Friday, November 12, 2010

J.Crew's Spring 2011 Look Book is Here!


There is a great post over at The Vie Society (click here), where the looks of J.Crew's upcoming Spring 2011 Look Book has been shared.

All the images of the latest Look Book are in the slide show above. To view any of the images larger (& in more detail), just click on the one you are interested it. It will take you directly to that image. If you are having trouble with the slide show, you can also view them here.

I just got into the Holiday spirit (with J.Crew's latest catalog) and now I am thinking about Spring! ;)

As for the clothes... I am strangely attracted to the shorts with the ruffle around the waist. I think it's so cute! I am also thrilled to see trouser style pants making a comeback. Although there are some jackets & vests (like on image 6 and 13) that I am concerned about. A bit too futuristic for my liking. (Maybe it's because I recently saw Back to the Future Part II.)

What are your thoughts on the new Spring items? Are you excited for what's to come? Do you dislike or like any of them? Which items were you hoping to see? :)

60 comments:

  1. Thanks for the post. This is the best view I have had of the garments yet.

    I see two shirts I want. Nothing else really interests me at all. I hope they still have their summer suiting so I can buy skirts that will work for my lifestyle or 90% of my summer clothing will come from other stores.

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  2. Wow, is it just me or are the models getting thinner? I still like their style/items from a couple years back. Comparing past items from ones I've bought recently, definitely see a drop in quality...

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  3. I do see numerous pieces I'm interested in...the pants in look three, the pleated dress, and short sleeve chambray shirt, just to name a few. I also love all the neutrals. :)

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  4. Like, subject to actually feeling the fabrics and checking out the seams and finishing: beige-y trousers with LS cream shirt (would button a few more buttons on shirt); plaid Norfolk-ish jacket with self belt; ikat print on mini skirt, hoping to see it on something not so mini. Strangely attracted to the little bolero that looks like it wants to grow up to be a trench coat. Do NOT like puffy elastic waists on anything, even with belts over them. Weary of: sequins. Not even funny any more. Will not spend money on: things that can be worn only once. Considering: shoes.

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  5. Oh, and I am also hoping that the bright green bucket hat will make it to production! In sizes, NOT in one-size-fits-all.

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  6. I have several pair of 2007 or wool pants that look like the tan/cuffed pants in look 4. I like that style of pants very much.

    Someone posted yesterday that they got their pants (as I mentioned above) tailored and the cuffs removed! I was a bit surprised as IMO the cuffs make the pants. Very cute!

    Other than the pants many of the looks remind me of the 80's and 90's exaggerated silhoutees. Don't care to revist thank you very much!

    Still am seeing lots of trendy pieces and nothing much I would buy/wear. Neutrals are not my thing unless they are pants or a skirt that I brighten with a colorful top.

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  7. What is up with the shapeless sack dresses, the paint smock/hairdresser capes with humongous and very unflattering square pockets or the opposite spectrum--tiny, stiff vest?? There are many unflattering shapes/fits in this Spring jacket line. You can tell that even the windowpane fits the model poorly and she has it tied to her proportions.
    I am also noticing the same ill-fitting, boxy, square fits in many of the jackets, outerwear etc. from this Fall/Winter. You can tell they truly do not fit well just by looking at the model. And if that is how they are supposed to fit, then I am definitely passing. Too boxy and add the declining thin, poor quality wools + price---no thanks, J Crew. I will definitely look to invest that same $$ in a truly well-made, great fitting jacket or coat elsewhere. I can pay just a little more than their retail price these days and get something of outstanding quality.

    I vent only cause I am sad they've gone this route=(

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  8. I'm too excited about the Holiday season to start eyeing spring already. I'll be headed to Target later today to stock up on tinsel, which I'll be hot-gluing to all my outfits in December. It'll handily cover the pills and holes in my j.crew gear.

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  9. Lots of leg, hemlines and waistbands continue to rise. Love the turquoise print on the romper, can we have that in a blouse, a dress and a bikini please? The floor-length silk skirts are gorgeous.

