J.Crew's Jenna Lyons shared her tips to achieve the perfect "Tomboy Style" in the latest issue of Lucky magazine (click here to read in its entirety).
The Official Jenna Lyons Guide To Mastering Tomboy Style
By Lucky Staff
October 14, 2014
It's a known fact that when it comes to guy-meets-girl cool, no one nails it quite like J.Crew president and executive creative director Jenna Lyons. Click through above for her tips for pulling off the menswear-inspired look, from head to brogues.
1. Choose a well-cut blazer. "Go for clean styles that aren't nipped in at the waist and that have a defined line between the shoulder and the front of the lapel."
2. When it comes to boyfriend jeans, be picky. "I love pairs with a sense of authenticity—a truly straight cut and a natural-looking wash are key."
3. Add a personal touch. "My initials are embroidered on all of my button-downs," says Lyons. "Some have a single J, others have all three letters and some incorporate design elements like dots or a crown."
4. Visit the men's section. "I'll wear a menswear suit with heels to the office or with sneakers for evening," says Lyons. "And I love the look of a chunky oversize sweater with a little short skirt."
Bonus Tip! Try one of Lyons' signatures: thick oversize frames.
I love the idea of getting a button down personalized with initials. I think that is such a preppy move!
I am not going to lie, I still have a hard time incorporating sneakers into my casual wardrobe. I own J.Crew's Women's Nike Vintage Collection Air Pegasus '83 sneakers and I don't wear them often. J.Crew did a great job styling them in the catalogs, but I just don't think I can pull them off.
What are your thoughts on Jenna Lyon's tips to master the Tomboy Style? Are there any that you agree or disagree with? Please share! :)
Yawn, I know it's her signature look but quite honestly i'm bored with it.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I hear you JA. ;)
DeleteJenna is so tall and thin that everything looks good on her. I like tomboy style, but Jenna's tips don't help me because I'm not built like her.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about seeing the styling on the models. I always love the ideas, but what really inspires me is seeing how JCA's style outfits.
DeleteJCew can't produce one great suit for tomboy style in women's line so we have to go to men's section?? Sad.
ReplyDeleteAlexis, I am with you on the sneakers. One pair that I have been (easily) wearing are black and grey Onitsuka Tigers. They aren't as gym-shoey and my huge feet don't look as huge in them (the thing I hate about gym shoes, they make my big feet look bigger). The shoes go with a lot, including shorts and skirts - maybe they are a little dressier too.
ReplyDeleteGeorgine: Exactly! I feel like gym shoes make me feet look huge (size 9). With a skinny jean, they look really big and clunky. I don't know how the style guide, with models taller than me (so I am assuming feet about my size or bigger), make the same sneakers look in proportion.
DeleteI had to wear my Converse sneakies yesterday because my son had a school field trip to a farm for a hayride and pumpkin picking, etc., and I felt so unlike myself. I am not a fan of rocking sneakies unless I'm exercising. I did wear a lot of addidas and crazy converse back in the day, and when I say back in the day, I mean 1997,
ReplyDeleteThis tomboy thing. I'm so over it. Yes, a touch of tomboy here or there is cute, but season after season just gives me a case of the sads. It's all so frumpy! And depressing. Why can't I embrace my womanly curves, Jenna Lyons?! Why?
It does feel like the Tomboy Stye has been lingering around for some time now... I would like to see more tailored pieces as well. :)
DeleteI am bored and tired of the marketing jargon "borrowed from the boys" and "tomboy." They have been overused by Jenna and her Crew much like "think outside the box" and "shifting paradigm." This article could have been written in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, (etc., you get my drift) and she would still be saying the exact same thing. Three to five years ago it was glitter or sequins on something, or glitzy necklace paired with baggy or ripped jeans & a borrowed from the boys" top or jacket on Oprah. Today it's not all that different a formula. The ripped jeans are contrived.
DeleteDo you remember her story about the formula like manner in which Drexler's predecessor used to request designs? It had something to do with X pants, Y style sweaters, Z style shirts. Little creativity, I think she lamented. Drexler told her to dump what she didn't like and start from scratch. JC then had a refreshing burst of design which we now pay arm and leg above the original retail price to secure on Ebay. I don't know who the actual designers of those Lexingtons, Galleristas, Verushkas, etc. were? Jenna? Marissa? Who? I just noticed someone pay $200 for a used floral coat from 2005 on Ebay. I truly think J Crew is in a rut and has been for at least 3 years now. What sells out on the website? The ochre and Dutch floral skirts? The Dulci metallic heels? The well tailored items? Doesn't that say something about a customer's desire for "modern with a twist"---yet another marketing jargon term. :-)
Anyway, I went on a rant. The point is, I am bored with the ripped baggy or skinny jeans and over usage of "borrowed from the boys" term. I think it's time to make another pile of formula clothes that must go and start afresh.
Totally agree with you, cmg.
DeleteI love the "Tomboy" style...always have. Seems the complaints are directed at the article and maybe not Jenna or the style itself? The article is flimsy and minimal, and I wonder why it was printed.
ReplyDeleteDoes "Tomboy" style always incorporate standing pigeon-toed and hooking your fingers in your belt loops? It's so contrived and staged looking. Tomboy style looks cute if it's really reflects the person, otherwise it just looks like a dress-up game played by a grown women trying to look like a boy.
ReplyDeleteI agree, stray cat. I don't get the pigeon-toed look. I've seen bloggers pose the same way. There is nothing cute or cool about it at all. Some people are born pigeon-toed, and go through great measures to correct that through physical therapy or surgery, I don't get why some would do it for the sake of fashion. And I've seen older photos of Jenna without the feet thing....it must be staged.
DeleteI don't mind the tomboy look, but I think there needs to be a balance between dressing tomboy and feminine. I certainly can't 'borrow from the boys; I would look stupid wearing a man's shirt, or pants, or sweater; I would look like a hobo. :D
J.Crew needs something new. Mora and his design team is not working out. Marissa gone. Somsack moved to Madewell as head designer....the Mora/Jenna team does not work at all.
I wore that look in the late 90s. I am now too old for it
ReplyDelete"Tomboy" style seems to mean unflattering, unapproachable, stay away from me, I'm too cool for school. I am personally over it. Let's get back to flattering tailored clothes that make us all look fabulous! I think BR nailed it this fall with their new collection by Marissa Webb. Same ideas but tailored to flatter women's figures!
ReplyDeleteIf you own it, you can do it! That is my philosophy. It is whatever makes you comfortable. I just wear what I like and feel comfortable wearing. I don't put labels on my style, I just wear what makes me happy! Isn't that what it's all about?
ReplyDeleteLove your response! Agree! :-)
DeleteAgreed Doodle Daschund. I kind of like Jenna's style, but she shouldn't be putting it forward as fresh. It's just her thing.
DeleteSome women can pull this off. Some can't (me). Wish I could. I need "jackets nipped in at the waist". Love the sneakers though. Wear them all the time.
I agree with DD's statement - true style is individuality, and your clothes - and other treasures - should make you happy. Sadly, the picture of JL at the top of the post doesn't seem to show her looking happy. In fact, I've rarely seen her looking happy lately. C'mon, get effortless.
ReplyDeleteWhat is with the pidgeon toes in the pic?? I'm so tired of that stance. Lena Dunham..Lyons. It isn't cute. In addition, my personal version of the Tomboy look is going out in public without my eyeliner. I like my skirts. I like my dresses, I love my earrings. I Especially love my pointy-toed heels! I wanna dress like a girl!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind borrowing from the boys/mens section anyway, most of the time I head there first!
ReplyDelete