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.
VENT: Madewell'S site: image quality is always pretty bad, but now I can't even see half the image. I'm on an iPad and haven't been able to look at the site for several days.
ReplyDeleteYES!
DeleteSame here on my android. That is, when I'm not getting "oops, appears that something went wrong" error messages.
Delete"No Brainers?" No bueno.
ReplyDeleteExactly, when I saw that yesterday it was such a turn-off. Me thinks the fair J.Crew doth protest too much. If you have to tell me it's a no-brainer, well.....maybe it just ain't so?
DeleteAgreed. It makes me feel like I have no brains if I buy a "no brainer."
DeleteYes! As someone who relies on critical thinking for a living (any other humanities academics out there?) I find this insulting and patronizing. I can make my own decisions, but thank you for the shortcut, JCrew *eye roll*
DeleteNo-Brainer!!??? To me this feels like a completely "tone deaf" piece of marketing copywriting in an environment where many are talking and writing about more mindful purchases, thoughtful wardrobe acquisitions and getting realistic and less fantasy life/aspiration driven about their clothing purchases. I like many am working to get off the "gravy" train!
DeleteI was comparing JC "no-brainer" pitch to marketing comments recently by Icebreaker NZ, a company that makes merino wool outdoor, lifestyle and athletic wear. They talk of the need to design clothing that is "relevant" to people's lifestyles both now when you purchase and still in a few years time. (Amazingly they offer a no questions 12 month warranty on garment quality and wear and a lifetime warranty on socks!!)
Is the no-brainer angle a merchant princely diktat proclaimed from the JC ivory tower telling us what to buy? The marketing world has moved on, companies now are tripping over themselves to build "communities" and follow and engage "influencers". Top down marketing is being challenged by social media. JC has a lot of loyal fans and supporters who want them to be successful and stay in business, yet seems to be deaf to groundswell commentary.
eg Petites needing to buy tall sizes, late-to-the game NB athletic line (now mostly in sale section), pushing a trend long or with too many pieces (exposed zips, dropped shoulders, postage mini skirts, now OTS).
Having vented all this, my brain says the eyelet sundress is a relevant piece and I can buy into the copywriter's " universally flattering silhouette" blurb .
Will drink the Crewlade again as soon as Canada gets decent promotions comparable to the USA!
GoWest, "get off the gravy train" just cracked me up :)
Delete@GoWest, very well said! I was thinking the same thing last night as I read a Reddit thread for Outlier. Outlier is a small, Brooklyn-based clothing maker. Their clothes are pretty expensive but apparently very well made (I've never seen them myself, just read about them), and the level of discourse on the thread was quite good. Someone representing Outlier frequently answers questions (perhaps even the owner/founder?), and it's very thoughtful and honest. A world away from "Freak out" and "No brainer" lists"
DeleteI was instantly turned off as well, maybe they meant to say "No brainer dressing ideas"? I get that some catch phrases work better with social media applications but it undermines any attempt to try professional or sophisticated, I would expect to see this at Old Navy.
DeleteInteresting -the “No-Brainers” (uggh) section for women says “Great style at great prices”, while the men’s section says “The quality we’re known for, now at better prices”.
DeleteVery disappointed that Canada is being excluded from so many promotions these days. US gets 40% off sales, we get zilch.
ReplyDeleteCanadian (Lesser) promos...need I say more. Not buying J CREW!!!
ReplyDeleteRuffles, tulle, juvenile (or elderly) prints, potentially cute shorts that are only 3" inseams, OTS saturation, no casual pants without rips, patches or elastic, no petite offerings in midi lengths, no tall offerings in mini lengths.
ReplyDeleteIf your list was an answer on Jeopardy, might the correct question be, 'What is a recipe for retail failure?' 😟
DeleteHee! You guys nailed it. I shouldn't be laughing because it's a sad way to do business.
DeleteYes, yes, yes, my exact thoughts on the current offerings.
DeleteTo those of you who teach business, marketing or a similar subject, that phrase would be a great way to start a case study for a class.
DeleteFactory pricing - with the latest promo, the total of the items in my shopping bag has increased by $4.
ReplyDeleteJ.Crew, let's get this straight. I am a customer, not a philanthropist. You are a merchant, not a qualified charity.
