J Crew F/W 09 Discussion

[kmdsimpson]

I love that military mock neck cardigan. And the sales girl in the store was so helpful (how do they get such good people paying so little?). But I just cannot get over the price tag - $168? I didn't have the heart to tell her that was the reason I didn't get it.

I really want to like J Crew's stuff. I often find that either the clothes look much better in the catalog than in real life (although this fall I have really liked the stuff in the stores), or that I feel it is way overpriced.

 

[Keroberos]

Originally Posted by kmdsimpson

I love that military mock neck cardigan. And the sales girl in the store was so helpful (how do they get such good people paying so little?). But I just cannot get over the price tag - $168? I didn't have the heart to tell her that was the reason I didn't get it.

20% off and another 5% in store credit via the J.Crew card was the incentive I needed to make the purchase. I love the details and the overall look.

 

[Warren G.]

Been awhile since I check out my local JCrew. I try out a few things, and I was taking my precious time in the dressing room.

I end up buying the utility jacket in surplus. I bought a small from the b/s awhile back, and it was too snug. So I decide to pull the trigger on the medium and I like it a lot. I really like the dark wine merino vneck, and the grey cords...but way overpriced.

 

[kmdsimpson]

Originally Posted by Keroberos

20% off and another 5% in store credit via the J.Crew card was the incentive I needed to make the purchase. I love the details and the overall look.

I agree. I just missed the last sale, and probably would have pulled the trigger.

So what was the final decision - did you stick with medium or go small on that?

 

[Robert]

Originally Posted by synovoid

are they thicker than those cotton-cashmere sweaters?

Yes, a little.

 

[Keroberos]

Originally Posted by kmdsimpson

So what was the final decision - did you stick with medium or go small on that?

Still pending. Leaning towards sticking with what I have. I plan to take some photos this evening and post them for review. I think maybe I just drank too much of the slim-fit size-down Kool-Aid.

 

[kmdsimpson]

Originally Posted by Keroberos

Still pending. Leaning towards sticking with what I have. I plan to take some photos this evening and post them for review. I think maybe I just drank too much of the slim-fit size-down Kool-Aid.

Yeah, I am really confused now. I am almost a perfect a medium in most clothes, and I am sure that I tried on a medium in the store, and I remember being happy with the fit. And the sales girl never said anything. So now I am wondering whether I missed something, or if the sizing down mantra is part of the seemingly ubiquitous SF uber-slim aesthetic.

 

[synovoid]

Originally Posted by kmdsimpson

There is no comparison with the GAP shirt. The J Crew is much better. I just still think everything in the store is overpriced; maybe the cure is to go into the GAP and see difference.

I agree j crew is overpriced, but where can I find alternatives in this price range?

at least, no alternatives for their shirts.

 

[Robert]

Originally Posted by synovoid

I agree j crew is overpriced, but where can I find alternatives in this price range?

at least, no alternatives for their shirts.


That's just it. It's a tradeoff--unless you want to spend a lot more, I don't think you'll find many other choices with j. crew's aesthetic and fit. On the other hand, I don't think j. crew's prices are outrageously out of line.

 

[kmdsimpson]

Originally Posted by synovoid

I agree j crew is overpriced, but where can I find alternatives in this price range?

at least, no alternatives for their shirts.

Good point. Maybe that's why they can continue to be overpriced. It's just that every time I order something from them and see that card from Micky that says "we continue to bring you value" or something like that, I just wanna laugh.

I also think it might be because the other stores have sales all the time, but J Crew never puts their good stuff on sale; or just has minor 20% sales.

 

[synovoid]

Originally Posted by Robert

That's just it. It's a tradeoff--unless you want to spend a lot more, I don't think you'll find many other choices with j. crew's aesthetic and fit. On the other hand, I don't think j. crew's prices are outrageously out of line.

true. I usually pick must-haves at retail, and wait for sale to grab some nice-to-haves.

 

[bluemagic]

Originally Posted by synovoid

I agree j crew is overpriced, but where can I find alternatives in this price range? at least, no alternatives for their shirts.
Rugby. Uniqlo, too (you can do phone or e-mail order from the NYC store), as well as Club Monaco, as well. It is true that J. Crew is the easiest to access, though.

 

[Robert]

Originally Posted by synovoid

true. I usually pick must-haves at retail, and wait for sale to grab some nice-to-haves.

Really? I've gone the opposite way. I'm very willing to go full retail on the fun stuff (the stuff I really want) and wait for sales for the basics. I hate spending money on basics. And I made a vow a while back to try to buy only the fun stuff.

 

[blynch]

Originally Posted by Robert

Really? I've gone the opposite way. I'm very willing to go full retail on the fun stuff (the stuff I really want) and wait for sales for the basics. I hate spending money on basics. And I made a vow a while back to try to buy only the fun stuff.

i think you guys do the same thing, he just defines "must haves" as the fun stuff he really wants, and the "nice to haves" are his basics --not a must have because you can always get basics and you probably already have a good deal of basics.

 

[Robert]

Ah. My head's swimming a little.