Referencing {FAQ}

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs!}

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! :)

47 comments:

  1. I'm sharing a few fall pieces of my blog today. The high-rise lookout denim runs true to size, and it's a great length for us mid-height girls. My favorite accessory from this blog post is a velvet bow pony-tail holder. It sweetens all the plaid up!

    Heather
    Partial to Pink

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  2. The collaboration with New Balance is on the web site this morning.

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    1. I like it! Wish it wasn't so expensive.

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    2. I like it too. I'm glad they did a collaboration for active wear instead of trying to brand their own line. A couple of the pieces are really cute and unique - love the polka dots. Not sure there's anything I'll actually bite on at the starting prices, but overall I'm a fan.

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    3. I own and wear a lot of workout wear and I'm underwhelmed by the NB collaboration. The orange/navy combo is nice, but there's nothing compelling for me. I'll stick with Athleta and Prana for now.

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    4. Check out Oiselle for awesome running/workout wear. High marks for function and style. Women owned business from Seattle.

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    5. I'm really surprised that people like the NB collaboration. Looks like an background extra from a early 70s sci-fi movie. I'm not buying any even when 40% off.

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    6. Maybe I like the 70s but I think the NB stuff is cute!


      @SE Mom: I'm a huge fan of athleta but I'll check out oiselle stuff... Always looking for well designed stuff that's not boring black :)

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  3. I ordered two black Blazers late last week on Popback. Shipped quickly. Hoping to wear one with the wide leg wool pants from last holiday to an event. My usual blazer size is generally a 2 although I have some in 0. I do have some sizing issues with the Blazers.
    Women's Ludlow blazer in wool gabardine / 4 / this is a longer blazer, which I like, and some reviews said the waist is wide. The fit is comfortable but I find the hips very wide, several inches wider than my hips, whereas the shoulders and upper back fit ok. The fabric is thick and textured, kind of similar to the Rhodes blazer in wool from last winter. The pants are definitely a different material but the fit on the hips will be what makes or breaks this, as to whether this will work with the pants I intended. The fit reminds me of the velvet Blazers I have from 2006 which are still in perfect condition. Longer than most of the current offerings.

    1035 two-button jacket in Italian stretch wool/ 2 / this runs very small/fitted. I would only be able to wear this over a thin shirt or tank. The wool is very lightweight and fine. I don't think the fabric will work with the pants I intended but if I had the right bottoms to match this would be a nice fitted blazer as part of a suit.

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  4. I really like the new balance stuff!!! Would love to hear from anyone who's been able to see the stuff.

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  5. The rhodes pants in italian wool are very similar to the cafe capris from few years back, with a lighter wool, higher waist and different looking derriere (to me). No tall sizes but fits true to size and love the pink color.

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  6. Cozy leggings (f8914) - I got little_lining some Crewcuts cozy everyday leggings last winter and they were awesome (thick cotton/spandex) so I immediately ordered these when I saw they were available in womens'. These are viscose/elastene leggings and look and feel like fleece-lined tights. I found them to be TTS, but upon trying them, they just made my legs feel cold, and kind of tingly (due to the fabric blend?). They were also a little silkier/shinier than I was expecting. If I didn't have the crewcuts version in mind, these would probably be fine, just not what I was ultimately looking for.

    I'm really liking the Lou & Grey ponte leggings from LOFT. Thick, holds everything in, but comfortable. They're also on sale pretty frequently.

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  7. I know they're getting good reviews, but I am not a big fan of the Anywhere Jeans. They feel like sausage casings, even if they look okay. Couldn't peel them off fast enough. They're thick and tight and they're probably not sliding anywhere (maybe how they got their name).

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    1. Those are the Madewell Anywhere jeans, I should have said.

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    2. I had the opposite experience with them. After Ema recommended them,i tried and loved them. I find them similiar to pixies,just in denim and they are perfect inside boots and with madewells boyfriend shirts. They are TTS for me.

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    3. Like I said, they are getting good reviews. I saw that you and Ema both loved them, but I didn't. I thought they were TTS to a bit on the small side. I'm not skinny like you guys, though. They just felt claustrophobic on me.

