Holy Cow, 30% off at JCrew and 25% off at Madewell

I literally couldn’t breathe this morning when I checked J.Crew and Madewell and saw both had awesome pre-Black Friday sales. 30% off is hard to come by for J.Crew and a % off offer for Madewell is also pretty rare. I honestly didn’t expect this type of % off your purchase sale until Black Friday, but hey I’m not complaining. Sizes were going really, really quickly though, so if you have anything on your wishlist, I suggest you get a move on! Here’s what I picked up from the sales:

J.Crew Pique Collar Shirt

Jcrew pique collar shirt

I realized just yesterday that I have too many impulse buys in my closet. You know the kind, super-cute-had-to-have but it doesn’t really go with anything and it ends up sitting in your closet, tags still on. I realized what I really need are more classic, versatile pieces like a crisp white button-down shirt. Only I can’t bring myself to spend $$ on a boring white shirt, so I’ve been looking for the perfect one. I already have the Perfect Shirt from J.Crew and I’m not a huge fan of the stretchy, shininess of it. The Boy shirt didn’t get great reviews. Then I saw this beauty — little cute details like a pique collar and silver buttons make this a standout, not to mention the glowing reviews about fit. Now only $59.99, with extra 30% off. Get it here.

J.Crew Selvedge Chambray Shirt

JCrew Selvedge Chambray Shirt

Chambray shirts are like the casual version of the white button-down. Versatile, matches a lot, classic, but so much more laid-back. It’s a no-brainer to add to your wardrobe if you don’t already have one, and out of all the colors and styles, this one is my favorite. Others seem to agree with me, as this got glowing reviews. PS have to admit originally wanted one as I’m obsessed with red/black plaid and it looks great with chambray, aka I knew I was going to get this excursion vest below and needed a chambray shirt to match. Hehe. Anyway, get this chambray shirt here on sale for $88, with extra 30% off now.

J.Crew Excursion Quilted Vest in Buffalo Check

jcrew excursion quilted vest in buffalo check

I love red/black buffalo plaid. And gold buttons. Anyone who has read my posts before most likely already know this about me. This vest combines both, so of course I was immediately drawn to it. This vest paired with chambray and a cute wool skirt plus boots = quintessential cozy chic for winter. My only hesitation? This is kind of a pop item, so it’s relatively hard to match my current wardrobe, since most of my tops are “pop” items that stand out and that I “had to have”…so this print may just clash with almost everything I own. However, I’m willing to stock up on some neutrals for this vest to work. Get it here for $138, now with extra 30% off.

J.Crew Merino Wool V-Neck Sweater

Jcrew merino wool vneck sweater

This sweater is a favorite of probably every J.Crew fan, who all own this sweater in multiple colors. It’s a no-brainer to stock up on whenever there’s a mega sale. It’s my go-to whenever I’m too lazy or tired to coordinate an outfit; just pick a color of this sweater, throw it on with a pair of jeans, and voila you’ll probably look appropriate for just about any occasion you’ll run into that day. The fit is comfortable, flattering, and it’s relatively warm. Not much more you can ask for. Prices range from $60 to $70 on sale, now with extra 30% off. Get it here.

Madewell Flannel Cargo Workshirt in Buffalo Check

madewell-buffalo-check-plaid-flannel-shirt

Of course I snagged this immediately when I saw there was a sale. I’ve only been obsessing over it forever. Most sizes were sold out when I checked, but apparently since I had my size saved in my cart, it let me check out anyway. Turns out hours later all sizes were back, so don’t hesitate to grab yours. I was a bit uncertain of sizing; I’m usually between a Small and a Medium at Madewell, and since this is oversized and runs large, I thought about getting a Small. But I wouldn’t want to kill the oversized intent of this shirt and have this be a fitted shirt; rather play it safe and have it fit than have it not fit, right? Hopefully I made the right decision. Get it here for $79.50, now with extra 25% off.

Madewell Mini Transport Tote

Madewell Mini Transport Tote

I’m the biggest fan of my Madewell Transport Tote. After a long search for the perfect one (see post here), I’m in love with the one I ultimately received and it only gets better with age. So of course, I can’t help but be drawn to the mini, crossbody version of it; now I can carry my favorite bag with me everywhere, hands-free! The $148 price really is quite cheap for something of this quality and function, and definitely go for the $10 monogramming (go for the gold foil!). It really just makes this bag extra special. Get yours here.

