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*All sales final. No exchanges, no returns. Offer valid in J.Crew stores and online only. Offer is not valid at J.Crew Factory stores. Offer does not apply to previous purchases or the purchase of gift cards. 20% off discount applies to sale items only. Offer valid through Thursday, July 15, 2010, 11:59pm ET. Free shipping offer applies to orders shipped via ground shipping totaling $150+ after 20% discount on sale items and before shipping, handling and taxes are added. Savings are applied at checkout with code EXTRA20. Offer not valid on phone orders. Cannot be combined with any other promotion. Limit one promotional code per order.The brick & mortar (B&M) stores were offering an additional *30% off* Final Sale, this past week. The email below (sent out this morning) states that stores will start to offer 20% off Final Sale (downgrade, but much better than nothing) and will also end this Thursday. It might be worth a call to find out if B&M locations are offering 20% or 30% off before going.
For every on-the-go girl, a must-have summer dress built for all her adventures. (We flipped for this one.) Made in our new cotton/rayon blend (it's absurdly soft with a hint of stretch), we gave it a swingy A-line shape and a touch of ruffles.The dress is so cute, and I am loving those red rain boots!!!
I love the tiny shout-out to the JCA Blog at the very end. {yey!} I also really enjoyed the article! It had a great take on J.Crew's most recent transformation. I thought the following lines said it all: "This summer, then, what is the new J.Crew ideal? Not the East Hampton WASP, not anymore. Rather, it’s the sultry au pair watching the children. In sequins." So true! {tear} So true!!! ;)J.Crew Helps Preppy Go Euro
By Virginia Heffernan
July 5, 2010
J.Crew published its first catalog in 1983, three years after Lisa Birnbach’s “Official Preppy Handbook” codified a peculiar style of comportment and dress associated with rich enclaves on the East Coast. By the time J. Crew showed up — a full-fledged lifestyle manual that seemed to put on sale the whole preppy modus vivendi — Birnbach’s book was enshrined as both satire and tip sheet. J.Crew came to function the same way: with its anodyne clubby name and clothes that ripped off L.L. Bean, Brooks Brothers and J. Press, J.Crew seemed to spoof the preppy style while making it available.
Or maybe it spoofed the preppy style by making it available. For the set that embraced the Boston mentality — “We don’t buy our hats; we have our hats” — the idea of having to shop for what should be entitlements initially seemed embarrassing.
But now that people who look down on shopping are as rare as people who inherit pearls and cable-knit cashmere, nearly everyone has embraced J.Crew. The company, which went public three years ago, now boasts the endorsement of Michelle Obama; more than 300 bricks-and-mortar stores, including some that sell limited-edition items in places like Aspen and Malibu; and a thriving e-tailer and online entertainment business at jcrew.com.
Ever a zeitgeist company, J.Crew does the bulk of its dream-weaving — refining and disseminating the house aesthetic — at jcrew.com, which is lush with images, videos and distinctive “J.Crew haikus,” as staff members once dubbed the brand’s copywriting style. (“A ruched strapless bodice with metallic float threads woven into gauzy silk are attached to a bias-cut slight A-line skirt that hugs the body in all the right places,” read a recent online description.)
The re-emergence in pop fashion of the blue-and-white-striped sailor shirt has been a blessing to J.Crew’s Web site this summer. The shirt is sporty and thus not un-American, while also signifying “Paris,” a new concept jcrew.com has been audaciously colonizing. The site twinkles with references to France and haute couture, and recently it has positioned dissipated and mysterious Euro-type models in the slots that used to be reserved for “J.Crew models” — fresh-faced, wholesome strawberry blondes.
Not long ago, a bed-headed brunette appeared wearing nothing but a sailor shirt in a silent and almost-still video on the J.Crew homepage. She was fiddling with her hair, bored, as if waiting for her video to start. It was an inspired art-tech joke: the short stretch of video served as a double for a still image, disarming users who might have balked had the video, which came up unbidden, been more kinetic. Pressing “play” on this video of the girl — who, half dressed and waiting, was clearly looking for adventure — was the only gallant thing to do.
Sexualizing a model’s image by inviting the viewer to animate her, and thus implicating the viewer in the lady’s pleasure, is an extremely sophisticated use of online video for e-commerce. Once the user has got the half-naked girl to move, why not go ahead and buy her clothes?
