J-Crew's back baby (...and so am I)

I'm making several apologies on this post:  first and foremost, for not posting since August.  I'm really sorry about that - moving to London turned out a lot busier than expected, and I've only really settled into my new life the last few weeks.  My second excuse for hiatus is that I forgot to change the primary e-mail address for the blog from my University e-mail, and it promptly disappeared.

(York were kind enough to restore my account so I could retrieve the blog.   You just wouldn't get that consideration down South.)

My second apology is more relevant to this post, and is entirely down to personal incompetence: I may have accidentally smeared handcream all over the back of my iPhone (electronic devices deserve pampering too) and this heavily impaired the quality of my already-shoddy photography. 

Anyway, onto the point of this post.. 

Before visiting the store last weekend, the only knowledge I had of J-Crew was the following:

• We've never had one before.
• K-Mid is known to wear it.
• My mother sees it as the natural 'step up' from my University wardrobe.

Since visiting the store, I have drawn the following conclusions:

• It's expensive.
• I need everything. 

I was greeted by a burly looking bouncer and America's image of London: four impeccably dressed models sporting Palace Guard hats and that classic British accessory, a phone box.   The store was full of yummy mummies and impeccably-dressed couples wielding bags from Burberry, Chanel and Selfridges.   All in all, I was pretty impressed.  Think of an Abercrombie for grown-ups:  sharp, clean better-lit and devoid of irritating teens. 

The first thing I picked up was the 'Schoolboy Blazer' in grey, with navy tips and beautiful gold buttons.  It was love at first sight and, at £268, fitted perfectly into my Christmas treat budget.  The blazer comes in graphite, vintage mahogany (both pictured) and 'pinot noir' (read: pretentious American for 'oxblood') which, in case you hadn't noticed, is staying firmly in over the next season.

 

Schoolboy Blazer in tipped wool £268

We all know I'm a sucker for a graphite and navy combo, so I promptly dumped all my belongings on Nicholas and headed to the mirrors.   I was a little disappointed trying it on;  I have a long body that doesn't tend to suit shrunken blazers, so I'm sad to tell you I left without the blazer (for now).

What did you think?
(tee: Whistles, jeans: Superdry)

I find that women split into two categories when it comes to fashion: those who change their jewellery daily, carefully matching necklaces and rings to certain outfits, and those who ignore their overflowing jewellery box and opt to wear the same three things day in day out.  I fall into the latter, despite my best efforts, so the seasonal knits (sorry - I refuse to say 'sweater') were perfect for me. Classic colours and styles were embroidered with brooches and necklaces, making them an ideal no-effort look for those who wished they could pull off the bejewelled look.

Starburst Sweater in 'Dusty Quartz' (£98), Donegal Sweater in 'Pewter' (£98)
and Collection Cashmere sweater in 'Indigo' (£298)

Much as I want to purchase the Donegal, I'm determined to leave my uniform of greys and blues behind (and my last grey-jumper purchase was mere days ago), so I'll be adding the Starburst to my list this Christmas.  In terms of classic jumpers Merino comes in at around £79 - not unreasonable for an upper-high-street name - however the 'J Crew Premium' can be seen in the price of basic cable knits (£88) and cashmere (starting at £188) , and I can't help but feel you can get similar/better quality elsewhere.   I'll cover this in a general winter-wardrobe post later, but if you're stuck for good cashmere this season try Whistles.

Another of my (sadly unachievable) favourites were the printed cigarette trousers, which were available in a variety of jacquards, tweeds and silk tie prints - if I had the legs to wear these to work I'd snap them all up in a second.  Again they're pricey, but I've not seen style or quality like this anywhere else so far this season..

Capri in Berry Bouquet (£248), Mid-Rise Toothpick Cord Trouser in Bottle Green (£98, other colours available),
Printed Tweed Tuxedo Pants (£250)

It could be that I'm turning into an old woman but I was also a fan of their corduroy stretch trousers, especially the fact they sell a mid-rise option.  I may be short but I'm also incredibly pear-shaped, and this often leaves me in an unfortunate position when buying jeans.

