J.Crew Spring 2015 Collection Looks

 
"Thanks!" to  many of you, including JSR (in this post), who let us know that Style.com posted J.Crew's Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear Looks for us to check out. Click here to see all 29 looks!

I have to quote JSR (in this post), for this look above: "...Couldn't someone fix the crotch first before taking the picture?? The model looks like she has man parts. I understand the drop crotch style...but this is funny." LOL!!!!

 I love this whole look (especially the ivory blazer), very chic!

I have to quote JSR (in this post) again: "...I kind of like the collection... BUT... now the more I look at it, the more it reminds me of Bea Arthur's character-Dorothy on The Golden Girls. Hahaha..Oh no! How she wore those oversized shirts and pants (only because she's tall). :-P" Oh. My. YES!

Is it weird that I kind of *love* this comparison?! It's no secret I adore the Golden Girls, and Dorothy is my absolutely favorite character. Where is my cheesecake!?!

What are your thoughts on the upcoming collection from J.Crew? Any particular items that you are excited about?

J.Crew Collection Video {download that song!}

The song behind J.Crew's Collection video got quite the love from JCAs (as discussed in the June 19th "J.Crew Collection Video {what's that song?}" post).

"Thanks!" to Angela & AppGal (in this post) who let us know that customers can now download that song ...for free! Click HERE to start.

According to J.Crew's Facebook page, "the chanson, “To Be Free,” sung by Guylaine Vivarat, was composed exclusively for us—and it isn’t available anywhere else".

I have to give "kudos!" to J.Crew for making the song available to its fans. It was a nice move on their part. :)

What are your thoughts on the song? Will you download the song? :)

Quick Stop at J.Crew's Collection & Accessories Store

Recently, I was able to stop in the J.Crew Collection store and the J.Crew Accessories store. The following are my quick impressions of both stores:

Collection store (at 1035 Madison Avenue in NYC)
Anyone planning to visit this store should have the address number written down. There are no large visible signs indicating the store is J.Crew. As many of you have mentioned, there is only the small script (shown in the image above) on a glass door that lets shoppers know where they are. ;)

Also, (as many of you have mentioned), the store is small. I mean really small! But this is NYC's Madison Avenue, so it definitely has a boutique feel to it. The store carried lots of Collection pieces, including last Fall's Python Jamie bag (Item 98959; $3,000.00) that sits under a glass case. I have a feeling that only one was made and no one bothered to purchase it. It wasn't particularly attractive, but it did make me long for my regular Jaime bag. ;)

For the staff... I am usually a big supporter of SAs (store associates). I (usually) find them to be pleasant, attentive, and helpful. Not so much at the Collection Store. I was either ignored or treated like I was in the way of another, more important customer for the 20 minutes I was there. In all fairness, I visited the store on a busy Saturday so I didn't mind it so much at the time. And the customers the SAs were paying attention to, looked like they were getting fabulous service. The only employee in the store who not only acknowledge my existence but made me feel appreciated was the security woman. So if J.Crew corporate is reading this (and according to the analytic software, they check this website about 10 to 20 times per day), give that woman a raise! :)

Overall: Happy I got to see the store that received so much press. Won't be going back. Ever.

Accessories Store (at 99 Prince St in NYC)
Talk about aesthetically pleasing... the layout was amazing. This store is actually adjoined via mini-hallway/ entrance to the 2,600-square-foot Women’s floor (with the Crewcuts and Sale section on the basement floor).

Despite the proximity to the regular J.Crew store, the Accessories Store had its own unique feel. There were tables full of accessories– including headbands, brooches, pins, jewelry, and the like. There was also a wall of Collection shoes and handbags, similar to the Collection Store (shown in the first image above). Incidentally, has anyone else noticed this layout– the wall of shoes & handbags– being duplicated in your local brick & mortar (B&M) locations? A few weeks ago I noticed one of my local J.Crew stores with it and thought it looked fantastic.

