Cascading flowers bouclé Astrid jacket, $425.00, Item 99457
I ordered the Cascading flowers boucle Astrid jacket after seeing it on the J.Crew Collection page of J.Crew’s website. I also previewed it in this post, “Preview of New Arrivals at J.Crew“
I wasn’t sure which color to get so I ordered both colors figuring I could just return the one that did not work. Unfortunately, I am returning both jackets.
I was so excited to open this box from J.Crew only to be so disappointed. Both jackets were individually boxed and tied with a tan grosgrain ribbon. Each jacket also came with a garment bag.
However, the jackets are not as stunning in person. The flowers are very droopy. This droopiness is very visible on the white version. And the flowers on the black version just look like a big black snake going around my neck when I have it on. All in all, a disappointment so both of these are going back.
Did you purchase this the Cascading flowers boucle Astrid jacket? If so, were you disappointed? If not, are you interested in purchasing this jacket?
November 18th, 2008 - 12:03 am
Oh, Leigh! I am so disappointed for you! I had so wanted the jacket in ivory, and then it sold out in my size after the shortest amount of time; I’ve been debating the black, but really feel guilty about spending the money. But, oh, how I have wanted one!! I would have been so happy for you to LOVE yours — you should be able to love it; this is very diappointing to hear. Especially for the price.
. But the unusual items are my little pets.
I love the unique items that J. Crew puts out. Obviously, if you saw my wardrobe, I love their staples as well
I am sorry to hear this. I suppose I should feel better that I haven’t spent the money on one (yet), but I don’t.
And it looks but-toooo-gorgeous in the catalog. Sigh.
November 18th, 2008 - 12:46 am
So sorry, Leigh!!! Its so sad when we really *want* to like something and it just does not work out. And the ivory *was* really gorgeous in the catalog. But at least your latest purchases are FABULOUS (from previous post). Love the sequins….
November 18th, 2008 - 3:47 am
How was the fit?
November 18th, 2008 - 7:54 am
Hi Leigh, Thanks for this review ~ I had eyed the ivory jacket, so, its good to know what someone thought IRL. Love Janna’s post about her ‘pets’ ~ that is a great way to think of your JC favs!
November 18th, 2008 - 9:08 am
Leigh, thanks so much for that input - of course sorry for your disappointment - I actually held back and didn’t order this jacket. I had a feeling it maybe wouldn’t look so great in person and you just confirmed this. I am betting they steamed the flowers for the catalog shoot. For the price I was worried it might not look so great and I would always worry I would drip coffee or something on a flower….:) So, we live and learn I guess. There are some nice jackets and coats in the Xmas rollouts where the fabric/cut is the statement, vs droopy flowers -maybe that is a safer way to go…:) esp for $400+
November 18th, 2008 - 9:17 am
I ordered it in the black, sent it back because of the way it fits. Def size UP if you get it. I did like the flowers on the black one…very demure. Now I am crazy mad for the new stuff that I am seeing in the catalog! I wish that I knew what cardi Jenna wore with that sequin shell. I’d love to get it, but wouldn’t know what to wear it with. Boo.
November 18th, 2008 - 9:42 am
I ordered this and should have it soon. I think I am going to like it like you do jcrewjunkie…I did size up. I know there have been mixed reviews—one either loves it or sends it back:) No middle ground:)
November 18th, 2008 - 12:23 pm
Leigh, mine arrived yesterday as well. But what a fiasco it was to even have gotten it. I pre-ordered it in Black and Ivory. Like yourself, I didn’t know what color I’d like better so I ordered both. I was never notified by J Crew as to when it would be shipped. I had to call back twice to make sure that it would be shipped. Finally it arrived.
I had ordered both the Black and Ivory but only the Ivory showed it. I called J Crew and they told me that the Rep never placed my order for the Black. Talk about poor customer service! It’s just as well because I’m not in love with the jacket at all. I normally wear a size 6 and ordered the 6 but it was way too large on me. I would have needed a 4 or possibly smaller. The flowers were all droopy. The fit was bad and I just looked like a drowned poodle in it. Unlike the way yours was packaged, mine came in a regular clear plastic bag like all other J Crew items do, with the usual tissue and J Crw sticker and shipped in a plain brown box. No extra special box or ribbon or pretty tissues. Like I said, it’s just as well for this jacket is not what I have expected. As I said to my girlfriend this morning, for $495 - which by the way translates to $593 (including taxes and duties) BUT not including the poor exchange now - I had expected to fall in love with the jacket. Unfortunately, it was just blah! I may consider buying it at $100 but definitely NOT $593 or $495. This is definitely a return. Just my two cents worth.
November 18th, 2008 - 1:52 pm
Hi Leigh: I am sorry you didn’t like the Astrid jacket. I ordered mine in Black. It came wrapped with an ivory bow and a garment bag. I was not disappointed. I found it really lovely and unusual. If the flowers stuck up it would look weird..but the flowers draped along the neck and front. I found this piece to be really unusual, chic and elegant. But of course, as with everything it is a matter of what you like and your lifestyle. I love flowers and girly things but sometimes, I crave simplicity..!I can’t wait to wear it with a simple black dress or jeans. The fit was good too. I am a size 6 and the 6 fit perfectly. I couldn’t downsize at all (I did get the boucle Penny jacket in a size 4 b/c it was HUGE). BTW the black jacket is featured in the new Bazaar magazine with Lindsay Lohan on the cover so if you want it, I would get it before it gets sold out with the press.
November 18th, 2008 - 1:54 pm
I recv’d the Ivory-it fit in my same size 2 that I wear in the Berry Astrid. I think the boucle fabric is very nice and the fit/shape is perfect. I love the color and the tinted vintage-like flowers and how they lay around the collar. I find it GORGEOUS! This was a HIT for me but I am really trying to discern whether it will be valuable to my lifestyle–and thus worn enough to warrant the price. It’s pretty and very much one-of-a-kind. That, will make returning it difficult. Tough decision ahead.
November 19th, 2008 - 1:58 pm
I’ve noticed that with a lot of J. Crew stuff online that the ruffles, bows, and blossoms have been starched-up and puffed out significantly. I wonder if it’s anything that a tailor could remedy?
Either way, it is disappointing when something doesn’t look as cute as it did on-line.
December 11th, 2008 - 6:31 pm
Got mine in ivory and I really like it! Lovely and the flowers are nice and fluffy; not too droopy at all:)