Recently in J. Crew Category

J. Crew has an utterly simple and classic leather ballet flat, made in Italy even, for only $110! These actually remind me of my little pink ballet slippers from when I took ballet (very briefly) as a kid. (except these are black, but they also come in a very neutral "tawny sand" that is close to a traditional ballet slipper in color)

J. Crew Classic Leather Ballet Flats, $110

The J. Crew Outlet is now online as the J. Crew Factory store. 

They are open for business only weekends:  Friday 12 am to Sunday midnight.


I guess the selection will keep changing every weekend.  That puts the pressure on!  They've got some cute things.  The prices are lower than regular J. Crew but not super cheap.  For example a double serge wool bistro mini is $69.50, stretch wool trousers $79.50.

I always love seeing what new things J. Crew has come up with.  Check out their new arrivals here.


I like this slouchy cardigan with no buttons.  Everyday Cardigan, $88.  It's made with merino wool.

Today I'm almost wearing this outfit from the J. Crew catalog...

I ordered the striped tissue tee way back in December and it finally arrived!  So if you want one, you better order now before they run out again.  (Classic Stripe Tissue Tee, $32.50) The jeans are the Ankle Stretch Toothpick Jean in Twilight Wash, $125.  They are not really "ankle" on me though, so they look a little bit different. 

For jacket - I'm wearing a wonderful old Theory jacket.  I'm not sure if they still make it... it's that stretch fabric they used to use for everything.  Now they do most things in the Tailor stretch wool, which is also great...

Shoes - Marc by Marc Jacobs round toe black pumps.    I got these Fall of 06 if you can believe it and I still LOVE them.

Bracelet - I am wearing one of J. Crew's chunky pearl bracelets.  It's not online, though is similar to the one below.  It seems like a cheap version of the one below, as if it were made for the J. Crew outlet, but I didn't get it at an outlet... I got it at J. Crew Princeton NJ.  I wonder if they ever put outlet items at the stores?

Earrings - Blue Nile 18k Hoops (yikes, they're $195 now! I'm glad a got mine a few years ago before gold went up!)  These are totally classic earrings that everyone should have in their jewelry wardrobe.

And an 18k gold snake chain that I've had for a while with a key pendant that I got in Kusadasi, Turkey!  I got my key before Tiffany came out with their keys, so I'm not a copier! You can get a nice key pendant from Blue Nile now (yes, they copied) for much less than the Tiffany gold version... check it out here.

J.Crew is offering 20% off women's knits and tees through the end of the day Thursday. No coupon code is required.

Here are some examples:

Tissue Tuxedo Tank, sale $29.20 (regular $36.50) 

Vintage Bateau Top, sale $28.80 (regular $36.00)

And it even includes knit dresses, like this one: Lilac Shower Shift Dress, sale $55.60 (regular $69.50)

The February 2010 J. Crew catalog was shot in Portugal... what a pleasure to look through and see the beautiful streets and landmarks of Lisbon in the background.  Portugal is one of the places I haven't made it to yet... I would love to go, and also to Madeira, the Portugese island off Northern Africa!

They have more pictures including behind the scenes of the photo shoot here on their website.

It seems like we've been seeing a lot of the French sailor shirts here and there lately.  I guess virtually every Spring and Summer, bits of nautical style pop up.  Of late it's probably part in thanks to Audrey Tatou in Coco Avant Chanel. (she looks great in everything!)  The dvd releases Feb. 16 by the way...

Can you imagine that it was way back in the early 1900s that Coco Chanel popularized the look at her store in Deauville (around 1917).  Before that the French label St. James had been making the shirts and sweaters for sailors since about 1850.

Here is Coco in 1930.

I'm afraid to imagine how much a Chanel version of the shirt would cost. But you can still get the original Saint James verision from Calypso. ($135)

 

A couple more modern versions are this one from Anthropologie ($68)

and this tissue tee version from J. Crew ($32.50)

I received my J. Crew Holiday catalog in the mail yesterday. They used a beautiful matte paper for the cover and finished it with metallic text... talk about getting all the details right...

