I called Jcrew CS this morning and the SA offered to send me another one by overnight shipping (at no extra charge, of course) but when she was about to place the order she noticed that at the shipping departement they had already found out about the mistake and they had already shipped another one, scheduled to arrive today. So, in the end it will be here in time, but the post will have to wait.
Instead, I'm going to write a quick review of the Cashmere Croquet cardigan that, if you have read my previous post, I bought last week with the $25 off $125 card.
This cardigan has been sitting in my cart for a long time, waiting to go on sale. When it came out I thought that it was terribly cute but 1) the price ($188) was way too high for 2) a winter-heavy 12-gauge cashmere cardigan in summery, sorbet colors that I wasn't sure when (I mean, what time of the year) to wear exactly.
Actually I was eyeing the melon color, as I think that the melon is more for warm and the lavender is more for cold skin-eyes-hair tones.
When it finally went on sale for $129, I couldn't pull the trigger as it was marked as final sale and I wasn't going to spend that much on something that I had never tried on. Plus, I would have paid the sale tax on it (which in the NY state applies only to clothes and shoes that have a selling price above $110) and I HATE that, even if it's only 4.37% (while it's 8.7% on all jewelry and bags, with no minimum below). So I decided to wait, at least for a % off promo.
When I was looking for the jewelry at the Fifth Avenue store last Friday I spotted one on a table and it was a XS, but in the ametysth color. I tried it on and it fitted me very nicely, so when I found out about the "new" price of two necklaces I decided to buy it with the $25 off card (take that, sale tax!), even if I wasn't sure about the color.
(At the register I faced a crewless manager who just couldn't understand the sale tax thing. I wanted to buy the necklaces and the cardigan separately in two transactions, so the $25 would be taken off the cardigan price only and the new price would be below $110. I mean, you live/work in NY, you MUST KNOW THAT. Anyway, he couldn't believe it until he saw it on the ticket but he didn't give me the satisfaction of admitting that I was right and he was wrong. He just shrugged and went on to take care of another customer.)
I just couldn't pull myself to try it on this weekend as it was so hot, but when the 20% off promo started on the website I made an effort to try it on properly to make sure that I liked color, as the melon was still available on the website and I could have ordered it instead.
I styled it with the navy mica mini and the glass and pearl necklace (sorry, I was wearing my slippers, so I tried to hide my feet):
As you can see the XS fits me perfectly. I like that it has a jacket feeling and I also like that I'm wearing a short-sleeve tee (Petit Bateau) underneath but it doesn't show in the sleeves. I'm totally won over this color, I think it's uber-chic and will make a better transition to fall than the melon. Just to be sure that I have enough options to wear it with, I ordered a perfect tee in the amethyst and the corsage tee in lavender with the $20 off (will see if I can wear it unbottoned with it, depending on where the flowers are positioned).
This will be perfect for my upcoming trip to Europe to visit the family (at the end of August, we just booked the flights). We'll stay a week in Paris and I'm sure that I will have the occasion to wear it while I'm there (hopefully it will still be too warm in Milan where I will be next).
Is this cardigan on your wish list? Do you own it? When do you plan to wear it if you own it?
hi. i was wondering what is $25 off 125 card u are referrring too? is it a reward card?
ReplyDeletei know this is totally random but do u by any chance own the zebra sequin tee? if so what color and how do you wear it ?
ReplyDeleteAnon, no it isn't a reward card. It's a card that they sometimes add in the catalog that you receive at home, valid for purchases in store only (and one-time only). I would say that they send it twice a year, once in december and once in July.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I own the gray beaded zebra tee. I had a couple of posts about it in April, if you look for inspiration. FFM has also published some sets featuring the zebra tee on Polyvore.
Love the Mica Mini with that outfit. I have the corsage tee in amethyst and it's surprisingly versatile.
ReplyDeleteLove that cardi! Fantastic colors, very versatile piece!!
ReplyDeleteDid I understand you correctly? You ordered the necklace to wear and return? I hope i misunderstood that.
ReplyDeleteHow could you buy a necklace to wear and return? Disgusting and wrong!
ReplyDeleteLove the cardigan on you. Question: Which is the best J.Crew store in NYC for jewelry? I'll be coming back up again in a couple of weeks and it will be around my birthday so instead of ordering I figured I'd make the BF take me shopping!
ReplyDeleteAgree that we shouldn't wear items with the intention of returning it later on. Hope you didn't mean that.
