The Best of J. Crew Sale… and New Arrivals

J. Crew:  Use MUSTHAVE on any order for extra 30% off & free shipping on $150 (exp. 6/22)

UPDATE: So they kill the free shipping code Sunday, then dock an extra 30% off on Monday.  Damn.  Didn’t see that coming for whatever reason.  Prices have been updated.  Sizes are gonna go REAL quick now.

Anybody else feel like there’s a growing disturbance in the (retail) force?  Prices are going up, yet sale sections have never been filled with more solid finds.  This phenomenon is even showing up at the usually predictable “there won’t be any real sizes left when it hits clearance” JCrew.com.  Pile on top of that the affordable retail price of a terrific new shoe collaboration J. Crew just released (more on that later), and nothing makes sense anymore.  Here’s the proof:
.

J. Crew Rugged Twill Briefcase – $61.60 (Orig. $128.00)

Launched just about a year ago for $128 (the site now says it was going for $98) and is legendary for its looks… and apparent lack of durability (see comments section here).  But $90 is starting to dip into Ben Sherman cheap-o bag range.  At any price could be a dud, but… some might just cross their fingers.

 

J. Crew Mini-Gingham Sportcoat in Ludlow Fit – $90.99 ($168)

Down to a more palatable $130, and as of “press time” still available in Large and… Medium.  Yes, medium.  The size worn by an unfair chunk of the male population as well as in store mannequins.  Not cheap even on sale, but cheap(er) than usual, in a hard to find a replacement for pattern.

 

J. Crew Corded Cotton Sportcoat in Ludlow Fit – $83.93 ($148)

Got a thing against tiny squares?  Are you a Small or XL?  Here’s your sportcoat.  $120 isn’t a bad price for a decently made, light, go anywhere spring/summer/fall jacket.  Tiny stripes, great buttons.  Large up for grabs too.

 

J. Crew Madras Sportcoat in Ludlow Fit – $104.99 ($188)

If you’re starting to branch out and you want to give madras a spin, this is how you dip your toes in that water.  The blue/khaki blend ditches any sense of red hues and lets the pattern stand on its own.  A loud pattern?  Sure.  A loud pattern with a loud color?  That’s tough to do.  This option is not.

 

J. Crew Ties:  Burroughs Stripe – $49.50 | Wool-Silk Stripe – $59.50

From the new arrivals section and the price reflects that for sure.  Fifty bucks for one necktie isn’t reasonable for most of us, but there are some who’d look at the slightly retro pattern (orange… nice) on the burroughs stripe, and the texture on the wool-silk blend, and might, might just splurge in case they don’t make it to clearance.

 

Nike for J. Crew Cortez Sneakers – $75.00

A collaboration that doesn’t jack the price up to sky high levels?  Unreal.  A Jack Purcell alternative for sure, but unlike canvas sneakers, can’t really be “dressed up” in even the smallest sense.  Gotta hand it to J. Crew this time though.  Great looking slimmed down profile (less chunky than the New Balance retros) and that fat swoosh is perfect.

The J. Crew FREESHIP code expires Sunday 6/19.  Apologies to the weekday only readers…
The J. Crew extra 30% off code MUSTHAVE expires Wed. 6/22.  And almost all the regular sizes are gone.