The Strategist Guide to Shopping at J.Crew

The Tissue Turtleneck just might be the J.Crew item we’ve written about most — it’s been recommended by many stylish people, including brand owners, fashion designers, and Strategist staffers over the years. It recently got a makeover that included a new name — “tissue crêpe” — and a softer, lighter material. “As someone who now owns both versions of the turtleneck, I can say that if you’ve felt the original Tissue Turtleneck, you’ll find the new version a little thinner,” reports our writer Ambar Pardilla. “And while it always was whisper-thin, the new version is wispier, like a spider’s web.” New material considered, Pardilla still crowned the top our best black turtleneck and notes that the cotton material doesn’t feel fragile. Although she can’t attest to the top’s longevity just yet, she’s continuing to test it and will report back about how it performs during prime-time turtleneck season.

Staying in J.Crew’s sweater section, there’s lots to sort through — but the brand’s cashmere in particular has been recommended to us over and over again. When we consulted with five J.Crew retail associates about what to buy (and what to skip) from the brand, they all told us the cashmere is worth the splurge (and also that it’s often on sale). Anello, who happens to be a former J.Crew salesperson, also gives it her stamp of approval, saying she still owns years-old sweaters from the company. Another fan is Titilola Sogunro, the blogger behind Titi’s Passion, who recommends this Classic-Fit Crewneck Sweater in particular. “It’s a best seller for good reason,” she says, adding that she appreciates the array of color options, including neon flamingo, holiday red, and jungle green.

J.Crew’s cashmere selection extends beyond sweaters. We heard about this oversize wrap from author Diksha Basu, who told us that she always travels with a shawl and that after much shawl-shopping trial and error, this one turned out to be the perfect size and weight. The material is “almost like muslin but in a way that seems like magic,” according to Basu, who adds that despite its lightness, the cashmere is “not flimsy at all.” It has endured hand-sanitizer spills; her children’s sticky, apple-juice-slicked fingers; and a dusting of Goldfish crumbs. Her husband has taken a liking to it, too: “He borrowed it the other night to wear as an oversize scarf and looked as dashing in it as I do,” says Basu.

For a breezy option from the brand, try this gauzy button-down shirt, which made our lists of the best white button-downs and the best button-downs for bigger busts. It comes endorsed by blogger Rachel Richardson, who raves about the fit, saying it offers enough room in the chest without being too oversize. She likes to tie the ends together to create a crop or tuck it in on one side.

If you’d rather a classic cotton button-down, there’s our favorite fitted one, which is available in white and light blue along with a few pin-striped variations. Pardilla advises that this top’s slimmer fit might mean you’ll want to size up (if you prefer something roomier) or opt for the oversize Étienne.

J.Crew is also known for its blazers, like this fitted number style influencer Alison Rogel owns. “Its sleek look and popped collar will add a sense of preppy sophistication to your closet,” she says. Rogel throws it over a turtleneck (we can picture it over our beloved Tissue Turtleneck …), cropped trousers, and loafers. While Rogel bought the tailored piece in the tall cut to fit her six-foot-one frame, it also comes in petite and standard sizes.

Although Druckman typically avoids anything skinny jean–adjacent, she’s been wearing these slim-wide corduroys all fall. She says they’re just wide enough to satisfy her Gen-Z instincts while still being flattering at the waist and thighs. At five-foot-three, she typically switches between regular and petite sizes but finds that the classic cords hit right below her ankle. She owns the “coal gray” currently, but she’s eyeing the navy to add to her rotation.

If you’re searching for something a bit more polished, try this pair of work pants, which the J.Crew retail associates we spoke with swear by. Many purchase the flattering trousers and wear them during their shifts — and there are plenty of cuts and fabric combinations to choose from, including cropped, full-length, and high-rise, in black, khaki, and other neutral tones that pair well with a white button-down.

J.Crew also makes tights, like this control-top-panel pair that go for a fraction of the price of Spanx and Sheertex shapewear and are a favorite of fashion editor Dena Silver. She calls this pair a “godsend” for its “waist-cinching band” and “blackest black” hue.

J.Crew’s swimsuits, like this classic, ruched one-piece, are also a core part of the brand’s offerings. “Since the 1990s, J.Crew swimsuits have been known for their durability and stylish yet comfortable design,” our senior writer Liza Corsillo writes, adding that the pieces were a “status symbol” among the crowd of suburban tweens she grew up with. The reputation “still holds today,” she says — and this one-shoulder suit has a decidedly modern twist, thanks to built-in UPF 50 for sun protection.

If you’re not in the market for a complete PJ set, try these boxers that also appear in our pajama-buying guide. The shorts are a cousin of the set above and fashioned from the same “end-on-end” cotton. These don’t look like a “bad Risky Business costume,” Anello assures us. Because the boxers don’t have an opening in the front and do have pockets, “they could easily be mistaken for a pair of thin, lightweight, cotton shorts.” She adds, “While they may not look like them, the shorts are exactly what you want from a boxer.” Pardilla also has a pair, describing the feel as “next to nothing,” so they’re ultra-comfortable for sleeping.

For the balletcore curious, consider this modern-looking pair of flats. Content creator Isabella Ricci is a fan, noting that while she has sensitive feet and usually prefers sneakers, these are a comfortable alternative for dressier occasions — and they’re light enough to throw in her bag for a quick change. “They don’t take up a lot of space, and I’ll just put them on whenever I need to be wearing some nicer shoes,” Ricci says. She plays up the balletcore look by adding ribbons wrapped around the ankles: “It’s a way to have fun and customize them and get more out of them for your money,” she says.

Now to the men’s section. Not surprisingly, the men’s cashmere is also high-quality and relatively well priced — but somewhat surprisingly, J.Crew employees specifically highlighted the men’s selection for being thicker and even nicer quality than the women’s cashmere (plus, Chris Black’s a fan). This top, which appears in our guide to cashmere sweaters for men, is our favorite affordable V-neck because the neckline hits right at the collarbone and doesn’t dip too low. (J.Crew also makes a men’s crewneck, which comes in the same XS–XXL size range as the V-neck and is available in 16 different shades.)

If you’re searching for a lightweight T-shirt, look no further than this one that Queer Eye’s Tan France recommends. “If you ever see me in a plain T-shirt, it is probably the J.Crew Broken-in Tee,” he says. The “broken in” part of its name holds true, he told us, as “too many other T-shirts I’ve tried feel too box-fresh.” Instead, this one is immediately soft to the touch and fits him perfectly — though he sizes up so he can wear the shirt with a French tuck.

For something a bit dressier, here’s the very oxford shirt that rug dealer Mikael Kennedy got married in. It comes in four fits (classic, slim, slim untucked, and tall) and with classic details like a back pleat and locker loop. “They’re not disposable-feeling, but they don’t feel precious, either,” Kennedy says. Model Miles Garber (also the co-founder of candle company Hands) shares a similar sentiment, saying this button-down triples as an everyday staple and a “go-to suit shirt.” And Tim Melideo of the menswear blog Stay Classic credits the button-down for helping “transform my style and get me to really step it up.”

“When I think chinos, I think of (the usually on sale) J.Crew,” Black says. He specifically name-checks the 484s as a slimmer-fit stretchy pant that isn’t too heavy, so “you’ll be fine in the warmer months.” Made of a cotton-and-elastane blend, the pair earned the lightweight title in our chinos buying guide as a “foil to the relaxed chinos from Polo Ralph Lauren.” Just take note from Black: “Make sure you style them right so you don’t look like a substitute teacher.”