I've Never Been a J.Crew or Madewell Girl—These 33 Summer Finds Changed My Mind
Everyone has brands that they go to and have gone to for decades to furnish their wardrobe. Through dozens of style evolutions and new, exciting trends, those brands have remained, proving that loyalty reigns supreme, even in 2023. Forever intrigued by this phenomenon, I regularly ask people to name-drop their tried-and-true labels, and when I say that their responses almost always feature one of the following two brands, I'm not exaggerating one bit. If you guessed Madewell and J.Crew, you're on the money.
Classic, elevated, and timeless, both J.Crew and Madewell have built cult-like followings unlike any others. Until recently, though, I never fully understood the hype. Sure, I shopped at both over the years, picking up a sweater or a great pair of jeans. But when it comes to brands that I've frequented for much of my life, neither was ever one of them. The last few months have, however, seen a significant shift in my shopping behavior, resulting in me finding myself thinking about and buying items from both J.Crew and Madewell not only more than ever before but also more than any other retailer. Apparently, you can teach an old dog new tricks. All it takes is a shockingly pretty sundress and plenty of linen.
Below, check out the 33 summer items that are continuing to change my mind about J.Crew and Madewell.
Not me seriously considering buying this linen button-down shirt in every single available color.
These already sold out once. I won't let that happen again without snagging a pair of my own first.
Elegance is one click of the purchase button (and five to seven business days) away.
White jeans are essential in the summer. Styling hack: Wear them with a white tee or tank and a classic belt for an easy, chic look for any daytime occasion.
That's it—if all of my T-shirts aren't cashmere from here on out, I'm quitting.
The perfect summer alt for the black blazer you top every outfit with in the colder months (same).
I'm usually not a yellow person, but this buttery shade is too delicious to resist.
It's giving "Hailey Bieber on a boat in Monaco" vibes.
This purse is perfect for anyone who dreams about Celine's Triomphe bag.
The possibilities with this top are endless. Wear it all day with shorts or all night with a slip skirt.
If your outfit's missing something, add a gorgeous cuff like this one.
These pants were a big reason why I've become obsessed with J.Crew this year.
If you've loved J.Crew since the '90s, this sweatshirt should already be en route to your door.
Onitsuka Tiger can't keep its sneakers in stock, so the fact that these are available in every size is a miracle.
These are great for the beach but are also perfect for wearing underneath a sheer skirt or dress.
Getting dressed in the summer months is far easier when you have a simple, stunning dress like this one.
The best bags in the summertime are the ones made of straw and full of SPF, towels, and picnic snacks.
I can't think of better summer shoes than Birkenstock's Boston clogs.
Regrets don't exist when you're buying a pair of timeless trousers like these.
Next up: I Dedicated 6 Hours to Shopping at Nordstrom, and These Were My Chicest Finds
Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.
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