Effortless Anthropologie

Reviews: Rinzu Robe, Moulinette Soeurs party dress, Lacemaker Skirt

2009-11-14T09:10:00.007-05:00

The Rockefeller Center Anthropologie keeps tricking me. When you go downstairs there's a mix of clothing, accessories and loungewear. They keep picking a loungewear item that looks like a clothing item to feature on one of the dressforms. Usually it's belted or accessorized to look like an outfit. Then the process goes like this: I pick up said item, try it on and think to myself "this doesn't quite feel like a real dress." I search the site for the item, can't find it and then about two weeks later finally realize it's in the lounge section. That's exactly what happened with the Rinzu Robe ($78) by Anne Pinkerton.

It was mostly the cut that threw me off in this case -- I thought the super closed neckline and extra fabric in the skirt were odd. Now I realize it's because this is a robe, not a dress. Truth be told I'd wear this out anyway and given the online reviews so would others. All you need is a slip underneath and maybe a belt on top.

I tried on my true size medium and it was perfect. The cap sleeves didn't bother me too much; they didn't make my upper arms look great but they weren't overly widening them either. This dress sits easy and loose but since the silk is thin come colder days you will need to layer underneath and over to stay warm. For people who feel that Anthropologie's dress price points are too high this is a great way to make an entry-level purchase.

Unfortunately I don't have a name or product shot for the Moulinette Souers dress you see on me above. It's $168 but it's not on the website yet. The Soho staff told me this dress was drawing a lot of interest. It's made of something synthetic and is translucent (it is lined). The dress itself is beautiful with golden sketches of petals set against a snowy white backdrop. The peplum in the back is a thoughtful throwback touch and I love it.

I tried on my true size 6. It was very weird though, the dress fit fine but the lining was very tight on me, specifically around my thighs. The lining pulling caused the dress to pull too so if I was going to buy this dress I'd size up to an 8. I was not happy with the sash -- it was too short in my opinion. It needed another couple of inches so that I could bow it correctly.

As lovely as I think this dress is I will not be buying it because of the back. There is no way to wear a bra with this dress. I think even my corset-style body shaping bras with low backs would show through the bottom of the large back opening. I can't knock Moulinette Souers for this. They went for a specific shape and I think it's very pretty. Not every dress is going to work on everyone and such is the case with this dress. If you can go braless, I think this dress would be a beautiful party frock. For me it is sadly a pass.

Odille has been bowling me over with some gorgeous items this fall. This line consistently delivers multiple hits each season, I love it! For the Lacemaker Skirt ($148) Odille puts a modern spin on the lace overlay.

My guy took one look at the product shot and said "doily." I am willing to pretend I didn't hear that but it doesn't matter because this skirt was a no-go for me. It fits very close to the body and in both my true size 8 (photos above) and one size up in a 10 I found there was too much hugging and puckering of the underlayer to ever work this one out.

The golden mustard color of the underlay is divine and I really like the lace. But it made me look bumpy and globby and that will never do. Worth a shot if you're straight shaped but probably a tough sell on curves.

Gorgeous! Keel's Simple Diary

2009-11-13T13:25:00.004-05:00

At the risk of making broad generalizations I'd be willing to bet many of you are writers, artists or both. It's the type of person Anthropologie attracts. And at one time or another you probably kept a diary or journal. It's with that in mind that I share raves for Keel's Simple Diary ($15).

The premise, developed by author-writer Philipp Keel is pretty simple: everyone would love to keep a journal but not everyone has the time or dedication. So instead of providing a nicely bound book with a bunch of intimidating blank pages inside he's created a book that is part fill-in-the-blanks Mad Lib-style, part brain teasers, part open-ended questions and part sketchbook. The thought is that some minor prompting and smaller requirements on a less time-demanding scale will help anyone be more successful at journal logging.

From the Simple Diary website, Keel's analysis on why most people don't keep diaries:
1. Not every day is very eventful.
2. It actually takes a lot of discipline to write.
3. In retrospect, many find what they have written embarrassing.

