Has J. Crew Become Too Stylish? A Look Back

Ever since J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons became president in 2010, the brand has gone through a notable identity shift, and many loyal customers haven't been too pleased. Gone are the khakis, oversized pullovers, and barn jackets of yesteryear. These days, the retailer is instead keeping up with its couture competitors with whimsical patterns, funky jewelry, and distressed denim. It seems all things trendy are now part of the J. Crew norm. When company CEO Mickey Drexler recently received an e-mail from a concerned customer, who said she was disappointed that J. Crew was leaving its "core values and styling and abandoning your loyal customers,” he responded with a personal phone call, admitting that maybe J. Crew had indeed strayed too far from the classics and brand messaging for which it had become known. He reiterated his sentiments in a follow-up email: "We are on it for sure. I hope you see a difference this fall." We'll have to wait for a look at J. Crew's upcoming collection to find out if there's a visible difference or not, but in the meantime, here’s a slideshow to pay testament to the evolution of the brand. –– Erika Ostroff, Shine Staff