 

I really think people underestimate the value of a good pair of PJ's and J Crew has outdone itself here, selling a range of cotton, flannel and silk nightwear in both outfits and separates.  It's tradition that everyone in my family recieves a sleep-related present on Christmas Day, and I'm really hoping mine is one of these two (the nightshirt comes in plaid too).   They even sell a onesie.

PJ Set in Bright Cerise Flannel (£98), Cotton Nightshirt in 'Hydrangea' (£68)

I might have walked out of J Crew empty-handed last weekend but I'll be back, armed with my personal Christmas list and my gift-list for others.   Sure, it's overpriced, and it might be a few steps up from my current wardrobe, but in many cases J Crew's offerings are unique enough to justify the price tag.  

Wills HQ

I headed down South this weekend for my best friend Ruby's birthday in Oxford, a bit of cheeky flat hunting in London, and a visit to Wills HQ in Shoreditch to browse the new collection (and pick up a few bargains at the Aubin & Wills Sample Sale).   I'd never ventured as far as East London before and I was pretty excited about this trip, so much so that I may have come back the next day..

The building's basement has been converted into the 'Aubin Cinema' - which has recieved rave reviews from friends who have visited (sadly I haven't - it's on my to-do list) - and the shop is located on the ground floor.   I'd only seen bits and pieces from the Autumn collection so far, so I was pretty excited to get stuck in with the whole thing.  Unfortunately there were still a few pieces missing, including the Damson Tweed Jacket I'm desperate to get my hands on, but I picked up a few pieces while I was there.

 

I particularly liked the button-down skirt (available in denim and cord) for a looser, grown-up look; paired with  oversized crew-neck jumpers and lightweight coats.  Colour pops were seen in light purple chinos and dainty coral camisoles, suggesting 2013's hottest summer colours are set to carry on through to Autumn, worn to offset the wintery khaki and navy shades.   I'm sad I didn't take a picture of the shoes, as a gorgeous pair of patent loafers caught my eye, and I'll be picking those up at a later date. 

For the boys..

I really liked the colour-palette contrast between the collections for men and women; while navy, damson and grey featured in the men's (like the backpack above) it was generally a lot lighter than the women''s.  Trousers, shirts and tees were neutral tones, designed to be layered with darker knits and crew jumpers underneath pale outerwear. 

I loved the warehouse-y East London feel; Jack Wills shops usually inhabit listed buildings, so the bare-bones look really allowed the collection to shine and reflected that you don't need to be a country bumpkin to rock the look.   I picked up a damson pleat blouse from the new collection and a cardigan with some pink chinos from the sale, and I intend to come back for this season's lace camisoles, floral t-shirt dress and either a pair of the Chelsea ankle boots or the patent loafers.    I'm really hoping they bring out another boyfriend-fit blazer, as oppose to the usual fitted style, as I'd love one in navy this season. 

Jack Wills are currently in the final reductions stage of their summer sale (with some epic bargains), and you can redeem a cheeky 15% off if you're a student on full-priced items.  I'll be doing a giveaway at the end of summer involving some JW items, so if you're a fan make sure you've subscribed via e-mail (see sidebar) or on bloglovin'!

Autumn @ Jack

One of my favourite brands Jack Wills unveiled their Autumn Preview a couple of days ago and I thought I'd walk you through the looks, dish out a little advice on integrating new pieces into your current wardrobe, and get you as excited to buy this collection as I am!  

I love the pieces I've seen so far - the colour scheme is reminiscent of Victorian style; reflecting Jack Wills' tendency to celebrate and take inspiration from its British heritage.  The preppy brand's key colour this season adds a purple-hue to traditional oxblood shades to become Damson, and features on jeans, smart tees, dresses, playsuits and prints throughout the collection.  I'm 'pale and interesting' so the dark greys, navy and damson shades really suit my complexion.

