UPDATE--I think I'm fated not to have a J. Crew coat - YouLookFab Forum

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UPDATE--I think I'm fated not to have a J. Crew coat

Mochi

Veteran

This was the coat I was about to order

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_ca...../49715.jsp

The thing is, in my size, I want Thinsulate for warmth, and that reduced my choice down to two colors. A kind of ivory and this camel color (they're called Saddle and Natural). I'm not thrilled with either color in terms of my own coloring (they could look great on other people).

I know I could wear colorful scarves. I also can order without the Thinsulate and that will give me blue, red, black and light grey along with the other two choices.

I think it would be a bad idea not to have the extra insulation.

I suppose I can ask if they're expected to get more inventory in after the holidays.

I think I'm holding off for now, though. Sigh.

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from rae

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Just wanted to say that I can relate to the whole 'coat conundrum' - I have two of those beautiful blue tweed type coats from Talbots here - one is slightly too small and the other is too big in the shoulders. My local store doesn't carry these coats, so if/when I return - I'll still be coatless. Love the colour, love the shape - the colour is just amazing....but the truth is, the size 10 is too big in the shoulders on me, and the size 8 is just a tad too small.

Know what I'm thinking? That this is the real reason that Angie is on "team store" - especially with tailored items such as a coat. There's just no way to tell when ordering online.

I'm now thinking it's ok to be extra-picky and that it's maybe better to try on a kazillion things instead of taking a chance on something that looks great online.

At the same time, I'm half-considering ordering that Metro coat in purple....which is just plain dumb - chances are, it won't fit me properly and I'll be stuck trying to return it.

Meanwhile, I do hate it when you finally click through, pick a size and find that the colours you want aren't available in the size you want. Maybe we need to just up and move to California where wool coats don't matter as much????

Kidding! (sort of).

Hang in there - we'll just have to keep looking.

Mochi

Veteran

Oh dear, I thought you were all set with your coat(s), velvety!

I have no problem with dropping by a brick and mortar store to return a J. Crew coat--there are a few around the Boston area.

Want to know what the problem is? Their stores have relatively few coats, and NO coats above size 12--in the stores I've been to, anyway!

So Team Store is not always getting a "Yay" from me.

I was so on the fence about getting a nice blue coat in size 14. It really would have been pointless. I'm in Boston and I need to be really warm here, too.

Of course, I could have ordered a color I was not at all excited about. (And I've tried on other camel-colored coats.) No. Not going there.

Today, by the way, was cooooooooooooolllllllllllllld.

And it's the holidays and getting busier. But I will try and make it to Burlington Coat Factory week. No, I really have to get there.

The other parts of my wardrobe seem to be coming together, though....

Oh, I did speak on the phone with J. Crew. Guy was totally non-commital; right now there is nothing showing that they're ordering in more inventory, but it could happen if demand is high enough.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Yes - I know what you mean - the 'in store' offerings are not the best for anyone that needs petites, plus or some other size that doesn't fit into the so-called 'mainstream' of between something like a size 4 and a 10 or thereabouts. I don't think anyone who's a size 2 has it any easier, and I do know that my tall, plus-sized Mom has also had a tough time finding things 'in store' that she can try on.

Have you considered ordering the Plaza coat without the thinsulate lining? Just a thought...I have a feeling these J. Crew coats are well made, and there's also considering comfort when it comes to being both outside and inside - for instance, if you dip into a mall or office with your coat, you might not want something overly warm either? Just a thought.

I might just order a Metro coat to try in purple anyway, and my only rationale for this is that they aren't available in stores, so its not like I can go and try one on.

What colour were you thinking for the Plaza coat? I know that Goldenpig did very well by returning the Metro and trying the Plaza...

Mochi

Veteran

I'd love to hear Angie's opinion on Thinsulate (since she seems to tend toward being cold--I don't, but in this frigid climate I feel like I need the extra bit of warmth).

And now I'm noticing that size is now only in black and camel/saddle. Huh, it's possible they just ran out of other colors this past hour. Or else I'm tired (which I am) and somehow didn't check correctly. I'm not any more excited about black or camel than I was about camel or off-white. Maybe I'd go with camel, but it's sort of bleh.

At this point will let it go...if I'm meant to have a nice coat from there, they'll be ordering some more in very soon. But I have to come up with more ideas and not wait for J. Crew.

Mochi

Veteran

bump

did not order but still interested in WWAD?

Dashrashi

Veteran

The J. Crew coats that offer Thinsulate tend to be not very warm without it (or with it, for that matter, according to many--the "stadium cloth" is the warmest fabric they have). And for what it's worth, I don't think the Plaza coat will be as flattering as you want it to be--it's cut rather straight down from the bust and the waist doesn't really nip in very much.

As far as the stock goes, it fluctuates daily. That's just how J. Crew does their inventory. If you really want to try it, it's worth checking back frequently just to see if it's "popped back."

rosee

Veteran

Don't give up yet and ride it out with patience. Some returns could happen and that might bring coats back into stock; also they might restock anyway.

I picked up a plaza coat in navy with thinsulate (size 10) in April or May of 2010, on sale for a really low price too. It was seemingly out of stock then went back in stock later. It looks like the sale prices are already happening this year. The thinsulate is so nice to have in a colder winter that I'm very glad I got it. It did limit my color choices but I get many compliments on the navy (it has a purplish tint). The coat used to fit really well -- I was very pleased -- but now I have gained a lot of weight so it's in my "skinny closet".

Anna

Mochi, I hope you really do pass on that coat. While the style is beautiful, I noticed that the sleeves were so short as to be ridiculous! If you don't LOVE it, don't waste your money!

Mochi

Veteran

Thanks, anna and everyone else. I am throwing in the towel with J. Crew. Tomorrow I head out to the Burlington Coat Factory and I'm sure I will find something. It's really winter here now, so I'd better. Thanks for all the replies--this coat saga was even starting to put ME to sleep!

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Just for the record, the coat saga isn't putting me to sleep. I'm very interested! Good luck at Burlington Coat Factory - I've done that a few times myself. You will find something, maybe it'll be a dream coat, or maybe not - but there's no harm in looking around.

Let us know. I went to Burlington Coat Factory a few weeks ago and didn't find anything, but I think my local store isn't as good as the one I went to in another state the last time I went through this. I think there might be good stores and not-so-good stores, just like some of the department stores.

rosee - thanks for the info on the thinsulate - I appreciate hearing these tidbits of info as well

catgirl

Veteran

I've been seriously annoyed with j. crew's stock issues - they are always running out of things in an effort to create panic. I have the same issue with Boden, always out of everything for weeks.

Sorry about your frustration, but know there's probably a good reason - your perfect coat is still out there!

Anonymous

I am following this with interest! Mochi please let us know if you have any luck at BCF. A winter coat is such an investment and style statement! Plus it has to be warm! I hope you won't be discouraged. What are you wearing in the meantime? I would vote to grab something from Goodwill for $20 to tide you over instead of paying $100 for something just so-so from Burlington Coat Factory. I know when I'm cold I can't even think straight and would wear hunting camo if it would keep me warm!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I hope you can find something at BCF!! Nothing ever fits me there but if you are borderline regular height, you might have better luck there. Did you try a Macy's or is there a Nordie's near you? Something might jump out at you in person that doesn't grab you online. That happened to me with dresses at Macy's this year.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Echoing Claire! I hope you find something at BCF, but if you're going to grab something so-so to make do, do that for $20. I love my new coat, so I am passing my coat shopping karma on to you!