vintage teal
vintage puff sleeve
Repetto
A.P.C.
Isabel Marant
Vanessa Bruno
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Thriftin'
Value Village and Goodwill on the Eastside today. Got a bunch of books, a pair of Dr Martin sneakers, and Haribo gummy bears.
Anthropologie
For a few years, Urban Outfitters was my go-to place for clothes. I thought everything there was amazingly cute, and I liked the idea that I could just put on a top and skirt from there and look current, sassy and cute. At the time, I couldn't afford most of the stuff (yes, it is way overpriced), so I just waited until the sales came around and would pick up a piece or two.
Then at some point I shifted in my age bracket. I crossed the thirty threshold and started thinking about what looked good at my age, rather than what I saw in magazines or what was visually cute. The stuff at Urban Outfitters started to look a little too try-hard, and then I moved onto the other store, also owned by Urban Outfitters, designed for women my age.
Anthropologie always smells good when you enter. It's kind of a total shopping hypnosis. The vaulted ceilings, unfinished edges in the decor, tiny spaces in which to navigate, and piles and piles of clothes. The salesgirls always look like your overdressed friend who's on the verge of fashion victim but whose closet you covet. I started buying a lot of things from this store, just about the time when my price/pain threshold was raised.
I did a little research into the company, as I wanted to know where my dollars were going. The Anthropologie store struck me, besides, as an odd duck.
Things that stuck in my craw:
* the prices are about double what I would expect, about double that of comparable brands
* the girl in the dressing room always asks for you name and writes it on the board instead of handing you a number. she tells you her name, too.
* she then talks to you through the door. very annoying, as you can only answer back sweetly, "fine! thanks!" as you're half-dressed, half-entangled in their fripperies
* lots of different clothes, but in very small numbers
* at some point the salesgirl pinpointed me as potential consumer prey and started telling me things like, "i just love that dress. so flattering!" or "I love your shirt!" all in this confiding tone. I have to admit, I was flattered until I heard the same thing about four times on separate visits. They must have had a team meeting in which they came up with these phrases.
So as it turns out, that's part of their empathetic marketing strategy which is supposed to encourage the customer to buy. "Empathetic" was the word they used in their investor profile on the website. Here...let me go look it up.
urbanoutfittersinc.com/profile/index.jsp
Okay, so that was slightly disturbing when I read it. I'm not sure what they mean by "empathetic connection to the brand," but I think it has something to do with the fact that middle-aged women are lonely and insecure.
I'll have to take more field notes.
Then at some point I shifted in my age bracket. I crossed the thirty threshold and started thinking about what looked good at my age, rather than what I saw in magazines or what was visually cute. The stuff at Urban Outfitters started to look a little too try-hard, and then I moved onto the other store, also owned by Urban Outfitters, designed for women my age.
Anthropologie always smells good when you enter. It's kind of a total shopping hypnosis. The vaulted ceilings, unfinished edges in the decor, tiny spaces in which to navigate, and piles and piles of clothes. The salesgirls always look like your overdressed friend who's on the verge of fashion victim but whose closet you covet. I started buying a lot of things from this store, just about the time when my price/pain threshold was raised.
I did a little research into the company, as I wanted to know where my dollars were going. The Anthropologie store struck me, besides, as an odd duck.
Things that stuck in my craw:
* the prices are about double what I would expect, about double that of comparable brands
* the girl in the dressing room always asks for you name and writes it on the board instead of handing you a number. she tells you her name, too.
* she then talks to you through the door. very annoying, as you can only answer back sweetly, "fine! thanks!" as you're half-dressed, half-entangled in their fripperies
* lots of different clothes, but in very small numbers
* at some point the salesgirl pinpointed me as potential consumer prey and started telling me things like, "i just love that dress. so flattering!" or "I love your shirt!" all in this confiding tone. I have to admit, I was flattered until I heard the same thing about four times on separate visits. They must have had a team meeting in which they came up with these phrases.
