J.Crew’s been churning out quality menswear at approachable prices for decades now, a spinning plates act most brands struggle mightily to approximate—an oasis of dependable style nestled within your local mall. And with Brendon Babenzien at the helm on the men’s side, the Crew has been thriving.
It’s not just the new silhouettes making a splash, either. The brand has been digging into the archives, pulling out some of their most well-loved styles from the past and executing them to a staggering degree of similarity. And when it comes to classic spring essentials, it’s hard to find a better selection under one roof (digital or otherwise). So whether you’re looking for a new suit, a broken-in Oxford shirt, vintage-coded knits, or time-tested basics, J.Crew’s got you covered. Here’s where to start.
The Best of J.Crew, by Category
Platonic-Ideal Pants
J.Crew’s chinos have gotten quite a bit of (deserved) attention recently—and it’s not just the giant-fit chinos earning those headlines either. The brand’s classic fit chino is a killer straight-leg pair of pants with a Goldilocks width, their classic creased trouser is as easy to wear as any chino in the collection and the standbys are as reliable as ever.
Broken-In Button-Ups
If you’re in need of a shirt that can handle a tie and blazer, a pair of jeans or something in between, J.Crew’s inimitable slate of button-down options has you covered. From luxe-leaning poplins to burly oxford cloths to breezy Irish linens to their broken-in Secret Washed cottons, their shirts offer a can’t-beat bang for your buck, no matter where you’re headed (or who you’re trying to impress).
Lots of Linen
Whether you’re a diehard linen devotee or a newfound fan of the fabric, J.Crew’s flaxy lineup will help you get your fix. The prices are low, the silhouettes are comfortingly familiar, and the linen itself is often sourced from some of the finest mills on the planet, including Ireland’s legendary Baird McNutt. In other words, it’s damn-near impossible to score more bang for your buck.
Hard-Hitting Hard-Bottoms
J.Crew has long been a reliable purveyor of the kinds of foundational, well-made, classically-styled wardrobe pieces that you wear over and over again, and that includes footwear. They make an all-star roster of classic, goodyear-welted leather footwear in-house—from Oxfords to loafers to derby’s and more—and also keep a regular rotation of shoes from vaunted cobblers like Alden, big-name sneaker brands like Vans, and rugged American icons like Red Wing.
Knit Nirvana
Knitwear can be tricky business, but J.Crew mastered it years ago, and they’ve got the back catalog to prove it. Whether you’re hunting for a crew, a cardigan, a v-neck or really any other style, your hunt could start and end with J.Crew. Oh, and great news for all of us: they’ve opened up that aforementioned back catalog and are re-producing a ton of their all-time bangers under their Heritage label, so now you’ve really got some options.
Cash-Conscious Cashmere
You might’ve noticed that mentions of cashmere were conspicuously absent in the sweater section, but that has nothing to do with availability, quality, or cost. In fact, it’s because of those three factors that J.Crew’s cashmere program gets its own section in our roundup. (Even in the warmer months.)
Shorts of All Shapes
Despite online debate indicating otherwise, there is no scientifically correct inseam length for shorts: we all have different body types and leg-to-torso ratios. Thankfully, J.Crew both recognizes and expands upon that notion. Whether you’re looking for a thigh-baring riff, a mid-length joint, or a luxe, pleated spin that balloons past the knee, you can find shorts of all shapes and sizes on the retailer’s shelves.
Outstanding Outerwear
You want outerwear? Let’s talk outerwear. J.Crew does the refined variety incredibly well, but don’t sleep on the rest of their catalog. They’ve got overcoats, car coats, barn jackets, toggle plackets, truckers, puffers, double-breasted, field-tested, classic cruisers and workwear bruisers and basically every other classic style you could be interested in, nearly every one of them made to withstand the rigors of daily wear in the burliest of seasons—and in the most mild of them, too.
Primetime Polos
Everybody looks better in a bicep-hugging polo shirt, but everybody looks best in one of J.Crew’s, which come rendered in every fabric imaginable, and remain no-brainer bang-for-your-buck options. You could, of course, opt for a swanky knit riff or classic pique joint, but take it from GQ editor Ian Burke: buy at least one (1) of the brand’s rough-and-tough rugby shirts, and you’re set for all five (5) days of the work week.
Stellar Suiting
The Ludlow Suit launched onto the scene well over a decade ago and immediately became the de facto first suit for an impossible number of guys. Well, in the intervening years, not only has the Ludlow been refined like it was mined underneath a treacherous body of water, but they’ve added a host of other, fuller cuts to the mix—most notably the Crosby and Kenmare—all of them made with their impeccable fabrics.