Style Day: J.Crew Retail Tippi vs. Factory Charley
With J. Crew retail styles popping up quickly at factory stores, it is hard to convince yourself that you have to scoop it up when it comes out. There is a benefit to that, besides being able to get highly popular styles that you missed out on. Just like J. Crew retail stores build around their closet staples season after season, the factory stores have their own versions of those staples, and factory enables you to get those staples for less. What you have to decide is- Is the retail version worth my money?
My first comparison is one of my favorites: the Tippi. The J. Crew retail Tippi is one of my all time favorite styles. J. Crew Factory’s Charley sweater is comparable. Here are some differences I’ve noted.
I got two similar colors, so that differences would be more noticeable. J.Crew merino wool tippi in warm jade and the J.Crew factory merino wool charley in dublin green.
The retail Tippi is $79.50 while the factory Charley is $69.50. Those are the retail suggested prices. Both go on promo and sale regularly, making one cheaper than the other at alternating times. At first glance, if you need a color and you need it now, you’re going to go with the Charley because the only noticeable difference is $10 that you will not be spending.
Next, take a look at the descriptions. Both are given by J.Crew and J.Crew Factory.
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| Descriptions from factory.jcrew.com and jcrew.com |
Almost exactly the same again. The only difference overall that I noted was the 14-gauge knit merino wool. This is a difference you can feel in person. The retail Tippi is softer and a little heavier in weight than the factory Charley. Otherwise, they both have the rib trim and are dry clean.
I am a bargain diva, so I go with Factory on super sale every time! I get the Clare cardigans for under $30, wayyyy less than even sale price at retail.
Yeah, factory price wise is usually a better deal. I think I paid $20 for the factory one and $32 for the retail one, but I was able to recently get some select colors retail in store for $12 and $15 after the additional 50% off final sale, so it's definitely a gamble with pricing sometimes.
A lovely post. Thanks for sharing!
Great comparison, I have the factory version and red and love it.
I have at least one of each and I really can't tell the difference. I tend to buy based on price and what colours/print I am looking for at the time.