By Suzanne Petrizzi
Taking the color-forward lead this season, J. Crew is showing rainbows of hues from neons to vibrants and sorbets. Not to be misconstrued these colors aren’t all so sugary sweet. Instead, on-site stylists are cleverly mixing mints, yellows, aquas, tangerines and violets with blacks, nudes and metallics that deliberately frame these looks into perfect place.
Jeans are not washed in basic blues—instead we are seeing crops of pastels popping up. Styles are hot in capri lengths, but skinny straights are still on the scene, especially when paired with color-blocked ballet flats.
J. Crew is big on matching (or not-matching) colors and prints. Take a creative cue and put a peach sweater atop canary yellow jeans. Or for maximum fresh effect, don a red striped skirt with a peony pink tank and a pair of snakeskin pumps.
Accessories are beachy cool with sophisticated, retro silhouettes. Think chunky-framed oversized cat-eye sunglasses, striped straw clutches, braided rope belts and gauzy summer scarves. Color is key here too, with turquoise, white, fuchsia and yellow taking center stage while solid gray, black and navy accents anchor the look.
The major push J. Crew is making to its fashionista fans is to take appropriate risks this season—mix and match to your heart’s content. Maximize color plays—red and pink, yellow and peach, purple and green. And don’t stop there. Stripes can play well with each other as long as you pair one bold with one subdued. Patterns are still evoking tribal touches, while daring, fierce animal skin-print patent accessories pop against creamy pastels.
So punch up your palette for Spring 2012 and don’t forget to play with just the right dash of colorful dare.
Fave Take: We fell for the ultra-soft chambray Workwear Shirtdress. Not only is this making huge comeback for laid-back summer style, belted or loose, worn with espadrilles or a straw-wedge sandal, this dress will sail through summer while you do.
