The Retrospective

Photos Courtesy of JCREW 2010

For the past several years, two constant buzzwords in menswear have been “fit” and “heritage.” The current trajectory of J.Crew has embraced these concepts and led to the refinement of a brand known mostly for a distinctly preppy sensibility. On a recent gorgeous New York afternoon I was fortunate enough to be invited to Manhattan’s Milk Studios for a preview of the 2010 F/W men’s collection, which showcased head men’s designer Frank Muytjens marriage of these stylish elements into potential instant classics.

Upon emerging from the elevator onto a sunsplashed roofdeck, I was greeted with a refreshing Dark and Stormy and a lineup of male models sporting looks that we’ll be seeing on many fair hommes once the leaves start turning colors later this year. In keeping with the heritage theme, there were many familiar materials like rugged tweeds and denims along with heavier wools in classic shades of grey, blue, brown and hunter green.

While there were many sharp, polished looks to appreciate, three in particular struck me as especially noteworthy:

Photos Courtesy of JCREW 2010

The Canadian tuxedo is a daring and intriguing choice. And if anyone can make a denim-on-denim outfit look good, it’s J.Crew. I may not be completely convinced by this look but I am curious to see who can pull it off in real life.

Darker colored button downs were another important collection element. Yes, rich colors like hunter green, mustard and navy blue are typically used in fall and winter clothing, but here they’ve gone one step further and used deeper hues inside the garments.

Photos Courtesy of JCREW 2010

Finally, one of my favorite looks was the full tweed suit offset with a mustard shirt and brown brogues. Though the fit was slim and cropped, it didn’t go to Thom Browne extremes, making it a versatile choice for fall. One eye-catching detail in particular was the way the heavy material caused the lapel to stay rolled and three-dimensional, rather than creased and flat.

Once again, J.Crew delivers expected classics with impressive execution and subtle details. As menswear continues to rally to create a better dressed man, J. Crew is at the forefront of an exciting fall collection.

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