Spring Fever

One of the most painful times in New York City is the month of March. I say that not because I hold any kind of a grudge against the month, but because it is about the time that we all get Spring Fever. The first sunny day that goes remotely near 50 degrees and we are all out in the park having a picnic or walking the puppy...until we remember that 49 isn't actually all that warm. Perhaps we do still need that jacket....

But, no, we will not bow to Mother Nature. After that first hint of spring (and it tends to be a very, very subtle hint), people start to lose all common sense when getting ready in the morning. I think I saw my favorite this example of this today. A girl had on jeans...very sensible...with gladiator sandals. Yes, sandals. Today was in the 40's and rainy--while I would love to break out the flip flops, I'm thinking today might not be the day.

Maybe New Yorkers (and I have a feeling this extends to the entire Eastern Seaboard) have just built up a resilience to the elements by March. Breaking out the next season's wardrobe is the pick up we need after a long, dreary 3 months and no amount of snow can take that away. I really have no idea what it is, but right about now you can feel the entire city getting ready to rip off their winter coats and break out the grill. And after 8 years in the city, I would like nothing more than to join them.

Hot, Hot, Hot!

I met someone several years ago who gets equally as excited as I do about a beautiful bag or a to-die-for pair of shoes (maybe even more depending on the designer). So, when Molly sent over a few links with some hot shoes for the new season, I decided I had to share them! (Disclaimer: these are by no means the most reasonably priced shoes you will ever see, but they are gorgeous).

Guiseppe Zanotti Caged Ankle Boots: Yes, CAGED. I just love the name. That aside, I had not found a pair of gladiator inspired shoes that I liked in the least bit, but these just have something. It could be that silver stilletto heel...who knows. But, whatever it is, these are just some serious shoes. If anyone is actually going to spring for the bargain $875 price tag, please let me know--I'm coming to your house to try them on.

And if you need to add a little color to your spring wardrobe, try the Manolo Blahnik Dale shoe in turquoise. Now these, I just love for the whimsy of them! And honestly, what shoe girl does not wish for a Manolo Blahnik in her closet?

If turquoise isn't your color, you can always give the YSL Stud Sandal or the Lanvin Puffy Gladiator shoe a try!

Honestly, I know these are all out of our price range, but don't completely dismiss them. If you fall in love, keep your eyes open for a less expensive version--there are plenty of affordable designers who take their cue from the couture lines of the season and I have no doubt that we will see these styles in a budget friendly package!

Just wondering...

So, I read a New York Times article yesterday about the overall decline in sales for retailers, with the exception of everyone's favorite Goliath, Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart actually achieved a 5.1% increase in February which the company attributes to lower gas prices allowing people to travel to the store more and spend more income in discretionary categories; I can only imagine that since Target's sales fell by 4.1% that means that Wal-Mart really does have the better deals (not that I would know...I barely survived Target last weekend. I'm pretty sure that I would have a mental break if I went to a Wal-Mart. Have I mentioned that I'm not good with people?).

Anyway, while all of this is interesting, I became more interested in the information about clothing retailers. Not surprisingly, high end retailers are taking the biggest hit, but I was never in the Neiman Marcus league so no need for discussion there.

I am curious, however, about what it is that made people avoid Abercrombie & Fitch to the extent that their sales figures dropped by 30%, but yet stores like Buckle, Hot Topic and Aeropostale actually showed slight increases. They are all retailers geared toward the same demographic, so I would naturally assume that when one falls, they all fall. Clearly not the case...so, here's what I think: parents (and maybe their kids if they are spending their own money) have finally figured out that Abercrombie is soooo overpriced for the wrinkled and in some cases very teeny tiny t-shirts and shorts that you can purchase. Have you noticed that their ads showcase people wearing not a whole lot of clothes...what is it that they are actually advertising?! Last I checked, they didn't sell the cute set of twin boys on their billboard in the store--so we're back to the too small and wrinkled tees. Anyway, I digress. As I was talking to my husband about this (I listen to politics, he listens to my clothing company theories), I started going off about J.Crew. See, in my age range I think that qualifies as the Abercrombie & Fitch. While I like some of their styles (no itsy bitsy shorts for my butt to fall out of), they are consistently over-priced for the fit and quality of the pieces. I realize that I am not what most of you would consider a "bargain" shopper, but I do need to know that when I shell out some cash, my clothes are going to last me for a few years without falling apart, shrinking or changing shape in the laundry--especially in today's economy. It seems to me that teens (or more accurately parents of teens) are coming to the same conclusion about Abercrombie that I have about J.Crew.

So after all of that, I think the sales figures just show that for the money, people feel they get more bang for their buck at Aeropostale and Hot Topic, and that is probably one of the biggest incentives for a purchase in 2009. For the record, Banana Republic is my Aeropostale/Buckle/Hot Topic...which basically means I am old.

"Fit the century, forget the year." --Valentina Sanina Schlee

Today I had my first visit to The Museum of the City of New York. I have been saying for quite a while that I really need to take advantage of the cultural opportunities that I have at my fingertips, and I have to say that while this wasn't the first place on my list, it's a great museum. Specifically, I went because my Aunt came into town for the weekend and thought that we might find the Valentina exhibit (both of us being avid shoppers and all) interesting; so off we went to 103rd and 5th Ave.

Now I knew the name Valentina, but had no idea where she came from and to what extent she influenced fashion. Valentina Sanina Schlee was a Russian dancer that came to the United States in the 1920s with her husband. After several failed partnerships in fashion, she achieved breakout success with her simple yet sophisticated couture designs. She designed for both Broadway stages as well as wealthy socialites and actresses of the 1930s and 40s; her clients included Greta Garbo, Lynne Fontanne, and Mrs. Randolph Hearst to name a few.

Her creations were by no means accessible to anyone without money--prices went from $250-$1400! That's a lot of money in 2009, let alone in 1935. But her custom made pieces, for those who could afford them, were worth every penny. The exhibit shows off her stunning collection of evening gowns, costumes and even a few daytime outfits. What is most interesting is that many of the dresses could be worn on the red carpet today with no changes. Her designs have the unique capability of accenting all of the best features of the womanly form with exquisite draping, darting and seaming; that is what makes a Valentina piece timeless.

If you have any interest in the history of fashion and find yourself free in NYC for an afternoon, I highly recommend that you check it out. As you look around, think about the dresses, jackets and hats that you have worn over the years and see if you can find her influence in them.