Is J.Crew Cutting Corners on New Shoe Quality?

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Yesterday, J.Crew sent out an email blast alerting subscribers that the beloved, discontinued Cece Ballet Flat has returned and is shoppable right now. The brand stopped selling the flat in early 2014, although, according to J.Crew Aficionada, customers have actually been able to order the revived shoe online since September and the brand is just getting around to publicizing its return now.

In the post, J.Crew Aficionada points out that the new Cece flats are not quite the same as the flats from years prior. For one the shoes are no longer made in Italy, as per the product description on J.Crew's site. Commenters who have bought the new shoes confirm that the quality isn't what it used to be even though the price has stayed the same. Another user notes that her new Cleo loafers are no longer made in Italy either; now, they're made in Brazil.

Update: According to a J.Crew representative, the new Cece flat is constructed in the exact same way as the old version. The company maintains that the only design change was a pull tab in the back of the original flat that was removed in the current design due to customer feedback.
· Cece is Back at J.Crew! Well, is it? [J.Crew Aficionada]
· Is the Cult of Jenna Lyons Eclipsing J.Crew? [Racked]
· J.Crew's Suffering Women's Business Is Costing It Millions [Racked]