Tuesday, July 6, 2010

J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs!}

Preface: A big "thanks!" to Cass (in this post) who suggested a "weekly 'Did you try on/receive any JC items this week?' post where we could all "deposit" our reviews for various items". I think it is a brilliant idea. Hopefully this will help out our fellow JCAs! :)

This is the weekly "J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs}" post, to help each other share our reviews.

So if you have recently purchased, or stopped by a J.Crew store to try on an item (or two) from J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.

Also, this request is not just limited to clothes. Please feel free to discuss bags, shoes, jewelry, accessories, etc.

In particular, if you could mention a few of the noteworthy details like fit, size, fabric, and the like— that would be fantastic! Thanks in advance! :)

34 comments:

  1. 20% off dresses & free shipping thru 7/8. Not good on wedding gowns.

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  2. OT but does anyone have any feedback on petite sizing (specifically for pencil skirts)? I wear a 00 in pants from J.Crew and a regular 0 is too big for me in pencil skirts. Would the petite 0 fit me? I'm 5'4 and would appreciate the shorter length as well, but I really need it to fit in the waist/hips.

    Final sale so I'd like some idea of whether it will fit before ordering! Thanks! :)

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  3. i just received the falling ruffles tank in the bronzed clay and i really like it.
    the fit is tts and the color is like a "overripe peach).
    it is on sale now.
    in the same package was also the jackie in wild mushroom and i adore the color.it is like a pinkish brown.

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  4. Hi JCAs! For some reason, this post section is empty. Yet, I saw that many of you posted a comment here. Not sure why it never showed up. It looks like there was a glitch in Blogger's system last night. Hopefully now your comments will appear, and stay up! :)

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  5. Hi Everyone,
    I recently received the following 3items from JC online: the wendy jacquard shorts, the watercolor pastiche shirt, and the impressionist floral cami - all in a size 0. I am normally a petite 0, so I wasn't sure how they were going to all fit. I am happy to report that I kept 2 of the 3. As many JCAs have already mentioned the impressionist cami is huge and boxy - definitely not flattering on my frame, so back it goes. As for the shorts, I really like them. They are quite dressy looking. The fabric is a silk jacquard blend and is substantial. The print and color are very unique. I love the metallic threading that makes up the print. The watercolor pastishe shirt is a wonderful, floral summer shirt. The colors are bright without being bold and the fit is relaxed. I highly recommend the shirt ($29.99)and shorts ($39.99).

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  6. Unfortunately for my wallet, I have been ultra-happy with most of my recent purchases. The embroidered siesta dress is perfect under a featherweight cardigan, and I wore the dress over a longer-length linen skirt (Gap), it looked great, like one long tiered dress. Love the seaside madras zipper pant; the fit is good, the fabric is light, and it gives a summer outfit just the right amount of 'preppy edge' (if there is such a thing). The dizzy floral Frankie dress is another great item that can be worn with leggings or on its own. I'm on my second Ruffled Carly dress, which I love for disguising the unsightly 'bumps' of my post-children figure. And don't get me started on the Liberty floral cardigan, the Jaipur perfect shirt, or the watercolor garden pencil skirt -- flattering, comfortable, can be both dressy and casual, easy to wash, PERFECT. Yes, I find most of J Crew's recent collections on the boring side (compared to yesteryear), but when J Crew does something right, they do it REALLY right, and I find these perfect items become the most worn and loved items in my closet. I just got the Turkish delight pencil skirt and looks like I will love that too; the weave is a bit precious but ah, what a beauty!

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  7. Molly,

    I wear a 0P in suiting pants from J. Crew and a 0P in their pencil skirts (if it comes in P). The 0P skirts are definitely a little more snug, I'd say it's a noticable difference. As another reference, I wear a 00 in their chino shorts. Hope that helps a litle!

