J Crew

Rethinking a casual staple



J Crew 1989 Heritage cagoule

I don’t know if life is one big algorithm now, but these hooded cagoules seem to be following me around online and IRL.

The seed was first planted last summer via a pinky-orange Loro Piana number in a Harper’s Bazaar editorial. So un-utilitarian, so unexpected, so cool! Then the eau de nil cocktail cagoule from Carven SS24 (below) captured our hearts with its audacious banana sleeves and heavy satin drape. The anti-nylon pac-a-mac, this one is definitely not intended for inclement weather. (more…)



Quote of the day: Maggie Bullock on J. Crew and the legacy of prep



J Crew book by Maggick Bullock - with a New Yorker prep explainer by Hua Hsu

“A man who confidently strolled into class or an office in well-scuffed bucks didn’t have to worry he’d be held back by some bourgeois triviality. He knew where he stood. So did everyone else.”
J. Crew chronicler Maggie Bullock, New Yorker

A fascinating explainer on J. Crew and the history of prep. New Yorker writer Hua Hsu reviews Bullock’s new book, deep-diving into the status signifiers of Brooks Bros, J Press and the rest, and their significance on society at large. (more…)



Trend report: What to wear for SS23



WWD backstage at Jil Sander SS23

Let’s say it now, there’s not a lot of newness around at the mo. The world’s in flux, designers are scared for their jobs, no one’s taking risks and the big brands especially just wanna sell. Who can blame them? BOF’s Angelo Flaccavento was maybe a bit harsh with his ‘clothes to die from not for’ (lol) summing up of MFW SS23, but he had a point. It’s a commercial season, so let’s just get that out of the way. Honestly, I’m not sad about the black-everything revival, I can’t complain about the loafer love-fest and as a New Luddite, it’s great to see women’s watches in the spotlight. Read on for my round-up of what I’ll be wearing and doing this season… (more…)



It’s here: The new J.Crew



J.Crew Menswear Aw22 look book

The J.Crew menswear 3.0 look book is in. Is it any cop? You decide.

First impressions from Brendon Babenzien’s J.Crew vision are… it looks promising. Not ground breaking but it aligns with the Drake’s, Aimé Leon Dore, Ralph-lite customer and will likely filter to the Uniqlo tribe looking to spend a little more. Price points look OK and there’s a welcome focus on quality and provenance. (more…)