However, this space is tight! (Unlike the regular store that it adjoins– which is quite large.) Don't bother trying on shoes because there's no where to go. You can't even bend over without bumping into something. I felt like I was in Stephen King's The Shining maze, where I couldn't get out the same way I got in because the paths had changed (from free to full of people). At one point, I just stood for 5 minutes pretending to look at a Ballet Flat because I couldn't get out. ;)

For the staff... fabulous! There were lots of SAs on the floor and they knew their J.Crew! I had one SA proactively come up to me and say, "I like your bag" as I had the Large Leather Gallery Hobo (Item 13339; Regular $298.00; now $199.99). I turned around to say thanks and he added "and you are wearing the J.Crew Victoria Cami... you are all J.Crew-ed out!" Loved it! :)

Overall: Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area. Excellent array of accessories.

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Collection and Accessories store? Would you visit (or are planning to visit) either store soon? Do you think these concept-stores are a good idea and should be duplicated in other cities besides NYC?

J.Crew's Latest Collection: Vintage Closet

A big "thanks!" to LizPoms who shared with us the news that J.Crew is offering a new line of clothes in stores. LizPoms (click here to read her post about this) found that several items had a special tag reading "Vintage Closet". GigiOfCa (click here to read her post about this) ran across the new line at her local store too. (Incidentally, the image of the tag above was taken by GigiOfCa & can be found at her post). :)

The items, including the blouse shown in the image (which LizPoms was kind to share), in this newest line appear to be more romantic and vintage in design. The items also offer lots of pretty details that make the line ultra-femme.

I personally cannot wait to stop by a local J.Crew to see this new line in person!

What are your thoughts on the new "Vintage Closet" line? Do you think this line is temporary (e.g. just for the Summer) or permanent (e.g. like the Collection line)? Have you seen any "Vintage Closet" items at your local store? If so, please share! :)

MINI UPDATE: Some Aficionadas (including Anon at 5:17AM & 5:35AM in this post) explained that this is not a new line, but has been around for a season or two. Apparently this line shows up in just a few select stores (which would explain why some of us have not seen it before). ;) Hopefully the Vintage Closet items will be available for purchase online. :)

Crewcuts Collection: Is It For Your Kids?

"Thanks!" to Anonymous at 10:28 AM (in the "J.Crew Email: Just In... Crewcuts New Fall Styles" post) who let us know that J.Crew Crewcuts has its own Collection of high (read as "really high") priced items.

Crewcuts Girl's Collection | Crewcuts Boy's Collection

Even though there is a Men's and Women's Collection, I am surprised that J.Crew is offering the Crewcuts version. I just didn't think there was a market for high priced children clothes among J.Crew's customers. (Although I know there is a market for high priced children's clothes- as lots of celebrities like Kate Holmes and Posh Spice outfit their cute children in). My reasoning is: since children grow so quickly, a J.Crew customer may not think it is worth spending the $348 on the Girls' houndstooth Prunella coat (Item 97016), $328 on the Girls' Striped-silk pouf skirt (Item 95160), or $385 on the Boys' cashmere cable cardigan (Item 97096). :)

What do you think of the Crewcuts' Collection? Would you consider purchasing from the Collection for your kids? Do you own any Crewcuts Collection pieces?

J.Crew Bridesmaid Dresses for Fall and Spring

There is a great site called Brides.com that not only has J.Crew's bridesmaid dress for Fall 2008, but also Spring 2009. There are so many beautiful styles that I can't wait to see them in person! :)


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Click here to view more of J.Crew's dresses for the upcoming Fall and Spring season. What is great about the Brides.com site is that when you click on an image of the dress, there are additional views of the item. How fantastic!?!

What do you think of the latest styles? If you are a future bride, would you consider using one of the styles for your bridesmaids?

Around the Corner: J.Crew's Fall Collection

I was at a J.Crew store today to return a blouse and I noticed that a LOT of new merchandise was being displayed already. I wasn't sure what to make of the new clothes: it wasn't pure "Fall"-wear but it definitely wasn't pure "Summer"-wear either. I guess it was a "Summer-Fall" combo. Anyways, there were lots of cute items in darker shades (e.g. flowy skirts in navy), but nothing looked like the clothes from the "Sneak Peek into J.Crew's Fall 2008 Collection" post.

