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.
Dear J.Crew,
ReplyDeleteGot your email about the new arrivals for EVERY BODY type. Nope, where is the petite and tall sizing?
Sincerely,
Bored
Totally agree. Also, the new sizes go up to size 32?? Like 5x? Are that many people that large? I just do not relate at all to this brand anymore. Between eliminating catalogs, cheapening the quality of the materials and now this, I am doing my shopping elsewhere and thinking about cancelling my JCrew card. They can't even get the sizing right lately on their existing sizes.
DeleteAmerican Observer - two thoughts:
Delete∆ - yes, many women would be happy to see attractive, well-made clothing in a 5X. Sadly, given recent history, it’s unlikely that they’ll find such rare treasures on the J.Crew site.
∆ - actually, considering J.Crew’s wild and wayward approach to the un-relationship of size tag to actual size, it’s less and less likely that anyone will find the size she thinks she should look for. 5X, like 4P or 8, like 12 or 000, isn’t even a statement of intention.
Sounds like you are unaware of the new announcement about their extreme plus size line that is promising to go up to 5x. I don't relate to that at all and if there really are that many people who are that size, we are in the midst of a huge health crisis. I definitely already ahrea with you about J.Crew's inability to this point to get any size correct and in fact, they have been making everything larger and larger, which has resulted in a lot of returns from me. They don't know who their base is and by trying now in desperation to appeal to everyone, they are alienating long time customers.
Deletebut do ladies who need 5X even know that's an option at jcrew? and it's a very limited option at jcrew. i like the idea of expanding the size range a bit, but i think 5X might be too much? especially since jcrew is having issues just getting their "classic" sizing down right.
Deletethey continue to try and change...when all we loyal shoppers want them to be the way they were 3-4 years ago.they are failing. this will not attract new customers...the larger size options may be welcomed but the styles are terrible. IMO
DeleteHi @The American,
DeleteThe CDC published this alarming statistic:
Average Women:Waist circumference in inches: 38.1
Of course there are many people larger than average, just as there are smaller than average.
Interesting to note that along with the overall increase in weight, the shape of the curve has also changed. The heaviest people are gaining size faster than the average.
We are in the midst of a health crisis, but even so, people do continue to wear clothing.
I do not know if the very largest people are a viable market for J Crew. But based on my unscientific personal experience of the people I see in my corporate office, there might well be a market for 1X - 3X.
The average woman’s size apparently is 16-18....
Deletehttps://www.google.nl/amp/s/www.thelist.com/105630/truth-average-womens-clothing-size/%3famp=1
I think it's great they're going up to 5X, but it seems like it might be just a limited collaboration. I wonder if they're committed to it. I hope they are.
DeleteI love when any company expands their size range to larger options. but fir gosh sakes....make it look good. J Crew has made a huge mistake ...with awful styles in this new line. IMO
Delete@theamerican, I’m well aware of the larger items JC put on the site this a.m. My point was the things look floppy, poorly constructed, and I’ll-thought-out. So, no, I don’t think women with good taste and a serious interest in fashion will be drawn to J.Crew. The targeted population may need a range of larger sizes but their size doesn’t impair their sense of taste, style and value.
DeleteI’m with Fred on the floppy and poorly-constructed. Of COURSE women of every size should have stylish and well-made options that make them feel great. Check out how much Lane Bryant has changed to reflect great style. These are bland, colorless, shapeless sacks that would not flatter a 00
Deletebody, let alone the rest of us.
This is a limited-time collab. J Crew is testing out the larger-size market and limiting their risk by partnering, vs. assuming the responsibility for the whole production cycle. More flailing about.
My name is Every Mann, and I am a compulsive buyer of J.Crew pop-backs.
ReplyDeleteWhen I awaken in the morning or if I get up to pee at 2am, I invariably scan the sale page. I find myself filling in the idle moments at work by going through pants/sweaters/coats pop-backs. I've stockpiled quite an impressive closet full of sweaters--and in Florida no less--and I even have BACK UPS for the ones I really like ("Hey, it was only $22 shipped with the promo code; practically free!)
I've been going at it since I rediscovered Crew back in January. At some point I'm going to need an intervention...
welcome to the club...
DeleteThis was me a few years ago (not middle of the night haha but when I woke up every day, and on rollout days definitely). I bought backups too. And Madewell. But I'm just not feeling it any more, and I can't (and don't want to) manage all the stuff. I've got some awesome classics from J. Crew that I've kept, but I've gotten rid of an embarrassing amount of J. Crew stuff. Things with staying power for me include cafe capris, skimmers, cafe trousers, blazers, and some shoes. Things without staying power (for me) are sweaters, dresses, button-downs and t-shirts. Nothing was wrong with them (well some sweaters pilled, but otherwise fine), I just didn't wear certain things much any more.
DeleteI didn't get an intervention, but for some reason I moved out of the phase. I know what spurred me into the phase (a big weight loss) but I'm not sure how I got out of it (maybe weight gain? but I'm losing again and not tempted so who knows... maybe it was J. Crew changing direction during that time?).
I forgot to mention coats and jackets! I have way too many and can't seem to part with them very often.