Anyway, it's a treasure trove of great gifts... and things for one's self of course!  They also have a nifty gift guide on the site, here.

I love this dramatic necklace, the Salon Necklace, $150. It's a cool tangle of chains in gold plated brass with glass stones. A bit expensive perhaps for costume jewelry, but it's quite a statement piece.

As anyone who reads Flairvoyant knows, I am a huge fan of J. Crew.  I am pretty sure I love almost everything they make.  Rarely do I hate something.  Well, I'm afraid to say....

this is quite hideous... even more so considering the price tag of $995!

I'd say it's great if you wanted to look like you're wearing a bristly kitchen sponge.

Item Description: "The life of the party, in sumptous silk organza embellished with a flurry of hand-cut, hand-pressed and hand-applied silk organza petals. Finished with a picot-edged silk charmeuse sash at the waist, it makes any occasion special. Strapless. Fitted bodice, straight skirt. Removable silk charmeuse sash. Back zip. Fully lined in silk."

I don't know about "life of the party", perhaps laugh...

At least they had the sense to only make this dress up to a size 8.  They normally make dresses up to size 12.  Although a size 8 person would look truly massive in this dress. I would have made it in 00, 0 and 2 and even then.... ugghhh.  Okay, I've said enough.

J. Crew is offering 20% off orders of $150 or more with code SHOPFALL at checkout. It is valid today through Wed. 10/14.

A good opportunity to fill in any holes in your Fall wardrobe...

Here's a cute pant that's great to show off the shoes of the season, J. Crew Minnie Stretch Twill Pant, $79.50.

They have a side zip,  slim fit with two-way stretch and J. Crew's "city fit" low rise waist.

I received my September J. Crew catalog in the mail yesterday.

Here are my picks:

pg. 8 - Metropolitan Suede Ankle Boots, $250 (made in Italy)  They have a 3 5/8" inch heel with a 3/8" hidden platform.  I wish they were a little higher, and I would also prefer them in regular leather.  Otherwise, they're a great option for Fall's bootie trend.

pg. 16 - Wool Herringbone Professor Blazer, $198. This is a great jacket to wear with skinny jeans and chanel flats... or any jeans for that matter.  Or if you're really skinny you could wear it with leggings and tall riding boots.

pg. 27 - Destroyed Denim Short, $98.  In Marie Claire's September issue, the "Model Spy" showed several models (on their own time) wearing denim shorts with black tights.  These would work perfectly for that look to carry them on into the Fall.  The problem with these though is that the smalles size is 26, and they run quite large... that size was way too big for me.

pg. 36 - Italian Cashmere Shirred Popover Sweater, $178. I like the feminine look of the shirred boat neck collar. This looks so comfy.

pg. 42 - Chunky Gem Jewelry, various prices. Virtually every magazine is showing chunky jewels for Fall, they have the look in bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

 pg. 57 - Silk Tiered Cami, $88. This is a cute, flirty top that would be great for going out, wear with skinny jeans and some tall heels or booties. I like the black, aubergine and toffee. I suppose if one wanted to participate in the "neon" trend, then the autumn sun and bright papaya would be good.  (I'm opting out on that one)

Here are J. Crew's creative director Jenna Lyons' fall picks.

If you want to learn a bit more about Jenna there was a great interview/post on Huffington Post back in July.  It has some good photos and stuff about her personal style and current inspiration...

The August J. Crew catalog is out.  The scenery is beautiful (as are the clothes), they shot it in Monterey County, California.  There are some cool behind-the-scenes pictures on their website.

Following are my picks, it's always so hard because I'd probably love one of everything.

The Anton Sweater ($98, inside cover)

Crystal Thorn-Bush and Jeweled Garland Earrings ($75 & $79.50, pages 8 & 9)

Templeton Tall Boot ($198, page 16)  I don't like to wear flat shoes, but these would look cool with skinny jeans or leggings tucked in.

Merino Maya Cardigan ($88, page 33) I like the draping they've done with this, it's different that way.