Also, Beth let us know that she found out through a J.Crew representative, that the J.Crew Fall/August catalog will most likely be coming out around 7/26/08. She believes the new merchandise will be available online around 7/24/08 (if not earlier). She was also told by the customer representative that there might (yes, just a "possibility") be a fall preview online! How exciting would that be?!?

Are you looking forward to the new catalog? Would you be excited by a Fall Preview Online? Or do you think it is still too early to think about Fall? Let us know what you think. :)

J.Crew's Suits For Men

In the "Men's Clothing Collector's Items" post, Lena, Abijah, Blumre, and others were discussing J.Crew suits for men. I thought this topic is a great one that deserves its own post.

I personally believe that the Men's suits collection looks quite nice. Although I have not seen them in person- so I can't speak of their quality. :)

What are your impressions as to the quality of J.Crew suits for men? How is the fit/cut of the suits (e.g. do they tend to run narrow)? Is there a particular fabric (e.g. Italian Chino, linen, wool, seersucker) that is better to purchase? Are J.Crew suits for men a good investment (e.g. last for a long time) or are there other places (e.g. Brooks Brothers) that are better "suited"? ;)

What's Your Oldest J.Crew Item in Your Closet?

Emily in the ("Plea for Common Courtesy :)" post) suggested a great idea for a post which is to find out and share what each person's oldest J.Crew item is.

I have to admit, I didn't own anything from J.Crew until I was a freshman in college. (Even back then it was only an item or two- their long sleeve tees that were both soft and comfortable.) This was mainly because there was not a J.Crew store in my immediate shopping area (and I wasn't willing to drive at least a half an hour to one, like I am willing to now!) I didn't purchase much through their catalogs either because I didn't know what my size would be. (Remember J.Crew had those clearance catalogs they would send out a couple of times each year?)

What is your oldest J.Crew item that you still have in your closet? Do you still wear it? Have you found the quality of J.Crew lasted over the years?

Men's Clothing Collector's Items

Did anyone else notice in the J.Crew Men's section that there is a new link called "collector's items"? Unfortunately I have not noticed it until now. To be honest, I have no idea how this collection is different from their existing J.Crew Collection (which I always thought existed for both men's and women's collection).

Now some of the items in this new "collection" are expensive, like the Hand-finished leather racing jacket (Item 87040; $895.00). However, there are other items in the collection that are priced reasonably like the Premium officer's chino (Item 86722; $85.00). Therefore, I am confused by this new line (is it suppose to be expensive, high-end, & limited; or just high-end & limited?)

What do you think of J.Crew's new Men's Clothing Collector's Items? Have you purchased any items from the collection? Is the quality superior to that of J.Crew's "regular" line?

J.Crew Denim Fit: Which is your fave?

Anonymous at 8:52 PM in the "Will you visit J.Crew this Weekend?" suggested a post about J.Crew's different "fits" for denim. Although there was a post awhile back about J.Crew pants' fit in general ("J.Crew Fit: Which is your fave?"), I think it is a great idea to bring back the topic again, but for jeans in specific (especially with all the sales going on in-stores, it would be great to know which fits to try on!)

J.Crew offers lots of pant styles for denim like: Matchstick, Trouser, Bootcut, Hip-slung, and Boy-fit.

I actually own several pairs of J.Crew jeans (although I must confess that I am a big fan of Gap's jeans as well). I have stuck to the same style: trouser cut. I find this particular style look best (e.g. the most flattering) on my 5'8" pear shaped frame. Although I love how matchstick jeans looks, I don't even bother trying them on (let alone buying a pair) because I know they would never work for my body type. ;)

As a help to others who are unsure what style to get: What is your body style and favorite style? How do you like the lengths of J.Crew denim as well?

Sneak Peek into J.Crew's Fall 2008 Collection

Summer has barely started and already there is talk of the Fall Collection!

For example, I stopped by a J.Crew store this Wednesday and over heard one of the floor associates tell a customer that they are not planning to receive anymore Summer items as the next "shipment of clothes" is expected to be for their Fall collection.

Although most of you are probably not thinking about the Fall anytime soon, you may be curious to see what is going to come to your stores. :)

"Thanks!" to ccbmum who let us know, in the "Buy & Review: What did you get during the Sale?" post, about Glam Chic's Sneak Peek into J.Crew's Fall 2008 Collection. Here you will find several pictures with items from J.Crew's upcoming Men's and Women's lines.

