I just received an advance preview of JCrew’s Spring 2008 collection, and I have to say that there are many cute looks! I only have a few static digital images to post (see images immediately below), but as soon as more of these items become available for general sale online, I will definitely blog in more detail about them!

Here’s a brief sampling of what’s in store for Spring!

Vivian metallic slingbacks ($238) — These shoes are a classic throwback to the Hollywood glamour dolls of the 1940’s & 50’s. They’d go really nicely with a flouncy white crepe tie-back halter dress, à la Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch .

Not sure about these cocktail rings. (In terms of colors, I think the blue hue is better than the pink/salmon.) While I’m not afraid to wear big cocktail rings, (in fact I rather like them), these rings are just too busy for my taste. I prefer a single stone, or if there are going to be multiple baubles, I like to see a different sort of arrangement, not quite so ….floral in composition.

These clusters are very unappealing to me in the picture, but would have to see them up close & in personal to make the final call. Who knows, I’m a Gemini, & have been known to change my mind in my past about certain fashion statements, depending on their context… & my mood.

While I can certainly appreciate the “estate jewelry” look & other classic styles, I generally like my rings to be a bit more fashion-forward & modern-looking. (If you ever get a chance to view re-runs of the British TV show, The Wow Factor , check out the rings Tara Bernard wears. Those are the types of rings that I like.)

Like the bright orange shorts, although I would only suggest them to people with small rear-ends. This doesn’t mean your rear-end needs to be flat as a pancake in order to wear this style, (i.e., round rear-ends will look good in this style too), only that the color & style of these shorts will most flatter those with a smaller lower-half. Just like the color “fire engine” red, bright orange shorts tend to draw attention to one’s “booty.” That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but people with larger derrières should emphasize this region of their body at their own peril.

At the very least, you’ve got to be confident to wear a pair of orange shorts. Same goes for the geometric-patterned shorts shown in the above right picture. Patterns once again draw attention to the bottom half of you; if that’s what you need, because you’ve got the opposite fashion challenge, a non-existent rear-end, then go for it. I like the idea of these shorts, & did in fact try them on in store, but the color of these shorts necessitates that it’s probably better if you are tan or have complexions other than ghost-white. So, if you are pale or fair, take heed. And don’t say I didn’t warn you!

My first thought of the above picture is “Ugh, thin straps. How would I ever wear a decent bra with this?” Maybe some of you are thinking the same. How impractical. I mean, I know I could wear a strapless bra underneath, but really why would I want to do that for just a “tank top.” I can make that sort of effort for a strapless ballroom gown, but for a cotton tank? I don’t think so. I think it’s a bit of overkill, don’t you? And the second option, which in my mind, really isn’t an option at all, would of course be just wearing a regular bra with it. However, if I wore a regular bra, the bra straps would show, & I refuse to do that because I think it looks trashy in 99.99999% of cases. The only person who can possibly get away with it could possibly be SJP (Sarah Jessica Parker), because she’s just so damn hip & out-there, but also unlike 99.99999% of the populus!

As for the only other component of the above outfit that I can really clearly see (i.e., the madras hat), it looks cute in the picture, but frankly I’m getting tired of the newsboy cap look. Cute pattern though. Please, JCrew, show us a new style in hats. Or at the very least, please bring back some of the more classically feminine styles. Thank you; we’d be most appreciative.

OK, well that’s the brief preview. Stay tuned for more, at a later point in time!