I love a good bargain, so much so, that I spend a good amount of time shopping around for deals and the best prices. One place I love to shop for deals, J. Crew Factory, is a hit or miss kind of place, just like Old Navy (which I’ve talked about before on the blog). As far as seasons go, I shop the most at J. Crew Factory for fall/winter clothing, because I find it’s their best. However, not everything is equal, so here is what I love to buy, and skip at J. Crew Factory
What to Buy and Skip at J. Crew Factory
What to buy
I’ll start on a positive note with what I love the most from the factory.
1. Jeans – I take back every thing I’ve ever said about jeans on this blog and replace those statements with this one – J. Crew Factory has the BEST, modest price point jeans. Better than Rockstar Jeans, and better than American Eagle. There, I said it. These are the only jeans I have ever put on in my life, that were the perfect length for me. They make a 26″ inseam, which I’m pretty certain is supposed to be a petite ankle length, but it is perfect on me! I remember when I discovered that Nordstrom sold size 4 and 4.5 shoes, it was a joyous day. Up until that point, I made due with shoes that were basically too big for me, clunking around with tissue paper stuffed in the toe, it was bad. Finding these petite jeans, felt just the same. Up until I tried Factory’s jeans, I just dealt with inseams that were too long, either hemming them when I felt like it, or praying they shrank. Not to mention, the mid rise is perfect! I do love high waisted denim, I’ve said that before on the blog, but sometimes the pockets are too high, which as my husband puts it, “makes your butt look long.” Not a good look. He approves of the pocket placement on these jeans.
2. Button Down Shirts – I am specifying button down, because for the most part, blouses are on my skip list. However, the button downs almost always last through several seasons. I have a trusty chambray from there that I’ve worn for a couple of years and love their fall plaid flannel shirts!
3. Shoes – Their smallest size five, fits me just enough, and they’re pretty darn fabulous! For the price point, their shoes are well made, classic and cute.
4. Jewelry and Accessories – Grab their scarves, sunnies, belts and bags to get a J. Crew look without the J. Crew price tag (or just wait for J. Crew to put sale clearance on sale).
5. Outerwear – Their vests are classic and well made! I can’t vouch for their jacket or blazers, because believe it or not, I’ve never purchased one, but I’ve been eyeing this blazer to try.
What to Skip
My skip list isn’t huge, in all honesty, I find more to love there than skip, but they’re worth mentioning. I’m not going to link anything in particular here, because since I don’t buy these things based off of past experience, I can’t really vouch for their current quality.
1. Blouses – Although their blouses are cute, I’ve never had good luck with getting them to last. Most don’t wash well and end up only making it through a season.
2. Sweaters – Their sweaters are so so cute, but again, like the blouses, I can’t get them to last. They pill like crazy and just don’t wash well, in my experience.
I appreciate that J. Crew Factory has a lot of classic style pieces, like J. Crew, at a more affordable price point. However, I prefer to grab things at J. Crew on sale, before I opt for factory (except the jeans, I can’t love them enough!)
Shop The Post
What do you love to buy or not buy at J. Crew Factory?
-Brooke
Now, let’s…get…linking!!
NEW! I’ve started a collaborative Pinterest board for the Oh, Hey Girl! Link-Up. I would love for you to join and share your looks there too! Just send me a message on Pinterest or at [email protected] if you would like to be added.
Link up any post you would like to show off; your outfit, home decor, recipe, workout. Anything at all! Because, oh, hey girl! I want to see it!
Link-Up ‘Rules’
1. Follow me on Bloglovin or Instagram
2. Link back to my site from your post, you can grab a button if you like!
See who I link with here! (p.s. – if you have a new link up on your blog, leave it in the comments, so I can add to this list!)
Very very cute, love a good button down for Fall and they are my go to from JCrew Factory. Great advice! Have a wonderful Wednesday cutie pie!
Thank you Andrea!
I’ve never tries their jeans but I love their dresses and shoes.
xo
Pinksole
You look so cutie! love the shoes!!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: MES VOYAGES A PARIS
I have bought a handful of items from the factory store, but liike you prefer to buy it on mega sale at j.crew! I got a beautiful coat from j.crew earlier this year – orginal cost was $300 – I bought it on sale for $20! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
I like your outfit! 🙂 We don’t have J Crew here which is a shame but we do have outlets – luckily my fave brand outlet doesn’t have made for outlet clothes, just the regular clothes reduced even further. Which makes my wallet very happy, haha!
Thank you for the link up!
Hope you are having a lovely week and your weather is better than ours, haha! Cold and rainy here in Brisbane.
