This is the weekly "J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs}" post, to help each other share our reviews.
So
if you have recently purchased,
or stopped by a J.Crew store to try
on an item (or two) from J.Crew, maybe you
might be willing to share that
information with us in this post.
Also, this request is not just limited to clothes. Please feel free to discuss bags, shoes, jewelry, accessories, etc.
In
particular, if you could
mention a few of the noteworthy
details like fit, size, fabric, and the
like— that would be fantastic! Thanks
in advance! :)
It’s 2 a.m. EST and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry or both. The new SPRING line is rolling out now as I type. First of all there is a new online look book with small preview images of what is coming soon. For those who don’t know, these are the images the stylists used to be able to send out in advance so that we could pre-order ahead of everyone else. Here’s my first vent, why have they taken away this feature from the stylists and long term customers? I’ve been complaining about this for the past few years. How insulting is this to them and why are theIr positions being degraded? Second, the clothing and the models wearing them. Is this Teen Magazine or something? Cropped tops, baggy ugly, maternity like dresses, etc., and more deathly muted colors. Mind you,it’s quite early at the moment so not all items are visible but from what I’ve seen so far I could see how the company would spiral downward and even go into financial difficulties again if they haven’t already. Can’t blame the pandemic, blame the new head designer, and the CEO for the lack of insight regarding all over design, use of crappy textiles, fabrics whatever you wish to call them and the sad models. I have seen nothing so far that exudes classic or classic with a twist. I will wait and see if anything beautiful comes up on the website as the hours pass. If not, it’s Arrivederci, Sayonara, Goodbye Jcrew from me at least. 25+ years of loyalty out the window.
ReplyDeleteI woke up and first thing I did was check the promo (as expected, everything in my favorites and save for later is more $$$) and new arrivals. Meh. I don’t like pastels. The wide leg jeans would be something I’d look for but I found a brand/cut I love and I’m sticking with it.
DeleteI guess I get that some people like these washed out muted colors but I really don’t, except for maybe an accessory here or there.
I’m glad I’ve purchased what I did and will continue to hope for better offerings.
Lynn, thank you for the preview. I always appreciate your updates and spot-on reviews.
DeleteSpace dye, smocking, raw-edged bucket hats, cropped everything in perfect shades of salmon cat food and pea soup. Even the Liberty prints are mediocre. It looks like cheap 90s Old Navy to me. So little with any polish as I emerge from my pandemic loungewear and look to refresh my spring wardrobe with more out-together styles! If I need basics/denim I will continue to shop J Crew/Madewell, and I don’t need much of that this year, but the spring new arrivals at Ralph Lauren, Aritzia, Theory, Kate Spade, and Vince will probably be more of what I’m looking for this season. Still keep hoping the next J Crew design team will turn it around.
“Put-together”
DeleteHate hate hate the smocking.
Delete@Lynn: I'm with you 100% on this. It's awful. The only redeeming thing about it that I can say is that I didn't see a bunch of pull-up pants. Perhaps they are there, and it was just too early. What a mess. No thanks.
DeleteRuffles, did you happen to notice how thin almost transparent the Liberty Print fabric was? I’m with you, shopping elsewhere. I’ve always loved Ralph Lauren. Great classics
DeleteIt really seems as if J Crew has moved away from a target customer looking for elevated classics with a twist, and permanently lurched toward one that is much younger, much more casual, and much more fast-fashion trend-focused. Maybe the former is simply not a large enough market any longer.
DeleteLynn, 100%. I remember learning from you a while back that there are different “grades” of Liberty fabrics, and I always keep that in mind.
Deleteruffles, that goes for the Thomas Mason shirts as well
DeleteWell, I would have looked cute in any of the new outfits when I was in junior high. Wrong demographic now. Maybe JCrew is trying to poach from Madewell?
Delete@MmeJacqueline, No thanks for me as well. This cutesy look has to go. There was a slip dress pattern that looked reasonably pretty however where I live I certainly wouldn’t parade around in one. Looks too much like a nightgown and has no real definition to it. Perhaps if I was a teenager I’d wear one as @pbanos mentioned looking cute in junior high school. No shape. Just my humble opinion. There isn’t one item I would consider purchasing. Disappointed, considering I used to purchase so many items years ago and kept 99% of them and this includes the cashmere which gives an overall sloppy look. A shame I feel I have to post negative opinions. I do however respect opinions that are contrary to mine.
