I have been very excited to see J.Crew’s latest spring roll out. Especially, after all the chatter about it on JCA. I finally got a chance to see some of the new items yesterday. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed to say the least 
I was really coveting the new chiffon roses tee but my store did not have it yet. (Nor did they have a catalog, gah!) They did have the brown tee with scattered flowers and a few other new graphic tees. The fit is the same as the previous ringspun tees. I love graphic tees but none of these latest designs stood out enough for me to spend $42-50 each.
I saw many tops and tees in washed out colors; champagne, pale grey, pale pink. The only non-sweater tops I saw in saturated colors were the Annie cami and the twisted sleeve blouse. I did not even try them on though because both are very full in the waist. Which is a terrible look for me. I did try on the new ruffle tank. It runs a size big and to be honest, the ruffles are a bit of a mess.
There are a few new chino’s and shorts. I tried on what I believe is the butterfield trouser in pale pink. The color was cute and they fit tts but you could clearly see the pocket through the front on the pants. That really bothered me, so I will not be buying them.
Shorts that stood out for me were a dusty pink bermuda and a 3″ short with critter elephants. It’s still snowing though, so I didn’t see any reason to pay full price for shorts lol.
Two things that I did like from the new spring line, was a Michelle cardigan in a dusty pink and the Thompson tote in light pink. The leather on this bag is like butter! This will be a great bag form hauling back all my JC returns from online purchases *snort*
So to get to the point of the post title, ;O) yesterday’s visit made me realized what I love about JC and what is never going to work for me. J.Crew sweaters and cardigan are an obsession, I love them. But I can never find crew blouses, dresses, or pants that flatter me. So, as the weather warms up I will probably be shopping less with J.Crew and spending more time at my other favorite store, Anthropologie. I stopped by Anthro after my JC trip yesterday and I found so many gorgeous flattering tops and dresses. I will be reviewing a couple of items I bought later this week.
I would love to keep the blog going but if I start reviewing more Anthro and a little less J.Crew, a re-design may be in order. #1 on the list will be, should I change the blog name? What would I change it to? If you are the creative type and have some blog name ideas for me, post away please!
Have you seen the new J.Crew Spring items in store? What are your thoughts on them?
J.Crew and Anthropologie are my two favorite stores, so I would love to see you review some Anthropologie items too! I really appreciate you including some photos of the clothing on IRL. Since we’re the same height, I realized that the Portland cardigan could work for me after seeing it on you (I’d previously feared I might look too Oompa Loompa in it since the featherweight merino cardigan w/glass buttons didn’t work for me).
I visited J.Crew last weekend and my store had a lot of new items too. My opinion on the tees was pretty much the same as yours–cute but not at the current price. I loved the new colors for the Michelle cardigan (muted pinks, blues, and a couple of striped patterns). I hope they all end up on the website soon so I can obsess over which color to get! Cardigans are definitely my weakness, although I think the Michelle ones are still priced a bit too high and I prefer the texture of the Portland (a bit thicker), and I also think the Portland is more flattering on my figure. Still, if they run a promotion on the Michelle, I will probably fold and get one of the new colors! I liked the dusty pink you mentioned (almost a light mauve color?), the light pink (the color J.Crew typically calls “shell”), and the pale blue.
Darn it–hooked for another season!. Anyway, great job on the blog–it’s one of my daily visits!
It would be FANTASTIC to get some Anthropologie reviews on here! I don't live near an Anthro B&M (of course) so fit/sizing revies would be uber helpful.
As far as name changes. . . that would be cool but not totally necessary. You would probably have to create a whole new blog for a new name and you already have so much great info on here! Either way though, I will definately still be reading.
Name change is not necessary.
J. Crew and Anthropologie are my two favorite stores as well, so I’m excited to see a mix of reviews as well!
Agree with prior posts that adding Anthro. reviews to your blog would be a fabulous idea. These are my favorite 2 stores and because I don’t have either one closer than 2 hrs. away your feedback on color, fit, etc is very very helpful.
Hi Shannon, I love your site and don’t feel you need to change the name. I think that J.Crew has more of a dedicated blog following so you will likely get more traffic with the J.Crew Reviews name.
I’m also a cardi gal and will be buying a couple of new Jackie twinsets this season. I’m not as fond of the merino because of the itch factor. I cannot wear most wool directly against my skin, except on my arms. Sometimes.
I have made some purchases based on your reviews so I’m very grateful for your blog. I’m not the same size or shape, but I feel like I know you like a friend and can gauge how something fits on you to how it would work for me. So far, so good. And, I love your style.
Whatever you decide, I’ll follow your blog Shannon. It’s a daily ritual now.
My FAVORITE stores.
You do not need to change the name.
Hey there! I love your blog! J Crew and Anthro are my two absolute FAVORITE stores, so I’d welcome reviews of both! As for a name change, how about “Crewthropologie”?or “J Crew and Anthro, too!”. Keep up the good work! Best, Sheridan
I like your blog too & hope you continue to review JCrew, as well as Anthropologie. I agree-no name change is necessary.
I don’t see the need to change the name of the blog.
Shannon it is just one rollout, Spring may not be for you but there is still March, April and summer to come. I appreciate reading your reviews we have similar tastes in sweaters.
Did you try on the Bermuda shorts? Did they fit like past seasons? Someone posted that they run huge this season on Africonada’s blog.