So as it turns out, that's part of their empathetic marketing strategy which is supposed to encourage the customer to buy. "Empathetic" was the word they used in their investor profile on the website. Here...let me go look it up.
Our established ability to understand our customers and connect with them on an emotional level is the reason for our success.
The reason for this success is that our brands - Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People - are both compelling and distinct. Each brand chooses a particular customer segment, and once chosen, sets out to create sustainable points of distinction with that segment. In the retail brands we design innovative stores that resonate with the target audience; offer an eclectic mix of merchandise in which hard and soft goods are cross merchandised; and construct unique product displays that incorporate found objects into creative selling vignettes. The emphasis is on creativity. Our goal is to offer a product assortment and an environment so compelling and distinctive that the customer feels an empathetic connection to the brand and is persuaded to buy.
Anthropologie tailors its merchandise and inviting store environment to sophisticated and contemporary women aged 30 to 45. Anthropologie's target customers are, for the most part, focused on family, home and career.
urbanoutfittersinc.com/profile/index.jsp
Okay, so that was slightly disturbing when I read it. I'm not sure what they mean by "empathetic connection to the brand," but I think it has something to do with the fact that middle-aged women are lonely and insecure.
I'll have to take more field notes.
For the season
For winter, I bought a new coat that held up really well. That was the big investment for that season.
This spring, I think I'm going to "invest," as they say on TFS, in a leather handbag. By invest, I mean spend way more than I think is reasonable in my saner moments. I've been scouting around for a prospective candidate. I've narrowed it down to Miu Miu, who last season had one that I was tracking the entire time. That one might have made me happy. This time, though, I'm thinking about their Buffalo Sac Hobo.
Otherwise, I've been collecting dresses at small prices. About 20-30 dollars at Forever 21. Little neglible tops. I would like to get a pair of snazzy pants, but haven't run across any yet. And, as ever, I'm thinking about shoes.
This spring, I think I'm going to "invest," as they say on TFS, in a leather handbag. By invest, I mean spend way more than I think is reasonable in my saner moments. I've been scouting around for a prospective candidate. I've narrowed it down to Miu Miu, who last season had one that I was tracking the entire time. That one might have made me happy. This time, though, I'm thinking about their Buffalo Sac Hobo.
Otherwise, I've been collecting dresses at small prices. About 20-30 dollars at Forever 21. Little neglible tops. I would like to get a pair of snazzy pants, but haven't run across any yet. And, as ever, I'm thinking about shoes.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Another weekend haul
I keep telling myself that I need to lay off the cute, trendy stuff. I need to be grown-up! with grown-up clothes that will last a long time and be above trends. But then the weekend comes and I get bored and I just want to find something cute to wear when it's warm. And I'm not sure what I want clothes to do for me anyway. Sometimes I think it's just for fun. To enjoy being a girl, to wear frilly little things that flutter in the wind. At least half of the time. And then sometimes I look at pictures like the one below and want to wear clothes like a cocoon. Romantic, imaginative stuff that sets the mind to dreaming...
Dries Van Noten is about pitch-perfect for understated, romantic, grown-up clothes.
Dries Van Noten is about pitch-perfect for understated, romantic, grown-up clothes.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Question and answer
When you shop what do you typically buy?
These days, I try to consciously buy more tops. I used to have a very imbalanced wardrobe of lots of bottoms and few tops. Also, I started trying to find the perfect shoe, and now it's a bit of a rampage.
What is the ratio of tops to bottoms to dresses ...etc?
tops... 60%
bottoms 30%
dresses 10%
How often do you buy swimwear?
about once a year, but I have two I like now
How often do you buy underware?
These days, only as needed. Which means whenever I spy something cute.
What colors do you typically buy?
Blue, teal, green, grey and yellow.
How much do you spend a month on apparel?
I don't want to count.
Where do you shop most often?
Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, online
and thrift stores!
These days, I try to consciously buy more tops. I used to have a very imbalanced wardrobe of lots of bottoms and few tops. Also, I started trying to find the perfect shoe, and now it's a bit of a rampage.