I was also able to find FabSugar's Sneak Peek into J.Crew's Fall 2008 Collection. And in case you are interested, here is FabSugar's Sneak Peek into Madewell's Fall 2008 Collection. Both of these links show a few pictures of models wearing some of the pieces being offered in the Women's Fall Collection.

Are there any items that you like/ dislike so far? Are you excited about the Fall 2008 Collection (or planning to think about the Fall Collection when it is closer to Fall)?

J.Crew Swimwear: Share your review! :)

Awhile back there was a post about J.Crew's swimwear in general (the "Sun, Sea, Sand, and J.Crew!" post). Chini (in the "Love it or Leave it: Selima for J.Crew clear glass" post) suggested to post about swimwear again. I think this is a great idea! :) Especially since we are in "beach season".

Also, most of us have already started receiving the swim suits & separates purchased from the sales (these past few weeks). Sharing each others' reviews (e.g. what you thought of the fabric, sizing related concerns, etc.) on the various swim items can help us all decide whether or not we should purchase them. :)

What swimwear items did you get? Were you able to snag any sweet deals? Let us know how you made out and what you thought of those items! :)

J.Crew's Weddings & Parties Collection

Cape Cod Betty shared with us, in the "{Yey!} New arrivals are here!" post, that she purchased the (absolutely gorgeous!) Lucinda gown (Item 93503) yesterday for her wedding. {Congrats again Cape Cod Betty on your dress and upcoming wedding!}

After noticing many people (including myself) commenting on how beautiful some of the pieces are within J.Crew's Weddings & Parties Collection, I thought it deserved its own post.

First, I think most of the dresses offered by J.Crew for brides are beautiful in their elegance and simplicity. For example, I really do love the Lucinda gown (Item 93503). I love the style- with a fitted bodice and an overall gorgeous ball gown shape. The fact that it comes with pockets makes it even more fantastic! However, there have been some dresses that I have questioned, both in terms of shape/style and price. For example, [and please forgive me if you own this dress and love it, it's just my opinion ;) ] the Annabelle gown (Item 93741) is not very (universally) flattering and the price tag ($2,950.00) seems excessive.

I am also a big fan of the Groom and Groomsmen collection. I love the idea that J.Crew offers classic styles for the Groom and Groomsmen. Moreover, the suits [like the Year-round solid three-button suit jacket (Item 66258)] are versatile enough to not only be worn year-round, but for a variety of occasions (besides weddings).

I am a bigger fan of the Bridesmaid collection. I love the fact that J.Crew offers dresses "to flatter a wide range of figures." For example, Brides can select a color and allow their bridesmaids to select the actual style of dress, that best fits their body shape. The best part about most of these bridesmaids dresses is that they too, can be worn again at different events! So the cost of the dress can be seen as an investment, not a loss of money! (I know I have been stuck with a bridesmaid dress, that costs just as much as J.Crew's dresses, and I will never wear again.)

J.Crew also offers a few extra services/perks when it comes to those interested in their wedding collection.

1. They offer "Special Occasion Coordinators" to help and answer any questions
2. According to J.Crew's website, they ship their "Limited-Edition and other delicate wedding gowns in a beautiful keepsake box lined with acid-free paper, and include a long white garment bag and a pretty satin hanger" to keep your dress safe
3. They send swatches upon availability

What are your experiences with J.Crew's Weddings & Parties Collection? Did you have a J.Crew Wedding? What was your favorite (or least favorite) item in their collection? What advice do you have for other customers contemplating a purchase from this collection?

The Monogram Shop

One of J.Crew's services includes monogramming. For an additional $10 (and extra 2 weeks for completion & delivery), clients can monogram their items with either initials or a J.Crew critter. To steal a quote from J.Crew's website, to give "your look a more personal touch."

J.Crew's Monogram Shop offers monogramming for a range of items for women (including swimsuits), men (including ties & boxers), and crewcuts. Personally, I don't understand why a guy would want his boxers with his initials on them. (Maybe if he does laundry at a dorm or a laundromat, where his "personal effects" need to be identified apart from others'.)

