"Thanks!" to many of you, including AnneG, Rosa, Jennifer, Marietta, Wille, Irina, Desert Flower, & Danielle, who shared with us the latest email from J.Crew to its card members.The email above features the not-yet-officially-released-online the Velvet Ruby Jacket (Item 29018; $168.00). J.Crew describes this velvet jacket as:
This jacket looks cute in the email above (both the image of the jacket alone & in the catalog image). Yet, it doesn't look that good in the image from the website. The website's image shows the jacket looking a bit short too. But that might be the way it was styled (with the very long button down). I got to see it in-person for final judgment.Our blazer meets cardigan—elegantly deconstructed and drapey, in buttery panne velvet with sheer blended silk georgette lining and trim for a modern mix of textures and vibes. The finishing touch? A removable grosgrain belt for waist definition and added dimension. Rayon/silk. Lapel collar. Hook-and-bar closure. Long sleeves. Welt pockets with flaps. Fully lined. Hits at hip. Import. Dry clean. Catalog/jcrew.com only.
On another note, this email (with a sneak peek to the August catalog) means that new arrivals and a new August catalog are just around the corner! :) Although, doesn't it feel like the last roll-out (in July) was just a short time ago?
What are your thoughts on the Velvet Ruby Jacket ? Do you like the style- from the shape to the ribbon?
Quick Poll: What are your thoughts on the Ruby Jacket?
I received this email this morning, and I thought it was beautiful. When I clicked the link and saw how short it looked on the model, my mood deflated a bit. I am a shorty, and I find some of their items cut too short. Last year's velvet blazer would have gotten much more wear from me if it had only been an inch or two longer. I LOVE the deep green option, but I will need to wait and try it on in person.
ReplyDeleteI agree--so cute laid out flat but as with all belted or cinched offerings from JC, it will be too short waisted for me :-(
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of velvet anyway, so this would like have been a no for me regardless, but...
ReplyDeleteThe cut definitely seems a little short. I like the color in the email (I guess it's the green color) better than what's on the model below. In particular, I hate hate hate the trim and the ribbon belt. They just look cheap, imo, and unfortunately seem to be follow J. Crew's recent trend of just slapping embellishments on everything just because. I like ruffles as much as the next girl, but I worry that these types of embellishments will just look dated in a season or two. I could see wearing a jacket like the Bella for years to come, but not this.
Dear Jenna, less is more. Please keep this in mind for future seasons.
Obsessed! Obsessed, obsessed, obsessed. I am going to send a Thesaurus to J.Crew and include a hand-written note that it's a "one time only" gift for special retailers.
ReplyDeleteI have the blue Bella, Catrina, and I have worn it so much more than the Ecole and the velvet from last year. It is perfect!
ReplyDeletejust looked closer--might be able to remove the little thread ribbon-belt holders and dump the belt.(it would create an empire effect on me) Would definitely require a try on though.
ReplyDeleteSize 4 Measurements
ReplyDeleteLength: 22-7/16"
Width across back of shoulders: 15"
Although I like the style of this jacket and the color 'weathered wood', it is definitely too short for me.
How is this just for cardmembers? Simply search on velvet or jacket and it appears.
I think with a material like velvet, less is definitely more. A well tailored blazer with clean, simple lines would have been much nicer looking. This jacket looks kind of sad and forlorn, especially in the online picture. If it isn't doing that tiny model any favors, who will it look good on?
ReplyDeleteI love it. I've been craving jackets - am working on getting a work wardrobe ready for when I start my job in October, and think this piece will work in nicely with what I've got!
ReplyDeleteI think it looks awful in the brown as they're showing it, but I've ordered the black - the embellishments look better on it, IMHO. I'm also considered with the length, but as a short person with a (very) large chest, I have to order 12/14s and get them tailored, so I'm hoping it will be longer on me.
ITA, great green color, looks good in the pic, not so great on the model; too short. In general, I like cotton velvet over rayon, which IMO can have a cheap sheen. Sigh of relief, my friends-I don't have to have this one.
ReplyDeletei loved it at first (email) glance, but online, i agree with others: too short. if you zoom in the collar area, it appears that the collar is attached in a strange way - away from the neckline. odd. if it's longer in person, i'd consider it on sale. excited to see other new fall items!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with those who say that it looked great in the email (although I'm not big on velvet) but then when I clicked through to the website, I thought it looked pretty meh on the model.
ReplyDeleteAnd if it looks meh on the model, it is highly unlikely it will look any better on me.
