My ongoing hunt for gorgeous, affordable minimalist finds in unexpected places rolls on. This week, I turned my attention to the land of preppy-meets-hipster-chic: J.Crew.
Don’t get me wrong, I admire the cult of J.Crew as much as the next retail-loving shopaholic. The indomitable duo of Mickey Drexler and Jenna Lyons completely fascinates me. But, I’ve never considered the store known for candy colors as a reliable source of minimalist goods. In fact, I haven’t bought anything from J.Crew in years.
Could I find truly interesting minimalist pieces – something more thought-provoking than khakis and tees – at J.Crew? I was willing to give it a try. I waded through hundreds of new arrivals and settled on these six picks, all of which are interesting and affordable…
1. J.Crew Collarless Cropped Tuxedo Jacket, $198.00
My careful Pinterest stalking of the French Vogue-ettes has reinforced my belief that a black jacket can do no wrong. This particular black jacket gets a modern and sleek feel from the hook-and-eye closure and collarless style. There’s a matching pant, which would create a fabulous Saint Laurent-inspired look. Or, just pair it with jeans and pumps to channel your inner Emmanuelle Alt.
2. J.Crew Bonded Cotton Trench, $298.00
This is far from your ordinary trench. The overlapping front hem paired with the angular slash pockets creates a funky triangle shape, while the oversized lapels add some visual interest to the top half. Plus, the cotton construction is just the right weight for spring.
3. J.Crew Collection Cashmere Side-Panel Sweater, $268.00
I find it very hard to resist cashmere, and this sweater’s details make it particularly appealing. Barely perceptible side panels add extra slouch and volume without looking like you’re wearing the wrong size. Slits along the sides of the hem make the sweater lay a lot more like a tailored blouse than a sweater. This all adds up to a more interesting take on your basic cashmere.
4. J.Crew Drapey Oxford Crepe Cap-Sleeve Top, $88.00
A combination lyocell/ viscose fabric makes this sleek top drape like silk, but with a more interesting texture. Pair it with cropped black wool trousers for work, or tattered boyfriend jeans for your day off. It would even look quite fabulous with your favorite suit.
5. Birkenstock Arizona Leather Sandals, $130.00
I give Birkenstock a lot of credit for quickly responding to the frenzy created by last year’s Birk-lookalike Celine sandals. All it took to push the old school Arizona sandal into the fashion stratosphere was a subtle update to the color scheme. Just look at how modern, minimalist, and Celine-like these sandals look with the updated white rubber sole. Love it.
6. J.Crew Rolled Sleeve Pocket Tee, $36.50
Ok, I know, I said I was searching for something more than khakis and tees. But, I can’t resist the boyish fit of this new rolled-sleeve tee. It’s just the kind of tee that belongs under that Tuxedo Jacket, paired with skinnies and an amazing pair of pumps.
Looking for more affordable, unexpected minimalist fashion finds? Check out my recent posts on Abercrombie & Fitch and Aritzia!
