Walking into a J.Crew store is like being initiated into a sorority where all the women where a uniform of freshly starched shirts, statement trousers and Jenna Lyons-approved skirts. It’s for women who summer in the Hamptons and ski in Aspen. The question is, can I a girl from Camden, with a shaved head and tattoos, wear it without looking Waspy?
The Right Kind Of Clash
New perfect-fit T-shirt in stripe, £32; Cigarette Pant in Puckered Gingham, £108
Stripes for spring is anything but revolutionary. But, when clashed with the most charming print of all, gingham, now you’re talking. The trick is to make sure the patterns have the same shade of blue base. Otherwise, this is a culture clash too far.
Bringing Back The Boho Skirt One Swish At A Time
Thomas Mason for J.Crew Stretch Shirt, £140, Tiered midi skirt in eyelet poplin, £130
Following J.Crew’s Oracle leader Jenna Lyon’s school of thinking, I’ve tucked a freshly pressed Oxford skirt into a tangerine orange skirt. Logic says this shouldn’t work. But, the boyishness of the tailoring against the ultra-femme flare of the skirt has me convinced otherwise.
Breaking Up A Co-Ord
Pink silk shirt, £218; Thomas Mason for J.Crew Stretch Shirt, £140
This pink pyjama shirt was destined to be loved-up forever with a matching pair of shorts (scroll down to see). But, the pink-on-pink was a sickly sweet confection too far for me. Since the great break-up, the divorce has treated this pretty collared shirt nicely.
Worth Shaving Your Legs For
*Pink shorts, £228; *Thomas Mason for J.Crew Stretch Shirt, £140
These pink shorts may have to be saved for the warmer months, but as soon as the sun starts shining, these are coming right back out. Their saccharine shade is easily balanced out by a stiff shirt and my grubby Converses.
Ruffling Feathers With Navy Knitwear
Ruffle knit top, £88
At first, I wasn’t convinced I could make this frilly knitted top work. But, after tugging the boatneck off the shoulder, I’ve actually fallen hard for it. It’s hella cosy, and its textured front comes to life with a pair of raw-edge chinos and a bike-chain belt.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.