J. Crew Schoolboy blazer - experiences?

On a whim, I bought a $20 fuchsia knit blazer from H&M.

Who knew? This slightly shrunken jacket has become a complete workhorse for me. You can hardly peel the thing off my back! Granted, I am travelling and it is one of only two jackets I have with me. But even after weeks of almost constant wear, I am loving it!

So I'm considering investing in a higher quality item in the same colour.

Does anyone have experience with the J.Crew Schoolboy blazer (in any colour). Fit, sizing, comfort? I do not live near a J. Crew to try on. http://www.jcrew.com/womens_fe.....RwwmKA4yBw

It is not knit, so it might not feel as comfortable as my present jacket, which is a factor to consider. But the overall fit and slightly shrunken style looks quite similar. You can see mine in pics 10 & 11 of this thread: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....sia-jacket

I also found this...ahem....rather pricey version from Nordstrom: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tr.....KkPT.KyRiw

This seems rather a lot for a knit jacket, or am I mad?

On both of these, I sort of miss the fun zipper detail. Maybe the solution is just wear the cheapo version until it falls apart.

P.S. I tried the Gap Academy jacket and the fit was off on me. The quality was about the same as my H&M jacket.

11 years ago

Kim

Veteran

If it's perfect and you love the details (comfy knit, zips, color and shape and it was cheap!) I'd wear the one I have into the ground first, and consider it a gift from the fashion gods! Rarely is is to easy to find a workhorse like that. I wouldn't see the reason to replace it with more expensive one until then.

Laura

(website)

I tried on the Schoolboy in velvet last winter - wish I had bought it For me, a petite was necessary - short arms and short-waisted - and it was fab. Of course velvet or tweed or whatever fabric you choose won't give like a knit would, but I think it's fun to have a similar item in different fabrications!

Suz

Good thoughts - thank you! It might be worth trying on, if I could get to it. I think I'd need the petite, too, Laura. I am also short armed and short waisted. The regular probably wouldn't seem shrunken.

Ingunn

I can see why you like it, Suz, and the color is totally up your alley! You look beautiful in it, and the combination with taupe is just perfect. I also understand the need for a more dressed version of the jacket. Who knows, next year the colors may have shifted, and you might not be able to find a replacement that easily. Fuchsia isn't always easily available, after all.

Anonymous

I loved your blazer so much I want one too. You do look absolutely fab.

My thoughts. I loved the Nordstorm version. I was not in love with the J Crew one. It seemed too plain and almost boring to me

Good luck in your decision.

Parsley

I've tried the Schoolboy blazer and didn't love it, but my body is very different from yours. I didn't love the fabric, though, or the quality for the price.

I think the Trina Turk might be much better for what you're looking for. I like the style better, and it's stretchy, so it might be closer to the one you have.

I don't know about you, but the things that I find I reach for all the time are *comfortable* above all, so I'm guessing that the Trina Turk would be better in that department. It's unfortunate that it's so pricey, but you could gamble that it will go on sale.

Thanks, Marcie - that is helpful info. Hmmmm.

I also found this one: http://www.revolveclothing.com.....sc=Blazers

Also expensive, and looks downright cheap on the model, but you never know.

I'm not in love with the pockets on that Thayer one. I don't know that brand, do you?
It does look bad on the model- it just doesn't fit her, so it's hard to judge.

I'm still voting Trina Turk. (sorry!)

But of course you never know until you try them.

Kyle

Suz, I have the J Crew Schoolboy in navy. I purchased it in a tall and sized up to ensure comfort. I like it and it's a great, classic piece. But if you are comparing it to a ponte it may feel confining or perhaps you will feel it lacks the same level of comfort because of the stretchiness and movement factors. You might want to take a look at what Nordstrom has to offer in its Gibson blazers. I'm not sure that it is the investment piece you may be looking for, but it has some interesting details and it is ponte. I think some of the styles are offered in petite, too. That magenta color is divine on you, BTW.

Thanks, Kyle. It sounds as if I really should try the J. Crew on to see...mixed reviews here and the fabrication may differ with the season.

I also found this one; it's more a purple (if my monitor is right) but close: hop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-ponte-knit-blazer/3331301

I'm not sure whether the knit is key. This is my very first knit jacket ever. And yes, I'm enjoying it (especially for travel) but I think what draws me most is the combination of colour and the slightly shrunken fit. The truth is, I love wearing jackets, period. So not being knit would not be a deal-breaker.

I also found this one; it's more a purple (if my monitor is right) but close: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....er/3331301

bj1111

the halogen vs the jcrew seems like a good place to start the face-off.

then replace the loser with another jacket until you find the one. hmmm, jacket bracketology...jacketology?

That's good advice (and very funny!) bj!!

Okay then. When I get home, the face-off will begin!

Lisa

I have the schoolboy blazer in light grey. I usually take a S in JCrew and took a size 4 in the blazer. The size 2 was too narrow in the shoulders for me (I a broad). Of course this meant getting the arms shortened just a tad. This blazer has a slight boxy fit to it.

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Thanks, Lisa, especially for the visual. It looks great on you! I will have to watch the shoulders, too -- mine are broader than people usually assume.

Caro in Oz

I love the Trina Turk one can you stalk it?

Joy

I was near a JCrew and saw these. They looked so cute that I had to try them on. I felt that they ran quite small , especially in the shoulders and arms. There was no stretch to the fabric and the lining seemed tight. I liked the look of the tweed version but it was quite heavy, almost an outdoor weight. The wool ones that you linked to didn't seem a nice enough wool for the price. It was stiff rather than soft.
I have knit jackets in black (Gibson) and grey (Halogen from last year's NAS) and suspect that the knit is something you would enjoy more for the comfort. Check the Rack.

unfrumped

You might like it. I tried them and they're too short for me as I'm very long-waisted/torso'd. But you look really good in the shorter-jacket length.

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