Ver-sa-che or Verse-ace?
Ah, my sweet babies, it’s an unfair world. Just because you like the work of a particular designer — hell, even if you buy and wear said designer’s work — it doesn’t mean that you can sound cool trying to read what’s on the the label. Out loud, natch. But who cares? Amiright? Well, actually, Glamour.com does.
In an attempt to come to the rescue, the folks there — or at least a couple of staffers — have provided us with a list of hard-to-pronounce designers, labels and brands.
Only trouble is, the list might do more harm that good.
In some cases (Behnaz Sarafpour) it’s just wrong. The name, which is Farsi — aka “Persian” is Beh-naz. As it’s written. It’s not Beh-naaz or, or the oddly suggested Beh-noz, as Glamour’s list would have you believe.
In others, following it might just make you sound like you’re trying too hard to be a fashion snob (“Eve Sane Laurennnnn” what’s with the hard, multiple n’s when the next bit of instruction is “THE T’s IN BOTH “SAINT” AND “LAURENT” SHOULD BE BARELY AUDIBLE”?).
Personally, I don’t think there’s any shame in not knowing how to pronounce something. If you’re in a store, just ask, or just say, “I think I like the black bag (by which you might mean “the Balenciaga one). The red one (Lanvin), not so much.
Or, worse the instructions might make you sould like you’re choking or that you’ve suffered a stroke and are swallowing your tongue.
Yeah.
What the heck is “Luh-qua”? Even if you’ve never taken a single French class, you’d know that the hard-glottal “qua” sound suggested here is wrong. There is an “r” there, after all, and the French do something very neat with that “r” in their throats.
Glamour could have done packed readers off a “La-quoi” or at the very least, “La-koo-ha.
Here, here’s an AbFab clip that might help, dahlings.
Poofy, billowy dresses still in for next season
When compared to the “wet look” leggings (read: Cheap, shiny spandexy things) and harem pants (dear god, why!?), the could-hide-a cake-under-it dress doesn’t seem that bad.
And yeah. I know. They’re comfortable. And they can be flattering. Just about every girl should have a couple. And no more.
Still, I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of those poofy, empire, babydoll, voluminous, could-double-as-maternitywear dresses. I was sort of hoping they’d go away for a while. Something with more tailoring, maybe a nice sheath, hell, even a sweet T-shirt dress would be nice. Something to show some shape.
Looking at what’s new at various online stores, I see a few more choices than last spring, but still….
Here’s the dress that Nordstrom is not only using to promo its new stock, but has placed as the first item on the dress page:
Blech. And the first dress in Barneys New York’s CO-OP page today (you should see this one..oh, Nelly) is this floral number…
Enough of these tents already. How about some darts and belt or something. Yeesh.
Brit supermarket bans shopping in PJs
It seems that customers shopping in PJs/nighties, or sans shoes, is such an issue in Cardiff, Wales, that a Tesco store there has banned shoppers dressed as such from entering the store. The BBC reports:
Notices have been put up in the chain’s supermarket in St Mellons in Cardiff saying: “Footwear must be worn at all times and no nightwear is permitted.”
A spokesman said Tesco did not have a strict dress code but it does not want people shopping in their nightwear in case it offends other customers.
And some people are furious over being told to go into the store in street clothes.
Elaine Carmody, 24, a full-time mother of two young boys, described the ban as “ridiculous” and “pathetic”.
She said she had regularly gone shopping at the store in her pyjamas until about a week ago when she was turned away when she went to buy cigarettes.
She said she had been “popping in for a pack of fags,” but if she had been doing a full shop “then we obviously would have gone in clothed”.
The story has a photo of Ms. Carmody in her PJs and slippers.
Now, I’ll just say this right up front: I don’t have kids, so I have the luxury of time. I always manage to get dressed before I leave my apartment. I’m not saying I look great. I’m just saying I’m not out in my bunny cami or Snoopy PJs. I can only imagine that being a mom, a working mom, a single mom or all of the above must make for an extremely demanding and at times chaotic life. Not that men aren’t equally guilty of rolling out in sleepwear…
The Dude does not abide bourgeois dress codes...
On the other hand, no one says anyone has to be well dressed to go to Tesco. Just dressed. Which means more than just not being naked. For crying out loud, it takes 20 seconds to slip on a pair of jeans.
