"Thanks!" to many of you who shared the latest email from J.Crew this morning.The email announces that J.Crew Factory (click here to shop online) is once again open for business. As the email and online site mentions, it will only be available on the weekends.
More exciting, there are new arrivals at the Factory online site. New additions include winter coats! :)
What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Factory new arrivals? Do you like some of the latest offerings?
Haven't looked yet but I'd be interested in comments. since I take petite sizes I don't expect a lot for me, though.
ReplyDeleteI missed the retail Maya cardigans and was lucky enough to buy two from JCAs on the weekly exchange this summer. They are really beautiful sweaters so I thought I'd try the factory Maya as the warm wisteria color looks interesting and I do like cotton sweaters.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the fit of the factory version is nowhere near as flattering as the retail Maya. There isn't the same softly gathered effect and it just kind of puckers around my waist. I kept trying to adjust the gathers up the placket but that would bring up the hem so I'd pull it down and it would snap back to the waist puckering. It did not look good on me, perhaps more suited to someone with a smaller bust. Returning it and will likely avoid factory items unless I can see IRL photos or read a review from a trusted JCA.
There was mention of the online Factory store on FabSugar this past Thursday:Click Here.
ReplyDeleteI won't be making a purchase from the online factory this weekend, but do plan to shop at the retail store.
Hi ladies - I didn't actually check out, but I got all the way to "confirm", with outlet items in my cart - during the week. If you have the direct links, you can access them. Just FYI. :)
ReplyDeleteThis Factory Online thing is a total joke, in my opinion. Things are hardly even on sale! I've gotten MUCH better deals on the sale section on J.Crew's website... I don't even know why they are offering this!
ReplyDeleteFactory items are still priced high. I will not be ordering anything and would rather wait for a promo in-store at the outlet. However, I've been disappointed with the itchiness of the blended sweaters so not much that I'm looking to buy.
ReplyDeleteIf JC was going to copy all the looks from last FA/HO why didn't they come out with the Cadet sweater? That's they only one I wish I hadn't returned.
i'm wondering about the carlin coat. it's on the regular site...and i want to get it from there...i'm not sure though because it seems long on the model and i'm only 5'4 so i'm afraid it will go below my knees. i'm in canada so i can't drive 4 hours to the US neares store!
ReplyDeleteWeird & Wacky: Fellow Canadian here :) I bought the Carlin from the Crewlet last week - I'm 5'4 and 3/4", I found the length good for me (above the knees - in a size 4). I like the jacket - I think it can be both dressy and casual.
ReplyDeletePrices are way too high IMO. $5 off? Is that a joke?
ReplyDeleteinjanuity - sorry i meant the colletta coat. but thanks for your review :) glad to see a fellow canadian jcrew lover!
ReplyDeleteRose, yes, it is a joke. I did not know that a corporation could have a sense of humor. Apparently this one does. This explains a lot. And having figured this out I feel a lot less at a loss in the Crewniverse. HTH.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely will not be shopping the factory store this weekend. IMO the online store is a rip off because there are much, much better deals to be had at the B&M factory store. They are always running a promo, when I was there most recently it was 40% off all outwear and like 30% off tops or something. Knowing that, I can't justify buying any of the items online.
ReplyDeleteI was interested to see what was going to be offered online and I have had good luck with most items I've bought at the factory stores, but have so far been disappointed with the online offerings.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the "sale" prices are pretty ridiculous. I've gotten much better deals shopping the online regular sale. Also, most factory stores normally have a percentage off clearance (this is where I have gotten some amazing finds, like pencil skirts and cardigans for $10).
I was on vacation in Maine last week and visited two factory stores. While I didn't end up buying anything, the in-store promos were MUCH better than the online prices. In particular, the Christen and Kelsey blouses were all $29.99, which I think is a pretty fair price for factory quality. $50, not so much.
I have a fabulous closet (IMO, of course), but never buy anything at FP. I love feeling like I've gotten a good deal, whether it's from the regular store or the outlet. The online factory prices just leave me cold and scratching my head as to where this falls into J. Crew's overall business plan. It will be interesting to see how permanent the online factory is. And only available during the weekend? WTF? I don't get you, J. Crew, I really don't.
