It’s a little odd seeing April New Arrivals before mid-March; almost like seeing Christmas items in July. But that is what rolled out today at J Crew. To tease us that Spring is almost here, there’s a new pretty floral print, the Aquatic Floral. One of the Store Managers said there will be a new floral print each month. So far there has been the Retro Floral, Firework Floral, Graphic Peony Floral prints so that seems about right. I stopped by my store’s “First Look Event” in the evening and was disappointed in the planning and execution of it all but I’ll talk about that in a bit.
~ Sleeveless Silk Shell in Aquatic Floral, size 6 ~
This one was really pretty in person. The aqua with the yellow and white was very Spring-like. The size 6 fit well on me so take your normal size. This has hidden buttons up the front and is a pull-over style. It definitely pops with white bottoms. I also liked it with the black Lace Trim Short. This shirt style comes in Solid colors and Pin Dot, neither of which I saw in my store.
~ Slouchy Boardwalk Pant, White, size 6 ~
These are a Tencel/Linen blend pant with a partial elastic waist. They feel a little like linen but I’m assuming the Tencel will help it wrinkle less. The size 6 fit well but then I tried on the size 8, below, and that fit just as well; maybe just a little bit looser. I liked the fit and feel of these but not sure about the elastic waist. In the 6, I still have to un-hook, un-button and un-zip to get them off. I can slide them over my hips in the size 8. You can see the 28-inch inseam goes all the way to the floor with some bunching at the ankle on me.
~ Slouchy Boardwalk Pant, Quartz Grey, size 8 ~
I thought the color would be Mint-something but instead are Quartz Grey. They look minty. The Aquatic Floral print looks good with it too. The pockets do lay a little flatter in the size 8.
Wearing with the Marlow Mules in Seashore Beige.
Now, about the “First Look” “event”…I have no idea what VPS were on hand to help me. My VPS nor the other VPS I know were there. I have no idea who the other ones are but no one was identified as one. I wasn’t offered a “snack” until I was leaving. Not sure if they were there in the beginning. The only thing to identify it was an event was a large “First Look, New Arrivals” sign at the front of the store.
I understand there are budget constraints and such but don’t send an email inviting me to come to the store and then fall flat on it. It was a beautiful evening to get out and the weather was pretty mild. I would open the doors. Add balloons at the front entry. Snacks should be in the middle of the store with water bottles. I have no idea where they were. Finally, there was no promo like there has been in the past at these “events”. Usually there’s a “Spend $150, get 20% off” or something like that. If there was a promo like that I was not informed. Shirts were 25% off but that only included button-downs and not the Sleeveless Silk Shell or any others like it. Shorts may have been on promo but only certain ones.
The weather has been so crappy lately and yesterday evening was one of the nicer ones. There were so many people out and about but unless you walked in the store and saw the sign at the front, you would have no idea an event was going on. I was just disappointed completely which carried over to the try-ons and eventual non-purchase of anything. They need to take a few leads from Anthropologie or Madewell. Those events are just so much more entertaining.
I liked the new stuff but not enough to pay full-price for any of them. Only one item, which I’ll review later in the week, is warranted enough for a full-price purchase for me. I am afraid it will sell out so I’ve already ordered it. If it lasts to a promo then I’ll re-order or try to get a PA with my VPS.
So, what do you think of the new Aquatic Floral print? What about the new arrivals? Anything you have to have now?
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