This is the weekly "Help Style Me!" post, where we can share items we are having trouble putting outfits together with. Elaine (in this
post) says it best, "You know, that thing you
bought because you love it and you keep pulling it
out and then putting it away without wearing it?"Please share your J.Crew item (either that you own or are thinking about getting) that you would love help creating an outfit with.
Also, please help out by offering your styling advice. Feel free to include links to your blog (where you incorporated that piece) or to Polyvore (where you showcased an outfit with that piece). Thanks in advance! :)
This is sort of OT for this post but I was just thinking what if something did happen to our beloved J.Crew??? I have no idea where I would shop? I have been shopping J.Crew exclusively for the last almost 10 years. I was at the mall yesterday looking for a gift for my mother in law and since I don't really shop anywhere else I just didn't realize how bad I thought the clothes and shoes from other retailers looked IMO. I truly don't know what I would do. I have a feeling that some stores are going to close next year and I would die if my local store was one of them. Don't mean to be a downer but...
ReplyDeleteDD, the thought has definitely crossed my mind as well!! My Google app provides links to 'similar articles or topics' that I might be interested in, based on previous reading, so every other week, I find myself reading some alarming financial report about the company's state of affairs. I used to shop exclusively at Banana before coming over to JC and the difference is enormous, on many levels. I, too, wouldn't know where to turn to, should they close. I hope J.Crew is able to right their ship -- fine-tune production schedules (align items to the correct season -- we shouldn't be seeing Thin Cotton Penny tops in a January rollout), maybe offer fewer products with more quality, and figure out whatever else is ailing them. I know we're all rooting for them, of course. Fingers crossed for 2017!
DeleteI've been thinking and worrying about this too lately. The number of 40% off promos while great for us is just so unusual I wonder if it's helping them with cash flow or hurting them in the end. Was it their plan to run these promos or are they getting desperate?
DeleteCurrently I'd say 95% of my wardrobe is Jcrew. I have items that are 10 years old that are still beautiful. While quality has declined I still love many styles and find that their quality is still so much better than comparable brands. I often get compliments on their coats, shoes, clothes.
I don't know where I'd shop without them. Plus I'd really miss their customer service it's like we're in a relationship, they're more than just a retailer. I've been buying a lot lately so I hope I'm helping them. They have to turnaround I'm totally dependent on them for my shopping needs. :)
Such a sad scenario to consider, DD. I would be devastated. Banana is not even remotely a substitute for me.
DeleteIn the super unlikely event that a restructuring wouldn't revive the brand, I think I would just shop much less. I would look for basics at Everlane and LE, upgrade to a very few designer purchases each season, and take VERY good care of my J Crew treasured pieces from years of collecting.
Agree, Jan, know exactly what you mean re) wondering about whether all those promos are hurting or helping them. I was thinking about this and I think they do offer special, quality pieces, but they also offer lower quality items that they overprice and sell for a ridiculous price. The current Tippi price of $30 seems about right, given how quickly the fabric snags, develops holes or fit issues (same size in different colors fits differently). Pricing correctly from the start might help. (Or--offer more quality and sell at a reasonable price. Their chinos start out at $98, I think....)
DeleteAlso, as much as customers enjoy their wacky pricing glitches, it's got to be a big loss on their part. And you'd think if say, 80% of your business is online only (rough guess, no idea what the actual figure is), that you'd make sure to prevent these costly glitches at all costs!
The pricing games -- like Mygoddy mentions below -- customers KNOW everything is going to go on sale, few items will sell out (& even then, usually there's a popback) so why pay full-price?
Lastly, their customer service is great, as are many of their long-time SAs and I would miss both, as I know many of us would. Hopefully they can figure out a magic formula that keeps everyone happy! :-)
That would be a nightmare DD. I feel bad for those who have already suffered the loss of a store in an area. Employees and customers both! Here lately I am doing my part to keep those cash registers ringing but my closest store never seems to have what I am looking for so I am mostly shopping online.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am doing my part as well. Most of what I have bought has been online or shipped from another store. My local store looks dismal right now. You know J.Crew doesn't decorate the inside of their stores that much and I really don't think that helps. I think they should make their stores look more festive at Christmas time.
