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 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!!! :)

Hen Sweater Pops Up on NBC's Today Show

"Thanks!" to Allison, as well as Danielle (in this post) who let us know that J.Crew's French Hen Sweater (Item 14492; $95.00) made an appearance on the Today's Show Style segment on Fall Trends. The video clip is at the end of this post. Jump to minute 4:40 to catch the Hen!

The print is super cute. After reading some of the comments in the "Hen Sweater Keeps Company {spotted: hen scarf!}" post, I have come to the conclusion that this sweater might be limited to a season or two. Although I do think the smaller print on the blouse and scarf, is absolutely perfect!

Have you seen the French Hen print items at your local J.Crew store? Do you like the trend for Fall. If so, please share!

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 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!

Crewcuts Trunk Show {Bethesda, MD}

"Thanks!" to Sandra, who shared the following event with us: J.Crew is hosting a Crewcuts Trunk Show in Bethesda, MD.

Even more exciting... Jenny Cooper, head of Crewcuts design, will attend to share her styling tips for kids! To attend this special event, please RSVP by calling (301) 365-2000.

For the event's days/hours:

Tuesday, September 18th (10am - 9pm)
Wednesday, September 19th (10am - 9pm)

The location for the event is:

J.Crew Store
7101 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda, MD

Will you be attending this event? If so, please share with us the details of this trunk show. :)

'There Are Too Many Retailers' says Mickey!

"Thanks!" to WellFedFred (in this post), who shared the following story from CNBC (click here to read in its entirety) focusing on J.Crew's Mickey Drexler:

J.Crew's CEO: 'There Are Too Many Retailers'
By Katie Little
September 13, 2012

To compete in an industry that J.Crew CEO Millard "Mickey" Drexler said already contains many brands and designers, retailers must guard against overexpansion and growing merely for growth's sake.

“There are too many retailers," Drexler told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." "There are too many brands. There are too many designers. There are too many discount stores, and the predator online companies are selling discount like crazy.”

Although consumers continue to flock to brands in droves, driving sales at companies such as TJX and Nordstrom, people will stop paying as much money as they are for logos at some point, Drexler said.

“The world today — the standards have been lowered and more people today are wearing more products from every designer, and the dilution of designer names is extraordinarily fast because they’re selling to all discount stores with products and with deals,” Drexler said.

Drexler's comments come two weeks after J.Crew, which went private last year, reported a 21-percent rise in its second-quarter revenue. Still, he is not ensuring that double-digit growth will continue moving forward.

“We never planned to keep double-digit growth up," he said. "We never plan it because then you buy too much inventory, and then you have to take markdowns.” Drexler listed the company's Italian-made shoes, silk shirts and men's Ludlow suits as a few of the items that have been fueling sales.

The company's price range also works well for them, but beating competitors on price is not Drexler's main aim. "I never wanted to compete on price in my history because on price, you don't always win," he said.

Drexler also cautioned retailers against turning to social media as a way to grow their apparel and accessories businesses long term. “I’ve yet to see a correlation in my industry between great social media and great numbers," he said. "You’ve got to be there, but on the other hand, it’s a very hyped-up thing right now.”

Well, J.Crew seems to be embracing social media. In addition to their Facebook, YouTube and Tumblr blog, they are reaching out through other mediums. I have noticed some fashion bloggers getting c/o items from J.Crew. That is in addition to some blog giveaways from J.Crew. Yeah, that is right, from J.Crew. And of course, there is the sponsorship in GOOP.com that was discussed in an earlier post today (click here).

As for too many brands, I see what he is saying. It feels like every celebrity has a fashion label they want to promote.

What are your thoughts on the article? Any points you adamantly agree or disagree with? If you could make some suggestions to J.Crew, what would they be?

J.Crew Sponsors GOOP

"Thanks!" to Boston Brit, Michelle, as well as JSR (in this post), who let us know that the latest issue of GOOP.com (click here) features J.Crew and their latest collection.

