Prep for Less: J.Crew Style Guide, January 2013

Have you guys seen the new J.Crew catalog for January yet? It's hard for me to think of wearing spring clothes already, but apparently J.Crew thinks spring is right around the corner.

I LOVE some of the looks in this catalog! Usually I'll look at the outfits in the catalog and can't even think about wearing them in real life--the items they pair just don't look good together, at least to me. That wasn't the case for this issue.

(All the scans are from The J.Crew Archives. The blog is great and has scans from many of J.Crew's past catalogs--go check it out! The rest of the January catalog is also located there.)

Like always, the wheels were turning in my head when I saw these pictures. How could I recreate the looks for less? As much as I would love to buy everything from J.Crew, I'm a college student--I need to cut corners where I can! Here's how I recreated the looks above by putting together similar, less expensive items:

Prep for Less: J.Crew Jan. 2013 by preppypremed featuring moda spana shoes

Green Pants/Polka Dot Shirt Outfit:
Shirt: Forever 21, $14
Pants: Gap, $50 (roll up the pants at the ankles to make them look like in the picture!)

*For the shoes, I looked far and wide for similar flats. Since it's still early in the season, I couldn't find much. I would recommend continuously checking DSW.com for flats, and watching for J.Crew's ballet flats to go on sale: they always do!* (shoes aren't online yet)

Blazer/Leopard Shoes Outfit:
Blazer: H&M, $50
Pants: Gap, $37
Shoes: DSW, $60

These items are all closet essentials that can be found almost anywhere! Use a blazer hanging up your closet, add a plain white shirt and pants, and you're good to go. The shoes are what make the outfit stand out.

Chambray/Floral Pants Outfit:
Shirt: J.Crew Factory, $60
Pants: Target, $23
Shoes: Target, $15

I'd get the Chambray shirt from J.Crew factory because, although it is a little cheaper, it still is of a high enough quality that you'd be able to wear it from March to October this year without having it get worn. Chambray shirts are a new summer staple. There are many different floral pants out there, but these ones from Target were the closest I could find to the ones in the catalog.

What do you think of the outfits? And J.Crew's January lineup?

Prep for Less: Red Ballet Flats

Flats are always a fall essential, at least for me. This year, I think ballet flats specifically will be big. They're casual, comfortable, feminine and are perfect to wear with skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans.

Via

That said, I'm obsessed with Tory Burch's new ballet flats for summer, the Chelsea ballet flat. It comes in a jade, black, mustard yellow and, my favorite, scarlet red. What I love most about these shoes is the little charm that comes attached to the laces. Still, are they worth the $178? Here are some similar ballet flats that I found:

Tory Burch: Chelsea Ballet Flats in Scarlet Red


J.Crew: Classic Leather Ballet Flats in Poppy


Gap: Leather Ballet Flats in Tomato


Old Navy: Women's Bow-Tie Ballet Flats in Red

I think the Gap version has to be my favorite. But what do I do about that charm that I loved so much on theTory Burch Chelsea flats?

Via

Many shops on Etsy sell personalized gold disks to go on charm bracelets, such as Stellar Light Jewelry, pictured here. I would buy a small gold disk with my initial on it, tie it onto the shoelaces, and viola! You've got yourself some blinged-out pair of ballet flats.

If I end up trying this, I'll let you all know. What's your favorite footwear for fall?