    That boxy lace jacket looks familiar. Oh yes, my grandmother wears a similar one to summer weddings. Not loving the shapeless silhouettes. Totally not digging the shoes but I very rarely buy J.Crew shoes anymore anyway.

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  10. xoxo - So, we might see your grandma selling her jacket here on the swap exchange? *lol*

    I like the bell shaped skirt with the chambray top. It's nice to see few to no ruffles. Again, this is the upper end preview, so we'll see what type of $88 silk, dry clean only camis they have when spring arrives.

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  11. Love the orange skirt with tie and the pink shorts along with ruffle waist shorts. Really cute. Thanks for sharing the preview.

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  12. Barbabelle - LOL!

    I saw some skirts that I'd love if they were longer. Really though, I didn't see anything that I would look good in.

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  13. I will say it: I hate it. Everything is all off - the silhouttes, styling, hair, and good heavens, hot pants. I wish I had time to deconstruct each look, but I've spent too long playing on Polyvore and have to actually get something done today! :) I'll leave it to WFF or LBH. I do love the return of color - the oranges and pinks are lovely.

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  14. As I was looing thru the slide show, I felt a little like Goldilocks (and I haven't been blonde since highschool). I found myself saying over and over: "Too short, too long, too sloppy, too sparkely,too drab,too inappropriate, too questionable....."
    I think only once did I say "Just right," and that was for the orange one shoulder dress. Love the color, love the cut! Looks fun for summer. And it looked like it would be a wearable length. Let hope it makes it to production that way!

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  15. I was about to say I hate it, but I'll rephrase that to say that I didn't see anything that I would look good in or that is appropriate to my lifestyle.

    It's been a long time since I wanted to wear an outfit straight out of one of the lookbooks. But once I see the items separately and unstyled I usually warm up to at least a couple of things.

    The ruffle-top shorts and the pink paperbag shorts would be gorgeous . . . on a giraffe-legged teenager.

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  16. Because I can't quit you, J Crew...I should say SOMETHING nice!! I LOVE to see COLOR back-YAY! It's what you do SO well =) Looking forward to seeing these pieces separate from the lookbook which always does them so much more justice.

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  17. Gigi, we will have to wait until grandmother passes on to get our hands on that jacket. It's not a bad idea, a lace jacket, if it were tailored. But the lookbook version appears boxy and shapeless with patch pockets. This is very much my grandmother's jacket. Picture it with a pastel mother-of-the-bride dress and a string of pearls. You get the idea.

    I'm going to email the J.Crew photo to my grandmother, it will make her day.

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  18. HIDEOUS
    I saw these on style.com last week and my first thought was: Are those f-ing gauchos?!
    And what is with the lumberjack outfit?

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  19. ^Ha! That lumberjack outfit is definitively the questionable look=) Don't forget the ace-bandage sandals. I guess they could come in handy if one should twist their ankle;)

    I know the lookbooks are made to present in more of a runway style but I usually just see over-wrought and plain old *trying too hard* Jenna and friends are attending all the high-fashion runway shows and sometimes what they bring back to the table just doesn't translate to their mall store. In some ways, they need to reel it in.

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  20. What made Jcrew stylists think that socks and sandals combo will look acceptable on the females? It's not a gender-specific fashion crime. And are the models ALMOST smiling? Otherwise, it has some interesting stuff, like bright colors, but nothing that made me go "I must have it"

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  21. well, when I looked this morning, I was thrilled to see pants that were not skin-tight, and styling that did not depend on piles of trashy-looking clunky junky jewelry. I liked the few pieces that I mentioned, will look again in the spring to see how they survived modo rapido production (don't have high hopes), and except for the pieces that I mentioned, the rest is, um. Not impressive. A long silk skirt could come in handy if somebody buys me a yacht (no high hopes here either). I have previously expressed my feelings about socks with heels and/or sandals and was rebuked for same, so take it as read. But we do live in a funny world where the men's sneakers are suede and the women's dress shoes are canvas.