As many of you have noticed, the issue was sponsored by J.Crew. I guess this is J.Crew's way of breaking into the blogging community?

The outfits each have a theme with a brief note:

• Pick 1: Transitioning into Fall
  A warm, peach-toned jacket to get you through the fall with a pair of boyfriend shorts for the last warm days of summer.
  
  
• Pick 2: The Work Week
  A tweedy black sweater makes for a great work basic.
  
  
• Pick 3: The Weekender
  Loving the contrast between the bright blue jeans and the navy blue blouse. The sunglasses and handbag complete the outfit.
  
  
• Pick 4: Suiting up
  Add a pop of turquoise to your classic grey work suit.
  
  
• Pick 5: The Classic Camel Coat
  Opting for a toggle for this fall's camel coat.
  
  
• Pick 6: Jewel Tones
  Bringing this season’s cobalt blues and deep reds together.
  
  
• Pick 7: Prep School
  Fall’s preppy must-haves: torn jeans, a schoolboy blazer and velvet slippers.
  
  
• Pick 8: Everyday Tweed
  A brown tweed coat pairs well with these bright blue jeans.
  

Gwyneth Paltrow looks amazing in all her outfits. She really wears the items well. In fact, I think the clothes are styled better in GOOP's issue than in J.Crew's catalog!

So I am not going to lie, I do not enjoy GP. She is a fine actress (and her mother is an amazing actress!) but there is just something about her and her GOOP site that bugs me. Maybe I am still jealous that she played young Wendy in the film "Hook" all those years ago. Apologies in advance to any of her fans out there.

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's feature over at GOOP? Do you like how the clothes are styled?

JCA "Help Style Me!" Weekly Post

This is the weekly "Help Style Me!" post, where we can share items we are having trouble putting outfits together with. Elaine (in this post) says it best, "You know, that thing you bought because you love it and you keep pulling it out and then putting it away without wearing it?"

Please share your J.Crew item (either that you own or are thinking about getting) that you would love help creating an outfit with.

Also, please help out by offering your styling advice. Feel free to include links to your blog (where you incorporated that piece) or to Polyvore (where you showcased an outfit with that piece). Thanks in advance! :)

"Looking to LOVE" with J.Crew

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.

J.Crew Store Location Series {Connecticut}

*Image above is from Etsy (found through CApow)

A big "thanks!" to GigiOfCa {of the delightful Gigi's Gone Shopping blog} who came up with a brilliant suggestion for a series of post: a city guide where JCAs can suggest which J.Crews to shop at.

This post will focus on Connecticut! With so many stores in the area, it might be too much to visit them all. So if you are a local, or a knowledgeable tourist, please share what stores a fellow JCA has to visit!

Feel free to share other tidbits of advice. For example... What are your top three spots? Are there certain stores that should be avoided at certain times of the day/ week? Are there stores that have a better selection than others? Which stores have the best sale offerings?

Which J.Crew brick & mortar (B&M) stores {in the state of Connecticut} should an out-of-towner shop at? Which stores should be avoided? Please share! :)

J.Crew Updates Website with New Arrivals!

"Thanks!" to many of you, including life as a cat (in this post), pretty addicted (in this post) as well as Cate O (in this post), as well as Ina, Jcrew girl, Sandra, & 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!} It looks like Crewcuts (click here) has been updated, as did the J.Crew Collection (click here).

The September catalog (click here to view) is available to view. However, the latest Fall/October catalog featuring Tokyo is not yet up. This probably will not be available online for another two weeks. Although it is probably already available in brick & mortar stores.

J.Crew is keeping us on our toes! I wasn't expecting to see new arrivals until tomorrow. However, no complaints here. Excited to see what is new to J.Crew! :)

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More exciting news! J.Crew is offering free shipping with no minimum with promo code FREESHIP. This amazing offer expires Sunday, September 16, 2012.

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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? :)