Store Opening: J.Crew-at-the-Beach

"Thanks!" to Christine who shared with us an article over at the Los Angeles Times (click here) about J.Crew's most recent store opening:

J.Crew-at-the-Beach opens in Malibu
By Max Padilla
April 19, 2009

J.Crew, the preppy clothing line that's a First Family favorite, introduces its new resort store -- called J.Crew-at-the-Beach -- at the just-opened Malibu Lumber Yard open-air shopping center.

Taking a cue from its coastal environs, J.Crew-at-the-Beach features a beachy color scheme, salt-air weathered brass fixtures and sun-bleached floors made from reclaimed oak. The store also carries limited-edition surfboards and has customized offerings such as the Malibu houseguest survival kit -- a monogrammed tote with flip-flops and swimwear. (On opening day Tuesday, it will be giving out neon Capri flip-flops as a gift with purchase.)

The Lumber Yard store stocks the crème de la crème of J.Crew's women's collections, including cashmere knits, jewelry and made-in-Italy shoes and bags, plus resort gear and the "crewcuts" kids clothing line -- but no menswear (a stand-alone men's store is being considered). The store also houses a shop within the shop that will showcase exclusive lines such as LemLem for crewcuts.

LemLem, the 2-year-old hand-woven children's clothing line (prices range from $80 for a scarf to $175 for a girl's party dress), is designed by Liya Kebede, the Ethiopian-born model and UNICEF International Goodwill Ambassador, and features embroidery and other accents from her native country.

3939 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. (310) 456-6760. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

To be honest, I am intrigued by the new store. I would love to see the layout and how it differs from J.Crew's more traditional store layout. "Congrats!" to all those living in the Malibu, CA area! :)

What are your thoughts on the article? Do you like the "concept store" in Malibu, CA? Do you think they should create more stores like this one?

J.Crew Email: Spring sale. Treat yourself.

J.Crew sent an email today letting us know about their "Spring Sale" in-stores and online (click here).

So far the website has not updated the sale section, but I am looking forward to it when it does. ;)

Are their any Spring items that you are currently lusting after? If so, please share! :) Also, when do you think the next "additional percent off the sale" will occur? ;)

For awhile (like a day or two), it seemed like the LOVEIT offer was over. (Many Aficionadas mentioned the code was no longer working for them. Also, the code was even removed on J.Crew's home page). But the offer is back (and for a limited time)! ;)

J.Crew is offering free shipping on orders of $175+ with promo code LOVEIT. This offer expires 4/22/09.

New Arrivals Hitting Store Shelves {wahoo!}

"Thanks!" to many of you who let us know that many, if not most, J.Crew stores will be putting out their latest "new arrivals" in stores today (or in the next few days).

So if you plan on stopping by a store to check out the arrivals, please share what new items you spot. Also, it would be super-helpful if you could mention which location you visited and if you recommend other Aficionadas to visit the store. "Thanks!" in advance! ;)

Quick Poll: Are you excited about the newest arrivals?

J.Crew's Bubble Necklace: What's the Deal?

Bubble Necklace
Click here for product page
Item 92687
Regular: $150.00

A big "thanks!" to Sweetmint who made an excellent observation concerning J.Crew's Bubble Necklace.

In particular, she found two images of the necklace in the catalogs where one of the beads (on the bottom of the necklace) was missing. The images can be found in the America catalog on page 60 and the Liya Kebede catalog on page 54. To view these images, click on the image below or here.

Sweetmint also raised a great question, wondering if anyone had any issues with the beads falling off this particular necklace. I am surprised to see that there are two different instances, where the same necklace is showing an imperfection. It definitely makes me wonder about the quality and durability of this necklace.

What do you think of J.Crew's Bubble Necklace? Have you seen or purchased it? If so, how did you find the quality of the necklace?

JCA Poll Results: What Do You Buy The Most Of?

The results of the last poll are in and it seems that the category of items most often purchased from J.Crew is "Sweaters". "Knits & Tees" was a distant second, with "Shirts & Tops" close by as third.

I find the results of the poll super-interesting. Most of the comments made on this blog about quality, have been about the lack thereof, with J.Crew sweaters & tops. In particular, many Aficionadas have mentioned that the quality of J.Crew's cashmere has not been the same as in past years. There has also been some comments about the durability of their sweaters & tops (e.g. not lasting after a washing or two, lack of proper stitching).

