Now it seems the brand has done it again with images featured in their newest catalog. The preppy looks are modeled by J. Crew’s own employees, including the one above titled, “Happy Together. Our Designer Somsack and his boyfriend, Micah.” The photo sparked even more controversy. ABC says the catalog includes “an explicit ad of a same-sex couple”, and titled the article, “J. Crew at Center of Gay Economics with Openly Gay Model.” Yes, we all know how raunchy button down shirts and ties are, or perhaps it’s that hot and heavy arm grab from a full arm’s length away that says “get a room!” Okay, we’re really not sure what’s explicit here.

J. Crew declined to comment on the issue, but it seems to us that the photo’s caption says it all. The bottom line is that painting a little boy’s toenails pink won’t make him gay, nor will looking at happy gay couples on the pages of a fashion catalogue. It is sad that people cannot tolerate the differences among us. {Refinery29}

Fortunately, in addition to Jenna Lyons being lucky enough to end up with a boy who shares a favorite color, she also ended up with a child who can seemingly see what’s really important. “He was just like, ‘Iâ€m on television! Iâ€m on television!†It was very cute. He was over the moon,” Lyons said. {WWD}

Now you can experience JCrew Outlet sales prices online!

Actually, clothing companies purposely open outlet stores in off the beaten path locations so that consumer demand will not overwhelm them and drive revenue away from main stores. {DailyFinance} The decision to put outlet clothing online is thus a gutsy one for J.Crew, but makes sense.

DailyFinance points out that online and outlet stores have shown significant growths despite the struggling economy. Earlier this year, we found that online shoppers in the $100,000+/year household income bracket are visiting sample sale sites like Gilt and Rue La La in greater numbers than more recognizable luxury retailers such as Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman. Perhaps, then, an online-outlet venue will have even more success than online and outlet stores have had individually.

J.Crewâ€s executives told the Wall Street Journal that consumers are more hesitant to spend money on clothing in full-priced stores these days. Customers are “deferring, they’re waiting, they’re comparison-shopping, and people are a little nervous,” CEO Millard Drexler said. J.Crew did see profits nearly double at the end of the second quarter, pulling in $34.9 million.

Weâ€ll follow up and let you know how the online outlet store works for J.Crew. Given the continuing success of mid-range retailers and designer discount sites, hopefully more of our favorite clothing companies will follow suit!

The PR CEO start of Bravo TVâ€s “Kell on Earth” spoke to a small group of editorial interns, fashion-obsessed youngsters and public relations entrepreneurs at the Bryant Park Reading Room Series Wednesday, and she had a quite frank earful on the future of fashion, replying to a girl asking about where to look for a career in the field by saying:

“Style is in; fashion luxury, forget it. It’s over. Gucci, Vuitton, Hermes … all those places are really great, go for it. That business exists in a city called Paris, France. That’s where that is. Those businesses will continue. Retail business, pretty much over. I think people who sell to retail companies are people who can’t afford their own stores … Old Navy, J.Crew, Gap … they already knew that and aren’t wholesaling. Editorial, magazine, we are going to say buh-bye to them as we know them. They will still exist but everything is on the internet.” {The Cut, Racked NY}

On the one hand, tell us how you really feel, Kell. On the other, Bravo Kelly! She may be over dramatizing a tad in regards to luxury and retail being “pretty much over,” but it is about time someone spoke up about the hard realities facing fashion, especially in the editorial department. Times are changing, and if the dominant players in the industry want to continue to grow their businesses, they need to learn to adapt.

Persistent efforts on the part of luxury retailers to understand the youth market is a great start, but New York Magazine says the fashion industryâ€s biggest mistake is its strange fear and avoidance of the Internet, specifically social networks and blogs, citing the long series on the “future of fashion” Style.com runs in which they ask important fashion businesspeople like Barneys’ Julie Gilhart about the Internet.

We agree. Even when the big brands try, they don’t always get it right. Considering that the Internet has been a major force to be reckoned with for years now in many industries, fashion magazines and businesses still have a lot of catching up to do. Until revenue from web advertising catches up to revenue from print advertising though (they’re still miles apart), we suspect the wait won’t end soon.

This JCrew swimsuit costs roughly around $90 while the Forever 21 swimsuit on the right rounds out at $21

Here is what these and all women should worry about when it comes to swimwear: A suit that costs $5 to make can sell for $100. It seems retailers have figured out that women will pay whatever they charge for swimsuits and are taking advantage. {NYTimes}

Hold on before you go running to H&M or Forever 21, where suits regularly sell for under $30 for two pieces though. Paying for a pricier bathing suit may be worth it for some.

