2010 J. Crew: Yes. A bounty of flattering fits and fancy fabrics
Written: Jan 08 '10
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I am a long-time intermittent J. Crew customer, and a recent J. Crew addict. They are outdoing their competitors so often and so well now that jcrew.com is invariably my first stop.
Look for:
Flattering fits
The current J. Crew women's pant tailoring alone makes it worth shopping here. They are long and lean even if your lower half is not. They aren't teen-agers' pants that leave your bum exposed, but they are also miles away from dowdy high-waisted jobs. This is a substantial relief if you spend a lot of your life in boring khakis, and the nicer trousers are really splendid.
Tops have a similar long-lanky-lean fit. Again, very flattering, and, in the case of knit tops and tees, a real relief given how many other stores are selling boxy stuff that shrinks and becomes a crop top after a handful of washes. Button-down shirts have just right second button placement (cue Seinfeld: "The second button is the key button. It literally makes or breaks the shirt...")
Fab fabrics
Here and there an acrylic-enhanced sweater or rayon top slips in, but for the most part, these are real clothes made from real fibres -- not just cotton, but plenty of linen, wool, cashmere and silk.
The colours are vibrant, contemporary, classic, and the prints are often stunning.
Bargains bargains bargains
I admit that parts of jcrew.com lean towards the pricy side, and here and there some ridiculous amounts show up. But the sale section is lively, and tolerating a middling amount of junk e-mail from them will tip you off to their intermittent '20% off sale items' and 'free shipping' deals.
"Fun for the whole family"
The "Crewcuts" kids' line is tops and the men's section is a reliable source of well-constructed basics. The Crewcuts section is better at fancy fripperies than basics, but it's an excellent place to buy a little girls' dress. NB: very occasionally one can find Crewcuts items that match things in the J. Crew women's department, a real boon for the sappier sort of mother.
A+ customer service and shopping ease
I placed an order in early December, and was starting to panic when nothing had arrived by the 23rd. From their (promptly sent) reply to my inquiry:
We have refunded your shipping charges for this order due to the extended delay. The $20.50 credit should appear on your Visa card in the next 3-5 business days, depending on the policies of your lending institution.
If you would prefer, we'd be happy to credit your account or reship the items. We apologize that we will be unable to have them delivered by the Christmas holiday. Please let us know which you prefer...
Well played, J. Crew. (And the order showed up the next day.)
Their paper catalogues are lovely, and the site is a breeze to shop. One does occasionally wish to give the models a sandwich or snap 'Wipe that smirk off your face' -- there is a consistent aesthetic which is not always wholly appealing -- but the pictures are pretty and the representation of the goods is accurate. The site is simple to navigate and free of major irritations, and it's easy to track your orders.
Last word
Effortless fashion, quality construction. Very modern, but not bleeding edge trendy. Few companies are doing this and nobody else is doing it so well. If you are too old for trendy shops and too young for the rest of it, this is your home.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Clothes clothes clothes shoes bags jewellery clothes
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About the Author
Member: K.M. Mennie
Reviews written: 387
Trusted by: 402 members
About Me: ZOMGZ! Ten years on this site...!
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