My topic of discuss for a few months now has been my concern for long-time favorite J.Crew. It practically keeps me up at night, I simply can’t imagine retail without them.

Since the announcement of Jenna Lyons and Mickey Drexler stepping away from J.Crew, James Brett from West Elm has taken over as CEO. It seems it will take at least 2 years for J.Crew to climb out of the debt, the widely lauded Drexler, drove them into. He didn’t anticipate the dramatic rise of tech in the retail sector and that lack of ability to morph and change with the times, ultimately failed J.Crew. While the new CEO has officially started taking over the reigns, Drexler is still advising on matters.

While they have ebbed and flowed in my top ten through the last decade, they will have a special place in my heart. In high school – when you had to mail-in orders (shudder) – my sister and I finagled opening up a J.Crew credit card to call in and secure our orders. So it’s a personal mission to keep J.Crew doors open and in lieu of continuing to write them ideas about how to save their business, I am dedicating this newsletter to them in hopes that you shop to your hearts content. Click the image and shop the look, with a few extra below!

Him
/ 1 / 1040 Athletic Selvedge Raw Indigo Denim $168 / 2 / Oxford Shirt With Embroidered Rabbits $88 /3 / Bowery Slim Pant Glen Plaid Wool $98 / 4 / Navy Italian Silk Tie $70 / 5 / Italian Merino Wool Cardigan in Forest Green $108 / 6 / Keaton Plain Toe Boots $248 / 7 / American Pima Cotton Plaid Blue Shirt $65 / 8 / Sailboat Print Swim Short $50 / 9 / Wallace & Barnes Chore Blazer $150 / 10 / Ludlow Italian Stretch Wool Suit Jacket $425

Her
/ 1 / Orbit Earring $48 / 2 / Italian Silk Scarf in Paisley $70 / 3 / Colorful Floral Hoop Earrings $65 / 4 /Destination Italian Silk Scarf $35  / 5 / Double Strap Leopard Flats $258 / 6 / SeaVees for J.Crew Legend Velvet Sneakers $88 / 7 / Parke Blazer in Caramel $178 / 8 / Floral Silk Ruffle-Bib Top $78 / 9 /  Mens-y Cardigan With Tiger Patch $80 /10 / Collection Thomas Mason Sleeveless Top $118

With only a few corporate environments that require men to suit up daily, it’s likely that you are out of practice when it comes to the art and science of pairing a shirt and tie pairing.  Yet, the holiday season’s cocktail parties are here to force the issue. But have no fear, there are certain tricks of the trade that will help you navigate this seemingly complex topic. Two rules of thumb that never fail are 1) opposites attract. So, a patterned shirt should have a solid tie, and a solid shirt should have a patterned tie.  And 2) the tie should always be darker than the shirt. If that’s all you remember, you’re good. See? Easy. More details? Read on.
When mixing patterns, pay attention to two main aspects to pull this off. First, the colors in the patterns – they should compliment each other, not compete. Second, mind proportions. For example, if you’re going with a micro checked shirt, complimenting this with a larger gingham patterned tie will work well.
Finally, consider how patterns add dimension, texture, and spike visual interest. Do be wary, there are certain patterns that you do want to use sparingly. Busy prints like plaids and paisleys should be paired with shirts that are more straightforward less you run the risk of becoming an excessive feast for the eyes. It’s a delicate dance but with most things in life – think mutual exchange and balanced scales.