When did JCrew become so expensive yet cheaply made?

[Anonymous]

Long time wearer of JCrew here--we are talking 20 years back, when they did your basic preppy look. They use to be go-to for work wardrobes.

I have noticed that lots of JCrew items are now made from acrylics. As a dyed in the wool preppy, I try to avoid synthetic fabrics, I also find that they don't hold up over the years. Their so-called sales are like $10 off. Their sales are now unafforable.

Has anyone found a good replacement for JCrew?

[Anonymous]

Boden. Less preppy and more cutesy, but better quality. My last J Crew cashmere sweater lasted about 3 months

[Anonymous]

J Crew has been going downhill for years. Their cashmere used to be pretty decent and well priced. Not anymore. Boden also has some quality issues, not as bad as JC, though. Some items are hit or miss. I've moved on to some department stores.

[Anonymous]

Their quality has been in toilet since they made that self loving fool Jenna Lyons the president and lauded her like she was the second coming of christ.

[Anonymous]

Since forever, imo.

[Anonymous]

So where is a good place to go for decently priced but good quality cashmere?

[Anonymous]

I've been really disappointed in JCrew the last 5-10 years. The prices have gone up, but the quality has gone way down. I really don't even look there any more. As for cashmere, it's been my experience that you get what you pay for in cashmere quality. The best luck I've had is to buy sweaters at a place like Neiman's when it's on sale or at a place like Last Call.

[Anonymous]

... and when did J Crew stop making clothes for women over a size 6?


I'm absolutely certain wore JCrew all through law school and probably undergrad, and I was a size 10 on the bottom then. I still am, in fact I'm more toned now, and nothing in JCrew looks good even though the tag suggests it would fit. (crotch is tight, thighs pull, buttcrack shows, etc)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Their quality has been in toilet since they made that self loving fool Jenna Lyons the president and lauded her like she was the second coming of christ.

This. Stopped shopping there about 5 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Why the dislike of Jenna Lyons?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So where is a good place to go for decently priced but good quality cashmere?

My closet. I was just reorganizing my swathers and realize I have cashmere in tons of flavors. I've bought them from various places over the years, but Bloomingdales has a good quality store brand. Also, Loehmann's. I used to live in NY and bought some from Century 21.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Their quality has been in toilet since they made that self loving fool Jenna Lyons the president and lauded her like she was the second coming of christ.

heehee. the catalogue is just ridiculous too. wellies with a bridesmaid dress and a leopard print belt -- how quirky yet cute. (i'm being facetious.)

[Anonymous]

I don't know about quality, because I haven't bought anything there in years, not since they changed their entire look. I miss old J.Crew, with jeans and well cut basic tees and simple blazers and sheath dresses. Now everything is covered in sequins, or else that weird shade of baby shit chartreuse, or else see through slub cotton with rosettes all over it. Dammit, I just want a mid-length, long-sleeved, scoopnecked sweater!

I feel the same way as I did when gap changed its fit model for jeans. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Whenever I wear Boden, I feel like a) a clown or b) my five year old daughter.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Glad to know I am not all alone.

I went into a store in another city the other day, and felt like Jcrew had gone all Abercrombie. Yuck. They are emphasizing trends over quality.