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Help me!!!

Mona

Veteran

In my j. crew cart right now are these two items. I have ordered size M in this top and an 8 regular in pants which is what I usually wear in GAP. Do you think these sizes are okay for me?
I am having a really hard time deciding if I should pull the trigger or not. These two are defintely needs, not wants. But I am thinking all the JCrewsing on the forum is messing with my head. I don't want to make any rash decisions. Returns will be very expensive so no room for error there. I am usually not an emotional shopper but I am having a hard time justifying these two items. Please help!!!

Linen drapey drawstring pant

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7

Linen high-low hem sweater in garment dye

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8

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Ariel

Anonymous

I can't speak to sizes because I am not familiar with J Crew. I have never owned any of their clothes, but I too spent a lot of time reading what others bought and looking at their WIWs. I was very seduced by the sales and I really did not need anything whatsoever.

You mention that these two items are "needs." That is an important distinction. Mine were merely "wants." So we'll have to wait for the J Crew crew to weigh in on size comparison to GAP. If I had to guess, I would guess that J Crew runs smaller than GAP, but I have no real data.

Let us know what you decide. Good luck.

Gaylene

Veteran

I ordered my regular size which is also the size of my Gap slouchy khakis if that is any help. The fit is just right for me --even after laundering--slouchy but not baggy.

And I'd order today because J Crew is having a one-day only free shipping special. The last time they had this promotion, they also covered the cost of my return, although I did phone a rep to make sure I got the refund.

Isabel

Veteran

Mona, for me, JCrew has always run small. I have hips. They don't. : )
There will be others.

But if you can get what Gaylene said, then there is no loss.

Anonymous

If J Crew covers the cost of your return, then the risk is minimized. I agree with Gaylene, you should order the items today.

Thistle

Veteran

I don't oder J Crew as they are made for slim rectangles and I am not.

That said, if Gaylene is correct, then there is little risk if you order today.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I usually order my true size (which is never tight as I don't buy anything that is really fitted). So if your Gap pants fit the way you want, I'd stick with your usual size. If they are at all tight or slim, then I'm not as sure. The top should be right in the M.

Mona

Veteran

This will be first order from J. CRew. Hence the question about sizing. Suz had suggested earlier that I should go to the J. Crew Store to find out what my size is. Once I am sure about the size, then I should order. There is no store in town where I live, so getting to a store means travelling for 2.5 hours. I don't think that is possible in near future.
Isabel, I have hips too but these are linen drawstring pants so I thought there is very little chance that they fit tight.
texstyle, since last year I size up in GAP in both tops and bottoms so they are plenty fluid fitting.
Gaylene, really? That gives me hope. I am still thinking.

Gaylene

Veteran

Mona, if you are unsure about the pants, why not phone one of the J Crew stores In Toronto and ask for a Personal Stylist to help you decide on the size. The PS will ship directly from the store and you can also return directly to the store if it doesn't fit. Shipping within Canada might be less expensive. If you will be in TO in the next few weeks, you can also avoid return costs by just taking the items back in person--or get someone headed that way to do it for you. Online orders, though, can't be returned to the stores, unfortunately.

ETA: If you order online, at least you'd be able to apply the normal $9.95 shipping cost to the cost of a return. And I've also used a large padded envelope for a return instead of the box to reduce return shipping costs.

Mona

Veteran

Gaylene, that is the problem. I don't foresee going to Toronto in near future. Otherwise I could have bought from the store directly.
The only reason I got the courage to think about ordering these pants is because they are drawstring pants to there is less chance of getting the wrong size. The PA fitted me in size 6 regular on phone but I am tempted to order size 8 as that is what I order in GAP.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'd go with your Gap size. Looser linen pants are better than too tight ones. Worse case is that you'd have to cover return shipping but you can apply the $9.95 free shipping credit towards that. And the pants are light enough to fit nicely into a padded envelope instead of a box which can also save a few dollars.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think you'll be okay. I'm not too much of a rectangle - I have some hips. I have to size down one size in my jcrew shorts (weird, but true). Their jeans on the other hand I def. order my normal size.

Gigi

Veteran

Mona, I haven't read all the responses, but perhaps you could call a J. Crew store and ask them to measure the garment for you. Or you could give them your measurements, and maybe they could suggest the proper size.

I hope this idea works...I have tried this before (not with J. Crew), and sometimes the SAs say there is no measuring tape to be found! I find this ridiculous. But that is a rant for another thread!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I find that gap and j crew are similar in their sizing. Probably a little large even for US sizes, and very large for European sizes.

Not everyone likes their system:

http://www.caphillstyle.com/ca.....-zero.html

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Mona, I am an 8 in gap and BR, and my drawstring linen pants are also 8's. I think you'd be safe there. I can't speak for the top. It sounds like the crew and vee neck sweaters are different, hopefully Svetas and or Suz will chime in. That being said, I run between an M and a L, I ordered the pink vee neck in L, and it's plenty big. If you are usually an M, you're probably safe with an M.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

You got Zara blazer in L, right? I needed xL for the same fit. In this sweater I need L - so M should be fine I think. Suz got S in this sweater - if you wear bigger sizer than Suz then definitely M should work.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Gaylene, unfortunately you cannot order from the store over the phone: you have to be there in person with your card - they cannot take your card over the phone. Weird, right?

Gaylene

Veteran

Hmm, that IS weird, Sveta, because I keep getting told by the PS that she will ship stuff directly to me if I don't want to buy online. I've never taken her up on the offer, but I'm now wondering how I'd be expected to pay if they won't take a credit card? Strange.

Mona

Veteran

I did not end up ordering these yesterday. Too many variables. I did not want to cave in to pressure of free shipping for a day and order something that won't fit me. Anyway, reading Sveta's response makes me think that M would have been ok in the jumper. Now I wait for another free shipping day from J.Crew. Hopefully these would still be available.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Mona -- so sorry -- I was offline most of yesterday!!

I am pretty sure M would have worked in the sweater. And I suspect the pants would work in your regular GAP size -- that is what I ordered and they have a roomy fit.

I have a "for friends" coupon I can give you. I don't know if it will work on stuff that is on sale, but when we see each other, we can figure that out.

Also, I will bring my S sweater for you to try on. In this style, the S might actually work, also. I will bring both sweaters so you can compare colours as well.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I got a linen v-neck tee, to go with my shorts that STILL have not come grr. Anyway, I'm shocked at how small in the shoulders it is. Barely 14" across from seam to seam in a size small.

Mona

Veteran

Oh Suz, i knew you were busy this weekend. that is fine and yes, trying on your sweaters will give me a better idea about colours and sizing.
Mo, hope your v-neck tee comes soon. do show us how it fits.

Ariel

I've never ordered anything from J Crew, but what you should do first is check their size chart if you haven't already to make 100% sure you're choosing between the right size or sizes (I tend to fall inbetween two). Second, read all the reviews on the items you want to buy to see if they run smaller, larger, or are true to their size. Lastly, go with what your gut thinks. Normally it's right.
Good Luck!