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! :)
For those who haven't seen it, my spin on one of the NYFW looks, for Valentine's Day frigid weather. I found a bright blue silk floral scarf in my collection that I will remember to break out for next time! Or maybe I'll wrap it around my neck twice as shown on the models.
ReplyDeletehttp://wearthislikethis.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-little-nyfw-inspiration.html
http://wearthislikethis.blogspot.com/
@Suz Has, love it, very stylish! I can't pull off wide leg pants but they look great on you!
DeleteThanks.
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ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see the J Crew NYFW reviews so positive in the press and in social. Good news for JCAs and for Somsack!
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteMust be a lot of pressure on Somsack, considering he was replaced by someone who wasn't performing well.
DeleteI wonder how many more designers will be using the color, yellow, or chartreuse, because I don't remember a NY designer using it, like it wasn't visible in any Instagram pics of fashion shows I saw. Let's see if Milan or Paris designers will use it, or pink for that matter!
Not a review, but I've shared a bit of Style Inspiration/Recreation - Jenna Lyons Edition here on my blog today. I'm sure many JCAs will recognize the photo of her from the Stylist interview back in 2011. :)
ReplyDeleteReview of:
ReplyDelete-new wide strped tee
-cotton jackie in blush
-silk popover
-washed trench
-pleated midi in polka dot
-gathered popover in gingham in classic pink
-martie pants in gingham
-flutter sleeve top (my favorite!)
All from march rollout!!
On my IG @inawonderland5
Great reviews, thank you Ina! Seeing new arrivals IRL is so helpful. Looking forward to trying flutter sleeve top among other things. :)
DeleteSome review here and here including the a-line midi skirt in mirrored floral.
ReplyDeleteRefinery 29 has some 25 JCNYFW looks today.. And on how JC not only makes clothes but styles them.. Although we've seen lots of pics already, theirs are quite nice..
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Nan.
DeleteHere's the link.
OT, I just this minute got an email from JC telling me that my rewards are now available. I assume this refers to the card that arrived via snailmail on Friday.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Department of Who's Watching The Store: glad to hear that things may be looking up on the design side. Now for quality control, production, operations...
WFF, I, too, just received the same email. Such an outdated system. To think the Gap/Banana family manages to TEXT you your reward code every month (if you're earned it), while JC is still snailmailing & late emailing.....zzzzz
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DeleteMy store has new arrivals out before they are online so I tried on two things...you won't find them online yet but here are item numbers for when they do appear..styke E8475..This is a pefect shirt navy with white flowers...just an ok pattern..kind of dreary though but decent item to buy if it goes on clearance...the fit was horrible. very very skimpy...much smaller than past perfect shirts. I had to go up a size and even then was still just fitting no room....Other item I tried was style E9788.. This was a flowy short sleeve flowered top..not sure if poly or not..forgot to look....Pattern is ok shirt shape is ok but neck could potentially be low cut....kind of looks cheap based on the pattern...an ok shirt if it goes on clearance as well.
ReplyDeleteSaw a photo of someone's March catalog...looks like jackies have new buttons....not good either...just look like plain old buttons...i thought the other pearly buttons were the jackie signature..hope the sweater still fits the same..
ReplyDeleteOT: Link to Vogue.com. The pics allows you to zoom in, so you can see the clothes in detail.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2016-ready-to-wear/j-crew
There is a lot of textures layered together. The peacock print worn like a pajama style is growing on me..still..I can't pull the look-but pretty to look at. I like the crop pea jacket-might be the same one Jenna wore recently to a fashion show with the ultra wide khaki pants.
Thanks for posting this link! I love love love looks 9 and 13, the plaid coat in look 20, the color scheme in look 8, and those leopard boots in look 15 are incredible (!!!!). I wonder how much will actually be produced for retail.
DeleteI am however getting bored with the wide-leg cropped pants, but looks like they'll be around through next fall/winter.
I am with you, Violet. I am not interested in the wide leg, cropped silhouette, but there are some positive take-aways from this show. I love the saturated colors. The midnight blues (in the scarf in look 20 and the burgundy and the green in looks 22 & 25). I love the velvet shoes. I love the colorblock shoes. There were at least three pairs of shoes that I pinned. I love the dropwaist dress in look 18. In fact, I love everything about look 18, except the scarf.
