J.Crew and Dulken & Derrick Flower Pins

Brief background: Dulken and Derrick haven been making beautiful silk flowers since 1941. J.Crew used D&D for J.Crew's vintage flower pin collection throughout their October catalog. The flowers sold out online (click here) and are selling out quickly at the J.Crew Collection Store in NYC (click here). Silver_Lining mentioned (in this post) that D&D had a "J.Crew Inspired" section on their website, which was later changed to "Special Collection" (even though the URL still contains "JCrewInspired"). :)

Also, Anon at 3:37PM (in this post) shared with us the following: ''The story with the flower pins is this: D&D was going out of business. J Crew bought some of their vintage pins to use in the catalog and then sell afterward. There were only a few. Someone then decied to buy D&D soon after (either the name, business, or both.) The pins in the catalog were vintage and sold out almost immediately. These pins for sale now are new and not quite the same."
Anon at 11:25AM (in the post "Interesting Take On J.Crew's Collection Store") suggested a great topic: "Could you maybe do a post based on the D&D flowers that some have ordered to review their quality, design, color etc, and also if they come with a pin attached ready to wear ..."

The flowers in the images are beautiful! Although I have not purchased any, either through J.Crew or through D&D's website, I am curious to hear from those who did. :) Are the flowers worth the price tag? Are the flowers from J.Crew "finished" (e.g come with a pin or sash already attached)?

Were any of you Aficionadas able to purchase one (either through J.Crew or through Dulken and Derrick's website)? Please let us know what you think of the pins (in terms of quality, design, color, price, and the like). :)

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J.Crew Cashmere Wash {will you get it?}

"Thanks!" to Lauren who shared with us some interesting news she found at the Chic Report in Fashion Week Daily (click here).

Wash ‘n Go
By Abby Gardner
October 15, 2008

Beauty Junkie recognizes that this is indeed the time of year when one must ask the question, “How ever do I wash my cashmere?” The dry cleaner is the typical route, bien sûr. But actually, ’tis better to wash those soft treasures–you just have to do it right. Enter The Laundress New York (known for their high-end, eco-friendly clothing care products) and J.Crew who have created the new J.Crew Cashmere Wash to meet your needs. It’s pH balanced with coconut-based surfactants and works for hand-washing and the machine. Plus, it includes lavender extracts which naturally repel moths for those switch-the-closet-over months. Even better? It’s only $18. Get your own at select stores, the J.Crew Collection Store at 347 Madison Avenue and 79th St., or www.jcrew.com.

I have to admit that although I am surprised to see this new product line extension from J.Crew, it does make sense. After all, one of their staple offerings is their cashmere sweaters.

P.S. The cashmere wash is not yet available online. However, J.Crew's Ulitmate Cashmere Care Kit (Item 83762, $15.00 ) is available.

What are your thoughts about the J.Crew Cashmere Wash? Do you think this is a strategic product offering? Will you purchase it? How do you care for your J.Crew cashmere now?

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J.Crew's Handbag Shop {do you love?}

"Bravo" to J.Crew! I just love the design for J.Crew's online bag store called the "Handbag Shop" (click here). The Handbag Shop allows customers to view bags through an assortment of categories (featured bags, shapes, fabrications, all bags). Moreover, customers can easily scroll to view multiple bags upon a category selection.

Ultimately, I think J.Crew has done a wonderful job creating a "mini-website" within their regular website. The Handbag Shop has a "high-end" feel which matches well with their high-end bags. :)

What do you think of J.Crew's Handbag Shop? Do you like or dislike the design? Do you think the Handbag Shop is comparable to other designer handbag's websites (e.g. Coach)?

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Love It Or Leave It: Timex Watch For J.Crew

There is an interesting post at Cool Hunting about the "Timex for J.Crew" watch (click here). First, J.Crew offers Rolex watches (click here), now they are offering expensive Timex military watches (Item 10884; $150.00). (Well, "expensive" for Timex watches. ;) )

I am personally a big fan of Timex watches. However, I mostly remember wearing Timex watches in high school (with the different color buttons) because of their affordability and quality, not so much in terms of style. To see any Timex watch costing more than $100 is always a bit surprising for me. :)

What are your thoughts on the Timex for J.Crew watch? Do you think this is a good partnership strategy? Do you think you will purchase the Timex for J.Crew watch? If you already own this watch, please let us know what you think. :)

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J.Crew Vintage Flower Pins: Sold Out!

