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.
I'm personally not too wild about this rollout but I did like the Scalloped minis. My closet has enough pencil skirts and I like a mini/A line style. The problem is it is 17 1/2 inches long which is so short. I'm 4' 10" and that's too short for me to wear to the office, especially without tights. I thought the Corduroy Mini was short at 18" but this length puts it out of reach of a lot of people. The chambray version isn't offered in tall right now.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! How about some casual skirts that aren't mini, midi or super full?
DeleteI actually like some of the midi skirts because they can be an excellent option for a tall woman like myself.
DeleteDid anyone order from the paint splatter limited edition. Thoughts on any of the items?
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be sold out. For now...
Yikes, I really hated the paint splatter items. I appreciate the artist and story in the catalog but to give so much space to this trend, not sure that was a great idea. I have a hard time thinking of wearing any of it in public without being barraged by questions of what I am painting or strange looks (and not the the wow, that's really different but cool looks).
DeleteI loathe it, and could barely bring myself to continue reading the style guide. Blecch.
DeleteJC, could we please have a style guide/rollout where a model doesn't have an item of clothing between her teeth?
ReplyDeleteOR (I haven't seen the latest style guide, just a general observation about the model pics online) how about some shots where the model doesn't have a top / sweater tucked in awkwardly, most times a "shame-tuck" of sorts? It's kind of difficult to determine fit when I know I will not be wearing said garment in the same sloppy way.
DeleteI generally assume the stylist is trying to cover up a fit issue with that. Either the garment doesn't fit the model or the cut is odd.
DeleteI agree Taylor. If they want to have a staged shot of the garment with their half tuck or whatever they're promoting that is fine but they also need to have a non tucked in straight on shot so you can see the length of the actual garment.
DeleteYes, like what's with shirts tied around waists on the product shots online? I know it's cute for the style guide but in product shots it's better to see the line of the clothing without hands, sweaters, etc in the way.
DeleteI got 2 of the items I ordered from last week's 30% off promo and they are both going back. The button back cashmere sweater is fine but just meh. The back buttons are nice but from the front it's just an unremarkable sweater and I find 3/4 sleeves to be less flattering on me because they created a larger horizontal block with the hem of the sweater (rather than full sleeve breaking it up) and make me look wider. Also I liked the bell sleeve top when I tried it on in-store but at home it just seemed sloppy looking to me with all the extra sleeve fabric. I don't really *need* any new clothes so I guess I should just be happy to save the money. Still waiting for my collection pink trousers to ship; maybe those will work out.
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ReplyDeleteMy package which was scheduled for delivery today didn't arrive. I just rechecked tracking and now it's coming tomorrow. Grrrr.
ReplyDeleteI just am not into the silhouettes/styles being offered right now. I don't like bell sleeves or paint splatters or off the should tops or full skirts or minis that are too short. I loved the colors on the new striped dress but will not do poly. In a way I am glad I don't like very much as it is helping me stay with my goal of shopping less this year. I placed my only order in Feb. yesterday for two cheap pop backs because of free shipping and used some of my rewards card. Hopefully upcoming releases wills have more for me to love.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a broken record continuously complaining rollout after rollout but I feel the same. I don't care for off-the-shoulder looks & they're everywhere again for spring. Nor do I like bell sleeves & I can't do mini-skirts at 36 + 5'7". It's not just the Crew, though - these silhouettes are everywhere.
DeleteTotally agree, and no, it's not just JCrew. I was in Anthro last week and their enormous sale rack was chock-a-block with off-the-shoulder and cold-shoulder styles. Did it not occur to any product managers that in cold climates people want to cover up? Kind of like the one-shoulder sweaters they're showing in the JC NYFW stuff -- if it's cold enough to wear that sweater, it's too cold to be have your upper body exposed like that. The off-the-shoulder tops are really cute for SUMMER, but even then, I'd consider buying one, not multiples in every fabric and colour (unlike say.....pencil skirts, where I can get lots and lots of wear out of them).
Delete^^^ This has been my ongoing vent with the constant churning out of cropped pants for fall/winter, esp. styled with open-toe shoes.
