This is the weekly "Other JCrew-like Retailers" post (similar to the "Off On A Tangent"
posts), where we can share our finds from other
retailers that have offerings similar to J.Crew
(like Anthropologie, LE Canvas, Gap, BR, Talbots, Ann
Taylor, and the like.)If you have recently encountered items that are similar to J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.
Please feel free to share your story on almost any topic— including experiences with certain merchandise pieces, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.
Interesting article on CNN Money this morning - "How Banana Republic is getting killed by fast fashion". I have liked a few things from BR this year, but overall the styles are too oversized/boxy and too many icky feeling blends for me. The article mentions ordering clothes up to a year in advance and essentially gambling on what's going to be popular. I can see how this applies to JC, too - they must've ordered the Regent silhouette in every fabric/color imaginable.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I just don't buy it. I think that is what BR is saying, but I think what really happened is they tried to increase profit margins by cutting quality and production costs. Then they lost their core group of customers and they are in a no-man's land of shopping demographics. Same with J. Crew. I'm fashionable, but I'm hardly a slave to trends. I'm not looking for the latest thing that the kids are wearing. I don't want to look like I'm stuck in the wrong decade, but it doesn't have to be trendy. I'm looking for well-made, stylish clothes that make me feel like a million bucks. Fabric and fit. Fabric and fit. And a little design.
DeleteEXACTLY! Blakemdjohns, you expressed how I feel perfectly. Fabric and fit. So tired of cheap, thin, synthetic everything. I'm happy that I was a bit of a hoarder in the past and bought multiples of items I loved. Shopping my closet now as I am not having much success at J Crew or BR (or anywhere else) lately.
DeleteThat was an interesting article, thanks for posting, silver_lining. I used to be a very loyal Banana Republic shopper, having graduated there from the Gap and Old Navy respectively. I found many great pieces for work, including lined wool pants, cotton shirts and skirts. But that was years ago because this past year I've only bought a handful of the most basic items (denim shirt, pair of Sloans, a tank, a belt & a pair of Martin pants, before they discontinued them). Their new boxy cuts (& vanity sizing), as well as the quality of materials has put me off. The last skirt I tried on there was a pretty pink, pleated polyester skirt - it hung awfully, felt awful and it was only something like $98! What a steal (eyeroll).
DeleteIt's not as if I'm running to Zara ($$$, IMO) or H&M (cheap quality, talk about polyester!!) or Forever 21 either. I'd happily shop at Banana again if they returned to the quality that they carried before.
What's also strange is that their Men's clothing quality remains intact -- button-downs, polos, mens' pants -- they're all as before. My husband shops there religiously and the quality and fit haven't changed. Disappointing.
Yes - fabric and fit. Please bring back lined pants! I'm in my mid 30s and seeking quality basics and a few statement pieces. I have a reasonable amount of $ to spend.
DeleteI was a major BR loyalist for years (maybe 2000-2008). I started shopping at J. Crew more frequently beginning in about 2006 and then the balance shifted pretty quickly. I probably buy 75% of my wardrobe at J. Crew now. I have been disappointed with some of quality at J. Crew recently - would love to buy the wool Campbell trouser in that awesome peppermint pink color but unlined wool pants are just a no for me. I was thrilled with my recent purchase of the collection graphic peony pant - gorgeous color and fabric, lined, - but I had to wait for the price to come down from $325, which is just more than I can afford.
I agree with all of you. I went into BR this weekend to specifically buy some Classic body lotion, the only item I buy from them in the past year. Tried on a pair of Sloan pants since I am on the search for a pair of charcoal grey pants. I could not wait to get them off, the material was hard and slimy did not even want to know the specifics. And Shopalot, I agree I am shopping my closet and glad that I too was a hoarder of older J Crew. Since now I have well made, good quality items that I have not worn that much.
DeleteRight?! As TM93 mentioned, the clothing for men at both JC and BR looks great. Wool pants, 100% merino sweaters, traditional styling. Women don't get the traditional options as much, and if we do, it's some odd synthetic blend. Even most of the t-shirts for women contain poly or modal. I don't understand it.
DeleteBR and J. Crew seem to be suffering from the same problems but BR hit even harder. I think J. Crew has more loyal customers and a more defined style (even if the quality is lacking lately).
DeleteI used to shop BR regularly for work pants, too. Struggling to find a replacement, still.
What this suggests to me is that the ship has sailed on mid-range quality retailers. Consumers are migrating to the top or the bottom (maybe some go back and forth). J. Crew tested the "top" with Collection which didn't seem to work out that well, but the "bottom" (Factory) is doing well. BR's "bottom" is Old Navy, also doing well.
Interesting. I don't shop BR, not for any real reason, I just never got into it. I have bought some of their shirts second hand from Buffalo Exchange and liked them.
DeleteI recently deliberately sought out BR for work pants when I couldn't find slim-straight cut work pants that I wanted at JCrew and I really liked them, so I'm surprised to hear that everyone sort of dislikes BR. I will admit a lot of their shirts look like something I could buy at H&M (which is not a knock at H&M, because I know plenty of people who buy blouses for work at H&M and look awesome, but H&M is a lot cheaper).
