J.Crew's Holiday Style Tips: Fashion Do or Don't?

By popular JCA request, this post is about J.Crew's latest style tips for Holiday 2009 (which can be found online here). Many JCAs have questioned the "advice" (and oh yes, that word is in quotes for a reason) being offered by J.Crew this merry season. Perhaps someone got to the eggnog a bit early this year. Read on for more...

Holiday Style Tips: Our resident stylist reveals her secrets for how to make your party attire a little less predictable

Style Tip #1: There's more to holiday dressing than costumey holiday sweaters and black cocktail dresses. 'Tis the season to get creative. A celebratory sequin reindeer tee and thigh high socks (rather than conventional tights) give an otherwise classic ensemble a chic twist.

Style Tip #2: Who says sparkle is only for evening? Nothing makes a better day-to-night piece than a sequin sweater jacket. Layer it over a shock of holiday red and when the sun goes down lose the casual cords for sexy cropped black pants and sky-high heels.

Style Tip #3: There's always a winter occasion that calls for an all-out glamour gown. Heels are the most obvious footwear choice, but glittery flats make a bigger style statement- not to mention prep your feet to dance the night away.

Style Tip #4: Not only is a borrowed-from-the-boys buffalo check tie a festive accent, it also keeps this ladylike taffeta skirt from feeling too fancy. Fishnet anklets are the perfect playful finishing touch.

Style Tip #5: The quickest way to get more mileage out of a frilly party dress is to wear it the day after with a boyish blazer and motorcycle boots. I can see a cool mom wearing this outfit to her kid's school Christmas pageant.

Style Tip #6: Throw a tuxedo jacket over a sequin sweatshirt with dark skinny jeans and strappy heels for an effortlessly cool remedy to little black dress boredom.

{gasp} I am still collecting my thoughts around the tips...

Okay, now that I had a moment I can properly reflect. The outfits selected with each style tip is over. the. top. C'mon now J.Crew!

For example (style tip #5), do you honestly think some "cool mom" is going to rock that outfit at her kids Christmas pageant? Really? Right. What about style tip #2, that whole outfit (including trapper hat, that's right a trapper hat!) screams "sloppy" to me. Not so much sexy. And I can't believe I am saying this, but we get it J.Crew you like sequin tops.

Needless to say, I am not a fan of the style tips or outfits showcased. I am going to go with the ever popular phrase that "less is more" and hope J.Crew will recognize that too.

What are your thoughts on the Holiday Style Tips? Are you a fan of any (or all) of the styles? Are there any "tips" that you strongly disagree or agree with? :)

Madewell Email: The sweater of the season

"Thanks!" to Marietta who shared the email Madewell sent yesterday.

The email features the Striped Cocoon Cardigan ($72) which is described as "a cool, unique shape meets cozy lambswool and angora– so soft you won't want to take it off".

Not going to lie, I am going to pass on this cardigan. I think it would make me look bigger than I am and why would I want to do that?

What are your thoughts on the Cocoon Cardigan? Do you like or dislike the style? Are you a fan of Madewell's sweaters? :)

J.Crew Email: Are you missing out?

"Thanks!" to Sandra (in this post) & GoldCoastGal who let us know about the following. J.Crew sent an email to non-card members listing all the reasons why it's great to be a card member. This topic was recently discussed in the October 20th "J.Crew Email: Are you missing out?" and October 16th "J.Crew Email: A special offer... for a limited time" posts.

There are several stated benefits associated with the card:

• $25 Rewards Card for every $500 you spend
• Lookbooks featuring their favorite pieces
  (and how to wear them)
• Prioritized status when receiving monthly catalogs
  
• Cardmember-only invitations to private sales
• Advanced notification of the biggest sale each season
  
• Early access to select items
• Complimentary standard alterations
  (does not apply to Factory stores)
• Personal shopping (they'll even open early or stay late to suit your schedule)
• Access to the Cardmember-only priority number, so you'll never have to wait in line
  

Some JCAs have been very happy with the card (especially those who do not carry a balance). They reported getting their rewards card quickly as well as several preview emails. However, some JCAs who are card members mentioned not receiving all the slated benefits (like not getting the Look Book, getting the catalog late, etc.)