I love how J.Crew Factory targets the discount buyer, at retail prices. Outlet stuff is garbage, ladies, unless you're looking for expensive disposable clothing....
ReplyDeleteOT - is it my imagination, or are there a few new items on the web site. I'm sure I'd have noticed the Sterling jacquard pencil skirt #30743 before today.
ReplyDeleteOnline factory store - this concept is not for me. Nothing looks appealing. Plus, I live 1.5 hours from the nearest outlet and don't want to pay to ship or return. Hope everyone else has fun bargain hunting.
xoxo, ITA about the fit of the factory Maya. I am keeping mine in the amber color only because I liked the shade so well, but I won't be buying any of the other colors. Too bad, because I was hoping to get them all as backups for my merino Mayas (after my personal hiatus, of course). I love cotton sweaters.
ReplyDeleteI have to say again, though, that at the right price (not what's online so much), factory pieces are a great way to get prints or pieces one might have missed at retail. No, the quality is not the same. But the current retail quality isn't much to write home about anyway.
i received Factory Retro Pear earrings and love them. They packaged it very nicely and bubble wrapped in a box. Price is well worth it for quality and design. I have purchased a couple of items in jcrew factory outlets in Ontario, CA. like any other outlets, you'll need patience to find a great deal.
ReplyDeleteI understand that some people may not be into the Factory stuff, but the stuff isn't garbage. That's going a little too far.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten several nice things from the Factory store that were prints NOT offered by the muted/solid loving JCrew of recent. Also they have more cotton items which is appealing to me since I live in a warm climate.
I do like that they have added a "new additions" section. I'll continue to check it out.
BTW, has anyone browsed/shopped at Forever21 lately? I know it might not be your typical store post high school, but I've snatched 4 100% silk tops there, all are good quality and design priced $20-$30, for pure silk! A little search online later I found it is the "Love21" label that offers many of these more grown up looks. It may be a good option if you dont want to wait for jcrew to go on deep discounts.
ReplyDeleteI thought the new Carlin coats were cute. I'd be willing to give em a whirl if I were looking for a new coat (though I snagged a last season Carlin in the regular site sale section a few weeks ago for a bit less).
ReplyDeleteI agree-
ReplyDeleteThe Factory stuff is hit & miss. I've purchased great items for great prices at my outlet and also have observed a difference in fit & quality with other items.
Thanks to everyone for the reviews that help us navigate the waters!
I purchased two "Christina" ruffle perfect shirts over the last couple of weeks and find them a tad bit thinner (?) than my retail shirts, but wonderful for the price.
I also am finding the online Factory prices to be higher than the actual store.
I noticed the new arrivals in the factory section but nothing I have to have. I was able to snag two pairs of the factory hip-slung jeans using the discount. Hopefully one of the sizes work! I appreciate the factory section of the site as another online option, although this is the first purchase I've made from JCrew factory in over 9 years.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if the b&m factory stores have that ribbon beaded top in the ivory color. It's really cute, but (a) it's sold out online in the white color and (b) I refuse to pay $85 for that top. Maybe it's less or on sale in the b&m store. Has anyone seen it in a factory store? I don't live near one, so I guess I could call the closest one to see.
ReplyDelete@J, yes, I've also noticed that Forever21 now offers a few 100% silk items... amidst a sea of poly blends. But, you know, they're trying. I did recently get a silk top from F21 that was priced reasonably ($30-ish) and very versatile and stylish. I'm now on the look out for more of the same from F21.
ReplyDeleteOutlet items may be lesser quality (when they're "factory" items), but I think it's an exageration to call them "garbage". I have plenty of nice items I bought at the outlets at great prices. Dresses, peacoat, sweats, sweaters, and tees: all non-factory but bought at the outlet and they're all nice. Also, there are always promos at the outlets, at least when I go, making the prices much lower than the online factory prices. My Herringbone peacoat was $99 from the outlet and it's not "factory".
