But I am so inspired by J. Crew right now!

 I always thought of J. Crew as the domain of the tennis & cocktail hour set: people with names like Binty and Muffy and Todd, who use the word “sloop” much more often than most of us, and somehow never get grass stains on their immaculate khakis despite spending 97% of their time in a grassy setting.

Unbelievably, their creative director, Jenna Lyons, is changing my mind. Now I’m starting to see it as a place to get excellent pieces which contrast so well with a more rock and roll or high fashion wardrobe.

The recent showing of their Fall collection was all about pairing disparate elements to create something opulent and unpredictable. There is a definite nod to the history it has borrowed from, while still being thoroughly modern. From military jackets worn with frothy full-length petticoats and woolen armwarmers stacked with bangles to peaked military caps covered in flowers, the collection puts a fabulously fresh spin on the boyfriend trend. There were sequined shorts worn with textured stockings and scrunched socks, lots of over-the-knee socks and fur vests. It’s now more garden party meets lover’s wardrobe than “I just picked up his jeans off the floor”.

Lyons is clearly an acolyte of the more-is-more ethos, drawing loud applause from those of us who tip the maximalist end of the scale. The real genius of J. Crew is the way in which the pieces have been put together. Two different women could go into the store, buy the same things and wear them in completely opposite ways. One might choose to layer, accessorize & use the simplicity of the items to play up her own personal style, while another could wear them one at a time and look classically chic. J. Crew have used fresh colors & flattering cuts, and there is a simplicity to their pieces which makes them eminently wearable — by anyone.

“This is all about Edie Beale goes to Girl Scout camp,” Lyons said. “There’s a bit of that grandma-chic that we always draw from. There are elements borrowed from the boys, but we decided she’s at Girl Scout camp. We let her earn brooches instead of badges.

“I’m not expecting people to dress like this,” she added. “But they could, and I would love it if they did.”

The whole thing has me aching to bust out my old turbans, wear massive piles of bracelets & pair over-the-knee socks with everything… and I just might do that.

Words by Gala Darling