Thursday, September 30, 2010

"Looking to LOVE" with J.Crew

Preface: A big "thanks!" to Ibi who suggested weekly 'Looking to LOVE' and 'Looking to HATE' posts where we could all "deposit" our best & worst current experiences. I think it is a brilliant idea and will try it out for a few weeks. Hopefully this will help out our fellow JCAs! :)

This is the weekly "Looking to LOVE with J.Crew" post, a place to share our favorite experiences with J.Crew.

If you have recently experienced a positive situation with J.Crew, maybe you might be willing to share that information with us in this post.

Please feel free to share your story on almost any topic— including stellar experiences with purchases & orders, promotions/ offers, in-store visits, transactions with store associates, etc.

41 comments:

  1. used my white card tonight and was also invited to an event tomorrow night. Alas, I won't be able to go but I am hoping to squeeze a bit of time in tomorrow to go and see new arrivals which they are putting out tonight.

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  2. I really like the chat feature for finding out measurements on items. While I don't like the pop-up screen, I do appreciate being able to ask questions without making a phone call or waiting for an email response. I've used it several times in the past couple of days and think it's very helpful.

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  3. Bought the Silvana merino cardigan and wow! is it cute! It has tiny little studs all over the front, which is a nice change from sequins. I believe it's on sale now for 89.99. It is a very nice quality merino. It might be catalog/online only. It was returned to my B & M and my PS had me try it on. What a nice surprise it was! Bought it with cute grey wool (sort of a herringbone) Minnies, which have never fit me before. Totally cute outfit .

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  4. jcrew1985 and others who leave "outfit" ideas. Thank you SO MUCH. I don't live near a store so when you tell of outfits that your PS suggest it helps JCAs, like me, determine what combinations to buy which is soooo appreciated!!

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  5. i agree with jcrewjunkie.i is really helpful for choosing online combinations.

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  6. Love the new double serge skirt online today...

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  7. I must say that I Love the customer service I receive at JC in general. From their return policy to helpful Staff ALWAYS make the shopping experience easy and pleasant. I's a huge reason I keep shopping there. That and the SUPER CUTE clothes! :)

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  8. kitsmommy, I saw that new skirt as well. It skirt looks interesting but it appears to have a trouser zip in the front when the copy reads that it has a back zip. I think the trouser zip makes it a bit more casual but it's still cute.

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  9. I'm loving that the Sequined Slouchy Jaspe sweatshirt is back!! I foolishly didn't buy it when it was scorching hot in TX, and have been really pining over it the past two weeks. On Tuesday, I searched "sequins" in tops on ShopStyle, and there it was again. Yay!

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  10. xoxs, The copy also reads that it is 23.5" long. I called for measurements and a size 4 was quoted as 20.75" long. I think whoever wrote the text was half asleep...

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  11. Yesterday, I purchased the

    1) Heathered lumière ruffle cardigan (heathered driftwood) for the holidays. The color is heavenly. It's super thin but thought it would be great for indoor parties over the fall & winter. I have to make sure I wear non-snagging jewelry!

    2) Fountain Cami (metallic) also for holiday wear. It looks so simple & fresh and thought I could wear it with jeans or dress it up with a skirt.

    Now I'm eyeing those merino wool thigh-highs but am feeling very non-conservative for doing so! :-)

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  12. kitsmommy,

    I agree with you on the double-serge skirt! Wow....

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  13. This is OT: I saw an eBay listing (not mine!) for a "Map of Italy" JC cardi, #180568093394. I'd never seen this sweater before--cute!

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  14. Crew Cricket - beware of the wool thigh-highs, I got a pair last year and they completely bagged out after one wear.

    I also like the new double serge skirt but it sounds like it's too short and I'm not loving the front zip. I'd purchase the one that the copy is describing, but not the one in the picture. ;)

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  15. love jcrew. used to shop exclusively with craig at np mall in atlanta but he left..great service and he always sent me notices about sales and new items...also got me to buy a few things for my wife...new staff is very good there too and i have been back a few times since...thanks for always making me leave happy.

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  16. Does anyone have pictures of the sequin jaspe sweatshirt? I want it so bad but I haven't seen it irl yet!