DeleteCate- I can relate. Part of my morning routine used to be check the website for sale updates and pop backs or new arrivals. Those days are long gone and my mornings have been more productive. I am still continually weeding things out. This week I added a NWT skirt and dress in the sell pile. I lost some weight and am finding summer dresses and skirts I bought last year are too big so it is an easy decision. There just is so much less I love to replace items with. Plus as I get older I realize I just have too many clothes and need to pair back. I have done a decent job of weeding out a lot of my more professional dresses that I have no use for in my business casual job. I also did a great job of not purchasing any sleeveless tops. I feel like I have so many that don’t get worn enough even though many are year round pieces for me since they can be worn alone or under sweaters or blazers. I am also in the too many coats clubs but can’t part with them either.
DeleteCate, your closet is my closet lol! I’m mostly over the current J Crew. I love my “classics” - everything you listed - but when I need something new I’m more likely to find it at Boden.
DeleteIt's interesting that some of us are moving away from J. Crew but others are moving into it and enjoying it! Could be typical for brands. I've moved into and out of other brands before (Lands End, Eddie Bauer, Eileen Fisher), but never went as all in (and all out) with any brand as I did with J. Crew.
Deleteruffles & JessF, high five! :D I really like what I have but it's just too much stuff for me. I like the things I'm getting rid of, too, but I just don't need them. I used to worry I'd wish I had them back, but not any more (except for the coats and pants I've kept).
DeleteI took a look at the Boden catalog and I liked it better than I expected. Less preppy and more variety of styles than I remember. I dog-eared a few pages.
Dear Every , you are not alone. I have some items in several colors...and one or three duplicates. You can look into ebay or poshmark and sell some, or simply move North to a place with true winters.
ReplyDeleteActually, I strive to give away a garment for each one I purchase. Since I am two clothing sizes smaller than I was, this is a great way to part with favorite items that I really can not wear any more. My sister in law and a few friends are wearing my clothes. I also give clothing to my dry cleaner who alters them for herself or gives them to the women who work in the shop.
I received the Boden fall catalog yesterday. While some items don’t work for me and I don’t like some of their prints I love being able to flip through the catalog. I will not understand why J crew got rid of theirs (aside from cost savings). Looking at the Boden items in real life settings and grouping the individual items into outfits really makes me want to buy the clothes. I really miss the style guides but what would the point by anyway since the current offerings seem so far from their original aesthetic.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteTotally agree! I have been buying a lot more from other brands this year, given the circumstances.
DeleteBoden relies on their catalogs and website to sell, since they have no physical presence. Back when JC hadn't expanded as widely, they also were reliant on the catalog (and website to a lesser degree) to sell. Things had to look good in the catalog to attract customers; therefore they spent more money on better catalogs.
DeleteThat's why I don't mind they're closing stores if that's part of their self correction strategy. But I would like to see all the $$ they save from rent, visual marketing, sales associates, etc., to be invested in what helps them sell their products better - the catalog, or the modern equivalent - a REAAAAAAALLLY great website with editorial, and quality products to make it up.
I also really miss the catalogs. I often feel like the product photos don't inspire me. Tops/bottoms are often styled as if they just needed something to match. Of course a pair of jeans will go with anything. How about some aspirational styling? Show me how to mix patterns, textures and accessories! I even miss the giant flower pins. (I still have mine, in their original fabric bags)
Honestly though, I might complain a lot about JC but I have been buying almost exclusively from JC for the past two years now. It's just my go-to and hard to break the habit, and also it's nice to have a retailer where, for the most part, you don't have to second-guess your size. The only store I've been buying from is Anthropologie but only sparingly due to $$!
I just set my Boden catalog aside from the rest of the mail I recycled. I'm looking forward to paging through it. I probably won't buy anything (their aesthetic is more fitted and preppy than I like), but it's fun the way it was fun getting the J. Crew style guides.
Deletemy order is still stuck at customs. J Crew nor I-parcel can do anything about it..Its only a jumpsuit...$77.00.
ReplyDelete*order was shipped June 21.
Deleteway too long between roll outs. I think we all get bored and shop elsewhere. J Crew are you listening? and while I am at it. the sale section has items I already have at a much higher price even with the 30% off promo. they are not fooling anyone. lower the prices and lets get a new arrivals ...before we all blow are $$ elsewhere. sales are in full swing everywhere else...
ReplyDeleteI want 25 % off to order those pretty new silk skirts. I've been conditioned to wait for discount.
ReplyDeleteI spy some jcrew punk floral as part of the Nordstrom sale!!! Check out lizadams’ instastories (sequins and stripes). She’s in Nordstrom shopping the sale and I clearly see a punk floral long sleeve top (gah that was my fave!!), a yellow blazer, emerald green pants, and a few other things that’s hard to tell what they are. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteOooooh! I see it! I love the punk floral print as well. The yellow/chartreuse blazer next to the blouse looks to my eye to be a sweater blazer. I’m excited to see that the NSALE will offer more Jcrew items than the few which were featured in the catalog.
ReplyDeleteWas thinking of this today as I'm annoyed trying to find cute pieces for work... J. Crew comes out with some great pieces and some meh pieces every season. Why do all the cute things sell out immediately, never come back or are wait-listed 2 months!? This is unacceptable. Maybe its just me. Rant over.
ReplyDelete