DeleteYes! I live in Chicago. My ankles need to be covered. Shoulders, too. I noticed that J Crew tends to make the same prints in so many different styles that I think we all get print fatigue. Example, the new Liberty print with the white background. I love it but don't think we need a jacket, off the shoulder shirt, button up shirt and sleeveless top in the same print. Liberty of London has SO MANY gorgeous fabrics. Pick a few different prints! OK, sorry. Vent over.
DeleteSecond the motion!
Delete+1 to the off the shoulder stuff! I'm in Wisconsin, so they don't make much sense most of the year here. I also suspect they may look dated in a few seasons (kind of like my brain immediately stamps a date on peter pan collar stuff). I think it's a really pretty cut, but in my own wardrobe, I can't see myself reaching for those things in 5 years.
DeleteThe paint splatter seems like a prank! I couldn't believe they put those in the catalog with a straight face. Anyone could make something like that if they wanted to. And it's not worth the money they want for it, either. I don't get it. There were a couple of ok pieces but nothing remarkable. Also, it's only February-- I've never understood these companies that think everyone goes on a beach vacation in February.
DeleteNot a vent, just wondering about the Xerces Society Save the Bees T-shirt. It was excluded from last week's promotion -- are the Xerces tees always excluded from promotions since some of the proceeds are going to charity?
ReplyDeleteYes, usually the jcrew for good items are excluded from promo for exactly the reason you mentioned. The teach for America items and the David sheldrick elephant items are also always excluded. HTH!
DeleteDarn, that's what I thought. I do love that Bees tee! Thanks for the info.
DeleteWhy so many linen blazers every year? I wish J.Crew would make different colored cotton blazers for the warmer weather! I love their cotton suiting blazers but some other-than-basic colors would be fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI like the cotton blazers too, maybe in a fitted style. Would buy at full price
DeleteAgree!
DeleteMy latest gripe: I really hate narvar. So much so that it may start deterring me from ordering online anymore. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Narvar is so so so utterly unhelpful. It's becoming a deterrent.
DeleteI ordered an item that was backordered until 2/7....it's 2/15 and it hasn't shipped. I emailed customer service, and received the most unhelpful reply imaginable: "I see that your shipment is being prepared. Although I can't guarantee an exact ship date, you will receive an email with tracking information once it does ship." Umm....I already knew all that. That's why I emailed you. Argh.
ReplyDeleteMoody's new list of downgraded "zombie retailers" whom they say are teetering between life and death, includes J Crew. Also Toms. 11 in all. The article I read said that debt-restructuring moves such as J Crews IP off shoring to the Cayman Islands don't change the end game, but investors want to believe a turnaround is possible so they hang on. I'm hanging on, too, I guess.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a betting woman, I would bet they don't survive. A comment on their FB page of the recent Fashion Week presentation said, "Coming soon to a clearance rack near you." I thought it was incredibly apropos. Everything is so heavily discounted so quickly. And even at a heavily discounted price, most things are such poor quality, they are not even worth that. I'm officially finished after the 2-3 things I purchased during the holiday season look like rags after wearing them. I haven't purchased anything from J. Crew since December. I still check this page and the new arrivals, but mostly out of curiosity rather than to purchase.
DeleteI haven't found a replacement, but I'm thinking I'll try to go the whole year without purchasing and then figure out what I need in my wardrobe and fill holes with much higher quality items. Less is more, I think.
I'm hanging on, too. Plenty of retailers out there & no doubt I'd find another eventually, but right now, JC is still my fave. Ack! (side note: zombie retailers, hahaha! I went to JC this past Sat to return some pants and look for a shirt that my husband wanted -- was really quiet in there, not much staff either. That's probably typical for any store on a Saturday evening in winter, but still.)
DeleteI see WSJ has an article about this but says that by these retailers not just dying, they are holding the rest of the industry back. Not sure how that is supposed to work...if JC goes out of business there will be more empty mall space...meaning even fewer mall visitors...hurting other stores too.
Deletehttps://www.wsj.com/articles/retail-zombies-haunt-industry-1487152981#livefyre-toggle-SB12580892754490123402004582622163005890518
@Beverly yeah the reception to the NYFW stuff on their FB was about 90% negative. But the spring presentation was pretty bad too and the stuff they have actually put into production seems a lot more normal. Though I feel like they would create more excitement around the brand if they did more likable stuff for the NYFW presentations.