So this got me thinking... Which of J.Crew sweaters (& tops) would you consider a good wardrobe investment? Which sweaters (& tops) would you recommend avoiding? If you could bring back a sweater (from a previous season), which one? What are some of the reasons behind your selection? :)

Product Review: Dressy Jersey Twist-Strap Dress

Dressy Jersey Twist-Strap Dress
Click here for product page
Item 14994
Regular: $78.00

A big "thanks!" goes to AppGal who shared with us her great review (as well as several real-life images) of this dress (which can also be found at her great blog here):

In my quest to find the perfect knit dress for summer, I squealed with delight when I came across the "Dressy Jersey Twist-strap dress"--aka the "Lori Dress," according to the packing slip. When I saw it, I just knew this would be my "it"dress for the summer, just like my Lisa dress was last year. So I ordered the dress in the Tropical Aqua color (which, by the way, is a beautiful color!)

The dress arrived this afternoon, and I have to say, I am pretty disappointed. You will see why in the following pictures, but the fit was all wrong, the detailing was shoddy, and I just felt downright sloppy in it.

First of all...the fit: I ordered an xs in the dress since all of my jersey knit dresses from j.crew seem to fit better in this size. I figured that with the xs, I would have more support in the boobular area, if you know what I mean. From the empire waist down, the fit is fine--no problems there. The problem lies above the waist. The v-neck is sloppy, and I felt like I was swimming in the top region. The fabric just laid over my chest lackadaisically. To get the support and fit I was hoping for, I would have needed an xxs or xxxs!!! It's not like a have a small chest either--I am a 34B, so usually I can at least fill out a dress. Also, the v-neck is way too low for me. Normally, with a low v-neck, I would just layer a tank underneath--but you can't do it with this dress. Because of the twist-straps, the tank's straps would peek out, ruining the effect, IMO. The same with bra straps. You'd have to wear a strapless or one of those nu-bras to make it work.

So it almost looks okay in the first pic...still sloppy though. Don't the bra straps look awful? And come to think of it, a strapless bra wouldn't work either because of the low-back (see last pic). In the second and third pics, you can see what I mean about the looseness a little better.

...Secondly, the detailing just looked cheap. It was actually the first thing my husband noticed about the dress when I asked him about it. It has that rugged, raw edge that has been so prominent in j.crew's recent offerings on the bottom hem and all along the v neck-line. I'm not a fan, especially on a knit fabric like this. The jersey material itself is wonderful, but the cheap edge ruined it for me. The elastic at the empire waist also looked cheap. In my husband's words (gotta love the honesty), "it looks like the waistband of some cheap underwear!"

All in all, it's not horrible, but it's not the dress I was hoping for. Maybe if they carried an xxs I would give it another go! But I just wasn't comfortable with the looseness of the top part of the dress--if they could tighten that up, I'd be all about it! If you're dead set on this dress, definitely size down at least one size, maybe two!

"Thanks!" again to AppGal for sharing with us her great review!

What are your thoughts on the Dressy Jersey Twist-Strap Dress? Are you considering or already have purchased this dress? If so, please share with us your reviews too! :)

J.Crew Email:This just in: the jean of the season

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Marietta, who let us know about J.Crew's most recent email. They are featuring their Vintage Slim Jeans (Item 16426; $98.00).

Although I love the look in the image, I do not think this style is universally appealing. Also, I have a hard time paying more than $20 for jeans with holes (or as they nicely put it, a "distressed look and had-it-forever feel") already in them. ;)

What are your thoughts on the Vintage Slim Jean? Are you a fan or not of the design & style? How would you rock this look? Have you tried these particular pair on? If so, please share with us your review! :)

The Great (Weekly) Exchange {looking to sell}

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share among yourselves. This post is where you can mention your items and outside listing/ auction site (like eBay and eCrater & the corresponding user ID). Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Please note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do you have any items you would like to swap/sell/share among yourselves through your outside listing/auction site?

The Great (Weekly) Exchange {looking to find}

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who are looking for and interested in buying certain items. Please feel free to share a J.Crew store location and/or your outside listing/ auction site if it matches the requests made in this post. Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Also note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share/finding to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Is there an item (or items) that you are looking for and interested in purchasing?