J.Crew Spring 2012 Collection!!!
This was not so evident when we saw the previews in the fall and I was expecting more greens, yellows, purples and pinks. Don't get me wrong, the red, white and blue are great and classic, but I am getting a little bored with it. Not mentioning stripes and polka dot overload. Plus, the Jules dress and Talitha blouse seem to be reproducing faster and faster with each rollout. I know we all have been asking for return the the 'good old days' and more classics, so thank you J.Crew for listening, but... where is 'The Twist'?
I gave you everything you ever wanted
It wasn't what you wanted... " (So Cruel by U2)
I am really sorry J.Crew, you know I still love you, it is just that I am falling asleep in the fitting rooms these days. You think we can try some 'experimenting', to spice things up a little bit? It is probably not you, it's me...
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Wait! I take it back. This is really cute!!! I knew you can do it!
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| Ultra eyelet shell |
It also comes in white, but I think this is a little too chaste for me, at my age ;)
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| Front |
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| Back |
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| $98 100% cotton, both eyelet and lining :) |
In Chili (to spice things up):
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| Eyelet Hookup |
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| Boy meets girl? |
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| Shell is size 8 |
The neckline is very high and it was not very comfortable. Maybe I just have a thick neck? Sigh...
Overall, it is very cute and the red color is gorgeous and very flattering imo. I think it would work much better if your chest is smaller and your neck is long and slender. I think it would be great with jeans, the way they styled it on the website. I am very glad the lining is cotton and not, God forbid, polyester.
Back-zip long-sleeve pullover
If you are not completely striped out this is very nice. It is a thicker cotton than for example Spindrift sweatshirt which I reviewed HERE. It fits TTS but it seems relatively narrow in the hips, so you may want to size up to accommodate it. You can see below that this would give you more slouchy fit, probably better if you want to wear it with jeans. It feels comfortable and easy to wear.
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| size Small |
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| size Medium |
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| $68 100% Cotton |
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| Hefty zipper but not exposed |
I liked it a lot but I think I am striped out and cannot get excited about it. The color code is BLA so I think this is black and white. I can never tell in the fitting room light.
I don't see the tank below online, but it is very cute. It has scalloped edges and eyelet detail, very sweet.
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| skirt size 6 |
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| tank size Small |
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| tank seems to be also in chili |
What I didn't like, was the shadows that form where the eyelet is separated from the lining. I think it looked worse irl that in the pictures. Do you think this is totally OCD?
When I was about to leave I noticed couple of other items:
Polka dot (again) capri pants on the display. Seem to be the same print as Polka-dot pencil skirt. They were not in the store.
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| polka dot capris |
Oh, I really wish it had a top zipped or another closure because the open top is a deal breaker for me as I shown you HERE.
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| Nautical Edie Attache |
That's all folks
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Do you think J.Crew is getting repetitive or am I being 'So Cruel'?
Are you OK with all classic or do we really need a twist?
Do you like any of the pieces from today's review?
Thanks SO much for these reviews! Somehow, I missed the Ultra Eyelet Shell. I LOVE it on you!!! I'm adding that beauty to my list. And, I really like the Back zip long-sleeve pullover. You look great in everything!! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rynetta, please let us know if you get it! I lov eall the flats you have been reviewing recently, fortunately, so far I could find something similar in my closet.
DeleteI am so appreciative of you doing these reviews. Because of your fab review of the feather paisley skirt, I was able to work with my PS to preorder it in my size and for the extra 20% off. :)
ReplyDeleteI was interested in the retro looking eyelet blouse, especially in the chili color, but it looks like I might be able to wait for a sale on that one, as it looks like it might be too big of a sizing issue for a lot of women. (Blegh on that, btw.)
I like that J. Crew is being repetitive, but I like it when companies do that, create a flattering silhouette (usually) and then switching up prints and/or colors. As a sahm, it makes choosing super easy...
That said, I do know I need to branch out sometimes, so maybe a little surprise here and there would be okay (which may be why I have imbibed the madewell juice here and there).
Thanks Dina, I think the red eyelet top would be fantastic on you! But I agree that it will probably make it to sale.
DeleteI am trying to branch out too and compare notes. So for example today I ordered RL polka dot dress that FFM listed, we shall see how it works out.
I had the same problem with the eyelet skirt. I loved it, except for the badly placed shadows. I do like the eyelet top, but my figure type is probably won't work with it. The striped top is cute - maybe on sale? Thanks for your reviews!
ReplyDeleteThe shadows, yes, it does not look that bad in the pictures but when I was in the fitting room I thought it was worse. As much as I am striped out I don't know if I will be able to resist the striped top if it goes on sale.
DeleteIf it's you, you have company. I bought my share of stuff this spring but overall it is boring, especially the Catalog, I rarely even open it these days, I am missing the days of the crazy styling (can't even remember what the cover is, it's that bad). I am totally branching out (visited Zara a number of times in the past two weeks because let's face it the quality is the same for a lot cheaper).
ReplyDeleteI like the tank a lot more than the shell, which is a bit sister Mary IMO. The tank is much more flattering on you.
Lol re. hookup, I am tempted to use it in store and see if the SAs get it (I hope that they don't think that I want to hookup with them).