What is the ratio of tops to bottoms to dresses ...etc?
tops... 60%
bottoms 30%
dresses 10%
How often do you buy swimwear?
about once a year, but I have two I like now
How often do you buy underware?
These days, only as needed. Which means whenever I spy something cute.
What colors do you typically buy?
Blue, teal, green, grey and yellow.
How much do you spend a month on apparel?
I don't want to count.
Where do you shop most often?
Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, online
and thrift stores!
What about designer
So I made it back to Nordstrom Rack yesterday and pawed through all the designer clothes. Found a few to try on.
* Stella McCartney strapless black cocktail dress...interesting undergearing on the dress. There was a built-in padded bustier bra. Nice shiny satin black flowers on a black background. A kind of overgrown bow material at the bustline.
* See by Chloe pants...Heavy material. Notch at the back. Very long legs.
* Sara Berman cardigan...way too big.
One thing I've noticed about designer clothes is that they tend to be heavier weight fabrics. Also, they are "engineered" in the sense of darting, undergarments, details. Lots of attention paid to how it will flatter and hang on the body. It's like the apartment I live in now. Small details, the thoughtfulness in layout, the soundproofing, etc., remind me that an architect built it. In the same way, the engineering of the garment lets me know that a designer made that piece, I think.
* Stella McCartney strapless black cocktail dress...interesting undergearing on the dress. There was a built-in padded bustier bra. Nice shiny satin black flowers on a black background. A kind of overgrown bow material at the bustline.
* See by Chloe pants...Heavy material. Notch at the back. Very long legs.
* Sara Berman cardigan...way too big.
One thing I've noticed about designer clothes is that they tend to be heavier weight fabrics. Also, they are "engineered" in the sense of darting, undergarments, details. Lots of attention paid to how it will flatter and hang on the body. It's like the apartment I live in now. Small details, the thoughtfulness in layout, the soundproofing, etc., remind me that an architect built it. In the same way, the engineering of the garment lets me know that a designer made that piece, I think.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Been looking for a handbag
But nothing catches my eye. Pretty surprising.
Oh, well, that's not true. I've had my head turned by several bags, but none to such a length of time that I bought it. And I'm unwilling to buy a bag that's only going to be trendy and tiresome after awhile. I'm okay with spending some moola on it, but alas...alack...my expectations go up once the price tag does and I'm not sure that I could find one that meets all my expectations.
But I suppose that's the thing about handbags. They are emblems of aspiration and desire.
Oh, well, that's not true. I've had my head turned by several bags, but none to such a length of time that I bought it. And I'm unwilling to buy a bag that's only going to be trendy and tiresome after awhile. I'm okay with spending some moola on it, but alas...alack...my expectations go up once the price tag does and I'm not sure that I could find one that meets all my expectations.
But I suppose that's the thing about handbags. They are emblems of aspiration and desire.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
APC redux
I've had the APC shirt for about a month now. It's just a plain grey s/s top with pintucking at the neckline, but it cost $88, which is why I was tracking the shirt's success.
And it has held up better than shirts that I've bought at cheaper places. There has been no pilling and no wear. When it gets too wrinkled from being piled on the floor, I only have to hang it up and the wrinkles go away.
It's also more versatile than it seems. It's plain but has a little bit of specialness in the pintucking, which makes it drape well. The material is viscose rather than cotton, and that makes a difference in the way it hangs, too. It's also a longer length than most shirts, so it's good tucked in or out, or layered under or over.
So in my small experiment, my conclusion is that some brands do justify the higher cost. This will, of course, require further research.
And it has held up better than shirts that I've bought at cheaper places. There has been no pilling and no wear. When it gets too wrinkled from being piled on the floor, I only have to hang it up and the wrinkles go away.
It's also more versatile than it seems. It's plain but has a little bit of specialness in the pintucking, which makes it drape well. The material is viscose rather than cotton, and that makes a difference in the way it hangs, too. It's also a longer length than most shirts, so it's good tucked in or out, or layered under or over.
