Some of you may have seen my tweet yesterday questioning a pair of leggings from J.Crew’s latest update, selling for $650 (and over $760 in Canada).  I realize that this is from their “collection” line, which is always much higher-priced, considering the material and such, but did it have to be that much higher? And did they have to market the product as “leggings” when they’re really “peggings”?  In the classical sense, leggings are things one wears underneath skirts and dresses.  Tights without feet, if you will.  Peggings are closer to pants – jeggings are a kind of pegging – and can be worn with chunky sweaters, blazers and tunics.

  $650 is a little too much for leggings, regardless of material, don’t you think?

As noted earlier, Collection items are always higher than “standard.”  For example, a herringbone skirt from the regular collection, plain and made out of wool was $138 at full price, while one listed as a “Collection” piece (lambswool and beaded) is $798 – six times the price.   I get it, it’s better-made.  But let’s get back to the leggings.  A standard pair of leggings at J.Crew – the Signature Leggings, is $39.50 – some 16 times LESS than the leggings in the collection line (another pegging, the Pixie Pant, is $88, or seven times less.  But it is marketed as a pant, not a legging).  Sure, the latter version is suede while the former is knitted, but like I said, 16 times is just a little bit absurd if you’re going to call it a legging.  The name should never have been green-lighted.  Consumers, after all, have…expectations.

I like J.Crew. Many of their pieces, such as their pencil skirts, cardigans and office-appropriate trousers are timeless as are many of their outerwear pieces. I have a Lady Day coat that I purchased in 2010 which will see at least a couple of more seasons, provided that I don’t gain weight.  However, as many bloggers have noted, prices have gone up, while quality has not – even with items from the Collection. And this is not a good thing.

Image via J.Crew website