J.Crew's CEO extraordinaire Mickey Drexler sent an email to customers this weekend reminding customers that they are getting back to the "old J.Crew" in terms of quality meets style.
J.Crew had lost its pep in its step for awhile. With multiple store closings and some losses on their books, they have been trying to go back to "what works" best for them. They have been employing this new/old strategy for awhile now. But are customers buying it? Mickey likes to think so! ;)
What are your thoughts on Mickey's personal note to customers? Do you think J.Crew is back? Do you think they never left their "classics with a twist" ways? Please share!
I do think J.Crew is back. While I've continued buying over the last year or two, this is first time in a while that I've had to restrain myself from ordering too much online. I'm going to cross my fingers that they keep it up!
ReplyDeleteIf anyone from J.Crew reads this--please bring back the Lady Day coat in red this fall/winter! It was on you catalogue cover one month in 2015 but was never available to purchase.
And bring back Jeans with normal jeans material (no more jeggings please!)
DeleteYes, my trusty Toothpicks all feel rough and "sticky" this newest season. Yuck.
DeleteI have ordered a number of items this rollout and have been very happy with them. I hope this is a trend!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping they are back. With the ladies' white fringed jacket, I wanted to LOVE it. The quality is not as good. The sizing is still hit and miss. You do see glimpses of what it once was but there is a long way still to go.
ReplyDeleteI think they are getting some of that magic back. :) They can go back to the things that made them great -- classics with great quality -- and still be new and fresh. It's not one or the other!
ReplyDeleteMostly I love that Mr. Drexler offered up his direct email address. That is a beautiful gesture.
I like them and never stopped but there are some improvements still. They used to have such interesting patterns you would see throughout a collection. They still do it a bit but it seems kind of week and the patterns are mediocre. Also, they have a new Jackie Cardigan which looks like any boring sweater you can get anywhere. Bring back the 3/4 sleeve jackie with the pearlized buttons. Also it looks like Minnie Pants are discontinued since all colors were recently on sale. Those pants are much nice fitting than the Martie, it's bag and uncomfortable replacement. Other than those gripes I still do like J. Crew and shop there as I see things to buy.
ReplyDeleteOn their way but def. not back yet. Still need to work on quality and workmanship. And quit trying to drive towards "luxury" - does anyone really want 10% cashmere in their summer tshirts? Also, fine if you want to do the crazy styling but I'd also like to see a balance of classics too.
ReplyDeleteI got the email a few days ago and actually sent him an email back. I haven't heard anything yet. We'll see. This would be an epic fail if he/they don't respond or I get a canned response. However, I did score the only parsley green a-line skirt with pockets left in my size in the country, so I am happy about that. Anyone have that skirt, I ordered up one size based on the reviews.I think it will be a nice change up from all the green utility pants that I wear.
ReplyDeleteI too replied back to him. Not sure if I expect a response since I am guessing that he probably received HUNDREDS of replies to this email, and that it would not be possible for him to personally answer all of them. On a happy note I scored the sequin and crystal rose necklace this morning. Ithe had been sold out online and in all of the stores, and I desperstely wanted it for a cruise that I am going on in June! Woo hooo!!!
DeleteOk that should say desperately...not sure how my phone makes up some of these words! Aaahhh!!
DeleteMickey mentioned quality and price, I do find that some of the prices this rollout seem more reasonable (example -some cotton skirts like the clip dot and paisley pencil and some dresses) especially after the promo. Many items seem to be selling quickly online. Canadian prices are always higher but some aren't as shocking this rollout. I don't buy from banana republic much but in browsing their new arrivals I saw some prices that were higher than Jcrew and lots of poly. I'm very happy to see cotton items for summer at jcrew and machine washable too. Overall I'm happy with the last rollout and am looking forward to the next one.
