J.Crew Email: New Arrivals (they're here). In stores and online.

"Thanks!" to Marietta & love2shop4bags, who shared with us an email J.Crew sent yesterday.

As mentioned in yesterday's post, "J.Crew Updates Website With New Arrivals Today!", new arrivals are available for purchase online. The email above indicates that new arrivals are also available for purchase at B&M (brick & mortar) stores. {How exciting!} :)

Are you planning to visit a B&M store this weekend to check out the latest new arrivals? If so, please share what new items you come across! :)

J.Crew Updates Website With New Arrivals Today!

"Thanks!" to many of you, including RatsOnParade & cortney_joy (in this post), who let us know that J.Crew updated its website (click here). There are new arrivals for men (click here) & women (click here). Although the J.Crew Collection (click here) does seem to be the same from the last update on August 8th (refer to the "J.Crew Collection's New Arrivals {online}" post).

In addition to having new arrivals for men and women, J.Crew also provided the latest catalog online (click here to view). There is even the footwear/ accessories only catalog! :)

What items are you most excited about and why? Which items are you surprised to see? Which items did you hope would be included? Also, did you receive the latest catalog?

J.Crew Stock is on the Rise {oh yeah!}

There is an interesting article over at Forbes (click here) about J.Crew's stock price and its recent positive trend.

J.Crew climbs as analyst lifts to 'Outperform'
By Associated Press
August 18, 2009

Shares of J.Crew Group Inc. surged Tuesday, getting a boost from a ratings upgrade and price target increase.

BMO Capital Markets analyst John Morris lifted the retailer to "Outperform" from "Market Perform" and raised his share price target to $35 from $25.

In a client note, Morris said the New York-based company is laying the groundwork for a strong long-term performance partly on signs that its fall merchandise is off to a good start.

"Our sources close to the company also confirm that not only is the merchandise trend-right, but it is differentiated to the competition - a major positive," the analyst wrote.

The recession and budget-conscious shoppers have also led many department stores to play it safe, giving J.Crew a chance to eat into market share, Morris explained.

"We think J.Crew is getting the benefit of shoppers veering away from the ultra luxe high-end department stores in favor of J.Crew's more affordable wares in this environment," he said.

Morris raised his second-quarter earnings estimate to 20 cents per share from 12 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, whose estimates normally exclude one-time items, predict profit of 14 cents per share.

J.Crew's stock gained $1.84, or 6.5 percent, to $29.97 in afternoon trading. The shares have traded in a range of $8.02 to $38 over the last year.

This is wonderful news for J.Crew's stockholders (including myself). I am happy to hear that J.Crew is still outshining its competitors through its "trend-right" merchandise. Yey!

What are your thoughts on the article? Do you disagree or agree with the comments about J.Crew, including their ability to differentiate themselves well? Do you think other retailers are playing it "too safe"? Would you consider purchasing J.Crew stock? :)

J.Crew Email: Your reward is waiting.

"Thanks!" to Heather:D who shared the following email sent to J.Crew card holders.

They are reminding JCAs to redeem their reward card before it expires on Tuesday, 9/15/09. Although I have a sneaky feeling that most JCAs have already spent their rewards card by now. ;)

Have you already spent your J.Crew rewards card? If so, please let us know what {delicious} items you got. If not, what {lovely} items are you planning to get? :)

Dear J.Crew: You Are Very Sneaky! ;)

Long-Sleeve Stripe Captain Tee
Click here for product page
Item 17262
Regular: $32.50; now: $19.99

Okay this post just might be the ramblings of an overly obsessed JCA, but bear with me...

A few weeks ago, I saw this long-sleeve tee at the store and fell in love. I just loved the material (which is this heavy weight cotton tee), the length (hitting at my low hip), and the style (toot toot! all aboard! I love the ship-chic look). I also remember that it was priced at $34. I visited three different stores which had the tee, but not in my preferred size of extra-small (although they did have a small).

So I checked online and found the exact same long-sleeve tee, but priced at $32.50! The product page also states: "Catalog/jcrew.com only." Say what?

I thought I got the wrong tee or misread the store's price tag so when I went back to my local store, I checked the tee out again. Sure enough, the tee was the same one! It was the same design, (even had the "epaulets on the shoulder with gold button detail"), and the price tag read $34.00. (I also think there was a different item number on the tag, but I did not write it down.)

This makes me wonder... does J.Crew sell the same item but with different prices & different item numbers depending if it's from the store or online?