The song that plays during the video says something in French about love and freedom. I first took it for a Carla Bruni song, in the spirit of “Le Plus Beau du Quartier,” which played in H&M’s bellwether online video, starring Emmanuelle Béart, in 2006. A J.Crew fanblog revealed, however, that the song was a company original. (The song, “To Be Free,” is sung by Guylaine Vivarat.) A commenter pointed out that it seemed like “a knockoff of Carla Bruni’s ‘L’Amour,’ ” and that seemed right.
Voilà — an e-tailer finds itself in the content-production business. Happens all the time. Because of customer requests, the company said that it would make the catchy chanson available — free — from J. Crew’s Facebook page. It seems absolutely integral to the new and improved J.Crew lifestyle, which recently featured a specific kind of heroine who, though eminently visible now in American cities, is underrepresented in our literature and film: a European in the United States.
The stateside European, in J.Crew’s imagining, wears all our usual American stuff — shorts, T-shirts, cargo pants, polo shirts — but has no use whatsoever for the simplicity and androgyny that used to be hallmarks of preppy. Under the inventive vision of Jenna Lyons, J.Crew’s revered executive creative director, as well as Mickey Drexler, the C.E.O., the clothes and the Web site have become ruffly, silky, beaded and sequined. Every outfit seems slightly hacked — cut up and embellished by a home tailor. You don’t envision someone in J.Crew playing lacrosse anymore; they seem more likely to be philosophizing and seducing. “I have a hard time with the word ‘preppy,’ ” Lyons told Style.com not long ago. “It’s very coastal, and it leaves out a lot of Americans who aren’t yachting or going to the beach club.”
This summer, then, what is the new J.Crew ideal? Not the East Hampton WASP, not anymore. Rather, it’s the sultry au pair watching the children. In sequins.
Points of Entry: This Week's Recommendations
SECONDARY EDUCATION
A sequel to “The Official Preppy Handbook”! If you didn’t get the memo the first time — or if you’re shaky on the role of rehab and texting in la vie preppy— hold your polo ponies:“True Prep,” by Lisa Birnbach with Chip Kidd, is forthcoming from Knopf.
WHEN WASPS BLOG
Those days of preppy names in print only at birth, marriage and death are long over. Now they can’t stop . . .musing. For modest laughs: To the Manner Born, WASP 101, Tickled Pink and Green, Muffy Martini, Pink Washingtoniette, 2PreppyGirls and Summer Is a Verb.
THE CREW
For deals, reviews, insights and general adoration of a clothing company, J. Crew Aficionada is a site to behold: jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com.
It does look nice. But it is too hot to think about wearing such a jacket right now! (We are experiencing a bit of a heatwave in New England.) Right now, tank tops and shorts is all I can bear to look at. ;)Inspired by the slim cut and buttery feel of a vintage Italian racing jacket, this chic adaptation was crafted in hand-washed Italian leather and is fitted and flattering in all the right places. But it's the design details—a distressed finish, chunky button-flap pockets and rib trim—that make it truly covetable. Rounded collar. Zip closure. Long sleeves. Fully lined. Hits at hip. Part of the J.Crew Collection. Import. Dry clean. Catalog/jcrew.com only.