Mine said May 1 for a size 5.5/white color
Deletedang it! My Tretons are backordered until May 8th. Anybody else in this boat? Also my orders are taking forever to be shipped. It seems some are taking two weeks to get to me.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I placed 2 orders. The first order I selected the pick up in store option. When I placed the 2nd order a half hour later, I tried to select the pick up in store option again, but I wasn't allowed to select the store from the first order. I thought this was very strange.
ReplyDelete@st, that's happened to me as well. I'm wondering whether they limit the amount of shipments they send to stores, for the stores' sake (since the stores tend to unpack & wrap up each package, etc.) I like the system but it still seems to have some kinks in it somehow.
DeleteThis happened to me last night as I was trying to check out with a popback I've been stalking for a while. Of course it sold out while I clicked through 'ship to store' to find the only store in my city I could select was one across town (no thanks). C'est la vie.
DeleteI think this is a horrible mistake. Jenna Lyons made me love J.Crew. Yes, it got a little overly expensive at some point, perhaps a little TOO couture, but overall, she has such a great, fresh sense of style. Now J.Crew is nothing but another Gap. I'm really disappointed with what is being produced these last couple years and especially now. https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/04/04/fashion/j-crew-jenna-lyons.html?mc=aud_dev&mcid=keywee&mccr=dommob&kwp_0=377021&kwp_4=1399700&kwp_1=616446&referer=http://m.facebook.com
ReplyDeleteJenna has been in charge and overseeing what has been produced the past couple of years as well.
DeleteNot a huge vent, and I know it's not realistic, but I really wish petite sizes were available in store. It is so annoying to find a love in store, but need the petite size, then not be able to buy it with a promo card because it's only for in-store purchases.
DeleteMy online order usually take a week-10 days to arrive but I am totally fine with that.
Jenna brought cool to J.Crew.
DeleteJust looked back on vent threads... During her tenure as President and Chief Creative Spirit, Jenna brought serging instead of seamed finishing, thin fabrics, see-through tees that spontaneously develop holes, skimpy hems, anonymous blends, plastic thread, tiny seam allowances, mystery metal jewelry, synthetic shoe soles and linings, wildly inconsistent sizing, and a culture of skimp and skeeve. Oh, yeah, fair's fair - she also gave us daytime sequins and feather skirts.
DeleteAt 5:43 a.m. I am typing while wearing a pair of pull on J Crew beach shorts from 2003 and a cotton roll neck sweater from 1992 {Yes, I'm old} and both are loved and with some battle scars but they are both in decent shape. I think Jenna brought J Crew into the media spotlight, which may have helped introduce new buyers who fell in love with the brand, but I want less glitz and glamour and clothes that last with without sequins and feathers. On Easter I worn a cotton skirt with a ribbon that weaves around the waist that I have had for a while but when I looked at the label and it said Spring 05 I wondered how many recent purchases I would still be wearing 12 years later that still looked as new and fresh as this cotton skirt. Sorry for the rant, I'm feeling old this morning and frustrated that I can't find things to wear anymore. This is the first roll out that I can remember that I wanted nothing, not even on sale, and I'm kind of sad about it.
Delete@TeriLynn13, I love hearing about older items! I have a number as well that still look great and are of excellent quality. I'm 41 and the recent offerings have been making me feel old. While there are some items that I really like i feel that many look more juvenile or aimed at a younger crowd. I've been shopping Jcrew loyally for over 10 years and miss when pieces that seemed timeless and appropriate for many ages were the norm.
Deleteyou're singin' to the choir, ladies! I have brought home probably 100 items in the last 2 months...clothing, shoes, accessories....and kept maybe 10. Mostly shoes. Under scrutiny I find how thin the fabric is, how lacking in seaming and other fit details the garment is, how short everything is.....I've gotten tired of all the trying and returning. The best stuff comes from the Crew...but I'm still returning things. This has me doing more ebay shopping and thrift shopping for older clothing...J Crew and otherwise. I've been looking for a nice ankle length black skirt with a little flow for easy walking. What I've found has been elastic or drawstring waists, boho lacy things, sheer, poly....nothing with simplicity or styling. Yesterday I found it...in the thrift store. 100% silk (that matte chiffon type silk) lined ankle length with a real waist band and fitted through the waist and hips but nicely A lined out to the hem. Perfect. $6.99. I don't know how you feel about thrifting or ebay shopping, but I find it fun and you can be more creative with your style (because there is so much to choose from) than what the industry is telling us we are supposed to be wearing this season. If your style isn't what's "in style" for the season, you have to get creative.
