Hi Everyone!
I’ve been thinking about this post for a long time. My amazing husband sent me this article at the beginning of May about the distinction between J. Crew and J. Crew Factory. There has been a lot of discussion on blogs about J. Crew Factory reproducing current J. Crew retail store items. I love the J. Crew Factory for certain pieces. I’m always delighted when the factory store releases things that the retail store did not, such as the Punk Floral Pencil Skirt. Moreover, I love the Factory Addie Loafer in Camo, the Factory Novelty Quilted Puffer Vest, and the Factory Keating Boy Blazer.
While I love the aforementioned factory items, I am not a huge fan of J. Crew factory jewelry. Don’t get me wrong, I own a few factory jewelry pieces. However, I wholeheartedly prefer J. Crew retail jewelry. I think that there is a huge difference between retail and factory jewelry. Consider, for example, the J. Crew Stone Burst Necklace:
Here is the J. Crew retail version:
And, here is the factory version, the Double-Layer Necklace:
The retail version of this necklace is much nicer/better quality in my opinion. And, there are many more examples.
What do you think about the distinction between J. Crew and J. Crew Factory? Do tell!
Thanks for stopping by!
There is a big difference in the factory vs retail:( I prefer to shop at the factory more so when I miss out on something from retail and it is ;brought back out by the factory. Ive had bad experiences with the factory jewelry being sent to me broken or breaks the next day. I don't buy much retail jewelry anymore but, I do have a lot of older retail pieces and the quality is superb! I really wish I could purchase more of their jewelry but, with 3 kids I"d rather spend it on quality pieces like; blazers, skirts or shoes. I pick up a lot of knock offs in NYC as in the way of jewelry 🙂 Nice post today Rynetta!.
I'm not a big fan when they do a polyester reproduction of something that was silk, but overall I think Factory does a fantastic job with the clothes. I never find shoes I like there, though. Specifically, I was excited about the Addie loafers to replace the Darby loafers, but I didn't love them. I don't like the Factory handbags, and their jewelry almost always misses the mark for me. I was there today, though, and did some damage with the clothes 🙂
I agree, I like many of their options, but hate the pieces that are done in polyester. I'd rather a cotton version or just a small percentage being silk. I have some blouses I love from J Crew Factory, but am not a fan of the material.
That is a great article, Rynetta. I shop at both the retail and outlet store.Lat spring, I purchased the Martina look alike wedges at the Factory, all leather, made in Italy, for about $55. Also a beautiful all leather clutch about 2 years ago, that still looks like beautiful after many uses.The reason I started buying J Crew shoes was because they were all leather and made in Italy….Factory shoes are mostly faux leather. However, it seems that some of the new retail shoes are no longer made in Italy, but in Morocco.I have had hit and miss items from both retail and factory stores, and it has made me a more careful consumer.I rely on websites such as yours with accurate reviews to help me clarify which items to buy and which to pass on.Thanks again for all of your great reviews and styling tips!