      Now that I look, there are a couple of reviewers on Madewell's site that also think they run small. But they got 4.5 stars overall, people do like them. Just not me :)

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  8. Not a Jcrew item, but a few weeks back I asked about the fit of Seavees. I like the herringbone ones from Jcrew but started looking at others and found a pair I'm absolutely in love with, called the Laguna Chelsea boot. I ordered from Seavees and used their size chart. Using their measurements. I should have sized up up stuck with the larger of my usual sizes. At first I thought they were loose but they were just a little wide, so I used a sneaker insert I Had and they fit perfectly.

    Also, ordered several pairs of the New balance on sale, the 696 and 620. I wear sneakers like this to the gym and the first version of the NB tried from Jcrew were too narrow but these seem fine. The pop of colors are great and on sale they're a great price.

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  9. A few comments about what I've picked up the past month or so.

    The slim oxford shirt in olive plaid; slim without being tight, nice weight to the oxford fabric and the color is great, tones of red, pale yellow and blue on an olive field. Great shirt.

    Slim vintage oxford in black watch plaid. Again another solid offereing, great fabric and a true black watch. Love it.

    Slim secret wash in green plaid. Yes I'm definitely into green. This one is my favourite, the most versatile and the one that I reach for most often.

    Merino v-neck in slim. Picked up three and the camouflage heather is beautiful. Green tones that look equally good with denim or grey wool flannel.

    Slim lambswool crewneck in heather fern. Love the lambswool sweaters from 'crew. Light weight and not too warm yet you get the cozy college look. This green is a medium tone and really pops.

    The mens' side is killing it again this season.

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    1. Thank you for the reviews! Agree that the men's side is going strong, I have a lot of items for my husband in my wish list for bday and christmas. :)

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  10. Received a couple of packages today and happy overall.

    Tippi Embellished Bee Sweater - fit is tts in a medium; merino wool is soft; the bee embellishments are very pretty and add a very nice touch. Planning to layer with Bee Embellished Perfect Shirt; I sized up one size in this top based upon reviews and that was the right decision. Needed the extra room in the bust. This shirt perfectly matches the striped culotte pants from spring/summer. I didn't find the Tippi super sheer as some reviewers described; I tried with a nude bra and that worked fine.

    Collection Embellished Suede Sloan D'Orsay - this is a lovely shoe. I admired this shoe from afar when it came out last winter. So, I was happy to see a size run last week that included a 10. I ordered them and so happy I did. The suede is a very good quality and the embellishment is well done...fun, pretty, but not overdone. This is my 2nd pair of Sloans and I like the fit and comfort; will pair well with J Crew patchwork chinos from last winter and Vince suede leggings.

    Italian Cashmere ruffle polo sweater in vintage burgundy - this is a really nice sweater. Cabernet was on my list for fall/winter & this is a very good choice. Ordered my usual medium & fit was tts; the cashmere is soft & appears to be good quality. Definitely worth a look since it's on sale. Will pair with Collection fair isle cashmere blend pencil skirt from last winter.

    Ok, now for summer, super sale finds with 50% off sale.

    Figue gold metallic sandals - I wanted a pair of gold slides to replace a Jimmy Choo pair that I've worn to death. This shoe popped back last week in my size and I jumped on it. Leather is nice & the tassels are lovely. Will be perfect for vacation and casual outings.

    Into the Wild off shoulder dress - I love this print (have pants & boy shirt) and tried the dress on shortly after it was available in store & decided to wait. I ordered tall for extra length and fit was tts in an 8. Beautiful print and cotton fabric feels nice. Off shoulder stays put.

    Le Sirenuse tunic in red - This is a breezy top with a beautiful print; the cotton fabric is lightweight & will be wonderful for hot summer days. Fit was tts in medium. Can be paired with white linen shorts or khaki; can also see wearing this with denim shorts and the Figue sandals.

    St. James slouchy stripe tee in long sleeve (ecru) & short sleeve (red/white/blue) - This brand rarely goes on sale, so very happy to score these. I already own the long sleeve slouchy version in navy/white & have worn it several times. The tees are pricey and they're quite nice. Cotton fabric is very good quality & weight is what you'd expect for the style & price point. Fit was tts in medium.

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  11. Denim sheath- I ordered this when it was on promo. Love it. It is not as long as the picture. Fit in my usual j Crew size TTS. Wore it to church with a Jackie cardi. Looking forward to wearing it again.

    The factory leopard cardigan and shell were also a love for me. I don't shop at factory often but I prefer a cotton sweater to wool so I tried this set. Cardi was nice with the sheath dress.