I wouldn’t change the name of the blog even if you start reviewing other items.
I did find the fact that you say certain items never work for you from J Crew to be interesting. I am 5’4″ and 124, so I am a little more curvy than you. However, from your pictures, we appear to be built a lot alike.
During the fall and winter, I adore J Crew as their coats, sweaters and jackets fit me really well. Skirts sometimes work, but pants, blouses and dresses never do. So you are not alone there.
I enjoy the blog and will continue to check it often, regardless of whether you showcase other lables.
I would LOVE to hear about Anthro. I am honestly thinking of switching from JCrew to them b/c JCrew is uninspiring to me right now and yesterday’s web problems…need I say more?
Also, have to agree on the show through pants pocket thing…I cannot stand that either!!!!
J.
I would also love to hear about Anthro. Sometimes I think I need a little variety and something else besides Jcrew! There isn’t an Anthro store that close to me so I don’t shop there as often but I occasionally order from them online. If you change it to “JCrew and Anthropologie Reviews” you might get additional traffic from people searching for Anthro blogs. It doesn’t matter to me, I have you bookmarked already! keep up the good work!
I would love to see some Anthro reviews too. I love Anthro styles, but I go into that store and think “There is ABSOLUTELY nothing in this store for my body type.” I stick with JCrew b/c things fit me better and are more styled for my life.
You don’t need to change your blog name-but I would throw in a description naming the stores you review. Besides, this is just ONE rollout of clothing for JCrew’s line–I was disappointed too, but I’m sure they have more clothes I like coming.
I agree that with the JCrew in the title you may get more traffic. However, more and more people are dissatisfied with JC, so maybe less. Anthro is my fave store next to JC. I like Anon @ 9:43′s idea about the name “Crewthropologie.” However, you could change to something totally unrelated so you have the option of posting about anything and everything, not just reviews. That’s what I did. But if your intent is on reviews, then keep it.
Shannon, I enjoy your blog & love that you'll be doing Anthropologie reviews! Next to JCrew, it's my favorite store, but find that it's difficult to judge how something will fit based on their website. Anrho's pics are too small! I do appreciate your reviews (to my wallet's detriment!) esp real life pictures of you wearing the clothes in a straightforward (read: not pinned) way.
I also think that with JCrew's profile being raised due to Obama-related exposure, I may look to Anthropologie more often for those one-of-a-kind pieces. I've noticed that JCrew's style has been copied in many other lines; for instance,Express has cardi that look like Jackie & Tartine, etc.
Hilda-Yes, the light mauve is the color I am in love with. Like you though, I definitely do not want to pay $88 each for the Michelle!
And4mynexttrick-You are sweet, ty
Sheridan-Crewthropologie is cute. I will keep that one in mind!
Casualcrew-You are right, I’m sure a future roll out will suck me back in! I didn’t try on any shorts yet. I did see the comments about them running big on jca… That worries me since last years ran big in the waist already! I will try them next time I’m in store.
Thanks everyone for your replies! I am excited about adding some Anthro reviews for you. I had such a great time there this weekend. I forgot how much I love that store.
As suggested, I will leave the blog name as is. If non-jcrew brands start to take over, then maybe I’ll address a re-name down the road
have a great day!
“Sheridan-Crewthropologie is cute. I will keep that one in mind!”
Hey Shannon!
Glad you like the name! Either way, your blog is great and its a daily stop on my blog adventure every day!
Best,
Sheridan
Love your blog, love Anthropology and would love love LOVE to see reviews. Agree with pp’s that no name change is necessary.
Shannon,
I see you have trouble with JC pants. We’re about the same height and measurements. Wondering if you’d tried the short (31″) length available on some pants. I got the bootcut cords in that size and loved them. First time I haven’t had to hem pants in years. And the nice proportions of the leg didn’t have to be cut off. Most flattering pants I’ve had in a long time. Just a thought.
Anthropologie and J. Crew are definitely my two favorite chains. When one goes a bit off my favorite colors or styles, the other seems to offer things I like.
Hi Mary- I have a couple pairs of bootcut cords too. I do really like them, especially the acorn. The problem I have with pants from JC and almost every other brand, is finding a pair that fit in the thigh and butt AND the waist. I end up buying larger so my upper legs don’t looked sausaged and have the waist taken in. Like I said this is an across the board problem, not just JC.
In case anyone else has the same problem, I have found a few brands of denim that have a curvier cut. Joe’s honey and petite provocateur, AG Catwalk, and Citizen’s of humanity petite Kylie.
Next I want to try the COH Ava. I think they are cut the same as the Kylie’s but longer. Anyone have these?
I think you should keep the blog name (which is great) and review both retailers. But in the end, it’s up to you. Fantastic blog!
Well, I think one of the things that's so great about your blog is that you're giving your honest opinions as to what the clothes look like and how they really fit & feel when you try them on … and your reviews are a great resource for us fellow shoppers
so I would say that reviews from other clothing lines definitely would not detract from the beauty of the blog, in fact I think they'd be welcomed … and in that case, if you were thinking of changing the blog name, then my 2 ideas would be "The Fitting Room" or "The Dressing Room" … just my two cents! Either way, I enjoy reading!
I definitely like the way you share yor ideas. You express the public opinion. Aren’t you afraid of that?
I have read a lot of your posts and I think that you write very interesting things that may be of help for everybody. I’ll certainly add your blog to my Favorites.