Sought & Found: Did you visit J.Crew this {past} Weekend?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopped by a J.Crew store this past weekend to see what's available (if anything!) in the SUMMER & FALL sale, or to see some new FALL arrivals {sigh!} in person, maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the noteworthy items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic!

Also, please let us know if your local store was/ is carrying an additional percent off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

J.Crew Promotes New Trend {hairy legs... ha!}

"Thanks!" to so many of you, including JCrewSS, Azra, as well as Mia & ajc (in this post), who shared the following {hysterical} news from Gawker (click here for original article).

J.Crew and the Case of the Hairy Legs
By Maureen O'Connor
October 15, 2010

Preppy clothing enthusiasts recoiled today when J.Crew put a model with hippie-hairy legs on its website. Has J.Crew found its "inner feminist"? Is a disgruntled web designer playing pranks? We reveal the startling truth, after the jump.

None of the above: Turns out these tights replicate the exact texture and appearance of super-hairy legs. These will either become J.Crew's poorest-selling item, or best-selling— Halloween is coming, after all. Maybe they could market it as a sexy Chewbacca accessory?

So it turns out that the new "look" featured on the image found on the Women's Shoes page (click here) was from wearing J.Crew's Lace Tights (Item 31350; $22.50) in Fawn. (The image is found on the top of this post.) This story has definitely traveled the web, including a spot on Perez Hilton's Coco Perez (click here) & the Huffington Post (click here).

Well J.Crew must have figured it out because they changed the photo for Women's Shoes (where this all started) to showcase the tights in Black. Smart move J.Crew, smart move. But alas, it's too late. ;)

What are your thoughts on the tights? Did you think the hosiery made the model look like she had not shaved in a year? ;)

J.Crew Factory Takes The Weekend Off {right...}

"Thanks!" to many of you, who shared the latest news from J.Crew about J.Crew Factory (click here to view online).

In yesterday's "J.Crew Email: EXTRA 30% OFF final sale (plus, FREE..." post, many JCAs wondered where the tab to shop the Factory Store online went. This morning J.Crew has provided an answer on their home page:

Looking for Factory Online?

We took the weekend off, but here's something to tide you over: take 30% off our final sale at jcrew.com* (Factory online will reopen next weekend.)

As some of you have suggested, I believe J.Crew purposely omitted the Factory Store online tab because they did not want the "30% off sale" promotion to apply to Factory items. That's too bad.

Did you notice the Factory Store link was not available this Friday? What are your thoughts on this move by J.Crew?

Darlings, is it time for a coupon code?

Yes, it is that wonderful time!

A big "thanks!" to Rose (of the lovely "1 More Shopping Blog"), who is super nice to share with us that J.Crew is offering free shipping on orders of $100+ with promo code YQC83N. This offer expires 11/5/10.

P.S. I have noticed that other blogs & websites post J.Crew codes & coupons *after* this blog does. If you happen to get codes & coupons from the JCA blog & post them at your site, could you please give give a "shout out" to the JCA blog? This way more JCAs are inclined to share. TIA! :)

J.Crew Email: EXTRA 30% OFF final sale (plus, FREE SHIPPING)

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Ashley (in this post), as well as Marietta, who shared the latest promotion from J.Crew.

J.Crew is offering 30% off any purchase from their Final Sale {no minimum} and free shipping (over $150 *after* discounts applied) with promo code MUSTHAVE. This promotion expires this Monday, October 18, 2010. The following is the fine print of this offer:

*All sales final. No exchanges, no returns. Offer valid online only. Offer does not apply to previous purchases or the purchase of gift cards. 30% off discount applies to sale items only. Offer valid through Monday, October 18, 2010, 11:59pm ET. Free shipping offer applies to orders shipped via ground shipping totaling $150+ after 30% discount on sale items and before shipping, handling and taxes are added. Savings are applied at checkout with code MUSTHAVE. Offer not valid on phone orders. Cannot be combined with any other promotion. Limit one promotional code per order.

Several JCAs, including myself, did not take advantage of the last promotion (that ended yesterday for 20% off on full priced items). I wonder if this new promotion is to get our attention and more importantly, to start buying. In any case, I welcome it! :)

Will you take advantage of this latest promotion? If so, what items did you pick up?

Seek & Find: Will you visit J.Crew this Weekend?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopping by a J.Crew store this weekend to see what's available (if anything!) in the SUMMER & FALL sale, or to see some new FALL arrivals {sigh!} in person, maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the noteworthy items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic!

Also, please let us know if your local store is carrying an additional percent off sale. Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S. I noticed that many of you have already been reporting sale items (and in which stores) in other posts which by the way "thank you!" :) I really appreciate how helpful we are for each other!

J.Crew News: Recap of Reinvention

"Thanks!" to Ashley, who shared an article about J.Crew and its reinvention from Macleans (click here to read in its entirety).

