NM falls as UO rises [from LVC ticker 11/18/09]

On the other hand, nearly everything from the Urban Outfitters 2009 Holiday Catalog is beautiful, wearable, modern, and not terribly out of price range. Over the past few years, I've grown to like their clothes more and more. I can't tell if it's because my taste has changed or if theirs has. I think it's a little of both - they've gotten a bit more luxe in their styling and I think the prices have come down a bit, too. That, or I've managed to find some great pieces from their sales rack (and online sales) a few times. 

I think their clothes are increasingly clever -- a sort of intelligence to it that you don't normally see with mass-market brands. It's that slightly different cut or strategically placed zipper. It all makes a difference, and it's the thought that's put into the making of a piece of clothing -- the R&D (research & development), to be nerdy about it -- that gives it value. Because at the end of the day, almost all clothes are made with the same materials, and aside from the R&D that goes into it, the only differenting factor is the craftsmanship (Is it made by hand or machine? How many hours did it take? Was it by a grizzled Italian man in the mountains of Naples [I just made that up, I don't even know if Naples has mountains], or by a 12-year old Indian boy plunging his hands in scalding hot water to retrieve silk cocoons?).

It's not always a hit at UO, and I'm rather picky about pieces of clothing if I'm buying them retail, but their stock is definitely rising in my mind.

Take a look for yourself:

How beautiful is this? Unfortunately I don't love the way the front looks [on the model, at least] and such is the problem that befalls a lot of their pieces, for me. That and the fact that I'll never truly know how they'd look on me because a lot of their models are uncommonly thin.

This doesn't even look like U.O., really. I think a lot of their pieces don't "look like U.O." to me anymore, and that's a good thing. I quite like this skirt. I'd want to see the material in person though, if it were heavier material it'd just be perfect.

They've got the right idea with this velour top. I want a velour top. Maybe not this exact one, but this is pretty directionally on point for me.

And the ubiquitous sparkly sequin skirt. It's still pretty.