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Steal the Style: The Best of J. Crew’s New Arrivals

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 J. Crew new Fall arrivals & more affordable options

We’re more than halfway through August.  Which means we’re pretty close to September.  And September means we can finally start the annual long goodbye with summer, and move full steam into the season that’s most conducive to dressing well.

Brands and retailers are starting to release their fall lines and J. Crew is one of the first to debut a large crop.  A lot of it is pretty tempting, but the price tags are unfortunately (and expectedly) pretty J.Crew-ish.  Below you’ll find the picks, plus reasonable alternatives that will be at least a little friendlier to your financial state.
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J. Crew Cord Sportcoat – $138.00 | L.L. Bean Signature Cord Blazer – $99.99 ($175)
Different for sure, but both good buys.

Usually Old Navy will debut a cord blazer for around $50 once the leaves start to turn (nope, try now… see update below), but for now, here’s what we’ve got.  And the J. Crew is something else.  See the full review here.  The L.L. Bean Signature isn’t available in grey, and while the J. Crew has no shoulder pads, the L.L.B.S. probably does.  It looks to be a cord version of their new traditional twill suiting and those do have pads.  But if you want an affordable cord suit for fall?  L.L. Bean has matching pants too.
UPDATE:  Credit to Foo and MagM for being on top of Old Navy’s new release of their cord and twill blazers.  Looks like they’re three buttons though this year.  30% off with the code THANKS.  More on that tomorrow.
UPDATE 2:  L.L.B.S. just jacked the price on their cord blazer back up to full price.  Nice timing.  Cripes.

 

Authentic Bayswater Peacoat – $255.00 | Schott U.S. 740N Pea Jacket – $220.00
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

JCrew.com says: “Our new design is true to the time-honored classic…” and it is a great looking coat.  But the Schott is arguably the actual time-honored classic.  Made in the USA and also available in a slim, which is instead made in Canada.  The fit/sizing difference between the two is currently unknown.  Might have to spring for a grey slim fit to test it out right?  Both are expensive, but with prices going up, they relative cost isn’t that bad for a heavy winter coat.  If you’re on a serious budget, keep an eye on the L.E.C. version.  Try to catch a sale, but it’s $180 right now.

 

J. Crew Waffle Henley – $42.50 | Old Navy Waffle Henley – $12.50
The Old Navy won't fit as well, but... it's a henley.

Forty bucks for a henley?  Man.  It’s a nice layering piece and looks surprisingly good underneath a casual button up.  But it’s still barely more than long underwear.  Be prepared to size down in the Old Navy option.

 

Chippewa for J. Crew Boots – $198.00 | Chippewa “GQ” Boot – $139.00
The resemblance is more than uncanny

Man those are close aren’t they?  Both are made in the USA, both have the Vibram outsole, but the J. Crew version looks just a bit more dressed up thanks to the smoother leather.  The J. Crew also comes with goodyear welt construction and round eyelets instead of hexagons.  Yes the J. Crew looks undeniably better at first glance.  But a $60 difference?  Really?

 

J. Crew Wool/Cashmere V-Neck – $68.00 | Express Merino Wool V-Neck – $39.90*
Look for off-white / beige V-necks this fall (especially over chambray shirts).

Here’s how this works.  Express is running a tiered sale through today (8/22).  $15 off $30, $30 off $75, etc with the code 1664.  The Express Italian Merino Wool V-neck is quite nice, but at $69.90, it’s spendy and just under the second threshold.  Put a pair of $9.90 socks in your cart, that pushes the total over $7.50, and after the $30 off code 1664 the sweater becomes $39.90 with the full price socks.  It actually costs less if you buy the socks and get the $30 off, than just the sweater with $15 off.

 

J. Crew Harvest Herringbone Vest – $125 | Herringbone Linen Vest – $70* w/ MUSTSHOP
$55 less AND can be worn year round.

It’s worth saying again.  You’re either a waistcoat kinda guy, or you’re not.  Hooray for tweed and all, but good luck wearing it in on a bright spring day.  The Linen will still have texture to it, won’t look terribly out of place, and you can wear it more than 4 months a year.  There’s always the cheap grey Alfani option too.  *WARNING:  This is a final sale item.  Use MUSTSHOP to get this price and an extra 30% off all final sale items.

 

J. Crew Herringbone Sportcoat – $285.00 | Calibrate Herringbone Blazer – $225icon
Oh. I see what you did there.

Here’s the good news on the Calibrate blazer: it was going for a paltry (in comparison) $150 during their annual anniversary sale.  So we know it can go that low.  The bad news is you might have to wait until their Semi-Annual Sale in December for it to hit that price again.  And it’s no guarantee that it’ll dip that low.  Also worth a shot the just arrived J. Crew Factory Herringbone for $124.60 with MUSTSHOP

 

J. Crew Leather Weekender – $475.00 | L.L. Bean Signature Medium Duffle – $150
$475 can buy you a plane ticket to a lot of places.

So what if only the bottom of the L.L. Bean option is leather.  The price difference is $325.  If you’re dying for an all leather duffle, L.L. Bean Signature’s “Bean’s Duffle” gives you all the look, in a slightly smaller package, for $200 less.

Just a heads up for a decent sale going on with one of J. Crew’s main competitors… BananaRepublic.com as well as Gap.com and oldnavy.com are all 30% off right now with the code THANKS.  Picks and reviews coming tomorrow…

UPDATE: Another heads up.  Looks like all J. Crew Final Sale items are an extra 30% off with the code MUSTSHOP.  But final sale means you can’t return or exchange them, so, shop carefully.