DeleteI think some of the styling and pattern mixing is still wack-a-doo, but a lot of it actually worked. I've been really disillusioned by J. Crew lately. I've stayed away from this site, and I don't even check J. Crew for updates in the morning, because there's nothing I want, even on deep sale. I know its a tough transition season right now, but I'm not loving anything on the website, and nothing in the latest Style Guide has jumped out at me. I'm so sick of quality issues, but I'm even more sick of uninspired design. I'm hoping that a lot of the pieces they showed at fashion week are not $$$$ collection pieces and that they actually produce them in a wearable way (that navy print on a thick silk shirt -- no not flimsy silk, but actual, nice, good quality silk or on a pretty skirt). I'm also hoping the colors are as vibrant as they look on my screen. That mirrored floral print that is out now had so much potential, but in person, the colors are dull and lackluster. I love vibrant greens and rich blues.
Anyway, I'm cautiously optimistic. I'm happy to see all of the thoughtful commentary on here about the designs.
As I commented on IG, the styling, patterns and colours were VERY Wes Anderson - specifically Margot Tanenbaum...in a good way. Who would have thought that film/ character would be such a style muse all these years later?
Delete@cagliari67, ah, so that was you! That comment cracked me up - once you see a specific image, you can't unsee it! (I'm tatsy74 on there, btw) I agree, very Margot!
DeleteI totally need to see that movie now!
DeleteI guess I'm cautiously optimistic too. Can't say I'm very impressed with their styling, though. I like most of the shoes, some of the jackets or coats, but can't say I'm impressed with the pajama look. Unfortunately, the quality issues of recent years have made me think twice about getting very excited about J Crew......
ReplyDeleteI really hope they fix the quality issues. I wanted to order more Painter tees, but like some of the reviews mentioned, one of tees I just bought already has a hole. Very disappointing, so I won't be buying more any time soon.
DeleteI wonder how long we have to wait for quality to improve, a season or two? I really wonder. I've also been begging for years to increase tall options. They can at least offer a tall trench for Spring. This doesn't seem likely. They are very slow to respond, if they respond at all, and I don't understand why.
DeleteI really wonder if some of these quality issues will ever be addressed. Just to be on the safe side, I air dry most all my J Crew knits, after hearing about all the holes that seem to develop. They need to get a handle on the fabric they use for pants too - they shouldn't be stretching out like some of them do (looking at you, Patio Pants in bi-stretch cotton!!). Bi-stretch cotton is a term that sends red flags up for me now!
DeleteThis is purely speculative but it almost feels like those responsible for making the decisions either think they know better than the consumer about what the consumer wants, or simply don't care. In all honesty, if I performed that poorly at my job, I would expect to be fired.
DeleteI am finally starting to find items and styling I like in each rollout again, but sadly I return most of them due to quality or fit issues. Sizing is so inconsistent, I rarely know what size to even order anymore.
I do sometimes feel like I am in an abusive relationship with J.Crew - "it'll be different this time, I promise!" - only to be disappointed time and time again. A little melodramatic, yes, but J.Crew has been a part of my life for a long time (since HS!) and seen me through so many stages of my life - including my wedding. It's part nostalgic (like when I used to save my after-school job paychecks to buy argyle sweaters) and part how I identify myself. I'm guessing anyone who comes to a blog dedicated solely to J.Crew feels that on some level, and I don't know of any other retailers that have this kind of obsessive consumer base. It's just unfortunate that the quality/fit/sizing issues lately have left so many of us feeling disheartened.
And I have to agree with you, Vava - when I see bi-stretch cotton I don't even bother!
I agree with disliking the bi stretch cotton, at least on fitted pants.
DeleteI have to mention, any time I've had a major quality issue, I bring the garment back. (I do have a sweater from last year that pilled but I didn't bring that back). I mean, a washable poly shirt where the dye ran, and rendered it unwearable, that type of thing. Not to the extreme, but if I wear a garment a few times and then it doesn't wash the way it should and it can't be worn again, I will return it. I also generally do not dry my shirts in the dryer.
@ Violet,
DeleteBrilliant ! " Abusive relationship " ...Sad but so very true ..
I agree . I am ocd when it comes to checking the sale site in the morning.
ReplyDeleteJust received a couple of Madewell sweaters and wanted to post quick reviews before promo expires tonight. Love the observatory funnelneck -- wonderfully thick and swingy. Took my usual MW size and it fits me like the online model. 53% wool, 47 acrylic, so I expect some pilling. Under $40 with the current promo, which seems a very fair price. I'm not as enamored with the leftbank pullover. In my usual MW size the boatneck is wider and the torso shorter than the online pic. Might work better on someone short-waisted. HTH!
ReplyDeleteI purchased the Feature Pullover Sweater (XS) in the Dusty Burgundy color and it is absolutely wonderful...priced at $39.99 (FS) it is soft, has a unique overlapping front and looks amazing with toothpick jeans and boots. Highly recommended (runs slightly small as I am usually XXS). I also purchased the Marled Graduate cardi in Marled Black (XXS) and highly recommend it as well. Priced at $59.50 it will be a workhorse in my wardrobe.