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  22. Love a LOT of it. I saw a lot of images from the photographer's website that showed many details. I have never purchased JC jewelry but really like new direction. Will see IRL- think some of the bracelets to mix in with my existing. Like several of the shoes and have never owned JC shoes either. Have always loved ikat so hope those patterns come in a shirt or pant. I love raw linen color and their brighter tones are even tempting to go with. Love the utilitarian canvas/ leather bag...I' m going to call CS to see when I can pre order!

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  23. Oh - I hate the be negative. But honestly, I think you could take these pictures, change the background to something dreary, and launch a very nice "support our homeless" campaign.....

    I am sure in the catalogue they will try harder (I hope?)

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  24. Happy Friday afternoon everyone! Thank you so much Alexis, for the slide show post. Well, it is good to see that some color has come back into JC's cheeks, lets hope that the real vital signs, quality materials and craftmanship, will make a return as well. The only thing that truly has my forehead in a knot is the shoe situation. I mean really, wearing boots with summer clothes? Unless you are out on the high chaparall, I see no need- ditto Sweetsy's ace bandage sandals, can only see that aesthetic working out for track and field moms. I think the design team is making life too hard for itself; it just needs to concentrate on some very well made classics with knockout details, indulge in a few fashion house "interpretations" and adjust JC's prices back down to reality. If the powers that be would just consider some of those points, I think they could make up some lost ground. Quality in retail has dropped universally during the Great Recession, and if JC made the return to having great goods, the tight fisted consumer would be appreciative. Hopefully, when the spring catalogues come out, these things will be there.

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  25. I refuse to wear suspenders! EVER!!

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  26. WFF, I love a long silk skirt for a spring or late-summer formal event. I have two black ones, slightly different styles, that I wear every year. Would love to add a gray or ivory version to my wardrobe. We are often invited to formal events where I simply cannot show leg, even in hosiery. The lovely long silk skirts are perfect for such occasions. I would see these as investment pieces that could be dressed up very formally but also could be extremely sexy worn the right way too. I've always liked that about J.Crew, you can take the most basic pencil skirt and on the weekend tart it up with sexy heels and a sheer blouse or sparkly cami, whatever. Then wear it to the office with a prim cardi or jacket and sensible shoes on Monday. Only the skirt knows what went on during the weekend. Adds some fun to my demanding corporate life. ;^)

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  27. Without the heading "J.Crew's Spring 2011 Look Book", I would have thought it was Madewell's....

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  28. I like the color palette but I don't see anything I can walk out wearing comfortably in real life. I like the coral ikat pattern skirt and the turquoise romper (not the romper itself) but hope the pattern will come in other styles.

    I also don't get the socks with sandals style. It's tacky and seriously I thought it was a fashion faux pas.

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  29. I can't wear any of these looks to work. Pass.

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  30. Love the return of color, esp the turquoises & orange shades & cream/taupe neutrals. Like the mustard button-up pants w/suspenders, peplum shorts & yes, the leather ones too (though wouldn't fit my lifestyle) & lastly, the double-breasted blazer. Glad ruffles are gone; this is the freshest look I've seen from JC in several seasons. Will refrain from buying too much winter stuff in anticipation of spring.

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  31. Love the return of color, esp the turquoises & orange shades & cream/taupe neutrals. Like the mustard button-up pants w/suspenders, peplum shorts & yes, the leather ones too (though wouldn't fit my lifestyle) & lastly, the double-breasted blazer. Glad ruffles are gone; this is the freshest look I've seen from JC in several seasons. Will refrain from buying too much winter stuff in anticipation of spring.

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  32. I like the first pic with the all-white look. Nice and tailored but not too conservative. I wonder if that's the superfine cotton nouvelle jacket. The fourth pic with the trousers has a bit of a 30's-40's Katharine Hepburn vibe to me. :)

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  33. i hope the folks at jcrew take the comments here with a grain of salt or ignore them outright.

    most are so negative, it's pathetic.

    it's a beautiful collection yet people here are just never satisfied. always find something to find fault in.

    and if you don't like suspenders or looser fitting dresses or shorter dresses or whatever - don't buy them.

    i don't like pink but i'm not crying foul because they have pink pants.

    geesh.

    anyway, the lengths may be different on real life women and/or when they actually go to produce the collection for retail.

    for me, jenna and jcrew are fulfilling lots of my high fashion fantasies. i hope they maintain this direction and ignore the old mentality of many of the posters here.

    peace out...

