A big "thanks!" to so many of you, including Ameilia, Cynthia, Alison, K, as well as J.Crew Hawaii-Fan, Francesca & Heather:D (in this post), who let us know that First Lady Michelle Obama (& our lovely J.Crew) is featured in Vogue's upcoming issue. Click here to read the article and click here to see more images on that story. Incidentally, the image above showcases all J.Crew items... so pretty!
Also, "thanks!" to an anonymous member who let us know that there is an interesting article about Jenna Lyons and J.Crew. It discusses topics ranging from its "new retail sweet spot: Call it the Middle" to toothpick jeans. Click here to read the article in its entirety.What are your thoughts on either pieces of news? Also... Are you loving the outfit First Lady Michelle Obama is wearing like I am? Do you think the jacket Jenna is wearing is the new jacket mentioned in this post? ;)
Why is Jenna half sitting/squatting over the chair like that? I've noticed models doing that in JC catalogs, too. Is it some camera trick to appear thinner? Not that she needs to! Weird.
ReplyDeleteI love the cardigan on Michella Obama, the color is very flattering on her.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the better Jenna pictures I have seen in awhile. The jacket looks nice, and of course she is wearing yellow (it is either orange or yellow) on her.
Heather: LOL- Your comment made me smile b/c its so true!!! I was wondering why she was sitting like that too. ;) But she still looks great. :)
ReplyDeletewhat shirt is michelle wearing UNDER the cardigan?
ReplyDeletei'd be interested in that.
and by the way that skirt is now on sale. :)
It is most definitely a trick to appear thinner
ReplyDeleteMichelle O is so photogenic! She's always gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with casual-crew, that's a great color on her.
"I meet people sometimes and they're like, 'Oh, yeah, I know J. Crew, I have a roll-neck sweater,'" Ms. Lyons said, groaning. "And I’m like 'Oh, no, no, that's not the J. Crew I'm talking about!'"
ReplyDeleteI get what Jenna is saying, but c'mon the rollneck is a classic. Just update it by making it more form fitting and in the current jcrew color palette. They will still sell tons.
I love her skirt! Does anyone have an item #? TIA!
ReplyDeleteOff topic...but there are TONS of sherpa lined vests in stock, in cabana blue, bright papaya, lemon citron and jungle green...$49.99 final sale. You have to search "sherpa" for them to come up. Finally, I've wanted one of those *forever*!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the first lady is wearing the sparkle plaid tweed pencil skirt, but in a new (or specially designed for MO) color.
ReplyDeleteheather awesome! thanks for the info! :)
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteYaaaaaay! I'm so glad we have a post on these articles! THANKS Alexis!
It's a great example of how wonderful JCA's can be. I had tripped across a reference to the Vogue cover & there was Francesca with a link to the complete article! Thanks again Francesca, I appreciate the help. BTW, if you have time, please give the article a read -- it’s very inspiring. I think the author does an admirable job of explaining the Obama family’s appeal.
Oh & please add my plea to RatsonParade’s request for the skirt #. I was admiring that skirt earlier & couldn’t find it on the site. I thought it might have been one of the custom pieces. I’d so love a classic patterned skirt. I’ll admit that pink/ rose is a little unusual for me, but I’m willing to give it a try!
Also, thanks for the link to the Jenna Lyons article. I love getting the inside scoop. It’s like hearing all the good bits on a DVD commentary :}
Thanks again everyone,
Heather:D
Love MO's outfit! I want that skirt, top looks promising too!
ReplyDeleteHi again,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the help Heather.
Unfortunately, I think that the sparkle tweed is sold out. I saw that skirt on the sale site earlier, but it's gone now. Early JCA gets the cool clothes I guess.
Anywho, I appreciate the info.
Thanks,
Heather:D
Does MO have to look so freaking good all the time?? She is totally going to crash the site again.
ReplyDelete(:
Love the cardigan and top on FLOTUS. If anyone knows what blouse/cardigan combo that is, please post.
ReplyDeleteAnd for Jenna Lyons - I suppose the pose does avoid the "thigh spreading" of sitting down, but she looks like she just farted and lifted up off the chair to let it out :( Not a good look IMO.
Michelle looks fantastic, but I love the jacket Jenna is wearing, which I assume is also J Crew. Now if it comes in white, I'll die happy. *stalks website*
ReplyDeleteanon @ 5:20 - hahaha, after reading that, that's all I can see in her pose! XD
ReplyDeleteI like Jenna's jacket and MO's shirt and sweater. Not sure about Jenna's jacket being the same as the jacket in the magazine. Jenna's looks longer but may she's wearing a size "Tall". Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteLadies, I hope you can cut Jenna some slack as you do with Michelle Obama.
