Angie, I ordered a Breton top and a cotton sweater from JCrew last year. The quality is OK but the sizing is inconsistent. I’d preferred to size down in a top and size up in a sweater but I paid for shipping already and would had to pay for return/reorder. So, I kept it but decided that it is a gamble I’m not prepared to take next time.
With a shipping/return policy like that no wonder Canadians are off this brand.

Hi, five, Angie, on J. Crew!

I'm really curious to know what items have not measured up for people -- partly because they offer me a good fit so I would hate to give them up entirely!

I didn't mention my favourite gear brands.

Clothing: Hands down, Icebreaker for tops and hoodies. I have so much stuff from them and really like it. I have Zella leggings but intend to try Athleta next.

Footwear: Salomon for trail runners and hiking boots.

I too am a big fan of J. Crew--shout to Angie and Suz! I have lots of dressier work pants from them, as they fit me well consistently, lots of button downs (one of the few places I can find silk/cotton blend tops, which I love), and several pairs of jeans. I agree that their sizing on sweaters, especially, can be inconsistent, but I have found their pants sizing to be quite consistent. I love that they offer tall sizes in their coats and pants. And I have been shopping with them since I was in college in the late '80s, and haven't noticed any decline in quality :). I usually avoid their spring merch each year, since it tends to be dominated by pastels, which aren't my thing.

I addition to J. Crew for retail (vs. second-hand), I also like the Gap, Uniqlo, Everlane, and sometimes Madewell (though I agree with some posters that their sizing can be off).

My second-hand purchases are all over the map, and I keep stuff for a long time, typically, so I have lots of different brands within a category, e.g., outerwear: COS, Dries Van Noten, Free People, Gap, Isabel Marant, J. Crew (a cranberry wool pea coat, maybe 15 years old, which fits me perfectly and still looks almost new, see pic), Marni, North Face, Paige, Sisley, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters.

Jonesy, that berry coat is KILLER AWESOME....and so is the fun beanie! I have also done well with J.Crew pants. The micro checks below are faves, and bought two years ago!

To my point - Suz and Irina - WOVENS and leather goods are great at J.Crew

Irina and Suz, yes to J.Crew knits being awfully inconsistent. That said, I DO have some excellent old J.Crew knits though - 10 plus years! No pilling (the two yellow jumpers below).

I realise I truly don’t shop by brand. I have very few repeat buys from any brand these days, with the exception of Paige jeans … but the strange little djeans company is actually my favorite brand of jeans… ‘cuz they’re fake jeans. I wouldn’t mind duplicating my Boden blue stripe top with orange collar, but I think that’s it. l like the fit of Farm Rio but the style isn’t quite right. Not sure what to say about this(!)

My J Crew Field jacket has been a wardrobe mainstay for 25 years—and I STILL get people asking me where I bought it! The worn spots on the waxed cotton just give it a slightly distressed look which makes me love it more!

This really interesting. So my bra brand for many years is Chantelle but I am overdue for a fitting and will be doing it in Israel so we shall see what happens. Birkenstock for summer and house shoes (second hand in new condition when possible). Out of what I think of as mall brands COS (second hand) is well represented even though their fits are sometimes tricky on me. I do have a lot of vintage and designer clothing that defies easy answers .

Gaylene reminded me, I had a J Crew field jacket bought in 1989 that I kept around for sentimental reasons, though I did not wear it anymore. My daughter took it off me last year and it's become one of her favorites.

I LOVE my J. Crew field coat and really, really, really want them to make a new version. I need it to be a coat. I wear this baby all the time and adore it but I either need to rewax it or accept I can't wear it in the rain any more. Oh, how I love this coat. I could wax (ha ha) eloquent about it for years.

Also, just to add, here are J. Crew knits I have owned for years and that have survived without substantial pills and/or have taken to de-pilling very robustly.

There is some merino here, some cashmere, and some cotton. Every one an excellent purchase.

Suz, re your coat, buy some wax from a Barbour dealer. I’ve never done it, but people do rewax their jackets. There are probably YouTube videos on how to fo it.

Suz!!! You can definitely re-wax your jacket ! I have done mine many times. It’s super easy - just time consuming. PM me if I can help!

I’ll add that I have old JCrew pieces, too that have worn like iron and are still in my closet. I’ve outgrown my beloved yellow peacoat (I can wear only a Tshirt under it), but can’t seem to part with it. Such great quality- but I bought it in 2007 or 8.

Regarding J.Crew, I have returned a lot of stuff recently but I think that’s because my body has changed subtly in the last few months. I did get some button downs that worked. I am generally pro J Crew with the understanding that it’s not the past glory days of the brand.

I like Madewell, too, but it’s tricky to find the right fit. I wear a lot of Wit and Wisdom jeans as well as Madewell, and sometimes Ann Taylor. I also like LOFT sometimes, but am much pickier about what I keep nowadays, in terms of quality. Banana Republic has been great lately. And you all know my love of Boden, but I think I’ve reached a saturation point in my wardrobe for the type of items I like from them. Nothing much has been blowing me away lately, except for a jacket I got.

For shoes, I like Birkenstock, Docs, Born and Converse. Also Sam Edelman has been great lately, and I have some cool boots from Marc Fisher.

Gap for loungewear. Athleta and some gear brands for gear, such as Columbia and Patagonia.

For bags, it’s Rebecca Minkoff and Kate Spade.

Brands I am trying to buy more of include Everlane and Saint and Sofia. I want to continue expanding my horizons and upping the quality of what I buy.

Shoes: 1. The Office of Angela Scott for oxfords, loafers and some booties. 2. Aquatalia for weather resistant boots 3. Birkenstock sandals and slippers 4. Ecco sneakers 5. Ahnu/Naot- for winter boots, outdoor shoes and summer casual sandals 6. Vince 7. Stuart W. 8. Beautifeel

Jeans: 1. J Brand, my all time favorite has closed their online shop but are still available in limited styles on the Theory website. Rag and Bone, Frame, Joe’s and Veronica Beard are hit and miss for jeans fit and often do not have styles I prefer. Levi’s, Mother, Citizens of Humanity, Hudson, AG, NYDJ have not worked well. I’m in search of some new brands. Jeans that haven’t worked were either too short in rise, length or both and perhaps too tight in the legs (muscular legs).

Blazers: Boss, Rag and Bone, Smythe, Veronica Beard, Sea, Armani, J Crew Collection (older), Lafayette148Ny

Leather jackets: Cole Hahn

Knits: La ligne, Veronica Beard, Theory, Rag and Bone, DVF, J Crew Collection (of my older knits these are the ones that have lasted longest), Equipment, Lafayette148NY, Eileen Fisher, Autumn Cashmere, Nordstrom Signature, Boden, James Perse. The knit I have stopped purchasing is Halogen. They look nice the first wear and then they pill or snag quickly.