A big "thanks!" to Raina & Shannon who shared the following J.Crew sightings in the August/September issue of Lonny Magazine (click here). To view the image larger, click here & here.
The article describes J.Crew's Fall Collection as:One part chic drama, one part relaxed nonchalance. She's ready for strolling the Fall streets no matter the weather. Translate this autumnal look to your own abode with texture-rich pieces that will warm up even the starkest interiors.Hmm. It's hard to translate those looks to real life for me. However, I am confident that one of you JCAs could do it and make it look good too! :)
What are your thoughts on the styling? Have you warmed up to it now that it is getting closer to Fall? Do you agree with the magazine's take? :)
It's late... post-client dinner and I know what a thrashing I will get for this comment but... these lookbook images aren't styled for "real life". JC is not in business to manufacture government-employee uniforms. I would never wear these specific concoctions but I find the color and texture interesting. I would be happy to run into one of these young women on the street. Wouldn't life be boring without characters with some style--or are stepford and mao more comfortable?
ReplyDeleteWhat part of tacking 800 brooches to your blazer says "relaxed nonchalance"??? Maybe that term was meant to refer to the giant snow bison bag? I agree with gem twin that there is definitely a place in the world for unusual clothing, but IMO that place is on the high fashion runways and not at J.Crew.
ReplyDeleteI think we can all agree that recent JC lookbook pics aren't intended for everyday life (remember the Spring '10 one with all the assorted flower arrangements in the models' hair?) and that they're supposed to drum up interest in the collection. There have been lookbooks posted here from previous season that featured the individual items better and got JCA's excited about them, mainly because it was more obvious what the items looked like. Opinions about the styling aside, for some of the pics it's hard to figure what's what with all of the layers. I think that part of the whackier styling is to distract from the fact that a lot of similar items are for sale all over the place. Perhaps in JC's case, the lookbook should come at the same time or after the rollout for those that are looking for styling ideas! :)
ReplyDeleteI also don't think that there's this great JCA divide with the Jackie twinsets on one side ("We're boring and dowdy! Keep everything at JC the same as it's been since 2004!") and the Mongolian lamb vests on the other ("We're not boring and dowdy! If you don't like the way JC is now, don't let the door hit you!"). We all know that if we don't like something, we don't have to buy it - and when the lookbook came out, most JCA's said they were reserving judgment on the individual pieces until the rollout (after the initial reaction of, "I can't wear these getups!").
gem twin, I agree with you wholeheartedly. The catalogs would be of no interest if they showed the clothes literally, as in an old Sears catalog. I love the cashmere hooded popover and of course have the Abyss gingham shirt. I may not wear them with the Eliza Doolittle hat but it doesn't mean I don't love the photo!
ReplyDeleteAs it happens, the outfits no longer shock. I wouldn't describe the looks as "relaxed nonchalance," more "deer in the headlights" or "when you must get dressed in the dark," but - whatever.
ReplyDeleteThe real shocker in this morning's inbox was an email from Land's End Canvas, of which the first word in the subject line was EFFORTLESS. I thought it was a joke. Apparently not.
A pleasant and delightful surprise, a JC package arrived long after I had been told the item was sold out, and I love it. Review to be posted Tuesday.
I have looked at looked and tried to "warm up" as you say to the fall items but have not found anything yet. Just having fun going through my older fall JCrew items and loving them. I seem to get more compliments on my older pieces than my newer ones and I find that very intersting....
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this model and actually love the lookbook. I said it.
ReplyDelete*runs and hides* =)
I do understand how some are turned off and I also appreciate the more wearable styling of old. But I do find this is fun to see. I am not sure if it really sells more clothes for them or not. It could be a disservice to those who have NO IDEA what to do with this and are turned off when they receive it. Like say an old-timer/core customer that might take it too literally and think that J Crew has nothing to offer them anymore. But then again..I am not sure they care/are targeting that customer anymore.
I got this Look book early and fell in love with it's essence immediately. I have already put 5 Rhinestone Pins on a blazer and have had rave reviews. I'm excited for fall and the tweedy looks at JC. I adore the Mix of Shine with tweeds and Plaids.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Andrea, it seems like JC is trying to copy the high fashion runways and maybe it's to target customers who shop at high end designers. However, how long will it take for them to realize the $300+ sequin skirt will fall apart after one wear? I guess if people have that much $$ to throw at disposable clothing JC will bank on them.
ReplyDeleteI only take the look book styling as I would look through a fashion magazine. Nothing I would do in real life given where I live and my lifestyle.
