The ’80s-Tinged Heritage Collection Is J.Crew at Its Very Best

The golden era of prep is back

March 20, 2018 9:00 am EDT

Once upon a time, J.Crew was a trend-setting American cult brand.

These days, J.Crew, like many retail chains, is struggling. So much so that you’re more likely to read a headline about the label’s fall from grace than anything positive and/or redemptive.

What’s a brand to do to change the winds of public favor? Dig into the archives and release a collection that reminds us why we loved them in the first place.

This week J.Crew launched the Heritage Collection, bringing back iconic pieces that decked out its 1980s mail-order catalogues and cemented its name in America’s sartorial lexicon. The collection includes classics like the barn jacket, rollneck sweaters and a revamp of J.Crew’s iconic 1984 Rugby Shirt in collaboration with Rowing Blazers.

Below, our top picks from the collection.

1988 Cotton Rollneck Sweater
A relaxed rollneck sweater done up in heavyweight cotton. $75

BUY IT HERE

1984 Rugby Shirt
A limited-edition batch of the brand’s iconic colorblock rugby shirt with Rowing Blazers. $98

BUY IT HERE

1989 Side-Zip Cotton Anorak
Our favorite piece in the collection, a pure throwback and perfect for spring layering. $148

BUY IT HERE

1984 Barn Jacket
Another J.Crew classic available in three stylish colorways. $178

BUY IT HERE

Long-Sleeved Deck Shirt
One thing J.Crew taught us: stripes are cool. Here’s a classic Breton-inspired number. $49.50

BUY IT HERE

Meet your guide

Michael Nolledo

Michael Nolledo

Michael Nolledo is the former Deputy Editor of InsideHook and the founding editor of the Chicago edition. He is now the Editorial Director of the Reference desk at Insider.
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