There's plenty to complain about in the men's style retail arena these days, and J. Crew is certainly at the top of the list. I'm amazed how retailers continue to go about business as if with their fingers in their ears screaming "LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOU" as our economy crumbles. Isn't it time we all readjust our thinking past the idea that goods should be priced according to a vendor's reputation? Hey, how about pricing goods by QUALITY? I'm talking to you, Mickey Drexler. (He's the lead guy at Crew, if you didn't know).
I stopped in the J. Crew Men's Shop on Broadway yesterday, hoping to spend the gift card I got for Christmas. WHOA! The first thing I looked at was a canvas (CANVAS!) tote bag that was aged and distressed infinitum to the point of looking like something dragged up from the Titanic and left to dry. When I looked at the price I first thought a model number... $850! Did I mention that the bag is CANVAS, as in COTTON?!
Perhaps the worst offense was the stack of Free & Easy magazines sitting at the counter. I love Free & Easy and mark my calendar to head to the Japanese bookstore at Bryant Park to pick up the latest issue at a hefty $18. But, hey, it's imported from Japan and is an endless source of inspiration. Apparently, Drexler and company at J. Crew think this style bible is undervaled because they've covered the printed price with their own price tag... $45! It was all I could do to not scream at one of the over-styled shopgirls who kept asking me if I needed anything.
Isn't there a law in New York City about marking things up? I'm looking into this.
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