Sneak Peek for J.Crew Women's Collection in 2010

A big "thanks!" to PrettyBallerina (in this post) who let us know about a post over at Fashionista featuring a sneak peek at the Women's Collection for 2010 (click here for their post).

J.Crew Goes Girly for Spring
By Britt Aboutaleb
October 22, 2009

Editors swooned over J.Crew’s spring/ summer collection at the company’s Astor Place headquarters yesterday.

Creative Director Jenna Lyons presented a slouchy, girly, heavily layered look. There were liberty print rompers (that won’t make it into stores, even though I’d buy five), camo jackets, sequined shorts and tanks, a bunch of grandpa cardigans and one great gown all paired with brogues and what looked like Kork-Ease wedges.

There were touches of neon everywhere (even more than for fall) and chunky jewelry layered atop itself on wrists and necks, including those Miriam Haskell pieces Lyons was so excited about.

Pants-less looks made more than one appearance, with plaid ruffled high-waisted bloomers and what looked like grey knit short, short shorts. And though the clothes were fantastic, it’s the brilliant styling that made everyone want to jump in and live in J.Crew world. That and the pigs in a blanket they were passing around.

Also, "thanks!" to Amanda (in this post) & AMW who let us know about a post over at Vogue (click here) featuring three additional images of the Women's Collection for 2010 as well. Click on any of the images below to see them larger.

Something Old, Something New:
How to Dress for Spring 2010 the J.Crew Way
By Mark Holgate
October 22, 2008

When plenty of women are diving into that little boutique at home called Their Own Closet, how does fashion convince them it might be time to go buy something exciting and new? Well, here are the options: Ignore that idea of home shopping and just keep producing more and more stuff. Acknowledge that it’s happening, do your darnedest to produce beautiful things, and pray that that economic sunny day will shine soon. Or, if you’re like J.Crew, go with the flow and smartly rationalize that new and old can—and will have to—work together brilliantly.

Which brings us to J.Crew’s presentation yesterday afternoon at its HQ near Astor Place in New York. Specifically, to the necklace worn by J.Crew’s creative director Jenna Lyons, assembled from all sorts of bits and pieces: a yellow enamel flower brooch, a gilded bee, wooden buttons from a cardigan that never made it into production, and strands from a diamante necklace that got smashed up and stitched onto this one. “The necklace started with things that we never used or that no one wanted but that we kind of liked,” Lyons says. “So, we decided to use them; recycle them, in a way.” Those necklaces are actually on sale right now at J.Crew, but the approach Lyons and her team took played a big part in shaping how they designed spring.

For instance, the pale pink shorts (above) actually started out as khaki pants, but Lyons wasn’t into them, so she decided to rework the shorts when completing the collection. She cut them up and dip-dyed them, and then they were paired with a tweed cardigan jacket and a slouchy striped top. Her feeling is: If you like the idea of casual shorts with something sparkly and smart, then why not buy the top and jacket and doctor your own shorts? And if you don’t want to do that, well then, simply go get the spring 2010 shorts instead.

This idea is now more important and relevant than ever before: Be happy with what you already have, but also allow yourself the pleasure of buying a new piece or two to add to the mix. And there was plenty at J.Crew with enough newness to spread some joy around, like the floral military jacket in camouflage colors; or the lightweight linen blazer, its perfect, lean proportions contrasting nicely with the crumpled, love-worn texture of the fabric; or embroidered sequined dresses which can be worn with tees underneath; or, one of the delicate Swiss lace blouses or short, ruffled skirts in next season’s palette of pale, makeup shades. Chances are you’ll have plenty already you could wear with any of these. Lyons certainly does. The jacket she was wearing at the presentation? A washed-green utility number that’s from this fall’s collection.

After looking through the photos, I am disappointed. I thought the sneak peek was for Madewell until I read the articles that clearly state it is for J.Crew. First, I am not excited about any of the pieces. Maybe, just maybe, the striped skirt (or is it a dress?) that was paired with the denim jacket in the slideshow. Second, I am tired of neon. No more, pretty please. Third, what is going on with some pieces? Is the brown sack for a shirt with the sleeves rolled up a for-real item?

I should add, that the previous {quick} judgments are based on these initial photos. I have been known to change my mind once I see them in person. ;) Moreover, if J.Crew is listening... One of the reasons I love your clothes is because it is lovely at any age and many of the pieces are timeless classics (e.g. Jackie Cardigan). As Roxy (in this post) eloquently put it, "You stay classy, J.Crew!"

Thoughts on the upcoming arrivals from J.Crew? Any pieces that you find particularly exciting? Are you liking the styles from the women's section?