For Our Best Customers {an invitation to our private suiting event}

"Thanks!" to many of you, who let us know about the following promotion.

J.Crew is offering their "best customers" to take an extra 30% off select suiting from the Fall/Winter Collection. The email being sent to customers includes a unique, one-time promo code. Customers can also show the email above (click here) to have the offer applied in stores. The offer expires January 25, 2015. The fine print includes with suits are part of the sale:

*Offer valid in J.Crew stores and at jcrew.com from January 13, 2015, 12:01am ET through January 25, 2015, 11:59pm ET on the purchase of the following men’s suit styles: Ludlow in Italian wool flannel (02298, 02299, 04314, 06926, 06928, A9196, A9596); Ludlow in heathered Italian wool flannel (17557, 30139, 03813); Ludlow in windowpane Italian wool flannel (A9198, A9199, A9520); Ludlow in English Donegal tweed (A9184, A9185, A9480); Ludlow in glen plaid English wool (A9191, A9192, A9516, B4261, B4263); Ludlow in Japanese chambray (75321, 75427); Ludlow in water-resistant Italian wool (A9200, A9206); Ludlow in Italian corduroy (A9182, A9183); Ludlow in Black Watch English wool (A9209, A9210, B4259, B4260); Ludlow in pinstripe Italian wool (A9207, A9208); Crosby in heathered Italian wool flannel (B2087, B2090); Crosby in herringbone windowpane English wool (B0240, B0241). Offer not valid in J.Crew Factory stores, at jcrewfactory.com or on phone orders. Offer cannot be applied to previous purchases and cannot be redeemed for cash or used in combination with any other offer. One-time use only. This email must be presented in store at time of purchase to receive discount. To redeem online, enter the above code in the promo code box at checkout. Limit one promo code per order. Offer valid in the U.S. and Canada only. Terms of offer are subject to change.

This is a wonderful promotion! Very rarely does J.Crew's suiting for men go on sale. So if you were in the market, this is the time to pick one up!

Will you be taking advantage of this promotion at J.Crew? What item are you hoping to pick up? Please share!

J.Crew Suiting for Men: the Reinvention

"Thanks!" to J.Crew Guy In Canada who shared the following article from the Wall Street Journal (click here to read in its entirety) with us:

The Reinvention of the Entry-Level Suit
Affordable no longer equals regrettable. Thanks to a suiting revolution led by J. Crew, men without thousands to spend can step out in fashion-forward styles that look like a million
By John Ortved
September 19, 2014

TWO YEARS AGO, Collins Ward, 34, a principal at a Manhattan-based private-equity firm, was looking for a new charcoal-grey suit. Though his closet was stocked with $2,000-plus ensembles from Armani and Ermenegildo Zegna, Mr. Ward headed downtown to J.Crew, where he purchased a jacket ($425) and trousers ($225) from the brand's Ludlow line.

"I've worn a suit every day to work for 10 years, and I tried a lot of the nicer, more expensive Italian brands," said Mr. Ward. "Frankly, [the Ludlow] is a good price point, and has the slimmer fit of the Italian brands."

The starter suit is not what it used to be. A generation ago, a man without a great deal of means—whether he was embarking on his first job or attending his first wedding—had to settle for boxy cuts in rayon and wool-blends from departments stores. But beginning a decade ago and ramping up over the past five years, there has been a veritable revolution in men's suiting priced under $1,000. Brands like J.Crew, Club Monaco and Suitsupply have invested in fine Italian wools, slimmer cuts and refined construction to produce moderately priced suits that offer men something similar to, and occasionally indistinguishable from, their upscale counterparts.

"It's something that we've not only noticed but also celebrated—the democratization of fashion," said Jim Moore, creative director of GQ. "You don't just get kind of a dumb-dumb business suit. It's got all the trappings of a suit that could cost three or four times its price."

Producing the suits "overseas," usually in Asia, keeps those prices moderate. However, these brands teach their factories how to better construct the jackets and trousers. High-end fabrics help. While mills like Loro Piana and those in the Biella region of Northern Italy make textiles for the planet's most expensive brands, they're not above accepting business from a company like J.Crew, which can leverage economies of scale to satisfy a new class of educated consumers.