So in my small experiment, my conclusion is that some brands do justify the higher cost. This will, of course, require further research.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Spring
Girls in summer clothes are the first sign of spring. These heedless, impetuous creatures loosed upon the burgeoning world signal warmer days to come.
Recent finds at thrifty places
A vintage (maybe 80s) s/s batwing sweater with color blocking. I figure I'll wear these with my green cord shorts in the summer. I was getting tired of wearing tee shirts all the time.
Lace-edged yellow bed jacket from Urban Outfitters, via Crossroads. A little rumpley. It'll be good with camisoles in the summer.
Lace-edged yellow bed jacket from Urban Outfitters, via Crossroads. A little rumpley. It'll be good with camisoles in the summer.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Once the evaluations are in
I feel a lot more freedom in what I wear to class. These days, I won't wear pigtails or overalls, but I might don the Converse or the jeans or the layered tee shirts.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Figuring it out
Beauty is a knowledge. It's something that you can learn. Knowing what looks good on you and how others might react.
For example, empire waists look good on me because I am skinny and my figure gets lost under clothes sometimes. The gathering under my bust gives me definition. Tops with pintucking do the same for me, which is why my recent purchases of the green wool vest and APC top were successful.
My education in fashion started only a few years ago, relatively speaking. I think most girls start thinking about clothes in middle school. Probably earlier, these days. But I think that's maybe why so many of them make the mistake of dressing for vanished youthful figures. Or else they dress for the whims of adolescent boys.
V informed me that clothes do matter. I was under the impression, until grad school, that people would be able to see through to the "real" me. But when I wore something more feminine, prettier, in fact, people did treat me differently. They were nicer to me, which was disappointing in a way.
It was when I started my first professional job and was living on my own that I started to really take an interest in my appearance (I was always interested in fashion as something creative, beautiful, and unattainable). Another friend advised me to take out a subscription to Lucky, and so I did. I also started observing, trying things out, and making mistakes.
For example, empire waists look good on me because I am skinny and my figure gets lost under clothes sometimes. The gathering under my bust gives me definition. Tops with pintucking do the same for me, which is why my recent purchases of the green wool vest and APC top were successful.
My education in fashion started only a few years ago, relatively speaking. I think most girls start thinking about clothes in middle school. Probably earlier, these days. But I think that's maybe why so many of them make the mistake of dressing for vanished youthful figures. Or else they dress for the whims of adolescent boys.
V informed me that clothes do matter. I was under the impression, until grad school, that people would be able to see through to the "real" me. But when I wore something more feminine, prettier, in fact, people did treat me differently. They were nicer to me, which was disappointing in a way.
It was when I started my first professional job and was living on my own that I started to really take an interest in my appearance (I was always interested in fashion as something creative, beautiful, and unattainable). Another friend advised me to take out a subscription to Lucky, and so I did. I also started observing, trying things out, and making mistakes.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Continuity
I've broken out the Birkenstocks. I wore them today and yesterday and felt a pleasant continuity with the past. In fact, with the angle and clarity of the light, and the cubbyholed landscape on my walk to school, it felt almost like being in Austin again.
I remember these things about my undergraduate years:
. the high, Texas sun
. wearing Birkenstocks all the time, only changing into socks for the winter..."land of a thousand Birkenstocks," as a fellow classmate called it
. all the in-between spaces, like alleyways and tiny lawns
. seeing the world at a pedestrian pace
. being all the time inside my head
Monday, March 13, 2006
White button down
I think it's true what people say about white button down shirts. How they're a staple in a woman's wardrobe and all that. I didn't believe it at first because I found it to be so stuffy. But when I came across one in Value Village--practically new, very soft, with french cuffs, and from J.Crew.--I finally acquired one for my wardrobe.
My favorite outfit with it is with a holey Cacharel scarf knotted low, along with slouchy jeans or pressed pants (depending on the level of dressed up I need). Et voila. It's offhand, but it always works.