As a writer who can't shut her mind off I find this diary both intriguing and frustrating. I like the idea of having a bit of help to capture the zeitgeist of any given time in my life. Then again, as someone who hates rules and boxes (aka stubbornness) I hate the thought of needing assistance to complete a project. But there's no denying that this book seems to know me better than I do and the one I've kept this year has been fun to flip back through. It's been relatively easy to stick to. Down the road I'll be happy I did it.

Email: You log the miles; we'll pack your bags

2009-11-13T08:04:00.002-05:00

Is it jet-setting time already? Anthropologie certainly seems to think so. In an email earlier this week they so nicely offer to pack our bags for two choice destinations: the beach or our parents' house.

Let's talk about Mom & Pops' first. I think Anthro did a really good job of selecting items to feature in this section. Just about everything in the set really does seem like something I'd wear around the house or to a casual family dinner. My favorite choices are the bags though! The Correspondent Tote ($168) comes in green or natural (left two shots above) and has plenty of pockets to hold electronic devices or maybe to act as overnight bag? Hard to tell since Anthro's bag shots give no concept of size. The Forest-For-The-Trees Bag ($175) is a drool-worthy patchwork of buttery multitonal green leather. And the Here-There-Everywhere Bag ($178) seems to be the ultimate satchel. I haven't seen any of these bags in real life yet but hope to soon.

Clothing-wise, the Faroe Shawl ($58) caught my eye as something I'd love to toss on before plopping into Dad's recliner to read a book. And if I'm sent to the backyard to pick out some firewood I'd put on the Royal Edict Boots ($298) to do it...if my size happens to come back into stock that is. Is it just me or does Anthropologie seem to be ordering very low shoe/boot stock this year?

If sun & sand are more your speed Anthro's still got you covered. To be thinking about swimsuits again already is pretty funny to me but Anthropologie has such cute options. It's easy to slip back into that mode. The Black-Tie Maillot ($148, far left above) is so darling; it's a shame I could never wear that shape. Love it anyway! The pattern of the Souk Medallion Maillot ($168) makes me want to go to Greece right now and that dream is further reinforced by the Athena Bikini ($98/ea). Athena is my favorite goddess after all. The Swan Dive Bikini ($58 top/$68 bottom) is a little more straightforward but just as craveable.

Don't forget your sunglasses. My pick? The Star-Studded Shades ($24). I just started planning my big trip for next year with some friends. We are thinking of going to Cozutmel, Mexico. Have you been there? Any recommendations of where to stay there? Nearby things to do? Horror stories?

Reviews: Hollyhock Dress, Glimmering Magnolia Dress, Cascading Foliage Dress

2009-11-12T19:02:00.006-05:00

As much as it's odd for me to say this, you should always take online clothing reviews with a grain of salt. With so many different shapes and sizes that we are built in one person's disaster may be your dream. Take the Hollyhock Dress ($168) by Sine. There's currently one online review and it's not kind. Given the reviewer's misgivings I actually avoided trying on this dress for a couple of visits. But then the request came in and so I was off to try on the dreaded 1-star.

Not that I don't believe the reviewer's commentary (I think she's right about most of it) but I loved this dress from the moment I put it on. Ignoring the visible bra issues this dress was so frigging cute on. My expectation was that my cups would floweth over the available space or that I'd have to size up so ridiculously that it wouldn't be worth it. Wrong on both counts -- the photos above are my true size 6.

The dress is kind of tricky to get into. It has a bit of a tapered hem so it's best to put this dress on feet first rather than head first if you're curvy like me. I'm not sure why the bodice looks so creased in the photos -- maybe my arm angle from taking the photos? Because in real life that was not an issue. There was a bit of bubble butt in the skirt. I tried on a 4, which fit but was slightly smushing my chest, and the problem persisted. However I think that as the day wears on any loose material in the back will flatten out as you sit. And did I mention the pockets? This dress is headed not only to my wish list but also to my shopping cart. Want!

Easily one of the most beautiful photos in the November catalogue. The dress is Lil's Glimmering Magnolia Dress ($198).