While I’m more of Tim Gunn girl, here, I’ll quote Clinton Kelly, of the US version of “What Not to Wear,” on the subject (I’ve interviewed him before — he’s a smart guy and in no way a snob):
Biggest fashion pet peeve: The “casualization” of America
Don’t get me wrong — casual wear is important, and can be fun and stylish. However, on the whole, we’ve stopped caring about what clothing is appropriate for a given situation. Just a few examples: flip-flops are never appropriate for work (unless you work in a spa); pajamas are not appropriate for the supermarket (unless you’ve got the flu and nobody else on the planet is willing to shop for you); and butt crack is appropriate nowhere (that’s right, nowhere).
Amen, brother. And he’s talking about the US, home of the slob.
Anyway, I think the store has a right to set its own dress code, as long as it is reasonable. Besides, expecting that people wear shoes and clothes other than nighties and PJs just doesn’t seem that extreme. Hell, you can still pop in while wearing your sweats, yoga pants, leggings and any old T-shirt. Hardly a tough standard to meet.
Generra drape-front skirt, $92.50
I have no idea why they’ve neglected to put a top on this model or why she’s kinda standing like a hooker in those booties, but hey, the skirt, it’s solid.
The ruching means you won’t have to fret going totally wrinkle-free, while the top-stitching makes it look tailored. It reminds me a little of a Nanette Leopore jacket I have. It’s cropped, belted and very similar in fabric and color to this baby. And, unlike its owner, it’s a workhorse.
And at 17 inches long, it’s not that short (unless you have really long legs).
Originally $185 (and available in sizes 0 – 10 at shopbop.com), this skirt can certainly go out for dinner and drinks, but what I like about it is that it’s a very cool alternative to the suit skirt, and a nice go-to piece for work or meetings for which you can’t show up in just anything.
I also like that the waist isn’t all high and fussy, like most suit skirts.
It’s navy and black, which means you can top it up with a jacket — or whatever your work topper of choice is — in those colors, charcoal, red, white, camel, etc.
Plus, the shape is so much more interesting and flattering than the standard pencil or A-line skirt.
Reason to go blind: Lady Gaga driving style trends
Yes, it’s true. The performer, who dresses for stage, not life, is upping sales of “party frocks” at Brit online retailer Asos.
The Guardian reports:
Trends such as Lady Gaga’s “underwear-as-outerwear” and lace party frocks contributed to a 30% rise in sales at Asos, the internet fashion retailer, over Christmas.
Whoa. Sounds like something out of the archives. Or just Madonna’s closet, 1985-1990.
So. This Gaga.
She’s fun to look at on stage.
She might not have a neck, but she can move. And her songs? Good to run to. Or something.
But style icon? This?!?
C’mon. This chicky wears an origami of disco horror and desperation. And a dated combination of the two, at best. Kinda makes me want to stay away from Asos.
Aren’t models supposed to sell stuff?
She looks like a 12-year-old with implants...
Ordinarily, I don’t get all worked up over designers and stylists using super-skinny models. It’s just how it goes. We all know what real women look like, and well, sure, some of us really are that thin. Most of us aren’t. The universe goes on.
But this image above just seems kind of…wrong.
No disrespect to the model — who is a real person, after all — but something about her worries, nay, scares me. She looks childlike, except for her big, pushed-up breasteses. She’s got that harsh 90s lollipop look about her (I really, really do hope she just has a wicked metabolism and that she’s not living on raw almonds and sugar-free Red Bull).
And I guess the designer is supposedly creating sports-inspired gear? Why not chose a more athletic girl for this shoot? Sorry, but this model, with her muscle-free limbs, just looks unhealthy and unsettling. So much that I’m distracted by how horribly 80s, Billabong/Westbeach the dress is. Then again, perhaps that’s the idea…
New Balance Gym Tote < $25
Don’t even pretend that at some point over the holidays, you didn’t think of starting a new health regimen.
Maybe you’ve got an event coming up and you want to look your slammin’est for it. Or maybe you’re not trying to lose weight, but just want to, oh, live longer and feel better. Whatever.
If your plans include joining a gym — or actually going to the one you joined last year — here’s a little something to get you on the way: A shiny new gym bag to handle all your gear from Endless.com. Because getting motivated to go to the gym — pretty much the dullest place in the world — is hard enough. No sense in making yourself schlep your stuff there in ratty shopping bags (as I’ve seen people do) and what have you.
I dig the retro look of it, plus, it comes in three colors, has pockets on the inside and outside and isn’t so gymmy looking that you can’t use it as a carry-on or a weekend bag some other time.
Calvin Klein tux for about a Benjamin
Bond. Jane Bond.
I know. You might think that the last thing you need is a tux.