Those buyers know what a great suit is meant to look like, thanks, in large part, to the Internet. In the past few years, the Web has supplied young men with an ocean of information—from blogs showing the right way to wear a pocket square to street-style shots to slideshows rounding up the dapper Mad Men of Sterling Cooper & Partners. "I cannot stress the importance of what the street-style bloggers have done," said Eric Jennings, director of menswear at Saks Fifth Avenue. "Having these images at your fingertips 24/7, you can see how it's put together. I think it's inspired a lot of Americans guys."

If there's a Lenin of this revolution, it's J.Crew, which introduced its Ludlow in 2008. Four years later, the brand dedicated an entire store to the suit in downtown New York. The Ludlow range has expanded from three initial offerings to a line of tuxedos, cotton summer suits, and offshoots, like the Traveler, made with three-ply wool meant to better hold its shape, and the Crosby, made for more athletic builds. "It took about two years to get the shape and details right. It has all the inner facings of a bespoke suit," said head of J.Crew menswear Frank Muytjens of the Ludlow development process. The suit also features a high armhole, narrow lapel, slim waist, a soft shoulder and a slightly shorter body length. These attributes are common across the new under-$1,000 suiting landscape, as is the selling of pants and jackets as separates.

For fabrics, Mr. Muytjens looked to storied mills around the world, from Abraham Moon & Sons in England to Larusmiani in Italy. As the line became more popular, he added corduroys, Irish linens and English tweeds. "[J.Crew] hit that sweet spot that men crave—a go-to suit that fits them, but also changes a bit every season in its fabrication," said Mr. Moore.

While J.Crew may have struck while the iron was hot, there was a key precursor. Mr. Moore cited Calvin Klein's introduction of its White Label line a decade ago as a pivotal factor... "Over the last 10 years, that mainstream guy has not only moved with fashion, he's also moved with elevation of fabrics."

...In 2012, he noticed guys without $2,500 to spend wanting a similar type of suiting, and began developing the Freeman, a hand-tailored, fully canvased suit—made in America starting at $1,100. "The Ludlow Suit is imported," said Mr. Kilroe. "Generally, when a brand doesn't specify where a suit is made, it's because they don't want the customer to know.

..."Guys don't trade down," he said. "Even during the recession, if they were buying Armani, they didn't trade down. They just waited. When they're at a certain level, they like to stay there. It's their pride."

J.Crew's suits for Men are amazing. One of my local J.Crew stores carries them, and one can tell the quality and fit are there.

The comment that stood out for me: "[J. Crew] hit that sweet spot that men crave—a go-to suit that fits them, but also changes a bit every season in its fabrication". This is why I think the men's side of J.Crew keeps knocking it out of the park, season after season.

Honestly, I would love Frank Muytjens to guest design a capsule collection for the women's side of J.Crew. Who is with me! ;)

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's suits for men? Any points of the article resonate with you? If so, please share!

J.Crew's Men's Suiting {getting some recognition}

"Thanks!" to J.Crew Guy In Canada who shared an article from Wall Street Journal online (click here to read in its entirety).

The article takes a look at men's suiting and reviews various labels offerings (specifically Armani, Suitsupply, J.Crew, H&M, Hart Schaffner Marx, & Target). Some highlights about J.Crew are below:

A Hard-Working Suit: The New Sweet Spot Is $500 to $700; They Don't Look Cheap, or Like Dad's
By Sarah Nassauer
April 14, 2011

It can cost a man a lot less to feel like a million bucks in his suit these days.

There are more suits priced between $500 and $700 that include features once found typically on more expensive suits: fine Italian fabrics, modern cuts and narrow lapels. The goal is to attract younger men who increasingly want the current fitted, formal styles as opposed to the boxy suits and more casual officewear of their dads.

...Other efforts to keep up quality at lower prices include J.Crew Group Inc.'s expanded men's suit selection. Sales of its men's suit have more than doubled since 2008, when the clothing company introduced a slimmer style, made with Italian wool and superior interior construction, a spokeswoman says. The style, called Ludlow, starts at about $600.

...J.Crew, ...controls more aspects of production from design to distribution, cutting out payments to third-party companies that typical move suits into department stores.

