J.Crew’s a class act

by Rachelle Robinett

GQ creative director Jim Moore finds ever more to love from J.Crew, and we do too.

J. Crew redressed

Impressed by head designer Frank Muytjens’ “masculine, affordable, and modern” (pieces), in a recent story at GQ.com, Moore also commented on J.Crew’s styling: “Each guy exud[ed] a sense of great personal style.” Though a sidelong note, this is an area in which the company has really upped the ante in recent years.

Particularly haute is its Tribeca-based men’s location, the Liquor Store. Original bar intact within walls from 1825, the spot carries exclusives from designer collaborations (Belstaff, Levi’s and Ray-Ban have all partnered), as well as Borsalino hats, vintage Rolexes, old records and first-edition books (but no booze).

J.Crew of yore

From the Crew we knew as a mail-order only catalogue on mom’s coffee table (picture) to the British geek-chic, touch-of-grunge and piles-of-pearls (styling) of today, J.Crew looks to be successfully accomplishing an enviable appeal-expansion without isolating true-blue crew members. We’re sold.

December 1, 2009