Denim Pencil Skirt ($68, page 48)

Merino Ethereal Ruffle Cardigan ($88, page 61)

Textured Jersey Boatneck Tee ($34.50, page 62)

Three sweaters?  I know, but I could easily wear jeans, tank top and a sweater with some cool heels and jewelry every day of the week!  I guess it's my "uniform" of sorts. 

 

Here's a good "look for less" option:  Ferragamo Francesca Bag vs. J. Crew Gallery Hobo. 

The Ferragamo bag is available at Smart Bargains, on sale for $1,189.98. (regular retail $1,850, and pre-sale price at Smart Bargains was $1,399.)

The J. Crew option, the Gallery Hobo, is usually $250 but is on sale now for $200.

Both have a similar roundish shape, natural leather top handles and detachable shoulder straps.  The Ferragamo bag is 12-1/2 x 11 x 6 inches.  The J. Crew bag is 12-1/2 x 12 x 3 inches. (It is also available in a larger version of 16 x 15 x 4 inches on sale for $248)  The Ferragamo bag, of course, is made in Italy... the J. Crew just says "imported" so it's probably made somewhere in Asia.

I'm off for the long weekend tomorrow, so Happy Fourth of July and see you back at Flairvoyant on Monday!  Cheers!

The July J. Crew catalog arrived in my mailbox yesterday. So it's time again for me to go faux shopping.... yay.  (it's cheaper that way if I just post them, and try not to buy)

They've updated the Michelle merino cardigan (which I LOVE, I have it in 2 colors), into a new longer version with little pockets at the bottom, still the same lightweight 14-gauge knit.  They call it the Endless Summer Cardigan, $89.50.  The longer length is good to wear with tiny skirts and leggings.

They brought back the Tissue Rolling-Ruffles Tank, $49.50.  This had been sold out for a while.  It's now back in white, light champagne, dusty shell, light pewter and navy.

I love this sweater, it's a linen/lurex blend.  The lurex is a metallic thread.  I can totally see this with a white tank, jeans and gold sandals.  Shimmer Cardigan, $98.

They've also added a new finish in their matchstick jeans, the Vintage Destroyed Matchstick, $118.  I am loving shredded denim right now, so these are great.

This dress I just LOVE on a hanger, but I think it will only look really great on a super waif. It's SO Audrey Hepburn.   But you see, it doesn't even look as good on their own model as it does laying flat. So this is a maybe / need to try on.  Knotted Cotton Sateen Dress, $98.

Last, this little cotton beach dress, looks so chic you could easily wear it to dinner.  (well it helps that they styled it with layered gold necklaces.)  Cotton Ruffle-Hem Sundress, $55.

Fergie is on the cover of Allure's July issue looking pretty good... it looks like she's lost the weight she had to gain for that movie...  Anyway, I was looking at this and thinking, wait, I know that swimsuit!  It's none other than J. Crew's Seaside Seersucker.  (who said seersucker was for geeks?) And, it's on sale right now!

Seaside Seersucker Underwire French Top, regular price $46, on sale now for $29.99. And Seaside Seersucker Bikini, regular price $42, on sale for $29.40. They come in papaya (as seen on Fergie), dark charcoal and bright sun.

 I'm such a J. Crew junkie, I realize that this is going to have to be a monthly feature since they release a new catalog every month -- and each one has at least a few new items.

I love the cover of the June catalog!  The yellow jacket with the gorgeous flowers... but inside they explain that the flowers are just a tease... they're a one-of-a-kind sample.

   

Here are my top picks from the catalog... and just for fun at the end we'll add them all up and see how much money I've spent. 

Ikat Halter Dress in Warm Maize. Cotton poplin and silk blend. $225.  This I really like, but I think it would look best on a really tall girl, like the model.  Even with heels it probably wouldn't look as good on me.  (boo hoo)

Paper Poplin Blazer in Warm Seashell. 100% cotton. $79.  This color would be a total departure for me.  I never wear pinky colors, but I like the tone - - not too pink!

