This is a Chapter 11 filing, so it is not the end of the road for them yet. J Crew wanted to spin out Madewell to reduce its debt level, but Covid stuck a fork in those plans. Will it be possible for some other retailer to scoop up them on the cheap? Maybe. Nordstrom has been selling Madewell clothes for a while… @MomofWildChild might have some insights…
JCrew has been going down the drain for several years. I went a few years without really liking their stuff and the quality went way downhill. They admitted that they made huge fashion and quality missteps. It gained a little ground back over the last 2 years, but just couldn’t compete. Mainly mall stores- and it was just too late. Madewell was doing well and has a strong ecommerce business so the spin off would have given JCrew some $$$$. As Bunsen said, that deal fell through. I think JCrew will continue to operate for a while more. If you shop them, you’ll see that it’s sort of like Limited- everything is ALWAYS on sale. They practically give a lot of the stuff away. That is usually not a good business model.
I bought a few items from J Crew lately because the stuff was dirt cheap. A cashmere sweater for $47, a hoodie for I think $17 and I just ordered a pair of white shorts that are identical to a pair of madewell ones for $32. But before the stuff was dirt cheap, I hadn’t ordered anything. But I do like madewell.
I used to love and shop J Crew frequently. I remember actually looking forward to perusing their catalogues! IMO Jenna Lyons let good press go to her head and started to showcase really off putting and over the top ensembles with declining quality.
I have a navy blazer that is 15+ years old and the quality is so superior to what they offer currently. Still count on them for chino shorts and a few other items.
Anyone have suggestions for a J Crew replacement store? Decent quality, natural materials (so tired of acylic and poly blends), old school preppy?
JCrew was my “go to” store for many, many years. I also have blazers and those ankle length pants (Minnie?) from years ago. The quality really made a dive, and I knew they were in trouble when I (heavy half in marketing lingo) stopped liking the stuff.
Madewell is good- not quite as preppy but great jeans and casual dresses/sweaters.
I looked at their cashmere in the past couple of years and passed. Chasing fast fashion does not always pay off. Too bad. I am eyeing a Madewell blouse at Nordstrom. Wonder how their sizing is…
@BunsenBurner If anything, Madewell tops run a little big. Jeans are true to size (waist).
I am REALLY liking the Spanx pull on jeans. Heavier than leggings but a good fit and very comfortable. I put them on today (a rare foray into real clothes) since I had to run by my office for a little bit. I barely recognized myself with a little makeup and “going out” clothes.
Ok, pulling the plug on the top! Thanks, @MomofWildChild ! And lol about not recognizing yourself. ? maybe that’s why I keep wearing my Vince dresses to “work” - so I will remember how to dress professionally (business casual).
I got “dressed” on Saturday to watch the Arkansas Derby(s) on TV. Full face, cute clothes, and (of course) a HAT! Made dh take too many photos so I could get a new profile pic for FB. Pretty silly of me. However, it was nice to be “fixed.”
Ordered my blouse and threw a pair of Spanx distressed denim leggings in the checkout basket - what the heck. If the holes in them are not too awful, I will keep them and will hem them so they will not look ratty on the bottom. If the holes are too giant for my tastes, I am sure someone I know would want them. 
Just wondering what the rest of you are seeing on clothing sites you follow?
Before lockdown, Eileen Fisher posted a spring lookbook preview (not yet available for purchase), divided into months April through June. Usually there is a new lookbook, with styles available for purchase, every month. They still have the April, no May.
There’s a message apologizing for shipment de!ays.
There’s a lot of sale merchandise, but they always have that imho.
Of course I could email them with my question.
But just in case anyone feels like discussing.
This is a first… got an ad in my inbox for this!
https://www.wolfordshop.com/new-arrivals/care-mask-by-wolford/96230.html
Expect other designers to follow. 
As my Mr. noted, can make 2 masks out of one bra! ?
The very small clothing companies I buy from started making cloth masks a month ago. Not as useful probably as wolford. Eileen Fisher says they will be available soon.
I know the JCrew quality went down and some of the fashions seemed silly, but it has been a go-to for me for pants for years. Lots of the styles don’t fit, but then there are some that do. I am not sure why pants are so hard to buy but they are.
The stores won’t be shuttered right away- if at all. Website is not doing too badly. Banana is a reasonable substitute.
Got my one pair of Spanx jean-like leggings (I ordered 2 different kinds). This being Spanx, I sized up and got a medium. They are a bit too big, but I think I will keep them.
Also snatched a new with tags designer scarf off RealReal…
There’s a Michigan company that has shops in a lot of the little tourist towns where we vacation in Northern Michigan that makes really cute clothes out of very nice quality stretchy fabrics and they come in lots of fun prints. Some of you might like their skirts and dresses (no skorts afaik). I have a few of their tops and pants as do many of my female relatives.
https://www.haystacks.net/cart/category378/skirts/all-skirts
https://www.haystacks.net/cart/category379/dresses/all-dresses
@cellomom2 - I ADORE those prints! I was SO disappointed to see on their sizing guide the tank dresses are listed as only 32” long in the smaller sizes! Even in the largest size they are only listed at 35” long. What?! At my age and with my saggy thighs, I refuse to go shorter than 36” in length. I am SO sad! I would have immediately purchased a couple of those dresses if they were only a bit longer. I love those as they look cool and comfy but are less sporty and more dressy than what I am typically able to find. Maybe I will try one of their skirts. They seem more in line with my age. The dresses must be aimed at a younger crows. 
@hoggirl These are pretty popular in the area where I vacation. I think the skirts are not excessively short but you may be right about the dresses. I have seen a lot of people wearing the skirts in the summer but I can’t remember if I’ve seen anyone in one of the dresses. The fabrics are really nice, wear very well.
Bunsen- I didn’t size up for my last pair of Spanx jean/leggings (I think they came in early March). When I tried them on I thought I made a mistake because they felt really tight. After just a short time wearing them they relaxed a little and are fine. I like them a lot.