Anonymous at 4:52 AM, Naomi, and Silver_Lining (in the "The Great (Weekly) Exchange" post) noticed that J.Crew's accessories page has a special notice on it: "We wish we had more. Because they're so special, our vintage flower pin collection has already sold out. We apologize for any inconvenience."
Like Silver_Lining, I did not see these pins for sale on J.Crew's website, so I am a bit curious how customers were able to purchase them. :) Silver_Lining thinks "that because they weren't on the site people Googled Dulken & Derrick and went directly to their website instead (where most of the flowers are more reasonably priced than JC's rumored $85-$110). They even had a section named "J Crew Inspired", although I believe they changed the name on that to "Special Collection". HOWEVER - if you go to their site the message on the main page reads: "*Due to relocation Orders will be processed slower than usual and many items listed are unfortunately sold out. Please be patient while we reconstruct the website, adding new flowers and categories."

Were any of you Aficionadas able to purchase one before they sold out? Do you already own one, if so please let us know what you think of the pins. :)

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Product Review: J.Crew Opera Gloves

Solid Leather Opera Gloves
Click here for product page
Item 98621
Regular: $130.00

"Thanks!" to Hexicon who guest blogged about J.Crew's Opera Gloves. The following is her review:

"I've always loved gloves. I love their elegance (they cover my "man hands") and their practicality (my hands get cold!) and all the little rules of etiquette that go along with them (a lady must never touch food with a gloved hand, thus the buttoned opening). I wore opera-length gloves to both :-) of my weddings. And who can forget the subtly steamy scene in Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence" in which Newland unbuttons Ellen's glove and kisses her wrist? In the 80s, my high school best friend and I scrounged thrift stores for hats and gloves so that we could look like Catherine Deneuve in "The Hunger," but in our pearls and pillboxes I'm afraid that we probably looked more like First Ladies in training.

My friend died recently, and when I saw these gloves the reminded me so much of her that I knew I had to have them. I also hoped that they might be put to practical use, as the bracelet-length sleeves on last year's Agnes coat leave my wrists a little cold. My review is mixed--I will keep them for sentimental reasons but they're not as easy to wear as I'd hoped they'd be.

The leather is lovely--meltingly soft and tender. The lack of lining is traditional--there's another scene in Edith Wharton in which the women are powdering their arms so that they can smooth on their opera gloves. (Likewise, the wrist-length gloves I found on my trip to Florence are unlined). But, because the J.Crew gloves are both long and unlined, they not easy to slip on and off.

Ordinarily, the fit on gloves should be very snug (hence the cliche). My hands are large for the size of my frame but my forearms are slender. The size small was snug on my hands but not in the arm. Of course, if they'd been any smaller they would be even more difficult to get on.

Because these were a less than rational purchase, I didn't do any comparison shopping before I bought, but I noticed that Nordstrom has lined and unlined long leather gloves for around $150.

I had hoped that I could wear these gloves on a daily basis this winter with my Agnes coat, but they're too complicated to be an everyday item. I will save them for special occasions--such as the opera :-)"

"Thanks!" again to Hexicon for her great review.

Have your thoughts on the glove changed since the "Love It Or Leave It: J.Crew Opera Gloves" post? Do you think you would purchase these gloves if they were to go on sale? And if you already have, please let us know what you think! :)

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Accessories Catalog: J.Crew Indulgences

I was very excited about J.Crew creating an accessories catalog (refer to "Article on J.Crew's New Accessory Catalog" post). I was also thrilled to see the entire accessories catalog available online (refer to "Some New Items Have Arrived At J.Crew.com!" post).

As many of you have pointed out (including ZanyAZ and Minah) the catalog is not the "regular" style we are accustomed to. J.Crew mentions that the "the format has been totally redone in 10 1/2 by 15-inch recycled newspaper" because they "didn’t want people to think this is a normal catalogue”.
I originally thought the redesign would look fabulous. Now that I have received the catalog, I can understand why many of you (like Lou in the "J.Crew Plays Favorites: Are You One?" post) thought that the catalog looked like another piece of mail. It really "blends in" with the mail. This is because, (as Molly in the same post pointed out,) the newspaper makes the images look dull. (Especially after seeing the catalog online with such sharp detail, as well as rich & vibrant colors.)

I do appreciate that J.Crew created a new accessories catalog that is environmentally friendly, but perhaps they should have gone with a glossy paper instead. On a bright note, I do really like the size of the catalog (which is impressive).