So flattering on. I think this would make a great holiday party dress with a cardigan or faux stole on top. While the sequin work is beautiful I find the effect a bit cheap-feeling for a $200 dress. Otherwise I have no complaints. My true size 6 slipped on easily and the bodice is cut long enough. A sparkly belt would also look great with this dress. I doubt this dress will go on sale anytime soon but when it makes it I will buy it.

Anna Sui's Cascading Foliage Dress ($218) has a lovely color palette that is reminiscent of late Monet to me. The perfect late summer/fall/warm climate winter dress.

I had some fit issues with this one though. As I have mentioned before my waist is disproportionately small compared to the rest of me and as a result dresses with this shape tend to not sit correctly. In my true size 6 (photos above) the bust was gaping between the pleats something awful while the skirt was poufing out at my hips. And weird as it sounds the dress was mostly too big on me. I am normally 2 sizes down in Anna Sui. I tried an 8 for comparison and found it to be much too big. So while I don't think most people will have this problem it was a no-go for me.

On the plus side the silk georgette is really nicely tailored into a pleasing silhouette. While it didn't work on me I would still recommend anyone give it a try. See it on Kim here. (You'll have to scroll down in her post.)

If you have an item you'd like to see reviewed drop me a note or leave a comment. I have a list of items I'm looking for eagerly in-store.

It's a good morning for new arrivals

2009-11-12T07:38:00.008-05:00

Reveille Jacket ($128)
My wish list replacement for the Skirted Peacoat.

Anthropologie continues to roll out their holiday collection. This morning's new arrivals is not a huge release but it is certainly packed with amazing items! I've chosen some of my favorites to highlight in this post; see them all the new clothing here. There were also a few new additions to the sale section, mostly focusing on home items this week.

Green With Envy Jacket ($148)
How fun would this be over a party dress or work wear?

Teleidoscope Top ($88)
The unknown Tracey Reese top from the other day
gets a proper name. (review here)

Moon Phase Tank ($78)
The best impressions of Diana
start with these glorious folds.

Needlepoint Niceties Tank ($68)
Artful rendering in brown, gold and copper.

Flourishing Obi Tank ($88)
For those that want something a little different
under suits and blazers, here's a modern shell.
Tuck it under a cardigan for a more casual
(but still beautiful) look.

Plaid Perfection Blouse ($88)
It's hard to associate something this pretty with neo-grunge.

Beaded Path Tee ($68)
Simple but not staid, this is a shirt for all seasons.

Reverie Top ($98)
Overpowering shoulders? Or pretty cascade of pleated ruffles?
See it on Tien here.

Manisa Dress ($178)
Everything about the bodice says perfection to me.

Oscillations Cardigan ($98)
Yet another take on the ruffled placket,
this one toned down considerably.

Tempting Trellis Cardigan ($98)
The simple elegance of this cardigan has me drooling.

Ossified Sweatercoat ($178)
A closer cut that will lead to a more tailored look.

AG Durini Stilt ($150)
Ask and ye shall receive.
I wanted the Stilt in a darker, uniform wash,
and Anthropologie has provided.

Thunder Sketch Skirt ($128)
Jersey embellished -- with an embellished price tag to match.

Tuxedo Skirt ($168)

Finally, a skirt that will not gap at my waist even in true size!

Black Friday...two words Anthropologie does not know

2009-11-11T14:06:00.005-05:00

Though it's a bit early in the month the holidays are drawing closer. Less than a month til Hanukkah for instance! A few of you have started asking about Anthropologie's Black Friday plans. Do they have any? (Probably not.) If not, what can I expect in the way of incentives? So I thought I'd recap what happened last year and then leave the comments open for suggestions. While I can't promise we'll have any sway with their plans at least they will get to hear from customers.

