Folk & Feather

Let’s talk about J.Crew.  To be perfectly frank, I spent my college years teetering dangerously close to a certain end of the “love/hate” spectrum with respect to this brand.  I long associated its wears with cashmere sweater sets and tennis racquet-embroidered khaki pants—the unofficial uniform of sorority sisters and fraternity bros the country over.  Alas, after graduating and entering the “real world” that is the corporate workplace, I came to terms with the fact that I actually liked a lot of the stuff I saw in the store; I learned to appreciate their timeless looks and vintage references, suitable for both work and play.

Still, my affinity for J.Crew wasn’t sealed til I laid eyes on the pure magic that took form in their Spring 2013 collection.  I’d never seen anything quite like it; the looks were so bold and new that I was left in a complete stupor.  Color/print/texture/neon/funk—it was all there, and it was just so darn pleasantly surprising that I was a little beside myself.  And to top it all off, their genius, “We Know You’re Out There” ad campaigns feature super-cool, fashiony ladies like Solange Knowles and Carolina Issa. 

I love that this brand is pushing itself outside its comfort zone and becoming a bit more “out there.”  I have to hand it to you J.Crew, you’re really onto something here.