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  17. This is (sorta) OT, but I've been crushing on Madewell recently. I probably spend more money there than at J Crew (gasp). I like it's a little edgy, a little too-cool-for-school all in an innocent and feminine way. I nearly bought the entire collection when Alexa Chung for Madewell came out.

    And there are new additions to the sale today! And no dreaded final sale mumbo-jumbo. Sweet.

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  18. I agree with FFM. The chat feature has been a time saver for me to ask measurements and other questions.

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  19. Ok, this is slightly OT, but not totally ...

    I tried the heathered lumiere cardi in heathered driftwood in the store last week. I looooved the color, the fit, everything about it except one thing - I found it very itchy. I was so sad, and left it behind, but now I'm second guessing myself as I reading everyone else's comments about it! Am I just super sensitive or are others finding it to be itchy and getting it anyway?

    TIA!

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  20. Amanda: I thought the cardigan was a little itchy as well (not too bad compared to some other sweaters) but I really love the style of it so I figure I could just wear a long sleeve shirt underneath. I don't know if I'd be able to wear a sleeveless or short sleeve shirt with it for a long period of time. I might have to test that.

    I also left it behind in the store b/c I was hoping I would get a red card since $49.99 is kind of a lot to spend on a thinner sweater--just my opinion. I honestly think it will be marked down again soon, especially online.

    Anyway, my advice is to just get it if it's an item you just can't stop thinking about and if you believe it's worth the current price tag. It's definitely first on my wishlist.

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  21. I recently purchased the heather cobblestone cashmere cardi and the 1035 herringbone trousers both with which I reviewed on my blog. I adore the color of the sweater and the pants have become one of my favorite Fall additions to the wardrobe. Very lovely!

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  22. Michelle - Thanks for your input! That's kind of what I was thinking too. I'm not sure I'll spring for it with the current promo, but it looks like they have quite a few left in my size, so I'll keep stalking it and see what happens. :)

    My looking to love - the JCAs! So helpful! Love you guys! :)

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  23. Ok, even though I am still pretty unhappy about the whole red/white card situation, I have to say I was really impressed with a recent order. I ordered some sale crewcuts and it came on a wood hanger in a crewcuts garment bag. Everything else was just thrown in the box, but the crewcuts was packed really nicely. All I need to add is a bow :) PLEASE pay attention JCrew - these little details make a difference!!

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  24. Completely OT, but I received a letter from Anthropologie today. Inside was a dark blue linen envelope fastened by a little star-shaped button; "What's in the stars for you, Libra?" was printed on the linen. Inside was a card for 15% off any purchase made in October, in honour of my birthday!

    It was a lovely surprise, I've never received any bonus or free gift from anywhere before, so now I know what it's like for you JCAs who get red/white cards :)

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  25. I used my white card today to order the Rhodie satchel on the red phone (my store doesn't have shoes or bags). Saved about $70, very excited about that. Fyi, though, I called first to see if I could use the card on red phone orders. The assistant I spoke with said yes, but the manager then said no when I was in the store. The assistant nicely offered that she had told me something else over the phone, and the manager then told her to go ahead and tell CS that when I placed the order. I think that the sales staff is unclear on the "rules."

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  26. I pulled the trigger on an order today to take advantage of the free shipping. I had put two Factory items in my cart last week and they remained there all week, even though the Factory directory isn't available. I checked out with them and they appear to have gone through. Even got 20% off one of the Factory things that was on sale. Very nice!!

    Paid full price for the petite stretch vintage trouser cord in golden wood and the patent leather belt in vintage olive. I'm ok paying full price for belts to get my correct size. Also, not 100% certain on my size in the trouser cords, so didn't want to get stuck in a final sale situation. This way I can at least try them on. . .if I love them, I'll keep, if not I'll return and keep looking.