Last year was interesting since the economy took a huge dump in October. A few days before Thanksgiving last year Anthropologie began aggressively adding items to their sale section. This continued with a huge amount added to sale the week after Thanksgiving. The week of Thanksgiving Anthro kicked off an awesome boot sale that they should totally do again this year HINT HINT ANTHROPOLOGIE. The day BEFORE Thanksgiving last year is when the Free Shipping promo started (so we're already doing better on that front this year). There was a big fat nothing on Black Friday -- no early opening, no late store closing, notta. Last year Anthropologie also ran a charity event where you could buy a stuffed animal that was then donated to a local charity. I hope they do this again this year. Last year I bought a few super cute plushies for kids in need.

What do I think will happen this year? Well Anthropologie has been trying to be conservative with inventory so I imagine we'll see less in sale. But maybe a week after Thanksgiving I do expect to see them not only aggressively market a replenished sale section but also I hope they launch another themed (read: boot) sale. I would die if they released a promotion code or order discount promotion but it's probably a pipe dream.

Your turn! What do you think Anthropologie should do this year? What do you think they will do?

OOTD: Thank you J.Crew!!!

2009-11-11T13:29:00.002-05:00

I bought my first J.Crew item in 1995 -- it was a heather grey merino v-neck wool sweater that I had until 2004. I can still remember that it cost $65 on sale (at the time the most I'd ever spent on a piece of clothing) and that I was deathly afraid of ruining it. Eventually it succumbed to a hole caused by my then-boyfriend's dog but not until after we'd 9 long, beautiful years together.

It's a been a long and sometimes confusing relationship with J.Crew. (They love me! They hate me and don't send me catalogs anymore! Wait, they love me!) But I do love them. And I guess they love me back because I was among the invitees to their Holiday Collection Preview at their Madison Ave Collection Store in NYC. The party was held last night and it was wonderful! I have been to the Collection Store many times, though not in several months because I'd found the staff to be quite rude up there. Last night though everyone was on their best behavior...downright friendly even!

The fabulous Alexis over at J.Crew Aficionada has a post with all the details so I'll try not to double recap here. The highlight of the night was without a doubt that J.Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons was at the party and she was introducing herself to everyone! I spoke to her for a few minutes and found her not only charming but also very friendly and personable. I was honestly quite impressed with how approachable she was. The event had plenty of hors d'oeuvres (including a yummy truffle grilled cheese amuse bouche -- DELICIOUS). I also made besties with the amazing catering staff, including the awesome coat caretaker Kenny. (He and I really connected. No seriously. It's not just because I had a 20 minute wait for a fitting room.)

There were drinks, plenty of staff on hand, and did I mention plenty of inventory? Even a small gift from J.Crew -- a scattered pearl necklace. I realize that this entire event was meant to get some of their top spenders to spend more (ahem, it totally worked). But I have to say CHEERS, and a big ol' THANK YOU J.CREW as well, because it was a really nice party for a small group of people that was executed very, very well. And now I will be very upset if I'm not invited again next year.

What's scary is that I spent double my J.Crew amount at Anthropologie so far this year. Sadly, I haven't been invited to any of the soirees at their Rockefeller Center Store. It is what it is I suppose. Ladies, your local Anthro should be having their holiday party soon so be on the lookout for your invite!

In honor of a fun night I thought I'd pull out some of my favorite recent J.Crew buys. The Silk Tiered Cami (now $60 online/$30 in-store, not cool on pricing hypocrisy J.Crew!) has been polarizing on the blogs but I love mine. I have it in toffee (see Chloe rocking it here) and antique stone. And the shoes? J.Crew's Trixie in warm ivory, my first Collection Store buy. Ahhh, memories. Boo, credit card bills.

Top: J.Crew Silk Tiered Cami in Toffee (now $60)
Jeans: Express Zelda Skinny Jeans in Dark Rinse ($60)
Shoes: J.Crew Trixie in Warm Ivory (similar here, here and here)
Necklace: J.Crew Crystal Symphony Necklace in Pumpkin (similar here)
Ring: Anthropologie Marigold Ring (similar here, here and one ridiculously expensive one here)
Bed head: Priceless.

