STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I vaguely remember hearing something about J.Crew clothes being made in the same factories as deigner brands (although, the word cashmere sticks out in my mind, so I may be no help).

So are you saying that all I need to do to get 10% off is say "here's my college ID" ??? That would be super cool; I saw a girl get a discount there once by showing her college ID, but I thought she had a student advantage card or something, as well.

One of the women said that JCrew's jeans come from the same factory as Sevens, Citizens of Humanity, and Paper Denim & Cloth. Does anyone else know if this is really true?

I wouldn't be surprised by this at all. My grandmother used to work in a knitting factory (in the U.S., even!, not overseas) when she was young, and I remember her telling me that they had stacks of different brand name labels and the same sweaters would get so many of Company X's label, so many of Company Y's label, and so on. After all, there are only so many factories to go around...

Grandma's point to the status/brand conscious high school girl that I was, was to spend wisely, and not be seduced by the brand name alone - because in many cases, I could have the exact same item for a significantly lower price. Just with a different label.

Shello wrote:

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One of the women said that JCrew's jeans come from the same factory as Sevens, Citizens of Humanity, and Paper Denim & Cloth. Does anyone else know if this is really true?

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I would imagine that it is true, but it doesn't necessarily mean that clothes made in the same factory are of the same quality.  Most clothing factories are independant contractors who accept work from a really wide variety of brands.  The brands set the manufacturing standards and specification that the contractor factory follows.  The quality of the fabric and how the garment is sewn (seam types, for example) make a big difference in the final garmet.  The fact that they are made in the same factory doesn't really mean much.  I actually hate when brands use that as a selling point, I think it is dishonest.

However, that's not to say that J.Crew jeans aren't as high quality as Sevens or COH.  In fact, I think they are just as good, but cut is a really personal thing.

Thanks for the scoop about the 10%.  I'm going to have my DH try that out w/ his student ID.

OMG- I have been shopping at J. Crew for years- how did I miss the 10% thing?! I hope my grad school id works too....

jettie wrote:

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That discount information is good to know.  I'm a graduate student, I wonder if it would work for me too?

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Yep!  As long as you have a student ID.

atlgirl wrote:

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One of the women said that JCrew's jeans come from the same factory as Sevens, Citizens of Humanity, and Paper Denim & Cloth. Does anyone else know if this is really true?

I wouldn't be surprised by this at all. My grandmother used to work in a knitting factory (in the U.S., even!, not overseas) when she was young, and I remember her telling me that they had stacks of different brand name labels and the same sweaters would get so many of Company X's label, so many of Company Y's label, and so on. After all, there are only so many factories to go around...

Grandma's point to the status/brand conscious high school girl that I was, was to spend wisely, and not be seduced by the brand name alone - because in many cases, I could have the exact same item for a significantly lower price. Just with a different label.

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ok, how come no one ever mentioned the discount thing at j crew- so annoying! maybe the employees don't even know! i have my student card still too- using it!

and i just want to agree with this statement about the labels. While luckylily is right in that, "made in the same factory" means crap- the above statement is also very true. I go into the factories almost daily- let me tell you ladies- its very interesting but it also makes clothing a lot less exciting when you know how its made and you learn how cheap certain designers can be.... =/ for example, i do not mean this as a knock against anyone that likes him, but i would probably never buy marc jacobs clothing again (not the accessories, just the clothes) unless its seriously discounted.

i like the cuts of j crew jeans but they are too pricey. i also don't like that i'm a size bigger there- i do hate vanity sizing, but why should i size up? in everything else, j crew runs big on me or tts.