Help me decide on J Crew Schoolboy Blazer

Adelfa

I desperately need a good basic topper to help me keep warm in my new office. I thought this would be it. But I'm not feeling excited, especially for the price. Not sure why. What say you?

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11 years ago

Urgent

27 replies

Latest reply was from Beth

catgirl

Veteran

This looks perfectly nice on you. But here's my tale of woe. I had one of these and consigned it... it was neither structured nor edgy on me. I think it's overpriced and overrated. But I am sort of over j crew as I feel they are limited to a certain body type that is not me. Sour grapes, anyone?

11 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

AG that is really helpful! I think I agree!

11 years ago

Jewell

Veteran

I love it worn open, but only like it buttoned up. I don't know if that's helpful or not. If it's overpriced and you don't love it, then I vote pass.

11 years ago

ATLynn

Veteran

I think it fits you great (as well as I can tell w/o a back view) and looks fine. But from your face, happiness factor isn't there. Staples shouldn't be boring or disappointing. You should look forward to wearing them regularly.

11 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with the others if you don't love it now you probably never will

11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Can you still return it? If so, I would do so. It lacks pop, panache, or some such. It is a perfectly fine blazer, but not spectacular. Nothing you are going to reach for, and something I think you will be trying to replace shortly. I feel you can do better.

11 years ago

carambola

Veteran

If you don't love it, return. It looks nice, but you deserve to feel fab.

11 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Not a fan of the Schoolboy in general and agree this lacks personality on you. Boxy, high stance, very sedate and boyish. Suggest try other brands, lower stance, slightly fitted.

11 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

Sorry, Adelfa, but it's not as wonderful as you deserve.

I'm having a similar problem with blazers. I feel that I should have one, but I cannot find one that makes me feel good. Blazers are so practical, but I just don't feel happy wearing one. I'm starting to wonder if I should be looking for something else. Now if I could only figure out what that "something else" might be.

11 years ago

sarah

Veteran

I've actually had pretty good luck with GAP blazers - just a thought.
http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=908375002

Obviously, they are not Theory, or even JCrew quality, but they do fit me well.

11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I had the same thought as Sarah - if you need a basic to fill this hole for the moment, why not try somewhere less pricey? Gap has nice blazers as does Target's Merona line right now. I don't mind how it looks on you but clearly you're not pleased with it.

11 years ago

Summer

Active Member

It sounds like you'd regret the purchase! I think, though it looks nice! that you should wait for something you look forward to wearing.

11 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have found blazers I like at H&M, Zara and Banana Republic that I like, fit well, and are priced less than J Crew.

I think J Crew's merchandise is very classic and requires some styling to make their pieces look as fab as they do in their public image.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The fit looks good from what I can tell. But if you are not happy with it, then by all means pass on it. It needs to make you feel great, not just so-so.

11 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

I am a blazer fiend yet only have 1 J crew (bought from Anna via style exchange) I like J Crew for their other items, but am never excited for their blazers as compared to other brands for the price, For quality for the price I much prefer Boden, for style it's Gap, Banana or Nordstrom brands like Halogen or Classiques Entier. For basics it's calvin Klein or Jones ny from Lord & taylor.
I collect other J Crew items (on sale of course) like jewelry, knitwear, summer tops and button downs and my favorite jeans are Matchsticks up one size (but i confess I get them on ebay more frequently)

11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I think it looks pefectly fine but it's not 'special'. It's had to put my finger on exactly what it is, but I think you are not excited about it, so return and find something you are excited about.

11 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree with the consensus- not bad but not worthy.

11 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

Thanks, everybody. I walked away. I was SO sure it would work because it looks wonderful on DD, and because I liked it on a blogger (blush). I am really happy I was able to listen to myself and pause before I bought. In the past, in a situation where I have a real need and there's a highly rated item in the right color, and it actually looks okay, I would have bought! And then maybe have an orphan.

This time I was able (with help from all of you) to listen to my feeling that it just wasn't right, even though I really didn't know why. Again, in the past, if I didn't know why I felt the hesitation, I probably would have ignored it.

I think (again thanks to you) that I'm looking for something sleeker. Maybe edgier, maybe with more panache, maybe with more personality. More special! I will keep looking.

Meanwhile if anybody wants to help me with my understanding of *why* this didn't work, I'm all ears!

11 years ago

Kiwibird

Active Member

It's a nice fit on you but as Deborah said, it's not "special". I say, trust your instincts and look for something that excites you!

11 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

Kiwi that special thing is so odd because I thought it was *super* special on DD!

11 years ago

jamieyh

Active Member

You pretty on this outfits. I do not know why you do not love them. If you really do not like them, you can buy some other clothes instead.

11 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I also have mixed feelings on this. The school boy is a shrunken jacket. And I don't think that is a good "basic" jacket.

Sorry : (

I have always had good luck with Boden wool blazers. I love this one with the gathered back.

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/.....lazer.html

11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

On J Crew: I've never worn them because until recently I was too heavy to fit in their sizes. But I have watched the brand and although it's shifted slightly over the years it's always had a classic preppy vibe that's almost retro at this point, given how long preppy's been around as a style. As such, I think it works easiest on younger, slimmer bodies as something that's almost a little ironic, or maybe vintage-inspired is the right term - for the rest of us it can end up looking like we're wearing something that we've owned since 1989 and recently found at the back of the closet, you know?

11 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

Adelfa, you and I have a very similar shape (IT), don't we? I can't remember.

Here are my 2 cents worth: I think that what you are responding to is that the blazer is very basic and very non-feminizing in its cut. A great classic women's blazer can make you look both feminine/curvy and powerful. This one doesn't do that. It is meant to give a more gamine look (it is a schoolboy blazer after all) and it does that. I think it just makes you look more gamine than you want.

There are other JCrew blazer fits that I own and like a lot more for a feminine but strong classic suit. I have a schoolboy blazer, but it feels more masculine on me and to compensate, I wear it with a very feminine top, skinny jeans to create a hip curve, and girly pointy toe high heel shoes. Then it feels like me.

11 years ago

Anonymous

You should try the BR cutaway blazer -- I duplicated in black because I love the cobalt one so much.

11 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

FWIW, I think there is a bit of a retro look to this blazer. The gold double buttons with a higher stance... the shape of the cuff. I think you need something more "sharp" and modern. Maybe one of the new low-stance shapes with a single button, or maybe even the kind that don't close up at all.

11 years ago

Beth

Veteran

Adelfa, good for you for following your instincts! I bought this very jacket early in the fall and wish I hadn't spent the money. Like you, there's something I can't put my finger on that makes this piece a pass.

Una, I agree 100% with your post. I've tried so hard to love J.Crew (we've been together for over 20 years after all) but we're breaking up. They're designing for a body type that just isn't me and the blazer is a good example of being overpriced and overrated.

If you like their aesthetic, Boden makes a much better jacket for the money.

11 years ago

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