auction site if it matches the requests made in this post.

---

Please note: this posting is not for resellers. If you are a reseller, your comment gets automatically deleted & you will get publicly called out on it. :( So instead of this, simply do not post in the Weekly Exchanges. Thanks in advance for your cooperation! :)

---

Also note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share/finding to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Is there an item (or items) that you are looking for and interested in purchasing?

Sought & Found: Did you visit J.Crew this {past} Weekend?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopped by a J.Crew store this past weekend to see what's available (if anything!) in the SPRING sale, or to see some new SUMMER arrivals {sigh!} in person, maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the noteworthy items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic!

Also, please let us know if your local store was/ is carrying an additional percent off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

J.Crew Email: Go ahead, make her day...

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Rosa, Desert Flower, & Marietta, who shared the following email.

J.Crew is not only reminding us that Mother's Day is just around the corner (May 9th), but also offering a few suggestions for gifts. The email features their "totally unique hand-done jewelry" (click here to shop online).

The necklaces shown are the Crystal Patch Necklace (Item 27992; $128.00) and the Crystal Bib Necklace (Item 27983; $150.00). Both are clearly statement pieces.

For my personal style, they are both over the top. Unfortunately, I do not think I could get enough wear out of them to justify their prices. Instead, the necklace I absolutely adore from the new roll-out is the Troca Shell Strand (Item 29072; $50.00). Clearly I am not the only one, because this necklace is already wait-listed! :)

What are some of your suggestions for {great} Mother's Day gifts? Will you be checking out the Jewelry section? Are there any items you are interested in? If so, please share. :)

Seek & Find: Will you visit J.Crew this Weekend?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopping by a J.Crew store this weekend to see what's available (if anything!) in the SPRING sale, or to see some new SUMMER arrivals {sigh!} in person, maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the noteworthy items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic!

Also, please let us know if your local store is carrying an additional percent off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S. I noticed that many of you have already been reporting sale items (and in which stores) in other posts which by the way "thank you!" :) I really appreciate how helpful we are for each other!

J.Crew Spotted in Harpar's Bazaar

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

The magazine features J.Crew's Cashmere Crewneck Tee (Item 98277; Regular $145.00, select colors $69.99) in Light Citron & Bright Cantaloupe. J.Crew describes this top as:

Soft, luxurious cashmere from a world-famous Italian mill in a fine 12-gauge knit. Crewneck. Tubular trim at neck. Long sleeves. Rolled edge at cuffs and hem.

I do like the Cashmere Tee, however I do not know about the colors. For those price points, I rather go with classic shades like Navy. I save the "pop-of-color" for smaller (more inexpensive) items like nail-polish or even J.Crew's Watch Strap (Item 19474; $20.00). Which incidentally, I recently got the Neon Rose version and love it!

What are your thoughts on the sweaters featured in the magazine? Do you own bright color cashmere sweaters? What are your thoughts on J.Crew's cashmere sweaters in general?

J.Crew Updates Website with New Arrivals!

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Christy (in this post), LilyBart (in this post), as well as Marietta, who let us know that J.Crew had an update to its website today (click here to view online).

There are some new arrivals for men (click here) & women (click here). {wahoo!} Even the J.Crew Collection (click here) displays the new arrivals for Summer.


J.Crew has also provided the latest catalog online (click here to view). It is another destination location of Turks & Caicos with the tag line of "a day in paradise". Gorgeous! :) Also available is is the Men's only catalog for May 2010. :) As for the new arrivals...

Loves it! I love love love the Dizzy Floral Perfect Shirt (Item 26239; $78.00)! The floral design reminds me of my Hello Kitty stickers that I still own (& use!) The Featherweight Cotton Ruffle Cardigan (Item 26603; $79.50) is lovely. It has just the right amount of ruffles along the front and comes in the most delicious shades. I am also drooling over the Piped-and-Twisted Pocket Cardigan (Item 26139; $88.00). It comes in classic shades that make you want to go back to college. :) I also love that the Ladies' Companion Totes (Item 24934; $10.00) are now available online. So cute!!!

