Chameleon

J.Crew is nailing it this season.  I popped in the other day to take care of some Christmas shopping and I found myself clutching onto about a dozen different items that I “needed” for myself.  Great colors, great price points, great patterns, great gems.  Love.  The thing I admire most about them is that they’ve stepped away from the “classic” and really re-tooled themselves into a totally versatile brand.  You could be 16 or 72, a hipster or a lady who lunches, and you’d still find goodies there.  That takes some master-minding, eh?  This led me to realize that if I purchased one basic item from them, I could reinvent it any number of ways to suit any number of styling perspectives I might have in the next few weeks.  Take this felted mini ($60-$80, depending on color):

Great colors, great, classic style.  The seamed pockets give it a little juju.

LOOK 1: PARISIAN STREET CHIC

So let’s see — say we want to go Paris Street Chic.  Pair the white mini with a polka-dot, tie-front blouse in classic black and white (woah, what a find! — $25); black tights; and some classic black leather heeled boots (Loeffler Randall, $595):

In a dream world, finish with a Celine Constance bag and some studded gloves (Valentino, $445 — or get the look for less with this $68 pair)…and as a Parisian lady, don’t forget your Illy espresso and croissant as you stroll the streets of grand ol’ Paris:

And — to protect ourselves from the cold climes — this bananas leather-sleeved wool topper (DVF, $775):

As a gift-ski for this street chic pea…

This darling “love” ring ($47) — so perfect for the quirky-chic lady strolling the streets of Paris with her beau (or with lots of shopping bags):

LOOK 2: THE LITTLE LADY

Of course, a felted mini is perfect for the ladylike traditionalist, especially paired with a pale pink lace tee ($138), some ladylike enorma-studs (Bounkit, $320)

Finish with some bow-toe flats (Kate Spade, on sale for $119), and the dreamiest of handbags, the Chloe Marcie in dusty rose pink ($1,795):

Finish with this nubby jacket ($495):

And, as a gift for the Little Lady…

Don’t you love sporting this look to a ladylike tea (do you DIE over this tea service set?! — on sale for $40! — and it comes in a darling HATBOX):

LOOK 3: ECLECTIC DOWNTOWN FASHIONISTA

Or, say you want to wear something a bit more mix-and-match?  Try a denim button-down ($98) with a bold gold necklace ($220) and some leather Loeffler Randall OTKs (on sale for $578):

I’d round it out with this bananas leather studded watch ($115) — a much more affordable version of the Hermes Medor ($4,050):

Finish with a cherry red Pashli mini ($650):

Finish with a cozy-chic hat ($69) and this amazing epaulet coat ($101):

Complete the look for her with the perfect cold weather gift…

A pair of woolen mittens ($25 — plus 30% off!  I snagged lots of winter essentials for myself with this coupon code, including some thermal knit tees in fun striped combinations for the cold Chicago winter!):

Happy Thanksgiving Week!