OP here, these are all great suggestions! Thank you.
As a side note, I've been thinking about what is bothering me lately about my beloved Crew. Although I do think their quality has gone down hill (I still have one of my sweaters from 8th grade...they don't make 'em like that these days), the main problem for me is that their new vibe takes too much...thought. I have two tiny children. I can't think about balancing the crazy patterns and the color story and the costume jewelry and the brocade shorts and the what-not when I get up in the morning, though it looks great when others do. I need sturdy clothes that pull together very easily with minimal jewelry and make-up...simple fashions with a touch of femininity. That is the aspiration.

FYI, here's another great JCrew blog, particularly for work wear. The reviews are helpful but I also love the way she pulls outfits together in a way that's completely age-appropriate (pretty sure she's over 40):

http://tweedandtoile.blogspot.com

Lately, I've been hitting Saks. I used to think of it as my grandma's store but I was wrong. They've had some great sales and I've gotten good stuff for work and for weekends. Fell in love with the Calvin Klein performance line. With the Saks sales (usually 40% off and then another 20% off with coupon) it puts a lot of items right in line with budget. Also have gotten some items at Lands End. Bought a great wrap dress and I love their bathing suits. Had one for three years and it hasn't faded or pilled. These things aren't quite JCrew, but you can get the jcrew basic stuff at Lands End (tshirts, shorts) and then add in the other stuff (jewlery, cardigans, interesting blouses, skinny jeans) from Saks. But, full disclaimer, in my entire life there has never been a time when I could squeeze into a matchstick jean.

NYC2DC wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One reason I don't shop at JCrew as much anymore is because they don't allow reviews on their website. Someone mentioned how Anthro's clothes can feel cheap - yes, some do, but that usually comes out in the online reviews and I avoid those items. Also, I'm tall, long-waisted with long arms, so I need to know how something fits before I buy. When I shop online at JCrew I feel like I'm blind.

(And to add a couple of other places to shop - Athleta & Title Nine)

I totally agree that reviews would be helpful. Right now I go to J Crew Aficionada, Gigi Gone Shopping, or My Closet my baby, and I for reviews.

http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/
http://www.gigisgoneshopping.com/
http://ema-shoppingmycloset.blogspot.com/

There are other good ones too.

+1

I follow all three of those blogs as well. Very helpful in knowing what to avoid.

I shop pretty much exclusively at J Crew, Boden, Anthropologie, and Nordstrom. All of these places have really great stuff and really poorly made stuff - they also all have great sales if you hit them right. I have found relatively affordable, classic, well-made items at all of these stores. I have also found crap and was shocked at how much it cost. But it seems like all other stores either fit me terribly (Gap) or are basically all crap (Ann Taylor and Loft).

Old Navy for t-shirts and flip flops and other cheapie stuff. Sometimes Marshalls or one of those types of stores if I feel like digging.