...The J.Crew suit fared well with the testers noting its neat construction and that it is made of high-end Italian fabric and Bemberg lining (a type of rayon favored for its breathablity and moisture absorption).

J.CREW | Ludlow jacket and pant
High quality fabrics, Italian wool outer with Bemberg lining. Nice details like tie fabric as lining of interior pockets. Overall it "looks very nice," says Mr. Giardina. Chest piece is a little too stiff, says Mr. Cesarani.

It's great to read that J.Crew's suiting for men holds up very well in terms of quality & value!

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Men Suiting? Do you own any pieces from the line? If so, please share! :)

J.Crew Seen In Martha Stewart Magazine

"Thanks!" to Belle de Jour who was kind enough to not only let us know that J.Crew was featured in Martha Stewart Living Magazine (on page 58 of the June 2009, Number 187 edition), but also scanned the image for us to view.

The article includes the following:

Three-piece suit A dark mix-and-match suit in a medium-weight fabric, such as this one by J.Crew in merino wool, remains wrinkle-free and can be worn most of the year. Launder the ensemble together to make sure the colors continue to match. Jacket, $230, skirt, $118, and pants, $135, jcrew.com.

I believe the suit they are referring to is the Super 120s Two-Button Jacket (Item 86034; $230.0) and the Favorite-fit Super 120s Durham pant (Item 96108; $135.00). The "flutter skirt" appears to be a new arrival.

I own three suits from J.Crew and I love them all. They are classic in style, always providing me that professional appearance. However, I never considered washing the suits in a washing machine, or by hand, myself. What do you think the article meant by "launder"- to have the suit cleaned at a dry cleaner, or for customers to wash the suits with their washing machines, or by hand?

What are your thoughts on the suit? What are your thoughts on J.Crew's suiting in general? Would you recommend their suiting? How do you care for your J.Crew suits? :)

Article: Return Of Interview Suit {what to wear?}

"Thanks!" to Laura1 (in this post) and HelloAlison (in this post), who shared with us an interesting article (click here to read in its entirety) about what women should wear (suit-wise) to interviews. J.Crew's Jenna Lyons also weighs in on this topic.

The Return of the Interview Suit
By Eric Wilson
November 12, 2008

...figuring out what exactly is the modern day “interview suit” is not so easy to do without looking like Melanie Griffith. Walking downtown the other day, the designer Nicole Miller noticed an attractive young woman who was headed toward Wall Street. The woman was wearing a gray pantsuit, which caught the designer’s eye because, for much of the last decade, corporate fashion has pulled so far away from the polished, two-piece look that the outfit, while professional, seemed dated.“I hadn’t seen anybody in a pantsuit for so long that I thought it looked wrong,” Ms. Miller said. ...

“We are back to a time when every company expected both women and men to wear suits and we didn’t have a Casual Friday,” said Gloria Mirrione, a managing director of A-L Associates, a financial services placement firm. “They are looking for a sharper style. I recommend a strong suit that says you are collected and ready to work.”

Still, there are a lot of possibilities for error, and even fashion professionals differ in their opinions about what style will make the best impression. For example, on the great debate of pants versus skirt, Simon Kneen, the creative director of Banana Republic, had this advice: “I would definitely go with a pantsuit because that gives a better silhouette.” Ms. Miller said the opposite: “I’m really against pants. They look too casual in most situations.”

Who to believe? There isn’t always a right answer, but each decision an applicant makes — pants or skirt, bright color or neutral, heels or flats — sends a subtle message that may play a role in how she will be perceived in an interview. To relieve some of that pressure, designers and career counselors offered some points to consider when deciding what to wear.

...Jenna Lyons Mazeau, the creative director of J. Crew, said a pencil skirt or tailored trousers, worn with a simple cardigan (preferably cashmere) and a beautiful necklace, looks as sophisticated as a pantsuit. A more individualized look is also a modern way to approach an interview, she said, suggesting that the applicant is creative, free-thinking and confident. But it also depends on the field, and the sportswear ensemble look may be best suited to creative fields. For corporate interviews, the options are still slim, and usually require a suit of some sort.

