Case in point:
80s flashback time! by jcrewjd featuring silk tops
This makes me very, very sad. Let's compare these items with some images from the March 2008 catalog:
moodboard: J.Crew Spring Lookbook 2008 (clipped to polyvore.com)
Beautiful merino cardigan with ruffle - classic.
moodboard: J.Crew Spring Lookbook 2008 (clipped to polyvore.com)
The lovely Vanessa in a gorgeous scarf, cashmere tee, and adorable pleated, knee length denim skirt.
J.Crew of Seasons Past {a look in the closet} (clipped to polyvore.com)
Finally, and most striking, is this image which is from the Spring 2008 Collection Lookbook. Can you imagine seeing such classic items in the collection lookbook now? Me neither. (Still sad I missed out on those shoes, btw.)
I see how J.Crew is trying to change their image, and I see no need to comment on that, other than to say, me no likey. I have heard people say that the old J.Crew was boring, but I have to disagree. It was classic and beautiful and they provided gorgeous, unique accessories to jazz everything up. I want my old J.Crew back, darnit!
So, what do you think about the new Spring 2013, or is it 1987, collection?
I see how J.Crew is trying to change their image, and I see no need to comment on that, other than to say, me no likey. I have heard people say that the old J.Crew was boring, but I have to disagree. It was classic and beautiful and they provided gorgeous, unique accessories to jazz everything up. I want my old J.Crew back, darnit!
So, what do you think about the new Spring 2013, or is it 1987, collection?
I'm not a fan. I didn't see one thing that such with me, and so much is now devoted to the Collection. It is a shift, for sure. I don't mind the inclusion of flashier items, but it would be nice to know there will be staples each season. I'm pretty much giving up on J. Crew as a source of core items.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with everything you said!
DeleteA lot of the items will be dated pretty soon,but i am loving some of the items(liberty print flower envelope clutch and the cashmere sweater with "darling" on it).
ReplyDeleteI love that Jcrew is moving with the trend as i found the "old" jcrew to be to preppy,but i can understand your point.
ina, I love the liberty clutch and the cashmere sweater too! To me, those are more in line with the "classic J.Crew" as opposed to trendy. I actually really want both of those items! (Any pretty much anything else Liberty print.)
DeleteThose green pants look like clown pants, and I'm pretty sure you can buy that beachy-print tank in the kids section of Wal-Mart. Seems to me that J.Crew's slogan for its Spring 2013 Collection should be Dolly Parton's (LUV HUH) classic quip "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap."
ReplyDeleteWhitney, I had the EXACT same thought about the beachy tank. It is sooooo walmart kids section. WTF?
DeleteP.S. - Is the background of your Polyvore set above taken from a Lisa Frank binder? I DIE.
DeleteLOL, Whitney, Lisa Frank was my first thought! And then, hypercolor. I think I still have some lisa frank stickers somewhere...
DeleteAgree with a majority of the comments. Overall, awful. I like a few collection pieces being added as in the old days and yes, the looks of 2005-2008/09 are near perfection (IMO). In a desperate attempt to restock my closet with classic J.Crew, I've perused EBAY and luckily, have found some amazing wonderful classic items the past few weeks. I will never be so dumb to part with them again. The problem (IMO) with J.Crew right now, the items are WAY TOO TRENDY and do not go from year to year as they did in the past. The good part, I'm getting married in 10 months so the wallet is staying fatter than before because I have no desire to shop JCREW right now. January has been dismal in what it has offered.
ReplyDeleteShariyu, I also enjoy the collection pieces in general. They are usually fun and sort of extravagant. But nowadays they are just WEIRD.
DeleteI have been eBay stalking hardcore lately, too!
I don't do trendy, so my wallet is much fatter as well! (And congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Are you wearing a J.Crew dress perchance?)
I was able to snag those shoes on ebay NEW!!! They are showstoppers :)
ReplyDeleteLUCKYYY!!! (said in little kid whiny voice, with arms crossed and foot stomp.)
DeleteIs that a knock-off of a Members Only jacket? ! I do think some of the old J. Crew was boring and lacking style, but I mean much older than 2008. I've been buying from J. Crew since before 1987! Some things for sale on eBay or in resale stores are so blah looking. The catalog images you posted are amazing, I'd be so happy if J. Crew did more of that. But, being a child of the 80s, I do love me some florals, so I'm not totally writing off the spring collection yet. I think there could be things I love in the non-Collection line. I'm actually happy that J. Crew is (seemingly) doing something other than more stripes, more polka dots, and more denim (although there is a denim shirt in there). I am at least interested to see what the spring collection will look like. I am bored to tears with what they've done this winter so far.
ReplyDeleteYes... early 2000's and earlier J.Crew was way too classic and boring. I am with you there. Around 2004 they started really hitting it out of the park! And then in Fall 2009, it started going downhill.
DeleteI love florals too! I already bought the liberty print toothpicks... which I realize may be a little Laura Ashley... so call me a hypocrite if necessary. I guess I am just looking for things that are actually wearable and cute. It will definitely be interested to see the spring collection!
I can see it now... JC does a collaboration with Hypercolor!
ReplyDeleteYES! At this point, nothing would surprise me.
DeleteI've been turned off J.Crew for a while now, they are going in a trendy direction that I find very distasteful. On my trip I visited J.Crew stores in 3 different states and didn't even try anything on, it was that awful, but I am definitely a classics person.
ReplyDeleteThank you clarifying why this collection appeals and repels me at the same time!!! I "came of age" in the 80s so for many of these pieces, the attraction is nostalgic. But in a bad way.
ReplyDeleteI do like the liberty print shirts and clutch and these can be integrated into my existing wardrobe in classic ways. I also like the tipped linen schoolboy blazer. Go figure.
But I run (quickly and without a second thought) from those sweaters! Egad, no!
Great points! I am more and more searching elsewhere. Too trendy for me on some of these items.. LOL on the golden girls!
ReplyDeleteOMG I had a pink blouse with a nearly identical print when I was 12 (in the 80s!) I didn't pick up on the eighties-ness until I saw your set with the items off the models. I like a couple of the collection things, but I'm really not lusting after much of anything. And I like the 80s sweaters trend... these just... yawn.
ReplyDeleteLaughing over this, so true! Just say no to the 80's!!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I know many people love the 80s, but I am not one of them. I prefer classic styles with a modern twist which I've come to love at J. Crew
ReplyDeleteOh, man, I hate the 1980s collection. There is not a single thing I'd wear in that photo. I'd wear everything from 2008. Thank God for thrifting!
ReplyDeleteI find I'm looking at JC out of habit, and because I walk past one or two almost every day, but I'm rarely inspired to grab something, and I can't remember the last time I made a full-price purchase. Thank goodness for a large closet and a pack-rat mentality.
ReplyDeleteThe 80's wasn't even good in the 80's, so why do we need to revisit some of the most unflattering fashion in US history? Many of the 2013 sweaters are ghastly imo, and look very similar to the pieces I laugh at whenever I go thrifting. Big old Bill Cosby prints, with super-high prices. No!
ReplyDelete