    Jackie

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  8. Just received the Haya Two-Tone Terry Pullover and Island Paisley Bubble Skirt. The Haya is so soft and comfy and a little loser fitting that I thought it would be. I ordered a small and that is what I usually take in J. Crew tops. I think an extra small would be too short in the arms. I'm slightly disappointed in the mini. The fabric is not as substantial as I thought it would be but it's still cute. Just needs to be fluffed up a bit. I ordered a medium in this to wear lower on the waist and to get a little extra length as it is very short. I was going to wear these two items together as shown in the catalog but will most likely be wearing them separately. I think the mini will look cute with black leggings and a fitted black tee.

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  9. I just got a lovely JCrew box from the UPS man and am so pleased with everything inside!

    Shirred Racerback Jersey Gown in the dark pewter-I know people have been having problems with the length, but it fits me perfectly! It is rare that a dress fits like this. I am 6' tall and a size XS in dresses and the dress skims the top of my foot so i'll be able to wear it with flipflops or smallish heels. yay! i've never had a dress swoosh the tops of my feet before ;) I may get the heather cement one too!

    Tall Vintage Matchstick Cords-the super sale ones-in glazed pecan. I am not in love with the color, it seemed much more rich online, but again... the length is heavenly. I am a sucker for truly long pants and these will be nice and long even if i accidentally shrink them.

    Boys Pirate vintage jersey tees-My 5 year old exclaimed "this is soooo soft" when he opened his package, no surprise there. it fits my string bean nicely, a bit big but not boxy which is a common problem. My 3 year old stocky boy fits his shirt nicely too, he said that it even fits his belly... which he has and his brother does not.

    Essie nailpolish in jazz. I saw this in a B&M last week but didn't pick it up. The perfect neutral shade.

    That's it. I'm quite happy. My Sunshine Peonies pencil skirt will be arriving soon too!

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  10. I have a "post-wash" review. the silk/linen cargo pant I like even more now that I have washed them. I did them in a bag in the gentle cycle. I pulled them out and shook the wrinkles out and then hung them to dry. The fabric has more heft and while still some sheen it is IMO more interesting. I am sure if I ironed them they would go back to the thinner and shinier feel though...also, no shrinkage.

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  11. Ladies, I know that it's sold out but the Oak Tweed Pencil Skirt fits like a dream! True to size, beautiful fabric.. I want a whole wardrobe of these skirts.

    Also, I am very unhappy with the fit on the Contrast Pencil Skirt - the 12 fits like a 10. I'll rock some Spanx and be fine, but it's just a bit irritating.

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  12. I received the St. James Naval tee and the quality is excellent. The white is a true white, very crisp. The fit is loose, I probably could have gone down a size but I want it to have it to wear over a shirt or without so loose is fine. It's also longish but I'm short-waisted. This is very preppy and could have easily been RL Blue Label.

    Elizabeth

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  13. Molly - I wear a p0 in all of J.Crew's clothes. I find that their skirts fit TTS as compared with their other petite 0s. I too am too small for their regular 0 and 00. I hope this helps!

    I have a lot of their pencil skirts and I find that they all fit similarly :)

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  14. I stopped by the garden state plaza mall concept store this weekend and they had the fall collection out. I don't have names of anything though :( They had the most beautiful silk scarf that I picked up and the Cascading always cardigan which was tts and very flattering.

    I took some pics of the displays: http://isnotfashion.blogspot.com/2010/07/jcrew-fall-collection-at-gsp-part-1.html

    and some dressing room shots:
    http://isnotfashion.blogspot.com/2010/07/jcrew-fall-collection-at-gsp-part-2.html

    I'm actually on the phone with my ps now preordering the leopard hat and electra vest pictured in their loook book :) Very excited.

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  15. Is Not Fashion, thanks for sharing the photos. I love that scarf in the fitting room pic as well as the velvet skirt. Will be watching for those items.

    I just received the matchstick jeans in busted stone wash and I love them. Very soft and really flattering, my legs look a mile long. I don't know if I can get away with wearing worn-out looking jeans outside the house but will definitely try because I want to live in them.

    I also bought the ankle toothpick jeans in amore wash and they fit huge on me. They don't seem to come in at the waist at all and are definitely going back. Maybe I got a defective pair or need to SD. Thankfully they are not final sale.