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    1. Crewmum, I note that you and reviewers on the JCrew site have all said that the dress is not as long as in the photo. Is the dress actually 39" in length as the description states, or have they got that wrong? I'm quite interested in this dress but want to know what's going on with the length!

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    2. I measure 38" with the dress flat. The model is either short? Or her dress is closer to 40". I like the dress. I will be disappointed if it shrinks when laundered.

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    3. Thank you so much, I really appreciate you taking the time to measure it for me!

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  12. Anyone have any insight to the new rollout? Supposedly coming out the 17th?

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    1. That's what @Ina said in a previous post.

      Someone got a hold of a style guide. I haven't been able to find one, but maybe your local store has one for you. It's always fun to get a peek at what's coming.

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  13. Any thoughts or reviews for the Tippi Turtleneck? Is the quality the same as the regular Tippi? What about the fit? Has anyone seen the sherwood green in person? I'm contemplating placing an order for one, but would like to avoid another return if possible, so any insight would be greatly appreciated! :)

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    1. Hi Melissa, I only have the original Tippis none of the newer versions- in the original Tippi I took small. I tried a small in the turtleneck and it was a tad loose (the body looser than my old Tippis for sure) but looked fine. My preference is that I didn't want it snug so if I buy one I'd get a small especially to account for shrinkage since I handwash Tippis. The Sherwood green was very dark, it looked lovely in person. It felt a bit thin but in the dark colour looked fine, I'm not sure if lighter colours would be sheer.

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    2. Not the sherwood green one,but the striped one

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    3. Sherwood green was bee-uu-tiful!!

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    4. Thanks bindi...that's what I was hoping for! :)

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  14. Got a look at the new catalog (sorry can't scan). It looks like they may have a few new colors in the cocoon coat, from the pictures, but they don't list the colors so we'll probably see online when the rollout is there.

    They re-tooled the Nordic Parka, making it 30% lighter and less bulky.

    New print is called Painted Pansy, which is pink, red, blue and a bit of green leaves on a dark background (on black or navy, can't tell).

    Pleated ponte dress. The New Balance line. A bunch of wear-to-work and/or subdued heeled shoes. Tall suede ankle boots. Argyle Jackie twin set. Gayle tie-neck sweater (gray with black tie). Ultra wide-leg chino. Skinny stretch cargo pants with zippers at hems. Wool turtlenecks. Cape scarf. Blazers. Charlie Loafers. Belted zip trench coat. Chino ruffle skirt. Party PJ pants. Vests. Embroidered flats. Olivia topcoat. Long peacoat in Oxford check. Chateau parkas.

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    1. Thanks for the details, Cate. The Pansy print sounds Spring-like.

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    2. @maryeb it is not spring like at all. More like fall flowers:)

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    3. YW! I agree with Ina, it is a darker print for fall, but still a bit cheerful. Not spring, though.

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    4. Any regular length pants? Not cropped or ankle length.

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    5. kamantha, the skinny stretch cargo with zippers look full length. The ultra-wide-leg chino is full length. Distressed lookout high rise jeans are full length. There is a Rayner Trouser shown but not below the knees so I can't tell. A regent pant in super 120s wool that could be full length. That's all that I could see. HTH.

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    6. If you type in key words "painted pansy," "Ponte," etc. into the search on jcrew.com, it looks like you can see some of this.

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    7. Thanks for the tip @JennyFloyd. I tried "preorder" but not much came up.
      The painted pansy print is pretty. Definitely not Spring. Thanks @Ina and @Cate!

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  15. Hi cate, thank you for sharing! What was your overall impression - impressed or not so much? :) looking forward to some new arrivals

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    1. A lot of the things are already in store. It is mostly new colors in coats, a few new shoes,a few new tops and some wide legged pants.
      I love the new pattern in the cape scarf (buffalo plaid in graphite/ivory).

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    2. I was in the store today and didn't see most of the rollout there. Our store doesn't have it yet.

      I think it depends what you're looking for. I thought there were some really fun options for work, if your office isn't super formal. Fun shoes with doable height heels and twin sets. Maybe a bit light on the pants offerings. I thought the coats were very nice, even though they weren't anything I need. I think it isn't a deep winter rollout, still more like fall to me, even though there were some coats and some sweaters. Not much in the way of boots.

      Overall I think it is a very solid rollout. Nothing raised an eyebrow. It was pretty classic.

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    3. Thank you, ladies! I appreciate your input!

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Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)