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! :)
Hi all!-- I just posted a review of the petite excursion vest in flannel here.
ReplyDeleteI struggled between the J.Crew Light Grey and the Factory Dark Grey.....i got the factory (chapter and has the double zipper...)
DeleteA few reviews below:
ReplyDeleteGemma Leopard Flats
Gemma Jeweled Tweed Flats
J. Crew Rhodes Blazer in Herringbone
HTH!
Striped boatneck T-shirt (e6466) - I've been waiting on this one for weeks, as it was on backorder since it rolled out. Finally got the black/ivory one today. It's your standard issue JC striped shirt. The boatneck is a little smaller than past years, sleeves slightly A-line, fit loosely in my usual S but not enough to size down. Unfortunately, they used black stitching on the white stripe of the cuffs (which you can see in the item pic) and the stitching is a little crooked on both sleeves. Also, mine arrived with an overwhelming chemical smell, as did the buffalo-checked shirt I ordered a few weeks ago. What's up with that smell?
ReplyDeleteMore like waiting for a month. Mine arrives this Thursday. Snail mail....
DeleteIs the fit boxy? Worried if the XS I ordered would fit tts, I want it to fit a little loose.
Thanks for the review, as I've been very curious about this. I've been considering it since it appeared in the style catalog, and I think I'm glad I passed on it FP. Will hopefully snag it on sale.
DeleteI received this yesterday. I was able to get one of the 30% off promotions applied to it, so it netted ~$27, which is probably $10 more than its worth, but its a cute little shirt, so I kept it. But YEAH, the smell. It went directly in the wash and I am not usually a must-wash-before-wearing person. It washed fine and the smell is gone. I didn't notice the stitching issue.
DeleteAhh, I got the navy one, which may be why I didn't notice the stitching issue.
DeleteI sized up and it is not boxy. It actually fits pretty nicely. The boatneck is flattering -- not too wide and the arms and shoulders are slim.
JSR, I think that you'll probably be fine with XS. I'm a pretty consistent S and S was a little loose on me.
DeleteHi Blakemdjohns - I agree that's probably worth $20 or less ($29.99 with 30% off would be fine with me, ha!) but I'm glad to hear the smell went away with washing. I'm always fearful of washing and it still smelling! Were the stripes on the navy white or ivory? I can never tell based on the website pics!
It is navy and ivory, but it's not a really dark ivory.
DeleteJust got the donegal tweed #2 pencil skirt in green in the mail today (ordered during last week's 30% off sale). I absolutely love it! Such a beautiful color, and it goes with a lot of things. The fit is good in a 6regular and it falls just beneath my knees (I'm 5'10") The wool is a bit scratchy, though, more so than the gray/black version I tried on in store (and reviewed here) a few weeks ago. Still, after being "meh" about J.Crew for so long, I'm happy to finally find something I really love.
ReplyDeletePics and reviews of the Tribal skirt,the striped tee with shirttail hem and the tee with beaded shoulders on my IG
ReplyDeleteI've been told that the sell is the remains of a formaldehyde-based insecticide, to protect the merch in transit from the factory. I have no independent knowledge of this, but I make sure to sniff everything anyway.
ReplyDeleteThat's gross! And they need to disclose that to customers. I'd like to know if I'm inadvertently wearing insecticide.
DeleteOops that's autocorrect being dainty - I meant "smell."
DeleteSomeone getting some health issue/allergic reaction and taking JC to court might do the trick, cate. Totally unacceptable.
DeleteUgh, that's gross. Here's the problem - say you get a smelly garment, wash it to get rid of the smell, and it falls apart like ruffles' once-washed Jackie-cardigan-turned-rag. Talk about adding insult to injury!
DeleteA few newer arrivals here
ReplyDeleteOff topic, does anyone know when the November new arrivals will be?
ReplyDeleteFactory Vail Parka in Saddle (item #E3931). Saddle is your basic tan color. This felt really nice on, and I was surprised to see it is 50% wool, 50% polyester. The lining is acetate and it is nicely done, fully lined, so maybe that's why it felt nice. The weight of the coat is pretty good. I was in the Factory store recently and felt their version of the Cocoon coat and it felt much thinner. I expected that for the Vail Parka, but it is nicer, IMO. The upper front pockets are functional. I liked the arms better than on the Chateau parka, since they don't have the extra seams. The fit is TTS. The fur on the hood was not that nice, however. Maybe the coat I got was just compressed in the mail and maybe the fur will be nicer for others. The fur snaps off (has double snaps, so it's pretty secure and well done).