In terms of cut, style and detail I think the Autumn collection is a little more grown-up than we've seen in previous seasons;  the delicate use of sheer fabrics, subtle polka dots and dainty floral patterns bring femininity to the androgynous cuts of jeans, shorts and boy-fit shirts.  These beautiful pieces add elegance to loungewear and casual clothing; the Marston Tee can be paired with black jeans and loafers during the day and a suede point-toe stiletto - this year's staple shoe - to carry your outfit through to the evening.  You could even add the Shelsey Cami to your workwear wardrobe; with a smart black skirt suit or cigarette trousers.

The Hamfield Crew (£49.50), Shelsey Pleat Cami (£59.50) and Marston Tee (£59.50)

 Wear with: the 'French 75' heel by Whistles, JW's own Maddison or J-Brand's 912 Skinny Jean.

Their key transitional outerwear piece moves away from the traditional rural uniform of weed, wax and quilt jackets towards the parka; the coat is often associated with an 'urban' or 'street' look (and championed by Liam Gallagher in the 1990's) and is available in navy or khaki, reflective of it's military origins.  The best thing about this coat is it's versatility - it can be thrown on over anything, and easily rolled up and popped in a bag when you don't need it til later. 

The Alwyn £98.50

 Wear with:  Contrast a sharp shirt and patent loafers with rolled-up trousers and the Alwyn parka for a slightly grungy city look.

'Kitty' by Charlotte Olympia, £465 (Selfridges)

If you're buying anything from this collection, or using it as inspiration for the rest of your Autumn wardrobe then here's a basic summary: stick to dark shades (greys, purples, reds and navy), pair  feminine tops with masculine-cut trousers, and never underestimate the power of a classic shoe.  Swap your ballet pumps for brogues and smoking slippers, and give your feet a rest in the evening because the mid-heel is back: point-toe styles in classic black patent and suedes, or wear a glitter or spiked pump for a little extra glamour.   Louboutin's 'Pigalle' is an absolute classic, as is the Whistles French 125 (/75) if you're not feeling irresponsible this month.

It isn't available in-stores yet, but my favourite piece is the Damson tweed jacket pictured below with the Bradnam short and a plain tee.  If you follow me on Twitter you'll have seen me raving about my guilty love of shorts-suits and, if anything, this little mix-and-match outfit has confirmed I've secretly been right about them all along. 

The Wardrobe Update: The LWD

I know I probably shouldn't post topics consecutively, but I thought I'd tackle one of this summer's biggest hits before the good weather runs out.  Readers, meet the Little White Dress.

We've all seen the Little Black Dress in action: immortalised by Audrey Hepburn (as Holly Golightly), the LBD has become a wardrobe staple and effortless show-stopper when it comes to making an entrance, and no fashionista's wardrobe is complete without one.   However, SS13 shows heralded a successor to this now-familiar icon, and I've picked out eight from across the high street for your convenience.. 

L-R

1. Topshop Embroidered Prom Dress (£50) -  I know I struggle for breath between criticisms when it comes to Topshop, but I can't help loving this LWD.  Seen on countless bloggers, friends and party-goers this summer so far, this dress is a super-flattering option for day to dark activities.  The V back adds a little extra elegance to this otherwise fun number. 

2. Manilla by Izanagi (£95) -  The details of this lace panel LBD earned it a place within this edit; a fashion-focused take on the fitted jersey dress, this is the perfect choice for after-work drinks in the city.  The monochromatic contrast allows you to experiment with coloured jewellery and accessories, while being simple enough to stand out without. Izanagi makes it's elegant dresses to order, but you can order online, via twitter, or watch the main man himself for daily deals.

