This is the weekly "Looking to VENT with J.Crew" post, a place to share our not-so-stellar experiences with J.Crew.
J.Crew men’s fashion goes for bold new looks
By Jeanne Beker
October 3, 2012
There’s something mixed up going on in men’s fashion. If you think you can handle it, has J.Crew got a collection for you.
Those enamoured with offbeat colours, rugged and clean pieces teamed together, and unexpected graphic print combos will delight in the news that the two new J.Crew stores opening in December — Eaton Centre on Oct. 3, and Fairview Mall at the end of October — will feature menswear for the first time in Toronto.
The popular men’s line includes classics like the famous Ludlow suit and shirt, Italian cashmere, and Japanese denim. But these days, even the most conservative men are pushing their personal style envelopes and having fun with fashion. It’s all about a play on irreverence which, next season, will result in an appetite for lavender and acid green jeans, mixing stripes and checks, and popping tuxedo jackets with denim work shirts.
I took in the J.Crew men’s collection for spring at New York Fashion Week recently, and was wowed by its upbeat feel. The colour blocking inspired by American artist Ellsworth Kelly was especially striking. I spoke with J.Crew president and executive creative director Jenna Lyons, and menswear designer Frank Muytjens about the philosophy behind the optimistic collection.
Q: How eager do you think most men will be to embrace the label’s new mix or will it take a little coaxing?
A: Jenna: I think what I do appreciate about J.Crew is that there are a lot of avenues to find that look. We’re not expecting you to wear a print and a stripe. We would love it if you do, but if that feels too much for you, you can do a tonal look.
Frank: I think that guys want to be educated and all the social media makes it easy for them. They want to know about quality, they know about colour. They want to know where things are from and how they are made. It’s pretty interesting.
Q: I still remember the days when men were afraid to wear a pink shirt. Is that still an issue today?
A: Frank: Menswear is on a roll. Look at men now, they are ready for anything. It’s great.
Q: Are men and women on the same wavelength when it comes to self expression?
A: Jenna: I do think that a lot of what you see out there on blogs like The Sartorialist is saying that people are really interested in having personal style. It’s become cool. When I was growing up it was all about looking like everyone else. Now it’s about having your own personal style and being an individual and I think the men are getting just as much attention as the women, which I love.
Q: You’re encouraging the mixing of sensibilities, fabrications, even attitudes, all in the same look. Can you explain why?
A: Frank: I think that’s one of our signature things. We do it to try to explain to a guy how he can mix things from different areas within one look. And it might be something he has in his closet already, like a jean jacket he can wear under a sport coat — something he didn’t think of before.
Q: What do you say to people afraid of taking chances, of stepping outside their comfort zones?
A: Jenna: I think sometimes it’s about listening to when someone pays you a compliment. Maybe try that again and push it a little further. I think you just have to dive in.
Frank: We have a feature on our website called ‘Ask Jack’. And Jack is a guy who really exists and he gives great advice to guys who are a bit insecure. I would say just go for it and follow your instincts. It’s great to develop a personal style.
Q: But there’s always the danger of being victimized by trends. How does one guard against that?
A: Jenna: I think that’s the mistake that so many people make. They feel that, “Oh, I have to look like that person,” and do that trend. There are a lot of trends where you have to stand aside and say, “No, I cannot wear a bell-bottom jean.” It just doesn’t work for me. And that’s OK.
Frank: I think menswear is more about shifting little things here and there each season. It’s not about being trendy. We are in it for the long haul. We are in it for longevity and I think our guy appreciates that.
This is the weekly "Other JCrew-like Retailers" post (similar to the "Off On A Tangent"
posts), where we can share our finds from other
retailers that have offerings similar to J.Crew
(like Anthropologie, LE Canvas, Gap, BR, Talbots, Ann
Taylor, and the like.)
This is the weekly "J.Crew Reviews {straight from the JCAs}" post, to help each other share our reviews.
I've been biten by the Ludlow fever. For several years I've been suit/blazer free making due with shawl collar cardigans, full zip sweaters and the like. But after many years I decided to take a Ludlow for a spin.The next one up is the Italian Wool Sportcoat in Ludlow fit (Item 99285; $328.00). J.Crew Guy In Canada shares the following:
In August I met the Ludlow in store. True to form he's trim and offered in a variety of fabrics. After trying on a couple I ended up getting the navy wool one, two button, center vent. A 40 fit me with only the sleeves needing to come up about half an inch to I can flash some shirt sleeve just like GQ told me to. The jacket has non functioning buttons on the sleeve and just a little padding in the shoulder. The shoulder is natural without that saggy, droopy look or the football player version made famous in the ninties.
After adding a pocket square just like GQ, and Esquire told me to I was good to go. And just like the magainzes said the jacket works well with jeans, chinos and wool dress pants. The jacket is tailored; not tight or too short, but definitely on trend. It should last me years and work well both for the corporate world and evenings out. And many of the women I work with have told me I am definitely on to something with the navy blazer.
I loved the navy wool one so much I needed another. Hello Ludlow in Italian herringbone in olive tweed #99285. (Aren't all J.Crew's blazers in Italian wool and does any one else spin wool besides the Italians?) The new guy is just like his navy brother, but with a more Indiana Jones, professor, old man vibe and I mean that in a good way. The tweed is soft and moves well while maintaining it's grandpa's jacket you got and had tailored up look. It's perfect. The fabric is slightly heavier than the navy wool, perfect for fall/winter, while the navy guy can work through the whole year Mr. tweed Ludlow is a fall and winter guy. Again the details are the same for both with the tweed being fully lined while navy is partially lined. This tweed number is so sharp with denim and works equally well with chinos or wool pants.
Are they jackets worth just above and just under $400? (I bought the navy with my teacher dsicount of 15% while the tweed was bought with the style25 promo). Is an Audi worth twice the price of a Chevy? It all depends on who's paying. They are definitely worth it in my world and I'd pay full pop. I might just snag the cord one by Christmas. Well made, great fit and as usual the good
*Prices as marked. Offer valid on women's sweaters only. Offer excludes third-party branded items. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash or applied to previous purchases. Offer valid at jcrew.com and J.Crew retail stores only. Offer is not valid at J.Crew Factory stores or on J.Crew Factory items. Discount taken at register in stores. Offer valid through Wednesday, October 17, 2012, 11:59pm ET. Offer not valid on phone orders. Terms of offer are subject to change at any time. Discount cannot be combined with any other offer.It is nice to see this offer being extending to both online and in-stores. Although I can't wait to see what the new arrivals will bring in terms of sweaters!
This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share
among
yourselves. This post is where you can
mention your items and
outside listing/ auction site (like eBay
and eCrater & the
corresponding user ID).
If
you are stopped
by a J.Crew store this past weekend
to see what's available (if
anything!) in the FALL sale, or to see some new FALL arrivals
{sigh!} in person, maybe you
might be willing to
share that with us in this post. In
particular, if you could share
with us a few of the noteworthy items
that are available, at what
prices, and potential sizes the
store is carrying (as well as the
store location)- that would be
fantastic!