The description is pretty interesting for a few reasons: (1) It looks like they didn't get to finish it. The last sentence leaves me wanting more. (2) I like how they state up-front that these shoes may *already* be on back-order. Didn't they *just* come out? (3) I love that they insist you get on the wait-list staring now. How about ordering enough so no wait-list is needed? ;)A handcrafted masterpiece in genuine shell cordovan leather by Alden® (est. 1884), an icon of old-school American shoemaking—and it's ours alone. Alden's integrity and attention to craft have long made us loyal followers, and these boots are no exception. Each one is handcrafted entirely in the U.S. using shell cordovan (for its magnificent lustre and extraordinary durability), which is vegetable tanned for six months at one of the country's oldest tanneries. Features all of Alden's hallmark details including their famed Goodyear® welt, full-leather lining and tempered steel shank. They don't make them like this anymore. If properly cared for, these boots will last for generations (to make sure they do, you can send them back to Alden for resoling). Because these are handmade, your size may be on back order. We recommend putting yourself on the waiting list (trust us, it's the worth the wait). Double leather outsole. USA. This shoe was shaped over a Barrie last and runs o
Personally, I am not feeling the bag. Which I am surprised at, because I usually love bags with lots of pockets and with a shoulder strap. But it's my impression from only seeing one image. I would need to see it in-person to make any final judgment.For those of us who love keeping their carryall options open, we're thrilled to introduce this cleverly tough-chic design chameleon in luscious black leather with glossy gold zipper and chain hardware. This ingeniously designed handbag features a bottom that unzips to add even more capacity, and a crossbody strap that can be attached to the middle of the bag, creating a much smaller foldover. Crafted in smooth, luxurious soho cow leather, it has antiqued-finish gold-plated hardware, a magnetic snap closure and oodles of pockets, including two roomy main compartments separated by a zip pocket, as well as a plethora of extra hiding places. At any size, this uber-versatile three-in-one wonder is our hands-down-must-have this season. Exterior zip pocket. Interior back-wall zip pocket, front-wall split-patch cell pocket. Cotton twill lining. Part of the J.Crew Collection. Import. Comes with dust bag. Removable, adjustable shoulder strap fully extends to 22". 8 1/2" handle drop. 15"H x 20"W
As a special thank you, we will be offering some exclusive benefits throughout the year. To make sure you are taking full advantage of each and every perk, check your email and sign in to your registered J.Crew account each time you visit jcrew.com. Today, please enjoy free standard shipping.Also "thanks!" to many of you, including Twiga, who let us know this offer runs until July 18th. Fantastic!
A truly handsome (and seasonless) borrowed-from-the-boys wing tip oxford that we're absolutely loving with everything—from cut-off shorts to dresses, skirts and more. Nubuck (nutmeg, black) or waxed napa (light ginger) leather upper. Leather lining and sole. 7/8" stacked heel. Made in Italy.These shoes have grown on me! I find the details of the classic style to be absolutely darling. It's too bad none of my local stores are carrying the Camden, as I would love to find out how comfortable they are.
Mochila Bags: In the Moment, and Long GoneI remember having a mochilla-style bag growing up. It was lovingly made by my Tia Maria as a gift. And thus, no where near these prices discussed in the article. I am actually surprised to hear how fast J.Crew's version sold out too! Those really didn't last long, did they? ;)
By Karin Nelson
June 30, 2010
IT takes the women of the Wayuu tribe of Colombia and Venezuela up to a month to weave a mochila bag, working eight hours a day, every day. It took no time at all for J.Crew, which featured the strappy satchels in its June catalog, to sell all of them. In fact, they were gone before many customers had even flipped open the issue.“Craftsmanship is something rare and very valuable,” said Jenna Lyons, J.Crew’s creative director, who was not at all surprised by how quickly the bags went. “There are few things that are still made by hand, much less in a technique that is handed down through generations and is a means of support for a community.” On top of that, she added, “It’s a beautiful bag.”
But there is more to it than that. Recently, the mochila has become something of a cult item, toted around town by fashion editors and It girls, and the subject of chatter on style blogs. “It seems to be the iconic tribal bag,” said Anne Slowey, the fashion news director of Elle, who has picked up a few on her travels. “The perfect mix of practical, exotic and chic.
Much of the craze can be traced to November when the Vogue editor Lauren Santo Domingo organized the Mochila Project. For it, 40 designers, from Alexander Wang to Oscar de la Renta, were each given a traditional bag and asked to rework it in their own style. The extraordinary results — the Calvin Klein was trimmed in snakeskin; the J. Mendel, in fur — were then auctioned off at a charity event in Miami that left those nowhere near South Florida somewhat envious. ...
The PS1 bags, each of which takes five to seven mochilas to make, are $1,100 to $2,250 and will be hitting Barneys New York later this month. In the meantime, J.Crew has just received a second shipment of dusty-hued mochilas, which are $175 at its shop at 1035 Madison Avenue. At least, last we checked, they were.
*Prices as marked. Offer not valid on wedding gowns. Offer valid on jcrew.com only and cannot be redeemed for cash or applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through Thursday, July 8, 2010, 11:59pm ET on Internet orders shipped via regular shipping (4 to 7 business days). Free shipping applies only to online orders of select women's dresses. Free ground shipping on select women's dresses is applied automatically at checkout. Offer not valid on phone orders.Love, love, love that they are offering free shipping too. Great bonus! Also, not sure if local brick & mortar stores are offering 20% off Dresses too, but it is worth asking.