ReplyDeleteI really like J Crew and have only had a few issues with quality and sizing over the last few years. I'm not a brand veteran so I recognize others have had a much different experience. For every 1 or 2 items that have had an issue, I've had 4 to 5 winners. I don't shop J Crew exclusively so that's likely shaping my perspective as well. I try to buy what the brand does well and works in my wardrobe (casual wear, prints and select collection items). For other items (i.e. shoes and jeans), I shop other brands like J Brand and Louboutin. The persistent need to discount is still an issue for the brand. While I love a sale and only buy J Crew on promotion, perpetual sales are usually not good for margins or the company. I'm also curious to see how they manage their distribution channel going forward and pricing. Specifically, netaporter is carrying the line but pricing for items is significantly higher for the same item (Collection A-line midi is $600 vs $298 @ J Crew); not to mention items being full price at netaporter while being simultaneously deeply discounted at J Crew (patchwork post pants in green from holiday are still $100 and I bought them for less than $30 @ J Crew; the collection midi skirt was on sale and < $100). Items sold out at J Crew from recent launch like the woven cork flats (f1289) are available but full price.
ReplyDeleteI welcomed hearing from Mickey after several articles predicting the company’s demise. His email seems to be saying we are fine and here to stay. This is assuring for many of us who have grown up with Jcrew. While not fully back to their glory days they seem to be listening and I appreciate the following changes to name a few:
ReplyDelete- Less poly, more 100% cotton and wool
- More reasonable price points (less than $100 dollar shirts and skirts)
- Lined wool pants for work
- Italian Ceces
- Less trendy and more classic direction
On the design front, they still need to find the balance between classic and boring. There are some excellent pieces that get sold out for the most part but some themes are bordering on overkill (plaid and gingham). They need to work on more spectacular prints and I hate what they have done to the scarves with the viscose blends.
I think it is also important that they hear from us that we do appreciate those positive changes. An encouraging pat on the back goes a long way in encouraging them to move in the direction we want. Anyway, it’s probably too much to wait for them to go back to exactly where they were many years ago. Some things just won’t come back (like my waistline twenty years ago).
The wool pants are lined now?
DeleteAt least a few are - I bought the patio pants in mini-dot wool and they were lined. Love those pants!
DeleteHi Cass, sorry for the late response. They have the lined Campbell trousers in Italian stretch wool. I liked it so much I bought the 3 colors. At 30% off, these are excellent staples. I needed to size up from my usual petite pants/skirts sizing.
DeleteI was going to post my wishlist, but Marie has about covered it. I'd add more attention to quality of construction, and more consistent sizes.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm amused by the mental image of Dear Leader composing the text with quill pen and scroll, and perusing "his" customer list for names and addresses, I believe that he personally is not the original author of the text. He has "people" for that - it's good to be the king. I do believe he wants the company to prosper, as do I. Perhaps we will agree that the path to prosperity is not paved with polyester, viscose, lyocell, rayon, and the like. I learned last night that there is a Biblical prohibition on blended fabrics. Perhaps someone more scholarly than I could find it?
Oh, I couldn't help but google that! Here's what popped up: http://www.gotquestions.org/different-types-of-fabric.html I've no idea how accurate that site is.
DeleteAs for JC, I'm cheering for them to return to better quality and more consistent sizing. I don't think they're there yet, but I'm hopeful.
WFF- you never cease to amaze me. Like Cobalt, I had to google this too. (King James)Deuteronomy 22:11 Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.
DeleteI knew it felt wrong, but I never knew why....
I just went and looked up the prohibition also. Apparently blending fibers is such a serious thing that there are two prohibitions, the other one is in Leviticus 19:19.
DeleteNow if only one of the prophets had spoken out against serging instead of proper tailoring.
I see positive progress but the pricing and sizing games become tiring, it would be nice to see more of the little details that made J Crew stand out from the rest of the pack. I can get a cardigan anywhere but I loved my Jackies with the pearl buttons (remember when there were Jackies with ribbon plackets!) I miss covered buttons, cute prints on the insides of jackets and coats and the quality. I have a couple of J Crew Factory items from 2008 or thereabouts and I think they have better quality and details than retail today. I just loved those little extras that made J Crew stand apart. I also want my ribbon flip flops back, I wear mine to death and need some replacements.