I have hopes for it. I love the less structured look of this...but I'll have to try it on first! :)
ReplyDeleteI think the jacket is cute in black or charcoal. . .not so much the brown color. One thing that I do think JC continues to do well is jackets . . .I love all my JC jackets!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think we've seen previews of other cute fall jackets, so I'll be waiting to see all the offerings before deciding which one I'll get for Fall. I live in AZ and don't exactly need a ton of jackets. :)
Not a fan, but could look cute on a fellow JCA! I have enough velvet already - 2 Bella's and 5 or 6 Eden's. I think that should hold me for the winter!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a "young" take of a velvet jacket as done by JC. Looks OK, but would definitely need to see it styled IRL by the JCA's before taking a plunge. At least the price point is reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks messy and overly cropped.
ReplyDeleteProbably a pass for me...
I agree with the sentiments some others had here that this blazer is not appealing to me because it's too short. I won't even bother trying.
ReplyDeleteYuck. It doesn't come in tall; therefore, I can't even consider it.
ReplyDeleteThere really is such a limited time to wear velvet, Nov-Dec then I'm looking toward Springier colors. Also I'm not wild about the short length or the style. If it makes the model look less than thin how will I look in it???
ReplyDeleteIt looks like its catalog only?????
ReplyDeleteI like that it's a little bit different from the classic velvet jacket. I love it in charcoal and greenforest green but agree that it looks way too short and high-waisted (which is always an issue that I have with JCrew blazers even if I am a petite). I hope that it will make it to some stores though, I won't order it without seeing it IRL.
My PS said today that all of the new arrivals will be out on the 21st. My B&M looked almost bare with what seemed like the majority of the store on sale..
ReplyDeleteIt's a little too cropped on the model. Also, I hate how the cheap ribbon interferes with the pocket flaps.
ReplyDeleteIf I want a similar look, I would just get a longer velvet blazer elsewhere and stitch on a ribbon at the waist.
It has a little smoking jacket vibe going on for me... which put a damper on my initial reaction. I agree that the trim makes it a little too tredy - a one hit wonder - but I do appreciate the price point is lower than some of their jackets, if you want to go for the trend this year and snag it on a promo- that might work for you. I really love my oldies from JCrew (Bella, Maggie, etc), so this jacket isn't even tempting, even if didn't look like a smoking jacket :)
ReplyDeleteCute-ish, but too short, so a pass.
ReplyDeleteOT: Some choice second markdowns instore, especially on the men's side. I got DH a Jaspe polo for $8 and an oxford for $16, after the continuing 30% off. There are still plenty of the cute turquoise gingham shirts in both large and small checks that are now $16, lots of Ss. My eyes just glaze at the women's section though!
Not available in tall....pass.
ReplyDeleteAs to the August stuff coming around the corner- I spoke with a J.Crew associate in Kenwood Mall in Cincinnati, and she said that stores will be receiving new fall inventory next Tuesday (July 20th). And I spoke with a rep online about some pieces from the fall collection on style.com and he said they will begin to roll out pieces from that collection come September. I hope this helps everyone who is planning their fall shopping trips :)
ReplyDeleteHmm I could see it in coal or black working well with a Little Black dress especially around Holiday time.
ReplyDeleteI'd be willing to try it on, but I'd rather it had buttons than hook and eye. Those were my problem with the Ecole.
ReplyDeletei really like the looks of this... and especially as an alternative to a cardigan, which is how i would wear it.
ReplyDeleteOff-topic, but I just returned from the Durham, NC store and they have made further markdowns on select sale items, along with EXTRA30 still in effect!
ReplyDeleteWhat we know as the Fleurette skirt (rang up on my receipt as ?Jezabel skirt) is now down to $29.99 (-30%, final sale, of course) ... there were several 2's, a 0, a 4, a few 6's and one or two 12s left.
They have one Fleurette dress at $89.99, several of the Fleurette shirts (also marked WAY down).
The starfish shorts went down to $19.99, so I got a pair, couldn't resist for $14 ... then .. wait for it ... the spots and sparkles cami for $6.97 (after discount). There is exactly one size 10 left, if you want it, call!
Hmm, what else ... neon madras shorts down to $19.99, there were a couple of Carly dresses, white ones and navy ones (I know one navy one is an 8) ... one lonely organza sash tissue tee, size Med, $24.99 (before discount), and one dark gray sequin necklace tank, size L, $29.99 (pre-discount) etc.
If you want to know anything else, ask, I might remember (but may not). HTHs someone!
I'm reserving judgment until I try it on in person. The Bella was great on me and the Ecole was a total miss, so I'm 1/2 on recent velvet jackets. I'm hoping that this will be more similar to this season's Caswell jacket, with it's wonderful lightweight drape, since they're describing it as a cross between a jacket and a cardigan.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely at least be trying it on.
I'll be trying it on as well, but I fear the proportions will be very off for me. Too bad, as I would love a more unstructured velvet jacket like this.
ReplyDeleteI think the jacket is cute, but I would like for it to be longer. It seems that it "behaves" more like a sweater than a jacket, which I think is funky in a good way....so I would put more blousy, big tops underneath and wrap this around. I don't like a shirt under it like they have on the web site.
