SECRET = 25% off at J.Crew no minimum. (exp 10/30)
So SHOPNOW is good for 25% off orders of $150+, but this 25% off no minimum code launched early this morning on the J. Crew Facebook page. So that’s kinda big news, but what’s also somewhat big news is that J. Crew has really tightened the screws on what goods can and can’t have promo discounts applied to them. They’ve gone almost full B.R. when it comes to exclusions.
Used to be suiting and 3rd party stuff. Now, or at least for now, it appears that suiting, 3rd party stuff, shoes (even J. Crew branded shoes) and any outerwear with the word “ludlow” tacked on it are all excluded. So no discount on even the J. Crew MacAlister Boots or Kenton Suede Bucks & Wingtips? Nope. No discount. Sportcoats still get the cut though. Lots to dodge. Off we go.
Ludlow Velvet Shawl Collar Sportcoat – $216.00 ($288)
Hefner-esque. Requires some onions to pull off. Would you? With jeans? How about with grey trousers, a crisp white shirt, and some suede loafers? Might was well just throw a pipe in there at that point right? But it can be done. It could be done. Maybe at the company Holiday party… and you’re the boss?
Lambswool Shawl Collar Cardigan – $111.00 ($148)
Easily one of the best looking cardigans out there. But you’ll pay for it, even with the discount. All lambswool, great looking leather buttons, and a sizeable gauge to the knit. One of those sweaters you’ll reach for over and over (and over) again. Just under the $150 “shopnow” threshold, so the SECRET code comes in nice and handy here. Also, if you’re a small or XL, there’s a brown option with elbow patches over in the sale section at post time. Already marked down, and with the code it drops to $82.50.
SLIM Rustic Merino Elbow Patch sweater in Crew or V-Neck – $67.13 ($89.50)
A well appreciated splurge for some. The slimmer fit here is a fantastic upgrade, the real suede elbow patches are nice, and the fabric has a nice texture to it. Lots of colors. Also available in their regular fit in crew or V neck. Want to skip the elbow patches? Their plain Merino Sweaters are down to $54.60.
J. Crew Broadmore Quilted Vest – $103.50 ($138)
Just featured in the best outerwear of the fall post. Fabric is a cotton/nylon blend that keeps the poly-shine you see on puffer jackets knocked down to a minimum. The loft of the quilting is under control too. No life-preserver stuff here. Button tabs on the back allow you to cinch down for a more tailored look + fit. Consider sizing down. Size shown is a small, but a small was just a touch too tight on my frame.
Heathered Chamois Elbow-Patch Shirt in Slim or Regular – $73.50 ($98)
Man, that’s a lot for a shirt. But these are super soft and ultra-warm without feeling quite like flannel.
Lambswool “Sweatshirt Sweater” – $56.25 ($75)
It’s a whatnow? Ah. A crewneck lambwsool sweater with the styling of a sweatshirt. Probably not going to want to wear this over a bare chest while playing a game of pickup basketball at the Y. But it looks pretty good. Four color options.
Cashmere Plaid Scarf – $82.50 ($110)
Expensive, but not a bad gift if you’ve got a well dressed guy on your list. Blackwatch is an option in there too.
For her: Cashmere Turtleneck – $148.50 ($198)
Or… if you’ve got a well dressed woman on your list. Cashmere turtlenecks. Yowza.
Ludlow Sportcoats in Herringbone Italian Wool – $246 | English Tweed – $261
Believe it or not, these are a pair of the cheaper sportcoats at J. Crew right now. The newest batch of sportcoats are clocking in around the mid $400s – mid $500s before discounts. Ouch. But either of these should get you through the colder months just fine. The Moon Mills English Tweed elbow patch option is probably going to be noticebly thicker than the Italian wool. Maybe. But thicker ain’t always better. The blue English wool option, as sharp as it is, is so thick that it actually feels like it needs some break in time.
Slim Vintage OCBD in “havana blue” – $44.70 ($69.50)
This shade is already on sale, and the slim fit is spot on for more than a few. Color that’s not going to look out of place in the fall and winter. Something to consider if you’re close to the free shipping threshold (even though J. Crew has kindly dropped their flat rate shipping to $5. Used to be what, $8.95 or something?)
Dock Peacoat – $213.75 ($285)
Available in olive, navy, and the right-on charcoal grey. A little longer than most peacoats with hand-warmer pockets at the chest, and those two details are worth the extra cash to many. Of course, as always, check your local army navy store for much cheaper Made in the USA options first.
Just-won-the-Lottery-Special: Cashmere Colorblock Sweatshirt – $243.75 ($325)
Looks amazing. Probably feels amazing. But c’mon. A $300+ “sweatshirt”?