DeleteI also found it to be a nice gesture, but the cynic in me thinks it's a marketing move. The only things I often bought full price were Jackies and Tippis and both now fit terribly, and even on sale, I keep ordering them full of hope and returning them as soon as they arrived. Both pieces used to be special, now the Jackie is generic and uncomfortable and the Tippi's arms are so tight that I can't layer underneath even if I size up. I miss the prints, the quality (natural fibers and clothing that lasted more than 2 seasons) and Italian made shoes though it seems that it's slowly improving. On an unrelated note, the staff at my local store has all changed except for 2 SAs. My feelings towards J Crew are not based on an unrealistic nostalgia but rather an expectation from a midrange retailer that is competing pricewise with some midrange designers. I love J Crew and want them to do well, but changing the basics that people bought at full price to cut corners is not an adequate direction IMO. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
ReplyDeleteFor the most part the men's side of the company has been a bright light over the past couple of years for J.Crew. 75% of my closet space still is occupied by 'crew.
ReplyDeleteThey've made some slips and had a few oops, but that is to expected, especially as they change and try to stay up to date and timely. Fashion for women is much more of a slippery slope. Change too much; well you've seen what it did here. Not enough change and you soon only sell to an 'older' more mature crowd.
We all want our favourites to stay as we've always known and loved them but the whole idea of fashion is change and movement. Yes I know that I'm talking fashion not style here. Style is taste and what the individual does, nothing that the retailer can sell us.
I feel for J.Crew as they need to change yet if they misstep we quickly tell them. The good bit is how many of us love them and what they are trying to get back to; but sadly I wonder if they can ever truly get there.
And if they do make it back are we willing to pay full price after such a long spell of percentage off discounts and deals?
J. Crew Guy, I totally agree with you on the men's side. It's like a completely different store. The women's side, however, is just...not good. I say this as someone who has been a very devoted J. Crew customer that now buys more Ralph Lauren Polo (on sale) than anything else.
DeleteI think my number one issue is the lack of quality; the paper thin fabrics, the polyester, the shortcuts, you know it when you see it. And when I see the men's side, it's obvious J. Crew knows the difference too. They just choose to do a poorer job on the women's side and I'm not having it.
Sorry Mickey, I know I wrote you that devoted letter years ago, I meant it then and I loved your response but saying things are going back doesn't make it true from what I've seen so far.
I appreciate the gesture and do hope they are listening to what customers truly want. The attempt to return to the 'classics with a twist' over the past couple of years has been good to see, but the quality is still lacking, in my experience. It also seems that over the past several years they have been all over the place style-wise, so it would be nice to see them focus on what they used to do best, instead of trying to have their hand in everything.
ReplyDeleteWhither Jenna?
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I feel about this email - seems like he should have done this a year ago. (And BTW, this is not Mickey's real email address). I think J Crew has responded to their downturn with cautious styles that don't require a ton of design - look at all those boring sleeveless work dresses. A lot of the stuff is okay, but my heart hasn't gone pitter-patter much recently. I really miss the prints. I think the shoes have definitely improved. Collection items continue to be pretty good. I hope they keep improving.
I got a response from Mickey from his real email account and it is different and also one from one of his staff. They weren't canned responses as they referred to my email in both. So if anyone else sent one, be on the lookout for a response.
DeleteI got a response from someone named Carrie who thanked me for the inputime and then said, "you should try our Tippi"...I mean like that is how she ended her 5 sentence paragraph....I was not amused.
ReplyDeleteI got a response from someone named Carrie who thanked me for the inputime and then said, "you should try our Tippi"...I mean like that is how she ended her 5 sentence paragraph....I was not amused.
ReplyDelete