Can't decide yet. I don't know about the Cozumel Tunic (Item 26153; $78.00). The Pale Lilac looks "meh" on the model, however the Saltwater Grey & Champagne versions look quite nice. The Sea Urchin Ring (Item 28023; $50.00) doesn't look that great online, but it could in-person. I don't know why, but it reminds me of Ursula in the Little Mermaid.

Oh my! Did you catch the La Sequin Crochet Dress (Item 27120; $1,400.00)? I really dislike this dress. Unless you have a perfect body (like the model shown), every bump will show up ...with sequins to point it out too! Who needs that kind of pressure? ;)

Hmm. The Liberty print for the Plume-Print Plunge Tank (Item 27132; $125.00) reminds me a lot of the Liberty for Target bathing suit (click here) & tiered dress (click here).

Hates it! The Ruffled Zip Shell (Item 26013; $128.00) could have been nice, but this version just looks weird. The Tissue Flutter Tank (Item 26315; $35.00) looks messy on the one side. I honestly think it's one of those pieces that is a bit too difficult to wear. All I can say about the Denim Vest (Item 27362; $88.00) is no, no, no!
What items are you most excited about and why? Which items are you surprised (or not surprised) to see? Which items did you hope would be included? Were you expecting a bigger roll-out today? Also, did you receive the latest catalog? :)

Video of Jenna Lyons on Oprah!

The Huffington Post has the video of Jenna Lyons appearing on Oprah yesterday as well as an article (click here to read the article in its entirety) . Enjoy!

Jenna Lyons 'Oprah' Appearance: J. Crew's Creative Director Reveals A Day In Her Life, Talks Michelle Obama & Tips
By Anya Strzemien
April 21, 2010

J.Crew's Creative Director Jenna Lyons--the brains behind the brand's recent makeover and enormous popularity--appeared on Oprah's 'Dream Jobs' episode on Wednesday. Lyons discussed landing her dream job, Michelle Obama, and her tips for dressing with panache.

In this first clip, Lyons walks viewers through a day in her life, which looks every bit as enviable as you'd imagine. Starting with her closet. ...

Then, naturally, Lyons and Oprah got around to talking about the first lady, J.Crew's most famous customer. Mrs. Obama famously wore a J. Crew ensemble on The Tonight Show during Sarah Palin's $150,000 wardrobe scandal.

Oprah admitted "When I saw the first lady, even before she became the first lady, wearing J. Crew--full disclosure here--I went and bought some J.Crew stock. And that was a very good decision."

Lyons also shared her tips on putting together a fabulous outfit.

What are your thoughts on the video? Is there anything you found particularly interesting?

Miriam Haskell Partners Up With J.Crew {part II}

As mentioned in the April 6th "Miriam Haskell Partners Up With J.Crew" post, J.Crew is teaming with Miriam Haskell on a new line of bridal jewelry.

A big "thanks!" to Peggy, who shared the following article from WWD (click here) about the collaboration. Just click on the image above (or here) to read the article. Even better, the article includes a picture of one of the pieces.

What are your thoughts on this latest collaboration? Do you like the necklace featured in the article?

Q&A with Jack O’Connor of JCrew

"Thanks!" to Jim (in this post) who shared the following article from Selectism (click here to read the entire article):

Selectism Q&A | Jack O’Connor of JCrew
By Cary Randolph Fuller
April 9, 2010

We’ve all received (and given) bad gifts.

A few months ago we put our lady on the street, Cary Randolph Fuller, to the task of producing a guide for girlfriends (or wives) buying for their men. After some discussion, Ms. Fuller decided that a chat with J. Crew men’s stylist Jack O’Connor would prove fruitful. Below are her words and an insightful (and demystifying) Q&A. Many thanks are due to Ms. Fuller.

Cary: You’re at a J. Crew store, and you see women shopping with their boyfriends or husbands. What are some mistakes you notice?