Hookup! LOL, I was waiting to see if they'd pull that one out in the next catalog ;)
ReplyDeleteI did end up ordering that eyelet pencil in chili since I couldn't stop putting outfits together in my head in which it was the star. The shadows don't really bother me...I like that it has so much visual interest going on. It looks great on you (and pretty much all of the other JCA's who have tried it on), so I have very high hopes. The top is a "no" for me just because similar styles of that top give me serious uni-boob.
JC does use some funny lingo, don't they?
DeleteHope the skirt works for you, the color and texture are so pretty. And the top, yes uniboob alert, sometimes those tops feel like compression bra. Even in 8 it felt tight but when I look at the pictures, it looks like it is loose around waistline, so it was just the chest portion. In 6 I couldn't even button it in the back and I thought I was suffocating :(
I didn't buy the Eyelet Pencil for the exact same reason - I couldn't handle the shadows! I told my PS that when I tried it on and she looked at me like I was nuts :). I am still sad about it though, a red cotton pencil skirt has been on my wish list for ages!
ReplyDeleteYou know Caitlin, i am glad you mentioned that. I would say something to my PS and she would give me 'they are fluing off the shelves' speech. Like if I was completely nuts, weird, OCD. It is good to compare notes and confirm I am not crazy and others notice things too...
DeleteAnd I too wanted a red skirt, tho color is absolutely perfect on this one.
I do think the shadow effect was more pronounced in my usual size 4 and it was a little better in size 6. Did you try your regular size?
I would say yes I agree, seems like stripes and polka dots everywhere; however, stripes are a a big Spring '12 trend that are everywhere, not just JC. And while we may not be a fan of striped everything, it isn't much different than any of other phases we've seen them go through from sequin tees to ruffles that just wouldn't stop. Plus nautical is very typical for Spring/Summer style...just like trenches are a typical bet every Fall. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, I do prefer the stripes to the ruffles and sequins, good point!
DeleteLovely top, I love broderie anglaise, as a little girl I always a had at least one b..a..dress in my wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteTabs, me too, my mother loved it!
DeleteI like it all, despite the "dark shadows" (insert ominous music...) I am really wanting the little cami tank as I think it will be much more versatile for the summer.
ReplyDeleteI dither about JCrew - I do like the twist, and I think I am still seeing it, but I am happier sans some of the crazy get ups of the last couple of years. I guess in these economic times, they are playing it a bit more safe, but for me, in comparison with other retailers, JCrew is still pretty twisty!
WMM, I got that cami after I realized I didn't have the red tank in my closet.
DeleteI know that this has been mentioned often, but I want to chime in just to reiterate. I too see the "shadow effect" with the eyelet pencil skirt and I really wanted to love that skirt, color is amazing. Yesterday I tried it on again in both a size 4 and 6. I have to say sizing up helped, it fell a little lower on my waist, more like right below my belly button and it was very clean. Both sizes fit but the 6 hung nicely. That one is now on my wish list!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your great reviews AJC I look forward to them!!!
Have a wonderful day
Thanks MB, I am glad to hear it is not just me, I think it does run small, and it was definitely better on me in size 6.
DeleteThe shadow thing would drive me batty, you are not OCD. If you are we all are! I like the top, it is very 1960's looking especially paired with the matching skirt. Oh how I love the matchy matchy.
ReplyDeleteI'm not seeing anything that is fluttering my heart these days, but I've done quite a bit of shopping lately (Tillary, Carriage Coat Dress, Capelette coat, KS fur thing). I also have plenty of summer clothes, including stripes and polka dots!
Thanks for your awesome reviews!
hi Dani, I thought I was the only one that liked the 'hookup', I even liked it with the paisley skirt, there is something appealing in just one print all over but not the dress.
DeleteThanks for another great round of reviews, ajc...they are very much appreciated! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that J.Crew seems to repeat, repeat, repeat and at this point I personally have a bit of Crew-fatigue. I do have to say that I am thrilled they have moved on from the crazy bag lady phase though, and have returned a bit more to their preppy roots. At least now there are more things I am interested in, even if there isn't any 'must-haves' for me right now.
J.Crew fatigue, I think I have the case of it too, maybe I have been doing too many reviews? I never thought this would happen to me and I don't know if I should be happy about it or sad?
DeleteI completely agree about the eyelet skirt. I wanted to love I but the eyelet didn't look right when I had it on. I also had to size upto be comfortable. It's a pass for me.
ReplyDeleteI also would like to see some different colors (not the boring brown and blah colors from Fall 2010) but some pretty new blue, green, yellow, non neon pink. I was also expecting better summer skirts like 2 years ago. I loved those beautiful colors and patterns.
I agree A, J.crew does the color so well they should give us more variety, anybody can do navy, white and black (red gets trickier and the chili and maraschino cherry colors have been great).
DeleteThanks for the reviews. I like the skirt, and i noticed the shadows too. They bother me less though I did try to pick a skirt where the fabric lies against the eyelet. I like the idea of the top, but the neckline is too high.
ReplyDeleteI too am looking for the twist and innovation. I've become bored of the same designs with just color or fabric changes. For instance, J.Crew used to make lots of every-day jackets and blazers, but for the past seasons, all I've seen are schoolboys, or elongated variations. Add this to the quality issues and pricing games, and I've branched out from J.Crew.
Agree about the blazers Cleo, they seem to only do very basic now. And yes, the neckline on the top is very high, but I think that it would look better on others.
DeleteThanks for all of the great reviews! Love the eyelet top and the stripe tee/sweater. (I don't know if I'll every be striped out. :o))
ReplyDelete