My Favorite Style Guide of the Year, J. Crew's "September Issue!"

For most fashionistas, September is the most coveted time of year.  Everything is a little "fatter" and I mean that in the most flattering way.  Fashion magazines have pulled the most amazing advertisements, filled their pages with Autumnal trends and often feature the up and comings whether that be star power or clothing designers. The September Issue was also made into a movie/documentary covering Vogue Magazine's art and fury to publish more pages than ever before for this month year after year.  I think that I have watched this movie at least 10 times!

And pretty much all fashion magazines plump up their  pages for the Fall buying season.  This is a time when we get to buy those trends that previously walked the runways or teased us in our favorite fashion magazines.

J. Crew Fall '13

Women in particular are wooed by designer's RTW featuring hot items such as boots, shoes, handbags and coats for the cool coming months.  Here is the link to J. Crew's Fall 2013 Collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

If you are anything like me, you are also turning your closet over for Fall, putting away the warm weather items, pulling out classic clothes that will make it another year and most importantly, making room for any new pieces that may brighten up our closet(s) and mood for Fall.

https://www.facebook.com/alittlecrewzy

And retailers also revamp collections both online and in stores.  With that, I feel a happy obligation to feature my favorite September/Fall pieces from J.Crew.  After all, my blog, a little "crew"zy was named  because of my healthy (ha) addiction to all things J. Crew! This name has threaded itself to other social media outlets where I feature all fashion, style, beauty products and pop culture musings.  You can find alittlecrewzy on eBay, Facebook Page, Tumblr, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest…)

I actually get a thrill when J. Crew's September Style Guide hits my mailbox and online gets updated with new looks for Fall!  Don't you?  J. Crew also published a sneak peek of their September Style Guide on Pinterest, love!  I only wish that they would post the September Guide on their website at the same time it hits the stores and our mailboxes.

Valentina patent d'orsay pumps

I think back to my previous reviews on J. Crew's September Style Guide in which I covered the "nays", but I am only covering the "yays" right now and will reserve less friendly reviews for later posts!  Let's just say that I think Jenna led this season with glorious reviews.  I really didn't see much that I disliked.

Let's start with the cover (top left photo).  I love the simplicity of this year's JC guide.  It is void of any funky trends which I love because it makes me more curious to dive into this beautiful guide.  I will say
upfront that this Style Guide feels like a return to J. Crew's roots, building on their classic pieces without overplaying accessories and bling.  Let's say there is just enough accessorizing.  There are also plenty of pieces left for Summer.  I love that J. Crew has really put out some game changing separates with beautiful prints and fabrics.  I am also glad they didn't put out that one item that never seems to fit yet they call it Collection! You know what I am talking about!

There are no pretenses to these pieces and Jenna proves that with the right styling, layering, you will have an amazing outfit which we saw from Fashion Week.

So let's move on to some of my favs...

Field Jacket
$198

Online, there is a link to what JC calls "The Fall 5" showcasing "Our list of new pieces you need to see, with that little something extra."  From that list, I love Look #3 which shows the Field Jacket in color block with a removable hood.  I love this jacket with the color block which gives it a nice update from the traditional solid color Field Jackets.  This jacket is great for Fall whether it is a cool day or for rainy weather.  This is definitely a classic.

Boyfriend Fatigue Jacket
in Camo $177

Another jacket option I love is the Boyfriend Fatigue Jacket in Camo.  This is another modern update to a Fall jacket.  I have been seeing a lot of camo from a trends standpoint and I love it!  This is also shown on page 005 in the Style Guide along with other trends/key trends J. Crew outlines including Color, Sport, Camo and Leather.

Claremont clutch $158

I normally like a very large handbag, but have been loving the look of clutches.  JC's Claremont Clutch is so pretty! I love the modernity and the gold hardware on the flap.  It comes in three colors: black, wet stone and dark pumpkin.  There is also one with calf-hair for pre-order.  I am leaning towards wet stone.

Brompton Quilted Mini-handbag $350

Gorgeous!

I also love the Brompton Quilted Mini -hobo very classy and the shape of the bag is beautiful.  It only comes in black.  I am hoping that some different colors become available because I love this style.

Two-Tone Zip Cardigan $138

I think that the Two-Tone Zip Cardigan in merino wool is adorable.  It's a nice update from the traditional sweater styles and can really double as a casual blazer over a blouse or cute tee.  I really love the tie feature at the bottom of the sweater so you can scrunch it a bit for a more finished look.  It comes in navy and heather canvas as colors.

Boy shirt in Oxford Stripe
$78

I LOVE all of the shirts shown on page 035 of the Style Guide! I
think I am favoring the Boy in Oxford Stripe, but it is really to hard to pick!  All of these shirts would be amazing on their own or under a jacket or blazer.  Love this half untucked look…at least on the model!