Jack: I definitely see that. The guy thinks he’s a boot-fit guy, and the wife or girlfriend seems to think, “Well, he’s a boot-fit guy. He’s never going to stop wearing boot-fit jeans so why bother looking for something slimmer or something straight?” They think they can just narrow it down right off the bat and say, “Just show me your boot-fit.” I don’t think that’s a good call. It’s not the most flattering cut on every guy. Even if he thinks that’s the only cut he can wear because that’s what his friends wear, and that’s what he’s worn for ten years. She should probably bring him in, have him try something on and see for himself. We always keep that in mind when we put certain things together in the catalog and we choose who to put it on.

Some guys are afraid of “fashion” even those this isn’t really fashion. It’s more “style”. A lot of guys don’t want to look like they care too much. The idea of standing in a fiting room and trying things on and saying, “How does this look?” I think maybe that experience is a little bit intimidating. When we’re choosing who to put it on in the catalog and even how to put it together, there’s always a piece of accessibility that’s really, really important. We try not to be too intimidating because that will turn a guy off. So when you ask if there are any mistakes, I think it’s that: the guy says, or his wife says, “It has to be this,” or, “It has to be that.” It’s easier for women to see something new and try it out. It’s not as natural for a guy to do so.

There are more questions & answers over at the original post. (Unfortunately, it is too long for me to post it all.) It's great to read all the advice from Jack. I would love to see a similar "advice column" for the Ladies.

What are your thoughts on the Q&A with J.Crew's Jack? Do you disagree or agree with any of his opinions? :)

Sneak Peek Into J.Crew's May Catalog

We got to see some sneak peeks into the latest catalog in the "Sneak Peek: What's to Come in May!" and the "Sneak Peek: What's to Come in May! {round 2}" posts, and now here is a bit more...

A big "thanks!" to dinagideon (in this post) who let us know that she posted several pages of the latest May Catalog from J.Crew over at her {amazing} My Superfluities... blog. Check out her "A One Day Early Sneak Peek into J. Crew's May 2010..." post to see more!

Incidentally, as many of you have mentioned, it looks like tomorrow the website will be updated with new arrivals. {yey!}

What are your thoughts on the catalog? Do you like or dislike any of the items shown? Are you excited about the website updating with new arrivals tomorrow? :)

J.Crew Jenna Lyons on Oprah Today! {record & watch}

"Thanks!' to so many of you, including Jessica & Christine, who reminded us the following news. As mentioned in the April 16th post "J.Crew's Jenna Lyons on Oprah {yes, that Oprah!}", Jenna Lyons is appearing on today's episode of Oprah.

According to Oprah's website (click here):

Dream Jobs

From J.Crew's fashionista to a florist extroadinaire, check out these glamourous, high-flying, action-packed dream jobs!

Tune in on 04/21 to watch this show

I will so be watching this show today. I also plan on Tivo-ing it so I can slow-motion all the amazing shots of new arrivals. ;)

Will you be watching the episode today? After it airs, please share your thoughts on the J.Crew segment. :)

Mini-Update: I just finished watching Jenna Lyons. Some notes:

• Jenna's closet (aka: former bedroom) looks amazing.
  
• Jenna's selected outfit (striped shirt & sequin pants) in the pre-taped segment was ...anyways. ;)
• She gets driven to work- amazingly awesome!
• Oprah found her shoes from J.Crew to be comfortable... c'mon Oprah. They are pretty, but not comfortable. ;)
• Oprah is wearing J.Crew- loves it!
• Loved seeing the items laid out on the floor (which represent pages in a future catalog).
• Ugh... Jenna mentions that "tomboy/ borrowed from the boys" tag line again. Over it. ;)
• Overall, Jenna came off as sweet. :)

Let's Vent: Popback Reject Style

"Thanks!" to Christy (in this post) who suggested the following: "Alexis- maybe you should have a new post so that we can vent about popback rejects? You'd think jcrew would read it and go and talk to the Quality Assurance people and get us some quality assurance... " I think it is a great post topic. I know a lot of us have experienced first hand pop-back rejects.

