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In Person: The J. Crew Factory Tweed Sportcoat

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J. Crew Factory Tweed Sportcoat – $124.60 w/ LOVEIT ($178)

Code expires 9/9.  Sweater by Express, Shirt by Lands’ End Canvas, Watch by Golana (cheaper version here)

For as much as J. Crew can charge, and for as often their lower brand J. Crew Factory goes on sale for an extra 30% off, you think there’d be a noticeable drop off in quality, fit, and finish with the Factory stuff.  But that ain’t the case when it comes to their suiting, their sweaters, and now, their wool mix sportcoats.

It is a mix.  70% wool and 30% nylon.  But the addition of the synthetic doesn’t make it feel like plastic, it certainly doesn’t move like plastic, and unlike cheap all poly sport coats and suits, it breathes just fine.  There’s not even a hint of that suffocating under a poncho feeling.  No one would look at this thing sideways, and it feels great in your hands.  If the addition of the nylon is a way to keep costs down for the lower brand?  I say keep it up.

The use of the nylon that is.  The price is quite all right at staying low.

The fit is unreal for off the rack.  A 38R on a 5’9″ish” 170lb athletic frame probably won’t even need tailoring.  It’s extremely well sculpted through the sides, and despite the website pics making the lapels look really off compared to the button stance, they’re not.  The lapel terminates right at the top button where it should.

The sleeve buttons are non functioning and there’s not even any faux button-hole stitching around them.  Meaning, it should be a tailor’s dream to adjust.  The shoulders are very lightly padded, and the interior has some nice details like a half chambray upper and contrasting striped sleeve linings.

$170 is almost $180 which is almost $200 (I know, stunning math skills right?) and for many of us that’s a lot for one jacket no matter how good it looks and feels.  But with these every-so-often extra 30% off sales, the lowered price of around $125 is a steal for this thicker, warmer, fall ready sportcoat.


Comments

  1. Joe,
    The sport coat looks a few shades darker in your pictures than in the J Crew stock photos – would you say that you were surprised and/or pleased when a darker-than-expected jacket arrived? I know that J Crew’s photos are often misleading when it comes to colors and I’m holding out for a darker grey this fall. Thanks again!
    Regards,
    BC

  2. It is a shade darker and on the J.Crew Factory site it looks almost light grey.  It’s more of a medium leaning dark for sure.  I like the slightly darker look better myself, so I’m happy with it and then some.

  3. I was at a J. Crew store (not a factory outlet) on Tuesday, and I was quite impressed by the cut, button stance, and overall aesthetic of their blazers.

    If the factory versions are at all similar, we’ve got an affordable winner on our hands.

  4. Any thoughts on whether the 38 would be too short for someone 6 feet?  Either sleeves or at the waist

  9. A little off topic but anyone notice how Lands End Canvas stopped the perpetual sale prices on most of their items? Sorry, but this is just BS and I won’t buy anything there that is not on sale. If I am going to pay that much for shirts I’ll just get the real deal and buy from J.Crew.

  10. Yes, this was my question too.  I’m definitely a 38 shoulders, but am 6′.  It looks pretty close to the right length on you, Joe, what do you think for us tall, skinny dudes?

  12. I’m a few inches shorter than you guys and possess an oddly long torso.  It doesn’t look like a shorter style blazer on me in the least.  The jacket drop is perfect and hits the crease of my hands dead on.  Sleeves could maybe come up for me a touch.  Might be worth a shot for you guys as long as you’re not, y’know, 6’2″?  But I don’t know.  That’s really hard to say since everyone has different proportions.

  14. I think they’ll be totally different in feel.  This one is a thicker fall/winter nubby tweed, the one you ordered is going to be a more polished year rounder.

  15. On a related but unrelated note, I just got the first half of my Factory Thompson Suit… only the pants, as the 40R jacket is backordered til the end of September, but so far, I’m quite impressed. The texture, feel and appearance of the fabric all seem excellent, and way beyond their price point. Colour me hopeful that the jacket won’t disappoint! Based on your earlier review, it seems unlikely.

