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J.Crew Spring 2012

aaaeeeiiiooouuu

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Thanks for linking to that story. I'm glad j crew's misdeeds have generated interest in the press, b/c I think we should take notice of companies that simply take ideas from others

"[J. Crew] with their emphasis on Asian manufacturing, low costs, and disposable clothing"

"You expect competitors to take details, but not to replicate a style in its entirety"

And thank you to everyone else who provided the rousing insight of "If you don't like it, don't buy it." See, I'd literally never thought of that until you adroitly pointed it out. Either buy it or don't, but don't comment upon it unless you like it. I think I get it now; Real food for thought, thank you
 
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Newstyle

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I just bought some Mcalister's and I am still undecided on them. I really like the uppers but the sole feels like it lacks support. In contrast the Clark's feel like the have more stability with their sole but I like that the McAlister rests a little lower on the ankle then does the Clark's. Any on e else have the McAlister and have any feedback they want to share?
 

thoogsby

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I just bought some Mcalister's and I am still undecided on them. I really like the uppers but the sole feels like it lacks support. In contrast the Clark's feel like the have more stability with their sole but I like that the McAlister rests a little lower on the ankle then does the Clark's. Any on e else have the McAlister and have any feedback they want to share?


I had a pair of the suede McAlisters but I had the same gripe you do. They felt flimsy and too unstructured. I prefer Clarks by a good margin.
 

Newstyle

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I had a pair of the suede McAlisters but I had the same gripe you do. They felt flimsy and too unstructured. I prefer Clarks by a good margin.


Did you keep them or go to Clark's?
 

poly800rock

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Who said I bought anything?
There's nothing wrong with discussing a brand's flaws. I've learned a lot from J Crew threads over the years about what items are worth buying and which ones are junk.
Full disclosure: I own 2 J Crew shirts. Both were bought at a deep discount and I would never pay full price for anything J Crew when I can get a Gitman or BOO shirt in B&S for the same price.
Ultimately, my main problem with J Crew is how far they have fallen from the decent brand they used to be. I attribute this to the fact that they are now catering most of their line to the American "mall market". As a result, their fits are terrible (tailored for a frat guy with a slight beer gut) and the quality has dropped significantly.


maybe people don't remember the j crew of yesteryear (1995-2003) but if they are now cut for frat guy with beer gut, back then it was ridiculously obese short guy with long as **** arms.


people really get their panties in a bunch about this brand. I can understand, but if you don't like it, don't buy it.
 

Guus

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Not sure how many of you fellas read Bloomberg magazines, but a couple of months ago there was an article on J. Crew.
Found it online:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/where-jcrew-shops-for-ideas-10132011.html


Just looked at the Steven Alan website and it's hilariously true. I'll probably shop there for expensive colab stuff simply because it's a small business. Than again, I rarely buy Caleb's because of how expensive they usually are.

Edit: checked out Freeman's too, their stuff is hella expensive. I like their motto "made local, buy local" but damn every item but a few socks is over 150$!
 
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Alcibiades

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maybe people don't remember the j crew of yesteryear (1995-2003) but if they are now cut for frat guy with beer gut, back then it was ridiculously obese short guy with long as **** arms.
people really get their panties in a bunch about this brand. I can understand, but if you don't like it, don't buy it.


Back in the day, for men, all J Crew really offered was chinos, GAP quality jeans, rollneck sweaters (remember those, lol) and other forms of sweaters, repp polos, some button down/up dress shirts, etc. Basically a preppy, low key counterpart to the dominant women's collection. Obviously the current director has mined the blogs and the internet to make the brand a bit more "hip", but at the end of the day, the stuff (from what I can remember) was always made overseas, always at generally the same price point (at least for casual clothing). The brand (at least on the men's side) is in much better shape than it was several years ago (and you can still buy the chinos and polos online). I don't get the vitriol here
 
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slide13

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yeah, I don't know where the idea that J Crew has fallen from what they used to be comes from. They used to be clothes of about the same quality and far less interesting style. Yes, they are mining the menswear blogs and forums and whatever else they can get their hands on to try and capitalize on it, but who can blame them. My take on J Crew is that they produce mid quality, high-mid pricepoint clothes that are fairly current with some common trends, even if they are derivative. I don't have a problem with that. I have a few J Crew items left in my closet, but they are mostly my beater clothes these days. Love their polos on sale for golfing and things like that. But really, for those who aren't into fashion or clothes like people who come here, J Crew is great. Walk in the door, buy a bunch of their stuff and walk out looking better dressed then 98% of the population. I'm all for that. If everyone dressed from a J Crew catalog the world would be a much more aesthetically pleasing place. They aren't breaking any new ground but nor should they. That is what the smaller brands that we all salivate over are here for. J Crew provides the basics to the masses at affordable prices.

Also, I have to give them credit for their collaborations. They have done some great Alden shoes and boots and some other nice colab pieces too. I'm not a fan of the fact that some of their items seem to be direct copies of other brands products, nor the whole Wallace & Barnes thing which just seems silly to me. But overall, J Crew is ok for those who want nothing more than a prepackaged and easily accessible aesthetic.
 

robley

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maybe people don't remember the j crew of yesteryear (1995-2003) but if they are now cut for frat guy with beer gut, back then it was ridiculously obese short guy with long as **** arms.
people really get their panties in a bunch about this brand. I can understand, but if you don't like it, don't buy it.

yep, don't buy it. moreover, stay out of the jcrew thread.
 

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