J. Crew's Fall '12 Ad Campaign

Have you seen J. Crew's just launched Fall 2012 Campaign?  Does it strike you as snooty or do you love?  I can definitely relate to all of them.  Cobblestone streets, pebbled leather, Italian shoes...sigh...

Then again, 'You Sometimes Prefer Kraft Dinner to Making a Real Lunch' or 'Your Children Completely Run Your Life," strike a chord, too...

Cool Marinière

A Harper's Bazaar cover from June 1951

Broadway T, $29.99, StyleMint 

Shorts, $24, Joe Fresh

Pursuitment Espadrilles, $98, Anthropologie

Buoy 6 Nautical Rope Bracelet $22.95, Etsy 

Women's Bahama Boat Shoes, $75, Sperry Topsider 

Striped Underwire, $100, J. Crew

Nutcase Fashion Rope Necklace, $47, Etsy 

Pleated Mini in Awning Stripe, $104.99,  J.Crew

J. Crew Dapper Striped Linen-Blend Shorts, $65, Net-A-Porter

Hey, Sailor! Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm, $19, MAC Cosmetics 

When it comes to fashion, only a handful of trends stay afloat from season to season.  I like to think of nautical stripes as the Madonna of fashion - perenially cool, always relevant, with nary a major screw-up.  This year's nautical finds are (kinda like Madge) a little bit knotty, a little bit nice, esp. in the accessory dept. with wild chains, glitter, neon ropes, and oversized clamps guaranteed to float your boat.

As for the Breton striped shirt, you can never go wrong with a legendary Saint James (spun in Normandy by the French purveyor since 1850, and worn by everyone from Pablo Picasso to Coco Chanel).  If your budget (or your conscience) can't navigate the splurge quite yet, I've found a comparable version (point your eyes north, maties...or up, whatever...) for 1/3 of the price at StyleMint that looks and feels mega-yacht luxe.  Scared of the horizontal stripe?  Just remember:  the smaller the stripe, the more slimming the effect.  As for fit, keep pieces relaxed, not tight.

Now go ahead, go overboard.  I dare you...;)

Just Beachy

Stripe Tunic, $90, J. Crew

cov·er-up (cu-ver-up) An effort or strategy of concealment, especially a planned effort to prevent something potentially scandalous from becoming public.  

A great cover-up allows you to lounge poolside or grab après-beach cocktails in style without exposing all of your naughty bits. Leave a little something to the imagination this summer with these 10 under-$100 ‘kini-covers in my weekly style article at iVillage.ca.  Now, where's the beach?!

J. Crew in Canada - Yay or Meh?

J. Crew Fall 2011 Preview - photo courtesy The Pursuit Aesthetic

Photo credit: Kate Allen/The Toronto Star

In less than a month, J. Crew will be opening its first Canadian doors at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto.  Behind the faux store front, workers are scrambling to ready the racks, perfect the lighting and bring in the well-loved merch that has made the American chain such a hit.  And while I'm undeniably excited about the new store's proximity, I'm feeling mixed emotions about a brand that used to be so hard to get.   Like the bad boy in school who suddenly dumped his hot girlfriend, I'm a little disappointed that J. Crew is now so, well, available.  Meh.  And while I will always adore J.Crew for its well-interpreted classics and prepster-chic 'tude, I have two concerns:  1)  Will the prices reflect the loonie's greenback domination?  2)  How will I ever make enough money to shop at Topshop, J. Crew and Intermix this fall?  Toronto is turning into Temptation Island, n'est-ce pas?

What do you think?  Is anyone else feeling the anti-climax or are you totally stoked that J.Crew is almost open?  

Hope you all have a perfect looong weekend.  xoxo