Overall, not cheap, right? Seems like J. Crew prices have crept up a bit in the last few months. The 25% off no minimum code SECRET is only good for 48 hours, and should expire on 10/30.
Wearing last year’s grey Moon Mills English Tweed blazer, sans elbow patches, today. Wonderful fit. Cannot recommend it enough.
Month 6 of a spending freeze… FML…
What’s your take on the lapel width? Been eyeing the English Tweed Blazer, but I’m worried about the skinny lapels, especially since my ties tend to be in the 3-inch range.
A general question/comment rather than something about the sale: What are the thoughts about wearing a tie with a shawl collar jacket? I don’t like the look myself; it’s something about too many vertical lines between the tie and lapels. It bothers me when I see the look at an awards show.
My general idea is notch lapels = tie, shawl = bow tie, and peak = either.
I’m 5’7″ and the J Crew university coat was about the perfect length for me. I liked that it dressed up and down (i.e. I could wear it over a suit or on a saturday morning) and it was super versatile.
Is the dock peacoat approximately the same length?
Agreed. I got it during their summer sale.
I strongly suggest an eBay check first though… It’s probably there.
And as to the lapels….I didn’t find it to be much an issue, but I’m also a knit tie wearer, so outside,of the occasional silk, mine are pretty thin,
Even at 25% off these prices seem high to me. Haven’t pulled the trigger on anything at J Crew in a while.
For any of you short guys, maybe this will help regarding the Ludlow Sportcoat in Herringbone Italian Wool, size 34S:
• Chest: 18″
• Waist: 16 3/4″
• Hips: 19 5/8″
• Shoulders: 16 5/8″
• Rear length: 27 5/8″
• Sleeves: 23 1/2″ (from shoulder seam)
I measured that myself.
I’ll second this. I got this year’s model a month or two ago during a similar sale. It looks great, but the fabric is thick and if you are between coat sizes I’d suggest sizing down to get a more contemporary fit.
oh damn
I’ve had an urge to buy a velvet blazer since last winter. I really wanna hit “buy” on that Ludlow, but that’s a lot of money for a piece that will probably only be worn out a couple times this year….
Good call. I tend to agree. Unless you’re mixing up textures, with a shawl collared knit cardigan for instance, I think shawl collar jacket with a tie is a little too smoothed over. Not enough variation.
The velvet shawl collar blazer.
Feel like Costanza; look like Hefner.
I prefer the smaller lapels, actually. I wear ties from 2″ silk knits to 3″+ grenadines and I never see a problem.
Spot on.
I actually like the thicker fabric, especially right now while it’s frost in the mornings and evenings. I can go without a top coat.
Check in store for their clearance racks – I passed on a Ludlow chino suit for $200 TOTAL. Pants were just a bit too short for me. :/
Bad selfies!
Do you have the slim or regular university coat? I wonder what the difference is as they don’t have such distinction with their peacoats.
I had the regular… Lost it in a bar last year. It was pretty slim and super versatile – I can’t imagine the slim would be a good choice if you layer at all – even wearing a suit under it.
I’ve seen fit pics on reddit and it seems pretty well cut. Debating the olive color way but not sure if this is the lowest it will go.
Not sure about the math on those merino sweaters…$78*.75 = $58.50, not $54.60. Either way, I tried on a slim merino sweater and the fit was excellent! Very tempted…
The reason why most things branded “Ludlow” are excluded is because J.Crew considers them 3rd Party Pieces just like Timex, Alden, Barbour, etc. I know it’s sounds silly, but I work at J.Crew and thats how they like to do things.
Amen. Frankly, I’m a little surprised they keep getting so much play here on Dappered with the heights that their prices have reached. I’ve begun pretty much skipping over articles that heavily feature J.Crew. They’ve priced themselves out of my range, even with sales.
Ludlow is a no go for me. The lapel size just doesn’t work. My chest is pretty broad and it just makes me look out of proportion. I’ll give the clearance rack another shot but its not a regular stop for me.
I’ve got a boiled wool one from last year and the donegal from this year. I’m not a real jacket guy and these work great for me. The fit is slim but not snug. I’m 5’9″ and 175#.
Like the regular Bowery, love the Bowery slim.
Thoughts on the Quilted Jacket?
Link- http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/outerwear/cotton/PRDOVR~04337/04337.jsp?color_name=burnt-caramel
Looks like they added Wallace & Barnes stuff to the list of exclusions, unless it’s always been there and I just saw it. Either way, it’s Incredibly annoying. If they insist on keeping prices high and adding to the list of exclusions, then they better start doling out bigger % off sales and offer free shipping at lower prices, like their competitors do.
I bought this season’s English wool option and I agree to the fabric’s thickness. I found with the heaviness, that I can dress it down easier and use it as an coat. Still extremely happy with the purchase.