Q&A with Jack O’Connor of JCrew

"Thanks!" to Jim (in this post) who shared the following article from Selectism (click here to read the entire article):

Selectism Q&A | Jack O’Connor of JCrew
By Cary Randolph Fuller
April 9, 2010

We’ve all received (and given) bad gifts.

A few months ago we put our lady on the street, Cary Randolph Fuller, to the task of producing a guide for girlfriends (or wives) buying for their men. After some discussion, Ms. Fuller decided that a chat with J. Crew men’s stylist Jack O’Connor would prove fruitful. Below are her words and an insightful (and demystifying) Q&A. Many thanks are due to Ms. Fuller.

Cary: You’re at a J. Crew store, and you see women shopping with their boyfriends or husbands. What are some mistakes you notice?

Jack: I definitely see that. The guy thinks he’s a boot-fit guy, and the wife or girlfriend seems to think, “Well, he’s a boot-fit guy. He’s never going to stop wearing boot-fit jeans so why bother looking for something slimmer or something straight?” They think they can just narrow it down right off the bat and say, “Just show me your boot-fit.” I don’t think that’s a good call. It’s not the most flattering cut on every guy. Even if he thinks that’s the only cut he can wear because that’s what his friends wear, and that’s what he’s worn for ten years. She should probably bring him in, have him try something on and see for himself. We always keep that in mind when we put certain things together in the catalog and we choose who to put it on.

Some guys are afraid of “fashion” even those this isn’t really fashion. It’s more “style”. A lot of guys don’t want to look like they care too much. The idea of standing in a fiting room and trying things on and saying, “How does this look?” I think maybe that experience is a little bit intimidating. When we’re choosing who to put it on in the catalog and even how to put it together, there’s always a piece of accessibility that’s really, really important. We try not to be too intimidating because that will turn a guy off. So when you ask if there are any mistakes, I think it’s that: the guy says, or his wife says, “It has to be this,” or, “It has to be that.” It’s easier for women to see something new and try it out. It’s not as natural for a guy to do so.

There are more questions & answers over at the original post. (Unfortunately, it is too long for me to post it all.) It's great to read all the advice from Jack. I would love to see a similar "advice column" for the Ladies.

What are your thoughts on the Q&A with J.Crew's Jack? Do you disagree or agree with any of his opinions? :)

J.Crew as an American {fashion} Icon

There is an interesting article over at BNet touting J.Crew as becoming an American icon.

UPDATE: Entire article removed as a result of the following comment posted in this thread:

I'd have emailed, but couldn't find an address for you.

I'm Lydia's editor at CBS Interactive. I'd like to ask you to revise your post so that you're not reprinting Lydia's entire item without permission. Quoting a few paragraphs and linking back is fine; reposting the whole thing is not cool -- and is technically a copyright violation.

I do appreciate the fact that you included a link to the original, but that doesn't change the issue created by reprinting an entire blog post.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Best, David Hamilton

My response: I did not know that. I have had authors contact me to post their entire article as it would drive traffic back to the original site. And as he noted I did have a link back to the original source, as well provided the author's name. I respect his decision to not have the article entirely re-posted. So I thought it was best to remove it altogether. Apologies for any inconvenience.

What are your thoughts on the article? Disagree or agree with any of the points made? Do you like seeing J.Crew's executives being used in the marketing campaign? Are there any marketing features you want to see more or less of?

J.Crew's Look Behind the Design with Frank Muytjens & {Ask} Jack

As mentioned in the January 30th "J.Crew's Look Behind the Design with Jenna Lyons" post, J.Crew's latest website update with new Spring arrivals has provided all sorts of behind the scenes look.

"Thanks!" to HDNB (behind the great Hotdish & Bars blog) who let us know that there is another short video (under 3 minutes) showing the "behind the design" of the latest Spring & Summer 2010 collection for Men.

The video (click here to view it) features J.Crew's Head of Men's Design Frank Muytjens & Men's Stylist Jack O’Connor (also known from the "Jack Knows Best" marketing campaign), and their inspirations for the latest collection.

I love these behind the scenes peeks and how J.Crew puts it altogether. :)

What are your thoughts on the video? Are there any points or scenes that you found particularly interesting? Do you care (or not care) for these "behind the scene" looks?

J.Crew & Jack {knows best} Video {part two}

In the September 14th "J.Crew & Jack {knows best} On YouTube" post, a video clip of Jack Knows Best was featured. WWD (click here) has an article about the back story of J.Crew's Jack {knows best} and a bit more on the video.