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  34. I like the light blue plaid jacket and the cream windowpane jacket (trench?). I also like some of the sandals, although I won't wear mine with socks. :) I like the trousers and hope they come in some fun colors and not just neutrals. There's still too much neutral for my pale skin, but I'm happy to see some color mixed in. I'm also thrilled to not see crazy styling. I really want one of the two jackets and I just hope they're priced within my comfort zone.

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  35. OT: From the Tim Gunn column in the December Marie Claire:

    "Reader: I love classics like striped shirts, polos, and chinos. But I can never incorporate these pieces into my everyday style without looking like a J.Crew catalog. Can you suggest some pieces I can wear with these classics without abandoning my eclectic side?

    "Tim: Frankly, I aspire to look like a J.Crew model, so perhaps I'm the wrong person to respond to your question." (He then gives some suggestions.)

    LOL, I don't even watch PR but I still love this guy!

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  36. Hexicon, I love Tim too! That's one of my favorite articles to read in MC. I don't specifically look it up first, but when I turn the page and see him, I smile. :)

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  37. I'm excited about the spring collection. I love the colors/styling. I love how J.Crew produces collections that can/will compete with designer collections. J.Crew creates wearable/afforable high-end fashion pieces. I can't understand the negativity! I'm glad J.Crew is going in a new direction. I really don't miss the tiny "crab" embroidered pants :-(

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  38. Barbabelle - yes! nicely stated, nicely said. Target, here I come
    Marie - I thought so too- this looks like Madewell.

    Overall, eh. nothing really grabbed me here. While I was on the style.com looking at the different Spring 2011 fashion shows, I was very inspired by some other retailers - so it was a good check that it wasn't just me - not ready for spring.

    Check them out here: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2011RTW
    Surprising myself - I really loved Banana's show (some fab prints and colors along with the neutrals) and loved Talbots - and I've never been a Tablots gal. Gap was very neutral, but some beautiful dresses and pieces in there. You can see they are all tagging along the same trends, but IMO, I think J. Crew is falling in the middle of the pack based on these shows. My main request - J. Crew, please... no - more - sequins!

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  39. Good to see color back! I think once the peices are deconstructed there might be quite a bit I like. As always lookbook styling is bizarre but I've come to the conclusion that is the way its gonna be. Love the Ikat!

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  40. Barbabelle: I wish you'd start a blog - you're utterly hilarious!

    Alexis : If I were a few years younger those shorts would be on my list too - love them.

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  41. The nude peep toe booties look awesome. I love the all white look and the blues are great as well.
    My Magpie Style blog: http://floridawritergirl.blogspot.com/

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  42. I always find it difficult to evaluate the individual pieces in the look books, and I haven't even worn half of my new winter goodies yet!

    My first impression of Spring is 1)ITA that Talbots and Banana have my attention, and 2)at JC I am NOT going back to the 80s silouettes but I love the cooler colors I see - bluer pinks, turquoise, real blues. SO much more wearable for me than Guava and Melon!!!!

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  43. I LOVE the pink paper bag-waist shorts!

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  44. Dear JCrew:
    We've had a long affair, but it's time to call it quits. it's not me, it's you. You see, you've changed drastically. We used to be the same, preppy and clean and tailored. Now you're shapeless and blah and of questionable taste level. I thought that maybe the Factory store would have a more "traditional" look, but alas no. So this is it. Good-bye. Maybe someday in the future, when you've gotten over this phase you're in, we can give things a try again.
    PS: $70 for a paper thin, summer weight sweater at the Factory Store in November is just delusional.