...But color can be a tough call. The majority of human resources professionals recommend wearing the classics — navy, black or gray — but, then again, playing it safe can also run the risk of looking too uniform.

"To me, the most important thing is give people something to remember," Lyons Mazeau said. "There's going to be a lot of people out there competing for a job, so pick a color, as opposed to wearing all gray." But no brights, she said, and "if you are a blonde, pinks can look less expensive. This is not about wearing a neon sign."

Earthier colors, like brown or a rich blue, impart a distinctive personality without coming off as overpowering. But beware of pastels: "I think that lightly colored suits, unless they are absolutely perfect, can feel a little Eastery," she said. ...

I often wonder what to wear to an interview (or presentation) that portrays a sharp business sense. I always end up gravitating towards a black pantsuit, but now I am starting to wonder if I should be wearing a skirt (and if black is the right color at all). :)

What are your thoughts on the article? What do you recommend (outfit-wise) as your go-to "interview suit"? Do you prefer to wear pants or skirts?

Menswear View: The Get – White Street Suit?

Note: Doug regularly guest blogs on J.Crew for men (the "menswear view")- which is wonderful! :) (Thank you Doug!) The following is his post:

As part of their new arrivals for October, J.Crew has added a Charcoal Grey Herringbone suit. At $570 the “slimmest, trimmest silhouette yet” has many of the details that have been heavily promoted elsewhere – felt collar, pick stitching and functioning buttonholes. Speaking of buttonholes, I may be in the minority but isn’t six a bit excessive? Typically three or four are the norm.

So what do you think of this latest addition to the J.Crew suit collection? Grey (or variations of it) seems to be the only color available. How about Glen Plaid or Brown? Does this latest offering entice you at all? Let me know what you think.

J.Crew's Private Suit Sale In Stores

A big "thank you!" to Lesley who shared with us J.Crew's latest email (click here). They are offering an in-store only private sale for suiting with 20% off. Click here to print out the email (with a bar code) to shop at the stores. This offer expires 10/5/08.

Do you think you will take advantage of this offer this weekend? Is there a current suit that J.Crew offers that you are a big fan of? Which J.Crew suits are you not a fan of? :)

Review Of Suits For Men (Starring J.Crew)

"Thanks!" to Cory, the Editor in Chief over at Valet Magazine, who let us know about their recent piece about suits for men which features J.Crew's charcoal suit (Jacket, $350; pants, $165; shirt, $70; knit tie, $50). (Click here for the link.)

Ask Valet: A Day for Gray
September 2, 2008

Question: I own two three-button suits, one black and one tan, which I have worn to several weddings this year. I'd like to purchase an affordable suit for my son's christening at the end of September and was wondering if a two button blue or grey would be appropriate for the occasion. - Jason, Toronto

Answer: A black suit and a tan suit, eh? Those are great additions to have, but the two staples of a man's sartorial arsenal are exactly what you're looking for. We'd suggest starting with a classic two-button suit in a medium charcoal shade. It's obviously dressy, but has a casual ease—especially when paired with a knit tie and some suede shoes. With a narrow notch lapel and snug shoulders, this year-round wool suit is slimming without being a 'skinny suit.'

What do you think of this suit from J.Crew (in terms of style & fit)? Do you generally like suits in charcoal, or do you prefer more established colors like black or navy?

Anatomy of a J.Crew Suit

Fortune Magazine's article (click here) also had a great interactive Flash piece showing the anatomy of J.Crew's high-end $640 suit. Although I appreciate the close-ups (which are shown below), I am not sure if they offer the justification for the $640 price tag. The "canvas front" is the only close up that I feel really shows why the suit is expensive. The "inner pocket" and "jacket cuff" close-up wasn't as insightful as it could have been. (I do appreciate knowing that the cuff has working buttons, but don't most really good quality suits have that?) :) Ultimately, I was hoping to see more inside explanations that would make me say, "Yes! I totally understand now why this suit is better than other suits at similar prices."

The following are the corresponding close-ups (which you can click on to see a larger image):

What do you think of this suit? Do you think the close-ups justify the $640 price tag? Would you consider buying this suit (either for yourself or for the man in your life?)

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"? ;)

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?

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?