Won Over

The February issue of More magazine ran a brief article on Tracy Gardner, the President of J. Crew.  Having recently shared my opinions about some of the retailer’s new offerings (see my January 20 and February 20 posts), I read the article to see if she had a good excuse for some of their marketing decisions.  Of course, the interview didn’t touch on the issue of $79 cut offs or $168 skinny jeans with a paint splattered-finish.

What I found instead was a thoughtful over 40 fashionista who loves colorful classic looks with an urban edge.  She believes in timeless versatility and displayed it in the items she wore for the article.  She discussed evolving into your style and “creating the unexpected” look.  And she looked fabulous!  The article also featured available items that are sharp attention-getters such as a water color inspired pencil skirt, a rainbow of embellished tees and tanks, and the sleekest of slim pants.

A couple of days after reading the article I popped into the Center City store and found the clothes that were featured.  I was smitten.  These are looks for women of all ages and stages in life.  I found the classic pencil skirt in a variety of unusual patterns and colors.  Their collection of pants is far from ordinary.  J. Crew now carries fabulous costume jewelry, and their wedding collection is still one of the coolest, most flattering collections that doesn’t have a high end designer name attached to it.

So, now I’m looking at J. Crew with a more favorable eye.  It’s pushing me towards a more sophisticated spring, sans the paint splattered jeans, of course.  For more gorgeous items, visit their website.

The Jean Genie

The latest J. Crew catalog has another puzzling item for sale -- jeans that appear to be paint splattered for $168 (Vintage Slim Jean in Painter Wash).  I had jeans like that -- an old pair of men’s Levis from the Salvation Army that I wore to paint my kitchen.  I never thought those jeans were sexy.  I didn’t wear them with silver gladiator sandals, ropes of opera-length pearl necklaces and a silk jacket. 

If you have a spare $168 to spend on the latest spring looks, I would suggest Calvin Klein dark wash skinny jeans for $49.50 at Macy‘s.  They are just as sexy with ropes of opera-length pearls and a silk jacket.  The extra $118.50 could score both the black gabardine Tahari boyfriend jacket at TJ Maxx, and ropes of inexpensive colorful necklaces at Ten Thousand Villages.

If you must have jeans with a painter’s wash this spring, come over to the house and help us paint the upstairs hall.  We can get pizza!

Selected Shorts

On the back cover of the January J. Crew catalog is a cute outfit featuring a hip length white cotton shirt with a cascade of ruffles down the front and a pair of cutoff shorts.  Here’s where it gets stupid - the shorts are $79.50.  For a pair of cut offs??  The shorts are made of cotton denim, not woven titanium.  I checked the description; there are no gems in the pockets.  Nothing that you could pawn was sown into the inside seams.  Michael Jackson did not sign these shorts.  They are not Lady Gaga’s castoffs.  However, they are the new “jaded” wash - the “faded” wash wasn’t worn out enough.

Here is a look that you can create for practically nothing.  If you can’t bear to lop off the legs of your Sevens, Levi’s or Old Navys, take a trip to the nearest Salvation Army or Goodwill, grab a pair of worn out jeans for $7, take them home and get to snippin’.  With such a tiny investment you can customize them.  Make one leg shorter than the other.  Add buttons and rhinestones.  Embroider your name in fuchsia across the left back pocket.  Bleach them, paint the Mona Lisa on them, dip Fido’s paws in gold paint and let him walk all over them.  Do anything you want - or leave ‘em plain - just don’t pay $79.50 for a pair of cut offs!  Step away from the insanity and slip that credit card back in your wallet.  That money can buy you and your sweetie a decent meal at a number of good restaurants in the city.  Or, use it for a pair of full length jeans!