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  45. Dear JCrew:
    We've had a long affair, but it's time to call it quits. it's not me, it's you. You see, you've changed drastically. We used to be the same, preppy and clean and tailored. Now you're shapeless and blah and of questionable taste level. I thought that maybe the Factory store would have a more "traditional" look, but alas no. So this is it. Good-bye. Maybe someday in the future, when you've gotten over this phase you're in, we can give things a try again.
    PS: $70 for a paper thin, summer weight sweater at the Factory Store in November is just delusional.

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  46. Hmmm. I see a couple of things that I might want. Maybe.

    J Crew hasn't evolved and 'moved forward'. They have completely changed their style asthetic and, apparently, their target audience.

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  47. Not sure what to say. I've been liking some of the JC shoes and I like a couple pair here from what I can see. That's it. Maybe the blue jacket? The clothes remind me of one of those all-purpose scarf dresses that can be contorted into various outfits - not good.

    I defended last year's spring, thought the Look Book was creative. This leaves me speechless. Maybe it will be better IRL.

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  48. Thanks for the post, Alexis! So great to see what's up ahead. All the JCA comments in the past have taught me how to "view" the Look Books....my initial reaction is always..."What??" and then I start to look at the pieces individually (for my taste) and I get a different perspective.

    Love the ruffle shorts (but don't think I can pull it off) and the shoes! Some of the more unique pieces I'd have to see in person. I'm ready to buy the entire outfit #2, love the mix of colors in outfit #12, and how cute is that skirt with the chambray shirt in outfit #25?

    Thanks again!

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  49. JC used to do the most flattering jackets with fitted waists. Even the blue jacket looks boxy. The only thing good about it is the blue color for pale blondes like me. I'm really challenged to find some good here.

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  50. This isn't J.Crew. This isn't J.Crew. This isn't J.Crew.

    It seems like the sign on the store is the same, but the inside has been completely gutted, reformatted, re-engineered to a different company.

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  51. I am digging this one----it's well put together

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/38862139@N05/5169532556/in/photostream/

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  52. I love the Dear J. Crew letter!

    Off topic rant: I went in the B&M here in Nashville to see the deep coral shade in their cashmere sweaters. There were no cashmere sweaters in the store! They had been told to send them all back so they could be distributed to the northern stores. The sales associates were upset because the cashmere line is a big seller for this store - and this is right before Christmas! So, I'm pissed! I'm just glad I got my warm honey cardigan while they still had some.

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  53. Ugh! Yet again I am so disappointed. I feel these models walked out of a Williamsburg Salvation Army! Enough with the hipster looks. I want my preppy New England wear that made me fall in love with J.Crew. I want my structured dresses, like the Ikat Bow Monde Dress. I want my perfectly fitted and tailored suits, shirts, pencil skirts, and accessories. I just haven't been enthused about J.Crew's offerings at all.

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  54. #24 really looks like an uptight parent at a PTA meeting

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  55. I never like the lookbooks, the styling is not realistic and it's too "styled" for lack of a better word. Having said that, I see a number of pieces I'm excited about seeing individually. The light yellowy gold gathered skirt (that is not a mini!), there's some great shoes, I like some of the trousers. And even though I'm not a fan of J. Crew's lookbook styling in general, this particular one is less fussy and cluttered than past attempts. I like that.

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  56. I feel like I have to put my J Crew love away like a book on a shelf. I'm a mom. I have two young children, and while J Crew has definitely never aimed for an audience like me, there were always things I could find here and there to put a little something fun into my wardrobe. No longer. The cheaper fabrics don't stand up to any sort of regular use and the clothes look to fussy to be called classics. Yes, I am sad about all this.

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  57. I really like the fact that they brought bright colors back into the palette however I'm slightly underwhelmed. I do have my eye on the paisley romper, the orange skirt and the ruffled shorts. That's mouthful compared to this season. I'm really glad you posted this. :)

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  58. Love the Dear JCrew letter!! Spot on.
    Seriously J crew this is what you have for Spring?-Rompers, Short short Hot pink and Yellow shorts, shapeless dresses, Puffy skirts with elastic waists. This is perfect for my 4 year old daughter- She loves Puffy skirts & rompers! I on the other hand have to go to work and occasionally out on the weekend and would not wear anything I see in the look book!

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Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)