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 wish J. Crew would make a medium sized purse. The Signet bags are too small for me and the totes are too big. I had hopes for the Rider bag (only the mini is on the web site now) but I didn't like it in person. I see a couple of hobo bags but it's not a style I need either. So I guess there one medium sized bag (hobo), but I wish there were more options. They seem to have really gone all in on the Signet bag and people seem to like it, but I think I'd be scraping my hands on the zipper all the time and struggling to fit what I need in it.
ReplyDeletei really miss the selection of bags from a few years ago.
Delete@cate, I'd love that as well. Agree that JC is really pushing the Signet bag. I think it's a really nice bag, love the colors and so I bought one with my Rewards last year because it seemed like a good fit. But in my day-to-day life, it's simply too small for my daily needs. I'm constantly on the look for a small/medium crossbody bag, since I also lug my gym bag to work on public transport as well and I'm constantly trying to streamline my belongings. (I have the feeling that I look like a pack mule as it is, what with the big gym bag & purse, haha!) I liked the Ryder bag, too, but it was also too small for me. The never-ending search continues!
DeleteCheck out rebecca minkoff--they've been having really good sales online, bringing the prices to around full price JC-level, and they have a nice variety of styles and sizes. I like this brand because it doesn't have obnxious flashy logos and they also didn't go overboard selling through outlets etc like KS and Coach. I somehow ended up with 5 new RM bags between my bday in November, xmas, and after xmas sales...oops. :P
Deletecate - I saw a promotional piece on upcoming roll outs at JCrew and there are some new purse styles coming out that looked to me to be medium sized. They all have a new style buckle/clasp and looked interesting. I'm with you about the size - I have a signet bag, but it's not large enough a lot of the time. I don't like to be switching purses all the time, so I'm interested in the new styles coming. Not sure where I saw it, or else I would include a link.
DeleteThere is a new style of bag in the march catalog called Edit. It has a buckle in front.
DeleteThanks for the suggestions and for the heads up about upcoming JC bags! One of my favorite oldies is the J. Crew Marceau crossbody bag, with the handle on top and the flap closure. I need to get it cleaned but I have no idea how to do it (anyone know?).
Delete@cate The Edit bag has a handle on top too
Delete@Cass, thanks for the tip about RM bags, as I often don't know where to start looking! I love that you have 5 new bags (one can never have too many!!)
Delete@Ina, will keep an eye out on the new JC bag as well!
Thanks Ina! I hope the catalog is available soon!
Delete@cate yes their sale section isn't quite as full as it was over the holidays so it looks like they sold through a bit, but def check back periodically, or you can search for them at the nicer dept stores (Bloomies, Nordstrom).
Delete@cate Rollout is next week,so catalog should be available on monday
DeleteThe Edit bag sounds a bit like the Edie bag. The Edie is def one of my favorite bags. Can't wait to see the Edit bag, fingers crossed someone will post pictures on Instagram
DeleteI remember the Edie, I think it was rectangular and structured/stiff? The old Marceau is a slouchy soft leather bag. Structured seems to be in now though so that's what I'm expecting to see coming up. I'm so tired of winter stuff (that I mostly haven't been able to wear because it's been warm) and I'm ready to see the spring rollout.
DeleteI agree, the Signet is so cute, but not really a practical size for me. I like Fossil bags, and though I'm not vegan, I have a few Matt & Nat bags that I just love. Their Moxie crossbody has been my go-to for the past two winters.
DeleteNot a vent, but I noticed the Tulle Cardigan is on promo today ($108) before the extra 30% off. Just an fyi as it seems to be popular on here.
ReplyDeletei wish Jcrew went back to some of their more feminine styles without all the bulk or the cool girl extras. i saw the club monaco spring releases today, and while I don't usually like their boxy cuts, they have been having such consistently pretty but simple things with minimalist bows, soft silks, pretty pastels. I have such pretty things from Jcrew past like the parisian glitter flats with silk bows, the short sleeve with a delicate trim, and a ruffle silk without crazy patterns or extra materials. The new items are so over the top, the tulle cardigan is too long and hippy-y, the bow sweater bow is so oversized, and margot tops make me look like a 16th century dutch judge. gah! can i just have some lovely things? hoping the spring rollout has it.
