The Quality Difference between J. Crew and Factory

The holidays are here, and I scored a few great deals from J. Crew Factory this winter. If you’ve wondered whether there is a difference between J. Crew and Factory (its lower-end label), I created a comparison guide on similar products from both retailers this year. Spoiler: not all items met my expectation. Keep reading to see which ones made the cut!

To break things down, I found it easiest to compare both brands using the following three criteria:

Quality
Construction
Content (think, material composition)

Keep in mind, I did not get to try every comparable item in the J. Crew store, so can only share based on what I know. Hope you find this information helpful the next time you are caught between a save vs. splurge scenario 😉

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which may result in a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. This post was updated on 10/31/22.

J. Crew Sweater Jacket Comparison

Links Updated in 2022: J. Crew & J. Crew Factory Sweater Blazers

J. Crew Factory – Sweater Coat/Blazer (updated 2022): (Currently $46.50) I bought this cardigan in ‘Hthr Cassis’ (red) and love it! The color turned out more berry than red, though still a lovely color.

Quality: Great, very warm and thick. Has 2 side pockets for added functionality.

Construction: Really heavyweight knitted material, and as far as the eye can tell, the same construction as the J. Crew Juliette Sweater Blazer. Runs large. I bought in size S, but could have gotten away with XS.

Content: 100% Cotton. This detail is my favorite, as I try to avoid acrylic and nylon in sweaters. They pill very easily, and sweaters look poor quality after a few washes. The Vanessa cardigan is easily machine washable, which I found to be the best selling point.

J. Crew – Sweater Blazer: (Updated $74) I had been eyeing this cardigan since last year, and found it a little pricy.

Quality & Construction: Really similar to the J. Crew Factory Vanessa Sweater.

Content: Cotton/Polyester/Wool. I think the slight wool content is why this cardigan is priced higher. However, I don’t think it adds a huge difference for me. So from my perspective, the J. Crew Factory option was a win!

J. Crew Tissue Turtleneck Striped Top

J. Crew Factory Tissue Turtleneck: (2022 version has a cute puff sleeve detail) I wasn’t looking for anything fancy here, just a basic warm layering piece for the winter.

Quality: Great fabric that wasn’t too thin.

Construction: Jersey knit. Runs large. I bought a size S, but could have gotten an XS.

Content: 100% Cotton! Because this fabric is knit, there is a good amount of stretch, which I appreciated. For a more fitted look, I suggest ordering a size down.

J. Crew Tissue Turtleneck: Quality and construction are nearly identical. Content is also 100% Cotton. However, the only marketable difference is that J. Crew uses ‘sustainable’ materials. I am sad they didn’t confirm this information on the site, but am guessing they used organic cotton.

The call is yours here, but from my perspective, I was perfectly happy with the J. Crew Factory option.

J. Crew Classic Cotton Pajamas

J. Crew Factory Knit Pajama Set: (Currently $34.50) Super soft pajamas, and I love the navy and white contrast piping! I have been looking for this basic style for a while, and glad I finally did (but surprised it took this long).

Quality: Soft cotton fabric, but not super soft compared to rayon-based fabrics, which I am okay with.

Construction: Classic jersey knit, which carries a bit of natural stretch.

Content: 100% cotton, which is again a rarity these days. Consider this point a gift at such a low price point.

J. Crew Vintage Pajama Set: (2022 version is made from a Tencel blend) If you’re not picky about fabric, this style is nearly identical to the J. Crew Factory version. However, if you are looking for the classic pajama look, this style may hit closer to home. The fabric is woven, not knit. Thus, this set is more crisp and similar to shirting material.

Both materials have a sustainable or ‘Reimagined’ tag. Again, they don’t specify if the material is organic or not. However, you can visit their social responsibility page to understand what options they offer.

Update: Since writing this post, J. Crew offers another PJ set (Dreamy Long-Sleeve Cotton Pajama Set) that is also knit. Difference between this one and the J. Crew Factory version is this style has a bit of stretch (spandex). Price-wise, they are around the same.

J. Crew Wool Skirt

J. Crew Factory Wool Blend A-Line Skirt: I fell in love with the green color, and thought it makes a good fall ‘neutral.’ The a-line silhouette also works well for me, and the price point is amazing.

Quality: I wasn’t so thrilled, but it was more of a ‘you get what you pay for’ situation. The fabric was, in my opinion, a lot thinner than what I expected.

Construction: Woven, but definitely not the double serge wool they use on some of their heavier suiting skirts. You can feel the difference.

Content: Blend of wool/polyester, though I wasn’t such a stickler about this one.

J. Crew Patch Pocket Double-Serge Wool Skirt: I don’t love the patch pockets, but quality-wise, I would have chosen this version over the J. Crew Factory one. I own an old double-serge wool skirt from J. Crew, and the fabric is really thick and warm.

Currently loving the ivory color, and am considering buying it!

The Verdict: Difference between J. Crew and Factory

I hope this conclusion comes as no surprise. For someone who is quite a spendthrift, I never pay more if I can get the same (or better) quality for less. Luckily, I found this situation to be true for most of the items I purchased at J. Crew Factory.

However, there are some noticeable fabric differences on certain products. Pro Tip: Always see which similar styles are carried at both stores. Then, review the fabric content, product reviews, and fit before deciding on the best option. Sometimes, you can squeeze by with the cheaper option. Other times, paying the higher price is worthwhile!