"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta, who shared the email from J.Crew this morning.The weekly email once again announces that J.Crew Factory (click here to shop online) is open for business.
What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Factory new arrivals? Do you like some of the latest offerings?
It's interesting to see what they're bringing back through Factory, but I feel like JC is spreading themselves a little thin. They just have so much stuff between the retail and the factory stores, and I'd rather seem them cut down on the number of items they offer and construct them better - their inventory is starting to rival that of my local F21 flagship store! (I kid... sort of.)
ReplyDeleteIt bums me out when I see a cheaper version of an item that I bought months ago in a b&m in the factory store. Like the sequin scarf cardigan. It's weird how these lookalikes keep appearing.
ReplyDeleteJennyemm: Don't bum too hard. The factory versions are cheap in quality. Not worth the prices, imo. You're better off getting the retail versions!
ReplyDeleteI personally love the Factory Flannel Perfect Shirt I just bought last weekend (now on the Factory sale). It's incredibly soft and the shape is very flattering -- all my other flannel shirts I've ever bought have been boxy and not feminine enough.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I only have a factory store near where I live so maybe I'm biased but I don't find their clothing to be as cheap as a lot of people keep saying. I own both retail items and factory items and both have lasted the exact same amount of time, after washes and many wearings. Because of this, I like going to my factory store more and getting similar if not the same retail pieces at lower prices because the quality for me is similar. Just my opinion! :)
Ok I have this cardigan and I love it!! I have worn it three times and no piling or anything I get tons of compliments when I wear it so I wanted to share! http://www.jcrew.com/womens_factory_category/sweaters/PRDOVR~30731/99102117437/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~90~~205+17~90~~~~~~~/30731.jsp
ReplyDeleteITA with you silver_lining... between JC retail, factory, and Madewell, Dear Leader cannot focus on quality. With these frequent mini roll outs how can they bother to check their vendors for quality control? Just my 2c...
ReplyDelete@Bri: I own some factory items and they are mostly non-sweaters. I found some tees and cotton shirts are in par with the quality of regular retail items. I also own couple cotton skirts and they have held up well. However, I thought the sweaters with "wool blend" fabric content that contained so little wool were itchy and very rough in texture. I think others have mentioned this and that they also don't last much wearings. I have a merino cardigan from factory and it's been pretty much the same with retail since it is 100% wool. However it also shows fuzz and pills after wearing it for 2 days. I got the schoolboy blazer last week but I'm not sure if I'll keep since I'm worried about the fabric content (59% wool, 25% viscose, 13% poly, 3% spandex).
With factory it's hit or miss and I think I'll skip the winter offerings and may opt for cotton, and natural fabrics.
sub
ReplyDeleteI've bought three t-shirts from the Factory online, and I'm extremely happy with them. These are tees that I missed out on the first time around (Imperial tee, doggie tee, etc.). I'm thrilled to be able to get them after all this time, and I find the quality of the Factory tees to actually be better than a lot of those from the regular store!!!
ReplyDeleteOk, I finally found a minute to actually call my closest outlet to see if the beaded ribbon shirt was available and any cheaper than the factory online. And guess what? It was! I think it was $49.99 + 20% off. Hopefully it will fit right and if not, I'm actually travelling near the outlet in the next week or so, so I can return it directly if it doesn't work out. I also added in the gingham check factory perfect shirt which was on sale for less than online + 20% off. I'll report back on these items when I get them!
ReplyDeleteI agree with silver_lining, there is too much Jcrew out there (and you know that I love the Crew but it starts to be a little bit overwhelming). Also, am I the only one to think that some styles (like the metallic beach cardigan) are coming back a little bit too soon? I am looking at the tees and having a deja vu: it's like I am looking at the (regular) website circa HO09...
ReplyDeleteOn the positive side I received the enamel critter charm necklace (the elephant) and it's adorable. Would be a perfect Xmas gift for a girl (in fact my three years old wants it for herself). It's backordered until after Thanksgiving but worth the wait IMO.
