SPRINGBEST = 25% off almost everything at J. Crew
Them fine print exclusions: “Offer not valid on men’s suiting or third-party branded merchandise”… no shock there.
Not to blow too much smoke up their bowery pant clad heinys (heinies?), but the 2013 Store Wars champ even gets sales right. Unlike their perpetually on sale with-tons-of-exclusions competition, J. Crew runs consistent extra 30% sale items codes, and every once in awhile drops in one of these. SPRINGBEST works on almost everything… not just sale items, so lack of sizes & color options shouldn’t be an issue. No, it doesn’t work on suiting (expected… but dammit…). 3rd party merchandise is also excluded. But 25% off blazers, their own welted shoes, and the rest is a rare deal worth a look.
Unconstructed, washed, Irish-linen Ludlow sportcoat – $163.50 ($218)
The most tempting of the sale. Made from Baird McNutt Irish linen, this thing appears to be unlined (or, has as little of a lining as possible? Not sure). Patch pockets and the washedness (not a word) keep it casual. One of those things you’d reach for time and time again between now and September.
MacAlister Shoes in Suede – $111 ($148)
Made in Italy, resoleable, and now another options for sockless casual summer shoes. Plus, they’ll look terrific with jeans, chinos, cords, no matter the time of year. Nice work to simply chop these down into shoes from the standard desert boots. Now, for half that, you could get the two-eyelet Clarks Bushacre Lo via 6pm. Not sure on the welt though. Hat tip to John in the comments over here for that tip.
Abingdon Laptop Bag – $73.50 ($98)
One of the better looking, casual, sub $100 briefcases out there. But despite the description, “our Abingdon collection focuses heavily on timeless fabrics and made-to-last construction“, many have questioned the durability of J. Crew’s bags in the comments over the last few years. Yet this one continues to hold up well for me. Thoughts from you guys? Seems like it might be a terrific buy if you’re in the under 35K a year camp. A big step up from a super-cheap Ben Sherman. It’s casual, but a bit sharper, especially in grey. Exterior is a waxed canvas. 15″ wide.
Navy Italian Wool Ludlow Blazer w/ Center Vent – $291.00 ($398)
Even with the extra 25% off, this thing is still mega-expensive. But it’s incredible. Italian wool is super soft, the arms are nice and trim right out of the box, and it’s a nice blend of traditional and modern (no brass buttons on this one.) Might want to hold off and hope that these somehow find their way into the sale section, then jump on it if an extra 30% off code appears.
Slim Fit Merino V-Neck – $58.50 ($78)
You’re paying for the fit. It’s an investment, but if you’re usually awash in fabric when wearing sweaters from other brands, then these might be worth a shot. Still not super skinny though. Fits my 165-170 frame real well.
Leather Card Case – $22.13 ($29.50)
Super slim. Put this in one hand, a Saddleback card case in the other, and it’s night and day in terms of heft. But some prefer featherweight over brick-heavy in their pocket. The $8.95 flat rate shipping is just a killer here though.
MacAlister Boot – $111.00 ($148)
Don’t underestimate the versatility of grey desert boots. Made in Italy, that stitched-out welt that can be re-soled, and also available in two shades of brown as well as a navy.
Lightweight Chambray Shirt – $52.13 ($69.50)
Like the merino v-necks, these are expensive, but come with some bells and whistles. Available in slim as well as regular fit, the collar has hidden buttons to keep it from wandering off. They claim the fabric is ultra-airy as well. Great color selection. Might be a good choice if you’re looking to do the high-low chambray shirt + summer suit thing this year.
Kenton Suede Bucks – $148.50 ($198)
Far from the cheapest bucks on the block, but these have a goodyear welt. Five color options as well. Bucks for those in the anti-fused soles camp. They also claim they’ve slimmed down the silhouette on these, so they won’t be as bulbous as other cheaper bucks.
Bowery Pant in Oxford Cloth – $66.00 ($88)
Summer pants without going full seersucker. Oxford cloth in the loved-by-many Bowery fit.
Unconstructed Ludlow Sportcoat in Navy fine stripe, or Slate stripe – $141.00 ($188)
Two cotton standbys that sometimes drift into the sale section… but might not for awhile. Casual, but still sharp.
The 25% off code SPRINGBEST is good clear through Sunday 4/28/13.
Wow, I’ve really been wanting ome blue bucks lately, and those ones look like just the ticket. Thing is as much as I like bucks, suede shoes are out for a major portion of the year, and I already have a beige pair. Still for fair weather days, these would look great with jeans.
actually though for the price I think I would go with these Walkovers http://www.6pm.com/walk-over-derby-navy-suede~1?zfcTest=mat%3A1
I love the Ludlow Blazer and the Kenton bucks. The blazer is, as you say, simply amazing. I wish I could have photographed my gf’s reaction when she saw it on me. The bucks are also great. They have a slim profile, attractive sole, and the nap on the suede is really luxurious. I find most bucks to be too smooth.
I picked up the Slim Merino V-neck and Lightweight Chambray shirt when some colors were in the sale section last week +30% off. Both ended up being $35.
V-neck: Sweet. Fit is good. Wool is great; not scratchy at all.
Chambray shirt: Wasn’t a slim fit (also got two slim secret wash shirts and those fit noticeable better). When they say lightweight they mean it. Paper thin material that will be welcome for those hot and muggy southern nights. Not sure how durable it will be though. The hidden button down collar is actually kind of annoying. It seems to pop open rather easily. Would’ve rather they gone plain ol’ button down or spread collar.
At the prices now, I would still definitely go for the sweater. Not sure on the chambray shirt, will have to wear and wash it a few times first.
I have same bag as Joe (mine was rebranded as JCF, though). I’ve overstuffed it for the past year with a clunky old laptop and law school casebooks, and it’s starting to show some wear on the handles. They’re sort of cracking at the base, even though I rarely use them (more of a shoulder strap guy). But the fabric and seams are all going strong. Since that new J.Crew bag doesn’t have the stiff rolled handles like mine, I would think the new bag would be fantastic (especially if you’re not cruel to it the way I’ve been to mine).
Do the Kenton bucks run wide? I usually take an E width and that really lmits my (semi-)affordable choices.
Why is suede out for most of the year? Do you live somewhere rainy?
I’ve had good experiences with the Abington bags – definitely worth a look if you’re in the market and on a budget, best bag in that price range IMO. I’d stay away from the slim wallet and just man up for the Saddleback though – if you’re going for the rugged wallet look, don’t half-ass it.
How long do the cotton Ludlows run? I typically need a short option to fit into a jacket.
Pretty standard. Mediums work well on my 5’10” frame, and sometimes I have to have the sleeves taken up a notch.
Didn’t they just finish doing one of these? Like two weeks ago? I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
Forgot about tax and shipping.. got me excited then I realized it’s another 10 bucks for those two things :[
Snowy and slushy in the winter (which is basically November-early April. rainy and muddy in spring. That leaves fair days in summer and early fall. Still when spring comes around I look for the fair days, like today, to wear my bucks.
I have a chambray too from last season and don’t like it at all. It’s actually too light and the collar, I agree, is more annoying than helpful.
Doesn’t this promotion exclude Ludlow?
Doesn’t seem to work for me? I’m shipping to Ireland would that have anything to do with it?
A rep at the Ludlow store here warned me that any seasonal suiting tends to run a bit looser and longer.