Wednesday, November 17, 2021

"Looking to VENT" with J.Crew

 

     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.

28 comments:

  1. I was doing some “research” yesterday and went into Talbots to try and see their velvet blazer. It wasn’t in store. @Mmejacqueline, they do have a petite section so you never know…
    But overall I didn’t like their offerings. And as mentioned elsewhere quality across the board at JCrew price point and below is garbage.

    I wish my store had some of the new arrivals I liked so I could try. I’ll check again and hope more comes in over the next few weeks.

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    1. @Suz Has: Thanks for that info. I am going over to the Richmond J.C. store on Thursday to deliver my holiday gifts to them, so I'll see what they have, if anything. My expectations are low.

      I do feel sad for JC stores who have lovely and loyal SA's and how this designer and the "global supply chain" may impact them.

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    2. Feel the same here and for my poor stylist as well. We had a lengthy conversation about the styles overall and she is absolutely frustrated to the point of despair. I order items simply to help her out with the sales end. She’s been there for years. No communication from the higher up towards her or any of the others. As well all are aware with this “global supply chain” problem this is also one of the reasons I’m purchasing anything overall coming in from China or Made in China as long as I can help it.

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    3. @Lynn: Same here about Chinese product of any type. I'll pay more and purchase less. That's the way I want to be anyway.

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    4. Now that is shameful that there is no communication toward the stylist and others at JC!

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    5. I shop the Richmond VA store and love their staff, I feel bad because so many times I’m returning online purchases so last time I was there I bought the flannel shirt in vintage plaid at full price. I hardly ever buy anything at full price but I highly recommend it. The flannel feels substantial and I love the colors. I did take the smaller of my size.

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    6. @suzhas This season’s Talbots clothes are awful! They has so many cute summer clothes I was looking forward to more of the same.

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    7. @Dana: Yes, I adore the Richmond (Short Pump) staff! I was there yesterday. They are so dear--Jen R., Jen C., Courtney, Naomi, and Audrey--the ones I have dealt with most often.

      I went into Talbots while I was there since it's just a few doors down, and the sad thing is that their colors are great and so cheerful. The fabric, fit, and quality have declined so severely over the years. My first purchase from them was in Greenwich, CT in 1982. They did alterations back then, and this was before they carried petites. They were known for quality.

      Huge decline at Ann Taylor. My first purchase was in 1976 in the New York store on 57th Street, which was a pair of Joan & David dark brown croc pumps. J&D shoes were good back in the day. Just above AT was a good place for lunch called the SoHo Charcuterie.

      Even if the quality was still decent at the various chain stores (also Banana Republic), I am pretty much sized out of them due to vanity sizing that gets worse every year.

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  2. Canada...no promos. too bad I would like to order a few items. prices way too high! hoping for black Friday promos...but not counting on it

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    1. @Unknown, hoping they’ll do something for you nice customers. Hope you’re not in any of the areas where there’s been flooding. Also Washington State. Keeping fingers crossed for all.

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    2. Thank you lynn. yes flooding here. state of emergency. i am close but not in it.
      news has it no PCR test req for Canadians crossing land n[border for quick trips. this means I can soon start shipping to US (at border ) and pick up. about an hour drive (one way) for the US prices and promos...I will be doing this . but will wait until the rush down is over at the beginning.

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    3. I can't wait to be able to take advantage of the US promos! I remember the 70% this past summer...

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  3. I agree with everyone. Quality has gone downhill across all retailers. I sent back or complained on Sezane offering twice this year. First for me.
    I went to store yesterday. Nothing worth looking. I used my rewards and birthday card for sweater vest. Will report back.
    I have had fun ordering used-designer clothes from TheRealReal. Still figuring out my size. Returning a lot. I have two more items pants from Nili Lotan and Redone on their way to me.

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    1. Kikigirl I had tried a few pairs of Nili Lotan pants from Nordstrom rack last year and couldn’t figure out my size. I think the styles I tried were too stiff. Please report back.

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    2. Yes, the quality has declined across the board. I look at vintage things on The Real Real as well. Those things are generally much better, and it's not so vanity sized.