    Cheers,
    Ben

  16. Weird, I left a comment on the Dappered FB earlier today pointing out that Zara finally launched online.

    I do think, however, that the OP was off base in bringing up Zara in re: to this jacket. I don’t think the quality is quite as good as J. Crew, I’d put it closer to H&M. Plus, Zara is a very euro-centric style whereas J. Crew is obviously more American. And with the discount code, this jacket is a steal.

  17. Didn’t catch your FB post until now, but many thanks for the tip.  Got a full post prepped for tomorrow in case anyone misses the thread here or the FB post you left.  Agreed with you about Zara.  It’s more fashion than style in many cases (in my opinion.)  Gonna see what everyone thinks of the brand with the quick feature tomorrow.  Should be interesting.  I’m guessing many haven’t heard of them being that they only have about 50 stores in the US, and they’re clustered along the coasts. 

  18. Didn’t catch your FB post until now, but many thanks for the tip.  Got a full post prepped for tomorrow in case anyone misses the thread here or the FB post you left.  Agreed with you about Zara.  It’s more fashion than style in many cases (in my opinion.)  Gonna see what everyone thinks of the brand with the quick feature tomorrow.  Should be interesting.  I’m guessing many haven’t heard of them being that they only have about 50 stores in the US, and they’re clustered along the coasts. 

  19. I agree… Zara is, in my mind, a slightly higher-end H&M, or perhaps a European parallel to Express. They have some good stuff but it’s not as high quality, well-made, or timeless in style as what you’ll find from J.Crew or even Banana Republic. Still, it’s good to know that they’ve gone online.

  20. I know you’ve posted your measurements before, but I can’t find the link. I really like this blazer, but I’m only 5’7″ … is it a bad idea for me to buy regular length blazers from J Crew? Does J Crew Factory even sell short sizes?

    Thanks!

  21. Zara is more European in both fit and styling – they started in Spain, after all. But while I definitely want a more American cut on a tweed sportcoat for a fall day, for the days when it’s warm and I’m walking around SF, I’ll take my sartorially inclined light blue linen blazer from Zara that fits me like a glove and makes people wonder where I’m going. For us tall lean dudes, Zara really has some choice pieces, as they cut everything a little longer and slimmer.

  27. They are probably waiting for the livingsocial $30 / $60 deal to expire before they run more sales.

  29. Sale. and I picked up another item that I wanted.

    Im fairly confident it can be tailored to fit well. Usually have to take it up a bit as well as the sleeves.

  30. Very interested in your thoughts once received.  I always wanted a JCrew jacket but with them not having the S version of then 38 makes me second guess all the time.  My build is very close to yours, 5’6″ close to 5’7″ at 160 lbs.

  32. Hey Joe-

    Just received this today and the feel was just a tad scratchy, especially around the back of the neck. Do you suggest getting new items dry cleaned prior to first wear?

    Otherwise, I totally agree about the fit. Unreal for Off the Rack. I usually get everything tailored, but probably won’t.

  33. I just got mine today, and the 38R is too big for this 5′ 10″ 135 lb skinny dude. I really need a 36… Interestingly, mine was too big in every dimension, including length. The front hit well below the start of my inseam, which was very surprising after seeing how it fit you. Oh well, it’s just a couple bucks of return fees.

  34. I decided to pull the trigger on the rebooted sale price (SHOPNOW). I’m 6′ 1.5″ and about 160 pounds. I ordered the 38R. I’m a little worried about arm length, but J.Crew medium generally fits me well, so I’m hopeful that the 38R will too.

    Thanks for keeping us informed about great deals.

  35. Surprised by the amount of padding on this?  We’re pretty similar in size and J.Crew’s 38S fits me great in most everything, but I was really surprised by how angular the shoulders were on me–fit well, the shoulders just feel a little more “formal” than I’d anticipated–could work in a dressier environment, but looks a little funky dressed down.  

  36. Hey Andy, how did the 38R turn out when you got it?  I’m about your size and contemplating whether to pick up this coat.  Found a good deal on it, but a little worried about the length of the 38.