Comments

  1. Excluding the duffel, your “cheaper alteratives” save only 25%… and that includes doing things like “buy extra socks to get the discount.”

    That isn’t “cheaper” enough for me to justify lesser options… The good news is that some of these (I’m looking at you, Schott Pea Jacket) are actually better than the J. Crew option.

    The J. Crew boot is sharp. If those pictures are representative (would really need to see them both in person to know for sure,) the difference in price is justified.

  2. $50 Old Navy cord blazers are back… http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=874503
    $35 with the %30 off code.

  5. Nice!  Those must have been released, I don’t know… today?  Checked yesterday (Sunday) and nothin’.  Wait a minute… are they three button front?

  6. And that’s you.  Lots of guys would click over to another website to save under a buck, let alone 25%.  To each his own for sure.  But there’s not a lot of early fall arrivals out right now that can mimic the pile that J. Crew just released.

  9. If the J. Crew boot is goodyear welted and the GQ boot isn’t, then $60 is MORE than justified. Plus that roughout leather on the GQ one looks like crap unless you’re working in it. They’re completely different boots, no sense comparing them.

  10. Express Merino Wool V-Neck:

    Can anyone speak to the fit? Has Express changed their cut recently? I have a merino wool sweater from Express I bought two years ago. It has has a “square” fit that fits me like a sail; it seems more suited for wider guys. I’m 6’1″ 210 (42L) and  I have extra fabric on around my torso but the sleeves are tight (and the right length). According to Joe’s review:

    The sweater has a trimmer fit, especially in the arms.  Meaning you’ll look like you’re ready to have hulkamania run wild, even if you haven’t done a push up since the 5th grade.  Super soft, nice torso length.  A good buy even if it’s a little expensive.

    It sounds like two different cuts / styles. I agree about the fabric though; it’s nice.

  11. I wouldn’t go as far as “crap.”  And like I said, the J. Crew version is undeniably better looking.  I’m just happy they’re making boots in the US for under $150 (and stunning ones for under $200).  Still think they’re worth putting side by side for comparisons sake.  Even if that comparison does shoe how a few details can change the look.

  13. If this is anything like their blazer of last year, it *will* need a hell of a lot of tailoring.  However, I got that blazer for $30 last year so I’m not complaining.

  14. I haven’t seen this year’s Old Navy blazers in person yet, and the three button thing is disappointing (to me), but there’s a feature tomorrow about the 30% off sale at BR/GAP/Old Navy and it looks like Old Navy is at least “trying” to improve some of their fits.  Could be a good sign?  In full agreement about how they’re worth it after tailoring: http://www.thechoosybeggar.com/2010/07/old-navy-twill-blazer/  One of my favorite sportcoats for sure.

  15. I bought some Apt. 9 merino sweaters from Kohl’s a few months ago on clearance. Super-thin and really skim the body very nicely (at least, my size S did).

  17. For the boots, I’d personally go with the LL Bean Katahdin Iron Works boot.  You don’t save much, since they’re $189, but made in the USA, a better sole (IMO) than the ones shown above, and LL Bean has an unbeatable guarantee and return policy.

  20. Awesome to find another person on here with really similar dimensions. I had the same problem with a L.E.C v-neck I just picked up, not sure if sizing down is the answer either. I’m looking for a v-neck that is versatile and fitted but not too slim. I haven’t had too much luck at Express fitwise but would be willing to try again if its worth it.

  21. Bought a v-neck about 8 months ago from Express, I’m 5’10 165 and a medium fit perfectly – fitted but not tight.

  23. Thanks for the tip about the LEC, I’ve been eyeing it.

    For me, the only merino v-necks I’ve had luck with were bought at Marshall’s for ~$20. Lightweight enough to wear with a shirt underneath and the right fit under the arms so I don’t look like a flying squirrel. It’s some off brand and the store only had one color with my size. I dread going back because I have to dig through a mountain of rhinestone crosses and fleur de lis to find the one that fits (but happens to have a snag).

  24. I agree. The goodyear welt and superior leather easily justify the extra $60. Personally, I’m going to save up for a pair of Wolverine’s 1,000 Mile Boots which I believe were mentioned on this site some time ago.

  25. Looks like they just jacked the price back up to full retail.  Lovely.  Not a fan of when that happens.  At all.

  28. Just a note: the 30% off sale items code (MUSTSHOP) also works on factory items, which drops the price of the Thompson suit featured here recently all the way down to $179, which kind of feels like cheating, in a way.

  29. I got JCrew’s Charcoal Bayswater Peacoat with thinsulate when it was on sale for $199.00. I haven’t worn it around quite yet but the quality and fit is great for the price.

  30. Thanks for the tip on 30% off of BR items online. Just bought these: http://brstyl.es/qTGoay. Hope they are a good fit and are well made.

  31. J.Crew Factory has a corduroy sportcoat for about $80 with the MUSTHAVE coupon. It’s got three buttons but looks good otherwise. Just bought it….

  32. Duffel alternatives

    Check out the Flight Bag from Frost River. Similar to the LLB you highlight, with a bit nicer detailing.  $30 less than the LLB, too, and with a great guarantee/return policy. 

  35. i can’t speak for this year but i can tell you that last year gap had merino wool sweaters in several colors. they also had a great weekly coupon where they gave you a book for them for every wednesday or thursday in a given month. i’m sure a lot of y’all know this but i thought i would point it out for anyone like me that has just recently started to upgrade their style.