    Like others I love the Island Paisley perfect shirt. The fabric feels very luxe and the colors and print are feminine and classic. J.Crew sure knows how to make a feminine dress shirt.

    Also picked up the neon pink bling-button cardi and it's pretty cute. Maybe I'll pair it with my busted matchsticks and a white tank, sky high heels and... well, you all know the drill.

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  16. xoxo: your toothpick jeans might have been defective...mine are my regular jean size and they fit juuust right, if not a tad tight. They do tend to stretch out a bit and mold to your body, so maybe they had been worn by someone else for a while before they took them back?

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  17. THANKS for sharing "is not fashion". I live in a major west coast city and we don't have any thing except the cascading cardigan but I have placed a few preorders based on early photos I saw. Hope they come thru!!

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  18. xoxo, I bought those jeans a size down from my other toothpick jeans. My b&m had two pair and I tried both on: one pair was too tight and the other pair fit like my regular toothpick size. Their denim does stretch, though. In my experience, I have to try on several pair of the same size to find the best pair (that's even what my ps tells me). Good luck finding a pair that fits!

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  19. Thanks to Anonymous and Gingersnap for the info!

    I ended up online chatting with a J.Crew rep, hehe. She said the waist measurements were 27.25 for the 0 and 26.25 for the 0P (this is for the tailored denim pencil skirt). Seems BIG for a 0! But I think the 0P should fit me :)

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  20. I'm going to slightly revise my review of the Shirred Racerback Gown: I put 2.5" heels on with the dress and the dress still nearly skimmed the ground. that may be because i don't have much of a derriere, but it's worth noting that flipflops may be a stretch for me in that dress, at 6'.

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  21. I'm going to have to disagree about the Shirred Racerback gown, unfortunately...mine is going right back. ):

    I wonder if I could have received a defective one? There is a puckering around the hip that makes it cling (only on one side, really) in a super unflattering way. Also it is wafer thin and has an unfinished hem. I got it for $50 plus free ship, but I'm still not keeping it.

    I'm glad others had better luck but I'm going to return mine as defective and crummy.

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  22. post-fab princess-knowing that you didn't like the weird side puckering (sounds defective to me), what did you think of the color? i assume you got the heather cement...

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  23. Thanks AppGal and math teacher. Unfortunately with Final Sale and no stores here in Canada I won't be able to try multiple pairs of the amore wash toothpicks to find the right fit. My pair looked pristine out of the plastic and since I only had them on for about 5 seconds that's how they will look when J.Crew gets them back. :P

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  24. any IRL experience with the Downtown Denim Trouser?

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  25. - Cascading Always Cardigan in Olive Moss - Love this. I love open cardigans because you can throw them on for added warmth (which is necessary 10 out of the 12 months here in Seattle) without obscuring what you're wearing underneath. And this one drapes beautifully in the front too. The modelled pic on the website doesn't really do it justice because it makes it look flat and fat. The real thing is much more dimensional and cascade-y; the laid-down pictures are a better representation. The green shade is magnificent and reminds me of a cozy library full of books and old woods.

    - Eyelet Bow Blouse in Blush Stone (Sale - 29.99 + 20% final sale in stores). I was inspired to get this after seeing the black version featured on the website homepage, worn with the dark green Long Merino Cardigan. The shape is definitely kind of odd if you were to wear it alone - it's droopy on your shoulders, is boxy overall, doesn't flatter the neckline terribly, and kind of just makes you look like a soft, delicate dumpling, but it's great as a layering piece. The bow makes the shirt very dimensional and really pop out under a cardigan, and it's definitely not the same as every other piece you'd have under a cardigan. I tried it on with the Scalloped Zipper Cardigan (on final sale online but full price in stores??) in Black and it was fantastic.