DeleteJenna was completely marginalized these last few years, in response, apparently, to consumers who don't want true fashion. She introduced partnerships with very high quality, high end companies and European mills and manufacturers. I feel like a lot of people commenting just want "the old days." I was in junior high when jcrew put out its first catalog. It was like Land's End, basically. Very preppy, a lot of wool sweaters. Quality? Sure, but fashion is ever-evolving and changing. I am disappointed that jcrew is going backwards. I love aspirational catalogs and being introduced to new companies and seeing innovative styling. But I guess I am in the minority. Jcrew is over with this move.
DeleteBut J.Crew is a mass retailer, and the masses want "normal" (maybe with a "twist") not necessarily "true fashion." Jenna will do well at a smaller label where she can find a niche market that appreciates her quirky style. I definitely don't want staid and boring, but there needs to be a good balance.
DeleteAt any given moment, I may or may not feel like wearing sequins or other embellishments, but I never feel like wearing see-through silk blouses to an office meeting, not do I enjoy the sensation of risk created by unfinished hems, misplaced or suddenly missing buttons, etc. - whether at an office, a festive occasion or at a dive bar. Jenna was company president when the decline in quality snowballed, and the decline was at all levels, from website copy to CS scripts ( does anyone else remember "but pilling is a sign of high quality cashmere" ?), to breakaway seams. I'm gloomy about J.Crew's prospects, but I don't see that Jenna's departure will make a significant difference. There was a little video of Somsack "styling" jeans on IG this morning - demonstrating the "step hem" where both hems are snipped off and then an extra inch is taken off the front hem and then both hems are frayed. This is capitalism at work, since the jeans will have to be replaced the very next season. Or sooner when the owner wakes up from coma.
Delete@Sarah Folz, I was just saying the same thing to my fave SA today when I came in to make a return. I told her that I had placed an order online since I need Petite sizing. I'd love to be able to buy some things in store. She agreed and said that she'd been emailing the company to say the same - she said she wished at least one of the NYC locations offered special sizing. Anyways, I received a Bounce back card after my return, maybe I'll use it on a tee.
ReplyDelete@TM93 it is rather surprising to learn than no NYC locations carry special sizes. That must translate to lost business. Since the crew already ships some items from retail locations, perhaps they could pick a few strategic locations to stock the special sizes and help fulfill online and phone orders. They could keep them 'in back'. Stock seems to be such an issue with JC. In store I am forever being urged to buy the right size, even in Regular, over the phone because they don't have it. Or pieces I'm interested in aren't being carried at all. Or I want Petite. If I really want something, I will track it down, buy they mud lose sales from the kind of people that need an occasion-specific piece and don't want to wait 10 days for it to arrive in the mail JUST TO TRY IT ON. I know the heart of J Crew is catalog, but it is a bit aggravating to make the trek to the store only to have to pay up front to have an item sent for trial. So, this is a vent after all ;)
ReplyDeleteHope you find something worth the bounceback card in store, TM93.
Yea, the NYC stores used to carry special sizes, but they discontinued that when the policy of carrying Specialty changed across all stores. Stinks. Someone pointed out that Specialty sizing seems to sell out first (or at least entirely, eventually) so we were wondering whether that's due to demand, or whether JC is simply ordering smaller numbers for Specialty sizing.
DeleteYou're absolutely right that they're losing business to all this -- between ordering multiple sizes in hopes of getting the right one, to the ordering-the-wrong-one/return/re-order cycle, or ordering just to try on, I can see how many customers might be tempted to give up. I just posted a review for an item that I don't see in-store -- I'd like to try it again, but don't want to bother with the whole cycle.
Thanks for the Bounceback thoughts! :-) I hope we both find something really good in store one of these days!
They briefly had petite sizes in one Seattle area store. But they did not really invest much space or inventory into it and it was all pulled. I think if they had made a real effort to have a helpful number of styles in stores it would have been more successful. Loft seems to have found the right balance of what to carry in store for petite sizes.
