Nov 26, 2012

*SAMPLE SALE* Meet the Crew

Ho, Ho, Ho! Now that Thanksgiving has passed, the holiday season is here and there's no place quite like a J.Crew sample sale to satisfy my holiday shopping cravings. From colorful cashmere sweaters any rainbow would be envious of to eye-popping statement shoes (check out that trio above!), I always find an item or two that can add a chic pop of style to everyday staples. This is why I was excited about the brand's winter sale which opened a day early for Press/VIPs today. There were loads of colors, prints, and textures that were pretty enough to make my closet happy, but did their prices also make my wallet happy? Let's find out!

J.Crew is one of my favorite casual brands out there right now. Mickey Drexler and Jenna Lyons transformed the catalog company into an influential style-maker by embracing preppy-eclectic outfits & mix-and-match layering. At today's sample sale, like I mentioned earlier, I was able to find tons of delightful wardrobe essentials divided and organized onto racks & tables.

Once you enter the 260 showroom, you'll be greeted by rows and rows of J.Crew inventory and a smattering of Madewell merchandise. Winter coats and puffers will be the first thing you'll see as they hang on racks that comprise the first row of outerwear. Here, I found a quilted herringbone puffer vest which was priced $60. The second aisle is chock full of blazers & bottoms--perfect for the office. The middle lane is where you'll find button-down shirts and merchandise from past spring/summer collections. As for sizes, you'll find coats/puffers from 0-16. Blazers were between sizes 0-14 and pants were 0-16. Finally, tops were between XXS-XL. And now comes the prices. Prices for outerwear started at $60 for casual jackets and went up to $150 for wool coats. Pants were priced $25~$70 while dresses were $30 & $60. Perfect for the cold wintry weather, cashmere sweaters were available in many different colors & prints. This polka-dot cashmere sweater was my favorite. While there were tons of merchandise in the apparel section, I just couldn't help but gravitate towards the Collection section where I spotted this fuchsia wool-crepe blazer. Sadly, it was only available in size 10.

Way in the back of the showroom, shoppers will find racks of shoes and plastic bins full of accessories (hats, gloves, etc). In the shoe section, I found many styles from the current F/W season that are being sold at full price right now at J.Crew stores and online. Case in point, Everly suede pumps selling online for $245 were available in plum & pink at this sample sale. They were priced $100, which is a 60% discount. I also spotted the Etta cap toe pumps which were priced, again, $100. In addition to these shoes, I was pleasantly surprised to see leopard print styles like the Darby loafers, Janey flats, and Nora ballet flats looking so ever chic. I'm not sure if you're are interested in summery styles now, but nonetheless, here are what I found. The Jayne T-strap ballet flats were $65, Mona Mary Janes were $100, Lena wedges were $65, and leather ballet flats were $65. Next to the shoes, mommies will find an alcove of Crewcuts wears. 10 racks of little cutie shirts, jackets, dresses, and pants are up for grabs in this area.

Near the checkout counter shoppers will find the jewelry and handbag sections. Six glass display cases hold a variety of bold & eye-catching necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings--perfect for glamming up your holiday ensembles. Embellished necklaces were the priciest at $60. Earrings & bracelets were $25 while bangles were tagged $15. As for bags, Tillary purses, Brompton hobos & Edie purses were available at price points of $90 or $130.

Finally, I would like to mention that there was no changing room and not a single mirror could be found. I asked a staff member regarding the latter and was told that mirrors create unwanted congestion (what?). Therefore, exposure-aversive shoppers should wear something over their undies and almost everyone should bring a fashion-saavy friend along or at least a friend who can take decent photos when you're trying things on. As for restocking and additional markdowns, I asked several employees and was given differing answers. We'll just have to wait and see! I'll keep you all updated via the comment section below and Twitter.

Price list:
Accessories
Medium/Large leather bags $130
Small leather bags $90
Medium/Large fabric bags $45
Small fabric bags $20
Belts/Ties/Pocket squares/Hats/Scarves $20
Socks/Tights/Small accessories $10

Jewelry
Embellished necklaces $60
Necklaces $35
Bracelets/Earrings $25
Rings $20
Bangles $15
Pins $10
Hair accessories $5

Shoes 
Mid calf/Tall boots $130
Heels/Ankle boots $100
Flats/Sandals/Espadrilles $65
Weather/Seasonal $25
Rubber flip-flops $10
Men's dress shoes $100

Apparel
Party/Wear to work dresses $60
Cotton/Jersey dresses $30
Wool outerwear $150
Suiting jackets/Blazers $120
Long puffer/Trenches $90
Casual/Puffer jackets $60
Wool/Dress pants $70
Denim pants $40
Chino/Cord pants $25
Wool/Silk/Cashmere skirts & shorts $40
Chino/Cord/Denim skirts & shorts $25
Cashmere sweaters $90
Cashmere tee/tank/vest sweaters $65
Cotton/Wool sweaters $35
Women's one piece swimsuits $40
Women's separates/Men's swimsuits $25
Tops $15~$40
Weekend $20

26 comments:

  1. Did they say if they would be restocking??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I asked and was given differing answers. As I wrote in the article, I'll keep everyone updated :)

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  2. Is there a selection of the toothpick jeans?

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  3. no price list for mens?

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  4. Hopefully it will be better than the last one. I found the last one to be overpriced, disorganized and the stock was mainly awful. So uninspiring. I walked away with nothing, which is rare for me. I do much better with their 30% off final sale.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it is a better sale--especially the shoe section. As I wrote above, there is a lot of current stock which isn't on sale at J.Crew brick & mortars or online.

      Delete
  5. Was there only one of the herringbone excursion vest? That's the one item I want!!

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  6. Replies
    1. The line is still pretty long. Extends to the corner of 28th.

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  7. you can get this vest for 30% off online and in stores today and tomorrow - yes it's $36 more but it saves you the wait in the snow/rain whatever it is now :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awesome catch! :) When I checked online yesterday it was full price. Hope nzz2101 sees this.

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  8. I thought pretty bad.... The jewelry is mostly not jcrew...Chinese deejee that was never put in production and not worth 60...the leopard bag looks pretty beaten up in photo.
    No shearling trapper hats or any good finds of jcrew samples sales past.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear that it was a disappointment. I appreciate your insight!

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  9. Did you notice if there were any size 12 shoes? Or clothes in Tall sizing?

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I was there, shoes ranged between sizes 5 and 9.5

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    2. went today and there were size 11 and 12 shoes, perhaps 6 pairs at a time of 12s. more of other sizes.

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  10. How do you become a VIP to enter the sale early. This will be my third sample sale and I've never heard of this ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wasn't invited as a VIP but rather as Press. I assume J.Crew PR would handle VIP invites.

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  11. will there be further discounts during the last days of the sale? for 90$, it didn't look like the cashmere stuff was moving at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haven't heard anything yet. Will update if I do.

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  12. Is everything final sale?

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  13. Additional 30% off today & tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete

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