J Crew Fall/Winter 2010 Discussion

[ranker]

Originally Posted by Robert

What's your point? That you tried J. Crew shirts and don't like them and won't buy them again? Great. So... We're supposed to care because...?

Someone asked about what people thought of their shirts. I gave my reply. J Crew's fan boys questioned my experiences. I replied.

Here's a pro tip. Don't read my replies if it gets you butt hurt.

 

[Robert]

You're a sweetheart!

 

[xchen]

I have been buying J. Crew shirts over a period of many, many seasons and have seen the fit change several times. Right now it is the best it has ever been, and for the first time I am not disillusioned with J. Crew. Like I said in the peacoat thread I could really give an eff less what everyone's opinion of it is. I think most of the offerings look great for a mass produced mall brand and, while the prices are higher than they should be, I always find myself coming back for more.

As far as khakis, shirts, sweaters, and outerwear go, it is pretty much a one stop shop for me and it is incredibly convenient not having to actually spend any effort shopping anymore.

 

[Robert]

Ha ha. Yeah. My girlfriend makes fun of me sometimes. She'll compliment me on what I'm wearing and then make fun of me for wearing all J. Crew--even though her closet is full of J. Crew too.

About the only other places I shop are the occasional men's shop for accessories, like a hat, or vintage stores for unique items, and Sears for jeans and shoes, and sometimes a nice shoe store.

 

[hastur]

http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/s...1899/31899.jsp

has anyone seen or tried this on in a store? i'm not sure whether to get a medium or small - i'm 5'9 160lb but i wear a small in their regular shirts

 

[Robert]

Originally Posted by hastur

http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/s...1899/31899.jsp

has anyone seen or tried this on in a store? i'm not sure whether to get a medium or small - i'm 5'9 160lb but i wear a small in their regular shirts

I'm the same size (L) in both shirts and sweaters, so I'd recommend going with small.

 

[slack tide]

5'9" 160 lbs to me defines a size small in J Crew. Go with the S.

FWIW, I have purchased a few JC sweaters this season in size small. I am 5'8" 130-135lbs. They are swimming on me.

 

[golfham]

Originally Posted by slack tide

5'9" 160 lbs to me defines a size small in J Crew. Go with the S.

FWIW, I have purchased a few JC sweaters this season in size small. I am 5'8" 130-135lbs. They are swimming on me.

Not quite. J Crew's small is very inconsistent in size. It is often too baggy, and the sleeves are too long (esp. with the chambray work shirts). XS works, but is a bit too tight sometimes. People are saying slim fit is good ****.

 

[Newstyle]

I personally wouldn't buy the NB shoes J. Crew is offering based solely on the price but I do like that shoe. I have always liked retro shoes. The thing about J. Crew that gets me is I love their colors for F/W. I can find similar pieces at lower prices but I can't find them in the colors that J. Crew offers which is what enticed me in the first place. Like with NB, yes you can find cheaper ones but not in the colors that J. Crew offers which really make the shoe pop. I guess i'll just have to keep buying J. Crew

 

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by Robert

I like them. But they're way overpriced. I understand the main difference (from, say, the 373 model you can buy at Sears) is that they are all-suede (whereas the 373s have some mesh). But still, come on.
Allow me to chime in here on the New Balances. First off, anyone who pays $130 for these is out of their ******* mind. Period. If you're looking to spend that much money and want a retro look, go with the 993's which are chock full of cushioning. Now, the only differences between the JCrew models and ones you'd find at Sears or even the NB store are internal. The guts of the shoe. As the price increases you're likely to find more padding, stability accessories (pronation, supination, both), and fancy materials like mesh and cool looking (but worthless) zig zag shock ****. The suede found on these and the Sears models is likely to be identical.

 

[sygyzy]

Being a New Balance and overall sneaker collaboration whore, it's difficult not to buy the J Crew NB's but at $130 it really is too much. A shame too. I probably would have bought them for $100.

 

[Cheese1]

Originally Posted by sygyzy

Being a New Balance and overall sneaker collaboration whore, it's difficult not to buy the J Crew NB's but at $130 it really is too much. A shame too. I probably would have bought them for $100.
Wouldn't student discount knock it down to ~$110? You've gotta know a college student whose discount you could use. (this is provided they do the 15% student discount I've heard about)

 

[clarksdb]

I wouldnt even pay $50 for those.

 

[golfham]

Originally Posted by Cheese1

Wouldn't student discount knock it down to ~$110? You've gotta know a college student whose discount you could use.

(this is provided they do the 15% student discount I've heard about)

I don't think that discount applies to collabs. I could be wrong though.

 

[ceekay]

Originally Posted by golfham

I don't think that discount applies to collabs. I could be wrong though.

depends who's at the register. ive used it on 2 colabs..

as per all the other arguments:

jcrew is a lifestyle company. they market to a certain niche. another example would be Eddie Bauer (they also sell 3rd party items not as collabs) and opposite would be stores that just make clothes like gap. jcrew carries brands that fit the niche they are selling too, which is not "whoring them out to the masses" its just allowing you to get stuff you probably already want (since your in jcrew in the first place).. secondly, they start from the premise of being "classy" and understated. hence the earth tones, functional looks, and lack of logos (even Polo puts logos). the fit is just the same, its more modern but its not h&m trendy.. its more classic. if you want to stand out and be super trendy, then go buy clothes designed for that reason. i wear jcrew bc it DOESNT STAND OUT.. and thats where i think the success is. clothes based on functional designs similar to ll bean and RL, but more affordable and s bit more modern fit (good for small people like me)

finally, everyone is hitting at the quality. i think this is one of the strong points of jcrew: they basically make the same things in different price/quality levels. i can go by a cashmere/cotton sweater made in china for 30 bux, or i can get one made in usa. and the prices are different. they do it with most of their stuff- a good idea if you ask me. yes jcrew may not be the most durable clothing in the world.. its not a utility brand like dickies.. but there is attention to detail and overall quality, not to mention they usually will take care of you if something goes wrong with a product. its very difficult for a brand to be successful with basic traditional clothing without reinventing themselves every season (e.g. the gap--last season they were marketing "black is baaack!!!"--- really) so you got to at least hand it to them for just doing what they do with a commitment to their principles.