ReplyDeleteI like the direction that JCrew is heading. I also love that JC offers great basics in solid colors, but offers trendier items (shapes, colors, patterns), too.
ReplyDeleteThat being said...I HATE skinny jeans! I am six feet tall, just like Jenna, but I have an athletic build. Slender, but muscular. I love my legs and would not change anything about them but I DO NOT DO skinny jeans, or else I look like I'm wearing sausage casings. That, and JC's bootcut jeans don't even work on me! Argh!
This ends my rant.
(Alexis - it might be fun to do a blog posting on JC jeans.)
I love J.Crew skirts & get a lot of them, but I don't in the least bit recognize the one MO is wearing. Don't mean this to be rude, but to me it doesn't look like the sparkle skirt at all.
ReplyDeleteOMG, Jenna does totally sit like someone who just tooted big time, hahahahaha.
ReplyDeleteOT - just returned from the 17th & 5th b&m, picked up the eyelet mini, sateen pencil skirt in blush pink and a brown beach cover up... all on sale. FYI, sale in store in not Final Sale. Also got a price adjustment on the lattice pencil skirt, which in now on sale. The associate asked me for my email address, and gave me a 10% off future in store purchase, valid until 3/29.
ReplyDeleteoops, gave me a 10% off card for in store future purchase :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen was the last time J Crew was featured in a Vogue editorial?
ReplyDeleteMichelle Obama looks amaaaazing :)
anon @ 5:43 - It's all in good fun. :) Jenna is a beautiful woman (which we all know!), it's just that her pose is a little silly, whereas Michelle O's pose is great. I'm sure the photography made her sit like that anyway and that she doesn't normally sit in that position on a day-to-day basis. I know I've had my fair share of awkwardly-posed photos! The half-blink is one of my worst! I end up looking like a zombie, and not at all like Jenna who still looks attractive even -if- she just tooted!
ReplyDelete*photographer!
ReplyDeleteI love Michelle's outfit too!
ReplyDeleteI was in JCrew this evening and a man was shopping for his wife and said "I heard the Obama's shop here." So good press for the store!
anon @ 6:33 - You're right, the weave pattern is different than the Sparkle Tweed skirt. If anyone has this issue, shouldn't it be listed in the back credits exactly what she's wearing?
ReplyDeletesorry, when I said 'looks like' I meant 'similar to'... it looks like there could be some metallic thread in the weave, hard to tell in this pic if it's a herringbone or plaid tweed. mostly likely this was another item specially made for MO.
ReplyDeleteMarietta,
ReplyDeleteIs is the organza pencil skirt that you bought? I love the fabric and color.(also could you share how much you got it for?)
Anon @ 7:29 - no, the skirt I got is the sateen pencil, similar to item 12541, except without the button tab at the waist, and the pockets. I think this style of sateen pencil skirt is in store only, as I have not seen it online at all. It was on sale for $49.99. I believe only the blush pink was on sale, as I picked up the slate grey last week, asked for a price adjustment and was told that the slate was not on sale (although I believe still on $69.50 promo).
ReplyDeleteShe and her 72-year-old mother both wear the toothpick jeans? Oh lord, please don't let us see any photos of that...
ReplyDeleteMarietta: Thanks for sharing the news on the new promotion. I will make sure to create a post on that for tomorrow! :)
ReplyDeleteHi again,
ReplyDeleteI thought I was all talked out today & then I saw Marietta & Anon @ 7:29 talking about a slate grey skirt. Just wanted to thank Marietta for solving a small mystery for me. I was sure I had tried on the same skirt earlier & couldn't find it online.
I found that skirt on in a B&M last weekend. It was near closing time & I didn't want to keep my lovely Carmel SAs after hours while I decided. I had planned on going home & stalking it online - but couldn't find it. Marietta is quite right, it is a simpler design, with a back zip & vent but not the ruching of the organza.
It is a great skirt. The grey is a wonderful neutral (looked really cute with a Dusty Rose merino sweater & white blouse) with a classic pencil shape. I thought it would be a v. useful addition to my work wardw=robe. That said, in light of all the recent mark-downs, I'm not sure if I'm ready to pay $70+tax for it.
Thanks again Marietta,
Heather:D
I really really really like that skirt. I hope they eventually put it up for sale online!
ReplyDeleteHas anyone seen the Hexagon jacquard mini IRL? I live overseas and would really like to order this with the current promotion, but am not sure how it fits and whether it is as pretty in person as online?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great color on Michelle Obama...very pretty.
ReplyDeleteLove, love that skirt she is wearing. Wonder if the tweed is an amalgamation of next fall's color pallette.(Geez did I spell that right? Looks funny, maybe I am too tired.) If so, I am looking forward to next fall!