    - Scalloped Zipper Cardigan in Black. I love the look of this piece. I'm kind of reluctant to do the "classic J.Crew look" of a cardigan and tank/tee/shirt underneath because it seems so staid. This cardigan however, provides a solution. The black one has gold zippers which really stand out and make it sharp and confident. Kind of a military-inspired look, almost. The silk pieces don't look as out of place as they do in the pics on the website. I didn't get this in store because for some reason it was full price whereas it's on final sale on the website.

    - Olivia Shift Dress in Classic Navy. I kind of like this. I've never really done the drop-waist dress/romper look but I think this one works quite well with a cardigan thrown over. I wore it with the Scalloped Zipper Cardigan in Black (above), which sharpened up the dress but still allowed it to be playful. The dress hit at a good length on me (I'm 5'5") though I wish it wasn't so boxy on top (I wear a 00). I understand that's part of its style so others of you may go for that.

    - Piped-and-Twisted Pocket Cardigan in Pale Buff. I loved this at first sight and waited for it to go on sale. The piping and pockets make it quite adorable and rather playful - sort of reminds me of Marc by Marc Jacobs. I think the Pale Buff color has more of the playful effect than the Dark Indigo though. I wore it with the Perfect Scoopneck Tee in Light Nectar (a spring color) and the color combination was delightful. It's really long but shrinks a bit.

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  26. I have been eyeing the Merino Boyfriend Sweatshirt for some time, and now that it's been marked down to 49.99 I think I might bite. Can anyone comment on the sizing of it? I love the slouchy look but I don't want to be swimming in it. I normally take an XS in cardigans, but sometimes I size up to S if the style runs tight around the arms. Thank you!

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  27. I bought the Ink Blossom skirt and the Oak tweed skirt (is that the proper name?) yesterday. I got a 10 in the Ink Blossom which suggests it may run a bit large as I am more accustomed to wearing 12s. I did get a 12 in the Oak tweed skirt but they didn't have a 10 to try on. I adore both of them. The texture of both is great and I am planning to wear both of them for work!

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  28. Andrea,

    The merino boyfriend sweatershirt is really comfy. I am a solid size small and it's a little slouchy on me - I wish I had purchased it in xs. But I still love it. HTH

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  29. dont know if this is the right place...has anyone been to an outlet recently? thinking of heading up to woodbury.

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  30. I have to rant for a minute: I just purchased the ikat silk streamers cami in deep aubergine. (I made this purchase from a JCA, not JC, and my dissatisfaction is absolutely not her fault--I'm not blaming her at all.)

    The cami looks NOTHING like the photo that JC displayed on its website. (One size is still available online, # 20772.) Even allowing for differences between monitors and variance among individual items, the photo is wildly deceptive. The JC photo shows a mix of orange, saffron, purple, and ochre. The colors are saturated but restrained. The cami I received is *flame* red and *neon* orange with almost no other colors in the mix.

    If I'd purchased this from JC, it would be going to back to them with a nasty letter, final sale or not. I am so disappointed because the cami pictured is so pretty. Why can't a catalog sales company depict their items accurately?

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  31. Does anyone have a review for the tulle underwire top & tulle retro hipster? :)

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  32. Scalloped Zipper Cardigan in Heather Stone - I decided to get this one after already getting the black version because they actually look kind of different. Normally I'm hesitant about getting the same thing in two different colors if it's a very recognizable piece because I'm afraid it'll cheapen both of them. For this, the gray seems really different from the black - the gray is more vintage-y/rustic whereas I picture the black being worn to play up its sharpness and contrast. This silk strip on the gray one really stands out from the cotton ruffle that's next to it, whereas that's not the case for the black one. Thus it actually looks like there are two pieces of fabric whereas on the black they both kind of blend into one. Just looking at the gray color makes me think of something olive green, which I think would match this color really well.

    Overall the material on this cardigan is rather thin but there are no draping issues in the front because the zipper and embellishments are so heavy. The back tends to scrunch up at first because it's too light to weigh itself down, thus making it seem shorter than it really is. You just need to pull it down though. The fit is a little loose and boxy; I'm thinking of taking the sides in on the black one since that will emphasize the sharp look, whereas on the gray I think it looks nice looser and more rustic.

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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! :)