Reviews: Shopstyle FAIL and Pretty Dresses

2009-11-11T08:01:00.005-05:00

I have to start this post with a bit of a rant. Dear Shopstyle, could you please fix your product APIs already?? For over a week, you've had under 50 Anthropologie clothing items listed. FIFTY. Out of what must be closer to 500. Now I'm noticing this with other brands too. Your customer service hasn't responded to me and I'm beginning to think it's because you have one person running the entire show. If so, she needs a raise and you need more developers. Please get it together. It's pretty messed up right now.

OK, whoo, I feel much better letting that out. On to the reviews! The photo above is one of my favorite outfits from Anthropologie's November catalogue. I know they made a big deal about taking photos in a snowy mansion and making amazing kaleidescope pictures and while yes, those were all beautiful, at the end of the day I care about the clothing. And this outfit makes me want to buy the clothes, the boots and the scarf. That would be the Converging Roads Sweater Dress ($138) by Moth. Does anyone else find Moth a curious brand name come wooly winter?

When I was in the fitting room I rather liked the dress on but looking at these photos I can't help but feel a bit like, whoa shoulders! Not sure if this is a function of my chest filling out the ruffles more than they were shaped for or not. I tried on my true size medium. The pockets on the side are nice but unfortunately placed. My vote would have been the front. The length was great for the talls like me. Petite gals may feel like they're drowning in it.

The armholes are kind of big -- in the back it's cut specifically to show back fat I think. You'll clearly need a layer underneath the dress for cold days. The dress itself is very thick and warm though it's also pretty scratchy. I still love it but I will love it much more on sale.

Every time I'm in the Soho store it's like the Bustling Avenues Dress ($148) is following me around. It's a cool-looking ensemble dress though given the petite stature of the model I was worried about the length on me.

Overall the length is fine, but the torso is just too short on me. I tried on this Tabitha dress in my true size 6. The skirt is a bit tighter than I'd like -- yes that is my hip jutting out -- so I'd probably size up to an 8 to buy this dress. I love the orange/black/white combination. The skirt has a very cool pattern. However, I don't think this dress is for me.

The pattern on Twinkle by Wenlan's Flight-Of-Swans Dress ($298) reminds me of an Anthro dress from the past but I can't put my finger on which one. Again we have a tricky camera angle to hide one of the dress's nuances -- it's pretty short. I think for a winter party frock the length is fine but come summer I'd be uncomfortable showing so much naked leg.

Goldenmeans tried the dress on and looked absolutely stunning. I was not feeling it as much on me. My true size 6 fit fine but was squeezing across the chest somewhat. The tricky cut of the gorgeous bodice means I'd probably turn to a strapless bra to avoid strap visibility issues. This dress scores major points for pockets. I think the skirt has just the right amount of volume. It's very pretty...I am still undecided.

Finally, one quick update: the Lace Tiered Cami I reviewed last month is finally online. It's called the Lady-of-Seville Tank and my grabby hands are in full force. Review updated here.

Urban Outfitters sees sales increase in Q3

2009-11-10T18:14:00.000-05:00

The Q3 numbers for Urban Outfitters are finally out, and I must say they are looking good! Company net sales rose 6% over the comparable quarter last year, while retail segment net sales increased 2%. That latter figure includes direct-to-consumer (i.e. website/catalogue sales). Overall direct-to-consumer net sales were up a whopping 21%. This is pretty remarkable when you look at both 2008's comparable quarter -- which was in the midst of an incredible year for Urban Outfitters -- and the economy itself, which continues to be sluggish with consumer spending levels down double-digit percentages.

The best news in the press release to me, however, was that Anthropologie's comparable store net sales were up 3% for the quarter. Anthro left sister stores Free People (down 13%) and even Urban Outfitters (down 5%) in the dust. While that's bad news to discount shoppers the Anthropologie numbers are postitive news for the greater good. The increase means that Anthropologie can continue to their moderately aggressive expansion initiatives...more stores, special projects like the Anthropologist website, etc. In fact during the quarter Anthropologie opened 12 new stores which is incredible in a recession. But it means we probably won't be seeing amazing discounts this holiday season.