ReplyDelete"We’re a country that is “just downright mean,” we are “guided by fear,” we’re a nation of cynics, sloths, and complacents." said Michelle Obama. Do you know who she was talking about? Not anyone I know. Perhaps her friends? An insult I find that I cannot forgive.
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 8:56 pm: I like that skirt, too, and would love to know how it looks in person as well as the fit.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the cardi is the michelle merino cardi in melon. Don't know about the blouse underneath.
ReplyDeleteWhat is everyone's obsession with farts on this board???
Yes, MO's attitude did leave a bad taste in my mouth. I am trying to give her an objective judgement on things she will be doing as a first lady.
ReplyDeleteThe shots on vogue are better than many other pictures she took. The jcrew set is decent and nicely matched. I do not like her pose though. That is a typical lazy pose. We all do that at home from time to time, but I won't publish a picture like that.
In addition, I think the timing isn't good. Hillary Clinton only on vogue cover in 1998, during the second term of her husband's presidency. Also Obama is telling Americans everyday that we are in depression. Nevertheless, I think the press will cut her tons of slack because she is the wife of Barack Obama.
^Rush limbaugh is waiting for you over on his blog. The address is: "numberonesourceofhotairintheUS.com"
ReplyDeleteI know this is way down in the post and most people won't see it, but I was wondering if anyone has tried the Saturday pants. If so, what did/do you think of them? TIA
ReplyDeleteAnon@1024pm: omg, lol! hahahahaha! thanks! :)
ReplyDeletealthough I do not agree one lick w/ her husband's policies / politics, Michelle Obama hasn't missed a beat with her fashion choices. She conducts herself with poise and elegance and her photo spread displays that fact. This forum is a not a place to spew negative or demaning comments to or about anyone! We love our JCrew, and the first lady just happens to have great fashion taste and prefer JCrew as well -- we can all at least try to separate politics from the peraon.
ReplyDeletePS - I AM, however, irritated about the surge in new JCrew 'fans' who have recently jumped on the bandwagon JUST b/c of the first family. I tried to order my wedding dress on the phone this past thursday and it literally took me an hour and 1/2 due to the busy lines. By the time I got through, my coordinator had left for the weekend til sunday! just a random side note rant!
I called my local B&M tonight and I was told that All items worn by Michelle Obama in the march issue of Vogue are pieces that will be featured in the Fall 2009 Collection.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon @ 11:52, I thought I had heard that somewhere :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle looks great, love the outfit.
I really liked the Jenna article; so fun to read that "insider" stuff. Thanks for posting these Alexis!
Haha!! Jenna is totally posed like she just farted. I'm sorry, it just makes me laugh...Anon @ 5:20 started it! :)
ReplyDeletetoo sad Jenna's bad pose overshadows the first lady... (but it is funny to read my thoughts! LOL)
ReplyDeleteHeck the look on Jenna's face looks guilty of a fart. I am sorry but what a horrible pose/face/shot in general.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be rude but Jenna looks like she an itch it would be 'inappropriate' to scratch.
ReplyDelete*sigh* another love fest for Michelle Obama. Although I do think this particular color palette is lovely, I personally don't get the fascination with her. I think she could wear a garbage bag and people would fawn over her (anyone read the Emperor's New Clothes?). I am sure there are lots of ladies on this board who work their JCrew way better than MO.
ReplyDeleteThere is a post about MO on a jcrew blog because....wait for it.... she is wearing jcrew. It's not a "love fest." And when posters get ranty about MO b/c things not related to this outfit, just sounds like sour grapes. The post is not about politics, it was about jcrew.
ReplyDeleteYou can look at how people comment on Jenna and how people comment on MO. This just turns off a lot of us.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteanon 9:19am,
ReplyDeleteJenna's outfit looks great (actually makes me like the yellow sateen blazer more than in the previous post about it), and I think most of us enjoy reading her interviews, but many of us find this pseudo-slimming convention of photography that resulted in an awkward picture of her very unnecessary.
What is it that separates Michelle Obama from all the other ladies maybe, maybe not "who work their JCrew way better"? What is it about Michelle Obama? Oh, someone help me - I just know there's something extra special about her, like that she's the FIRST LADY OF THE U.S.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, that's why there's a post about her wearing J.Crew on a J.Crew blog. I just knew there was a really logical explanation.
I am an MO super-fan, but if she was sitting like she was holding one in, I would make fun of her too. Not everything is about politics!
ReplyDeleteLighten up, it's Jenna who's sitting like she just let our some air :-)
ReplyDeleteI think the U.S. is a country that's divided, but surely what unites us is that we all fart at times.
ReplyDeleteToo true people. Let us all be united in farts.
