The Ascendancy of J. Crew - all good?

Okay, first by way of a disclaimer, I like J. Crew. I've bought stuff from them since it was just a paper catalogue peddling "barn jackets", and I'm completely intrigued by their new practice of partnering with select cool labels. But let me ask the stylish loners among you. Isn't there a little part of you (deep down in places that you don't like to talk about at cocktail parties) that regrets how J. Crew is bringing these once esoteric brands to the mainstream? I know, it's horribly elitist, but somewhere there's a table of clueless douchebags waxing lyrical about Belstaff, Barbour, Quoddy, C&J, Alden and Thomas Mason without ever doing the background work.

What got me thinking about this was finding out that Crockett & Jones just signed on to the program. This adds to my earlier frustration regarding Russell boots, which as a hunter, are frustrating enough to get in a timely fashion let alone now that J. Crew needs to be supplied. Well, that and like wellies, I expect to see people who will never see dirt to be wearing them soon.

There, I feel better . . . bring on Kiton barn jackets, I will be accepting - unless a bunch of you agree, which will just embolden me to be an ass.

Pretty sure J. Crew has been main stream for over 15 years. I remember shopping in their Mall stores in late 90s.

I say anything that makes men dress better is a good thing.

Originally Posted by JamesX

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Pretty sure J. Crew has been main stream for over 15 years. I remember shopping in their Mall stores in late 90s.

Could you buy anything but J. Crew branded items 15 years ago? And I think the mall stores started popping up in the early to mid-90's.

C+j just signed on? What models will they be doing?

Does anyone think that the quality of J. Crew's own branded items have gotten better as a result of adding higher quality partners to their catalog?

I'm slowly seeing an increase in quality. For a very long time, I thought much of their stuff was mediocre. Now, some of their items seem to have increased in quality as well as in the level of taste that more resembles a european nature.

Originally Posted by geoffmartin17

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C+j just signed on? What models will they be doing?


Looks like a pebble-grained, double soled, full brogue blucher for $575.

Originally Posted by JamesX

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Pretty sure J. Crew has been main stream for over 15 years. I remember shopping in their Mall stores in late 90s.

I don't believe this is his point. I think his point is that J Crew is bringing more obscure brands to the main stream, perhaps to the dissapointment of some people here.

Originally Posted by sonlegoman

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Does anyone think that the quality of J. Crew's own branded items have gotten better as a result of adding higher quality partners to their catalog?

Good question, don't know, I admit that I focus on the outside items now. I assume J. Crew made the shirts that featured TM fabrics, so that's certainly a positive step.

Originally Posted by TCN

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Looks like a pebble-grained, double soled, full brogue blucher for $575.

Where did you see this? The latest catalogue? Nothing on their site yet

Originally Posted by TCN

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... without ever doing the background work.


Why should this matter anyways...

Originally Posted by geoffmartin17

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Where did you see this? The latest catalogue? Nothing on their site yet

Latest Esquire.

Originally Posted by sonlegoman

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Does anyone think that the quality of J. Crew's own branded items have gotten better as a result of adding higher quality partners to their catalog?

I'm slowly seeing an increase in quality. For a very long time, I thought much of their stuff was mediocre. Now, some of their items seem to have increased in quality as well as in the level of taste that more resembles a european nature.

The story I've always heard was that when Mickey Drexler took over the leadership of J Crew in 2003 he made improving the quality of J Crew's product a real priority. From what I've seen, I would agree that quality has improved.

Originally Posted by TCN

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What got me thinking about this was finding out that Crockett & Jones just signed on to the program.
Thoughtful points. Based on what I've read on the world's leading mens clothing forvm...teh StyleForvm...whether J. Crew x C&J succeeds or fails depends on whether one can perforate them after buying them. - B

Originally Posted by word

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Why should this matter anyways...

"Paying your dues" permeates everything. People are people. By the way, I hope people are taking this post with the amount of tongue in cheek that it was meant with.

"Anyway", but never "anyways".