Today in the mail, I received a little pamphlet from J.Crew showcasing their Fall/Winter 2012 Women's Collection. In general, I don't pay a lot of attention to J.Crew's Collection stuff because I'm too poor to afford any of it. Plus they tend to over-sequin their Collection items and I'm not dropping hundreds of dollars on a skirt that I can't wear to work, to the grocery store, or walking my dog, since that's pretty much the scope of my daily activities.
Well, last year they were obsessed with Little Eadie Beale, and the Collection looked like it might possibly smell of cobwebs and cat pee. This year, You'd better break out the Jell-o Pudding Pops because J.Crew seems to be basing a lot of their Collection on this guy's sartorial choices:
Dear fashion world: please stop it with the Cosby Sweaters. I mean, I loved that show as much as the rest of America did - if you had asked me as an 8-year old who I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have said "A cross between Clair Huxtable and Julia Sugarbaker." - but some fashion from the 80's should stay in the 80's. I know the hipsters love this stuff, but they are buying their "authentic vintage" acrylic Cosby Sweaters from thrift shops for $4 and you are not doing anybody any favors by keeping this trend alive.
Anyway, here are some slightly blurry pics of the upcoming Women's Collection, and I've commented with few of my impressions.
No.2 = The texture of that fur looks like dog hair. Why would you wear a fur coat that makes you look like you skinned a few Cairn terriers to make it?
No.6 = "Does this hairy skirt make me look fat?" Yes, it makes everyone look fat. Except possibly Anna Wintour, so J.Crew should just present it to her as an offering along with her afternoon platter of Unicorn steak marinated in virgin tears.
No.7 = Drita from "Mob Wives" would look entirely at home in this ensemble. Just add bling and lots of eye makeup, and she's ready to visit her husband in prison.
No.8 = I would wear that (not sure about the color, though).
No.11 = I like that toggle coat in theory, but I need a coat that covers my wrists.
No.'s 12 and 13 = Pretty. I would wear both of those outfits. Am also liking the dimensions of that little melon-colored handbag in No.12.
No.14 = I don't like snakeskin prints on anything but bags and/or shoes. I guess I've just seen too many hookers on "L&O: SVU" in python mini-skirts.
No.15 = I could see Carly Simon or Sienna Miller in this look. I think it's the hat.
No.16 = What the hell is that bag?
Oh look - a hookup (No.19)! Heh. I'd split those pieces up, but aside from look No.17 (Ski chalet wedding guest?), I would wear everything pictured. In fact, I might have to rob a bank to get the money for that leather jacket in No.20.
No.24 = I need to see this dress in motion. It could go either way for me.
No.25 = This kind of works...annual Hunt Club breakfast, perhaps?
No.26 = I hate the pants and blouse together, but a simple dress in this print would be gorgeous. Maybe it's the lighting, but that jacket looks cheap to me.
No.28 = Hmm...bows. I think I'm too old for bows. Those pants are fun, though.
What do you think? Do you agree/disagree with me on some of these items? Do you see any "must haves" for your cool-weather wardrobe?
You are cracking me up! There are some pieces I like, but only a few. I'm sure styled differently I might like other items, but so far for just the bag in look #2, the suit in #13, but would likely just wear the jacket. The top and jacket in #26 is pretty, though I'd prefer a dress in this fabric, and I am happy to see a print trouser. The print capris are flattering on a certain body type-not mine. It is unlikely I'd wear the trousers, but I like having the option. Why so many cropped pants for fall? Not sure about anyone else, but my feet get cold! All of the fuzzy stuff just adds too much bulk IMHO. Totally getting your comment on bag in #16-I don't get it - and the leather jacket in #20-gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI saw a comment on JCA that makes a lot of sense, and it was something like "Half of J.Crew's market doesn't get a cold winter, and that's why there are so many capris for fall." I understand this SO much better now that I live in GA. When I lived in DC, my wool trousers were in heavy rotation from October to March. Now that my "winter" consists of a few random 30 degree days in January and February, I probably only wore my lined wool non-suit trousers 3 or 4 times. It might not consistently dip below 70 during the day here until November, so all of those dressy capris look pretty good from south of the Mason-Dixon Line, haha.
DeleteWhitney-you're so right! I've lived on the West Coast my entire life. Our climate is mild, but by no means warm in the winter. Guess I forget about my friends in the south with really mild weather.
DeleteBTW-gave you a shout out on my blog today-have fun.
Ooh - thanks Julie! Never having to scrape ice off the windshield or shovel snow is a treat, but I miss having real seasons. Fall and Spring in the mountains of WV are really breathtaking...as is the mountain of neglected cashmere sweaters in my closet that I occasionally whine about :p
DeleteYep, #8 all the way. Your comments are a riot!
ReplyDeleteThank you, kikki cee!
DeleteLOL your commentary was so entertaining! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, they really amused me :) I have to agree tho, not much of the fall lineup is wearable. I'm pretty disappointed actually.
ReplyDeleteTasia
Yeah, this preview is more "meh" than anything, but I usually only browse the Collection if I need something really specific. It doesn't mesh with my lifestyle or my wallet, haha. I'm more excited to visit my B&M once the regular J.Crew fall stuff hits!
DeleteHahaha I forgot about those jello pudding pops, and thanks that is a great picture of the classic Cosby sweater. Says it all!
ReplyDeleteI just had my 10 year old look at the outfit photos over on JCA and she said "I don't like any of these outfits. And seriously Mom those 80's sweaters need to stay in the 80's."
See she's 10 and she knows those are 80's sweaters! She's never even seen the Cosby show!
Thanks for the laughs.
(Of course in saying this I also know there will be items I will like and will buy, we'll have to see how it all translates down!)
LOL DaniBP - I love that your daughter has such a keen eye at 10! I guess the silver lining re: the return of the Cosby sweater is that it might make kids today curious to watch old reruns of The Cosby Show on Nick at Nite or wherever, which is cool :)
Deleteloved reading this! look on the bright side, no nerd glasses. and what's with the Paddington Bear short-sleeved duffle coat? I look at that coat, those sleeves, and I want to accessorize with mitten clips.
ReplyDeleteHAH! I'm sure that the Crew created the stumpy sleeves for those who like to work 3/4 length gloves and arm parties on both wrists, so I'm not in their target market. I sure do love me a camel hair coat, though.
DeleteYou are a hoot. I had a couple Those Sweaters and super not looking f=or a do-over in that dept. The Collection styling is usually off for me. I admit I have to see the pieces on bloggers & irl to be swayed.
ReplyDeleteDitto, Gigi. I wonder if Blair from A-P will buy any of these pieces? Damn, that girl can dress. I've been swayed into liking an item more than once after I've seen pics of how she styled it (in theory, at least - I know that one can only pull off some of that stuff if one is a sample size).
DeleteIs it me or does #8 look like Jenna?
ReplyDeleteShe totally looks like Jenna. I don't know if Jenna has a hand in casting the models for the collection, but there's no way that mini-Jenna is a coincidence!
Delete