ReplyDeleteSuede Sloan D'Orsay flats (E0033). I have wide feet and d'orsay style flats cut into my feet and hurt, but for some reason these ones do not (caveat - I haven't worn them out of the house yet). The front is cut on an angle, maybe that helps. I went down a half size in these.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad these worked out for you, Cate! I'm eyeing the Sloan in gold. Reviews online said the break in period hurt the back of their feet with blisters. I would hate for that to happen to me. I have slightly wide feet too..so I hope it works for me.
DeleteI bought those a couple of years, down a half size because I really wanted them and that was what the store had. I've only worn them a couple of times because they are so painful. I had them stretched but it didn't help. I have the metallic tassel flats in my usual 9 1/2 and they're fine.
DeleteJSR, I don't know if the gold will fit or feel the same as the suede, but if you try them please let us know what you think. I was very hesitant to go down half a size, but there was no question my regular size was too big, I was flipping out of them in the store. Now it's just a matter of trying them out to see if they hurt.
DeleteMegin, did they offer the Sloan flats a couple of years ago? I know they have had d'orsay style flats for a couple of years but when I tried them on in the store they hurt my feet right away. I'm hopeful that these will work out better. Maybe they cut the Sloan style a bit differently? The metallic tassel flats are cute! glad those worked !
You may be right that they were not exactly the same--I bought them in the store so I don't know the technical name. They are so cute and I'm really still bummed about them not working. When I tried them on they felt fine and I wanted to be sure I wouldn't walk out of them. Not a problem ....
DeleteI fluctuate between an 8 and 8.5 (8 being my TTS fit usually). I wear the cece in an 8.5 but bought the burgundy sloans in an 8 and the fit is perfect. But I read through all the comments on the gold sloans and they suggest that they run a bit tighter, so if I get them, I'll start w an 8.5...if that helps at all??
Delete-lep33shops
Lauren, thanks, that's good to know. I was looking at them in the store but didn't try them on.
DeleteI have medium-width feet with low volume and narrow heels. I ordered both 5 and 5.5 in the Sloan fabric-print d'orsay flats to try; the 5.5 slipped off completely and the 5 dug into the sides of my feet. Otherwise I loved the style, and now you're giving me hope that the suede version may fit differently!
DeleteSpecifically the ones I tried were the Sloan jacquard d'Orsay flats.
DeleteShort Quilted Puffer Jacket with Faux Fur Hood (C9785), in Dark Oak. I don't know what dark oak means, but this jacket is a very nice peachy champagne color. The fur is full and nice on this one. It's very warm, mostly down fill + waterfowl feathers or something like that. The outside is poly. It is boxy like the description says. TTS. The inside of the coat is dark navy (or is it black?), same for the inside of the hood, which you can kind of see in the first product picture. I didn't think I'd like it that much. I really want to keep it, but the price! I think I'd get a lot of wear out of it, though.
ReplyDeleteMaybe "peachy" isn't accurate. Golden champagne color?
DeleteI hand washed my new version of the Jackie cardi (in the lovely Fresh Parsley color) and oh boy ... It now looks like a rag. I noticed the thinner fabric and the less-than-positive reviews, but I loved the color so much that I was willing to accept the decline in quality. Unfortunately it is now unwearable. Stretched out, distorted waistband and collar. I'm bummed.
ReplyDeleteI wish there were more reviews AFTER an item has been laundered. I really hate wasting money on disposable garments, especially since I have 7 year old versions of cardis from J. crew that still look nice!
That's awful! And such a lovely color, too. I have 2 black Jackie's, one from SP12 and one SP13. Same fabric composition, but the 2012 is much thicker & has held up better. Wish JC would bring back the older version!
DeleteMadewell Alley Straight Crop Jeans: Drop-Hem Edition (E3053), Elden Wash. I don't have much to say about these, but I wanted to mention that they don't have a dropped hem. They are just cut straight across at the bottom. Maybe it would look better once they've been washed, but out of the box, they look kind of like I did a very straight scissor cut. From the name, I thought it would have that look you'd get if you unraveled the hem (I have a Madewell skirt like that), but the product picture is accurate, I just didn't look closely enough.
ReplyDeleteDeck Stripe shirt- it was great the first two (ok three) wears then I washed it and it has those tiny tiny pilling (piles....no idea....) I can barely pick them out...grrrr I loved that shirt/light sweater
ReplyDeleteOh no, this shirt is a favorite of mine and I haven't washed it yet. Now I'm worried.
DeleteOT: Factory had their preview of new arrivals today. I was quite taken with the girls' mixed plaid coat - it comes in a 16 so I've got my fingers crossed that it will work for me. I take a 2 in J. Crew blazers so it should be close...