3. Karen Millen's White Lace Stripe Dress (£175 here; on sale at £125 here) -   You don't need to be a genius to figure out why I've added this dress to the list.  Remember this?  We all know Queen B always made effort when it came to showing up boys, and I can't think of a better first-date dress than this Karen Millen number.  (NB: the original dress Blair wore to the White Party was Marc by Marc Jacobs)

4. Jersey & Chiffon Dress, H&M (£7.99 !!) -  I thought I'd give your bank balance a breather by popping this wallet-friendly number in the middle.  If you're heading to a festival, field party, to the beach or just lounging around the house waiting for the cute window-cleaner to come, this dress is an effortless casual staple.  Add a flower crown, plaited belt and wellies for festival chic or studded ankle boots for the city; with this one you can afford to experiment with all the accessories you like. 

5. Whistles 'Adrianne' Dress (£95) -  Okay so I'm not colourblind, I know this isn't white, but can you really blame me for adding it to the list?  This powder-pink neutral flatters both a tan complexion and the deathly almost-blue pallor sported by unfortunate Brits such as myself.  It's comfortably tailored and can be paired with wedges for lunch,  embroidered sandals for shopping and brogues for attitude.  Also, it has pockets.  

6. Silk & Tulle Gown by Willow @ Net A Porter (£705 from £1,175) -  If you've got a wedding, yacht party or similar fancy event to dress up for then this is the perfect formal LWD.  Not only does it cover the white, cut-out and midi trends in one beautifully made piece, Miranda Kerr was also pictured wearing a shorter turquoise version in her latest ad for Kora Organics.  Do you need more persuading?  

 9. Ted Baker 'IMOGINE' Colour Block Dress (£129) -  You're mixing the best of both worlds with this Ted Baker dress; not only is it both white and black, the drop-waist and loose style puts this dress right back in the swinging sixties (I'm really, really sorry. I can't apologise enough for that. It just came out), a style championed by Moschino's Cheap & Chic line this season.  Pair with super-cute coloured flats or nude wedges in the day and a point-toe black patent stiletto in the evening for instant retro elegance.

8. Jack Wills 'Meerbroke' Dress (£74, from £89.50) - Did you really think I'd manage an entire post without including some Jack Wills? That was naive of you.  

This flirty number also comes in bright pink (another big hit this season) and navy (you all know that, in my humble opinion, one can never go wrong with navy).  My favourite features are the racer back, modest hemline (hello 'meet the parents' scenarios) and the scalloped skirt hem; plus the lining (hello practicality) means you'll never suffer any of the inevitable wardrobe mishaps that occur from pairing bright underwear with white sundresses.

I lied. There's one more dress.

I haven't really included a naughty night-out dress here, so I'm throwing this Nastygal number (£38) into the ring. 

If you don't recognise the model then I really don't know where you've been for the last three months; this video has topped 100 million views on Youtube and has provided one of 2013's biggest conundrums:

What actually does rhyme with hug me?

I'm sorry, I've made too many bad jokes this post.  I'll make up for it by sharing my favourite cookie recipe on Thursday. 


PS:  I know we're all about white today but I'd feel too guilty keeping this from you guys and, as I've mentioned above, it's totally on trend.  I've popped it into my 'most wanted' list, but that just wasn't enough.  Designed by Jess Honey for MIC-feature-turned-fashionista (and musician) Caggie Dunlop's ISWAI project, 'The Orchid' statement skirt is the dream holiday buy this summer.  Pair it with chunky nude gladiator sandals, gold & leather jewellery and a plain white tee for instant hippie-chic; alternatively, slip on a pair of bright turquoise, silver or fluorescent yellow heels for a pop of colour at night.

 Isn't it dreamy?

Wardrobe Update: Workwear Staples

This is a long one, I'm afraid, but I've been inundated with requests for a 'working wardrobe' blog for a while now so I figured that, as I'm currently working on mine, I'd share a few tips for yours!