I bought the Harper Fit pant. It was nice that they were lined. I liked the fit. They were what I was hoping the Martie's would be. I might still try the Paley, because I really love the 120s fabric, but the rise seems too high and they seem a bit more cropped than I want. They're also not lined, which is seeming like a huge plus now that it's November.
I think mid range can be a hard sell, because I think that you can look a lot more stylish and even expensive when you mix high and low, but you can't always achieve that effect with mid range.
JCrew Factory and Old Navy are just ugly to me. I'd rather get lost in the tween abyss that is Forever 21. The Gap has some cute things, but I never get my hopes up, because everything there fits so wide, like it's cut for people shaped like boxes. It doesn't seem to matter what size you buy it in or if you get in it petite or not, it's mind boggling.
DeleteI finally got a pair of the Sloan slim-fit ankle pants and like them quite a bit (though I have not yet worn them). The only piece of BR clothing I've bought in maybe 2 years.
DeleteCuyana’s wool-cashmere crewneck is a win for me. It’s a fine knit of 90% virgin wool & 10% cashmere, thin enough to layer under a blazer but thicker & warmer than a Tippi. JC sweaters are often a bit tight through the shoulders for me; this was a better fit for my broad shoulders and was still nicely fitted through the waist/hips. I’m usually an XXS in JC sweaters, and the Cuyana XS seems comparable. At $145, it’s not inexpensive, but the natural fibers, solid construction, and made-in-Italy pedigree justify the price for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! I like that it has full length sleeves and no dropped shoulders. Going on my xmas wishlist. :)
DeleteSince Twice has been bought by ebay, can anyone suggest a replacement?
ReplyDeleteHave you tried thredUp? I've bought a few pieces from them -- i think they're a tad more pricey than Twice, but worth a look. There's also tradesy (more of an ebay, i think), in terms of selling clothes.
DeleteI'll try tradesy. Thanks a lot.
DeleteI hoping to buy a Longchamp Le Pliage Neo tote, and I was going to get it during Bloomingdales' Friends and Family sale, but it was excluded. I did get a 10% off coupon to use, though--do you think it's worth buying at 10% off? Wondering if I should wait and see if there are going to be any better deals later this month. I'd like to have it before a conference in January.
ReplyDeleteHi Kimi,
DeleteI've never seen Longchamp included in the F&F sales anywhere. Some independent retailers sometimes run promos -- there's a thread on PurseForum which might be helpful. I bought the Planetes from Bloomies, as well as a back up (as it was discontinued) from Bloomies, using a 10% code. Both they and Saks don't charge tax to WA state, so that was a bonus -- and also, Saks often has around 8-10% on ebates. HTH
I'd definitely recommend buying it now so that you can stack the 10% with the loyalist bonus points offer (you'll earn a $25 gift card). They do have a few styles/colors of the pilage on gilt but the combo discount at bloomies is a better deal
DeleteThank you for the tips! I wouldn't have to pay sales tax either, which is a bonus. I was considering ordering it to get the gift card but I'm not sure if I will since I don't want it to arrive while I'm out of town...
DeleteI have hardly purchased anything at banana republic lately and I have nearly stopped using the gap visa because I wasn't finding anything at banana republic to spend my rewards on. I really miss being able to use them at Piperlime. Like you, JRsConifer, I am in search of a pair of lined charcoal gray wool pants and have been looking for at least two years. I ordered some from the loft recently but they are neither wool nor lined so I may return. Please let me know if you find them anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I got a Nordstrom Visa card and have stopped using my BR card. I will let you know if I have any luck, I am petite but sure if I find some pants they will have regular.
DeleteI use my BR rewards at Athleta. They also have "regular" brand shoes and accessories at Athleta. Otherwise, I buy my daughter clothes at Old Navy or Gap (on sale!).
DeleteIf anyone is looking for another Herringbone Vest style, Old Navy has a really cute version that is very flannel like, it's a wool blend. I like the pattern, it is much more subtle than the Factory version and it fit really nice. I ended up returning my Factory version. In terms of quality, they seem pretty much equal and $20 is better than $80. Here's the link if anyone is interested
ReplyDeleteI AM, in fact, looking for that Herringbone vest style, thanks so, so much for this! I was about to purchase the Factory one last week during the sale, but the reviews put me off so i refrained. There's an Old Navy near me so I will check this out in person. TY!!
DeleteI recently made purchases with MM Lafleur and Meg. Was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the fabric and craftsmanship - and loved that the items I bought were made in NYC and Canada!
ReplyDeleteI just ordered a bento box from MM Lafleur this week! Very excited to see what they send. Glad to hear you thought the quality was great!
DeletePlease share your experience when you receive it. I would love to do a bento, but sadly it's not available for Canadian shipping. I bought the Tory 2.0 and it is fantastic.
DeleteHey ladies - for those of you who also shop Madewell, they have a new promo going on until Monday: Extra 20% off Promo-Priced Items & Sale Styles. There are a lot of new promo items added with this one, as well as numerous markdowns. I've shared the list of promo items & markdowns, along with links to several reviews & IRL pics from Rose, ShOperaRach, & myself in this post.
ReplyDelete