ITA with gem twin and Elizabeth -- shots like these from the catalogue/look book are meant to be editorial, not literal. Think about some of the fashion magazine spreads or runway shows...the get-ups are crazy, hugely OTT and usually nothing that the designer expects or intends people in real life to wear on the street. I'm not necessarily equating John Galliano with J Crew, but they are two ends of the same fashion spectrum where drama & theatrics are part of the process.
ReplyDeleteSweetsy: I also love this model. I think she is quite visually stunning and wears the clothes really, really well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with others in that the Look Book serves as a concept rather than a manual for dressing for the fall season. I think JC is really trying hard(too much so IMHO) to catch the eye of the more affluent, fashion forward customer. What is apparent however, is that items that were just released a month ago are going to Final Sale. Could it be that JC knows that their sales are way down and they just want to sell the stuff and get rid of it? The name of the game in this economy is perceived value, and JC needs to pay attention.
ReplyDeleteI understand why JCAs would agree that every photo does not need to show the clothes literally "as in an old Sears catalog," but that principle only goes so far. For those of us who shop mostly or only online JC needs to provide accurate depictions of the clothing *somewhere*. It doesn't have to be in a lookbook.
ReplyDeleteIf a model in a photo of a dress is wearing fifteen necklaces and standing with her head cocked like a chicken's, there is no way for a shopper to tell how the neckline hangs (and these days it's likely low enough to be a problem).
I have to disagree. I find this model very unappealing. I quickly turned the pages when I saw her! Yikes. My daughter commented on what a strange model she was too and pointed to the current "pretty" Talbots models. (They used do be in JCrew catalogs!)
ReplyDeleteIt's fine if J.crew wants to rip off Vogue for the Look book - but the look book is not the same as the catalogue, and j.crew did beautifully styled head-to-toe catalogue shots in 2007 & 2008 to great success. Look at the Paris video (easily available on Youtube) - the outfits are easily translatable into daily life.
ReplyDeletei also think the model is beautiful - actually stunning like FFM said. i love the lookbook and really don't find the layering too crazy. seriously, out here in the bay area the weather goes from hot (i.e. Marin, East Bay) to freezing (SF) in a 30 minute drive. so everyone layers here. i didn't even give the layering in the lookbook a second thought. yes, some of it is *extreme* layering but it's not all real.
ReplyDeletethe lookbook is just to showcase the overall colors and main pieces. you can see each piece online individually. i think the photography and the model in the LB are beautiful. :)
i also like the non-super bright colors of the latest rollouts. i find that these colors are the most wearable and timeless for me. i have a few bright items from around '08 in my closet that i hardly wear or i only use to layer over because i feel too neon in them...:)
i think that Elisabeth sums it up really well for me:
"The catalogs would be of no interest if they showed the clothes literally, as in an old Sears catalog". i've gotten the JC catalog for almost 20 years and while i loved the old ones too, the new catalogs/lookbook are still eye candy for me.
on that note, i am now going to sip my cafe au lait and enjoy my IRL catalog that i finally got yesterday...my little one's at school. woohoo! :)
Genny/Summer:whether it's clothing or models, the old saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" seems to apply:)
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I want to say that I try to be understanding when I read your comments on this blog but honestly, I am wondering why you bother with J Crew, anymore? Or why you even read/comment on this blog about J Crew? I have tried to give you the benefit of the doubt. I do understand your frustration with how much things have changed..how you once spent a ton of money with J Crew but no longer feel they offer styles, quality, fit or service desired. I also hear consistent plugs for other stores such as LE Canvas, Talbots etc. I think you might even be surprised to read your posts from the last year. 99% are negatives about the offerings, quality and how you detest final sale and won't be buying from it. Really just negative about J Crew as a whole. I get so excited when I see a glimmer of positive in your comment. Food for thought.
oops, sorry Elizabeth, i spelled your name wrong in my above post. ok, now i'm going to have my coffee. :p
ReplyDeleteI would love for JC to take some individual pieces from their collection and create a Look#1, Look#2, etc. from it. Or have a version of Ask Jack, where you could have suggestions of how to dress up or dress down a piece. I can pick through Look Books and get excited about individual pieces, but honestly, I'm lazy and would love someone to put it all together!
ReplyDeleteI did think they would be on the right track with different JCrew stylists wearing pieces their own way and showcasing something like that - some conservative, others more cutting edge.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis post missed the whole point of why JCrew was featured in this home decor magazine—they take the lookbook images and translate them into home pieces, and it's beautiful and interesting. I can't believe you didn't include the rest of the article. It really shows the point of these editorial images, to take the combinations of color, texture, and shape they are making, and translate them to your real life, or use them as inspiration for other mediums (ie, home design). Sure, I wouldn't wear a button down shirt layered over a tank top with a $1200 cashmere hoodie and a hat and three pairs of socks on each foot, but the mix of soft camel and bright blue gingham is interesting, along with the texture of the tights and socks, and the shine and glitter of the sequins and jewels. It's an idea to start from, and you can use JCrew items to get that aesthetic, or you can just take it as inspiration.