I personally haven't monogrammed too many items (in general). I think the last time I did was in high school, when I got my initials on the L.L. Bean backpack (you know the kind I am talking about too!) :) Although I like the idea of monogramming a J.Crew polo or tote, I always hesitate the move because it would mean I couldn't return the item if I wasn't satisfied with it.

What are your experiences with J.Crew's Monogram Shop? Would you recommend the service or not? Do you think this is more of a corporate / wedding gift than something an individual would get for themselves?

J.Crew Junior: The Crewcuts Collection

Imagine my surprise back in 2005/2006 to see J.Crew beautiful fashion styles for adults available for 2-10 year olds through their Crewcuts Collection. Over the past couple of years, the collection has grown from a few items, into offering several product lines that not only miniaturize the Mens\ Women's clothes but introduced some new styles of its own. Suddenly, I was becoming jealous that certain patterns and accessories were only available for "Girls" and not "Women." (I even contemplated buying the largest size available in Girls to wear it myself!)

J.Crew's foray into children's clothing appears to be quite successful considering it has its own dedicated website (crewcutkids.com). Not to mention, Crewcuts have their own stand alone stores (I believe it's 42) throughout the country. (I recently went to the one at the Westchester Mall and was in love with almost everything they offered- from the Domino-dot jacquard jacket (Item 94237) to the Flower headband (Item 93282).)

What are your feelings about Crewcuts? Do you love or hate the concept? Will you plan on buying any (for a child or even yourself!)? Do you think that the mini-versions of J.Crew is too much to spend on clothing (that kids will outgrow in a couple of months) or totally worth it (because the quality is great)?

Sun, Sea, Sand, and J.Crew!

Usually after Memorial Day Weekend, I start to think about the dreaded bathing suit season. That is right, I used the word "dreaded". It is always daunting to find something to wear on the beach that both accentuates my best features (my slender top frame) and minimizes my concerns (my hips & thighs).

That is why I appreciate J.Crew's swim line that allows me to mix and match tops and bottoms (which is perfect considering my pear shape). For the most part, I find the fabric to be of good quality (really lasting for several years). As for sizing... Although I am a typical "medium" for bottoms, I have found that sometimes the "large" fits better. When it comes to tops, I am normally an "extra small," but for swim wear I find that I am better off with a "small." I don't have any personal experience with the one-pieces unfortunately. (One-pieces never work for me because I am pear shaped).

I love even more the line of cover-ups like the dresses that allow me to look cute while appropriate on the shore. A great example is the Embroidered-pinwheel smocked dress (Item 93494, on sale from $118 to just $39.99). They are very light and comfortable, while providing plenty of cover to hide any "concerns." It is also nice enough to wear as a regular dress or even skirt!

What are your impressions of J.Crew swim wear line? Do you have any advice as far as fitting & sizing is concerned (especially for one-peices)? Do you have any items that you are currently lusting over?

Ask & Answer: J.Crew Suiting

In one of yesterday's post, there was a great conversation concerning J.Crew suiting. I thought that it probably deserves its own post. So please feel free to ask any questions if you have any about J.Crew's line of suits- from their Super 120's to Italian Wool collection. For those with personal experience, please feel free to answer those questions- it is great to hear the views from several people in order to get a better perspective on the issue.

I personally own three suits from J.Crew (2 black and 1 charcoal). These are the only suits I use because the material, structure, and fabric are fantastic (I just don't want to wear anything else!) I find the style and cut of my suits to be timeless and well worth the investment (after all, J.Crew suits are not exactly cheap!)

I have found that the suit jackets tend to run large (that or I like a more fitted look on top). Therefore, I end up buying a size smaller (I am size 2 usually, but for suit jackets I am a 0). Both my black suit jackets (Super 120's & Stretch Wool Elliot) are one button. I think it looks better over a two- or three- button jacket (but that is just my preference again).

I have found that I am true to size when it comes to pants. I do tend to favor the wideleg in suit pants- the material drapes much nicer and has a more professional look (in my opinion).