I also love the Bouquet Sash Belt in Ivory shown above. The flowers are made with Mantero silk. And it's only $35.  I think this is something I would end up never wearing though, even though it's so beautiful.  Really, who in real life would wear it the way she is above?  They also show it in the catalog worn as a necklace, I'm not sure anyone would really do that either.

Pleated Cotton Strati Tank in Ivory, 100% cotton, fully lined. $88.  This would look so Chanel with a black tropical wool pencil skirt... or dress it down with a pair of torn, shreded and worn jeans.

 

Linen Knotted Jacket in Flax. Lightweight linen with silk knotted ruffle detail. $158. I'd wear this with a plain white tank top, jeans and strappy sandals.

Okay, so I've spent $585. That's actually not so bad...

J. Crew is having a private sale, 20% off any order over $175 now through Memorial Day with code SUMMER at checkout.

It's a good time to stock up on swimwear or beach dresses.  They do such a great job with both of those.  I still have my jersey twisted strap beach dress from a couple of seasons ago.  I've loved it... and I'm sure I'll continue to this Summer.  This year, I think this one looks really cute: Jersey Strapless Dress, $78. It's viscose which I love for its drape and softness.

This is the papaya color.  Since I'm somewhat color-phobic, I think I'd stick with dark charcoal.  But you never know, maybe someday I'll be crazy and get a real color!

J. Crew's "Jersey Lomellina" swimwear collection is made with a refined Italian jersey fabric and perfectly finished seams. A special typle of swim fabric - - Nylon/Black Xtra Life Lycra® spandex gives the pieces a rich luminescent appearance and allows them to keep their shape longer.

It comes in several styles to mix and match tops and bottoms and 3 styles of one piece suits.  I like this top with its gathered design.

Jersey Lomellina Kauai Halter Top, $58. Shown here in dark slate.

And the Jersey Lomellina Hipster with Flower, $56.

They also have a plain version with a little bit more coverage and without the flower for the same price, here.

Speaking of J. Crew, the April catalog arrived promptly in my mailbox yesterday. The entire front section of women's clothes features the beautiful Liya Kebede.  

Apparently this was the first time they used only one model.

Every year, J. Crew makes the best little jackets.  This spring I am loving the Washed Ruffle Collar Short Trench Jacket. $158, sale $118.  The inner ruffle part of the collar buttons on and off, so it is optional.  I would take it off I think.

I can add this one to my collection from past seasons:

Ellie Jacket (2007)

Chino Bowery (2007) (looks cuter in person)

Fiona Madras (2008)

 

etc. etc.

They've certainly come a long way since the Barn Jacket!

We're seeing white jeans all over the place for Spring '09.  What do you think? Hideous or Fabulous?  You remember how your Mom always said white clothes make you look bigger? Mabye I just can't get that out of my head.  Anyway how "big" can a size 0 look?

These do look pretty cool: J Brand Low Rise Slouchy Cigarette Jeans, $209.

These particular jeans (above) are on Bloomingdale's "Lust List", the Spring must-haves as per their fashion office staff.

J. Crew is showing at least 4 different kinds of white jeans: matchstick, cropped, bootcut, high heel flare, etc.

Okay, here's a very reasonable shoe to follow the beautiful but ridiculously expesnive Jimmy Choo. 

J. Crew Cate Leather High-Heel Slingbacks, $198, on sale right now for $150

The models are wearing these throughout the March catalog. (the March catalog is great btw, I want like 1 of everything!) They look especially good with shorter pants like capris. They're a beautiful tumbled Italian leather and are made in Italy.  They come in blush, black, deep brown, light chartreuse and dusk.  The heel is only 3 1/2 inches though.  It would be perfect if it was 4.

 

I got my J. Crew February catalog with Lauren Hutton on the cover in the mail over the weekend.

Yikes, I think she looks very old, and her skin looks like leather - as if she didn't take care of it when she was young.  Personally, I'm all for a bit of tasteful plastic surgery for older people (or anyone who really needs it, say for a young person to fix a very unfortunate nose).