Away From The Blue Blog
Those jeans really are so cute!! You’re making me want to go to the store this weekend and try on a pair for size!
Katherine | http://www.oneswainkycouple.com
Brooke, I am loving the plaid and leopard combination! So adorable.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I totally agree with your picks on what to buy! I can 100% vouch for their coats/blazers and they’re amazing! The camel coat I got last year was my favorite purchase of the whole year!!
Rosy Outlook
Such great tips! I will have to try out their jeans soon!
I bet you were so happy to find a jean that fit you well! This is the cutest outfit with the plaid. I love their plaid tops but haven’t tried the jeans.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
As a bargain shopper, JCrew has always been unaffordable to me. But I know a lot of other people love it and do consider it budget friendly. Cute look! Love the plaid with the leopard.
Do you know that I’ve never shopped the factory store?? But I just picked up my black pants thrifting and they were J.Crew brand. And they fit me fabulously—I didn’t even have to alter them. So I may have to check them out!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I love the J.Crew sweaters but I think they last longer if you dryclean them, which is quite a pain. Cute outfit.
xoxo Falasha
Bite My Fashion
Instagram| Bloglovin’| Facebook
This plaid top is so cute on you! I’ve had issues with J.Crew sweaters too! I’m glad to hear it’s not just me.
By Lauren M
I love this post! J.Crew is one of the best places for versatile dresses–the kind you can wear to the office or to church (and many have pockets!), so those are some of my favorite investments! My husband buys a lot of his chinos there, too, but they wrinkle like NO other in the wash and the pockets wear thin pretty quickly.
Mariah
http://www.likehoneyblog.com
That is such a cute shirt, and I love those jeans on you! I always forget about J Crew factory. I need to check out their tops, and these are such great tips!
Rachael
http://www.threadsforthomasblog.com
I have never shopped at J Crew before..I will have to go in next time I see one!
I so love how you styled the plaid with leopard shoes..I haven’t tried mixing prints yet..I need to..so out of my comfort zone..ha ha
Love this simple fall style! Im a sucker for flannels!
I agree! I always love buying outerwear, shoes and jewelry there.
Liz
http://Www.lizzieinlace.com
You totally nailed this look! Love the mix prints and I am always a sucker for plaid!
Brittany 🙂
http://www.kingdomofsequins.com
I think I’m going to have to try out their jeans. Old Navy’s Rockstar line has always been my go-to but I like to switch it up every now and then. I love all things plaid so this top is speaking to me!
Beautifully Candid
I’ll have to consider these jeans. I’m half way between short and petite (I take short pant lengths though) so I’m always looking for no-hem options. Out of curiosity, are they super stretchy, or pretty stiff denim?
Mary
https://www.themarycurator.com/
I love the jeans at J.Crew Factory as well!
Thanks for sharing!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
I’ve never shopped at J. Crew Factory. J Crew always seems a bit over priced, so I’m more of a Gap girl but maybe I’ll check out J Crew Factory. Thanks for the tips
Carly at A Modern Mom Blog
Love those jeans! I’ve been really lucky in the past at J.Crew Factory, especially with their coats! I’ve picked up some classics that have held up well. I also agree with you regarding vests – bought two last year that I’ve yet to crack out but hope to this year if I don’t take off for warmer weather first 😉
Mary
http://marymurnane.com
I do love J. Crew Factory button downs too. I need to try their jeans because my favorites were from The Limited which went bye-bye in 2016.
They are more stiff denim, but not so stiff they’re uncomfortable if that makes sense.
Thank you Erica! I am too, so excited it’s flannel season. 🙂
Aw thank you Brittany!
I need to try more of their outerwear!
I was surprised because I’m a die hard rockstar fan, but I love these more!
Thank you! I’m not one to mix patterns often but leopard is the one I feel most comfortable mixing with.
I hope you find something to love!
Thanks Rachael!
That’s good to know about the men’s chinos. I also love that their dresses have pockets most of the time, and that they’re always pretty classic!
I always want to buy them because they’re so cute, but I never get a lot of wear out of them. You’re not alone!
That’s great to know! I love J.Crew sweaters but not the Factory sweaters. J. Crews’s are definitely great!
You must! I love Factory for getting the j crew look for less!
J.Crew is pricey! I only go for it on sale or opt for the j.crew Factory.
I was so happy! I now need multiple pairs haha!
I hope they’re a good fit for you too, it’s always fun to find a good fit!
I’ve been eyeing the coats! I’m totally going to get one now that I know they hold up well. Thanks girl!