Urban Outfitters CEO Glen Senk had this to say:
"We were pleased to see continued sales momentum during the third quarter. Our comparable sales steadily improved each month during the period despite substantial prior year comparisons. Considering the improved trend and weaker comparisons in last year's fourth quarter, we believe we are well positioned entering into the Holiday Season."

I agree. I think that Anthro's spring/summer collections missed the mark but they've recovered nicely with the fall collection and what we've seen so far of the holiday collection. Last year's Q4 was when the bottom fell out so Urban Outfitters is in position to do much better this year. The Q3 numbers reinforce what Mr. Senk said on the Q2 call -- Anthropologie is closest to the bulls-eye out of all 4 Urban Outfitters brands (Terrain being the 4th).

Personally, I think Anthropologie will face greater challenges next year as the economy begins to recover (please let the economy begin to recover!). This year has been rough financially for me as I saw my freelance work dry up. As a result I lost five figures from my annual income and my spending is way down. Now the freelance work is starting to recover and while I'll need the next several months to pay off bills I've accumulated I'm looking forward to the return of discretionary income.

2009 was the year I started shopping at Bloomingdales (and stopped just as promptly, thanks to awful customer service -- I'm still burned about not getting the 7 for All Mankind Canberra Hobo I was lusting after thankyouverymuch) and stopped shopping at boutiques. But the tide is beginning to change. Just this month I started going to some of the shops I'd abandoned - Burberry, Comptoir Des Cotonniers, Catherine Malandrino, Nanette Lepore, Elie Tahari, Reiss, Theory, etc. While I'm certainly not back to buying from those places yet and I think my overall spending habits have changed it does mean Anthropologie will have more competition for my dollars. I expect that they will continue to be on their game for 2010. They'll have to be.

OOTD: Joie de vivre

2009-11-10T13:24:00.000-05:00

It's been a few weeks now but I have to admit I'm still perplexed by all the Anthropologie hate cynics were spewing during their "Man Shops Globe" reviews. (You can read the venom synopses in this post if you so desire.)

"Anthropologie is naming your kid Emma." Hmmph. First of all, if I have children they're going to be boys. And I will not be naming any of said boys Emma, thankyouverymuch. Secondly, I have two friends with daughters named Emma and they are two of the cutest, sweetest kids ever. So suck on that Anthro haters! Oh and while you're at it, you can add a third bullet to your Anthro venom diatribe: Anthropologie is taking smiley pictures of yourself in an outfit you really like. And not feeling one bit bad about it. (Maybe even feeling somewhat feisty about the whole thing.)

I love my Conch Shell Pencil Skirt. It was my first Leifsdottir buy -- I even loved it enough to pay full price for it last spring. It gets its best workout on management meeting days at work. But I like the thought of being able to wear it out and about. Enter the Rare Bloom Tee ($58, review here) by Deletta. It's dressy enough to pair with the skirt, yet the material is casual enough to dress it down a bit if needed. In this case I went the dressier route with tights and peep toes.

Know what else goes great with this outfit? The Elodie Lily Cardigan ($128). It's a pink and purple show all the way, with a bit of dark grey courtesy of the tights. So now that I look a bit pretty, I'm going to go be rebellious somewhere. Or something like that.

Sweater: Elodie Lily Cardigan ($128)
Top: Rare Bloom Tee ($58)
Skirt: Conch Shell Pencil Skirt (similar here, here and here)
Tights: Gap (similar here and here)
Shoes: J.Crew Cossette Mary Jane Peep-Toes
Necklace: Forever 21 (similar here, here and here)

Reviews: Draped with and without success, plus a favor

2009-11-10T08:09:00.000-05:00

When I pass by a pretty teal top I have to try it on. Even if I already own 10,000 of them. (I do.) Velvet's All-Day Eddy Tee ($58) would look great under a blazer. By itself? Probably a longshot.

The reality wasn't quite as bad as I was expecting, which is no knock on the shirt. I figured the close fit wouldn't be especially flattering on me and it's not. This is the medium, the large was swimming everywhere but the bust. Not every shirt is going to be made for me and that's the case with this one. I really like this shirt -- one someone else. The twist is really pretty and well-done.

