I have to say: the J.Crew men’s and women’s presentations were among the best fashion showcases I’ve seen in some time. I’m a recent J.Crew convert and find men’s designer Frank Muytjens right on cue with my sartorial likes day in and day out. For fall, which was presented at the Milk Studios penthouse, the Dutch native infused utilitarian elements to ground his concrete-palette collection inspired by the artist studios of Brancusi & Castiglioni. When I pointed out what looked like a heavy denim shirt worn underneath my favorite worsted wool Ludlow suit, Muytjens revealed that it was in actuality a fitted jean jacket! “It’s all about discovering new ways to mix,” he said.
J. Crew, which has long been associated with its rollneck sweater of yesteryear, managed to bring boost its American heritage to a new level with sophisticated and clean looks. The seamless use of a multitude of textures and materials, all in unassuming, saturated colors, was chicly done. Key pieces included jeans and chinos with authentic vintage patches, not to mention the requisite tweed and twill sportcoats. As has become a J.Crew hallmark, the dark-on-dark denim shined brightly, as did the fitted suits that screamed European but with sensible American prices. On one of the models I spotted a utilitarian backpack that was both on point for fall and utterly masculine; turns out J.Crew partnered with Kelty on the backpack–just one of two new collaborations, the other being with Crescent Down Works for somewhat more fitted down jackets.
pretty nice clothes for the men collection too