Anyway, on to fashion...  Here are my picks:

The Icon Trench (pg. 4, $298) looks great, but I already have a classic Burberry that will last like, forever; so I don't need this one.

 

This Tissue Ruffle Cardigan (pg. 13, $45) looks like a nice lightweight layer. 

 

Distressed Vintage Slim Jean in Destroyed Antique Wash (pg. 16, $148), I love the holes and fraying. They're showing them rolled... hmmm, I'd have to try that look and see if it looks silly.

 

The Ringspun Cotton Rosette Tee (pg. 36, $48) looks like a tee that Chanel would make.

 

I love having a bunch of cardigans around, the Merino Michelle V-Neck Cardigan (pg. 40-41, $69.50) would be great to have in say 4 colors!  I don't like the way they paired it in the picture below though - longer sweaters look better with a pencil skirt, not a full skirt.  Sweaters never wear that well, I hate it when they start pilling so it seems like I'm always buying new ones. (recession - time to get a sweater de-fuzzer!)

 

I already mentioned the Satin Rosette Sandals the other day (pg. 53, $78). These come in silver, blush (below) and yellow. I actually like all of the colors, so it would hard to decide...

J. Crew is offering flat % savings off orders of at least $150 through this Saturday (code TURKEY at checkout).  They usually only offer sales on one category or additional discounts of their sale items, but this is good for the entire collection.

J. Crew is offering an extra 30% off sale items with code EXTRA30 until Sat. Nov. 8 at 9:59 PM ET.

There are some great bargains like this winter coat in an Italian wool/cashmere blend. Regular $325, with extra sale $192.50.

 

A classic trouser style jean in a nice medium/dark wash. Regular $120, with extra sale $70.

 

Also, the great skull wellie boots that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago (orig. $78) can now be had for a mere $35.

Their website is often annoyingly slow lately, but it's worth the trouble for these great deals.

As a person who loves skull and crossbone patterns (for some strange reason) and has ruined one too many pairs of Gucci shoes in the rain, here's a great find:

They're rubber, so totally weather/water proof and lined with sherpa for comfort. (Sherpa-lined critter wellies, $78) They're a dark charcoal color so they'll go with anything and the skull pattern is small so you won't look too silly! It's so great wearing boots like this when the city streets are full of slush, snow, and mini-lakes (from clogged up drains). Thankfully it's not time for that yet, but they're just as good in pouring rain!

This black and white J. Crew Collection dress has a very classic Chanel-esque look. Chanel always shows a lot of black and white and especially did in their latest show, Spring-Summer 2009.  Someone probably could have snuck this dress into the show and no one would have noticed!

J. Crew Collection "Shimmy Dress", $250, ivory silk organza with tiny cotton voile ruffles black charmeuse sash.

   

Wouldn't it look great with some Chanel costume jewelry like this: But I guess that would cancel out the "look for less" part.

As if us Upper East Siders weren't spoiled enough already, J. Crew announced that their first J. Crew Collection Store is coming soon (in October) to 79th and Madison!

J. Crew collection items are always very well made and classic in their design, although a perhaps bit pricey (I mean for J. Crew). Here are some examples:
Cashmere Audrey Dress, $248. Italian cashmere sweater dress with taffeta sash at the waist.

Large Oslo Bag, $425. Tumbled Borge Garveri Italian leather with resin horn turn lock closure and brass hardware.

Some of the lady-like profiles of Fall (like the pencil skirt) are to me, crying out to be paired with multi strand pearls.  I've written before about covet-worthy Chanel pearl necklaces but there are plenty of reasonable options out there too.

J. Crew has a nice option, this Double-Strand Jeweled-Flower Pearl Necklace for $250.  It's made with real 10 mm freshwater pearls, hand knotted on silk thread with a metal flower clasp.  It's 20" long.

Or at Ross Simons, their Double Cultured Pearl Strand with 14k Gold Clasp, $156 for 16 inch length, $180 for 18 inch length. The pearls may be anywhere from 7.5 - 9 mm in size, hopefully they do a reasonable job of matching them...