Have you received J.Crew's accessories catalog? If you did, what do you think of the redesign (things you like or dislike)? Which style do you prefer (the regular glossy catalog or the newspaper style)?

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J.Crew Pin: How Big Is That Bug? {Yikes!}

"Thanks!" to Hexicon who let us know that J.Crew sent an email announcing that the new accessories collection and new arrivals are available online. Thankfully, the members of this blog were savvy enough to figure both points before the email was sent (refer to "Some New Items Have Arrived At J.Crew.com!" post).

Bugle-beaded bug pin
Click here for product page
Item 11348
Regular: $50.00

In the email image, did anyone notice how ridiculously large that bug pin is? I didn't realize how enormous that "thing" is. And is just me, or does it look even uglier in the new image? "Wow!" is all I have to say on the bug pin (and not in a good way). (I apologize if you own and love this pin- I honestly don't mean to offend. For all I know, it could be one of those items that are really pretty in person.) :)

What do you think of the bug pin now that you see it on a model? Do you like the pin (or would you leave it)? Do you own this pin? If you do, please let us know what you think. :)

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Love It Or Leave It: J.Crew Opera Gloves

Solid Leather Opera Gloves
Click here for product page
Item 98621
Regular: $130.00

Oh my! How formal of J.Crew to offer a gorgeous pair of opera gloves. I am loving the colors (fresh mint, black, dark cloud) and the buttons along the side. However, the description could use some work as it is a bit bland: "Opera-length leather gloves. Leather-covered button detail on wrist. Unlined. Import." Every time I read it, I think of Seinfeld's Elaine (who worked for the J.Peterman catalog,) who could write something a bit more captivating. ;)

Now this is one of those items that I absolutely adore in concept, but will not purchase. Besides the price being expensive for me (but acceptable for high quality leather gloves), it is also an item that I will probably never wear. There are not a lot of occasions that call for me to wear opera length gloves. ;)

What are your thoughts on the gloves? Do you "love it" or would you "leave it"? If you do "love it", do you think you will order a pair of these gloves? And if you already have, please let us know what you think! :)

P.S. As shown in the image above, there is a green version of these gloves. Yet this color is not offered online. Do you think the green pair will be offered later this season?

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J.Crew Cardholder Email: You've Got To See This Bag

A big "thanks!" to Blumre, Ashley, and Hexicon who were kind to share with us the latest email sent to cardholders about the Jaime Bag. The subject for the email was, "Cardmembers, you've got to see this bag..." It made me smile, because as many of you have pointed out, this bag has been available for awhile. Cardholders seem to be getting quite a few emails lately which I think is great (okay two- but that is a start!) :)

Italian calfskin Jamie bag
Click here for product page
Item 97485
Regular: $495.00

This bag was actually discussed in the "Love Or Loathe: The Shoulder Strap Trend" post. I personally do love the bag, as I like the optional shoulder strap. I also think the colors the bag is available in are gorgeous: burnt sienna, dark cloud, tulip, honey glaze (back ordered already until late December of 2008!) . However, the price tag is a bit pricey for me to actually purchase.

What do you think of the Jamie bag? Would you buy it? Do you think it is worth the price tag, or would you go with another label for that price (e.g. Coach)? Do you agree with the subject line, is this bag one that you've got to see? :)

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Love It Or Leave It: J.Crew's Tights

Cass brought up an interesting topic in yesterday's "The Great (Weekly) Exchange" post, which is about the tights in color trend. Last year, black opaque tights were all the rage. However, tights in a variety of colors are making their way as part of the trend this Fall. (Click here to see Collegefashion.net's "Fall 2008 Fashion Trend: Tights" post that includes several images of models wearing color tights on the runway).

J.Crew has recognized this trend by currently offering the Solid opaque tights (Item 97788; $16.50) in a variety of colors (shown in the image above) like honey glaze and deep peacock.

I purchased a pair of black solid opaque tights from J.Crew last year (on sale) and really like them. The material was not only soft but very durable (e.g. resistant to tears) as well. Unfortunately, I don't wear the tights often enough. (I tend to gravitate towards pants during the Fall and Winter months.) I am also unsure if I would buy a pair in a honey glaze or deep peacock.

Do you like the tights trend? Would you wear tights in different colors this Fall season? How would you wear them? Would you purchase tights from J.Crew (or from another retailer)?

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