I would question how long the jersey would retain its lovely color but with some light detergent you should be able to at least extend its life. $58 is a low price point for Anthropologie. A winner, just not for me.

My luck was better with one.september's Candelabra Top ($88). This shirt is draping done very well on busts both large and small. It's very soft, like a nice pillow. It has a smattering of beadwork both at the neckline and the waistline. There are tiny snaps along the placket...I worry about them coming undone at an inopportune time but it does not take away from the loveliness of the top.

I tried on the grey in a small. This top read as a steely blue to me. I think it calls for a different bra but otherwise I really liked it on. I see this as a top for all seasons that justifies the price tag (almost). To the wishlist it goes!

The last top of the day was Odille's Present Perfect Tunic ($98) which has a printed cousin in the Printed Present Tunic ($98). Both versions of the top have been getting good reviews online so I'm bummed to say that this was a complete fail on me. I'm embarrassed to admit that the sash was giving me a really hard time. It was what drew me to the top in the first place -- all pretty sparkles and beads and yumminess.

Not only could I not get the damn thing to unfurl and sit with all beads displayed on my waist, I also could not keep it tied. It kept coming untied as I tried to take pics. So much so that I asked one of the fitting room attendants to tie it for me, and then it still came untied! You could fix this by double-knotting the tie...but that's going to make the top awfully hard to get out of. No thanks.

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And now ladies, I have a favor to ask. A friend of mine who is an Anthropologie employee has temporarily extended her friends & family discount to me but sadly that time will be coming to an end very soon. The discount has been put to good use -- I've bought things for myself but I've also bought several prizes to use in giveaways on the blog. If you are an Anthropologie employee not currently sharing the F&F portion of your discount, or if you know an employee willing to share out their F&F with me, please email me. It's a perk I'd love to continue utilizing if possible.

Spotted for Less: Wandering Platforms

2009-11-09T17:36:00.000-05:00

Biviel's beautiful Wandering Platforms ($158) are drool-worthy in every way. Would they be even more desirable with a price tag under $100? I think so! Over the weekend I noticed Piperlime currently has the same shoes on sale in a limited size range for $100 minus a penny, just barely making the cut. They're known as the much less interesting Biviel BVC053 over there but they are in fact the same shoes.

If you see an Anthropologie item listed for less somewhere else, please send me a tip! I love a good deal.

OOTD: I can keep it!

2009-11-09T13:41:00.001-05:00

I am about to embark on a new budget. The goal is to pay down all my debt...well, it's going to take awhile. But to keep myself from going crazy in can't-buy-this-or-that hell I've also allowed myself a small spending budget. My criteria for keeping clothing items is pretty simple: I have to be able to think of three ways to wear it.

And then there are items like the Winged Victory Top ($68, review here) which I wanted for no other reason than just to have a really pretty top. For a bit I was disappointed with myself -- when in the world would I wear this top? Me and strapless aren't exactly friends. Life is so hard, etc.

So I called up a couple of gal pals and explained that we needed to have a ladies' night ASAP, and that it had to include dancing. My friends, being the lovely ladies that they are, were in! And so I have not only a reason to wear this top, but a reason to shake it in the photos too!

Best of all? I can shake it for day too.

Necklace: Finishing Touch Necklace (similar here, here and here)
Sweater: J.Crew Melanie Cardigan (similar here and here)
Top: Winged Victory Top ($68)
Skirt: Limited Bias-Cut Pencil Skirt ($70)
Tights: Uniqlo (similar here and here)
Shoes: Nine West (similar here, here and here)

Reviews: Noisette Top, Pixilated Tee, Ice-Capped Blouse & Tracy Reese Top

2009-11-09T07:52:00.001-05:00

I had no luck with the Wavelet Blouse, but I was curious to see if Floreat's winter version, the Ice-Capped Blouse ($118) would be any better for me. Floreat is a tough brand for me. I do well in their dresses but their tops tend to be too short on me.