Thank you so much Shelbee!
You should! Hands down my favorite!
Yeah, I get it! Some people like jeans that are more elastic than denim, so I was wondering. Thank you!
That’s the best! Years ago I didn’t realize that outlet stores were sometimes make for the outlet clothes and not the real deal discounted. I was so bummed when I realized that! But, still sometimes some good deals to be had. You’re lucky!
Such a deal! If you wait it out, you can get awesome deals, especially end of season. Then you get that j crew quality! I also have a coat that I scored for around $20 at the end of a season, I still love it years later.
Thank you!
I love their shoes!!
I’m so glad I tried them, so great!
Hope you find something you love!
I’m so getting a coat this year from them, so highly recommended on this post!
I’m so sad limited is gone! I used to love their work pants.
that is a perfect plaid shirt. Thank you for the heads up!
x,abril
The Color Palette
I’ve been wanting to do some jean shopping, I need to check out their jeans. I do have one whit pair from the outlet and I love it. That plaid shirt is so pretty and I have to agree those jeans fit you perfectly!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Love that plaid on you! I love J.Crew Factory’s shoes and accessories as well and am inspired to try their jeans now!
xo Jules
My most favorite jeans EVER came from J Crew Factory. I always forget to go there even though there’s one at the outlet mall near my house. Thanks for the list!
I love their accessories and outerwear but their jeans are so far from flattering on me! I’m glad they work for you! My other favorite are their shorts in the summer because they come in different inseam lengths! My two favorite pairs of shorts come from J.Crew Factory!
Virginia
More to Mrs. E
Their shorts are great too! I also appreciate the different inseams. That stinks their jeans don’t work for you, but that’s why jeans are always so hard for everyone to find, were all shaped diffferently!
Yay! Glad to find another fan of their jeans!
I was looking at their sued D’Orsay flats after seeing all of your cute neutral flats!
I need to check out the white denim, after loving the jeans so much I want to try all of their pants!
Thank you Abril!
You’re welcome!
I am trying to think if I have gotten a sweater from there and I don’t think I have. I will keep in mind your tips from now on. I love this outfit on you because it is the perfect look for fall! I just got their leopard flats and I am in love!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I LOVE their jewelry because it looks SO good and it is always in style!
The Adored Life
Thanks for sharing about the jeans – I will be checking those out asap! I never seem to find much at my local J. Crew Factory, but maybe with these thoughts in mind I will be more open next time I am there.
Love the mix of bold plaid and leopard! Very cute look.
Such a cute outfit! Love J.Crew!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
I’ve had the same experience with Factory sweaters- they pill up too quickly! But I love their shoes, jackets (blazers, too!) and button-ups!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I’ve never bought anything from JC Crew, but I love your advice. And those jeans look so comfortable!!
xo – Beth
http://www.behindmyheels.blogspot.com
Hip hip hooray for 26″ inseam. I’m not quite as petite as you, but I’ll frequently buy ankle pants and they are the perfect regular length for me. As far as shoes go, I have narrow feet, so I feel ya’ on the small feet. Both are hard to fit. This was a great overview!!! Happy Friday!
I am so OBSESSED with that top! I need to try jeans from there! I’m petite as well, and most of my jeans don’t fit me perfectly. You look adorable!
Hope // Miss Hope Elizabeth
You look amazing! Your top is so cute! Looks like I need to make a trip to J Crew Factory!
<3 Shannon
I hope they’ve improved them, but I ordered a few last year and was so disappointed!
Yes!! Always so good!
If I had average sized feet I can only imagine how many shoes I would own haha! At least our small feet help us practice some restraint.
Brooke, adore that plaid top on you! So perfect with the leopard flats too <3
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
I have never shopped J. Crew Factory and I know they have a huge 50% off site-wide now. I am dying over their graphic tees and especially that bow-neck sweater that comes in ivory and heather gray. Lately their full prices are almost the same and sometimes more than J.Crew prices though. I have always heard great things of their button-downs, necklaces (jewelry in general) and vests. I do want a school-boy blazer too. Thanks for this post Brooke.
Welcome by today and then tomorrow babe, for a New Thursday Moda linkup, and link up with me. Thanks, Ada. =)
Your plaid top is so perfect for fall! I love the classic look of plaid and denim, and you pull it off so beautifully. These picks are so cute, and I love the way that you accessorized them. I could definitely see myself wearing this.
~xo Sheree
PoshClassyMom.com
I would totally agree with your assessment. I’ve also had trouble with some of the t-shirt tops getting random little holes after only one wear.