Introducing: J.Crew’s new Eaton Centre store (which finally includes stuff for fellas)
Toronto’s male preppy set was dismayed when J.Crew opted to sell only womenswear at its Yorkdale Mall store, meaning they’d still have to to go online (or trek to Buffalo) for Cape Cod-style basics. Happily, the retailer’s second Toronto location, which opened yesterday in the Eaton Centre, has enough room for a substantial menswear section with a separate entrance. All told, the new store occupies nearly 9,000 square feet, compared to Yorkdale’s 5,000. (Don’t expect the controversial pricing to change, though—the Canadian prices are still marked up over their American counterparts.)
On both the men’s and women’s sections, the vibe and merchandise are classic J.Crew: blond hardwood shelving, amorphous ceramics and mannequins wearing purposefully rumpled workwear in sherbet colours. Cashmere V-necks ($218), gold necklaces studded with resin cabochons ($174) and patterned oxfords ($76-$88) pop in the well-lit space. Associated brands like Sperry and Robert Smithson, among others, are prominently displayed where the women’s store joins the men’s area, while dedicated salons showcase women’s shoes and handbags. Suit junkies can also ogle the in-house Ludlow line in a separate room. Finally, if all of this is overwhelming, an appointment can be made, free of charge, for a personal stylist—even after the store closes for the night.
169042 MacAlister calf-hair wedge boots, $450 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-27-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-27.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-27.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-27/ oct12-jcrew-opening-27 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169040 Leather-trim peacoat, $350; cashmere polka-dot sweater, $310 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-25.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-25/ oct12-jcrew-opening-25 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169039 Cashmere sweater, $218; cotton floral print blouse, $178; Lulu Frost crystal petal necklace, $218 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-24.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-24/ oct12-jcrew-opening-24 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169038 Colourblock tweed topcoat, $625; hat, $45.50 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-23.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-23/ oct12-jcrew-opening-23 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169037 Schoolboy blazer, $250; calf-hair-print clutch, $520; necklace, $178 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-22.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-22/ oct12-jcrew-opening-22 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169036 Wool pencil skirt, $150; cashmere sweater, $218; Copley saddlebag purse, $298; bubble necklace, $174 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-21.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-21/ oct12-jcrew-opening-21 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169030 Toothpick ankle cords, $118; toothpick ankle jeans, $150 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-15/ oct12-jcrew-opening-15 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169032 Heels range from $190 to $360; flats from $148 to $344 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-17/ oct12-jcrew-opening-17 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169041 The shoes and handbag section at the rear of the women’s store (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-26-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-26.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-26/ oct12-jcrew-opening-26 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169034 The women’s store (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-19/ oct12-jcrew-opening-19 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169033 The accessories wall (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-18/ oct12-jcrew-opening-18 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169035 The women’s section of the store (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-20.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-20/ oct12-jcrew-opening-20 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169029 Abingdon bags, $114–$218 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-14.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-14/ oct12-jcrew-opening-14 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169026 From top: Sperry Top-Siders chukka boots, $144; Sperry boat shoes, $114; Allerton wing tips, $218; Preston bluchers, $248 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-11.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-11/ oct12-jcrew-opening-11 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169028 Silk ties, $68.50–$80.50; wool ties, $91.50; knitted ties, $58.80 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-13/ oct12-jcrew-opening-13 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169025 Wallace and Barnes Guernsey-stripe sweater, $160; orange chinos, $88; belt, $45.50 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-10.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-10/ oct12-jcrew-opening-10 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169017 Left, Ludlow suit in Italian worsted wool, $512. Centre, Ludlow cashmere blazer, $800; cashmere cable-knit sweater, $342; chinos, $88 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-2.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-2/ oct12-jcrew-opening-2 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169019 Lambswool Fair Isle sweater, $136 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-4/ oct12-jcrew-opening-4 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169021 A table bearing dress pants, $91–$148 and plaid oxford shirts, $88 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-6/ oct12-jcrew-opening-6 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169022 Suits, shirts and ties in the Ludlow shop (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-7.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-7/ oct12-jcrew-opening-7 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169018 The men’s side (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-3/ oct12-jcrew-opening-3 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169020 The men’s side, with the Ludlow suiting shop at the back. <br />
<a href="http://www.torontolife.com/daily/style/shop-talk/2012/10/04/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/attachment/oct12-jcrew-opening-20/">Click here to skip to the women’s side »</a> (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-5.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-5/ oct12-jcrew-opening-5 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169016 The store covers 8,972 square feet. J.Crew is also slated to open a 5,500-square-foot store in Fairview Mall on October 31 (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-1.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-1/ oct12-jcrew-opening-1 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
169043 The adjoining men’s and women’s stores are on level three of the Eaton Centre (Image: Erin Seaman) Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre Introducing: J. Crew at the Eaton Centre https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct12-jcrew-opening-intro.jpg 656 420 [] https://torontolife.com/style/introducing-j-crew-eaton-centre/slide/oct12-jcrew-opening-intro/ oct12-jcrew-opening-intro 0 0
(Image: Erin Seaman)
Is it just me, or has J Crew been drinking the high end kool aid? Calf hair booties for $450?! Who do they think they are, Alexander Wang? Their design sense is not cutting edge enough to warrant paying nearly Lanvin prices for a pair of aldo-looking shoes (and I’m not knocking Aldo, they make great stuff for realistic pricing). If you wanted to spend $350 on a sweater – go to Holts and get a far more stylish knee length sweater COAT from a premium designer, not a preppy mom chain. Really disappointing. Ann Taylor should knock the crap out of them when they arrive…
Dropped in last night to check it out, and the Men’s shop is really nice. But there is no way I am paying upwards of 30% for stuff I can get on my next trip to the States. I hope others feel the same way and J. Crew realizes it has messed up big time on this, though I doubt it.
If anything I’ll browse this store before heading south so I don’t have to waste time in NYC or elsewhere picking out stuff and trying it on.
Yep, I agree with Mike. Will try stuff on to make sure the right sizes fit then wait til my next US trip to buy there.
If the prices are indeed higher than what you would find in the U.S, what is the incentive to buy in Canada? Apparently J Crew is also opening a location at the Fairview Mall, which is even smaller and less upscale than the Eaton Centre is, and is probably doomed to fail. J.Crew is still unfamiliar to a lot of Canadian consumers, and considering Club Monaco makes more or less the same stuff, at a significantly reduced price, I have trouble believing J.Crew is going to find a happy home in Canada.
Too bad prices are ill :(
I dropped in to check out the store recently.I didnt notice the price mark ups,most of the stuff i saw was same as online prices.
I did notice however the mens side is a fraction of the overrall fall collection and they had items out from 2011 fall collection which i thought was kind of odd…