Pop-backs involve a bit of J.Crew-lette. Sometimes, an item we have been coveting for months but already sold-out in our desired size/color, will reappear in the Sale section like a beautiful beacon of hope. However, it is never a guarantee that the pop-back will be sent (so we get that dreaded email canceling our order), or that the pop-back item is in top-notch condition. This is because pop-backs often times, include returns. Although J.Crew's quality control is pretty good in general, a few items have slipped through the "system" making us wonder who allowed for it to even be shipped.

In the past few orders, I have found sweaters with holes in them and jackets with stains that were easily removed with soap & water. As of lately, I have been receiving items that are not the items I ordered. In once case, I ordered the Tiered Vintage Fleur Top (Item 19778, $138.00) in size 2 and received an entirely different top in size 0 (with the wrong tags too!) When I returned the top at my local brick & mortar store, I explained that the top had been mislabeled. However the SA didn't seem too interested— she just took the item and plopped in the back counter. I have a feeling someone else got that wrong top too. In all of the cases, J.Crew did offer me the ability to return the items (as "a one-time courtesy"). ;)

What are some of your pop-back reject stories? Did J.Crew help resolve the situation for you? If so, please share! :)

Launch Party for Fenton/Fallon's + J.Crew

"Thanks!" to Raina (of the lovely "If The Lamp Shade Fits" blog) who shared the following article from NY Mag's The Cut (click here for the entire article):

Sally Singer Wears Target, and Everyone She Knows Buys J.Crew
By Caitlin Petreycik
April 14, 201

Vogue's Sally Singer wears clothes from Target — the designer ones, anyway. "I loved the Rodarte for Target collaboration, and I bought a lot of it and wear it," she gushed at the launch party for Fenton/Fallon's limited-edition jewelry collection for J.Crew last night. She added, "I love what Vena Cava did for Converse." Singer also said she wears a lot of J.Crew, which one would expect from a hostess of a J.Crew party. "I buy a lot of the shirts because I love the way that they’re fitted from the inside," she told us. "Whenever they work with Liberty or any of those shirtmakers I buy even more of them. I buy pants here. I buy flats here, all the little ballet slippers and things. Not only do I buy J.Crew, everyone I know buys J.Crew."

Even Anna Wintour? "I never ask Anna Wintour what she’s wearing." Singer replied. " I don’t speak for my boss’s clothes. But a lot of people at Vogue wear J.Crew." Things must be busy over at the Vogue offices — Singer revealed that CBS's one-hour special on Fashion's Night Out has started filming, though she's not involved in the project. ...

First, only Jenna could pull off that outfit. On her, it looks rather pulled-together and chic. On me, it would look like I am some reject Muppet character. (It's not quite a mop, and it's not quite a puppet, but MAN ha ha heh...)

Second, the Fenton/Fallon + J.Crew collaboration kind of reminds me of Chrysler's PT Cruiser. I remember reading an article where Chrysler initially found that the majority of consumers disliked the car. However, there was a small percentage who loved the style of the car and was willing to pay the price tag to own it. That is like this collaboration. Even though I am not a big fan, I think there is a small percentage of JCAs who absolutely adore it and don't mind the cost. Which I totally get & respect. :)

Third, it is great that J.Crew is adored by so many in the fashion community. It speaks volumes about its transformation in recent years.

What are your thoughts on the article? Disagree or agree with any of the points made? Anything you found particularly interesting? :)

J.Crew Email: SPRING SALE: new styles added

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta & Desert Flower, who shared the following email.

J.Crew announces that the Sale section (click here to shop online) includes additional new styles! I did notice a few items were included. Although there was not a big update today (or maybe I just missed it).

I plan on holding off. It just feels like another "percent off sale" promotion will come around soon, and so I will wait until then.

Will you be checking out the Sale section? Are there any items you are interested in? If so, please share. :)

Jacket Sleeves: To Scrunch or Not To Scrunch

"Thanks!" to Irene who suggested the following topic for a post: "jackets with scrunch-sleeves" look. Not only did she notice that J.Crew features a l-o-t of scrunched sleeves for their jackets (click here to check them all out), she even ran across an article over at You Look Fab (click here) about this very trend.

