I don’t how long ago it started but it seems that during it past year J. Crew has ratcheted up their selling of classics made by other brands. I thought this was a great idea and admired their taste as well as the decision to not reinvent an inferior wheel. I felt I was ahead of their curve and wasn't theatened by J. Crew Levis, Red Wings, and field watches. This fall they started carrying aviators with curved earpieces made by Selima a little while after I decided I wanted a pair, but I made my peace with it.
Then the other day JCG really crushed me. After having the “Rebel Without a Cause” DVD seize up on me about two years ago I finally finished the film last week, and like every male viewer before me I said, “I need that red jacket”. There were plenty of red windbreakers online that didn’t compare and the James Dean website sells one that make me a bit queasy, but the most suitable mimic, if you ignore the plaid lining and the collar, is the English brand Baracuta.
Should my ire really be raised by this when the jacket has been around forever? No, but I still take umbrage with J. Crew for doing such a good job at democratizing style to those that have the $275. Thanks for nothing Mr. Drexler.
The coloring is better on J. Crew's page.