ReplyDeleteWow wow wow.. you are a piece of work. I hope I don't receive your used necklace in my next order. It's people like you that ruin it for the rest. You should be reported to jcrew.
ReplyDeleteHi:
ReplyDeleteI have the cardigan in the amethyst color, and I love it! I wore it once with the shell colored perfect tank underneath, and it looked great. It also looked good with a fitted white V-neck tee & jeans with any of the J. Crew necklaces.
I originally purchased the melon color online but when it arrived I didn't like the pink trim...it almost looked neon, and the melon color looked like a color I've never seen before.
! i wonder why i didnt get the 25 of card in my catalog. i have a jcrew card as well.. so strange. did everyone get it?
ReplyDeleteOK, so I should reply to all the Anons out there and set the record straight (by the way, I recognize you from the "Wow, wow, wow", dear Anon @ 6:52. Honestly I thought that you wouldn't keep reading a blog of someone that you consider a spoiled chid in your own words.)
ReplyDeleteI didn't order the necklace with the intention to wear it and return it. I ordered it on an impulse because I needed an item to reach the $175 minimum needed for the free shipping on an other item and because it was sold-out in my store, so I figured that at least I would have it on hand had I decided to wear it for the bday dinner. But to be honest I regretted spending $98 plus tax on another necklace, so I almost immediately decided that I would return it and yes, it crossed my mind that I could wear it for a few hours and return it after, should I go to jail for that? It's not a dress, or a tee, or a sweater. And actually I have been wearing it around my neck for an hour now, trying it and just "feeling" it. So I guess that I have worn it already by your standard.
And now, can we drop it please?
Anon @ 2:38. Yes, I finally pulled the trigger on the corsage tee in lavender. The price was so inviting that I figured I couldn't go wrong.
Summerilla, I guess that the best Jcrew store for jewelry is now the Soho store, with its own accessories "annex".
Otherwise I would say that I have always found everything at the Fifth Avenue store, and the Collection one receives the collection and more sophisticated pieces.
luv fashion, I agree that IRL the amethyst color is better than the melon. Thanks for the styling suggestions!
Anon @ 7:47, I don't have a clue actually. I receive two catalogs, one under my maiden name and one under my husband name and one had the card but not the other one. Go figure! Maybe someone else can shred a light?
ReplyDeleteWhy would you want wear the necklace at for one hour at home? Don't you try it on with your outfit to see if you like it and then take it off? Oh well, people do so many things out there... We just don't know about it. I'm sure you wish you hadn't said that in your blog! All I think is that I'm sure you would agree and wouldn't want a necklace that someone else has worn it for a long time. (trying it on shouldn't last more than 10-20 minutes).
ReplyDeleteI often read your blog and enjoy it very much. :)
Anon@4:22
hi ema, thanks for ur response. i have the orange zebra tee and cant figure out what to do with it besdies white and reg denim. also, i recently got the gold tote on "early morning pop sale" . i found the shade of gold to be very funny-do u have this tote if so whats ur opinion?
ReplyDeleteIn defense of Ema...I buy things many times that I'm just not sure about...shoes, clothing, and take them home wear them in the comfort of my house for a little, and then decide if I want to keep them. I don't think that constitutes using it, and then returning it.
ReplyDeleteema - this is completely off topic but: how have you washed your novelty tees (rosette, bow tee from fall)? hand wash? machine wash on delicate cycle & then lay flat to dry? I'm afraid of ruining them... please let me know what you have done. btw: i have machine washed the corsage tee on delicate cycle & dried it flat & it was fine. thanks for your help...
ReplyDeleteI also ordered the amethyst cardi today after returning the melon one. Your photos helped me decide to order it-thanks! I couldn't really tell about the color, but it looks on you like there is more contrast between the body and trim than it looks like online. I hope this is the case. Since I can't see Collection items (or really anything good!) in my store, I can be unpleasantly surprised sometimes (and sometimes pleasantly, thank goodness) by what I receive in the mail. The melon cardi was not at all like what is pictured in the May catalog or online. I was also one that was taken in by the trick photography with the Delfine skirt in the same catalog, so I should have learned my lesson, I guess.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I hope I like the amethyst as much as you do. I've enjoyed your last few posts. You sure know how to celebrate a birthday! Best wishes for your dinner party. I look forward to the pics!
Anon @ 4:22, I don't get it. It really depends what you do while you're wearing something IMO and not for how long. For example, I wouldn't wear a sweater that I'm not sure I'm going to keep to do my house keeping or any activity around the house that implies perspiration, even for a few minutes. On the other hand, in the case of the necklace, I was trying it on and then the phone rang and then I sat at the computer to check emails. I don't see how this could damage the necklace in any way, but maybe I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thank you for following even if anonymously :-).
