Thursday, August 12, 2010

J.Crew Email: Just for Cardmembers: a peek inside our shoe closet

"Thanks!" to many of you, including AnneG, Marietta, Irina, & Desert Flower, who shared with us the latest email from J.Crew to its card members.

The email above features the not-yet-officially-released-online the Love-Me-Knot Printed Platform Heels (Item 28649; $295.00). J.Crew describes these heels as:
It was love at first sight when we laid eyes on these gorgeous soiree-ready sandals. Crafted in smooth silk with a 3/4" exterior platform (perfect for wear-all-day, dance-all-night comfort), they're our favorite party favor. Man-made lining and sole. 4 1/8" self-covered heel. Made in Italy.
I like the floral print (Dark Parsley). Although those heels are too high (even with the platform) for me to wear. ;) In any case, it's clear that J.Crew is moving away from the classic styles (e.g. black mary jane style heels) towards the latest trends with this offering.

On another note, this email means that new arrivals are once again just around the corner! :) Although I enjoy the new roll outs, it feels like J.Crew is having a lot of them lately.

What are your thoughts on the Love-Me-Knot Printed Platform Heels? Do you like the style- from the platform to the knot?

35 comments:

  1. Whoa. That's a whole other level of horrendous. Yes, let's purge all the ugly out and get it over with in August.

    Until then, I'm silently chanting to myself: Better things will come in Sept...better things will come in Sept...better things...

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  3. Agree - these quick rollouts have also meant quick markdowns. Who would order at regular price?

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  4. PS Also agree - ugly, even on sale!

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  5. They call it floral, but it looks like camo to me.

    Forget early notice on spendy shoes--I am waiting for one of those "just for cardmembers" private sales that JC keeps claiming it offers to cardholders. Have we ever really seen one of those? My recollection is that they are not exclusive to cardholders.

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  6. I actually LOVE the fall shoes, but I'll wait til they go on sale. The quality and fit aren't worth the full price. Makes ordering shoes online a huge pain.

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  7. Not sure what they were thinking with this print and shape. I agree with everyone else.

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  8. It'd be nice if JC had a classic or signature line and then a line with the new, trendy things. I like a bit of the new and old, but when I'm feeling nostalgic, it'd be nice to shop the old stuff.

    And those heels could work on some JCA, just not my 6' self!

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  10. $295 for man-made (read: plastic) shoes?

    Or 11 pairs of Target shoes at $24.99 a pop. They will probably last the same amount of time!

    Oh JC, sometimes I am so embarrassed for you.

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  11. pretty, but I can't wear tall heels and they seem more appropriate to the bridal section (but then I am old-fashioned.)

    I like all the small roll outs. Smart too as they keep me watching the site and with as many vendors as they must have providing the merchandise, keeps it moving as well.

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  12. Calling all J. Crew Fans!!!!!

    Help MARTHA celebrate her favorite fashion designers with a limited number of J. Crew fans to show off their favorite J. Crew looks! Check out http://www.marthastewart.com/get-tickets to request tickets NOW for September!

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  13. Don't like these shoes but has anyone tried the Mara Suede Wedges? How are they on sizing?

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  14. I miss the black mary jane style heels!!!!! Argh!

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  15. this is pretty exciting news--remember the young designer items you could buy at the gap? J. Crew is going to be the new sponsor for that program:

    http://fashionista.com/2010/08/why-gap-relinquished-sponsorship-of-the-cfdavogue-fashion-fund-to-j-crew-and-ann-taylor/

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  16. I like the print and the knot styling, but hate platform shoes. They just reminder me of stripper shoes. If these were regular pumps in that print with the knot on the vamp, I would go for them (but not at $295, maybe for $100 max).

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  17. I like JC shoes but I too am searching for more classic styles than these trendy - zip, studs, crazy platforms - styles.

    As silver_lining said, I just cannot justify paying full price for man made soles and regenerated leather materials. Even on sale for $150+ is ridiculous for some of their shoes considering you are not sure if it will last more than one season.
    I've been on the search for previous years' flats, heels on eBay...

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  18. I like the print. I wonder if there will be other pieces released using it, ie skirt, dress.

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  19. Second note: Does anyone know where you can purchase the Anna Baiguera flats mentioned in July 29th post - J Crew's Jenna Lyons Ten Most Wanted. The .com mentioned isn't a retail site.

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  20. I love heels and platforms but these are not for me. I agree with others that they are way overpriced for the materials. I don't know how sturdy silk shoes are if you are truly going to "dance all night" in them.