DeleteJ Crew is a favorite for me because of the collaborations i.e. Drake and Collection. There are still gems every season; the challenge is the promo environment that has come to characterize the brand and quality. I don't buy regular price; I just wait because there's going to be a sale or a popback eventually. Nothing that I want ever seems to really be "sold out." As an example, I ordered Collection candy stripe sequin skirt on sale with an extra 50% off. It's a beauty and can be worn as a maxi or strapless dress. I haven't had many issues with quality but know it's a legitimate concern that continues to come up. I've dealt with it recently on a few items, including an Italian cashmere hoodie that developed holes at both wrists after 1 wear; I thought J Crew had mistakenly created thumb holes :(. My tailor repaired for $5, but still. I'm definitely cheering for the brand because it's about 50% of my closet and I love how J Crew mixes so well with other brands I wear. J Crew is also a great option for holiday gifts; for the past 3 years I've given J Crew to my mom, aunts, cousins and tweenagers. Everything has been a hit.
DeleteI definitely would be devastated if JCrew can't make it. I rely on them for most of my clothing. Their petite blazers and coats, their tremendous us selection of patterned blouses, the fun necklaces and their petite wool pencil skirts are all favorites which no one else is making in such variety and quality-especially at their price point. They provide a style and look which I feel I can look current in and age appropriate at the same time. I am hoping JCrew can rebound. I recognize they had to sell at 40% off this season but they have moved a lot of merchandise as seen with so many items sold out. Wishing J Crew a successful 2017!
ReplyDeleteI don't think J.Crew as a brand will go anywhere anytime soon...it's so entrenched in pop culture, I imagine even if J.Crew went bankrupt and restructured and that didn't work, that someone would be willing to buy the brand.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is I would seriously give up 50% of my current wardrobe for just one lovely J.Crew cashmere sweater from the days of yore when their cashmere was out of this world. Of all the quality and fit issues lately, that is what I miss the most!
I would be sad too but agree that even if they declare bankruptcy they will restructure and still be around for the time being. I also admit that about 90% of my wardrobe is J. Crew and would not know where to go. Being 40 I am stuck between young and old and it is hard to other places to shop. I stopped buying at banana completely. Everything is poly or a gross blend. I can still find silk, cotton, wool and cashmere at the crew at a reasonable price, especially with sales. I wish it was better quality but it is still better than some. I am curious if the almost constant 40% off everything since Thanksgiving week will help or hurt them in the long run. Will people now just not buy and wait for a repeat of that promo. I know JCA's won't but the average customer might.
ReplyDelete@JessF, Banana is the worst in terms of abusing poly. The worst! I'm surprised they haven't figured out a way to make shoes using that stuff. *shudders*
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DeleteI don't know, JCA-types are the most experienced with the promos and pricing shenanigans in the first place. I CONSTANTLY see people here ordering online to do a size check, returning things to a B&M, and waiting for things to go on sale/stacking promos and card member bonuses, etc.
DeleteActually, based on sales volume, I wonder if their "average" customer might look more like a JCA in the first place.
OT: I grumbled about the lack of availability of non-tiny sizes for the Embellished Bee tippi before (under a different name); someone recently bought a size M off ebay for $225+shipping. I can't help but feel J.Crew is really missing out by not having restocked this. (Or maybe they have reordered but it just takes that long to get new stock?)
(I paid $93 for mine, so I guess this is one item I would be willing to pay MSRP, but my first JC item was a Perfect Tee from a consignment store, and my next items were discounted Perfect Tees, and then there were a bunch of ebayed sweaters. I don't think I'm their average shopper.)
OT can anyone comment on the sizing of the Collection pleated silk dress item f9223? I'm either a 8 or a 10 and I have dresses from J Crew in both sizes, there are no reviews.
ReplyDeleteAnna Maria, 'jcrewmycrew' reviewed this dress on IG. I think she said it was tts.
DeleteLots of shoes in previously sold out sizes are back on the website. Might be worth it to take a look.
ReplyDelete