Anon @ 8:45, yes I have the tote (I guess you're talking about the Thompson tote) and I love it (so summery) but I don't like that the inside peels off.
Anon @ 9:11, thank you. It's good to see that I'm not alone ...
Anon @ 9:24, I hand washed them and let them dry flat. The only one that I maschine washed is the "fish" tee, but that one is not embellished.
I machine wash my rosette tee and also the tees with the flower appliques from Spring. I put them in a lingerie bag and wash them on delicate in a front load washer and then dry flat. No problems whatsoever!
ReplyDeleteDon't wear that necklace if you're going to return it, please. I can't believe you think there's nothing wrong with doing that. Either just return it or wear it and keep it.
ReplyDeleteEma,
ReplyDeleteI love the cashmere croquet cardigan on you! The laveder is so pretty. I had this item in my cart and was thinking about ordering it so thanks for the great review.
BTW I don't think it is awful that you wore the necklace for an hour around the house. It's not like you went running in it and decided you wanted to return it.
To Emily:
ReplyDeleteIt's okay to wear it for an hour in the house as long as you don't sweat...Of course...so it's not a big deal about wearing it to the party when Ema will be in an air-conditioned room and won't even be moving or dancing? An hour...three hours...What's the difference, right? See the problem? I think most anons who left the message were bothered by the idea/concept of it. It's not about where or how or how long.
With anything you buy, you should just try it on - And that does not include wearing it around your house or out at all. Period.
I'm sorry but this idea of trying things out for an hour or so at home really turns me off. It does not take an hour to decide if something fits properly, or if the color works for you or not. If money is the issue and you know you can't afford to keep it, please don't order it.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with a lot of the comments that say wearing it for an hour around your house is WRONG and that it shouldn't take an hour to decide if you like something or not.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about all of you, but when I buy something, ESPECIALLY jewelery, I'm trying it on with a ton of stuff I already have to see how much bang for my buck I can get and how it goes with the stuff in my closet. For me... this can take some time.
Also, it's not like the necklace is rubbing up against her sweaty armpit... it's not like it's a bathing suit or underwear for crying out loud. How is it any different from returning a sweater that you don't like, but because you can't get to the PO right away, it sits around in your house collecting dust or starting to smell like food that is being cooked, or even smoke from a smokers house.
Lighten up!
Wow,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. Clothes are meant to be tried on for a short time and you decide to keep them or not. You DO NOT WEAR THEM Around the house to see! OMG. I just read this for the first time and people will think of all ways to justify what they do!
I would not want to buy a sweater someone tried out around their house for an hour or two. YUCK!
Same goes for a necklace.
You are spoiled if you think that is OK. Wow, it takes all kinds.
C.
I'm Anon at 6:42.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what you are referring to with the "spoiled child" comment. It was the first time I had read and posted on your blog. I was just so put off by your sense of entitlement and it seems like a lot of others here are as well. Not many are coming to your defense. And... as for "spoiled child"... if the shoe fits...
I do not think you can justify returning worn items as if you did not wear them for any amount of time unless they are damaged goods. If you cannot afford the expense for one night buy used or borrow from a friend for that special night. Sorry but its wrong. I have received orders from JCrew that was used and I was upset. I expected a new item if I wanted used I willingly buy from ebay etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm just so amazed by some of the comments - ANONs dictating how many hours items can be worn to "qualify" for trying on.
ReplyDeleteIf their time limits were in fact the case, then why would stores have a return policy of 60 days? Why would it take people 60 or 90 days to decide, if they are *allowed* to try on stuff for under 10 minutes?!!
There are various reasons one decides not to keep an item, and it's really nobody's business what that reason is!! Stores have 60 day return policy actually DOES MEAN that you could be buying an item that was already worn and sometimes even abused by someone and hence stained/frayed/button fell off, etc
Seriously these people that are so judgemental should get a life!
They seemed to have missed the point of blogging: recording thoughts as they develop; it's not a summary judgement for everyone to judge a person by. From what I read on your blog, you were typing in a developing thought that had so many variants. It's really nobody's biz what the other variants are!
Molly, thank you. I agree, if I had to censor myself under fear of being scrutinezed, the blog wouldn't be spontaneous and honest as I want it to be. That's why I blocked the comments from the anons.
ReplyDelete