One of the things I miss about North America, fashion-wise (which let’s face it, is not that long of a list), is J.Crew. This may come as a bit of a surprise since most of their retail stores leave a lot to be desired (except maybe their new shop), but JCrew.com is the best online store for affordable, stylish and polished attire for both casual and work. Lucky for you they ship to Canada. More youthful than Banana Republic (the no. 1 tool in the Canadian lawyer style toolbox), but more classic than Club Monaco (the very close no. 2), just the fact that it is not one of the above is a major selling point!
The site is well organized, simple to use and, most importantly for those long days at work, regularly updated with constantly changing visuals. While their work essentials like shirts, shoes, suits, cashmere, and jackets are conservative, they’re not boring. Their patterns and range of colours can add a little needed spice to your life. I find that tangerine goes oh so well with the midnight blue of my office chair.
Lady lawyers, if shopbop.com got you through lawschool, JCrew.com will get you through associate-dom. And fellas, if GQ says it’s cool, you know you believe them.
While I’m certainly too late for this year’s wedding season, here’s a tip for all you 2009 brides and grooms-to-be. J.Crew’s Weddings & Parties line has several styles of fabulously elegant wedding dresses priced from US$295 to US$3000. This is a perfect option for the not-so-fussy yet stylish type of bride. Perhaps not as appropriate for the “I already picked out a wedding dress before I even had a boyfriend” type of bride (you know who you are). Add to that, shoes, tuxes for grooms and a great selection of simple bridesmaids dresses in classic shapes, JCrew.com is an unexpected choice for a chic one-stop wedding shop.
And if you’re still not sold, where else are you supposed to buy that polo for your dog so you can take him to work on Friday?
Terry Chan is a Canadian lawyer practicing finance law in London. She writes every Friday on style and fashion, perfectly aware that the next big thing is not looking like a lawyer.