If you live in Williamsburg, or just happened to have been down Wythe Avenue between North 3rd and North 4th lately, you will have noticed a construction front covered in bright letters of all types that spell out J. Crew. It’s where the company’s first Brooklyn store will open September 24th! The mural is impossible to miss.
And so is Jenna Lyons. Statuesque, chic…those glasses, that slightly undone, so-not-perfect-it’s-perfect look. When we photographed her in front of that very spot – by graffiti artist Greg Lamarche – girls were stopping to take pics with their cell phones. But of course they were. Jenna has fans, nay superfans. They love what J. Crew has become with her there as creative director, they loved her on the HBO show “Girls” as Hannah Horvath’s boss. But mostly, they love Jenna herself – and her style.
We’ve admired Jenna and her style, too, since the day we met her years ago at an appointment at J. Crew HQ where she gave us a preview of the latest season. She was wearing jeans that day – boyfriends, rolled up, if we remember correctly – and heels. When we think of Jenna, we think of denim. This is the woman who wore a jean jacket to the Met in 2012 (with a white button-up underneath and a hot-pink satin skirt). And she continues to inspire us both with the denim created under her at J. Crew (can’t wait to see what shows up at the brand’s fashion week presentation tomorrow) and with her own personal jeans style. We’re so excited to share with you this little snapshot of Jenna’s denim memories and must-haves, plus her latest fave: the J. Crew Point Sur X-Rocker…
Of all the jeans at J.Crew, why this one? Why the Point Sur X-Rocker?
I put these on and actually liked the way they looked on the first try. That doesn’t happen to me often.
How often do you wear them?
I can never find anything in my closet these days, so they are in heavy rotation – most often they don’t even make it back to the shelf before I put them back on.
Do you wear them with the same pieces always, too?
Well, I am not that bad. I do manage to rotate the pieces on top. So, sneakers, t-shirts, sequins are all welcome.
Click to get closer…
These are fairly new to you. Have they begun to take on your shape, or are you still breaking them in?
They are starting to show my habits…change in one pocket, phone in the other. And the knees are getting more exposure than they originally came with. I have to be careful how far I let that go.
Why do you think this specific jean suits you so well?
Because I am naturally attracted to things that are well made, but not perfect.
Describe the X-Rocker in one word.
Me.
If they could talk, what would they say about you?
I’m nice, but a touch lazy.
What’s the most memorable place your X-Rockers have been?
You’d have to ask them.
What’s the weirdest place?
Probably airport customs.
Who besides you has worn those jeans?
I assume they wouldn’t tell, and neither would I.
Click for more…
What do you need your jeans to be, always?
Unadorned.
Was there ever a pair that got away? When? How?
Ohhhhhh, yes…roommates. Those days are long gone.
Was there a pair you should have broken up with sooner?
Many. I should know better.
Do you own a pair that only you could love?
Don’t we all…
What are your Top 3 jeans of all time? When did you get them and what do you love most about each?
1. I have an old pair of A.P.C. jeans; they are perfectly broken in and always willing. 2. A pair of Chimala cropped jeans. I will skip ice cream if they get tight (that’s saying a lot). 3. And a pair of Chimala jeans I altered to make them high-rise 4. And the Point Sur Hightower skinny. I feel like the Eiffel Tower in them.
What are the first jeans you ever had, or remember having?
Chemin de Fer. They were all the rage. I saved up all my babysitting money. They were called the butterfly jean, and they had the trickiest button situation ever.
Is there a pair you still own from a previous life?
There was one pair, and they just hit the dumpster. I am not sure it was the right move.
How many pairs of jeans do you need to feel satisfied and like you have enough?
At least: white crop, white long, black crop, black long, rigid crop, rigid high, rigid old school, rigid super broken, super skinny dark high-waisted, super skinny, high-waisted black.
Click for more…
What do your jeans reveal about the way that you live?
I have a kid, and probably don’t go to the gym enough.
Is there something you do only in your jeans?
The playground.
On what occasion(s) will only a pair of jeans do?
A date.
Where do you buy your jeans if they’re not J. Crew?
Madewell , A.P.C., Chimala , and then I stray all over the place.
If you had to replace all of your jeans with something else, what would it be?
Utility pants.
Fill in the blank: Without my jeans, I am _____________.
Probably standing in front of my closet, puzzled.
In my jeans, I am ____________.
Probably happy I didn’t have to only wear utility pants.