ReplyDeleteI love looking at CM clothes and always want to buy, but yes their fits are really off sometimes. Always beautiful colors and fabrics though. They still use nice tortoise-shell type buttons for their coats too--much more luxe than the tacky gold buttons JC has been putting all over everything lately.
DeleteI got tired of "gold" buttons during the Bush administration. The first one. I had to help my mom change buttons on things she bought on sale that were, as she put it, "otherwise perfectly nice."
Deletewellfedfred, your mom had the right idea. I'm always having buttons changed out on one thing or the other. I'm positive that the seamstress at my dry cleaners thinks that I'm crazy.
DeleteMore of a general gripe than a vent, and not only necessarily directed only at JC, but at other retailers as well: consistency in sizing! I'm grateful for reviews that often advise whether an item 'runs big or small', but I wish there were no such thing in the first place! I wish a Size X was always a size X. I know styling accounts for this sometimes as well, but it just gets so tricky.
ReplyDeleteI bought Pixies in 0 Short last year -- too tight so I hastily returned. I've recently bought the Snap-front Pixies and I bought them in an 0 Regular, sizing down per customer reviews. Now these are too big so I'll exchange for a smaller size, but it's an annoying waste of time/resources. Like many of you, I sometimes order two sizes of an item, but often try to guess the correct fit to prevent a return, etc. Minor issue in terms of everything, but still, grrrr.
Not a vent, just ...weird. Asked my VPS about the stripe sweater skirt featured at Nordstrom already. Priced at $168 if I remember correctly. She couldn't share preview images or anything with me. And when I went back to check Nordstrom it now says product not available. Oops.
ReplyDeleteNordstrom, Net a Porter and J Crew are not always in sync. Quite often Net a Porter has items that are not yet available at J Crew and I noticed the same with Nordstrom. Prices differ too. Nordstrom had the perfect shirt with eyelet trim for $39.50 (vs $88 at J Crew). When I noticed that I immediately ordered it and lo and behold, it shipped. Then it disappeared from the website. Now it's back for $88 #someonescrewedup
DeleteThe sweater is the wool striped short sleeves vneck G1291 $79.50 and the skirt is the wool striped sweater skirt G2669 $128 Both are merino wool. HTH
DeleteThanks, Ina! Don't get why my VPS was so secretive. Honestly, with everything else that's happening in the world, I want my old JCrew reliability and amazing CS back. Makes me feel sad nowadays to be met with inconsistent treatment. (Pouty face)
DeleteFleur de lys- whaaaaat?? You scored!
My vent: my party PJ pants have a rip in a seam, but at least they're not sold out. Not 100 percent sure but I may reach out and see if they can send a replacement. I also posted a few other pics on IG @wearthislikethis including the collection leather Ryder pants and the ladycoat with braided trim.
ReplyDeleteI also posted additional thoughts under this week's reviews.
DeletePurchased a couple of things at fp (that lovely sweater-blazer) but forgot to get the educator discount applied. Went back the next day to get adjustment, got the ever-so-condescending 'it's not our policy but I'll do it for you just this once' line. So I pushed back 'so next time this happens I should just return things?' 'Well no, I'm just telling you our policy' ' But I should just return my purchase, right? Since I'm clearly causing a problem' 'Um...our policy...' it went on like this for a bit. Don't think the SA got it. Either it's a policy or it's not, don't play games. Am I the only one who finds this line deeply irritating? Harrumph.
ReplyDeleteJ.Crew, if you are reading this, I need new Petite Vintage Cotton Tank Tops! Not regular size. I need petite size! Please tell me you have not discontinued them...
ReplyDeleteThere is now a huge "You have been pre-approved for a J. Crew Credit Card" ad on the top of my shopping cart page, and the check out button now has this message: "By continuing with checkout, I acknowledge that I have seen the J.Crew Credit Card offer and would like to proceed with my purchase." The toll-free number they tell you to call to opt out of this offer asks for your social security number. This is sketchy as hell.
ReplyDeleteThat does sound really sketchy.
DeleteOrdered a Cotton Caryn Cardi in Brillant Poppy to replace a worn out Loft sweater in a dusty pink color.
ReplyDeleteCardi arrived and does not pair well with the skirt I intended to pair it with. Turns out, they sent DARK POPPY. Here I thought I messed up again.
Most of the time I don’t make comments on websites, but I'd like to say that this article really forced me to do so. Really nice post!
ReplyDeleteCircle Bag