So You Want To Dress Like a 1992 J. Crew Catalogue Model
Here's your starter kit
It’s important to have a muse. Every summer, when the temperatures start rising ever so slightly, I feel the all-too-familiar urge to put on a pair of baggies and bury my head in the satrorial sand. What the hell is a girl supposed to wear on a sweaty subway platform? It’s an impossible question to answer without a little method acting.
As a kid, I wore mostly “boy clothes.” They made me feel comfortable in a body that seemed to be in a constant growth spurt. On occasion, I’d ask my mom to curl my hair and sport a midi dress and leather jacket to a church event or work thing I was going to with my dad. Dressing up, outside of my normal uniform, was my first taste of fashion escapism.
So this summer, why not escape to the fiction pages of a catalogue your aunt probably ordered chinos from thirty years ago? The ease of this world built by J. Crew is palpable—as is the lack of diversity—but let’s focus on the stone-washed button ups. Everything feels so lived in. This summer, that’s what I’m going for. You too? Here are some helpful places to start.
Barn coat
You won’t need this on the beach, but cold nights in May do require a jacket of sorts. Reach for the trusty dusty barn coat and you’ll wonder how you made do with other light jackets before.
This one’s $50 on eBay and there are always plenty more.
Washed button up
The key here is nothing too stiff. Look for 100% cotton and a pocket on the chest. Order a few sizes up and toss it in the ocean before letting it air dry. A real loser in menswear taught me this trick, which he used to make his boat and totes look used.
Realistically, head to your local thrift store. Or order this new one and beat it up yourself.
Wide-leg chinos
Pants in the heat, not my ministry, but if it’s yours, go for a wide leg! Linen is great, but so are chinos. This style of pant is a J. Crew staple. You might be best suited to try on these in store. Otherwise, order lots on eBay that can be returned. Sizing here is tricky but once you find a pair that works, you’re set.
White canvas sneakers
Yes, all your cool bright colored sneakers can stay, but reach for those plain white canvas ones collecting dust in the back of your closet. They just feel so easy with a dress or big shorts. Plus, they take very nicely to a little bleach bath if you spill ice cream.
This is the new it sneaker according to…me. It’s mens and from Sperry and $90.
Big white tee
Vintage is great but I have a few new picks for you to shop just in time for summer. I’m not a AA girl, so it’s important that a big white tee truly hangs off my body. I go for a Large in most cases and if it’s vintage XL.
Jersey and silk blend! Divine! It’s $148.
This one is a touch more cropped and $84. (Use code ERIKAV10 for 10% the whole site)
Cotton roll neck sweater
The stuff 90s J.Crew dreams are made of. One of these bad boys and you’re set. Wear it over your shoulders, tied around your waist, or as a picnic blanket when you’re in a pinch. I just bought one for Christian, so consider it an investment for you and your partner if you’re around the same size.
Not a roll neck, just a great sweater for $60
I’ve been coveting this sweater from Alex Mill for a long time. It’s $165!
In chocolate brown? You’re kidding me. It’s $55 on eBay.
Rugby shirt
They’re back, baby! I’ve been wearing mine for almost a decade since Ruby bought me my first one. Opt for a bright color and I think you’ll be surprised how many outfits you can make out of it.
This one’s only $40 and I can picture it with olive green pants.
Striped PJ Pants
This is a fun one. I love them in blue put a pale yellow could also be a winner. Add on the sweater above or a white tee and you’re set for a coffee run. Would I wear it out to lunch? No, but I’m uptight.
Here’s the idea! These are $23 on eBay.
Or these! They’re $55 on Etsy from Rawson.
Honorable Mentions
I’m strictly cooking from this book. I’m not, but Christian is.
A mini fan will change your life.
Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, shop my Notion template, and as always, respond to this dispatch for my direct line x
“Or order this new one and beat it up yourself.” if this lets you know where my brain is, I first read this as “beat yourself up” i.e. for not getting a secondhand shirt 🤣
This is a great post.
Those (men's) rollneck sweaters show up at your better goodwills regularly; I don't think the guys that got them as gifts ever wore them (same with the wool)
(Also appreciate your use of the term button-up)