This is the weekly "Looking to VENT with J.Crew" post, a place to share our not-so-stellar experiences with J.Crew.If you have recently experienced a frustrating situation with 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 poor experiences with purchases & orders, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.
pricing...flip flopping % off. its getting worse than J Crew factory.
ReplyDeleteWhy are all the pants cropped?! I actually catch the train to work in the cold. Where are the regular long pants in Tall??
ReplyDeleteagreed. this trend is getting really tired.
DeleteI recently bought a few Stadium Cloth Coats from J.Crew and am disappointed that the quality of the wool seems to have gone down, even from last year. The Stadium Cloth feels thinner. My old J.Crew Stadium Cloth Elements Coat (which I sold last year and am now kicking myself over) was heavy and thick. I wore it for 4 years and often and it still looked amazing and brand new. This year's Cocoon Coat's fit is off as well. Last year, I was able to wear a size 0 since it ran large. This year, the wool material feels lighter, thinner, and the fit is slimmer. A size 2 barely fits in the shoulder area.
ReplyDeleteJ.Crew used to be my go-to place for amazing winter coats but now I fear I may have to find another alternative. The price has remained the same but the quality has definitely declined. Their recent style guide totes the Cocoon Coat as a "10 year coat." It may have been in the past, but I don't think the new Stadium Cloth would last 6 years without looking worse for wear.
I couldn't agree more. The new light purple color is also very "easter egg" to me.
DeleteJ. Crew used to be my favorite place for coats too. I guess I shouldn't say they're not, since I bought two this summer on sale (navy wintress puffer and a double-cloth long peacoat). But I don't want anything they're selling new this season. Maybe it's because I have enough, but usually I'd at least want to buy one of their coats.
DeleteUnknown, I'm not a fan of that lilac color either for a winter coat. They're missing the mark on their colors lately. They tried the yellow and gold Cocoon coats last year and they didn't seem to sell well. Now they have the "hthr french purple", "deep violet", and "spiced orange", in addition to their four neutrals (which I'm glad they keep offering). I predict the spiced orange is going to be the first into the sale section. They used to have more pinks and blues (the deep violet is okay but they've had better in the past). I think a heathered forest green would also sell well. There's a full size run in everything except for the hthr french purple color, though, so I guess that's their most popular so far. Both ends of the size range are sold out but lots in the middle.
REALLY glad I got the Cocoon boucle coat last year. Sounds like the quality of everything is worse and worse. Sad. But I will say that the A-line silk dress I got last month is perfect. So I guess it's hit or miss?
DeleteI am usually the first one to grouse about declining quality at J. Crew, but I was reminded yesterday to keep it in perspective. I don't see any better quality in J Crews main competitors and the focus on "low prices," factory stuff and even the popularity of clearance stores is comparable to other retailers.
ReplyDeleteI received a Lands End fall catalog yesterday and historically I have liked their quality, especially the sweaters and cashmere. But their stuff is horrible this fall - everything is a blend and acrylic is in everything. I've tried to navigate the frump over the years for well- made items, but add them to the heap of "fast fashion" victim retailers, unfortunately like J. Crew. Quality being pretty equal these days, I still prefer J Crew style by far.
I agree, Ruffles. I haven't seen much better amongst their similar price range competitors. I'm not buying much from anywhere lately. It's surprising that Lands End has gone downhill like that. Usually you could count on solid quality from them. I remember they had some nice coats last winter, but I didn't check fabric content.
DeleteI have to agree with you, Ruffles. It's not only at JC -- i see declining quality with many other comparable retailers. I'm seeing a lower wool percentage in coats, rougher-silk (see Anthro), lots of poly (see Loft, AT and Banana -- my gosh, Banana!! The amount of poly they use is indecent. I visited a store for the first time in months and just about every single dress, skirt and top was made of poly.) I, too, prefer JC by far.
DeleteI agree as well!
DeleteTM93, the clothing at Banana and Old Navy (which I know is a lower price point anyway) has become awful!
Couldn't agree more. I too went into Banana last week for the first time in ages and felt like I was in a polyester wonderland.
DeleteYes, Banana needs a special call out for the poly! I am often dismayed at the sea of poly at J Crew Factory, but BR is just as bad.
DeleteIt does make me rethink my assumptions about brands. I always assumed Target was super cheap compared to J Crew, retail and Factory, BR, Anthro, LOFT, LE. But that's not a given any longer. When you compare construction and fabric, there isn't a huge difference among any of them anymore. Are they all using the same manufacturers?
Hi Ruffles (ruffles?) - I posted in the Other Retailers thread that LE is looking for a new CEO. LE and Gap/BR seem to be constantly changing at the top, trying to find somebody to either "bring the brand back" or move it forward. It's too bad that they can't seem to hit the magic formula of design + some kind of quality + price (I'm not saying an item has to last 10+ years, but reviews of things falling apart after one wear/wash... or not lasting long enough to make it to the wash, ouch!).
DeleteJC's got a lot of the design aspect down, but don't act like something's a "have it forever" piece when you haven't constructed it to last more than a season. The only reason we have what some might say are unreasonable expectations of quality is because they're based on older JC pieces that are hanging in our closets. They'd be better off saying, "If you like this, just wait till you see what's coming next month!", and leave any mention of quality out if it. I don't see AT/Loft/Gap brands making any mentions of quality on their site and like you said, they're kind of all the same (in construction/fabric) at this point.
Oh..I see now BR has a page on "Quality and Craftsmanship". Sigh.
Hi silver_lining! Didn't know about the LE CEO but it makes sense. Thanks for sharing and I agree completely. J Crew has had a fairly steady management team and the style aesthetic has reflected that.
