J.Crew’s been churning out quality menswear at approachable prices for decades now, a spinning plates act most brands struggle mightily to approximate. Today, you might think of the brand as an oasis of dependable style nestled within your local mall, but those plates have been spinning long before the brand had a brick and mortar presence. The company's experienced a few crests and troughs since its inception way back in 1984, but with Brendon Babenzien heading up its menswear, the Crew is solidly back on the upswing again.
Even before the injection of new energy, though, J.Crew offered plenty of tried and true Americana classics to fill out your wardrobe, and none of those are going anywhere. The brand's current offering runs the gamut—from relaxed suits to quintessential barn jackets to campus-ready roll-necks, and a whole lot more. Which means whether you need to re-up on time-tested basics, revamp your cobbled-together closet entirely, or merely find yourself hightailing it to the closest mall because the airline lost your luggage, J.Crew's got you covered.
Feeling a little Crew-curious? These are the categories the brand does better than almost anyone else.
The J.Crew Shopping Guide, by Category
- The Deservedly Viral Chinos: J.Crew Giant-Fit Chino, $98 $79
- The Button-Up That's Not Buttoned-Up: J.Crew Secret Wash Poplin Shirt, $90 $53
- The Pitch-Perfect Polo: J.Crew Cotton-Tipped Sweater-Polo, $90 $45
- The Upgrade Sweats: Wallace & Barnes Merino Crewneck Sweatshirt, $148 $93
- The Scandalously Affordable Cashmere Vest: J.Crew Cashmere Sweater Vest, $138
- The East-Meets-West Jeans: Wallace & Barnes Japanese Selvedge Jeans, $298 $209
- The Wavy, Baby Boat Shoes: Rancourt & CO. x J.Crew Gilman Tassel Camp Mocs, $298
Deservedly Viral Chinos
By almost any metric, J.Crew’s chinos—and not just the ones of the Giant-fit variety—are really, really good. Their cotton twill fabric is sturdy and smooth, their construction is stellar, and they come in just about every color imaginable. The new-ish relaxed-fit silhouette—slouchy but not baggy—is a welcome effort to reprise its catalog heyday, with expectedly tremendous results.
Damn-Good Denim
To little surprise, all-American jeans are another one of J.Crew's strongest fortes. Most of its denim offering, from classic five-pocket dungarees to hardy trucker jackets, is made out of 100% cotton without a hint of stretch , often using the type of coveted Japanese selvedge that will garner approving nods from the denimhead crowd.
Office-Friendly Button-Ups
If you’re in need of a shirt that can handle a tie and blazer, J.Crew’s slate of button-down options has you covered. From luxe-leaning poplins to burly oxford cloths to breezy Irish linens, their shirts offer a can't-beat bang for your buck, no matter where you're headed (or who you're trying to impress).
Off-Duty Shirting
When the time calls for something with day-off vibes, J.Crew’s got plenty of wavy camp shirts, knit polos, and the occasional gussied-up tee to keep your torso dripped out. The brand's striped shirts are masterful in their own right, and the brand is more than comfortable veering into pretty wild territory when it comes to prints, too.
Hard-Bottom Heaven
J.Crew may not be a marquee name in the footwear world (though it certainly makes a decent case for its inclusion in the conversation with its Goodyear-welted loafers and made-in-Italy desert boots). But it stocks a regular rotation of shoes from vaunted cobblers like Alden, big-name sneaker brands like Vans, and rugged American icons like Red Wing, including a rotating ensemble of especially tasty one-off collaborations.
Cheaper-Than-It-Should-Be Cashmere
When the colder months roll back around, you’ll want to stockpile a few cashmere sweaters and cardigans. J.Crew's offer a noticeable jump in quality from those of its big-box counterparts, each at a price that won't set your credit score back.
Champion-Worthy Sweats
Yes, every brand and their parent company makes a hoodie. But J.Crew’s French terry sweats are a far cry from the shrink-wrapped stuff you'll find at other mall brand mainstays. They’re cut from fantastic mid-weight fabrics with a substantial feel that won’t disappear (or fall apart altogether after a few wears), no matter how many times you put them through the wringer.
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