THEBEST = 30% off at J. Crew (suiting excluded)
J. Crew really has ramped up their use of codes, but this was unexpected. Not limited to items that are already on sale, but good on just about everything. Of course suiting is excluded, as is 3rd party merchandise (like Alden), but the code THEBEST gets you 30% off online on just about everything else. And that includes sportcoats. If you print out the email it should work in stores too. The code they’re advertising on their site (SUMMER) is still solid and good for 25% off, but 30% is better (profound, right?). Plus, you don’t need to sign up for a credit card to use it. Code expires Thursday 6/6 update: they’ve extended it to 6/9. Off we go.
Ludlow Center Vent Blazer in Italian Wool – $271.60 ($388.00)
About as low as the price will go. It’ll only get cheaper if they somehow get dumped into the sale section, and then a 30% off sale items code comes along. But the last time that happened was… in the fall? (snagged the one seen above for around $250 the last time that confluence of sale-factors occurred). This J. Crew Ludlow blazer ended up at the top of the Navy Blazer hierarchy last month. Super 130s wool that’s buttery soft, a substantial chest piece that hugs your body, and non functioning buttons make for easy sleeve tailoring. Half lined too, so it breathes well even in warm weather.
UPDATE: The center vent version is all but sold out, but these are also available with double vents over here. Same price, and charcoal is also an option on the double vent blazer.
Ludlow Sportcoat in Herringbone Italian Linen – $243.60 ($348)
The description says it’s “lined” instead of half-lined, but at least J. Crew uses bemberg to line their jackets, which actually breathes a bit instead of poly (lookin’ at you B.R.). Smaller herringbone pattern gives it just enough visual texture so it’ll go great with jeans once the sun goes down. Dual vents on these.
Bowery Oxford Cloth in Slim or Classic Fit – $61.60 ($88)
Oxford cloth pants are extremely comfortable. Like, pajamas comfortable. Limited color selection compared to say, the Bonobos options, but the price with the code is palatable.
Kenton Suede Bucks – $138.60 ($198)
That’s more like it. Two hundred bucks seemed a little steep, even though they’re goodyear welted and have a great slimmed down shape. Full review over here. Wingtip version will run you $152.60 with the code.
Unconstructed Ludlow Sportcoat in Twill – $131.60 ($188)
A basic, unconstructed cotton sportcoat with a fine stripe. Doesn’t ship free, but it is nice to see that J. Crew is keeping up their lower $5 flat rate shipping for the time being. Free returns is also a huge plus. A word on these unconstructed sportcoats that come in small, medium, large, xl, etc… (instead of 38R, 40R, etc). You’re probably going to have to get some tailoring done. A 38R fits my frame perfectly, while a Medium in one of these unconstructed numbers is a little bulky.
Classic MacAlister Boots in Suede – $103.60 ($148)
Grey suede desert boots… wear em’ all the time. These even have a stitched welt. Great looking crepe sole too. Feel free to wear them without socks this summer.
Ticking Stripe Belt – $27.65 ($39.50)
Not just for spring and summer. Perfect for injecting a little color/lighter shades year round when worn with jeans.
Slim Bowery Pant in Irish Linen – $68.60 ($98)
A work appropriate pant for hotter climates. Still steeper than chinos, but a good way to mix up your office style (if you work in an office)
Lightweight short sleeve pop-over – $48.60 ($69.50)
That’s not a polo. Instead, it’s a short sleeve button down (or button up, whatever you want to call it) that doesn’t button all the way down. Has a bit of a lighter-weight look to it than a standard polo, and looks much more natural tucked in. Pricey near fifty bucks even with the code. Button down collar will keep those points in line.
Slim Broken-in Pocket Polo – $20.99 – $25.55
Slimmer fit, has the pocket, and made in the ultra-soft broken-in wash. Already on sale and the extra 30% off drops them into reasonable-polo-price territory.
Abingdon laptop bag – $68.60 ($98)
Seventy bucks is about what you’d pay for some Ben Sherman cheap-o bag. This is much better. Not going to be passed down to your kids or anything, but a good looking, plenty functional bag that’ll fit in at a t-shirt + jeans to business casual workplace. Double top grab handles are perfect since it won’t pitch to one side.
Unconstructed Ludlow Sportcoat in Gingham – $187.60 ($268)
Would you wear it? Sizes are going fast.
The 30% off almost everything code THEBEST expires on Sunday 6/9/13.
What’s the verdict on J. Crew denim? Worth the extra 30-40 over Levi’s?
Hi. First time posting long time reader. I would like to know if there is a difference in quality between the Abingdon bag, and this one (http://factory.jcrew.com/mens-clothing/bags_accessories/bags/PRDOVR~54056/54056.jsp) at jcrew factory?
How serendipitous. I was just saying that I could use some new chinos and casual pants last night
beware the bowery fit if you have man-calves.
i have a jcrew selvedge vintage slim fit that i got used for $35. Much nicer fabric than a 514 (which doesn’t say much at all).
Overall, I like the fit for comfort (I have slim waist/big hips) but fabric falls way short other selvedges at $100.