Mini Update: This afternoon I received the *online* version of this tee. Indeed, the online tee is *not* the same as the store version. The store version is much better- the blue line is thicker and the weight of the tee is thicker. Oh J.Crew! ;)

Calling All JCAs in the King of Prussia, PA Area

A big "thanks!" to love2shop4bags who has shared with us some great news! She has set up an event for JCAs in the King of Prussia, PA area with a {wonderful} associate at the J.Crew located in the King of Prussia Mall.

The following are some details about this {fantastic} event:

• Who: J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados
  
• Where: J.Crew at the King of Prussia Mall
  160 N Gulph Rd
  King of Prussia, PA 19406
  (610) 265-0210
  
• When: Sunday, August 30th
  fun starts at 11AM (store opening)
  
• Bonus: 20% off entire purchase of $125+ for JCAs!!!

So if you (& your friends) are in the area and interested in attending, please RSVP by sending an email to: love2shop4bags (at) yahoo (dot) com. (Quick Note: Please do RSVP since love2shop4bags needs an exact person-count for the event, as there is only one promo card identifying the discount at the store.)

P.S. I love hearing about these events! They're just too fabulous for words! :)

Madewell Email: Our latest Ex

A big "thanks!" to Marietta & HeidiG, who shared the following email/ promotion from Madewell (click here).

The email features their Ex-Boyfriend Shorts. The shorts are described as "just like the pair of his that you coveted- but without the heartache" and retails for $95.

Moreover, they are offering 15% off purchases for students at their stores. To redeem the promotion, just show your student ID.

What are your thoughts on the Ex-Boyfriend Jeans? Do you like or dislike the style? Would you pay $95 for them?

J.Crew's September Catalog (over at jcbellemarie)

"Thanks!" to jcbellemarie, who has shared several photos from J.Crew's upcoming September catalog. To view the additional images, you can read her post (at her great "jcbellemarie" blog): "JCrew September 09 Catalog/ in store sneak peek".

Who else is crushin' on the red ruffle jacket (in the 4th image)? So many pretty things... must have... ;)

Also, "thanks!" to many JCAs who reported that the next roll-out of new Fall arrivals will be hitting the shelves of brick & mortar (B&M) stores this week. (Either this Wednesday or Thursday– depending on your store.) How exciting! :)

Are you excited about the latest new arrivals for Fall? Are you planning to stop by your local B&M store to view the latest Fall items? If so, please share! :)

J.Crew Email: Ends tomorrow. EXTRA 20% off sale + FREE SHIPPING.

"Thanks!" to many of you who let us know about J.Crew's latest email.

J.Crew is reminding us that they are offering an additional 20% off sale items (no minimum) and free shipping (on $150+) using promo code EXTRA20 . This offer expires tomorrow, Wednesday, 8/19/09.

I waited all day yesterday for the sale section to update (with new sale items) and never saw it happen. :( However, earlier today (around 7AM EST) the sale section did update. I wasn't able to grab any items I was hoping to see. Oh well! There's always tomorrow. :)

Are you planning to check out J.Crew's Sale Section before this offer ends tomorrow? Did you take advantage of this offer? If so, please share! :)

J.Crew Fall Collection: What Would You Get?

A big "thanks!" to J.Crew Guy In Canada who came up with a great post suggestion: "What if you could only buy one item this fall, what would it be and why? No cost limit, just one item of clothing or footwear." What a fun question! Especially since many of us have several items on our "J.Crew Shopping Wish List".

After some serious thought, I selected J.Crew's Navy Wool Schoolboy Blazer (Item 17072; $178.00). I have seen it (& tried on many many many times) in my local stores. [It's too hot in CT for me to buy a wool jacket right now. ;) ] I just love the fabric which has a nice weight & feel for "traditional Donegal wool with a hint of stretch". This seems like a perfect jacket to wear with jeans, khakis, or black pants. I also think it will transition well to Winter & Spring. Who doesn't love the idea of a navy schoolboy blazer! ;)

With all that said, as I mentioned in a previous post ("Product Review: Cotton Corsage Cardigan"), I found the same issue that other JCAs encountered when it comes to size. If I go down to a zero, the shoulders are a bit snug but the body of the jacket fits well (but not tight]. However, if I go up to a size 2, I find the shoulders are fine, but the body is too big. However, I am willing to look over those sizing issues once that jacket goes on sale!

If you could only purchase one item (clothing or footwear) from J.Crew's Fall Collection, what would it be? What are some of the reasons behind your selection? Have you seen/ tried on/ or purchased the item you selected? If so, please share with us your review! :)