You figure that it’ll hang next to the bridesmaid dress you’ll never wear again (heck, wearing it but once was a testament to how much you love your friend/sister/cousin), maybe your prom dress and that velvet holiday dress you bought when you went drunk-shopping — too drunk to realize it makes you look like you got lost on your way to the Renaissance fair.
But you’re wrong about the tux.
Hush. Listen.
This jacket, which is going for a whopping $59.99 at and its matching trousers sold separately for $44.99, but at Macy’s.com– will serve you well. They’re not top quality, but given that you won’t be wearing them every day, they’ll do.
Aside from being able to wear each piece individually (duh), combined, the two will save your fine can just about every time an invitation says “blacktie.” Don’t feel like fretting over tights, shaving your legs and doing endless tricep dips in order to feel good in a strapless number? No problem. And yes, you can pull it off. Think of YSL’s “Le Smoking.” You’ll be sorted for those evening wedding receptions, award/commemoration dinners, swanky fundraiser or whatever event some dress-code Nazi has hooked you into you into.
I speak from experience. I bought a vintage tux a few years ago for a song, had it altered and it’s there, in my closet, like an insurance policy. Blacktie event? BAM! On it goes, with a cami, sweet earrings, heels, a smudge of eyeliner and slick of gloss. Killer.
Even the damned seek style advice…
…myself certainly included.
But today, I’m referring to a young lady who goes by the name of “Jennifer.” How did I find her? Who knows. I was trolling for something or the other and ended up at a site called “Party411″ on a page run by “The Etiquette Queen.”
Anyway. I’m reading along, checking out questions from people asking the very astute EQ what to wear to holiday parties, weddings, etc. and then, I come across this:
Jennifer asked:
My gorgeous [high school-but-looks-older-than-she-is] friend and I are both outgoing and always fight for the “spotlight” at parties. This New Year’s (for a ‘casual’ college party with my friends) she’s wearing tight black pants, a zebra-print tank top with a matching purse. How will I match that outfit?? I want to be classy yet cute and sexy.
Ah yes. And here’s where we find out that the EQ is a kinder bish than I.
Rather than telling the girl to just go with her instincts and pair up them black leggings with a cheetah print body suit and tassled boots (because as in the wild, cheetahs trump zebras. Every. Time. Also, the boots would be more of an investment — perfect for Jennifer’s first gig as a pole dancer. In “the spotlight.”), EQ dispenses the following advice:
The Etiquette Queen says:
That outfit is not classy. Put something together with black and red. Red is “the” color for now. Remember that less is more and you should wear the clothes, not the other way around. A pair of black slacks with a red camisole or blouse and a black jacket. Find a large fabric rose to pin on the lapel or shoulder and maybe red shoes.
While I’m not sure Jennifer would know what a lapel is and might end up pinning the fabric rose to a more tender part of her young self, I remain impressed by EQ’s response.
A tip of the hat to you and your marvelous restraint, Etiquette Queen.
Tod’s: The finest in crappy customer service
The world and philosophy of Tod's? Not good customer service.
I’ve been holding off blogging about this, but I figure if you’re going to spend your money on buying a nice item from this Italian brand, you should know what kind of post-sale service you might get. And isn’t service — that is, being treated well by a company that stands behind its products — the reason why we bother spending more on certain items?
Just to be fair, I’ve already written to Tod’s customer service (Haven’t heard back). So, check it out:
I dropped off my bag for a zipper repair in the Bond Street store in London late September. I told the lady who helped me that I’d purchased the bag at Holt Renfrew in Vancouver, Canada (an authorized dealer — Tod’s is listed under the store’s directory of brands). She noted that on the invoice and said that repairs took about 6 weeks.
At around the same time, I dropped off a Prada bag for repair at their boutique in Selfridges (Hey man, I’m not into disposable style. I have my favorites and I keep them around for years. Doesn’t mean I won’t buy new stuff.). Note that this bag was also purchased at a department store.
Whereas the Prada bag was returned to me repaired (free of charge) at 6 weeks on the dot, I didn’t hear anything from Tod’s. I called. I wasn’t called back. I called again. Nada. I went to the store and spoke to a man named, oh, let’s say, Felix, who was apologetic, but who had no idea where my bag was. In fact, he copied my copy of the invoice, the one I’d be given when I dropped off the bag.
Felix and I exchanged calls for several weeks, when he told me that it was taking so long to get my bag repaired because they weren’t sure where I’d bought it. Even though it’s written on the invoice that the store clerk had written up — the one Felix had copied.
By early December, a woman at the location where the bag was to be repaired called and assured me that once repaired, it would be sent to the Bond Street store awaiting my pick up. This is key as I’d told both this lady and Felix that I’d be out of town Dec. 16 – 31.