I have a pair of the Bowery Oxford Cloth in slim and they are just as Joe describes: pajamas all day! I recommend them. I’d love a pair in red but they just can’t seem to keep a 35 waist in stock for some reason. I am a man, and I have calves, and I don’t have an issue. Perhaps if your calves are bigger than your thighs… ?
Ended up ordering the shawl-collar pullover in navy that was mentioned in a earlier post. Combined that with the 9″ board shorts in seersucker and I think I have a pretty flawless outfit for chilly summer nights. Not sure if it was mentioned, but I was also given free shipping using “thebest”.
Exactly! I decided last night I wanted a pair of white suede bucks to go with a couple of recent summer suit purchases and the Kentons were one of my top two choices and I was buckling down for the wait in the promo code game. Unfortunately they don’t have them at my local J. Crew, so I’ll have to order online and hope they fit well.
Perhaps if your calves are bigger than your thighs… ?
I didn’t think so at the time, but I reevaluated in the J.Crew dressing room. They were not. Maybe I have large calves for my waist size? (30)… All I know is that to get a good fit through the waist and thigh, I needed to go full-on stuffed sausage below the knee.
I own one of those laptop bags. Works well. I like that it’s unstructured with a fairly snug laptop sleeve, so with a laptop inside it looks more briefcase-like, and without it leans much more casual and can fit plenty.
On the other hand, don’t expect rugged, heavy waxed canvas. It’s pretty light and limp.
Holy smokes that gingham sports coat looks like my grandma’s apron! I CANNOT wear a jacket that matches my grandma kitchenwear – that just wouldn’t be right.
I ordered the linen herringbone in navy last time it was on sale, and it was definitely way heavier than I thought; despite being linen, it felt like something I would wear in the fall, and I ended up returning it for a corded cotton option for summer. Something to think about/check in store, since the weight of the jacket alone was staggering
40s seems to be impossible to find for the Ludlow blazer. I’m not 100% that’s my ideal size, but as a 5’6 175 guy that’s been wearing clothes way too large for the past 20 years I’m terrified at how tight a 38s might fit.
Can you comment of the drape and how wrinkly it got in the short time you owned it?
The double vents emphasized my wide butt & hips when cinched. Sealing them up helps to hug the body tighter and have a stronger silhouette.
It’s a linen coat and wrinkles as one would be expected. However, unlike wool, it just looks “right”: relaxed and comfortable.
It is possible to get free shipping if you order something like the Abingdon laptop bag from the Father’s Day shop.
yeah i’d agree with reggie, it looked relaxed and comforatble, but didnt wrinkle as much as other linen jackets i’ve got. from more than five feet away it looked like wool to me. its kind of unique and worth checking out in person [or just being OK with a trip to the store for a return]
The linen herringbone blazer in gray was on deep discount at Mr. Porter for $175: http://www.mrporter.com/product/358636 If you are a 42R or 44R you can still snag one. I have one in navy and, as noted by Nima Beheshti below, it is a pretty heavy coat. More like something for the Fall, way too heavy for Summer wear.
Sealing the vents definitely sounds like a good idea, specifically on a linen jacket. I snagged the khaki/black version on ebay last summer and have had issues with the corners of the vents folding up when I sit down with the jacket on. I’m wondering if sealing the vents would prevent that a little more as well?
The bottom of the coat and the sides wrinkle noticeably less since I sealed them up. However, I believe that there is slightly more wrinkling in the lower back area because some of the stress when sitting in chairs goes there. The lower back wrinkles look more natural to me on the linen coat compared to the floppy vents. It’s not a universal solution, but it’s worked out great for me.
i also have one in navy and agree it is quite heavy and would work well in colder temps. it’s a very nice jacket.
I have heard similar things about the build quality of J. Crew’s bags. I opted to go with Filson, which got me their original briefcase in tan for around $175 (with the Styleforum discount at Crane’s Country Store). Mind you, I had 3 Property Of bags, 1 Jack Spade, and several other bags. After getting the Filson, I promptly decided to sell the rest. This bag is bulletproof, utterly reliable, and I get comments whenever I have it out.
You can get a rolled leather and brass handle gatherer (holds the non-rolled handles together) for $10 and Filson even offers to sew it on permanently. Not shilling Filson or downplaying J. Crew, but there is definitely a readily discernable difference in the fabric, heft, and overall build quality between the two (and there ought to be for the price difference). $68.90 is a great price for the Abington.
The Bowery classic leaves a comfortable amount of room without being overly baggy. I believe the slim is based on their urban slim fit, not the 484. I have one of their 484 jeans and it really hugs the calves and hips.
Thanks. I have skinny legs – the classic fit generally works OK for me, but so does the urban slim. The 484s just aren’t something I can pull off as a 43 year old. I’m still thin enough, but they’re just a little too fashion forward – I don’t mind updating in response to trends but you get to a certain age and you can only go so far before you start looking like you’re trying to be younger than you are.
i’m 5’8 160lb, just ordered ludlow 36r and it fits perfectly except for the arms can be shorted a bit. most likely you’ll be fine with 38s if not a size further down.
Good to know, nothing drives me crazy like a wrinkly linen jacket…except for maybe a wrinkly pocket square, but that may just be the perfectionist in me!