    OT - Does anyone have a free shipping code to share? Thanks.

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  21. I think they are lovely, although J. Crew shoes run too small for me and certainly overpriced for what they are. I could buy a real designer pair for not much more. Still, very pretty.

    There is still a lot of classic styling in J. Crew--these offerings are more additions rather than replacements. This variety brings more people in--and it is good that we have different tastes that can be accommodated in one place.

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  22. Way overpriced. If i wanted to blow this much money on shoes I would look for designer all leather shoes. Print is ok but I will ruin them very quickly and they have such a limited wearability imo. I can only see them adding interest to solid color dress (something in black, gray or such). Also, these are too high for me. Comfort issues aside, heels so high make me feel out of proportion. I know Jenna is 6 feet tall and rocks 'sky high heels' but me, I don't like to go over 3".

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  23. Cute! But NEVER EVER EVER to "dance all night" in or "wear all day". Does the Crew think we're stoopid? Or maybe the folks who penned the descrip didn't actually see the shoe before they produced the blurb?

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  24. $295 for man-made sole shoes, $118 for a sweater made mostly of acrylic ... j.crew's cachet is getting rather shabby. Seems me to me they are now just riding the ruffled & sequined velvet coattails of their success from 2007-2009, too high on their man-made sky high heels and blinded by bling to see what a farce they've become.

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  25. I personally can't stand J.Crew's shoes anymore. Most of them are way too narrow for my feet, and of the ones I can wear, there are times when I seriously suspect that the price is designed to be in direct proportion to the level of discomfort they inflict on my feet :P

    Though the shoes have never been exactly what I would call "comfortable," I do miss the shoes with a sensible heel they used to sell. My dusty rose spectator peep toes are among my favorites, but it looks like they are a thing of the past.

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  26. I tremble to think what the "promising young designers" will learn from the sponsorship of JCrew. I hope it includes the bit about you can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. Or maybe they will learn that you don't need to know the basics of construction if you slop enough ruffles & sequins & trim on something? Sad.

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  27. wellfedfred puts it so concisely :)

    Not feeling the love for JCrew much anymore. My 2008 catalogs are now dog-earred from wishful lusting. If I had known then what I know now, I would have purchased every single item that year (and 2007)! My PS talks the talk and walks the walk for the "new" JCrew because it's her job, but I know from off-the-record conversations with several personal shoppers that they are frustrated with the almost instant markdowns, the continuing decline in quality, and the subtle eroding of the JCrew brand image. I can get ruffles and sequins and generic colors (oh my!) at any other B&M. Where oh where has my classy JCrew gone? Oh where oh where can it be?

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  28. Call me old (and bunion-prone), but I won't wear heels above 2", and I find ballet flats uncomfortable. JCrew really ignores that customer segment, let me tell you.

    Ok, totally OT, I have to put in my 2 positive cents today. I'm feeling sorry for all the JCrew summer interns whose job it is to read the blogs all day and report on what is said. So here goes ;)

    First off, the waxed cotton tote is fantastic for anyone looking for the Orvis or Barbour look. And I think it is well priced. Also, this summer I took back a bunch of stuff from last summer that still had tags on and in the end was ill-fitting, etc.. The SA didn't even bat an eyelash, and I got some extra money to spend on a gift card. I'm not sure many other retailers do this.

    I appreciated the tips on the sweater jacket the other day, which is not exactly what I am looking for, but it looks like it could be great for some. I'm thinking this next rollout will blow my socks off. Here's hoping!

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  29. I'm thinking about buying several pairs of the Fall shoes when they go on sale, and then having a cobbler put leather soles on them.

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  30. good news girls--kitten heels are all the rage again. I suspect we will start seeing them at JC soon!

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  31. these remind me of my christian louboutins, with the knot and platform. except my CL's don't look like a dunpster fire.

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  32. I agree with many of the other posters. Too expensive given the materials. For a little more, I could get top notch designer. And way too high!
    And I don't believe that desiring a sensible height heel is only a symptom of the more "mature." No one should have to apologize for not wanting to create long term, permanent damage to their feet, knees, and skeletal structure by continuing to totter in heels over 3". I'm only 30 yrs old, and feel like my center of gravity is askew if I wear anything higher than 2" (granted I’m 5’9”, but still).

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  33. I don't mind this style of shoe in the suede version, but the silk print is kinda yucky-looking IMO.

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