If I Must Say So: Swoon

Yesterday I picked up a copy of the J.Crew September catalog and I have to say: I'm smitten. The shoot took place in Saint Petersburg, Russia--a place I don't know much about but am certainly intrigued by now.

The first part of the catalog includes some stunning (and stylish) images of Saint Petersburg, and I love how they paid a visit to one of the ballet schools and let the ballerinas model the new cashmere collection.

J.Crew has some behind-the-scene style photos from the shoot and great commentary from its art director in chief up on its blog. I just had to snap and share a few iPhone photos of my favorite images from the catalog itself:

[Love this cover image and how shapes, white space, and angles work together.]

[I used my favorite decorative masking tape to mark my favorite spreads.]

[I've been watching a lot of Mad Men lately. The various colors
and styles of these pencil skirts got me thinking about Joan Holloway.]

[I never thought about styling my classic brown belt over a coat, until now.]

[I love this sweet shot. The textures of the tutus
and the cashmere sweaters just work here.]

[I can't wait to wear some trouser socks with pumps this fall.]

[This is such a cool image. I love the pop of color in the heel and the
mid-century style chair and telephone, which I accidentally cut off in the photo. Sorry!]

[This girl is going somewhere in those super eyeglasses.]

Alright. Enough swooning. Jenna Lyons is brilliant (great article about her in New York magazine), and I have a ton of new things to add to my fall wish list.

What items are on your wish list for fall?

The Texas heat is definitely wearing me down. So, what do I do when I can’t take it anymore? I start lusting for fall. It’s easy, especially when I come across one of my favorite retailers’ fall arrivals.

Here’s my wish list and what I'm loving from the J.Crew fall collection:

Silk:

These silk tops are decadent. I already own one silk shirt from JC and I can't stop loving the smooth finish and the light weight. I especially love these two pieces from the fall collection. The heavier weight of the first number will be especially nice for the chillier months, and the mustard yellow tone of the second blouse is going to be my go-to color for fall.

[Silk Elodie Blouse]

[Silk Lucinda Blouse]

Bold britches:

I cannot wait to try these puppies on. Not only do they look comfortable as ever, I'm also in love with the bright hues.

[New Cafe Capri in Wool]

Big bows of color:

How fun is this skirt? It looks so comfortably high waisted, and it's the perfect mustard-olive color. The sash tops it off nicely too.

[Sash Skirt]

Boyfriend's closet:

Pull-over shirt dresses have been staples for my summer wardrobe. For me I think this trend will carry through the fall, especially due to my love for this sweater dress that so easily mimics the comfort of one of my fiance's over-sized sweaters. And I love JC's play on the traditional loafer with this chic patent leather version. I can't wait to pair these with that sash skirt and some cute trouser slouch socks.

[Dolman-Sleeve Sweater Dress]

[Biella Patent Loafers]

Trenches:

I cannot stop staring at pictures of this trench coat. Sleek, seductive, and classic. I think every gal deserves a timeless piece such as this in her closet.