OT: JCrew- worth the price?

Hello,

Jcrew carries a limited selection of talls, and higher prices than I normally purchase.  Is the quality worth the price, or just paying more for a name?  

I don't shop JCrew, but if you're looking for talls (I'm 5' 10"), I have really good luck with pants at Old Navy... Also, a close friend of mine is 6" and she swears by GAP. I, personally, don't like to pay $$$ for clothes, but I suppose that's because I had gotten so used to having to buy cheap clothes to fit me. If I never see the inside of a Maurices again, it will be too soon.

I guess now that I'm in smaller "normal" sizes, I need to rethink things!!

I shop a lot at Old Navy, and yes they are long enough usually even for me.  Problem is, they do not carry suits and such.  When I do buy the occasional blazer there the fit is very sloppy.  Jeans- love them compared to anything else!  I have potentially some interviews coming up and JCP (fits great, low prices) usually takes too long for shipping for me to be able to rely on it.  I tried one blazer from the Gap, it was Ok but too casual for interviewing.  

I think it depends on the item. My image consultant has educated me that some items are absolutely spending money on. Spend proportionately more on jackets, then pants. Spend proportionately less on shirts and accessories. Shop sales and take advantage of other deals.

i tried banana republic for the first time and I'm hooked. The store was offering 40% off of everything that day. I got a suit that makes me feel beautiful plus a ton of other things. 

I can't speak to jcrew's quality, but I will personally vouch for Talbots and banana republic.

Laurie

Oh, good tips.  I agree that I have more trouble with jackets than slacks.  I want a perfect match though on the slacks and jacket, which is making it pricey.  The jacket is $288 and the slacks $180ish.  Even with the 25% off it is more than more normal budget, but I need to step up the clothing as I am looking to switch into administration.  It kills me that I can't try stuff on first.  If I knew it fit great and was a nice quality item, I wouldn't hesitate- but having to order everything online sucks. 

I really like Talbots- but I am just too tall for their items.  Banana Republic- I bought a pair of slacks that are a nice quality, but attract lint like no other pair of slacks I have ever owned.  Maybe I should give them another try though. 

Can you head into a store and try it on, then take advantage of online pricing? Also, most places have good return policies and many have arrangements that if you buy online, you can return it to the store for immediate and full refund. 

It is wonderful that you are strategizing in this way. This is exactly what my image consultant had to teach me. Basic pieces in a solid color that works for you can last multiple seasons, getting your actual cost-per-wear down to a manageable level. Since you are at goal, your investment should last you a while.

This is the jacket from the suit I got at BR: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=41699&vi d=1&pid=932445002 I sort of worried about the puffiness in the sleeves being a bit trendy and not lasting long term, but it just created such a pretty hourglass that I couldn't let it go. I picked up the matching skirt and pants as well. The wool does make it a little more prone to lint (and doghair collection) but it's manageable so far.

Talbot's has tall sizes - have you tried them? I find the heritage side-zip fit works well for my body shape, which has turned out to be surprisingly (very surprisingly) straight and not curvy after all. They tend not to have them in the stores, though, so it's an order online thing. They have been amazing when it comes to exchanges and returns.

Can you tell I love to talk about shopping nowadays? I was just talking to my image consultant yesterday. She said she could have worked with me when I was heavier. I told her that my mindset was why bother - the selection was so very limited (WHO on earth thought ruched tops in light/flimsy fabric are a good idea for plus sized girls?!?!? I would like to punch them in the throat) that I really had a "why bother" mindset. Even if I wanted to look nicer, I would not have been able to find the things I was looking for, and at the end of the day I wouldn't have looked like I wanted to anyway. Now, I find the selections and options tantalizing. The fact that I can walk into any store and pick something off the rack still completely boggles my mind.

It's a shame we don't live closer - I'd suggest a shopping trip!!

Laurie

That's the problem- I can't try them on.  I have to buy tall lengths, and that is not ever available in stores.  I did realize today that I could at least try on slacks and blazers. Went in today, and the size works- but crap was everything really short on me.  I am hopeful when the talls come though, it will fit well.  The blazer you posted was far more reasonable than the JCrew navy one I just bought.  I think my next round I will check out BR first.  Thanks!