Aha! moment
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| All images from J.Crew.com |
So on my last visit to J.Crew, I was trying to figure out what it was about the store that so often tempts me to try and sometimes buy pieces that are normally well outside of my style persona (and that I know ultimately won’t work for me*). Is it the helpful and creatively-styled Sales staff? The clever merchandising feng shui that makes it feel somewhat like a candy store? The Peppy Preppy vibe and earnest music? The unrelenting cheerfulness of the colors? Why do I feel so tempted to throw caution to the wind and just embrace the whimsy?
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| Poulet! |
And then it hit me.
J.Crew is the Manic Pixie Dream Girl of retail.
75 Years of Manic Pixie Dream Girls from Flavorwire on Vimeo.
*still liking the Liberty paisley shirt, though. And gave the hen sweater a w i d e berth.
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I think you’ve figured it out! And I would have never thought to describe J. Crew as a candy store. I very seldom buy anything there, but there is that temptation to peruse most everything in the store. Somehow though, I always feel WAY over the age limit for that store and feel compelled (if anyone asks me while shopping) to say that I am shopping for my daughter in law.
That video is delightful and delicious, and gave me a song for the day. Cary Grant with Katherine Hepburn! “Madison”, and my favorite, “SanDee*” from L.A. Story.
Oh, were we talking about clothes? See – you’re right, JCrew seduces us with good feelings and then wham!, we’re loading up our carts : >
It’s so true! You’ve hit the nail on it’s manic pixie dream head.
I do buy (and ultimately wear) a good number of things from JCrew, but I have to Work Very Hard be selective and judicious–because I’m tempted by about 99% of the store, yet only about 30% of what is on offer will actually fit & flatter me (and of that percentage, most of it will need tailoring to look really good).
But yeah–I think you’ve got it right.
Until I can buy a body the shape of one of their models I’ll have to leave their clothing on the racks. J.Crew shoes on the other hand have made a serious dent in my wallet over the years.
J. crew is styled in an intoxicating way. The color stories all look good for me, there. At home, I edit, edit return. Great analogy and very funny. I’m so glad you gave that hen sweater a wide berth. It’s really quite tragic in my humble opinion.
Hehe. I think it’s the colors:). I just got their catalogue and closed it believing I absolutely needed a purple tweed pencil skirt, a pink coat, and another Liberty button front:).
No J.Crew here but I do get their catalogs – eye candy, indeed! I’ve always liked their plain sweaters. Once upon a time, J.Crew was the brand I wore most. Then they became too preppy for my taste..
I must say, J.Crew stylists do a fabulous job.
So funny Susan. At least when I go in it’s with my grown up daughter so I’m aware of the candy effect on the young. Somehow that makes the merchandise a little less tempting!
Luckily J. Crew NEVER has anything that attracts me but I ALWAYS go in the store at the Mall just to be sure. One of my ballet dancer class mates is always wearing J. Crew….and she always looks like a million dollars just walking into class. I feel somehow the prices do not match the quality of the items and the style is too classic for my taste.
Oops, I couldn’t get the video to work. But I still know what you mean about JCrew. Yesterday a catalog came in the mail but I immediately threw it into the trash because I don’t want to be tempted. They’re just too darn expensive and a bit too preppy/classic for me. But some of their fabrics are so pretty. I think that may be what draws me in.
Saving my money to purchase the Edie purse. Fell in love with it last year but their outlets don’t carry it. It is online however.
I have wasted a lot of money when I buy from J. Crew stores. Like you describe, I get seduced into buying things that aren’t me, and that I end up wearing only once. I still like to go in, but I do shop there armed with that knowledge and now stay very conscious of it. I think I may have time today to go and try there Liberty shirts though.
Such a great analysis of their stores, and marketing in general – really genius.
We don’t have a JCrew store here so I don’t have any temptation. I do like their jewelry. Years ago I purchased some things from them, but back then they were a bit more preppy and so was I.
Perhaps we don´t have J.Crew over here, but I understand what you are telling.
I too am tempted to visit shops coming out with a bag, knowing though already as I pay – I should cancel the deal.
What´s worse, these are shops without an exchange possibility. When will I ever learn?
I can’t get the video to work either. I’ve never been in a J. Crew store…and now, I’m about half afraid to go.
Terri, try clicking on the link “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” right above the video. It will take you to the short article and the video is embedded there too and may work better for you.
Good call on the hen sweater 🙂
After disliking it for years, I have been on a J Crew binge during their summer and winter sales. I like the pencil skirts in suiting fabrics–other pencils are pretty but do not drape, cardigans w/ a belt, and collared shirts ( shocker b/ c I don’t even like collars). And I am ridiculously drawn to the whimsy. My daughters talked me out of buying plaid capri pants last year, and I talked myself out of getting the heart cashmere sweater (I am such a non-heart-on-clothes person, but I loved it.) And the poule above really is too childlike, but in my mind, I’m still giving it a narrow berth. I think it’s the simplicity of the designs plus the bright colors. And the quality really has improved greatly.