Presidents’ Day Weekend (3rd Monday in February) is traditionally the first big push for brands and retailers. Winter Clearance season is just about done, and a lot of us are looking forward to Spring rolling around.
And it looks like J. Crew is gonna be the first one to throw their hats in this sale-ring.
Their rewards club members get free outbound shipping no minimum, but remember that everyone is on the hook for a $7.50 return label if you return something back through the mail/UPS. Exclusions are what you’d think they’d be. Stretch chinos are out/excluded, once again. Code WEEKEND runs through Sunday. Off we go with some picks…
First a note: J. Crew has done a lot of excluding between when this sale went live as a preview for their rewards club members, and now… as it’s gone live to the general public. Their solid secret wash shirts were included at the start. But no longer. Yet their broken in cotton oxfords are still up for the code. So. We pivot. Available in slim fit, classic fit, and even a tall template for those hanging out in the VIP section of “club vertical” all day every day.
Shown very top left of post in “charcoal steel.” Not a full techy-fabric pant, but instead one that’s a cotton/tech mix (a la the BR Core temp). 60% cotton/30% polyamide/10% elastane. No personal experience with these, but if you’re familiar with and like J. Crew’s 484 slim, 770 straight, or 1040 athletic fits, then they could be a great match for your wardrobe.
So their white and light blue solid secret wash shirts are excluded, but these are included in the promo? Beats me.
Ready to get weird?
Let’s get weird.
J. Crew is currently (and oddly enough) selling two tiers of penny loafers, with bizarrely almost identical descriptions, despite them being clearly different:
– A cheaper version (item AV166) at a full price of $158
– These shown above (item BJ009) with a full price of $248
They’re both called the Camden. But don’t be surprised if the upgraded version gets their name changed to the “Ludlow” label. Because they certainly appear to be higher quality/of that Ludlow line quality. Stitched, leather sole, good looking leather (at least online), “gentleman’s notch” at the heel, etc.
And most absurdly, thanks to the 40% off, the (assumed) higher tier are now cheaper than the… less-expensive option.
I understand nothing.
UPDATE: They’ve now made this final sale, but it’s also fifty some odd bucks cheaper, as it’s now an additional 60% off. And that’s the game.
Kinda cool. Tapered end and rounded buckle makes them just different enough. Nice price with the discount.
These have gone up in price recently (so has a lot of other things). But these do come in their slim fit. Classic or tall fits too. And for it being “just a t-shirt” they sure get a LOT right about these things. Garment dyed gives it that visual interest. Slub cotton gives it a bit of worn-in feeling and texture, without looking sloppy. And the pocket at the chest keeps it from looking overly simple/basic.
The leather version of J. Crew’s made in Italy desert boots. Stitchdown construction, natural rubber sole, unlined/not real constructed upper for casual and easy use. Super versatile. Full review here.
J. Crew’s Alden-style minus the Alden price. Pull-up leather. Vibram mini-lug soled. Goodyear Welted.
And the ubiquitous chelseas. Also Goodyear welted. Burgundy or black. The burgundy gets mentioned a lot, but the black are pretty rock and roll.
UPDATE: As of Thursday morning, J. Crew has put these on special for 50% off instead of the 40% off with the code they were getting.
This is not a “dressy” polo, but it looks anything but worn out and schlumpy. The three button placket gives it a bit of rakishness/keeps it from looking like that free polo you got from your workplace with the clunky logo embroidered on the chest. Fabric here is a garment dyed slub for softness. And the pocket at the chest is a bit of a retro touch. In person shot above is a large slim fit on 5’10″/190.
From J. Crew’s upgrade line of heritage workwear inspired goods. Based on an old French Work Jacket, cut in soft corduroy. Lots of good reviews. (which you certainly can’t say about everything on J. Crew’s site these days…)
Abraham Moon mills merino. Because it’s still throw-blanket season, and will be deep into Spring, depending on your climate/how cold it gets overnight and into the early morning hours. Dimensions are… well they don’t flippin’ say. Which is something, when you’re selling a blanket. Nobody wants to buy a blanket and end up with a napkin.
WARNING: Two reviewers say these squeak. Another two made no mention of any noise. Our man Adam didn’t experience that during his review, but he also didn’t walk all over creation since we don’t accept freebies and try to send stuff back in resalable condition. So test yours out on carpet before you commit to them. Also, this video could help show how to fix that squeak if they do (or another pair of your shoes picks up a squeak or creak). And most cobblers should have some tricks up their sleeves to fix noisy footwear as well. But yeah, noisy shoes out of the box are an understandable dealbreaker for many.
Got any trips planned? 13″H x 21 ½”W x 10″D = 2795 cubic inches. So not tiny tiny. But not huge either. A good weekender size for many.
One way to get more use out of your suits is to dress them down a bit. Wearing them with a shirt but no tie is the easiest way to execute that strategy. “But that looks kinda blank.” Understood. So put in a pocket square with a little bit of visual interest, and you’ll be set.
J. Crew’s famous elastic-waist w/ drawstring “dock” pants in their three season cotton/nylon fabric. A really good way to dress up while dressed down. Because these are undeniably casual, yet still look good.
Love us some henleys around these parts. A henley’s placket is a lot like a pocket on a pocket-tee. It somehow adds just enough to keep it from looking plain and boring. Plackets and Pockets. Always welcome.
Because it’s still winter. And these do great in the spring too. More than a bit of a legend, the Sussex. A quilted, insulated jacket, that leans more heritage-sporting wear and less shiny-puffer.
Even better. Wear it layered under a heavier coat if you live in the frozen North, or keep it handy if you’re at a place that’s already starting to warm up.
For those that don’t like wool, or for those who stash their wool stuff when spring gets sprung. A classic layer that looks great over everything from t-shirts to button up shirts.
Downright cheap. Cotton/nylon blend, so they won’t breathe and wick as good as wool would. But… cheap!
Still haven’t seen Maverick. Just finally got around to seeing No Time To Die! Yes really. In 2023. 53mm lens width.
Sharp dress trousers in a cotton/elastane blend. Wear them with a polo and loafers and you’re set for that first day it actually feels like Spring. Wear them with a merino sweater and LWBs (long wing bluchers) and you’re set for late winter.
Sale section is getting an extra 40% or 60% off as well. Same code: EARLY is what you’ll need. Extra 40% or 60% off final sale items. But final means final. No returns, and it is really scattered in that sale section in regards to sizes and stock.
Code WEEKEND is set to expire this Sunday night, February 19th 2023.
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