      Although I feel sad for the overall effect of this situation, I believe it is my signal to just be grateful for what I have and call it a day. I don't have anything trendy that will look like yesterday's mashed potatoes. It's all pretty classic.

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    3. @Suz yes will report back. Hoping blog will not have issues. I couldn't post for days.

      Unfortunately, I don't have facebook so can't join your FB group.

      @MmeJacqueline: I try not to buy trendy anymore...classic well-made is my goal now. :)

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    4. Good luck. I am keeping the group private, but I understand, my sister and one brother don’t do FB either.

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    5. I am a Facebook abstainer as well so occasionally drop a pic on Instagram!

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  4. I wish J. Crew had the equivalent of Madewell's Insider program and would offer free returns to those customers. This became more necessary as they've closed so many brick and mortar stores.

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  5. Vent: why don’t they make long puffers in more colors? I got the red chateau puffer awhile back and sewed a rip in my black Wintress to save it. I walk a few blocks everyday minimum and when it’s freezing and I’m dressed casually I want to wear a long puffer, not a wool coat necessarily. Longer than the chateau which barely covers my butt, with a fitted waist/belted or cinched.
    Right now they have one only in black and a very pale blue. I’d love a deeper color like red, olive, etc.

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    1. I bought a long puffer from them in a burgundy/wine color many years ago. It wasn’t offered in tall, but I loved the color so much that I bought it. It almost touches my knees. I still have it and it’s in excellent shape. I figured I’d have to wait ten years before they offered a long puffer in tall sizes.

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    2. ST I think I may have gotten my Wintress in tall. I like extra arm and body length even though I’m only 5’6.” I almost tossed it when I saw it was ripped but sewed it up and at this point I don’t even remember where the rip was. Burgundy would be a nice option! They had a rose color in their long puffer two winters ago but that coat didn’t have a great fit.

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    3. And the pale blue and black ones are wrap coats. That's not going to keep me warm, I need a zipper!

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    4. And why aren't they offering the Wintress puffer any more? A lot of us need a long puffer coat. My very old Factory version of the Wintress puffer is still hanging on but I would like to replace it. And I can't replace it from J. Crew. I'm not sure where to go for a replacement though. I guess I'll look at LL Bean or ? Has anyone found a good replacement for the Wintress puffer?

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    5. Cate I didn’t even realize they don’t have zippers!

      There are always the more outdoor options and lands end/LLbean but they can be too utilitarian. Costco and department stores almost always have brands like Calvin Klein, michael Kors etc. but I actually like not having an obvious label on my jacket. i almost bought one from Everlane last year when they were on sale but their colors are limited too. I don’t know if they have the same coat this year but they had a long sleeping bag puffer that was very tempting.

      I also have a really old ankle length Tommy Hilfiger my MIL got me but it’s black. I almost got rid of it but thought better of it. Its not easy to find such a long coat!

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    6. Suz, it has two side by side snaps near the waistline and a snap near the neckline. It also has a tie. That's so impractical, it won't stay shut or keep the wind and cold out.

      I was thinking that too about LL Bean, utilitarian, but I may still with that. I've tried on a few from Prana and Patagonia but didn't love them. I will look at Everlane. I like the idea of Patagonia because I know their stuff lasts forever and I don't get tired of it. Today I wore a Patagonia shell I've had since 1993 lol. It shed the rain on my walk just fine. It's not very stylish though.

      I took inventory of my coats and I have an overabundance of wool/cloth coats and some mid-weight jacketss. I need something really warm besides my old Factory puffer. I admit I am getting tired of it, but it's still a good coat. I've washed it many times and it looks like new. At one time I had a black wintress puffer but I sold it because I liked the factory version better. That was before quality went downhill. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions!

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    7. I have the Everlane sleeping bag puffer coat in the long version and shorter jacket version and love them. I have them both in white and they wash well in the washing machine. I would like to replace my long one with a smaller size but the coat isn't on the website this year, so I emailed them and they said this puffer will be on the website in early December. It is an awesome coat!

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    8. Thanks Debby! I have two Everlane puffers bookmarked as maybes. I'll keep a look out in early December.

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