ReplyDeleteI think the point is that Factory J. Crew purchases, whether you buy online or at a B & M, should be very carefully considered in terms of what you are getting for what you are spending. I prefer getting retail items on sale, or going to a Factory store so I can see the quality and fit in person and get the %'s off, and doubt I'll ever purchase from Factory online.
ReplyDeleteBut ... if it is a beloved print or style (ah, Library print!) you missed or if you like cotton for your climate, then it works!
Just curious... has anyone that purchased from the Factory online noticed that the clothes had a very strong odor when they arrived? I just had an order arrive with a mix of items from the regular site and Factory... and while the regular items had a plastic type smell that was not surprising, the clothes form Factory smelled pretty foul. Did I just get unlucky?
ReplyDeletesuburban shopaholic, the factory sweater I received was odour-free.
ReplyDeleteI missed out on the viscose tango tank last year, and am tempted to get the factory version. Can anyone comment on quality or fit?
ReplyDeleteNo odor on my factory order either.
ReplyDeleteJmoon, I have the factory tango and I *mostly* like it. I have both the factory version and retail. Fit is similar to retail's - TTS-big big. It's hard to comment on the fit because I feel like it's all over the place at JC lately! I would normally wear a S most places and that's what I have.
The factory pink is SO pretty - softer than retail. Champagne and the dark grey are pretty much just what they sound like :)
There aren't as many tiers as the retail version and the shoulders are a little narrower. The ruffle around the neck pokes up on all of them I've tried, but I think this could be solved with a good steaming.
This is picky, but the only thing I don't like is that the top tier is much longer than the retail version. And the hem of that tier is cut straight across. So it just hangs straight down instead of draping. In the front, this isn't as noticeable, but it definitely it in the back where is does not follow the curve of my back AT ALL. No big deal when wearing it under a cardi, but it bothers me on its own. I am going to see if it's possible to cut that top tier and shape it a little better.
HTH!
I guess I don't understand what "factory" even means. They say "designed exclusively for Factory..." and then they have original prices and retail prices--I always thought that the B&M outlet J.Crew stores carried actual J.Crew merchandise that was just out of date. No? They manufacture items specifically for this outlet/factory? It doesn't look that appealing from the photos and I also don't understand why it's cheaper. Maybe because it's because they are using slave labor to manufacture it???
ReplyDeletethe outlet in my area had an extra 50% their clearance section which had tons of great steals! WAY better than the online outlet. i was happy to finally score the downtown field jacket for $55! it was on promo for 50% off $128 and an extra 15% off that(it was not in clearance so I was able to also use my student discount). happy shopping to you all!
ReplyDeleteMommydearest - thank you so much! Your description was really helpful - I think I am going to order it, since I have been wanting it for a while now and see how it looks irl.
ReplyDeleteI've never shopped Factory before, mostly due to distance-- the stores were too far from me-- but I missed the retail evening primrose print and really wanted it in a cardigan. I'm not crazy about the Factory price ($54), but it's a great little sweater, and a good way to pick up something that's now hard to find. I bought my usual size; it's 100% cotton, seems to be good quality, but I'll be careful in how I wash/dry it (as I am with all cotton clothing). My packaging did not have odors.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll shop regularly at Factory online, but their version of the evening primrose was one that I pounced on.
I'm so bitter about pretty much everyone else in the universe getting a discount card in the mail (but none for me, of course) that I'm not buying a damn thing for a very long time. I'm really angry and I'm going to show it by snapping my wallet shut!
ReplyDeleteThank you! You saved me $18.50 (I bought a trench coat for my daughter as a gift!)
ReplyDeleteI was eyeing the gray multi colored Kelsey cami online, I called a crewlet to ask about the sizing and the SA found it on their clearance rack for 19.97 and an extra 30% off!! I'll be shopping online and then calling a store to double check the prices and have it shipped from them, thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteMy factory store (waterloo NY) only had extra 20% off clearance and it was mostly a bunch of junk.
ReplyDeleteThe factory schoolboy blazers were 40% off, btw. The difference between the online and retail factory prices is quite large.