What They Wear: Fashion InisdersThat outfit would look absolutely terrible on me. I would never imagine pairing that scarf and bag together. Never. However, Jenna Lyons pulls off the entire look effortlessly. She makes that casual chic style look so put together. Well played Jenna, well-played.
Now that the S/S 11 fashion shows have finally wrapped up, it's time to turn our attention not to the designers behind the illustrious runway looks, or even the mesmerizing warm-weather pieces themselves, but to the unsung Fashion Week heroes: the editors, of course! ...With their insiders' insight about the hottest trends, covetable access to the most au courant designer pieces, and unparalleled awareness about what makes a truly unique look, these key industry players always provide us with delectable sartorial treats via their outfits. And, while we do flip for a gussied up red-carpet regular, we appreciate that these illustrious icons aren't afraid to break the rules and draft new ones by taking a risk—or two, or three! So without further ado, get your pens and pencils ready and reach for a fresh inspiration board, as we present to you the fashion cognoscenti in all its achingly stylish glory!Jenna Lyons
As Executive Creative Director of J.Crew, Jenna Lyons has revamped the longstanding American sportswear outpost, taking it from preppy staples to accessibly chic essentials. So it should come as no surprise that we always look to the lovely Lyons for casual, on-trend ensembles with a classic touch. The outfit she selected to wear to Billy Reid's S/S 2011 presentation at Milk Studios during New York Fashion Week offers an ideal example of her dressing sensibilities. Lyons picked a J.Crew solid lightweight shirt from their Summer 09 collection and paired it with the belted Longuette Skirt ($285) and Fur Scarf ($593), both from Dries Van Noten's F/W 10 collection. Her look not only pays serious homage to fall's call for leopard accents—love that lust-worthy scarf—but it also perfectly translates the military trend, proving that army pieces can be styled for on as well as off-duty looks.
What are your thoughts on the article's feature on Jenna Lyons? Do you like the outfit/ style that Jenna is sporting?
I would never pair army green color top to bottom. I like her belt and scarf but yes, that Chanel bag (previously worn to the fashion show) must have been a rushed decision. I do like her pointy heels as it makes her look even taller.
ReplyDeleteI think her tall, thin stature makes her look effortlessly chic no matter what she puts on.
Oh goodness. I think she looks schlumpy and just plain bad. The bagginess of that skirt is really doing her no favors, and I can only imagine how that outfit would look on someone who doesn't have her frame.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny that she is wears so many basic clothes by other designers. I can understand her wearing special pieces, but a pencil skirt. That says a lot about what J. Crew isn't designing, like a skirt that doesn't show all your business. It's like Marc Jacobs carrying Hermes bags almost exclusively. It says that the quality just isn't there.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of that look. She looks frumpy IMO.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see Jenna in something else - I am happy the sequin pants are getting a rest. And her skirt isn't even a mini. Let's see some of those in the JCrew line!
ReplyDeleteI don't love her outfit - in fact, I don't really like it. But I agree, with her figure she can make a lot work that would be hopeless on the rest of us.
Oh, and SC is right. It's nice that she doesn't wear head-to-toe JCrew all the time, but when you are the executive creative director and president, don't you want to promote your product a litle?
ReplyDeleteShe dresses like a hobo. Someone please place her with another company, jcrew's branding deserves better.
ReplyDeleteThe individual pieces are ok by themselves, but I don't really care for them worn together...a little too much *going on*, IMO.
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ReplyDeleteI like to see that the sequin pants and Grey Bateau top are getting a rest! I think that the look is awful- she looks like a frumpy tourist.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the look. Funny that even JL has to shop elsewhere for a decent length skirt.
ReplyDeleteI think that Jenna's outfits look like it's perpetual laundry day- most of her stuff is at the cleaners or in the hamper, and this was all that was left in her closet.
ReplyDeleteSimply terrible. I usually like her style but she looks like she was late and she grabbed whatever wasn't in her laundry bin (the green of the skirt and the green of the shirt look pretty aweful together). I especially dislike the pointy heels with the military look, they don't work at all IMO.
ReplyDeleteOn the other side I have a vintage fur scarf that I "stole" from my mom and looks exactly like the DVN that she is wearing, so that's inspirational.
I kind of like her outfit actually, and I'll tell you, I'd kill for that skirt.
ReplyDeleteUgh- that outfit is the essence of what I dislike so much about JC's clothes these days. She's such a beautiful lady. I don't understand the fascination she seems to have with the "I slept under the bridge last night" aesthetic.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see an analysis of J. Crew's sales before and after the revamp.