DeleteHere we are on the cusp of a new rollout and they can't even get their 'style guide' out ahead of that. I know lots of folks have theirs, but I don't and it ticks me off. Not that I would be placing an order tonight after midnight, but still................
ReplyDeleteI always have to laugh how long it takes the company to upload images to Pinterest. I guess they are still in the dark ages.
The optimism over NYFW is nice, but I have stared down the reality that the J Crew quality of the past is not coming back. Period. The company has made that loud and clear via the energy around Factory expansion, deemphasis of Collection, and anchoring of the top end of the line w mostly collabs. The bar seems awfully low to a lot of us, but it seems to be the new normal among most of the mid tier retailers.
ReplyDeleteI'm okay with it, as I have mentioned before. I avoid overpaying for what I buy and have lowered my expectations. I'm usually happy with my J Crew purchases with this approach and I always have something on my wish list that I will happily buy at 50% off :)
No sale off anything in Canada today, either in-store or online, including the stuff in the clearance section, which is still the same stuff that's been there for weeks, for the most part.
ReplyDeleteI ordered the fringe-trimmed navy tweed pencil skirt because I am a sucker for that tweedy/fringe-y/ribbon-trimmed Chanel-inspired look. This skirt might be nice if you are an actual pencil. JC still seems to be rebounding from vanity sizing--the 4 I ordered was smaller than 0s I have from a couple of years ago. JC cuts for a straighter figure and I am an hourglass so I am used to needing waist alterations on the pencil skirts, but on this skirt the waist might actually be bigger than the hips. Looks great but the fit is so off that it's going back.
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear reviews on the matching jacket!
Hexicon...I tried on the jacket this past weekend and although I am petite (5'3") I found that the 4 regular fit perfectly on me...so it definitely runs SMALL as I am usually a 0 or 2 regular or a 2 petite! If I had received my rewards card prior to trying the jacket on it would have come home with me that day as the Chanel-inspired look was truly stunning! Additionally, it will dress up or down with ease making it quite versatile in my opinion.
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteIf anyone goes to a store and sees the Teddie pant in jacquard, please report back. I'm curious if it's black and white and how thick the fabric is. Hard to tell from pics but it looks like a thicker, textured fabric (and also makes me assume it will run small). This is pretty much the only item I'm interested in from the March style guide. (I do like some of the shoes but pricing is astronomical.)
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in those pants too. I love the look.
Delete@Suz Has My store didn't have the pants but they did have the dress which appeared to be black. The white isn't pure white though - more of a natural/off white (I swear, sometimes I can't tell with the dark navy though...) and it is a textured heavier fabric with no stretch - the dress was 95% cotton/5% poly. The dress fit snug in my hips but gaped in my midsection. I'll get some blog pics up tonight - let me know if you want me to DM you pics on Instagram in the meantime. HTH!
DeleteI had to see the fabric so went to the store while I was running other errands. No pants, but that fabric is gorgeous. Not sure how the pants will run but I have an email to CS for measurements. The way the Teddie fits on me in the cotton I need to size down--I tried them again to confirm--so I'm guessing in this material I might take my regular size. At 25% off I'm tempted to try them. I really LOVE the fabric and could see it now or when it gets warmer.
DeleteI just ordered it, the pattern is so beautiful. I knew I had to have it the moment I saw it on IG. Asked for measurements and based on that I took my normal size.
DeleteFor my sizes the hips and thighs are a few inches bigger. I wonder if the pant then has more of a straight leg as opposed to a fit and flare. I ordered both sizes and hope one works. ;)
DeleteFWIW, the pants now do say "online only." It seems like all the pants I like have been online only!
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ReplyDeleteHere's a question, not a review. I have the wide leg full lenth pant in wool. I loved the cropped version except for the pleats, but I really liked the cropped length. After seeing the NYFW collection I'm thinking of having the full length wide leg version cropped, maybe with a hem. If always liked that look. Just ankle length, about 26 inch inseam. Do we think that's a good idea? The current 34 inch inseam is long enough that I can wear very high heels or the pants drag. Feel like the ankle length might be more versatile.
ReplyDeleteIn store today I saw a return of the Italian wool collection wide leg pant. The gray wool is so fine, yet textured, I almost thought perhaps they were one of the new linen blends. They are only available in a 00 which may be too small, but for the sale price I ordered and after getting measurements CS told me I could return if they don't work out. I absolutely do not need them, but I fell in love. I will keep stalking for a larger size just in case.
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