Ask Jack: J. Crew Style Video Hits Taxis
By Jean E. Palmieri
September 18, 2009

Mickey Drexler knows who to turn to with a style question, and now the rest of the world will, too. Jack O’Connor, the in-house men’s stylist for J.Crew, recalls the day Drexler, the company’s chief executive officer, called on him in front of a roomful of people during a design presentation. “He put me on the spot in front of around 50 people by asking what shirt and tie he should wear with a suit. I came up with the answer immediately and he thought that was great, and said: ‘Jack knows best.’”

That line became fodder for the company’s employees, who started turning to O’Connor for fashion advice. Now O’Connor features in a new media campaign, “Jack Knows Best.” J.Crew turned to Saimon Chow to create a short film that is streaming in 6,700 taxicabs in New York City during fashion week as well as on YouTube. The minute-long film will be on the J.Crew Web site starting next week and there will be an Ask Jack section there, as well, featuring four frequently asked questions, such as what a man should wear to a wedding and when to choose a two-button jacket over a three-button.

The video stars “The Unsure Man,” who changes his clothes dozens of times as he ponders the appropriateness of his outfits. At the end, he holds up a sign that reads: “Help,” and in swoops O’Connor, “Style Confidant,” to tweak his wardrobe. The video ends with the line: “For style advice, tips and questions, jack@jcrew.com.”

O’Connor said the questions since the spots began airing have ranged from how to tie a tie for special occasions to whether black shoes can be worn in the country and brown in the city. So is he feeling overwhelmed by his new role? “A BlackBerry really helps,” he said.

For the list of Jack's advice, refer to: "J.Crew's Jack {he knows best}".

I am liking what I see from marketing when it comes to Men. As of lately, J.Crew has stepped up their efforts to target men– from creating stand alone shoppes for men (in NY and NJ), to offering men's catalogs including the most recent one starring artist Ryan McGinness (click here to view online). :)

J.Crew & Jack {knows best} On YouTube

A big "thanks!" to J.Crew Guy In Canada who let us know about a great video from J.Crew, starring J.Crew's men stylist Jack.

According to J.Crew: "Ever wonder what you are supposed to wear? Click here and meet Jack...your new style confidant". Moreover, "for style advice, tips and questions you'd rather not ask your friends "jack@jcrew.com" Although some of Jack's advice is questionable (refer to the September 7th "J.Crew's Jack {he knows best}" post about the regularity of washing jeans), most of his advice is good sense.

I have to admit, I love the concept of the video. I think this is a great marketing tool that J.Crew used to reach their male consumers. I would love to see something similar for the ladies from J.Crew! In fact, I would be happy just to see videos of models wearing the clothes while doing a 360 in them. ;)

What are your thoughts on the video? Do you like the marketing concept? Do you think J.Crew should introduce something similar for Women?

J.Crew's Jack {he knows best}

There's an article over at the Examiner (click here) that asks the age old question, "White after Labor Day?" and J.Crew's Jack comes to the rescue! ;)

White after Labor Day, guys? Jack knows best
By Brandon Roberts
September 7, 2009

Surely this Labor Day, it is the question on every guy's mind: will I be able to wear my white jeans tomorrow? Tradition says no, but whose tradition? And don't some traditions fall out of fashion with time? For example, men used to wear powdered wigs- haven't seen that much lately (and Elton John doesn't count on this one). Before shelving those white jeans or khakis-- along with your beach-filled memories of summer 2009 now that school is back in session, the days grow shorter, and the bittersweet rusting of the leaves (and extra chore of raking them) is just around the corner-- consider the wisdom of J. Crew's men's stylist, Jack, on the subject. The J.Crew web site features advice from this stylish dude Jack (surname unknown), and since J.Crew would know, here is the definitive word on the subject, from the web site:

"Can I wear white jeans before memorial day? Absolutely. White or wheat-colored denim works year-round, despite what the old rule says. As soon as it gets colder, wear them with sturdy boots (right now I'm particularly attached to my Red Wing® boots) and heavy-gauge sweaters or a great tweed sportcoat."

So there it is... now breathe a collective sigh of relief, and enjoy the rest of your Labor Day.

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If you have a question you want to ask Jack, send an email with your question to jack@jcrew.com. The following is Jack's complete advice at JCrew.com (click here & here):

How long should my pants be?
It's personal preference. It's more modern to let your hem graze the top of your shoes without any break, but there are plenty of men who prefer to go longer and that's fine, too. (If you want your ankles—or socks—to be covered when you walk or stand, I recommend the longer length with a slight break.) Really, the most important thing is how the pants fit overall.