Meanwhile, Felix wanted to make things right…by inviting me to attend some “exclusive sale event” at the store. In other words, to show me how sorry he was, he was inviting me to spend money in his store. I declined and pointed out the absurdity of the gesture to him. He didn’t disagree. Still, he felt bad.
I got back into town on New Years Eve to an indecipherable message from someone at something-or-the-the-other “Village” (I gather that’s where the bag was repaired) to call him at a number I couldn’t make out. He’d called me on Dec. 22, and wanted me to call him because he didn’t know what to do with the bag.
I imagined that no one could be this incompetent. Surely they’d remember to send the bag to Bond Street. How hard can that be? Bag in box. Box in mail. Done. Right?
I went back to the store on Jan. 2 and, of course, my bag wasn’t there. After making a call, a baffled Felix told me that it would arrive on Tuesday and that I’d be notified of this. Guess what? No call.
It’s been over 3 months, and no, I haven’t died without my fancy bag. Still, as a consumer, I’m stunned by how disorganized and unprofessional they are at Tod’s. Oh, Felix is sorry. He’s been sorry since November. So what.
Seriously, if you’re thinking of spending your cash on a high-end item, I’d stay away from these guys. They don’t know their butts from a bocci ball.
Update: Having not heard from Tod’s by Friday, I called, left a message. No return call. Called again. Felix told me that my bag was there, ready. Finally.
Dope style + Big heart = (PRODUCT) RED
Companies participating in the The (PRODUCT) RED campaign donate 50 percent of proceeds to fighting AIDS.
And that, right there, is a great way of putting your money where your mouth is (unless you’re pro-AIDS, in which case, you’re a raging moron) while putting your shopping dollars at work.
The GAP currently has a bunch of cool stuff in that campaign, including a nice Stella McCartney piece, but what I’m loving right now is the T you see to the left.
Designed by multimedia Greek artist (though he lives in London) Miltos Manetas, it’s gorgeous and cool without trying too hard. Love how he’s drawn the cords and wires like flowing hair. At $28, it’s a pretty reasonable buy. And, again, you’re donating to a good cause. In fact, in case you’re interested to learn more about the fight against AIDS, here’s a vid, lifted right of the (PRODUCT) RED site:
Give love. Give compassion. Give hope. Give.
You decide: Harvey Nics ad funny or lame?
I can’t make up my mind. Only I do know that either way, I’d like it more if the model looked a bit happy about the tasty road that led her to her tight slacks (and, I must say, in jeans, her booty would look great!):
Cocked eyebrow: Didja hear? Stilettos are back!
Slimline "Tonic"? What ailes the folks at the FT? Pristine feet?
So sayeth the How to Spend It mag in the Financial Times (which apparently also didn’t notice the fact that stilettos never went out of style):
I’m sorry, but is this person walking the same uneven, cobblestone, diveted, pockmarked and generally speaking, jacked-up sidewalks that I’m walking?
I have no idea what these “shouty” heels are (maybe those studded shoe/boots that have been all over the place this fall?), but I can tell you that after months of wearing wedges, stacks, flat boots and thicker heels, wearing a pair of narrower ones today just about did me in.
So, who are these women who are saying, “Ahhhh” at the thought of skinny heels and do they know they’ll be “spending it” on fixing their gnarled feet in a few years?
Making the most of Gifts with Purchase
Getting a gift with a beauty or fragrance purchase is the sort of thing that usually gets most to buy products they’ll never use, all for that cool makeup bag or that tiny little lipstick. Well, the holiday season offers should put an end to that.
There are so damn many lines offering very nice gifts that you’re bound to only buy what you need and would be using anyway (as opposed to that glitter scrub/blue mascara/face cream you’ve buried somewhere in the back of a drawer) and get rewarded for it. Hell, most Web sites have a “gift” or “bonus” link, and I must say, I’ve never seen as many offers as I’ve seen this year Chanel, Creme de la Mer, Clarins, Clinique — whatever your price point, you should be able to come away with a little something extra from your counter of choice. Neiman Marcus has a crazy number of bonuses, like this one…
The Laura Mercier offer at Nieman Marcus
Also big? Saks. They have scarves and books and more. But remember: Buy only what you’d ordinarily use. Otherwise, you’re the one giving cosmetics companies the bonus, not the other way around.
Preview of Sonia Rykiel lingerie line for H&M
In the words of Lady Sovereign: Yeah, I dunno.
Check out the collection, which launches tomorrow:
Rykiel is also doing a knitwear line for the brand in spring 2010.