As for me, I still don't plan on opening a card with J.Crew (the interest rate is outrageous!) But thanks for the offer! ;)

J.Crew Email: INSIDER SALE reminder. Ends tomorrow. 20% off your order of $150+.

"Thanks!" to Marietta who shared the following email J.Crew sent this morning.

J.Crew is reminding us about their offer to take 20% off purchases of $150+ with promo code INSIDER. This offer is expires tomorrow, 11/18/09, and is available online only.

Some JCAs have mentioned using this promotion already. Moreover, some of you {selected} JCAs have used this promotion in conjunction to J.Crew's "free shipping (no min) when you log-in" offer. (Refer to the November 10th " Surprise! Log Into J.Crew for Free Shipping {yey!}" post for more information on the latter offer which runs until November 22nd).

Lastly, remember all those free shipping codes last week? {sigh! good times, good times.} I am surprised there are no codes out right now. :(

Have you already taken advantage of this promotion? Will you be taking advantage of this promotion? Are there any items you are interested in getting?

More Sneak Peeks for J.Crew's 2010 Collection

We have seen quite a few sneak peeks for the Spring 2010 collection (refer to here, here, and here). Well, now there's some more! :)

"Thanks!" to J.Crew Guy In Canada who shared several additional articles on the upcoming collection...

• "J.Crew 2010 Spring/Summer Presentation"
  at HypeBeast (showcases Men)
  
• "J Crew Spring 2010 Collection"
  at Denimology (showcases Men & Women)
  
• "Runway Review: J.Crew"
  at StyleList (showcases Women)
• "J. Crew Spring 2010 Presentation (and Lookbook)"
  at Christain Ralf (showcases Men)
  

What are your thoughts? Has your opinion on the upcoming line changed? Are you looking forward to the Spring Collection?

J.Crew Email: We're celebrating in Market Square + $25 off

A big "thanks!" to GoldCoastGal, Linda, & J.Crew Addict who let us know about another wonderful offer from J.Crew. The J.Crew in Lake Forest, Illinois is having its first anniversary. To celebrate, J.Crew is offering local customers $25 off any purchase of $150+. This offer starts 11/17/09 and ends 12/1/09.

Just click on the image above or here (which will take you to a larger version of the image) and print it out (so the associate can read the email).

The location for the store is:

Market Square
682 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 735-0848

Congrats to all those in the area!!! :)

J.Crew Email: INSIDER SALE . 20% off your order of $150+. 3 days and online only.

"Thanks!" to many of you, including HeidiG, Athena, Stephanie, Marietta, as well as JBird (in this post), who shared the following email J.Crew sent this morning.

J.Crew is offering 20% off purchases of $150+ with promo code INSIDER. This offer is expires 11/18/09 and is available online only.

Incidentally, this morning the sale section updated with a decent amount of stock, including several pop-backs from last winter. Most of the good stuff is gone now. However, I think the next few weeks there will be a decent sale section as the sale merchandise from brick & mortar (B&M) stores are making its way back to J.Crew's distribution centers.

Will you be taking advantage of this promotion? Are there any items you are interested in getting?

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?

Sidenote: What's up with JCAs writing "sub" or "subscribing" as their comment? It just means they are subscribing to all the comments (which are then automatically sent to their email) in that particular thread. This way they can stay aware of all the comments posted. :)

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?

J.Crew Email: Exclusively ours...a vintage-inspired icon. FREE SHIPPING ENDS TODAY.

"Thanks!" to Marietta who shared the following email J.Crew sent this morning.

Similar to the email J.Crew sent in September (refer to "J.Crew Email: Keep time with a classic" post), this email features the Timex Military Watch (Item 10884; $150.00). J.Crew also offers the Solid Watch Strap (Item 19474; $20.00) in a variety of colors including Authentic Red (perfect for the Holidays!)

The email also reminds us that they are offering 20% off select styles of Women's Knits and Tees (click here to shop online). This offer expires today and is available only online.

Lastly, J.Crew is offering free shipping on orders of $150+ with promo code 150SHIP. This offer expires today too. Apparently some JCAs have reported being unable to use this code even though they met the requirements. Something to keep in mind when purchasing. If this is the case (the code is not working for you), you should try calling the order in and explaining the situation. The customer service representatives (CSR) should apply the code for you on your order. :)