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.

 

Cheap Thrill

Forever21 delivers. Some of these are really beautiful (at least from the computer screen vantage point), and at around $5 each, I'm reconsidering the time value of money or whatever of spending potentially dozens of hours crafting a pair myself. But I guess it's a different intent... right?

1.
I love these white ones! Although if I'm going to wear earrings this big, I think they'd be less casual. Although I could re-evaluate that thought because these earrings are sick -- maybe good for a more casual night out, more jeans & top, less cocktail dress.

2.
I generally don't like this bib-esque shape for earrings, but just imagine these in the light -- both bright light and hazy light.

3.
Dark clear stones, ooh.

4.
Not ideal in terms of details (I don't like those beads at the bottom), but nice enough if you just want a pair of SPARKLERS (that you won't cry over if you lose). Oh also, I have a horrid habit of losing earrings (and jewelry in general) really easily, which makes me terrified to actually invest in a piece.

5.
These ones are quite gorgeous. Such intricate design. Wear with hair swept back.

6.
These look like dangly flowers, and I love flowers.

7.
These can be dressed up or down. I imagine pairing these with a thin sweater and scarf or a gauzy dress.

8.
White with gold looks so fresh but also luxe. For some reason, these earrings remind me of Lord and Taylor, the department store.

9.
These stone cut flower earrings look amazing in black, very au courant. I wonder how large they are in real life. They'd be great oversized.

10.
Looks like an Alhambra-eque design. I like.

I like earrings 1, 5, 9, and 10 best.Which ones do you like the best?

Walmart! You did it!

Now THIS is a proper capsule collection. Everything under $20, so you wouldn't care who made it anyway. It just so happens that Max Azria - one of my favorite designers - is involved, which is actually a testament to its strengths. I cannot say the same for the designer ties I've seen in the collections at Target (which I have never bought a single thing from, despite heavy marketing on their part).

The collection features items you need - tees and leggings - at just the right level of quantity of choice. I am more than happy to sacrifice excessive variations on the same theme of leggings for a huge dip in price point. And particularly when it comes to leggings, Members Only and other types of recent pop-up couture brands canNOT be $100 better in quality than what Miley Cyrus & Max Azria put out. I think this calls for a trip to the local Walmart in West Lebanon, New Hampshire (or is it Vermont? I always forget).

Either way, I'm so there.

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Postscript: mission SO accomplished.
Cutout leggings. Already obsessed.


They look really good on, promise.

Hollister truth bomb

Lusty Hollister Store (NYT article)

Exactly true about the Hollister where my friend works in SOHO.

Jimmy Choo at H&M

OMG! Jimmy Choo is releasing a capsule collection at H&M... ok, this is a collection I can get behind. I can't wait to see the to-be-leaked photos. It will be launched in 200 H&M stores on Nov. 14. Unfortunately, there are currently 0 H&M store in Hanover.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124522785484222715.html

Emma Watson, 19, Designing Clothing Line; Profits to go to UNICEF

Yep, that's about the gist of it.

____________________

"She's been getting advice from her fashion designer pals like Karl Lagerfeld."

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http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/showbiz/xs/371536/Emma-Watson-launches-her-own-teen-fashion-line.html

Fast Fashion Eye Candy

For a foray in the opposite direction, the following is a sample of quite inexpensive shoes available online. Perfect for finding less-guilt (in)destructible frat shoes.

1. Cute - could do without the buckle - but only useful if they fit very well/are easy enough to walk in. These look like something Gap or Old Navy would make.

2. The wood looks a bit over-lacquered but otherwise I love, love, love the look of velvet or velour on shoes. This is a pretty color, but I want a pair of velvet fuschia heels/wedges/flats.

3. A bit closer to stripper chic than I'd feel comfortable with, but if you can pull it off, more power to you!

4. Sweet and simple; look comfortable, good for summer, and red/standout enough to pair with any outfit.

5. Quite derivative... don't recall of what though. Marc Jacobs? I've def seen this before, though.

6. Speaking of derivative... haha. What was this, Balenciaga? But hey, there's a reason they were so popular in the first place. These shoes are hot.

7. Simple with enough texture/snakeskin pattern to keep it from being too boring. J. Crew, anyone?

8. Let me just whip these out for a quick run from my West Village address to the bodega down the block for a pack of cigs and some turkey jerky.

9. Nice, cute. Love suede shoes. Also available in many other delicious colors. But do note that suede is NOT Dartmouth-friendly.

10. Your avg. gladiator sandal with a bit more interest. I'm rather bored of this shape though.

11. It's nice, but I'm bored of this too.

12. This looks cool...

13. I do like this too. Potentially too much going on?

14. Ditto on the coolness. Although I am wary of the caged-foot look, regardless of how popular it is now.

15. Now THIS is frat-friendly. Patent leather is easily wipe-off-able. This shoe looks like a cross between those adorable Spanish men's slip-on flat sneakers (similar to Tom toms) and any given shoe at Conway. Haha does that = Dartmouth?

16. Now here are some BOSS faux eel skin shoes. For some reason, I'm really into shoes of diff animal skins. And yes, it's as bad as it sounds. I really want a pair of stingray-skin shoes (er... eventually). The texture looks REALLY luxe.

17. Fine for work etc, unremarkable otherwise.

18. Timeless material and color, but ditto. The cut is a bit high for my liking.

19. Oh wow. I think this is toned-down stripper chic I could live with. What occasion would one wear this to, though? Maybe it's just after living at school for so long, it's hard to imagine walking around in these heels for running errands.

20. Winner winner chicken dinner. I really like the overlapping detail and how it's different than what I've seen elsewhere. I would/may actually get these.

21. Prob also good for work or errands if you like a low wedge heel? Unremarkable otherwise.

22. Also love this. Not crazy original, but I've wanted a pair of satin leopard flats for quite a while now. Perfect for this for fall!


In terms of my current lifestyle, # 22 and #20 are my favorite/the best for me. How about you? What do you think of these shoes? Oh and the sweetest part about fast fashion? Everything here is about $30 or less. Yum yum.