The "factory tapestry cardigan" is something I purchased last weekend at the factory b&m near me. The merino is thicker and nicer than the merino in the retail printed sweaters, seriously. I'd highly recommend any of the new factory printed merino cardis. They are high quality! However, I did not purchase anything else except one tee that was a retail item.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I generally hate factory stuff.
ReplyDeleteI have never bought from the Factory online, but I have had generally good experiences with the Factory b&m. I did buy a white embellished t-shirt that is completely see-through...I mean, it's like I'm in a wet t-shirt contest without the water. I kick myself for being too lazy to try it on. But that same trip I bought sweatpants that are the most luxuriously soft and comfy item I own. So, go figure.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Em - I bought the same cardi (isn't it cute?!) and the quality is actually better than retail. Much thicker, although I haven't worn or washed it yet so too early to say how it will hold up.
ReplyDeleteIMP, Factory quality and pricing are hit or miss, but worth a look.
By the way, Talbots has an online factory store...the only way I found it was by googling "Talbots outlet". It's completely different from the J crew online outlet...it's basically items from a few seasons ago that are on super sale, like a true outlet.
ReplyDeleteI bought the Factory Marled Wool Caridgan a few weeks ago and I actually like it way better than the retail version. the fit is more flattering, no weird zipper pockets and the wool is less itchy. Plus it was 40% off and I used my Educator Discount.
ReplyDeleteBri - how did you find the size on the Perfect Flannel Shirt - I want to order one and my gut says go XSmall but not sure...
OperaRach - I am 5'3", 110 lbs, 34A. I originally tried on the small and it was doable but not fitted. Overall just relaxed everywhere. Not sloppy but like I said, not fitted. I ended up getting the XS, which fit much better (and what I was looking for in a flannel shirt). It was tighter everywhere but not uncomfortably so. When I stretch my arms forward I feel it pull slightly in the shoulders but I've always felt I have wide shoulders.
ReplyDeleteSmall - I would wear bumming it with sweats around the house as a slouchy, comfy flannel shirt
XS - fitted and would wear out / it would fit underneath sweaters or jackets or whatever.
I hope that helps you out!!
People seem to either love or hate the factory products.
ReplyDeleteI rarely visit a B&M factor store becaust there isn't any close to me. But I was on a trip last month and was able to stopy by a factory store on the way. I bought the brushed tweed pencil skirt and it's simply beautiful, I'd even say to die for. It's much prettier in real life than in photo. I also bought a woolen paisley scarf which I wear almost every day now. Finally, I got the Anton cardigan in heather charcoal. The cardigan doesn't look like much online, but in real life it's soft, flattering, and is probably the most comforable sweater I've had that I can wear to work.
But I agree that it's hard to know which product is high-quality from looking online, especially since JC doesn't bother to use models for the factory clothes and you don't get to see how it might be styled. For this reason, I haven't shopped the factor stuff online yet.
mjones,
ReplyDeleteI think what you posted is key. I was at my first JCrew factory store this summer as well. I did not buy any clothes. Just accessories. My hubby got 2 very nice tees.
I won't shop factory online. I need to see factory merchandise in person. Won't take a chance.
mommydearest, yes, I looove the pattern! Very cute. It goes with basically everything, too.
ReplyDeleteI am going to my factory store this weekend to check it out, I haven't been there in a long time. ITA that the J Crew merchandise options are overwhelming me and the brand is getting stretched a little thin ... we have lower quality factory versions of past items online, sale, final sale, factory stores, and I don't know how Madewell fits in to the mix. And Jenna is talking about a Christian Louboutin collab in a ratty field coat that she has been wearing for at least 3 seasons!
ReplyDeleteLE Canvas is getting more of my $ right now ... consistently good quality, clothes I can actually wear IRL, free shipping practically all the time. and an "edit" that I actually UNDERSTAND from a style perspective.
I feel like the prices are too high on the jcrew factory store. All the items are from last season, and I know I have seen some of the items cheaper during the last season. For example, I know the bling cardigan was going for $30 last season. That said, it's still a cute sweater -- unfortunately, the buttons started coming off on mine so I probably wouldn't purchase again.
ReplyDelete