Delete@Lynn: There is not one thing I would want for free. You are so right about the fabrics. I would love to know what Mr. Drexler thinks of this junk if he takes a look at it. I'll never forget a television interview with him on a show that was just about J.Crew. He said something like he wanted J.Crew to be comparable with Bergdorf-Goodman. I think it's heading toward Old Navy these days.
Delete@MmeJacqueline, have you see the beautiful Ralph Pre Spring items? Gorgeous green or blue skirts in silk twill. I’m in love. Of course the price range is much higher but even their other lines are quite nice and affordable as well.
DeleteNot a review - but there was a lot of popbacks today, including a pair of gloves I've been stalking for a month. Hopefully it ships. I've got my eye on the liberty tapestry floral puffer - I'm a sucker for a pretty floral but have no idea how this jacket will fit. Anyone see it or try it on IRL?
ReplyDeleteTons of pop back but the promo of 30/50 is not enticing after 60 plus 20. So will hold as i don’t need anything and waiting for my returns tom come back…. Long process. As for new stuff still blend colors. Idk how at the end of all my complaints I still manage to spend too much at Jcrew! Lol
DeletePerusing the new arrivals - and no thank you! I did the 90s the first time. But if I was still in my teens and 20s I'd snap up the mint eurocup slip dress with a pastel v neck cropped cashmere cardigan and pretend I'm in a Marc Jacobs show, circa 1994.
ReplyDeleteAnd the puff sleeve top in strawberry floral! So 90s.....
ReplyDelete🤣
ReplyDeleteSMPYZPH55 15% off code working
ReplyDeleteI continue with my bad relationship with JC. Why do I keep looking at their website? This new roll out is BAD. Thank goodness for Ebay. I shop their old collections for unique pieces. Is there a retailer out there that has that cool mix of Jenna style that I am not aware of?
ReplyDeleteI got the tie waist camp pants yesterday and I don’t know why people love them so much. Yes maybe they’re better than sweatpants but they make my butt look like a toddler. I styled them like the old foundry pants with a red low heel and black sweater. Cute from the front, but the back…horrible. Look I don’t need to show off my body all the time and I happen to like loose pants…but the elastic ruins it. I posted a side by side comparison on the Facebook group and I’m tempted to send the pics and this to JCrew corporate.
ReplyDeleteDear JCrew,
Please stop adding elastic backs to women’s pants. We are grown women and fully capable of buttoning, zipping, and/or adding a belt if necessary. Take, for example, the current tie-waist camp pant, BA291. At first glance, it’s similar to an older style pant I missed years ago. I even remembered how it was styled. I decided to recreate the look (from 2011, I believe). The drawstring eliminates the need for a belt, but that’s not a big issue—from the front the pants are ok. The back, on the other hand, makes me look like a toddler. When worn lower on my hips, the rear view is even worse. I’m proud of my body, but clothing like this really doesn’t make me feel good about myself.
I won’t even post it on Instagram, that’s how bad it is.
It’s really too bad because I’m always searching for the right olive/army green pants. From the front these are cute, but the back…ugh!
@Suz Has: Send it to them. I wonder who's reading communications like that these days and if they actually respond with something that isn't a canned reply.
DeleteBut I love the tie waist camp pants!
DeleteI don’t dislike the pants necessarily but the elastic ruins the back view.
Delete@MmeJacqueline, Suz, Great idea I tried and received no response after having sent a mails to the top. That’s what annoyed me as I previously mentioned my experience. If I lived in NYC, I would actually go to their headquarters and see if anyone would be willing to meet with me. Who knows though, they’re probably all working remotely, that is if they’re working
DeleteSent it to two email addresses and included the side by side pics. I explained how I will continue to love JCrew for other garments, but not the pants.
DeleteI’ll report back.
Does anyone know the store sale promo ? Thanks all
DeleteGot a response.
DeleteThanks so much for sharing your thoughts about our pants - It’s feedback like yours that lets us know what we’re doing well, and in this case, not so well – so we appreciate you taking the time to share
We will send your opinion to the corresponding team.
How would you guys say they compare to the tie waist seaside pants ?