J.Crew and the Mail-Order Makeover
By Julia Belluz
September 21, 2010

Mickey Drexler, known as “the Steve Jobs of retail,” once had a reputation for breakneck retail expansion. Before the native New Yorker took the helm of J.Crew in 2003, he steered the Gap through its heyday in the 1990s, helping the company grow from 450 stores to more than 2,000. The Gap, he once said, should be as ubiquitous as Coca-Cola. But this overreaching contributed to Drexler’s downfall: the Gap’s growth stalled, and after a series of bad decisions, its stock plummeted. In 2002, Drexler was fired.

At J.Crew, Drexler has taken an altogether different approach, and the company has been on a hot streak for the last few years. Between 2003 and 2008 revenues rose 107 per cent, and in 2009, after both Oprah and the first family expressed their ardour for the label, revenues rang in at US$1.57 billion, outstripping pre-recession levels. But Drexler has not responded with aggressive expansion. Instead, the CEO squeezed growth out of the existing footprint of the business (just 321 stores) through a mix of retailing strategies that have transformed the brand. Once synonymous with preppy clothes and mail-order catalogues, Drexler’s J. Crew is now one of the most creative and fashionable retailers in North America.

When the recession hit the retail industry in the U.S., and many clothing shops slashed prices and offered deep discounts, J.Crew moved into affordable luxury, mixing fashion-conscious pieces (a $1,200 cropped leather jacket) with high-quality basics (T-shirts, jeans). Richard Jaffe, retail analyst at New York’s Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, says it’s this broad appeal that has reinvigorated the 27-year-old brand. “There are people who shop at J. Crew now who spend $2,000 on a handbag and those who think T-shirts shouldn’t cost more than $5,” he says. “[J.Crew] is part of many peoples’ wardrobes.”

In perhaps its biggest gamble, J.Crew has been introducing big-name third-party brands ...These partners were invited to design merchandise to be sold specifically through J.Crew. “We did this because we think there are great brands and companies out there who are masters at their craft,” says one company insider (who spoke on the condition of anonymity). “We’re not going to try to be an expert in all products.” Rather than dilute the J.Crew brand, Drexler is piggybacking off the cachet of more respected labels to help raise his company’s status. Since 2007, some 40 relationships have been formed, and, Jaffe notes, “They dress up the store and create a halo effect on the rest of the products.”

J.Crew has also continued to make gains online, where overhead is low and margins are great.

The company just announced plans to open an Internet outlet store and, this May, went global through the online luxury retailer Net-A-Porter. Imran Amed, editor of the Business of Fashion blog, says the move surprised insiders. “But it was also a great endorsement from the authority in online fashion retailing and it enables J.Crew to reach a global market at minimal cost.” Plus, he adds, “It may lay the groundwork for international expansion in the future.” (Indeed, J.Crew has said it plans to open up shops in Canada, where they operate via catalogue and the Web, and in London, England.)

Meanwhile, the company has been reaching out to often-neglected male consumers, opening stand-alone J. Crew men’s shops (four since 2008). ...David Ian Gray, retail analyst and principal of Vancouver-based DIG360 Consulting, anticipates that focusing on menswear will lead to future growth. “Men’s clothing tends to be overlooked because men spend less. At the end of the day, they need to buy clothing, and they have partners who will buy it for them as well.”

For now, J.Crew is in uncharted retail waters: a mostly mail-order catalogue company that also runs couture-calibre boutiques; a clothing company that’s making a name for itself by plugging other brands. Yet it’s working, says Gray. While the ideas may seem radical, the approach is still cautious. “Drexler is following a more prudent, quality-growth approach,” Gray says, “while retaining a clear drive to succeed. It’s a nice balance.”

Most of the information shared in the article has been discussed previously on the blog. However, it it is still an interesting read. I also hope that our JCAs in Canada get to visit J.Crew stores of their own!

What are your thoughts on the article? Any points made that you found particularly interesting? If so, please share! :)

J.Crew Updates Website with New Arrivals!

"Thanks!" to many of you, including JulieStyles (in this post), Christy (in this post), Heidi (in this post), as well as Ina, Marietta, & Irina, who let us know that J.Crew had an update to its website today (click here to view online).

There are some new arrivals for men (click here) & women (click here). {wahoo!} Of course, Crewcuts (click here) and the J.Crew Collection (click here) got updated too.

The latest NOVEMBER catalog (click here to view) is available to view. The November catalog for Men is also available. :) As for the new arrivals...

What I like: Like so many of you, I am really crushing on the Marled Alexie Sweater (Item 32851; $69.50). I love the slim fit, the longer length, and the fabulous "marl black white" shade. Just when I think am done with sequins, something like the Drapey Sequin Tank (Item 32360; $69.50) sucks me back in. The black and olive moss versions are gorgeous!

Not so crazy for: The Boiled Wool Shimmery V-Neck Sweater (Item 32803; $98.00) might have been a good idea in design, but doesn't look that great in reality. It's one of those hard-t0-work-with pieces.

