J. Crew 25% off orders of $150+ w/ code LOVEJCREW
The every so often extra 30% off sale items codes that J. Crew throws our way are nice, but size and selection can vary greatly in the sale section. An extra 25% off orders of $150+ that can be applied to items in sale as well as outside of sale? That’s a nice deal. As long as you’ve got a big ticket item in mind.
Before we all go tearing off to the suits, know that this code LOVEJCREW won’t work on those. But sportcoats and blazers are up for the code. Meanwhile, Wallace & Barnes stuff is also excluded, as is 3rd party merchandise (so sorry, no heavily discounted Aldens for you… or me). If you’ve got a tight budget this month (or year, or decade) probably best to just stop reading now. Or read this first. Otherwise, proceed with caution and with your balanced and healthy checkbook…
Danner Vertigo Boots – $149.99 ($320)

And to the lurkers go the spoils. Maybe? These are in the sale section at and already deeply reduced $199. A good size range (but not all sizes) at post time. The details on the code said 3rd party merchandise is excluded, but these are (for now) getting the extra 25% off knocked off, and puts them at $149.99. Which is a complete steal for these made in the USA boots. Just under the free shipping at $150 threshold, so… need some shoe laces?
Navy Ludlow Blazer in Super 130s Italian Wool – $291.00 ($388)

Hardly ever on sale and it’s a huge ticket item for most of us. But good grief is it ever something else. The wool is super 130s, so it’s incredibly soft & smooth, and the build of this thing is incredible. Flexible armor indeed. Buttons are non-functioning for easy tailoring, and those buttons are brown instead of a shined up gold or brass. Looks terrific with jeans as well as dressed up. Slim sleeves and a pre-suppressed waist off the rack. Center vent, double vent, or double vent with gold buttons available.
Unconstructed Cotton Ludlow Sportcoat in Slate or Navy Japanese Cotton – $141 ($188)

Still more expensive than most of the cotton blazers seen over here, but you get that Ludlow lower button stance and a tail that’s not too chopped. Available in their lighter corded cotton, or a darker subtle thin stripe navy. A little more rumpled/casual than the cotton Factory Thompson suit jackets, but no where near as casual as say, Target’s Kensington.
Oxford Cloth Sportcoat – $186.00 ($248)

A little more spring-style flash (can oxford cloth have flash?) than the ludlows seen above. This one is made from Italian Oxford cloth, but takes plenty of details from sporting/hunting style jackets. 2/3 roll closure, patch pockets, and slightly wider lapels than their standard Ludlow. Unconstructed. Fabric is woven in Italy.
J. Crew Kenton Suede Bucks – $148.50 ($198)

Goodyear welted. Not glued. The description also says they’ve slimmed down the silhouette just a bit, so you’re not stuck with a bulbous, traditionally shaped buck at the base of your slimmed down pants (sorry… trousers). A good example of why J. Crew is kicking tail in this business. Find something people value (welted, not glued shoes) and make them attainable. Five shades including a perfect medium to light grey.
J. Crew Wedgewood Trench – $163.50 ($218)

For the guys that want a simple looking rain coat, but don’t want all the do-dads and details of a standard belted, epaulettes-on-the-shoulders trench. Still has button tabs at the wrists though. Made from a water reistant cotton. Length looks perfect on this one. Single breasted.
Macalister Brickman Boots in Leather – $126.00 ($168)

