J Crew fans - article - YouLookFab Forum

http://www.wsj.com/articles/de.....1432661954

For many women, it’s been a disappointing spring to shop.

That’s because their beloved J.Crew, once their go-to spot to find the perfect shift dress for the office, striped T-shirt for the weekend and bathing suit for the beach, is often letting them down. Their complaints about head-scratching styling, poor garment construction and fabric quality, and inconsistent sizing have popped up online and on social media. J.Crew itself has acknowledged it has problems with its women’s clothing and says it is trying to fix them.

Apparel brands come and go. Few boast shoppers as emotionally involved as J.Crew’s. That can mean a high degree of consumer loyalty, or it can lead to a backlash.

Jenn French has long worn head-to-toe J.Crew, posting photos on Instagram under a hashtag used by thousands: #JCrewEverything. But when the San Diego resident last visited a store, about three months ago, she left without buying anything. “It’s sad because it’s a brand I love,” Ms. French, 35 years old, says. “I feel a little bit lost as to where I would even shop now.”

Jenn French wearing head-to-toe J.Crew in a photo she posted on Instagram with the hashtag #JcrewEverything ENLARGE
Jenn French wearing head-to-toe J.Crew in a photo she posted on Instagram with the hashtag #JcrewEverything PHOTO: JENN FRENCH.......

10 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

Great article...THX for sharing...

annabelle

It's baffling when a label (Lucky Brand. also) is inconsistent in sizing. These are companies who private label all their wardrobe, and oversee the design, pattern making and manufacturing. You'd think they see the disconnect with their (former) customer when they lose attention to this huge factor in the buying decision.

I sympathize with the big retailers like J Crew who have to be facile with consumer preferences and the economy in general, and who have to sign exorbitant, years long leases using historic information for predicting sales and growth around the country.

Anonymous

We seem to hear this about J Crew quite often - about how quality and fabric and styling are leaving a lot of customers puzzled.....and they always issue a statement about being aware of it and addressing . Yet we continue to hear these "complaints" and comments every year. Curious. I'm not lucky enough to live in a city that has a J Crew, but I do know when I visit a big one when I'm travelling, I am always hugely disappointed in what I find. I never seem to see what is featured in their look books or on-line, and when I do, the clothes themselves bear little resemblance to the catalogue pieces. I am so seduced by what I see on-line, as I guess many of us are. but.....

Dee

I have found a few pieces from JCrew this year that I like, but I do agree that the sizing is inconsistent. I've tried three different number sizes and often am a size smaller in sweaters this year, despite a bit of weight gain. But sometimes the quality is still quite good, especially since they seem to run more sales in recent years. You do have to be paying attention to details though.

deb

I love the long coat I purchased last year in Seattle but the linen tees I got last summer were disappointing. Also, their pants do not fit me well. Years ago I used to purchase a lot from them.

Nice to see this article! In the many many years (could it be decades?) I've been buying J Crew, I've found they go through periods of poorer quality or styling. Hopefully this is just a rough patch, but I like the fact customers are speaking out. I've had an awful time with drops in quality this year: Jaeger, J Crew, Uniqlo, even my (formerly) beloved Eileen Fisher. If people speak up for quality, hopefully the companies will pull their socks up. I'm so grateful you shared this, UmmLila. Thank you!

jska222

Active Member

great article!

Suz

(website)

I'm a pretty loyal J. Crew customer, despite the fact that there is no J. Crew in my city and even the ones in the cities closest to me (3 hours away) rarely have the items that interest me in stock when I visit, and hardly ever in my size. I risk online ordering because I know that typically the clothes "get" me. Not always, not 100%, but enough that with careful reading of reviews, I rarely need to return.

I haven't noticed a fall off this year, but then again, my order this year consisted only of a few tee-shirts. I really like their linen tees a lot.

viva

I find that it is definitely hit or miss. I live closest to a factory store and I rarely go anymore, so when I am close to a retail store it's been very disappointing not to find something. Also, I order frequently and return a lot. However, I have to say that I still purchase more from JCrew than from anyone else. They translate current trends for a certain aesthetic and body type, and when they do it well, they do it really well. I haven't given up on JCrew yet -- although I have definitely tempered my expectations, and I have spent less, both of which are probably good for my wallet.

Makrame

Interesting, thanks for posting this!

I buy a lot of JCrew clothes online when they are on a deep discount - I usually order enough to get free shipping, try things on, and return anything I don't like. I have been pretty happy with them this year - got a couple of new silk shirts, several pairs of Maddie pants and a few sweaters. But I did have to order cotton Maddie pants in three different colors before I found one pair that fit me well and did not have seams/zippers sticking out. I do find brick and mortar shopping with them to be disappointing but I rarely shop in any real store anymore.

Aziraphale

Interesting article. I have bought items from JCrew in the past and I've been happy with them, but I agree that their quality is inconsistent. The items I have were chosen carefully and tried on in a brick-and-mortar store, so I could gauge quality better. I haven't bought anything from there this year, but I got a draped linen tee and a linen tank top from them last year, and they were smash hits. I liked them so much I went back for multiples. However, they have had very little else to tempt me -- and I swear they send me three emails a day! It's very aggressive marketing, which I think is part of what's putting me off.

Aquamarine

My one JCrew online purchase this year was disappointing. My daughter also shops there, and has noticed a downward trend in quality.

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