California Fall with J.Crew Copper Bloom Jacquard

It may be fall, but the 70 degree temps we had yesterday sure didn’t feel like it. So, I figured I’d take the unseasonably warm weather as an opportunity to try an outfit with what is perhaps my favorite pair of shorts, ever. When I showed them to Mr. AN, he thought they looked like, “you cut the fabric off a chair from Napoleon’s apartment and made it into shorts.” To which I say, “I know! Isn’t it great?!”

These shorts are from J.Crew’s Crewcuts line, which can yield some pretty great pieces if chosen wisely. Past successes I’ve had include boy’s blazers in navy and herringbone (after all, isn’t the “schoolboy” blazer supposed to look like you’re wearing a little boy’s blazer?). I thoroughly enjoyed a pair of girl’s white shorts until they shrank too much in the wash to pull over my bum (replaced with a Banana Republic version), and let’s not forget the girl’s capri pants Jean discovered last year. I took these shorts in a size 12, and adjusted the elastic at the waist one button hole on either side, fixing a small waist gap. Now they look like they were tailored just for me, and I dare say I like the shorts more than the women’s offerings in the same fabric (here & here).

I really love the juxtaposition of the ornate fabric, done in such a tailored and modern shape. The fact it’s a short just keeps the crazy at a minimum. This fabric in a blazer, for example, I doubt I could have pulled off. I wanted to keep everything else simple, showcasing the print of the shorts with a simple black and white palette, except for the cobalt shoes which I think plays off the cobalt in the shorts really well. I will also look into picking up a black statement necklace, because how much better would this look with something like this (reminds me of feathers!)? Or this? Much better, right?

Blazer Aritzia Shirt Banana Republic Shorts J.Crew Shoes Manolo Blahnik Handbag Chanel Necklace Macy’s (similar) Watch vintage Bracelet Stella & Dot (c/o) Pocket Square from Italy

Altered Banana Republic shirt has had darts added :: Manolo Blahnik shoes have shoe inserts added