Where can I wear a linen suit?
Wherever (and whenever) the weather is warm—a good rule of thumb is Memorial Day through Labor Day, but if you find yourself in the tropics in the middle of winter, by all means break out the linen. The most important thing is to make sure it fits properly (there's nothing worse than an ill-fitting linen suit). Another thing to remember: the wrinkles are supposed to be there, so don't go too crazy with an iron.

When do I wear a crewneck sweater versus a V-neck?
There's no hard-and-fast rule—one isn't considered dressier than the other, so it's entirely up to you. Some guys prefer the way a V-neck sweater looks when they're wearing a tie, but I happen to think that the shirt/tie/crewneck combo is pretty sharp, too. Either way, just make sure you keep that collar tucked in.

How often should I wash my jeans?
It all depends on the kind of denim and how quickly you want your jeans to age. With raw or rinsed denim, your best bet is to wear them for at least three months before washing them (some denim enthusiasts would actually recommend a minimum of six months wear before washing, and I know some purists who don't ever wash theirs). When you do decide to launder your jeans—and I recommend doing so as infrequently as you can possibly stand—turn them inside out and handwash them in cold water. I always hang my jeans to dry, but if you want to throw yours in the dryer, I suggest using the lowest heat setting possible.

What should I wear to a wedding?
Get an idea of what the groom is wearing—if he's not wearing a tux, then neither should you. As a general rule, you can't go wrong with a tropical-weight suit in either solid navy or charcoal grey. Pair it with a white broadcloth shirt and a dark-colored tie and you're good to go. (During the summer, you can trade darker suits for khaki or other light colors.) However, if the invitation reads "black tie", be prepared to break out the penguin suit.

Two buttons or three buttons?
It depends on your build. A three-button jacket can help a tall guy look more balanced, while two-button jackets can actually make short guys look less so. Both styles are considered equally wearable, so choose whichever looks best on you.

What's the difference between a sportcoat and a blazer?
Both blazers and sportcoats are similar in design to suit jackets, but they're meant to be worn as separates. People often use the two terms interchangeably, but traditionally speaking, the word blazer refers specifically to wool or cashmere jackets that are solid navy in color. Sportcoats are slightly more casual and are usually made in a wider range of fabrics and colors (they can also have patterns, like stripes or herringbone).

How can I make my clothes last longer?
For starters, take care of them when you're not wearing them. Invest in some good wooden hangers for your closet (the wire ones from the dry cleaner that say "We heart our customers" don't count), and hang your clothes up as soon as you take them off. A good wooden hanger will keep the shape and lines of your clothes intact, which means they'll look better when you do wear them and will last longer.

Can I wear white jeans before memorial day?
Absolutely. White or wheat-colored denim works year-round, despite what the old rule says. As soon as it gets colder, wear them with sturdy boots (right now I'm particularly attached to my Red Wing® boots) and heavy-gauge sweaters or a great tweed sportcoat.

If I am going to buy one pair of jeans, what should I get?
While I appreciate all kinds of denim, I happen to think that the most authentic kind is rinsed or raw (it's the ultimate DIY project). Buy a pair that's dark and clean and break them in on your own—that way, every whisker, crease and threadbare spot is totally unique.

I have to wear a suit to work every day. How can I add some variety to my look?
Not with your tie—please, no funky ties. Ever. I like to keep my shirt/tie/suit combo timeless and crisp and suggest you do the same. If you really feel like you need to mix it up, try bright or patterned socks (or no socks at all). You can also play with the silhouette of your suit: try a slimmer cut or change up the number of buttons on your jacket—it's a subtle adjustment, but it'll make a big difference.

What's the best way to wear a cardigan?
I love it as an alternative to a sportcoat, if the occasion is right (think lunch with your in-laws, not a job interview). It also works with a tee shirt and jeans for a more casual look.

Button-down collar or point collar?
I tend to save point-collar shirts for nicer occasions, like weddings and interviews, and wear my button-downs for everything else (originally a shirt for sports, it still has a more casual feel). That said, I happen to be a big fan of wearing button-downs with suits (with or without a tie) for an everyday, laid-back look that works for just about any occasion.

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I find Jack's advice at to be fun & good sense (for the most part). Although, I don't know about the advice for how often to clean jeans. Waiting 3 to 6 months to wash them sounds ridiculous (as in gross) to me.

What are your thoughts on Jack's advice? Do you agree with waiting 3 to 6 months to wash your jeans? Do you think it's a clever marketing move on J.Crew's part? Do you think the advice section is thoughtful or obvious? :)