Also, one suggestion if you are thinking about buying a suit from J.Crew: buy the jacket, pants, and skirt. The skirt is usually an afterthought but a really great piece to have in your wardrobe. You end up getting more usage from the suit jacket by having it paired with both the pants and skirt (it is like having two suits!)

So what do you think of J.Crew Suiting? Is it worth the price? Do you own any pieces? What are your experiences with their suits? Do you prefer one-, two-, or three-button suit jackets and why? Do you have any questions about the suiting collection?

J. Crew Sizing: Do you have it down?

One of the topics that a commenter wanted to discuss on this blog relates to J.Crew sizes. I am fortunate enough to know (after all these years) which size I am, depending on the clothing item (top versus bottom, shirt versus dress). Which makes ordering online a lot easier for me.

I have come across a few personal observations, which I have listed below. These are just my opinions when it comes to sizes and should not be taken for actual measurement specifications! Obviously, if you are unsure about sizing, you should try on the clothes to see how they actually fit.

1. SHOES: The flats tend to run true to size. However, sandals, peep toe shoes, and wedges run 1/2 size too big.
   
   
2. TOPS: The t-shirts tend to run true to American measurements. [Which basically means that American size charts are "bigger" than its European or Asian counterparts. If you don't understand what I mean, then I refer to H&M clothes. Haven't you ever notice that if you are a "extra small" with J. Crew (which is a 0-2 in size), you are a "small" with H&M (which is a 4-6 in size).]
   
   However, when it comes to button down work shirts and blouses, the shirts run a 1/2 to a whole size bigger. (For example, I am a size 2 in tops, but I order a size 0 when it comes to button down shirts.)
   
   
3. PANTS: Again, these run true to American size for the most part. (I have found it is similar to GAP's sizing.) However, when ordering matchstick jeans or capris (in other words, tight/ fitted pants), then order a size up (as they tend to run a bit small).
   
   
4. DRESSES: For the most part, the size chart is true to their sizing. However, once in awhile I will notice that some dresses run either too big or too small. I blame those hiccups in sizing on the different manufacturer of clothes that J. Crew relies on.
   
   
5. JACKETS & OUTTERWEAR: My mother use to tell me to order a size up when it comes to jackets. This is not true when it comes to J.Crew. Whatever size top you normally are (again, for me it is a size 2), then that is most likely the size you should get for your jacket.

What are some of your own personal experiences with sizes? Do you disagree with me on any of the points I listed above? Do you have any of your own that you would like to share?

P.S. If you were curious about the item in the picture, that is J. Crew's Jelly Ballet Flats (Item 91531). I actually own the black pair. They are very nice to wear when its raining, but have absolutely no support for your feet (I mean none!) I ended up having to purchase an insole to make these shoes comfortable to walk in.

Does your dog wear J. Crew too?

The pet industry is booming. If you don't believe me, then stop at any Target or Wal-Mart. You will notice that the pet section is no longer contained in one aisle, but consumes as many as seven aisles! Besides offering the regular supplies like pet food and shampoo, there are designer carriers, sweaters, and toys all available to pet owners who love to pamper their four-legged family members! If you still don't believe me, then believe the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association who estimates that in 2008 alone, $43.4 billion (that is right, billion) will be spent on our beloved pets.


So it's no surprise that there is also a trend for consumers to buy not only better dog food, but better quality leads, leashes, and even pet clothes. J.Crew has tried to capitalize on this trend by offering Crewmutts, a line exclusively tailored towards dogs. Crewmutts was first introduced during the holiday season a couple of years ago. (Which was similar to Banana Republic and Gap, who also offered dog accessories around Christmas time). However, J.Crew has recently decided to make Crewcutts a regular staple and even offers a permanent link to the collection on their website.

Crewmutts leashes, leads, beds, and clothing have the same great patterns, fabrics, and construction that are used in J.Crew's regular (human) accessories, (which make it very appealing to loyal J.Crew customers.) Of course, the price tag for these items are just as expensive as their human counterparts. For instance, the dog rain slicker (Item 98066) pictured here costs $98!

So what do you think of the Crewmutt line? Would you buy it for your pet? Do you think it is too expensive, or totally worth it?