The Budget Fashionista

I live in Dallas and will definitely check it out. But it’s sounding too rich for my blood. Who exactly are they marketing to? If I can afford J Crew, why would I shop at Madewell. *sigh*. I just really wish there were more quality options for those of us that feel like we’re splurging when we spend $50 on jeans, and $30 on a shirt! And let’s not even talk about shoes…

The small selection shown on-line had some appeal. Without seeing the items in person it is a bit difficult to assess quality. What I do like is the “funky- preppy” look with crisper shapes and sharper colors. I am always looking for pieces to mix with my more conservative classic styles.

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Honestly?  Abercrombie is pretty expensive, too, especially for teens shopping on tiny paychecks (like me).  That’s part of the reason I don’t shop there, but I just checked their website-- $70-80 for jeans sounds pretty steep to me.  Old Navy, Forever 21, H&M;, and the like are much more within my budget.

So to cut a long comment short, nope, Madewell 1937 won’t be getting any business from me.  :)

I’ve been to the Madewell in Dallas, and was decidedly unimpressed. It’s not all that different than Ruehl (Abercrombie’s “older” sibling), but more expensive and with fewer wearable clothes.

Unlike Ruehl, the store had at least a couple of lights in it. So they’ve got that going for them.

Naay! I’m a teen, and I’d much rather shop at H&M;, Forever 21, and Urban Outfitters… these clothes are just not in a teen’s budget.

Abercrombie is more in that price range - but these clothes seem to be catering to a whole different type of teen. There are stores cheaper than this that sell similar clothing.

I’ve been to the one in LA numerous times and have found great deals and a great deal of items I wish I had more moolah to buy.  Overall, comfortable and cute clothes, but do wish the prices were a bit more affordable.

NAY! Numnber one, the clothes are atrocious. It looks like a throwback to my kindergarten days of primary colours and smock-looking dresses. Two, the model isn’t cute and doesn’t present the clothes in a flattering way, which totally turns me off from the company. Besides, what teenager has that much to throw around for clothes, unless they’re a mini Paris Hilton?

I think the reason J.Crew is successful, with ever-rising prices, is that they sell clothes you can wear season after season. Classic shapes, classic colors, not a lot of fussy details that will tie a sweater to a particular season. I don’t have a problem paying more money for a wool sweater that will last through a whole lot of Michigan winters.

But Madewell just seems like a step down in something--quality? class? style?--without a coordinating step down in price.

Nay.

I think someone else hit the nail on the head--If I want a flimsy striped shirt, I’ll go to Old Navy.

nay.  their site isn’t even madewell

A big nay...I have started to resent knitwear that’s marketed to me like it’s fashion gold.  Knitwear is the cheapest stuff in the world to make and suddenly dozens of designers are specializing in it, twisting it in odd ways and leaving seams unfinished to achieve some sort of deconstructed chic aesthetic (which inevitably causes the garment to fall apart without special handling, like drycleaning, sheesh!  drycleaning tshirts).  And jacking up prices unbelievably.  This is cheap knitwear at high prices and a few untailored sweaters to boot.  No thank you.

I have to vote nay too.  They both looked too much like Anthropologie ripoffs.  And if you can shop Gap and JCrew online, why can’t you order online from either of those sites?

Nay… All the way. Why the heck would I shop there? Most people who shop on mommy and daddy’s money would not shop at this store if they can afford J. Crew. Those who don’t earn minimum wage???? American Eagle would probably be just as good for the same look.

I like J. Crew for some of their pants and jackets.  But...there is absolutely no way I would pay those prices for trendy stuff I could get at Forever 21, Old Navy, Urban Outfitters, and etc. for WAAAY cheaper.  I think they dropped the ball on this one.

I peeped Madewell in Century City (LA), and I am going to pass. I much prefer J. Crew, particularly when they have end-of-season sales. Matter of fact, I’m wearing a J. Crew cashmere shell today that I got at its final sale for $45, down from $98.

I’m so glad they opened a store in Los Angeles - I own various pieces and they work so well with my existing wardrobe. Like, I couldn’t do without their chinos - which are flattering, comfortable, and don’t have that cheap polyester blend look that you get from the trousers at 21 or H&M;. The prices are kinda high but considering how much wear and use I get out of each piece, I think it’s totally worth it!

Love it. Not like J Crew. Bought an awsome leather tote for $98.00. The store is small . I was in Dallas about a month ago. They had great bright t-shirts.

Madewell is awesome. The denim is under 100 bucks. They have the best hoodies and super soft tshirts. Its full of perfectly cut basics with no logos or worn out looks. Everyone in the store is super nice and they send me 15% off coupons in the mail all the time. J Crew doesn’t have as much to do with it as everyone thinks. J Crew only has the rights to the name, but nothing to do with the clothes. LOVE MADEWELL!

Saw cropped cargo zipper pants for $70 in June issue of Elle. They look great but I hope they fit my size 8 body. Will call tomorrow to order.

madewell is dumb; i don’t think they did the right market research.  i don’t know who would shop there:  the clothes are too expensive to be fast fashion, too non-trendy to have that “i gotta have it” factor, too casual to wear to work.  basically it’s stuff one would wear on a weekend, and on the weekend i’m going to wear either cheap comfortable (my old sweats) or look nice to go out (trendy items).  i (nor anyone else i know) would buy old looking clothes at a premium when at the same price i could buy something nice for work or a bunch of fast fashion items.  it’s too expensive and not wearable enough.

I really like Madewell. I live in LA, and have shopped their Century City store a few times. Great cuts on pants - I bought my new favorite pair of chords. Slim but not skinny, and very casual. Nice relaxed fabrics, similar to abercrombie, in that regard. However, the styles and more sophisticated and feminine than abercrombie. Feels exactly like a younger J. Crew to me (I like J. Crew, so I’m biased, but many times their cuts don’t work for me) Also reminds me of casual/travel oriented Anthropologie (but better prices, thank god) and Martin&Osa;. Very cute dresses and colorful tops. Nice bags sometimes, but a little too steep for me.

The BEST thing about Madewell, IMHO, is that you can scope something cute out and come back a week or two later and it’s 50% off or more. Consistently.

I say wait it out, and then you’ll get a good deal.

Madewell is a super NAY! I own several items from that store and let me tell you, I will NOT be shopping there next season. You can get stuff this badly made for way less. The dyes bleed and fade. The jeans loose their shape and fit poorly after the first day of wear. The denim is supposedly garment dyed but the washes splotch out and bleed everytime you wash them. The return policy is strict and bogus. They use really cheap materials on EVERYTHING and they obviously put no investment into their paterns because its a huge time consuming struggle to find the right size in anything. ALSO BUYER BEWARE—their employees get in trouble if they don;t get you to buy atleast 5 items. So, whatever they try to tell you about the quality of the clothes or how they look on you—don’t believe them.

Looks like a free people rip-off if you ask me. Nay. Speaking of which, what do you think of Free People?

I thought the store was super cute! I do agree that the prices were a little high. I live in Vegas and it’s the first Madwell I have ever seen.

YAY!  This stuff is totally cute - you can’t go by the website - it doesn’t do the clothes justice.  They have a store in NJ now, & I want everything in there… They have colored denim which looks awesome on, & at $89.50, it’s not nearly as steep as J Brand, or Joe’s colored denim which starts around $150.  The quality is really good - it’s just more casual than J Crew..  Besides, are we actually mentioning “quality” & “Forever 21 in the same sentence?