Leather Pocket Merino
$158

It's not the fanciest or brightest piece in the guide, but I really like the Merino Pocket tunic sweater which comes in heather gray and navy.  I think it is the longer length that I like compared to a traditional sweater length and it is cuter than a sweatshirt! I promised no "nays", but the $110 price tag is a bit steep :( .  For $158, there is the leather pocket merino which I like even more! It really gives a smart, modern update to a pretty plain sweater.  One thing to note - online it also shows an Oversize Merino Pocket sweater, but there are no pockets on it!! Is this a type-o or is it not available?

Wool Flannel Schoolboy Blazer
$198

Finally, the Schoolboy Blazer has a longer cut! I am so glad that JC listened to the customers on this one.  It is far more flattering now.  I am eyeing the wool flannel in burnished rust.  It is such a pretty color for Fall.  I have always loved the details on this blazer, the gold tone 4-buttons up the cuff, beautiful lining, fitted look…  So you know, the wool flannel in heathered graphite (item 02469) is marked down to $168 right now!

Drapey Crepe Henley
$98

I love the Drapey Crepe Henley Tunic in viscose.  The material gives it a relaxed look with beautiful draping.  It is a great blouse for jeans or to dress up.  I love pieces like this because you can wear them day into night.  I am really liking the brighter colors for Fall so I have to say that I would go with the Cerise, but is also comes in Ivory, Hammock Green, Navy and Black for a classic option.

Cardi $268/Shell $178

On cashmere, I was really happy to see some mixing of solids with prints.  I adore the Collection cashmere with the diamond print and the wide stripe cardigan over the slim stripe shell.  I love how they styled the two in the catalog with the stripes.  It is modern, but very feminine with the pale pink and gray together.  Yet another example of pieces that go beautifully with jeans or a pair of slacks.  And the cashmere shell is even more versatile as it would be lovely with suiting.  These cards are semi-fitted so if you are looking for a looser, longer fit, this isn't the one for you.

The Etta Studded Heel Pumps
Collection $350

I love bling, at a minimum (is that possible?), so I naturally gravitated toward JC's Collection Etta pump with its beautiful floral print and studded heel.  This heel is fabulous! JC says that this is the pump for those girls who only where flats because of its cushioned foot bed and interior platform that makes it feel like a much shorter heel.  It has a 3 1/4" heel with an 1/4" interior platform.  They also have a leather lining and sole and yes, they were made in Italy!  Gorgeous!  The Etta is that shoe you wish you had one of every color, sparkle and print.

Antiqued Floral Dress
$398

For more options for the print-loving Fashionistas, their Collection Antiqued Floral dress is a stunner.  It has a very retro look to it which I was immediately drawn to.  It is made of wool/silk so I am assuming the weight is perfect for coming months.  I really like to see prints all throughout the year, not just in SP/SU months so I was happy to see this dress.  This was probably my favorite of the Collection dresses.  I also love the slightly below the knee length - very beautiful.  This print also comes in a Collection top.

Double-Cloth Lady Day Coat in
Retro Pink
$365

And while this isn't a new piece, I just love the Retro Pink color of the Double-Cloth Lady Day Coat with thinsulate.  This coat is also  made in Italy at the Manifattura di Carmignano.  Per JC, this mill is known all over the world for its exceptional woolens.  I love pink and I am glad that J. Crew includes this color in their collections.  Many designers, (um hmm) Rachel Zoe has said that she hates this color and doesn't want to see it in her designs.  She said this on her show, The Rachel Zoe Project  - tisk, tisk I say!  I really just love seeing unconventional colors per season.  Pink is not a color you would expect to see in the Fall, but I think it is beautiful.  Thoughts?

Crystal and stone row bracelet
$90

"A Call to Arms" they say in the Style Guide referring to the bling,
bling in bracelets.  I love them all! I think I have an addiction to J. Crew's bling.  They are always beautifully made, extra sparkly and the perfect addition to any outfit.  Call it bling, call it arm candy - it never seems out of style.  And, I love layering them, especially if that is the only jewelry I am wearing. I love the new crystal and stone row bracelet, very pretty.  It's like the mixed media of bracelets!

Nora Printed Cap Toe Ballet Flats
$198

I love all of J. Crew's ballet flats, but the Nora printed cap toe in dark quartz is my new fav and apparently everyone else's because they only have one size left! Wishful thinking…

So these were some of my favorite items and I hope that you liked my reviews.  I love hearing what some of your September favorites are.  Please share your favorites!

With that, here are some Fall Collection styles that I loved from Fashion Week…these photos get me in the mood for the coming season.

Cheers to you, and cheers to Jenna and the J. Crew team!