Catalog Police: Dedicated to Joan Rivers

When I first debuted the Catalog Police feature on Instagram, the inspiration was Joan Rivers’ playful snarkiness on Fashion Police. She made an art out of saying exactly what everyone else was thinking, and this fearlessness sizzled in her red carpet critiques. No one was safe from her microscope — least of all, herself. Today’s installment is devoted to Catalog Police’s patron saint.

This week’s atrocities were committed by a repeat offender… J. Crew.

Refined AND wild? Someone has an identity crisis.
Refined AND wild? Someone has an identity crisis.

Let’s get started with this cover, which looks like the deranged results of a Buzzfeed personality quiz. I assume the circled/underlined words are meant to pinpoint the characteristics of the typical J. Crew customer. (Notice that the word “smart” isn’t circled or underlined.)

A $138 sweater that comes with its own dust ruffle.
This $138 sweater comes with its own dust ruffle.

If you haven’t mastered the ancient art of buttoning a shirt, THIS is the sweater for you: It comes with a wrinkled, untucked shirttail already attached! (I guess a collar costs extra.) The catalog describes it as “menswear-inspired.” But as lazy as men are, I don’t think they have shirts pre-sewn onto their clothes.

Even the model looks embarrassed.
Hi, 2004 called — it wants its popped collar back.

What happens when the walk of shame makes you 2 hours late for work!

Perfect for braving a sudden snowstorm in Hawaii!
If you’re so cold, wear some pants.

Yes, global warming is real. But until a freak snowstorm ruins your Hawaii vacay, you’ll won’t ever need a parka paired with a miniskirt.

What do I wear to a black-tie baseball game with a Back To The Future-themed afterparty?
What do I wear to a black-tie baseball game? With a Back To The Future-themed afterparty?

Someone get me a mop. All the trends just barfed on this model.

Pity the lemmings who actually buy this $88 shirt.
Pity the lemmings who actually buy this $88 shirt.

There’s only one person who can pull this off. (Besides Pharrell Williams.)

Yup, that's the one.
Yup, that’s the one.

J. Crew, I’m writing you a ticket for blatantly plagiarizing Ab Fab’s Eddie Monsoon — but the charges of attempted murder (weapon: mediocrity) have been dropped.