Advances in swimsuit technology such as weatherproof fabrics and girdle-inspired shaping material correlate positively with the rising price of swimsuits. The same goes for the advantage of being able to mix and match top sizes and patterns with different bottoms. Mix-and-match pleases consumers, as most women wear different top and bottom sizes, but it costs the retailer more because of extra tickets and packaging.

Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst at the NPD Group, said mix and match pieces have caused suits that cost say $50 before this trend became the norm to rise to $70. He added that heavy turnover in swimwear also contributes to higher price tags. “This yearâ€s swimwear is rarely used again next year,” he said. {NYTimes}

Malia Mills, who makes designer suits that can cost $340, said bathing suits get a “hard knock when it comes to pricing.” She added that panties, which resemble swimwear, donâ€t cost as much because they donâ€t have to be made to withstand the wear and tear swim suits do.

She said a bikini “has to keep its shape and look good when itâ€s been exposed to sunlight and sand, and saltwater and chlorine and sunscreen and body oil. Itâ€s a little tiny piece of fabric, but it has to really perform.”

If you ask us, being able to choose top and bottom pieces separately is essential for good fit and necessary to looking your best in a suit, and, even if you arenâ€t interested in anything that feels like a girdle, advanced technology can be important for keeping a swimsuit together under rough conditions like ocean waves.

Our only concern is that NYTimes reported that stores like Target are able to sell cheaper suits because, as a mass retailer, they can negotiate better prices for fabric, but it is unclear whether they purchase the same fabrics designers like Mills do. What’s also not clear from the story is if the $20 and $30 swimwear costs $5. If the $20 suit costs $1 to make, the markup is the same even if the final price is much lower.

If you wear your suit every day all summer, investing in a new one each year is probably worth it, but the $340 splurge seems unnecessary. J.Crew makes swimsuits that cost about $90, and, even if they may only take $5 to make, users have reported they “last forever.” The idea of such massive overpaying is infuriating, but itâ€s better to risk shelling out an unfair amount than discovering a cheaper suit becomes transparent in water or snaps off in a wave. {The Cut}

Leave the diaper bag, laptop case, and backpack at home.  This stunning Louis Vuitton is the perfect size for holding everything from books (net or text) to baby bottles. The beautiful burgundy color goes with everything and masks any and all stains.

L Mahina Leather {Louis Vuitton}
$2800

If you’ve ever worked in a predominantly male office, chances are you’ve experienced the mysterious temperature divide that always leaves you freezing, while the guys walk around in t-shirts complaining about how hot the 60 degree room is. Staying warm is no problem with a versatile cashmere-silk cardigan over a tank and fitted pants.

V-Neck Cardigan {Martin + Osa}
$99.50

This simple Lee Angel piece pulls the entire outfit together with just the right balance of rhinestones, feminine fabric details, and twine accents.

Glinting Bois Necklace {Anthropologie}
Lee Angel
$178

There’s no need to completely forgo comfort for style. GAP’s skinny stretch pants feel great yet look polished.

Skinny Stretch Pants {Gap}
Available in petite and tall
$49.50

Whether you’re running between meetings, classes or chasing after a little one ballet flats are a timeless, classy and stylish option. Want to sneak in a little extra comfort? Go half a size up and insert an athletic insole.

Abby Toe Cap Ballet Flats {J.Crew}
$128

J. Crew redressed

Impressed by head designer Frank Muytjens†“masculine, affordable, and modern” (pieces), in a recent story at GQ.com, Moore also commented on J.Crewâ€s styling: “Each guy exud[ed] a sense of great personal style.” Though a sidelong note, this is an area in which the company has really upped the ante in recent years.

Particularly haute is its Tribeca-based menâ€s location, the Liquor Store. Original bar intact within walls from 1825, the spot carries exclusives from designer collaborations (Belstaff, Leviâ€s and Ray-Ban have all partnered), as well as Borsalino hats, vintage Rolexes, old records and first-edition books (but no booze).

J.Crew of yore

From the Crew we knew as a mail-order only catalogue on momâ€s coffee table (picture) to the British geek-chic, touch-of-grunge and piles-of-pearls (styling) of today, J.Crew looks to be successfully accomplishing an enviable appeal-expansion without isolating true-blue crew members. Weâ€re sold.

Read more {The Cut}

Read more {The Thread}