So, what do you think about this look? How do you feel about scrunching your sleeves? Fan or not?

I must admit, I tried this look a few times myself. But the reality is, I could not keep the jacket sleeves scrunched up for long. The sleeves kept falling down to its natural long-sleeve state. Also, it was really hard to move my elbows because of all the fabric crumpled-up right there. I ended up re-adjusting the scrunch every 5 minutes, making the look very hard to achieve.

I think I will just stick to rolling-up my sleeves for a similar look that I know will stay put. ;)

What are your thoughts on the "jackets with scrunch-sleeves" look? Are you a fan of this style? How do you wear this look? :)

Quick Poll: Do you like the "scrunch sleeves" look in general?

J.Crew Spotted in Marie Claire!

A big "thanks!" to Desert Flower, who not only let us know about a J.Crew item being spotted in the May 2010 issue of Marie Claire Magazine, but also scanned the images for us to view! (Click on the images below to see it larger.)

First, what is up with that look that the magazine is trying to promote: jacket, top, & ...bikini bottoms!?! There is no location I can think of, where that style is wearable. None. Okay, I am done with that rant. ;)

The J.Crew item featured looks to be the Super 120s Peplum Jacket (Item 17055; $188.00) in a delicious light coffee shade. Right now, the only shades being offered are Black, Navy, & Espresso. So this might be a new shade coming up for Spring. J.Crew describes the Peplum Jacket as the following:

We designed this jacket to work overtime with a pretty shirred peplum waist that's meant to flatter. Made in four-season Super 120s Australian merino wool. Why so super? 120 is the measure of the yarn (the higher the number, the finer the yarn), and since 120 is one of the finest, our fabric boasts a silky-smooth finish and refined drape. Feminine silhouette. Hidden button closure. Elbow sleeves with vents. Hidden welt pockets. Fully lined in stretch fabric.

It is a super cute style (with the elbow sleeves and high waist) to wear to the office. I really like the way J.Crew styled the Black version (so it doesn't have to be worn with the matching pants). Even though I like the new beige shade, I am not sure how versatile it is.

What are your thoughts on the Jacket featured in the magazine? Have you tried on or purchase the jacket listed here? If so, please share! :)

The Great (Weekly) Exchange {exclusively for men!}

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who are interested in (1) swapping/selling/sharing and/or (2) looking for and interested in buying certain items from J.Crew's Men Collection. Please feel free to share a J.Crew store location and/or your outside listing/ auction site if it matches the requests made in this post.

Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Also note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share/finding to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do you have any items you would like to swap/sell/share among yourselves through your outside listing/auction site? Is there an item (or items) that you are looking for and interested in purchasing?

J.Crew Email: Exclusive Tretorn sneakers for her

"Thanks!" to Marietta again, who shared another email from J.Crew this morning. (J.Crew is a busy-bee with all these emails!) :)

The email features the Tretorn® Sneakers (click here to shop online), ranging from $68-78, which are described as:

Established in 1891 and considered the first luxury sport shoe, Tretorn sneakers—synonymous with good taste and practicality—have been worn on (and off) tennis courts around the world. This lightweight canvas shoe, inspired by a vintage sneaker from the 1950s, epitomizes everything we love about the iconic Swedish brand and features new, exclusive colors you won't find anywhere else.

The shoes are pretty darn cute in its simplicity. Although the price tag is once again, a bit high for me (its just a pair of simple sneakers!)

I recently got a pair of sneakers {from Wal-mart!} after seeing them being worn over at the {stylish} Little Tin Soldier blog. (Seriously, she wears the best outfits. I love her site!) The downside: the sneakers went on clearance already. Out of three stores, I only found one pair of sneakers in a size bigger than my usual. The upside: the sneakers were only $5 and after an insert & heel pad, they fit me quite nicely. :) (Even without the inserts, the shoes were more comfortable than J.Crew's ballet flats, which I own way too many of.) ;)

What are your thoughts on these sneakers ? Have you tried them on or purchased them? If so, please share! :)