DeleteRuffles I had a quick look through the LE catalogue yesterday when it arrived and it was quick because it soon ended up in the recycling. So much acrylic! So much poly, and in their expensive canvas line as well. Ugh. I agree JCrew is still doing it better,and when I wear my favourite clothes I am reminded how much I love/loved the brand. I wore my Robert Noble tweed jacket in green with matching skirt (2006) on Sunday and I had strangers stopping me to compliment me on my outfit. I wore a roll neck silk dress in black with a geometric circle print from 2008 (unlined silk, can't remember the name, love this dress) to my book club and my friends loved it.
DeleteWe have to hang on to our older items, the quality is amazing. I guess this comment could be in the love not vent section. ;)
My older J.Crew and BR pieces will be prised out of my cold, dead fingers, because they'll probably outlive me. I haven't done any serious clothing shopping going on two years now.
DeleteNot a vent, there are more markdowns on the website this morning. I have been waiting for f6458 to go on sale and finally today they went. I really like these earrings. Also the suede Gemma in warm sepia went on sale so I snagged them up.The price is pretty good on these since they were the lower price to begin with. They are cheaper buying them from J.Crew than from the resellers on ebay. Love it when that happens.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Doodle, some nice markdowns in there. Apart from those lovely suede Ceces, I recommend the Sammies in corduroy to anyone who is looking for a new pair of cords. in a different style. The Masala chai color is lovely, and the pink received some great reviews from fellow JCAs. I also personally really liked the leopard cuff-sleeve blouse in silk (bought this and the Sammies about a month ago, at nearly full-price!)
DeleteI wanted the Dutch sky color but they have been sold out in my size for quite some time. I did pick up the pink and brown in store.
DeleteI love the Sammy Chinos. I have not taken mine off yet this fall. I have not tried the cords but the chinos I love. I sized up (I am usually a P00) but the petites were too short so I ordered a 24 and they fit great. LOVE THEM.
DeleteI almost forgot to mention that I had ordered a red bag tag and had it personalized. The letters were crooked and not centered. I am an engraver, by hobby, and that just wears me out when something is not perfect. Of course they allowed me to return it, replaced it and offered for me to get an additional item personalized for free. I ordered the gold bag tag so we'll see if the embossing comes out any better. I just don't understand how they can ship this stuff out when it plainly doesn't look good.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how that got sent, that's nuts.
DeleteSuede Avery heels in colorblock went on sale, so ordered this morning. Thought about the velvet ones in Cabernet that also made it to sale, but decided to wait. Need to make sure this is a trend I want to embrace.
ReplyDeleteAlso snagged them last night.... hope they ship.
DeleteMine shipped & hope yours do too!
DeleteI had to LOL at the "we must really like you...you now have until 10/31 to use your rewards" email I just got. You mean the rewards I haven't yet received, J Crew? #fail Just be honest and admit you and/or Comenity dropped the ball on getting them sent out.
ReplyDeleteAm I crazy? I thought I used my Rewards a month or so ago when I bought the slingback flats. Is it that reward or a new one? (I got the same message.)
DeleteOk-now I'm confused. My account shows a reward was mailed 10/2 (to be delivered in 4-6 weeks). I looked back in a convo I had with Comenity, and here's the schedule they had given me:
Delete1/1-3/31 - reward card is issued in May
4/1-6/30 - reward card is issued in August
7/1-9/30 - reward card is issued in November
10/1-12/31 - reward card is issued in February
Looks like I got the last card around 8/12. It wouldn't have been valid until 10/15, and we're unlikely to receive the 3rd quarter cards until Nov, right?
OT-wonder if Synchrony issues Gap/Banana's rewards? They seem to do a much better job than Comenity
Hi Wendy, that 8/12 Reward is the one that was good till 10/12 (now extended until 10/31). We still haven't received the November rewards (the one that was just mailed in early October.) It's more confusing than it needs to be, that's for sure.
DeleteI think Synchrony does issue Gap family rewards and yeah, they're much better!
Hi Wendy, I agree with the dates that you have (and checked some of my old reward e-mails). The reward would usually expire by the end of the next reward cycle (so the rewards earned from January-March would be issued in May and expire by June 30th). So going by the schedule you listed, the rewards earned from April-June would've been issued in August and expire by September 30th? I don't know what they heck they're doing over at Comenity.
DeleteGap brand rewards make so much more sense, they continually issue them and the rewards last a lot longer.
I checked and I had a $25 reward that I did use but the item was returned (I needed a different size). That shouldn't matter though. It does say another reward was sent 10/2 but I think it's all a mistake.
DeleteThanks, ladies. I also thought the reward received in Aug had expired 9/30. Mine is long gone ;)
Delete@Suz Has, I don't think the 10/2 Reward notice on your statement is a mistake (I have the same notice); according to Wendy's schedule above, that reward should be for 7/1-9/30 period, unless I'm mistaken. (This all just proves that JC reward system is way too complicated! :-p )
DeleteI got the email but I thought I might have already spent it. I couldn't remember, so I called. They said I spent it. So the email isn't tailored for people who haven't used them yet.
DeleteOrdered a shirt on sale and when the package arrived the item number and description on the outside of the plastic bag were correct, but inside the bag was a pair of pants! Crazy. I called and they refunded me but of course the shirt I actually wanted was sold out. Get it together J Crew.
ReplyDeleteSo tired with Canadian shipping, still waiting on a package ordered Oct 4, states possibly arrival on the 18. When J Crew used UPS things were delivered on time every time. I think I am officially done.
ReplyDeleteOrdered three items last week and 2/3 are defective. One is a button up that arrived without it's sewn-in size tag and the other is the Harlow sweater with a HUGE ~0.5in hole in the sleeve. How is this even acceptable?!?
ReplyDelete