It's kind of funny how "Grandma" pearls can be. There are probably a lot of younger women that would never even consider wearing them. But I love them, I think they're Grace Kelly classic and as long as you know how to dress, they're fabulous!  Like this:

 

How cool does that look?!

The J. Crew Fall collection has started coming in already. I'm loving this "Quincy Hobo" bag.

It's made with tumbled leather and brass hardware. The quilted detailing gives it a Chanel-esque look for a fraction of the price! Somtimes J. Crew makes their bags in Italy, but apparently not this one because it just says "imported", but that's probably why it's only $228. It looks to be very well made though, check out this hardware:

For the bold, it also comes in vine green and golden yellow!

I totally love J. Crew's sales, but even more when then do additional markdowns!  Right now they're offering an additional 30% off sale items with code EXTRA30 at checkout!  Here are some examples of the amazing bargains:

Linen Critter Cabana Bag: Regular $78 - Sale $39.99 - Extra Sale $27.99. White linen with bamboo handles and a quirky crab critter emboidered onto the bottom corner.

Deco-Dot Zoey Dress: Regular $88 - Sale $59.99 - Extra Sale $41.99.  This is a great summer dress in an embossed cotton, the sweet orange color is in style this year... .who knows about next, but for $41.99, who cares?

Solid Cross-Back Tissue Tank: Regular $48 - Sale $34.99 - Extra Sale $24.49. Cute lightweight top, comes in 8 colors!

Refined Canvas San Telmo Jacket: Regular $158 - Sale $89.99 - Extra Sale $62.99. Midweight canvas with a mandarin collar and elbow length sleeves.

They've also got a bunch of sweaters and swim separates on sale! They recently tweaked their website and made some changes that I don't like.  In the sale you used to be able to conveniently search by size, now that feature is gone.  I hope they bring it back!

J. Crew released their new items for May today.  Among them I particularly like the enamel lobster bracelet. Maybe it's because I'm from New England, but I just love lobster and crab designs.  I think I love them just as much as I like to eat them, weird, ha?

Enamel jewelry has made a come back over the last year or so. I really like this bracelet because it's not a bangle, but a hinged style with a snap closure and safety hook and chain. It's $88 at jcrew.com.  This is a great piece because it's quirky.  Not everyone is going to like this (or have it) so it's really something that's unique.  Wearing this with say, a casual all black beach dress for a splash of color would be great!

J Crew (www.jcrew.com) is having an extra 20% off sale items right now.  It's a great time to stock up on basics, but you have to do it fast because they always run out of the good colors/sizes when they have the extra 20% off.  Here are some examples:  Classic Cashmere Cable Cardigan - regular price $160, sale $99.99, extra sale $79.99. 

Links Print Silk Tank Dress - regular price $140, sale $69.99, extra sale $55.99. 

Chino Liana Jacket - regular price $110, sale $49.99, extra sale $39.99. 

Those are just seriously amazing prices! Shop carefully though, it's final sale - no returns or exchanges.

As I was doing my Gucci update yesterday I was thinking about the color yellow since they're featuring that color in their spring/summer line.  We've been seeing yellow a lot more in the last year or so.  Yellow on the red carpets was huge in 2007.  Reece Witherspoon in Nina Ricci, Angelina Jolie in Emanuel Ungaro, Kate Hudson in Dior, Thandie Newton in Fendi, Kerry Washington in Oscar de la Renta, etc. etc.

For us mere mortals, yellow is popping up a lot this Spring. Take a look at J. Crew's spring preview catalog that they shot in Rome (don't get me started Rome... that's an entry of its own), it's full of yellow.  Like the really cute Fontana dress, see below.

Net-a-porter is featuring yellow as the "Y" in their 2008 A to Z of Spring Fashion.

I have to admit as a person who pretty much lives in black, charcoal and denim; I tend to be slow in adopting color.  But I think I'm going to get some yellow this Spring!