ReplyDeletesweetsy,
ReplyDeleteJust calling it like it is. FACTS are FACTS. I have reported nothing but what has actually transpired. Cannot argue with that. So what if my experience is different than yours or my opinion differs than yours? This blog would be boring without me that is for sure:)and all other with different opinions.
Also, have received many thanks from other posters for letting them know about Land's End and LLBean and I know for a fact that others feel as disgruntled with JCrew as I do.
Also, there are lots of posts about BR and GAP which I personally have NEVER mentioned. So why not attack those poor souls as well????
Maybe you need to do some rereading???? Many Many Many posts like mine.
So, from now on I won't respond to any of your comments and you can do the same for me if they bother you so and/or just skip over my name when you see it. Thank you very much for reading my last post--(in your case-that is)
lol, good point Sydney, you're right! so, i actually think that the JC lookbook is a great resource for home design inspiration - lots of color/texture combos to get inspired by. a lot of interior designers do this (i love HGTV) - they get inspiration from clients' wardrobes. inspiration can come from anywhere! :)
ReplyDeleteSydney: My mistake for missing the whole point. ;) You are right and I updated the post to include the entire two pages now. :)
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I mentioned this so many times I should copy & paste the following. ;) We all have different tastes and styles, and it's great because we can show each other different ways to wear things. I know I dismissed an item from looking at it online only to desperately seek & buy it *after* reading a fellow JCA review. It's also great to have a forum where we can share the ups and downs of J.Crew too. When I do like/ don't like something, it's comforting to find out that others (not all, but some) share the same view. But I don't like the negative comments- pointing out or attacking one another- it's hurtful, unnecessary, and frankly makes me want to not check this blog for days. Let's go back to being a super helpful, fun blog. :)
Sweetsy,
ReplyDeleteOh, what a "sweety" you are??? I guess you have to personally attack people who don't always agree with you. Oh, I just feel sorry for you right now.
I just posted twice in the past week how happy I am with my two latest JCrew purchases. Maybe YOU need to do some rereading yourself as Genny suggested.
I think I just read on the post above this one/the Bella jacket one --some poor soul asked for a Talbots code just now. Need to "got get'em and let them know you don't allow this type of request. JCrew only for you!
Some how I don't believe that you are giving me the benefit of the doubt for that matter either.
Please just don't address any posts to me in the future and I will do the same.
Alexis,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry. I just don't like being attacked. Esp. when I just posted some nice things about my recent purchse. Again. Sorry.
Genny-I know I don't have to read your comments but I kept wondering if there was going to be anything useful or if it was going to be the same old rant. You are right. I should and will just skip over your comments in the future as I am certain by now what they are going say and it has become boring.
ReplyDeleteAlexis-I appreciate what you have asked of me and I apologize there was no way to contact Genny, personally. I guess there is only so much a person can take before they just have to ask, why? All I wanted out of this was awareness and perhaps making the decision to say *nothing* instead of beating a dead horse. I will say no more.
Summer, I thought you were Genny.
ReplyDeleteOn topic ;) I've been loving the menswear influence on home decor over the last few years. Lovin' all that dark wood furniture with chrome or nickel hardware. When I bought my place and started shopping for furniture, I totally gravitated towards pieces with a haberdashery flavour.
ReplyDeleteMy couch is a gray flannel microfibre, with cushions covered in a large scale black and white paisley (hey, kinda like the Island Paisley!). Also have dark wood coffee & side tables, and a black/gray rug from Ikea. The walls are a light blue/gray, the "new" beige. Lamps and accessories are pewter. Probably too colourless or plain for some of you :)
Don't know if I'd enjoy the plaids in browns/taupes sim. to the current JC fashions, as that reminds me of the apartment that I grew up in, circa 1978. But I can see femming up my space with some mirror-covered accesories (kinda like the brooches), and mix up more patterns in the cushions on the couch.
Thanks for adding the whole article! I just thought it was so cool, I didn't want anyone to miss out :)
ReplyDeleteSweetsy my dear love,
ReplyDeleteI am so flattered that you took the time to reread all my posts from the past year and they must have been exciting not boring as you would not have taken the time and effort and/or fallen asleep:)
Maybe your time would be better spent as mine was for four hours this weekend delivering Meals on Wheels. It had to take you that long to remember and track everything I have posted.
Now, I have to let this whole attack die and post no more:)