ReplyDeleteI think she looks great as always. the photo was shot from above which is never a great vantage point but she is so statuesque she still photographs nicely. I like the tone on tone. I have that shirt which is in the sale section now. It is transitioning from summer to winter nicely.
ReplyDeleteIMO Jenna's style is sort of like "The Emperor's New Clothes." Everyone talks about her fabulous style, but she honestly looks frumpy and embarassingly underdressed most of the time.
ReplyDeleteI usually love her style, but some of the past few have not passed her "cut the head off test." I use that myself when I need to figure out if an outfit looks decent. I simply take my photo, crop my head off, and if the outfit looks great, then I go with it. If not, well, then, I change (if time permits, obviously). Her outfit here is okay, but it wouldn't pass my own cut the head off test. I would be really bothered by the scarf being overpowering and the bag being the wrong shade of blue (although I normally love a pop of color).
ReplyDeleteHmm.
Oh, ugh. Jenna Lyons may have a "cut her head off test," but I wouldn't know. My first sentence above sounds ridiculous. I have a "cut her head off test," and as far as I know, at least amongst my friends, I am the only one persnickity enough to use it on a daily basis. LOL. I can tell from the comment above that basic grammar skills leave me when I am tired.
ReplyDeleteShe can pull this off and even get complimented on outfits like this because she oozes confidence.
ReplyDelete...and because no one wants to appear unfashionable and out of it for not understanding her "unique" and "creative" style.
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ReplyDeleteSlow down, haters-Jenna wears J.Crew most of the time she is photographed. She got tons of publicity during Fashion Week wearing J.Crew and Madewell, remember?
ReplyDeleteAlso, did we forget that J.Crew makes clothes for the masses? Once you're bringin' home the million-dollar bonuses...you aren't one of the people. She's allowed to wear Dries Van Noten, for heaven's sake.
It's not like she was wearing Gap.
I thought this looked like something a purposely sloppy teenager would wear. No offense to teenagers, I used to be one. I do realize I'm not a trendsetter in any sense of the word and my opinion means nothing outside my own circle.
ReplyDeleteI like a neat appearance and this just looks disheleved, like maybe she had one too many glasses of wine at home before getting dressed to go out. The skirt actually does look like something you could find at the Gap. I don't care who designed it, I wouldn't take it if it were offered for free. The Louboutin's and Chanel cannot save this outfit IMO. But hey, no one nails it every single time and someone has got to take the risks. Lord knows it will never be me.
I stand by my "The Emperor's New Clothes" comment. In 10 years, Jenna will probably look back at these pictures and feel embarrassed.
ReplyDeleteWhitney, wow. I'm not a "hater", I have a lot of respect for Jenna Lyons and what she has accomplished. I'm still spending money at J.Crew, lots of it on FP items so she is obviously doing some things right. I just don't like the outfit. I think that personal opinion on the outfit can be separate from "hate" for the person.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE Jenna Lyons. She is strong, intelligent, has achieved great success in her chosen field - what is not to love? That said, I do not identify with her style at all. Unfortunately, I am one of the customers that J. Crew lost over the last year. I mean, have not bought anything in months! I really do not blame her at all. She is creating looks that she likes and would wear. The fashion world seems to love it and her boss obviously does too.
ReplyDeleteLastly, that scarf is so amazing, I will forgive her the rest of the outfit.
ha ha. i KNEW jenna was a fan of dries von noten.
ReplyDeletethere are pieces in the jcrew fall collection that are straight from his 2010 fall collection.
the harriet blazer, the black sequin harem pants, and the trudie coat in olive (to name a FEW) are straight off the dries von noten runway. lol.
no wonder i like the jcrew stuff now.
i also find the haterz here funny. there are people who just don't get it.
different strokes for different folks.
I'm just as critical, if not more, than the next person, but I honestly think she looks great. I think it works and that she's working it!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I see why I am finding less and less I like at JCrew; my style is very different from Jenna's, and I think Jenna's style is very different from what JCrew has traditionally been.
I meant "hater" in the lightest-hearted sense of the word.
ReplyDeleteIt's a common-enough word nowadays, I think... don't hate ;)
If I wore this outfit to the office, or anywhere else for that matter, I know I'd get some weird looks. She looks like she just put on whatever she found and tried to "make it work." The look is not inspiring to me at all...
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