My favorite outfit with it is with a holey Cacharel scarf knotted low, along with slouchy jeans or pressed pants (depending on the level of dressed up I need). Et voila. It's offhand, but it always works.
Overalls
I have a thing for overalls. It started back in college when it became my everyday uniform. I favored androgynous looks back then, which is to say that I dressed like a boy. Big flannel shirts, oversized tee shirts, Converse shoes, etc. Overalls fit into that aesthetic. Perhaps it would be considered anti-aesthetic?
In any case, I wore them all the time, in graduate school particularly. I even wore them out on a date. I was that clueless. I liked pairing them with a black cardi and Birkenstocks.
So these days, I've moved onto more grown-up, girly, even elegant clothes, but I still have a favorite spot in my heart and my closet for my overalls. They remind me of who I've been.
In any case, I wore them all the time, in graduate school particularly. I even wore them out on a date. I was that clueless. I liked pairing them with a black cardi and Birkenstocks.
So these days, I've moved onto more grown-up, girly, even elegant clothes, but I still have a favorite spot in my heart and my closet for my overalls. They remind me of who I've been.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Note to self
Go into Nordstrom Rack with a lot of time, a lightweight coat (that place is overheated), and on the weekday.
Something about going elbow to elbow with a bunch of bargain-hunting women is depressing.
(I had to buy a pair of sunnies to cheer myself up.)
Something about going elbow to elbow with a bunch of bargain-hunting women is depressing.
(I had to buy a pair of sunnies to cheer myself up.)
Monday, March 06, 2006
Review of C&C and Paper
Today I wore a few of my new items. From top to bottom:
red/white striped tank under
black scoop tee
sage green pants
black all stars
What is this thing called quality in clothing? I'm observing and taking notes. So I've noticed that my Old Navy tee has not worn very well. The colors are already faded, and not in a cool way.
The C&C tank seems to resist fading and getting misshapen. The Paper Denim pants fit a little better around the bottom. These are just slight adjustments, but they make a difference. In looking at the forum thread "What are you wearing today?", I've realized that proper fit elevates even the plainest ensemble. I can't otherwise explain how some people, in just a top and pants, can look so put together.
red/white striped tank under
black scoop tee
sage green pants
black all stars
What is this thing called quality in clothing? I'm observing and taking notes. So I've noticed that my Old Navy tee has not worn very well. The colors are already faded, and not in a cool way.
The C&C tank seems to resist fading and getting misshapen. The Paper Denim pants fit a little better around the bottom. These are just slight adjustments, but they make a difference. In looking at the forum thread "What are you wearing today?", I've realized that proper fit elevates even the plainest ensemble. I can't otherwise explain how some people, in just a top and pants, can look so put together.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Quite a haul
This weekend. Perhaps it's the warmer weather.
sage green pants...Paper Denim...Nordstrom Rack
black leather moc flats (Chloe knock-offs)...Steve Madden...NR
cowboyish boots (Frye knock-offs)...Steve Madden...NR
striped racerback tank...C & C...NR
spread-shawl collar sweater...Anthropologie
yellow button down with vintage pattern...Anthropologie
grey cord capris...Anthropologie
metallic white ballet flats...Calvin Klein...TJ Maxx
cashmere sweater...7 for all Mankind...TJ Maxx
blue spaghetti-tied empire waist dress...Forever 21
crossover empire waist top with cube patttern...F21
sage green pants...Paper Denim...Nordstrom Rack
black leather moc flats (Chloe knock-offs)...Steve Madden...NR
cowboyish boots (Frye knock-offs)...Steve Madden...NR
striped racerback tank...C & C...NR
spread-shawl collar sweater...Anthropologie
yellow button down with vintage pattern...Anthropologie
grey cord capris...Anthropologie
metallic white ballet flats...Calvin Klein...TJ Maxx
cashmere sweater...7 for all Mankind...TJ Maxx
blue spaghetti-tied empire waist dress...Forever 21
crossover empire waist top with cube patttern...F21
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