Delete@Cass I rarely go to the local mall anymore since J Crew closed three years ago. There are a lot of empty stores and the mall just fills them up with crap. The Limited space is now filled by a brewery collectibles shop. Yeah, no thanks.
Delete@shopalot, lol, yeah that what I mean. I don't see how more stores going out of business is going to help the rest of the industry? I guess less competition but then you have these critical mass problems. The malls that are going to survive are the ones who can find enough Dave & Busters and Cheesecake Factory-type places to take up the empty spaces.
DeleteThis makes me so sad, but at the same time it's completely understandable. They continue to churn out "trendy" pieces that have no appeal to their customer base. While I personally love the tulle skirt, where/when am I actually going to wear that?? When the majority of your offerings is stuff that 9/10 of your customers won't wear, honestly what do you expect? I feel like if they just refocused on the basics - nice shirts, pants, sweaters, work and play dresses, etc and threw in a few trendy pieces here and there, they'd be soooo much better! And the fabric choices!! I don't want poly at these prices. //end rant
DeleteOn the (side) topic of NYFW, is showing there not a smart cost for JCrew to cut? I get that it's a prestige and marketing tool, but for a struggling mall brand, is it a smart use of their dollars?
Delete@Wendy they've probably cut down that cost a bunch already by switching to "real people" models rather than professional models for the show.
DeleteI'm hoping and praying that Jcrew pulls through. I honestly don't know where I'd shop without them. On a positive note, there has been good press about their party wear line that is replacing the bridal line.
DeleteReturned a damaged coat to my local store, and they helped me place a replacement order. The coat was a bit cheaper, but they didn't adjust the price down. Fine. 4 days later I receive shipping notification, and the coat was to be delivered the next day. It was coming from my local store. If you guessed it was the same coat, shoved in a brown envelope in a ball, you get a cookie.
ReplyDeleteCS's solution, when I mentioned I needed it right away was "wear the one you have and when you're done with it return it." Mmmmmmmmno.
WT actual F. They sent you the same DAMAGED coat? They didn't send it back to the distribution center, or mark it down & put it with the sale items? That's email to Mr Drexler-worthy, IMO.
DeleteWow! What are they smoking?
DeleteI'm so sorry, that's awful yet kind of hilarious at the same time.
DeleteI left out the best part. The coat was supposedly "sold out everywhere" but I made 3 calls and found it. I called CS to call the store to send it to me overnight and at least honor the sale price but she said she couldn't do it. She pre-returned my coat and said I had to order it on my own. Good thing the store was understanding!
DeleteDon't you sometimes think that J.Crew is its own worst enemy? Besides the financial geniuses who convinced Dear Leader that creditors would be easier to please than shareholders, I mean.
DeleteDo you want to shame the local store by naming it? I just can't see my store ever doing this. I also would have called back for a different CS rep...I feel like the ones I have dealt with would have done free overnight ship and price match. Def email Mickey!
DeleteThat is pretty bad. Not as terribly, I returns a 0 in the long-sleeved striped maxi dress and bought a 00. The second one arrives rather rumpled and with no tag. Still a bit questionable to me.
DeleteWow, the shipping options are just all horrible. Their new push is to have you order to a B&M store near you for "free" shipping. If you spend $5, it still takes over a week to get to you. It's so chintzy. Why is it now taking so long for them to ship stuff? Today is Saturday. If I spent the $25 "overnight" shipping fee, it would be here Tuesday! How is that overnight? That is four days away! I don't think JC understands that other companies are willing to go above and beyond with shipping, especially if you are willing to pay for it. I only bought one thing during this sale- the pop stripe skirt. We'll see if it works. I wanted to get a dress shirt but the new website doesn't provide photos or details on whether a shirt has French cuffs or not.
ReplyDeleteWeekends are hard for "overnight" shipping b/c things don't go out until Monday at that point
DeleteThis shows you how little I have been paying attention to JC lately. I just have been shopping elsewhere. But I just learned today about the VPS all being fired and now I see that they are not going to offer party/wedding attire anymore. In fact, they are getting out of tailored clothing and getting into "athleisure." Apologies if you already know this. I am just blown away! https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/fashion/weddings/j-crew-shutters-its-bridal-business.html?_r=0
ReplyDeleteI bought chino pants that turned out to be "broken in"--not mentioned in the description online nor in the pictures. Called up, got a refund.
ReplyDelete