J.Crew Keeps It Classy

J.Crew has found a style that works for them, and they have stuck to it, which brings to mind the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Now, that mantra doesn’t always fit into the ever-changing world of fashion, but the designers at J.Crew have found a way to make the classical Upper East Side look timeless.

Dark colors and simple patterns that are accented in some looks by color blocking adds something of a contemporary edge to looks that could easily be deemed as too safe. It’s clean and conservative, but versatile. This collection is the perfect starting point for an aspiring fashionisto who is eager to break a few rules, but not quite ready to burst completely out of the fashion closet. These Nate Archibald-esque looks are appropriate for school, work, hanging out, and everything in between.

J. Crew Fall 2012 is definitely the direction to go when you just want to keep it classy.


Text Jarrod Wadsworth
Image Style.com

A Sartorial Super Bowl

Calling all bandwagon football fans: Want to look the part of a Patriots or Giants supporter without dropping major dollars on an inarguably boxy jersey? Here’s your DIY guide to dressing the part. There’s just one catch — the Giants and the Patriots have more or less the same colors: red, white, and blue, though the Giants use gray as an accent color and the Pats use “new century silver.” Our translation? New Englanders get to wear more bling.

Next up::Your excuse to buy colored pants (finally!). Show off your team spirit in a crisp crimson pair or in a Giants-approved Big Blue. Then, top it off with a sporty striped shirt, like this candy cane–esque tee from Top Shop or this bold blue sweatshirt from J.Crew, pictured above. Want a slightly more ladylike look? Opt for the appropriately named fanfare popover, also from J.Crew, or this perfectly polka-dotted chiffon blouse from H&M, which comes in both red and blue. (Note: they're not items you want to spill beer on.) We suggest sizing up, so you can make extra room for those buffalo wings.

Of course, you can always snag NFL-themed loungewear at Victoria’s Secret Pink, though we’re guessing stores are totally sold out of New York and New England gear. Or, if you want to channel your inner Avril Lavigne, you can pick up a tie from Vinyard Vines’ NFL collection (or grab an early Valentine’s Day present for your guy). Game on!

Text Kara Solarz
Image J. Crew

All That Glitters in 2012

Sure, right now Christmas shopping is important and all, but chances are that many women's retail priority is nabbing the perfect New Year’s Eve dress. But once the ball drops and the hangover subsides, what will you do with that stunning sequined mini dress? Don’t keep it tucked away in the back of your closet — the glitter trend will be far from over in 2012. And while you can’t exactly wear your cocktail frock to work, there are (slightly) more subtle ways to incorporate sparkle into your everyday wardrobe.

Our favorite solution: Embellished sweaters, which can be found in all sorts of variations in stores this winter. You can go down the glitter gradient from Marc by Marc Jacobs's restrained use of shimmer in his floral Gladiola sweater, to J. Crew’s sporty sparkly Wynter sweater (rugby stripes which alternate between basic black and embellished white), to Top Shop’s twinkling, all-over sequin sweater. And why wait ‘til the New Year — you could even pull a Jenna Lyons and pair your sweater with a formal skirt for a head-turning, midnight-ready look.

Text Kara Solarz

Image Fashionologie