Michael over at A Continuous Lean, had the opportunity to vist J.Crew offices where he got a sneak peek of the Spring 2009 Lookbook.
I have posted the photos here with his permission. What are your thoughts on the Mens Collection?
J.Crew Mens Spring Look Book
Posted November 15th, 2008 at 12:01 am by Leigh
November 15th, 2008 - 12:21 am
The collection looks like the same clothes and look (except for maybe the gray trench)–casual cool classic–but with a “new” catalog layout. I was just looking over the BR website for anything I might want at 30% off (wife has a coupon) but, not suprisingly, I wasn’t feeling their current look. So I come back to old, reliable JCrew.
I just bought some JCrew stock this week on the day they were downgraded. Assuming they’d hit rock bottom, I bought in the $12’s. They’ve slipped a bit since… I hear and see all the financial and management analysis, but the decision point for me is that I shop JCrew and two of my immediate office neighbors are JCrew fashionista’s and represent to me part of the core buying group–young professionals. Need to go shop now and add to JCrew’s bottom line for Q4.
November 15th, 2008 - 12:23 am
RV, I was actually considering buying stock now, too. It would be worth it as I do have faith that the stock will go up again.
November 15th, 2008 - 12:48 am
JCrew, like all retail stocks, have been hammered. But the outlook on JCG depends on who you ask. My sister is my broker, and her firm (one of the big ones that hasn’t, to my knowledge, needed any bailout money) still has JCrew as a buy with a $30 target. I stumbled on your website and honestly didn’t know that clothing stores had fansites (hope I’m not using an insulting term). I’m an attorney and know that a lot of my colleagues in their late 20’s to early 40’s love the look and are not afraid to spend on JCrew items. I must say they are mostly women, but they also express their appreciation of JC’s men’s clothing as well as the kids line (going home with shopping bagfuls). My office is right next to a JCrew which is right next to my nearest coffee shop. Often after grabbing a coffee, which I’ll do at random times during the day, I take a walk through the store–and its always busy. Anyway, all that rambling was just to underscore that my own personal experience and observation was the big datapoint I used to make my buy decision.
November 15th, 2008 - 3:33 am
I’m a bit curious about the material of the Ludlow Suit. Other than that, there really isn’t anything that strikes you. Everything else is already available, albeit in different colors for some. I don’t think I’ll be wearing a gray trench coat anytime soon anyway. How depressing would that look . . .
November 15th, 2008 - 8:43 am
RV: thanks for the interesting post!
I know I have read about other stores being “dead” and not much activity but that is in other parts of the country!
I know my two stores near me used to packed but even this summer it was really unusually slow for a large mall store.
November 15th, 2008 - 11:45 am
Hi everyone, I am already excited for J. Crew’s spring line. I found a sneak peak at this linkhttp://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2008/11/another-dangerous-day-at-jcrew.html
Amanda
November 15th, 2008 - 1:04 pm
That bag is a must have for my hubby!
November 16th, 2008 - 8:14 pm
I agree with RV–nothing really new here (albeit it is a small sampling) except for the grayish-blue color of the Sutherland trench (which also looks to be a lighter weight twill). Can’t tell much detail-wise about the suit, though I like the Thom Browne ankles. I have a feeling the biggest difference (if any) between the Ludlow and their current offering will be cut–narrower, higher, shorter.
An anecdote on J. Crew, retailers and the economy in general: On a recent trip with relatives to an outlet mall in Virginia, I was shocked to find cotton-cashmere sweaters–in fact, all their sweaters–for $25 at a J.Crew Factory Store. Even for last-season overstocks, prices for these are usually 49.99 or better. At a Ralph Lauren outlet, all their polos were $30. The lowest price I have ever seen for a polo at a Ralph outlet was 39.99 when you buy two. While I know companies who operate outlet stores, such as Ralph Lauren, produce certain staples (khakis, cotton sweaters, oxford shirts) specifically for the outlet, these prices are awfully low, even for those standards. It seems not even cheap is cheap enough these days.
While I haven’t seen such dramatic decreases at the regular stores, if one is willing to buy “last season” classics and same-quality factory store items, the bargains are there for the taking!
November 16th, 2008 - 8:33 pm
RV…thanks for posting on the stocks. Great to hear some early ’40s’ love jcrew…you’re soo fortunate to work near one too!
The men’s spring look reminds me of a similiar look from this last spring 08′…hoo hum’ :o( , just different colors/layout. Grey is more of a fall/winter color than spring? But thats my opinion…
I save all my jcrew catalogs until the new year issue rolls out -still saving the holiday one for gift ideas. I just loooove jcrew.
December 6th, 2008 - 2:54 pm
Does anyone know the name of the model in the ads pictured above?
Thanks so much!
December 8th, 2008 - 7:58 pm
Lauren, I am not sure of his name, but I am going to try and find out for you.
Thanks!
Leigh
December 9th, 2008 - 4:47 pm
Thanks!