Two things I really wanted but were excluded from the promo — the J.Crew Chateau Parka and the Madewell Transport Weekender (TDF). In a way I’m relieved about the Madewell Weekender; I’m not sure I’d ever be willing to travel and really use a bag with that amount of gorgeous leather. What did you pick up during this sale?

Modding the J.Crew Icon Trench in Wool-Cashmere

For those of you who were here back in 2010, you’ll remember I tried my hand modding my Banana Republic Classic Trench Coat (https://crewlade.com/2010/09/banana-republic-classic-trench-coat/). It was the classic black, but the buttons were black too, and made the coat feel rather dull.

Banana Republic Classic Trench Coat

I always had a thing for gold hardware against dark colors, and had been looking for black coats with gold buttons for a while when the idea of DIY popped into my head. So I bought a bunch of gold buttons online and for the first time ever, tried my hand at sewing on the new buttons. It was nerve-wrecking to cut off these perfectly sewn on Banana Republic buttons, especially knowing I could totally not be able to make the gold buttons work and then I would have messed up a beautiful classic trench.

Banana Republic Classic Trench Coat

Well, I’d say it made a big difference. It made the coat that much more visually interesting, and it was great knowing I had a somewhat one-of-a-kind coat. So this year, when I spotted that J.Crew now has the uber-awesome Icon Trench in Wool-Cashmere in Black, the same thought popped into my head.

J.Crew Icon Trench in Wool Cashmere Black

What a great classic coat — if you added gold or brass buttons, it would totally change the vibe. It may be much more military style, more chic? Since J.Crew has sold out of my size, I haven’t had a chance yet to try this out, but for those of you lucky enough to have snagged one, here’s what it could look like (pardon my crappy Photoshop skills).

J.Crew Icon Trench in Wool Cashmere Black

Totally different, right? I do like the original version for how sleek it looks, but with gold buttons it definitely gives it an extra oomph. If you’d like to try your hand at this, you can get the J.Crew Icon Trench Coat here from J.Crew.

J.Crew Sale Wishlist

With J.Crew’s 25% off full-price items & 30% off final sale items promo, I’m wondering if I should pull the trigger on a few items on my wishlist. Which have you tried on and which would you recommend as a worthwhile purchase?

J.Crew Icon Trench in Wool-Cashmere – Black

J.Crew Icon Trench in Wool-Cashmere Black

I actually own this trench in the camel color from a few seasons ago. It’s absolutely one of my favorite coats ever, and definitely my go-to coat for Fall (and as much Winter as I can possibly squeeze out before I freeze to death). I’ve gotten countless compliments on it, mostly around the fact that it imbues a lot of class and elegance. This is the first season it’s come in Black as far as I know, which is exciting since I remember back when I first purchased it, I had also wanted it in this oh-so-slimming color. Guess I wasn’t alone! It’s a little pricey, sure, but a great investment and I know I’ll get a lot of wear out of it. If you like it too, you can get it here.

J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Houndstooth

J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Houndstooth

Like every other J.Crew fan, I also own the classic schoolboy blazer in the classic navy color. I haven’t really found any other blazer that’s as preppy chic and flattering as J.Crew’s schoolboy blazer. With Fall here, I can’t get enough of houndstooth, so this blazer is just the perfect combination. I also love, love the gold buttons and the orange collar. What great pops of color that take this classic up a notch. Question is, do we think this will make it to sale? Though 25% off at this point is already not a bad deal…if you love this too, you can get it here.

J.Crew Lambswool Shirttail Sweater

J.Crew Lambswool Shirttail Sweater

This sweater was made for people like me. I always thought layering a sweater on top of a crisp white button-down shirt was uber chic and made you look so polished, but I absolutely hated pulling a sweater over a shirt. The sleeves get all bunched up or twisted inside the sweater sleeves, you always have unevenness or possible bunching on the inside somewhere, and it’s just an overall mess. This shirttail sweater is made for the lazy-but-wannabe-chic people like me, where you get the undershirt look without any of the effort. From the reviews, it seems like a piece to be tried on in person to determine whether this is a good fit, so I’d recommend that. Check it out here.

J.Crew Zip-Pocket Mini in Tweed

J.Crew Zip-Pocket Mini Skirt in Tweed

This skirt’s tweed material seems really similar to the houndstooth in the schoolboy blazer above, so of course I love it. It’s quintessential Fall, and I love it paired with that shirttail sweater and riding boots. The only downside of these tweed/houndstooth skirts is that it’s kind of an one-season skirt, not exactly appropriate for spring/summer, but that is part of its appeal as the quintessential Fall material. Get yours here.

Have you tried on any of these? What are you getting during this promo?