    I have a necklace I'm eyeing, but will hold off on any more orders until the new roll-out, or I receive my quarterly rewards card. :)

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  27. Random things I bought lately: Softspun dress in the purple color. Size S. Fits perfect. Love the extra stitching in the back for waist definition. Great for a cheapy dress. Actually got to wear it on the rare 3 hot days / year in SF! But now back to the sweaters...
    Sweet violets cardigan: love it: true to size although fit is ever so slightly tight in the arms (which is classic and slimming) and loose in waist (forgiving). Will wear this a lot.
    Ciel cardigan: "natural" color was a bit pink-ish, which is preferable to brown-ish for my winter palette skin tone. Wish I'd gotten it in black though.
    Dream turtleneck: going back because it's slightly itchy and I hate that on the neck. Sm. size was ok; might prefer a lightly looser fit.
    Lucked out on the Grommet boots in 7.5 on a pop-back $79. 1st pair of JCrew shoes. Worry they make feet look big but impressed with comfort, which is key since I walk everywhere. Resolve to stop worrying about foot size.
    Delmy silk vest in 4: May see if B&M has a 2 to try on as this is a bit big in waist. Nice layering piece though. Don't mind paying FP on something unique like this.
    Fenton-Fallon Carrington Collar, also a pop-back: was worried it would overwhelm my smallish-normal frame, but it's just right and super cool. Would regret not having this, so yay!

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  28. Ladies, has anyone tried the pebble jacquard pencil skirt? TIA!

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  29. Clicquot - I got that too! I think the stars on the blue linen are in the shape of the Libra constellation. What cute packaging for a nice gift! I'm excited to use it!

    Go Libras!

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  30. monkielion - I'm glad to hear your thoughts on the sweet violets cardigan. I bought it yesterday. I'm very drawn to it but there is also something nagging me that maybe it isn't "me", not sure why I feel that way. I wish I saw more pictures of people wearing it - maybe if I saw it styled I'd know if I want to keep it or not. I do like the merino and the v-neck, nice change from the Jackies I wear.

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  31. really loving the Zip-Side Sweatshirt in the dark charcoal color, which I found on sale for $39.99 in store for anyone who was interested in it :) I picked it up in an XS, as I found the S to stretch too much. HTH!

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  32. @Carnivore Girl, I'm with you... been totally crushing on Madewell lately too. Love the urban edgy vibe and that they aren't overrun with ruffles & sequins (sorry, no offense to those who like them, but I'm over it).

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  33. just purchased the drapey bateau tee in white ash navy and i l-o-o-o-v-e it! it's more fitted than a lot of their tees (maybe because of the modal in it?) and the sprinkling of sparkles at the shoulder make it so freakin' cute :) thinking of going back for the other color, but i'm afraid the other color looks a bit like doo-doo (or will, in turn, make me look like doo-doo...)

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  34. A nice trick for those who want- if you click on any factory items saved on Polyvore, it will take you back to Factory directory which is fully functional. Items can be added to the shopping cart and checked out as usual( I think the 20 off will apply as well). It's a glitch and most likely will be fixed soon, but for now use it of you'd like. I am not a fan of Crewlet, but some items are ok.

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  35. @Crew Cricket.... I love the khloe cami! I wore it with jeans and some fun sandals, and can't wait to pop it back out for the holidays. I posted a pic on my blog! Check it out :)

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  36. @ Kristen: Maybe with sweet violets it's difficult to commit to a printed pattern? I like that it's impressionistic and pretty, but also seems a little punky, maybe because of the brightness of the purples. Nice that this is abstract since most printed cardis seem to be some kind of French country with identifiable images motif, which is a little too twee. The colors are versatile and you can wear it with grey, green, and purple. I wore it with a tissue henley (heather grey) and a long necklace that I made but twisting together some pearls, gold chain, & some satin ribbon. Overall, I'm treating it like a fun alternative to a plain cardigan.

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  37. I love the Dot Flouncette blouse with that sweater!! Could anyone comment on which sweater that is? TIA!!

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  38. Does anyone know how the bateau tees fit? Size up? Size down? TIA.

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  39. jcrewjunkie,

    It looks like the Traversa cardi (29615) in orchid shadow :)

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  40. I have gone from two or so purchases a month down to zero. I am tired of all the loose seams, poor craftsmanship and cheap materials. After a long love affair with JCrew I am starting to look elsewhere. I am somtimes lured by new items on the website but am nervous about receiving an item and being disappointed, again!

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  41. I love my ps. He is wonderful, funny, and honest. I tried on the haya sweatshirt today and while he really liked it on me, he convinced me to leave it there due to its price. sigh

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Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)