DeleteTwo mini reviews from the new roll-out for anyone who is curious. I ordered and received:
ReplyDeleteStriped tie-waist top (item G4004) in Blue White. The fabric is thin, but it'll be nice for hot summer days. The tie-waist belt was a bit cumbersome -- both in terms of getting it on and wrapping it properly. The belt tends to bunch up rather than lay flat in the back (front was fine).
Length: I definitely don't have a long torso, but this shirt is too short on me in the Regular size. The last button above the belt hits above my belly button. I thought of Stray Cat when I put this on -- it's an 'S&M' shirt (meant for 'Standing & Modeling') b/c it fits fine when I'm standing and the adjustable belt help define my waist a bit. It also adds a few more inches of fabric to cover your torso. When I sit the whole look is undone & it accentuates parts of my belly that I would rather keep behind the scenes. As the description says, it will work best w/ high-waisted items (sat nicely above a pencil skirt), but offered some skin views w/ my mid-rise jeans. I see that the Tall is longer, but I'm not sure if this is worth exchanging.
Sizing: seems TTS to slightly big. I sometimes take a 4 in Regular but was able to take a 2 in this w/ no fit issues in the armpit or gaping at the bust.
Review 2 is for Ruffle-front top (item G5502) in Navy. Fit is TTS, took my usual t-shirt size. Cotton felt nice and sturdy, not too heavy. I liked the button detail in the back, but the rest of it didn't work for me. The 'exaggerated ruffles' lived up to their name and stood up proudly down either side of my chest and on my shoulders. The overall effect, however, was comical -- I looked like a butterfly with its wings sewn on backwards. The worst part was the shoulders --they made my already broad shoulders look really severe and I kinda looked like some sci-fi heroine, Star Trek extra. I think this shirt is actually nice and will look good on certain figures -- I'm just way too short/medium build to pull it off.
That's it for now. Curious to hear what others think of the eyelet dress! Mine arrives on Friday....
Re the tie waist shirt: so this is one they chose to make in Petite. These will probably malinger in Final Sale then. Which is why JC is, I'm guessing, producing less special sizes, to address your earlier comment. Maybe there's more demand, but with the general retail downward spiral, I doubt it. Years ago I would get fantastic deals even before all this promo madness, because I needed smaller Petite sizing, and that is what was usually leftover. I am not seeing that anymore. It's still the case with Regular XXS, but the Petites tend to sell for a higher price and sell out these days.
DeleteThat was totally my concern with the tie waist shirt. I didn't notice they made them in tall. I'll look at the measurements.
DeleteAnd your description re: the ruffles is really funny.
Delete@TM93, your description is hilarious, thank you for the laugh this rainy morning. :) I was interested in that ruffle top in navy but had concerns and you've now saved me a return. :)
DeleteTM93.....ha! I've added to JCrews growing list vocabulary list! Yes...I figured that waist tie shirt would be fine if you're just S&M-ing.....If it's too short for you, it'll be grossly inappropriate for an old lady like me! Thanks for the review. ANOTHER item going back!
DeleteThanks, all, I'm glad I was able to provide some chuckles and some helpful info as well!
Delete@Suz Has, you probably saw by now, but for anyone else looking at the Tall measurements for this top, it's about two inches longer than the Regular (so 21 VS the 19 for Regular.) I'm not going to exchange mine, prefer to wait something i REALLY love. (It's a nice piece, with the right fit, it feels a little special, but it's just not a total love/MUST-have, can't-wait-to-wear type of piece for me.)
PS, if anyone else tries the Exaggerated Ruffle, I'd love to hear your thoughts as well! I tried it on a 2nd time for good measure and i just couldn't take it off fast enough! If I stood with my hands on my hips, i looked like a character in the movie who was about to conquer another planet. :-p
I saw that and think I'd need the tall. I'll wait for sale since I don't need another white shirt. :)
DeleteStar Trek Extra butterfly with its wings sewn on backward. Oh my, thanks for that! If I need to pull off that look I know where to turn lol!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to what Jenna does next. Just hope I can afford it!
ReplyDeletehttp://nypost.com/2017/04/08/how-jenna-lyons-got-too-big-for-j-crews-britches/
As long as the britches stop fading or coming apart at the seams 😁
Delete