For me, the most important thing about your W.W is that you should look like what you are, and I don't know many graduates who can afford to rock up every day in Louboutins and Prada.  That said, it's important to mix and match expensive pieces with good quality basics that allow you enough choice to dress your outfits up or down when necessary (and ensuring that, with a quick change of jacket or blouse, you can wear your favourite skirt twice without anybody noticing).  

To start, you'll need a working week's worth of trousers, skirts and dresses.  It might seem like a lot, but if you mix and match enough then it's pretty easy to stretch these staples out across a two-week period.  These are the things I would recommend investing in: think reputable brands such as Reiss, Paul Smith, T.M. Lewin etc. or M&S for cheap, simple pieces.

All Saints (£98), Reiss (£110), Paul Smith (£189 - reduced to £94)

You can afford to experiment a little with separates by choosing a printed skirt (or dress) and cigarette trousers, for example, but I'd avoid printed trousers or too-bright colours unless you're working in an environment that allows for a lot of personal expression.  I've chosen the 'Wither' skirt by All Saints, a pair of simple tailored trousers by Reiss and a Paul Smith pique skirt (currently in the sale ladies - snap it up while you can) that I ended up leaving with yesterday because I absolutely love the navy side panels.  I'm also a fan of M&S' fishtail skirt and, at £19.50, can you really afford to say no?

If you've got a 'signature' colour or style (lace overlay, peplum detail etc.) then a dress is the ideal way to show it off, but  when it comes to skirts and dresses I'd advise you to: stick to two inches above knee level and avoid things that come with a belt (as it's usually cheap and tacky), and avoid cleavage like the devil (unless you're pairing it with a modest jacket/knit).

Theory (£125), Stella McCartney (£590), Moschino (£430), FCUK (£110)

If you favour a classic look then this Theory LBD is ideal - not to mention the fact it's almost half price in the sale.  A two-tone dress like the Moschino Cheap & Chic number I've picked is a good way to pull off the 'contrast' trend; alternatively go all the way and pair a fitted, jewel coloured number like the Stella McCartney or French Connection dresses with a black jacket and shoes.  If you're more about the accessories then try a simple, good quality jersey dress with a smart jacket (like these: 1, 2, 3) and a few well-chosen accessories.  My go-to jersey dress ('Mila' by Whistles) is sold out, but you can find similar versions across the high street (Dorothy Perkins, Reiss, ASOS) for as little as £16.

Unfortunately I couldn't find one of my most-wanted separates - if anyone has spotted a particularly gorgeous lace-overlay skirt in block colour, navy or black then please let me know!

  The main workwear trends set to continue into AW13 are colour contrast and statement detail/print separates.  Jackets are a great way to pull off the print, as you can strut into the office looking fantastic whilst retaining the freedom to quickly remove your bold piece if needed.  Blouses and shirts are the best options for monochrome and colour contrasting;  blouses in jewel shades can be found across both designer and high street boutiques, and a crisp white shirt can be super-useful in balancing out a more exciting skirt or trouser choice.  If you're not that daring then choose pieces with quirky details such as a patterned cuff or collar, or pop a printed shirt under a plain jumper.

Zara (£39.99), Whistles (£95), Theory (£300)

I've chosen a cute transitional Zara number (currently £39 from £79), the classic Sylvia Blouse by Whistles, and this gorgeous cropped peplum detail tweed jacket by Theory at My Wardrobe.  Smart 60's jackets are a super-easy way to add feminine elegance to a simple work outfit.  If you've got a fair amount of budget to play with then hit By Malene Birger (I love the anchor-print suit), Equipment or My Wardrobe, but reasonable good-quality pieces can be found in the likes of Whistles and Zara.  This season my favourite shirts come from Zara's smarter, older sister Massimo Dutti - unfortunately there aren't many of these outside London, but you can buy online and visit stores across Europe. 

MD: Tie Print (£54), Oxford (£44) and Denim & Silk (£54) shirts.

I hope I've been helpful and just not talked (or typed) your ears off!   If you've found a workwear piece you love, why not share it below on the comments section?