ReplyDeleteAlexis and fellow JCAs--- thank you for the pics and links to the articles.... I think that it is fair to say that MO looks fabulous.... :)
ReplyDeleteHeather:D - You are so welcome! I like this skirt much better than the one they have posted online. The blush pink is on sale for $49.99, the slate is still $69.50 promo, but hopefully it will go on sale soon, too! :-)
ReplyDeletePeople, lighten up!! I think Michelle Obama has a great since of style, but she has had a few mishaps. In terms of a lovefest, that is not the case. I think many people identify with her because she has a more upbeat and fresh since of style than say Laura Bush or Hillary Clinton. There are so many people that are bitter about Obama winning for whatever reason (racial, economic, party lines, etc) that they refuse to give MO any positive comments. I think that you have to separate the politics from the personal. Cindy McCain is a very attractive lady and I think she actually is prettier than MO. However, she doesn't have a great fashion sense and I am saying that as a Republican leaning person...Stop with the bitterness and just look at things with an open mind...
ReplyDeleteI meant sense of style..sorry, I was typing fast..
ReplyDeleteHeather and Alexis..I think she has to pee.
ReplyDeleteFor those who are wondering about the Hexagon Jacquard Mini (#11803), I have the skirt. I am usually a size 2 or 4 in JC pants. Size 2 fits well. I would say it fit TTS or even a bit big, as with many of the JC skirts. I am wearing it with tights so it slides a bit. This one is not as "A-line", i.e., flaring out quite a bit at the bottom, as the Felted Wool Mini (#96159) if that makes sense. By the way, I have the Felted Wool Mini also in a size 2. The fabric is nice but not substantial. In fact it is quite thin. I guess this is because it is a Spring item. Since I have only worn it twice, I am not sure how it would wear. I like the fact that the skirt does not get wrinkly after a few hours of sitting down. The only thing that bugs me is that the pattern at the hem on the front and back of the skirt does not line up. But since you or someone will be looking at the skirt either from the front or the back at a time so I guess it does not matter much. I hope this helps those who are considering getting this skirt.
ReplyDeleteGreat article! I thought it was interesting that they mentioned "the botched Web site upgrade that disrupted online orders and left the company with excess inventory". At least they are publicly acknowledging that it was a fiasco!
ReplyDeleteI also didn't know Jenna was 40. She looks great, although I have to admit, in this picture, her pose looks awkward.
Michelle Obama also looks fantastic!
Anon 9:19, the fact that you even view it as an oppositional Jenna v. MO is weird. It seems like you're totally reading in because YOUR politics. By "turns off a lot of us" I assume you mean conservatives / republicans, but what the heck does Jenna even have to with politics? That's just such a weird way to look at it.
ReplyDeleteI love it! Thank you so much for posting this!
ReplyDeleteDon't you wish you could see what shoes they were wearing?
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon @ 11:52! I can't wait to see that beautiful outfit this fall. BTW, has anyone received the newest JC catalog? I've seen it in the store and am anxiously waiting for it to arriving in my mailbox. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like MO's style in general. She knows what works for her and stick to it.
ReplyDeleteHi anon 3:35,
ReplyDeleteI have recv'd the Feb catalogue out here in CA. It has a picture of lovely Lauren rocking the classic trench on the cover. I managed to save it from the recycling earlier this week. Still working on hubby's definition of "unnecessary mail".
Hope you get your copy soonest,
Heather:D
Re: Race car driver
ReplyDeleteBoth Jenna and Michelle are women. Why the comments towards Jenna are more critical? Every posts (earlier interview one) about Jenna, there was significant amount critique about her. Why everytime people saying anything critical about MO, it must to be wrong, political or discriminatory? Are you trying to intimate different views?
Not just republicans do not like some of MO's attitude, many democrats, even some obama supporters, who voted for him, do not like some of her attitude. I am trying give her more objective judgements when she is first-lady. She may be different than we thought. Or she may grow in the new role. Her choice of timing to pose for vogue certainly didn't change my view of her.
Nevertheless, the jcrew outfit she wore in the picture was decent and looked nice. It is better than other jcrew outfits she wore. Jenna's outfit is as nice as MO's. That is it.
What I do not like is that we have to say she is a genius in fashion when I only see her as an average urban girl, who kept experimenting and had some fun.
To 11:10am re hexagon jacquard mini - thanks much!
ReplyDeleteI called J. Crew. The outfit that MO is wearing will be released this fall. As of now they are taking preorders for the skirt and cardigan. The "info" on the shell has not been finalized, so J. Crew will take your name and number and then call you with the info so that you can preorder. The skirt was about $180; cashmere cardigan $160.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 5:20 here. I didn't think my comments would cause such a stir. I didn't mean to be crass or critical of Jenna, I just said what popped to mind in an effort to be humorous.
ReplyDeleteWasn't a critique of Jenna. She's got great style and clearly we're all on a website devoted to the clothes she helps design.