DeleteVanessa The linen ones?
DeleteI just compared my black XS seaside pants from the summer to the XS tie waist camp pant.
DeleteRise: slightly higher in camp pants
Elastic: thicker in camp pant
Inseam: about two inches longer in camp pant
Legs: narrower/straighter in camp pant. Seaside pant is about an inch or so wider through the thighs, tapers slightly and then flares out at the ankle (if you have them from last summer you might understand.)
Sizing: my seaside pants in XS are looser than the camp pants. Waist is at least a half inch bigger, but maybe because the rise is slightly lower.
Rear view: the pockets on the seaside pant, the smaller less bunchy elastic and the fabric help the back of the seaside pant somehow.
The concept is similar but there are some differences. I haven’t tried on my seaside pants since July when I got them and ended up losing pandemic weight I had gained. They’re almost unwearable loose whereas I don’t think the same size in the camp pant is as loose. I’d say if you love one you might love the other but there are some noticeable size differences, at least on my pairs. Hope that helps.
Thank you so much ! That helps a lot ! Narrower legs sound better for me, but your description of the saggy baggy backside gives me major pause…
DeleteWell, I’m picky. One person on the fb group said they thought the back looked good, so you never know. I think it’s due to a combo of the thicker elastic bunching and the flap pockets with no visible pocket stitching.
Deletethe camp pants are a weird fit for sure. I like them but had to size down to a small and they sit way up on my natural waist. They fit my waist perfectly negating the need for the tie string at all. I removed it and stitched shut the little holes where the string was :). I'm not a fan of the back elastic either, seems silly. I only wear mine with sweaters and longer things I'm not tucking, so the back view never occurred to me, ha. I better not look! :D
DeleteI’m picky too so I get it! I look at every detail and compare and wonder what could have been better. May be best to wear a longer top and stop worrying, yes!
DeleteI don’t really wear long shirts like that.
DeleteWith the camp pants, I also sized down to a tall small. I had tried two sizes before they went to final sale.
DeleteI don’t think the size is the issue…it’s the fit. But it’s my own fault for allowing sales goggles to get the better of me after swearing off JCrew pants (except for sweats).
DeleteI'm so happy to see the lookbook. While, it's not the catalog, at least there's a representation of the new collection that's style. I typically find something to like in the new collections.
ReplyDelete- Men's cashmere crewneck sweater in lemon zest
- Limited-edition Flora Obscura X J.Crew silk slip dress in hand-dyed print. I like both prints; this could be a very nice summer dress with wrap around sandals.
- Ankle strap suede pumps in faded pistachio. Saw the new designer wearing these shoes in a recent reel.
- Slim-fit shirt in Liberty® Georgia Duke print. I really like the print. Hope my store has the collection, so I can see in store.
- Washable silk charmeuse camisole top (glad to see this being offered; J Crew's silk camisole is a staple in my wardrobe. It's been a really good layering piece).
- New Balance® X J.Crew 996 tonal sneakers in dawn glow. Really like the yellow color. The pink is cute too, but I think I'll get more wear out of this color. I have multiple pairs of this NB style.
- New colors in slim perfect fit shirt and collared merino wool sweater (pale lemon and dusty wisteria)
- Featherweight cashmere cropped cardigan sweater; wish the length wasn't cropped, but I always like featherweight cashmere for spring.
Promo code for 15% off stackable SMPH64GUA
ReplyDeleteThank you for the code!
DeleteLady jacket in maritime tweed
ReplyDeleteItem BA486 Chanel is featuring a neckline on some of their items.
I would like to try this if it gets reduced again.
DeleteThe women's designer needs to be sacked. The stylists aren't very creative, either. The pastels, ditzy florals, and strange fiber combinations are just tragic. The Men's collection is more interesting - it actually has some color there! I have Liberty Fabrics in my fabric collection that are way more exciting than these J.Crew is trying to promote. So it appears as if I will be sewing those up this Spring.
ReplyDelete@Vava: All true and sadly disappointing. I agree about the designer.
DeleteI really don’t like it either. Granted I’m not much of a print wearer but usually I’ll like a print and at least want a bandana or scarf. I don’t like the prints or colors at all. I usually find things after a few passes and there is not one thing I want.
Delete(From the new arrivals.)
Delete