Made in Italy from Italian leather, these also have a stitched welt so they can be resoled when need be. Red brick rubber sole and a terrific looking shade of brown leather. Here’s to hoping they look as good in real life.
The 25% off (or 30% off if you open a credit card… careful with that though) on orders of $150+ code LOVEJCREW expires Monday, 3/25/13.
Those bucks are really tempting. Would you recommend waterproofing them, or would that ruin the look?
I’d love a pair of welted suede bucks, but there’s no way I can squeeze into a medium width to pick up a pair from J. Crew, as much as I like those. Anyone know an alternative available in wide (or, better, extra-wide — sometimes an Allen-Edmonds 3E is even a bit tight for the first week or two) for a price closer to J. Crew than Allen-Edmonds?
I checked out those suede bucks in-store last week and they’re really nice. The suede is on another level compared to cheaper brands like Sebago or other designer brands like To Boot New York. Would I spend $150 on suede bucks? Not at the moment. Would these be a good thing to spend $150 on? Certainly.
I really love the look of J. Crew’s jackets but I think I’m going to have to accept the fact that I just don’t have the build for them. The shoulders are always too wide, even when sizing down from my normal 40R to a 38. Frustrating.
if you already have a card use the code CARDMEMBER for the 30%
There is a full oxford cloth suit on J.Crew Factory’s “Factory First” right now (currently only visible to mailing list members).
It’s already marked down so you can get the whole suit for ~$150 if you have a separate promo code, like the 20% one-use code I got from my last Factory purchase.
A ludlow suit comes down to ~$450 with the code. How do J Crew suits compare to Suit Supply? Half canvased I know…….fused?
Well, I wasn’t planning on pursuing this sale, but I saw they have the gray and camel v-necks in the cotton/cashmere blend… a these colors in a v-neck that’s not over $100 has been hard to find for the past couple months so I figured to take advantage of the sale for both and picked up the leather card holder Joe pointed out back in November…
This may interest you: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703385404576258671135584478.html
For those interested in a trench similar to the Wedgewood trench, you might check out the Merona Overcoat at Target (http://www.target.com/p/merona-men-s-overcoat-vintage-khaki/-/A-14339209#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton). The color is a more traditional khaki, but the fit is pretty good, despite the photos on Target’s website. And the material is a water resistant cotton that has worked well in light rain for me, so far.
Great article. Maybe I missed it, but I still didn’t see the answer to whether J. Crews Ludlow suits (and/or blazers) are canvased or fused?
Anybody know the height of those danner boots? I can’t seem to find it on the j crew site.
Most sources seem to say that it’s half-canvassed, though I don’t know if they changed their production methods: http://www.getkempt.com/storefront/a-first-look-inside-j-crews-ludlow-shop.php
Joe, I ordered the Ludlow blazer per your recommendation. How far into the spring/summer you think I can get away with wearing it? Also, thinking about having the back lining removed if that makes a difference.
I went for the slate unconstructed sportcoat and the charcoal Ludlow blazer. I already have the Japanese cotton unstructured sportcoat and the navy Ludlow blazer, so I know I love the fit and style of them.
For what it’s worth, when I tried to buy the navy blazer last year with when they were having a 30% off sale the store manager said it did not apply to suiting, to which I thought well it’s not a suit… but anyways. I went home that night and tried to see if the coupon worked on the blazer online and it worked just fine, so I printed out my cart reflecting the discount and brought it back to the store the next day and they ended up honoring that price. Just thought it was worth mentioning in case some try to purchase a Ludlow blazer in store and comes across the same hurdle.
Suits are excluded in the fineprint, so I think you’re going to be SOL. If you wait for clearance + sale and your size is available you can score a suit for ~$300 and I think it’s a good value at that price. I did that over President’s Day weekend with the herringbone charcoal wool. I was able to do something similar last year with a navy wool Ludlow suit jacket on clearance for $130 and I got the matching pants on eBay for $100.
Great Post!
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Feelin’ the Brickman Boot. Tough to pass up.
Feelin’ the Brickman Boot. Tough to pass up.
hi iansd,
slate unconstructed sportcoat…the corded cotton?
charcoal Ludlow blazer…the linen herringbone?
can i ask what size you are in each? wondering if Small is closer to 36 or 38…
Hello. For J. Crew Ludlow blazers/suits with number sizing I wear 42R and for sportcoats with letter sizing I wear M. Fit is comparable between the two with the M very slightly smaller than the fit of 42R.
On the blue blazer. Should I go with a single vent or a double vent?
Can’t go wrong with either. Single vents are more classic and double vents are more European/suave. Double vents tend to suit more body types. I’d recommend getting both and seeing which drapes better. Return the other.
You almost nailed my sizes — I should, ideally, be in a 10.5 4E. I can usually get into a 10.5 3E fine, but they can be a tiny bit tight, especially with thick socks in the winter. An 11 3E from AE is fine, but can run a bit long, and 11 W/2E from some other places works (my 11 W Bass Brocktons are a bit tough to get on, but are comfortable once they’re there; some 11 Ws from J&M have become a bit deformed where they hug my little toes too tight).
Thanks for the advice, at any rate. 🙂
I got a cashmere sweater and 2 pairs of shorts for $120 shipped
Have to ask if there’s a difference in construction or material between the Ludlow blazer and suit jacket. Assuming one doesn’t choose brass buttons, the blazer appears to have the same cut as the jacket — at $50 less.
Thanks!
Just got one in store. The sales associate said that it had a floating chest piece, i.e., half-canvassed.