ReplyDeleteNot a review, but a question: I saw this Frech Metropolitan print skirt on eBay and am wondering if any JCAs know how old it is and whether there were any other pieces in the same print? At 14" I couldn't wear this as a skirt (maybe as a swim cover-up?), but I'm hoping maybe there was a blouse/tunic, etc?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Stylish-J-Crew-Travel-Cargo-Skirt-Sz-12-French-Metropolitan-Design-Cotton/252008017321?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D2cb6f3116edb4f77a8ea8c2bb067decc%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D252008017321
That's a pretty old piece. I'd hazard a guess that it's from around 2005 - 2006, around the same time as the postcard print. I don't think there was a matching blouse or tunic, but I seem to recall an A-line knee length cotton skirt with the same print.
DeleteLouise is right, there was an a-line skirt in that print. There was also a merino cardigan in the same print, very pretty. I had both pieces at one time.
DeleteKeep looking on ebay shopgrrrl, it's amazing what can pop up from years past.
Thank you so much for the intel, I am such a sucker for retro JC prints!
DeleteOn the subject of JC retro prints, check out this one (not my auction)!
DeleteOMG, I remember that!!
DeleteWent through a storage container of old J Crew sweaters yesterday. So many gorgeous merino printed cardigans. They don't make them like that anymore. I miss the beautiful prints.
Silver_lining, i caught that very print on ebay for $10 two years ago! I wore it on my trip to Paris last year & received compliments from the shopkeeper in the gift store at Versailles! He was so impressed and told me there was a whole museum dedicated to this style of print.
DeleteSilver_lining, thanks for sharing the link, if I was a size 4 I would have snapped that skirt up!
DeleteDoes anyone own the Madewell City Grid Coat? Thoughts on quality/sizing? I'm hoping to purchase it once they offer 30% off...
ReplyDeleteI styled the blush pink Factory jeans and excursion vest on my blog yesterday. The jeans run TTS and are on sale. The excursion vest (last year's version) I sized up.
ReplyDeleteHeather
Partial to Pink
stupid question, but is there a major different between the Pixie and Gigi (Factory) pants? I adore my pair of snap-front pixies (with the zippers), but they seem to be getting rid of the style, and the price is better at Factory.
ReplyDeleteNot a stupid question at all. I ordered both maybe a year or so to compare -- fit or fabric may have changed since then, but at least at the time:
ReplyDeleteFabric composition was the same, but retail version was thinner.
Factory version ran smaller (a Factory regular XXS measured nearly the same as a retail petite 00).
Rise was slightly lower and hips narrower in the Factory version.
Factory zip was on the side, retail zip in the back (not the snap-front version, obvi).
Price difference at the time was something like $40, with no appreciable difference in quality.
I opted to keep the Factory version & haven't regretted it. HTH!
Thank you so much! Sounds like the factory version is a win!
DeleteReceived the gray flannel vest and the 'teddy bear' fleece vest in brown today. Love the gray flannel-def keeper, fits like past years. The fleece is a think-over; may need to go with my reg size (sized down one), and need to think through styling options. The armholes on this one seemed to be cut 'deeper' or further down in the front. We'll see...
ReplyDeleteSo, I liked the 'flannel' vest a lot, but the texture felt rougher than I had anticipated, so I checked the fabric tag: 100% polyester. Argh! Didn't JC pull the same thing on the now re-named 'textured' vest at factory? So it's likely the only difference between factory and retail (other than style-i.e., zipper, flaps, color) is that retail probably has 10% more waterfowl feathers than factory. I got the retail vest for 30% off, so the price difference (tonight, anyway) is about $25. Just something to think about...
DeleteHi Wendy - How is the teddy bear vest, fit? Did you get an XS? I was sort of eyeing it, but what I really want is the jacket. But after seeing it on Ema on her IG, the color being more olive than brown/red, and with drop shoulders, I just can't with J.Crew. Total fail. What would be better though if that jacket was a leopard print instead. :)
DeleteHi, JSR. I think it's ok, but I'm on the fence. I wear a size 10, and have a large bust. I ordered the M, as that's my excursion vest size. I didn't expect it to be flattering, but am afraid it's unflattering. I like the golden color. I feel like it's a hybrid of a sporty fleece vest and a dressy faux fur, and I'm just not sure I'll wear it. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteBoyfriend shirt in Rockport Plaid-I'm loving the boy and boyfriend fit. They fit identical to me, and I took my regular size 2 shirt size in both.
ReplyDeleteQuestion-has anyone washed theirs and does it shrink at all?