ReplyDeleteWhile I absolutely do NOT like it the way they have it styled on the website, I do think that the dark charcoal has possibilities. I am a sucker for all things velvet ever since I wore it in my Kindergarten Christmas program when I was 5!! LOL.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm surprised at the volume of people saying that it's too short, since the average height of a woman is 5'4" and that model is probably 5'10" minimum. I think the shorter cut and the detailing makes it look youthful. I am tired of the matronly cut of blazers (not at J Crew, but in general), which is why I avoid them for the most part. Conservative cuts on blazers remind me of the 90's. I hated the cut of the velvet blazer last year, whichever one that was, but loved the year before that. I did not shop at J Crew then, but always swooned over a coworker's green one.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very pretty and lush, but for that price tag, it better be at least somewhat warm. The fact that it's made of rayon and silk suggests to me that it's not, but I'll wait and see.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I wore the "prism" bracelet in "pale buff" today, my first of J Crew's jewelry, and I LOVED IT. Wore it with the Windchime earrings. They are somewhat heavy for me, but workable. The pale buff color is not as orange as it looks on the website, it's a gorgeous peach tone. I got the bracelet for 39.99 and 20% off a couple weeks ago, and I am in love. You should buy it when they take it back off full price!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit doubtful of the ribbon belt as i typically don't care for belted jackets. Limits one's being able to wear them open.
ReplyDeleteHowever, i do like jacket at first look, especially the short length. I'll have to see it in person, though, to fully commit. I wasn't a big fan of the Eden or Ecole.
For anyone who's looking to do some "treasure hunting", type in key words like "velvet", "tweed", "blazer" or "jacket" into the search box on the site, and you'll pull up some past offerings. There are few sizes/colours left in the Eden on sale for $39.99. I haven't tried it before so will pass, but maybe someone can benefit from these hidden items.
ReplyDeleteI'm only 5'4" and the Eden blazer was a little too high-waisted on me, so I imagine this one would be even worse. The combination of smoking jacket effect and short length doesn't work for me. Maybe when it goes down to $39.99 like the Eden and Ecole velvet jackets before it!
ReplyDeleteI'm still hoping for a smashing black jacket this fall, but this isn't it.
Looks pretty, but also looks too short. I feel like it would look dumpy on me IRL.
ReplyDeleteI don't like cropped or belted jackets in general so I would have to try it on IRL to determine.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I'm longing so much for Fall to come along soon. :-)
Will have to wait in see in person and might try on for fun but will not be buying. Not crazy about the color choices either nor the styling in general.
ReplyDeleteI bought the Bella in purple and black.
I also fell head over heels for last years Eden. It fit me so well at 5'10". I bought it in 3 colors;dusty blossom, deep purple and deep blue.
Plus I own another gray velvet from another store. So I have ENOUGH velvet to last a life time:)
Elaine,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the report on the Durham store. Doesn't sound like there is anything left in my size. I was contemplating trying to fit the long drive into my weekend but will pass I think. Your input helps.
OT: Was at Talbots last night. Extra 40% off all red line items. Final sale but did not matter to me as could try on in person and I rarely/never return items I try on in store--only online items. Picked up some great items and accessories for great prices with my birthday money:)
ReplyDeletePS. Plus if you have a Talbots charge and it is your birthday month-- as it is mine you get an extra 15% off. Really made the deals even sweeter!!!!
ReplyDeleteJCrew Credit Card needs to have some perks. I have got to cancel mine. Waste.
I need to see it IRL to decide for sure, but from the online pics I have to say that right now I don't care for it.
ReplyDeleteI thought the jacket was cute, but mark-down cute, not I MUST HAVE IT NOW cute....
ReplyDeleteDifferent story if they'd send me an email with a picture of that awesome black purse that is in the look book. Do I EVER want to get my hands on that beauty!!
and did anyone else get a chuckle out of the model, wearing a velvet jacket with shorts, standing on the beach? Because I ALWAYS wear my velvet jackets to the beach!
It doesn't come close to the bella or even the eden or ecole blazers. This piece reminds me of something from early 2000s anthropologie, when they were all baroque-boho and heavy on the crushed velvet.
ReplyDeletetastymoog, I was thinking the same thing - if this is this year's 'standard' velvet jacket, I don't know if I'll even be able to bring myself to open the fall catalog. You know when they start messing with the velvet jacket, the Jackies and the pencil skirts are not far behind.
ReplyDeleteMy first thoughts..ooh, cute and simple! Then I cussed and thought..J Crew, please change the pattern/fit model for your blazers and jackets. They are TOO short for the average height person and too boxy. My guess, this will be on sale due to fit.
ReplyDelete