"Thanks!" to Allison, as well as Danielle (in this post) who let us know that J.Crew's French Hen Sweater (Item 14492; $95.00) made an appearance on the Today's Show Style segment on Fall Trends. The video clip is at the end of this post. Jump to minute 4:40 to catch the Hen!The print is super cute. After reading some of the comments in the "Hen Sweater Keeps Company {spotted: hen scarf!}" post, I have come to the conclusion that this sweater might be limited to a season or two. Although I do think the smaller print on the blouse and scarf, is absolutely perfect!
Have you seen the French Hen print items at your local J.Crew store? Do you like the trend for Fall. If so, please share!
No B&M here and I haven't seen anyone wearing this particular sweater but there are quite a few other cute print sweaters around. I agree with Gigi that it's too cartoonish - for me, in any form. As I mentioned in Gigi's post, when you're in your 20's you have to stay away from cute or you just look juvenile. In your 30's and 40's I think it could be considered whimsical so it's fine.
ReplyDeleteI loved it, age-inappropriate and all! I had both colors home, to avoid that syndrome where you try something on in a store, everyone coos at you and brings you things to wear with it, and you get home and - uh-oh. So the chickies came home with me, and I tried them on, and I have to say, the yarn just itched and itched, even over a cotton shirt. I shooed them back to the store. I'm also thinking that single-critter tees and sweaters are going to be all over the place, and I'm not thrilled with the idea of looking cloned. Still thinking about the shirt, though. And I think the print would be great on placemats - J.Crew homegoods, anyone?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who had problems with the itch factor of the wool. It drove me crazy, so I returned as well.
DeleteI actually like the hen sweater and own it in the navy. I haven't worn it yet... it's been too warm, so waiting for fall. I agree it isn't for everyone, but if you like it I think you should rock it regardless of age (I'm 37), as long as it's styled the right way. I'm going to wear it with boyfriend jeans and stacked oxfords, or my toothpick cords and wedge heels. I have short Ginnifer Goodwin hair, so I think it helps balance out the "cutesy" factor of the sweater. I have a soft spot for the whimsy (the Anthro button-down shirt the bicycles, the Heart Me sweater in grey, the owl-print popover from Gap), and I love the way it can make an otherwise basic outfit fun and unexpected. I do agree that the trend seems to be catching, which does make is slightly less fun... sigh. Oh well. I work in a creative position at a casual office, so I know my coworkers will appreciate my French Hen in a jaunty beret (not just a weird bird wearing a hat). LOL!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the hen itself, but I can't stand the yarn content. Blech. I will stick with my cashmere sweaters from 2005-2007 that had one large critter on the front, and are still beautiful and soft to this day. Remember those? There were several animals, a horseshoe, a pair of iceskates...
ReplyDeleteI have the orange one with a giant yellow birdie on the front! :)
DeleteI remember the green frog on navy. That was cute!
DeleteI've got the horseshoe one. I've had to repair moth holes but I still love it!
DeleteI saw the silk blouse and it's very cute. I might settle for the scarf though.
ReplyDeleteJCrewJD, I remember those sweater. I have a gorgeous cashmere butterfuly one.
ReplyDeleteThe hen sweater is fine if you are in your teens or 20s. I would not be caught dead wearing it at my age:) unless it was very small and off to the side or on a pocket.
I love the hen on the sweater only (the other pieces don't do it for me) but why oh why did they execute it in dream? HATE! I saw it in the store and it was all fuzzy and weird. :( Had they used the flat-weave merino they use for Tippis I might have bought it, even at FP.
ReplyDeleteIt would be cuter on a Tshirt
ReplyDeleteI am not buying any sweaters that not cardigans or can be worn open.
Given that the motif is very cute.
I'm in the camp that agrees w Gigi's description ... the design of the hen itself reads "PBS Kids" and it's too juvenile for me to pull off. The colors are nice and I tried the navy one; but, it was itchy and no amount of styling options could make it work. The scarf and shirt were better, but in the end I decided I'd rather go for prints with a longer shelf life than one season.
ReplyDeleteWFF, what a great idea about housewares. I can see it ... darling pottery and table linens at Sur Le Table with the little French hen. I'd buy it all!
I would love a French hen apron.
ReplyDeleteI've actually worn my navy hen sweater to work already! I paired it with the postage stamp mini in navy, which I bought a size larger than usual so it sits very low and is therefore not too short for the office (and I've got short legs so I'm always looking for optical illusions to make them seem longer) and on my feet I wore the Martina wedges in bronzed clay from last year. I have to say, I'm kind of in love with the whole outfit! I think the addition of a skinny patent belt in a nude tone may enhance it even more. I'll agree the hen print is not for everyone, and I'll also admit to having silently judged others in the past who dress way too young/cutesy for their ages, but I think this print is more whimsical than juvenile and I wear mine with pride. Regardless, with the amount of attention it's gotten here and elsewhere, it's clearly an intriguing print whether or not it fits your own personal style.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes the hen French? She has a croissant for breakfast?
ReplyDeleteI see it's the beret.
DeleteYes, I still have my critter sweaters as well!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I LOVE the idea of french hen kitchen items, you know if J. Crew did it they would charge $50.00 for a placemat and $300.00 for an apron.
ReplyDeleteC. Wonder has several animals sweaters, and I've seen them elsewhere this season as well. The chicken is part of a bigger fall trend!
ReplyDeleteThe bunny is my favorite :)
I love C. Wonder! I just found out about them for the first time--I was visiting my brother and his family in Atlanta and walked past C. Wonder at Lenox mall and thought, "Ooo, looks cute!" I went in and ended up getting a boxy tomato red leather clutch and a beautiful equestrian-looking gold plated bracelet. I think C. Wonder is a good place for accessories for JCAs.
DeleteThe hen print blouse pic here.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of critters, for J.Crew's Spring 13' show, I saw an up close picture of these pants that has tiny prints of a skunk with its tail up. I thought it was funny and cute. Far away you can't tell that it was a skunk print, you'd have to look at it up close.
ReplyDeleteSkunks! Adorable.
ReplyDeleteI'm torn. I think I want the hen JUST so I can wear it on Dec. 27th.