C'mon now: What can I say about the Dulphine Boa Cardigan (Item 32171; $138.00) except for, "oh no!" And what about the Muse Tank (Item 32367; $59.50)? Yeah, from the front it looks okay. However, the side views makes the model look like she has a pouch. Who needs that? Not me. ;)

What happened: Where are all the great coats from J.Crew? Usually Fall brings the most fabulous styles of Winter coats. So far, I am not seeing one that I am heads-over-heels with. And while I am ranting, where are all the knee length skirts? Is it just me, or are the skirts looking rather short as of late? As someone who is on the taller side, I can't rock them without risk of exposure. :(

Lastly, J.Crew is extending their offer for 20% off all full-priced Women's Apparel on orders of $150+ with promo code SHOPFALL. This promotion now ends today (10/14/2010)!

What items are you most excited about and why? Which items are you surprised (or not surprised) to see? Which items did you hope would be included? Were you expecting a bigger roll-out today? Also, did you receive the latest catalog? :)

J.Crew's Newest Men's Shop

A big "thanks!" to so many of you, including Some Assembly Required, Jess, & Rosie, who shared the news that a new men's only concept store opened at Copley Place (in Boston, MA) recently.

"Thanks!" to Rosie who shared an article from Boston.com (click here to read the article in its entirety) about the store.

Tailored for a masculine fit
By Christopher Muther
October 5, 2010

There is an unmistakable crackle of controlled chaos in the air. Amid the neatly folded stacks of shirts and displays of crisply tailored suits, a whirling dervish by the name of Millard "Mickey" Drexler is brusquely inspecting the new J.Crew men’s concept store at Copley Place. The store has been open approximately two hours, and Drexler, the CEO of J.Crew who was once dubbed the “merchant prince,’’ is causing a minor panic with his presence among the sales associates, all dressed in matching black and white check shirts.

“Where’s the swatch book for suits?’’ he asks, flummoxed when it does not appear when requested. The 66-year-old Drexler, looking casual in a Belstaff jacket and untucked shirt, tells one of the check shirt-wearing employees to move a sock display to where it is more visible.

Drexler is in town for the opening of the store, which is the chain’s first outside of the New York area. Currently in the midst of a creative and financial renaissance, J.Crew split its men’s store off into a separate location in Copley Place. The new space is a modern, cleaned-up take on a dusty smoke shop or haberdashery.

“We didn’t do official studies,’’ Drexler says. “But it became clear to us that guys weren’t crazy about walking through women’s merchandise to get to their own section at the back of the store. We thought the time and the clothes were right to create a men’s store. It looks the way men’s shops used to look.’’

The environment is a thoughtful mix of masculine bric-a-brac, wood accents, and the brand’s clothing, which has been significantly revamped by designer Frank Muytjens, the man who Esquire magazine declared “made it cool to shop at J.Crew again’’ in its current issue.

“We realized that men were looking for something a little more modern,’’ says J.Crew president and executive creative director Jenna Lyons. “I don’t mean modern as in fashion. I mean modern in terms of cut. We didn’t stock a clean, lean tailored suit. We didn’t have a narrow cut shirt. We didn’t have a great slim pant. We had a lot of casual clothes, but we didn’t have a tailored element to make him feel sexier or pulled together.’’

Drexler, the former Gap CEO credited with taking the chain from a humble jeans store to the king of the khakis in the 1990s, says the new J.Crew approach is tailored to fit the way that men shop, which he says is significantly different from women.

“We pretty much don’t like to shop relative to women,’’ he says. “Women are just better shoppers than men, and they spend more time at it. What we’re creating here is a well-edited shop where guys can come in and get a suit, get a shirt, get a pair of pants. It’s not overwhelming, and then we sell pieces from Alden, Red Wing. We have watches and books. The idea is that a guy can come in here and do all his shopping and not feel like there’s too much.’’

Around the store, the emphasis is on classic American sportswear redesigned for stylish gents. Just don’t use the words “trend’’ and “men’’ in the same sentence around the J. Crew honchos.

“The word ‘trend’ for men is always scary,’’ Lyons says, laughing. “I wouldn’t call it a trend, but you see a lot more men are dressing up these days, looking more polished. It’s adorable when you see a cute young guy wearing a tie when he doesn’t have to.’’

To me, branching to Boston is a great idea. Can you imagine how many sales they will get from the Harvard grad students alone?! ;) As for the store itself, it looks beautiful!

What are your thoughts on the latest men's only store? Are you a fan of concept? Do you agree with Mickey and his take on the stores? :)

"Looking to LOVE" with J.Crew

Preface: A big "thanks!" to Ibi who suggested weekly 'Looking to LOVE' and 'Looking to HATE' posts where we could all "deposit" our best & worst current experiences. I think it is a brilliant idea and will try it out for a few weeks. Hopefully this will help out our fellow JCAs! :)

This is the weekly "Looking to LOVE with J.Crew" post, a place to share our favorite experiences with J.Crew.

If you have recently experienced a positive 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 stellar experiences with purchases & orders, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.