Have you stepped into J. Crew lately? Although I would normally associate the brand with a school like Pomona or Middlebury College, this fall's diverse and rugged collection is more wearable and more appropriate to a variety of situations, and is no longer "merely prep." Now, the name has become synonymous with vintage and rough, trendy and dressy. It has maintained its traditional charm, while expanding its versatility and significantly improving its quality. The number one reason I love J. Crew's fall pieces is their feel: the blends of materials (both natural and synthetic) that are soft, warm and snuggly. From merino wool to cotton-cashmere blends, the new sweaters are the most comfortable I've ever worn. Also, the new styles-ranging from button-up to argyle to full-zip and cable-knit-are, in my opinion, the highest quality knit sweaters for the "everyday low prices" J. Crew offers, and by that I mean about half the price of Polo's.

Speaking of half the price, you should know that a significant portion of the jackets and coats in the store come from Abraham Moon and Sons, an English company commonly known as "Moon." They are the same high-craftsmanship manufacturer of most of the outerwear found at more high-end retail locations like Polo, Barney's, Bergdorf or Neiman Marcus. So obviously, these pieces are high-quality, extremely warm, comfortable and attractive. They fit better with side darts, and come with mp3-player pockets that are lined with the special J. Crew patterned polyfil lining. Nowhere else can you find such value matched with the character and originality of these classic and modern outerwear pieces.

Along with coats, the store and catalog alike provide excellent socks. I know they seem like a boring piece, perhaps not something even visible to anyone but yourself. But clothing should not be about others; it's emotional. If you feel comfortable and confident, that's all that matters. Socks are fundamental to feeling warm since, as anyone who has ever taken fire-safety education knows, heat travels upwards. Try their tipped cashmere socks, for example, or one of the many ribbed cotton options.

In terms of feel, one of my very favorite items for men this season is the fleeced-interior hooded pullover. First, the color is absolutely gorgeous. Appropriately named "heather oatmeal," it evokes feelings of warm oatmeal steaming on the stovetop on a cold day around the first frost. According to the catalog, the pullover has also been specially dyed to maintain its deep saturated color. It's cotton and polyester-blended on the outside, but with a brushed cotton, which makes it even softer. The closest analogy I can force is the difference between whipped and double-whipped cream cheese. One is good, but the other is clearly better; that little extra effort goes a long way. It's so beautiful that it deserves to be dry-cleaned, but so durable and pragmatic that it is perfectly fine in a washing machine.

Women can appreciate the fun skirts making their debut at J. Crew this season. They come in all different colors and cuts, so there is definitely at least one piece fit for each body type and personality. My favorites are the low-rise silk matte skirts, which have fuller bodies and show off great calves. They are especially cute for those fall days when it's actually nice out. Plus the browns this season are not just brown, but often have hints of orange, yellow, grey and a lot of red.

Also for women is an interesting addition to the already functional collection of suit wear. Dressing up for a meeting or an interview doesn't have to become a million-dollar investment, but rather a fun matching of wool jackets, vests (really big this season) and skirts. For men, unfortunately, the more elegant and professional clothing at J. Crew doesn't necessarily offer the best in variety or fit, so were it my own children, I would prefer Hickey Freeman or Hart Schaffner Marx.

Finally, everyone can enjoy this season's shoes; they are more daring and fun than ever before. Men's shoes range from classic driving moccasins to dressy black leather to rugged hiking boots. For women, the flats have fun prints and the heels have smart decorations and cute colors.

Now, I certainly do not endorse every piece at J. Crew, nor do I think that the looks presented in this season's collection are suitable for everyone. I just beg that you give the store that was often seen as a preppy, high-end Gap another chance. If any brand trying to revamp its image this season is worth a second look, J. Crew is the essential fall retailer.