And I think the length was an issue again with this blouse. I actually like it better than the Wavelet Blouse. The cap sleeves did me no favors, but this even shorter tulle version is hardly noticeable. Still this top wasn't really winning me over. I tried on my true size 6. I probably should have sized up to an 8 or maybe even a 10.

I didn't bother though because no matter how loose the top gets on me it won't change that the tiers over the bust are too short. It makes me look very top heavy...no thanks. The overall length of the top was fine and I think this would make a good layering piece. Pass for me though.

I guess Deletta had some leftover chiffon fleurs from their Necklace Tank, as the same accents adorn the neckline of the Noisette Top ($68). They're cute. I found the 3/4 sleeve length an odd choice. I suppose this makes it easier to layer under a cardigan but I would have preferred full sleeves.

As with most Deletta tops I had to size down to a small. There are two pintucked pipes down the front and two more on the back. The neckline has some gold stitching and there is a line of unfinished chiffon inside the neck. This is a really cute top that I hope makes it to sale.

Whatever this Tracy Reese top is, it hasn't made it to the website yet. I couldn't wait to share it -- I loved it! It's from the Plenty by Tracey Reese line and it's $88. I tried on the small which fit like a charm. The top is sleeveless with the slightest cowlneck and a sparkly underlayer showing through the plunged neckline. There's also a bit of ruching at the waist to create shape. You could easily throw a belt on over this one.

The pattern is my favorite part of the top. The body is mainly aqua with brown, black and touches of a few other colors mixed in. I'll update the post once this one makes it online.

After the Tracy Reese top I was feeling brave with patterns so I gave one.september's Pixelated Tee ($78) a shot. This top is like something out of a late 90s screensaver. It's very cool looking -- no two shirts on the rack were quite the same. I tried on my true sice medium but should have sized down to a small. You can't see from my photos but this top has a racerback. The ruffle collar bib is intricate and lovely. I wanted to see how the solid version of this would work...

...so I tried it on in a solid purple, an option I don't see on the website. This time around I grabbed a small and it fit much better. This top is pretty cool and a unique spin on the bib collar I've seen at other stores. I hope the solid version isn't store-only, these retail-only variations are bugging me to no end.

The Trade Market

2009-11-09T00:13:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Trade Market! This is Effortless Anthropologie's buy/sell/trade posting. You are welcome to create classified-style listings in the comments or link to an outside auction service. Please note that resellers are not permitted.

All transactions listed within are conducted independently of this blog and as such I have zero involvement. If you have a positive experience you're welcome to leave a comment stating such. If you have a negative experience please send me feedback directly via email to snapsparkchik (at) gmail.com. Please make sure to read The Trade Market Guidelines before posting. You can also view past Trade Market posts by clicking on the "trade market" button in the sidebar. Cheers to a wonderful community!

IRL Outfit Options: Diaphanous Tunic

2009-11-08T10:38:00.001-05:00

It took me awhile to warm up to the Diaphanous Tunic ($88, review here). I was in love with pictures of the top but I had no idea how to wear the top. Still, I knew I had to have it. This post presents three options for how to wear the lilac version. You will notice that I did not use the waist tie in any of these looks. I took it off the shirt -- it was pretty much useless to me.

The top isn't perfect. Some reviewers online have complained of quality issues with the ruffles. Mine luckily has perfect ruffles (or as perfect as distressed gets) but it does have its own quirks. Like the fact that it's longer on the right side than the left. Hooray, quality control! I don't wear mine hanging loose so this isn't a huge deal to me...but really, I expect so much more from Anthropologie. Let's not let this happen again, OK Project Alabama?

The first option for this top is to wear it over leggings. I lucked out this fall and found a pair of dark purple leggings at The Gap that complement the top pretty well. I have a long tank top underneath -- J.Crew's sparkle tank. The outfit is finished off with J.Crew's tall Brewster boots from last fall. The basic idea here is a lean, simple silhouette. The boots help to keep it casual but you could dress it up with pumps easily. Using a slouchy boot and a belt would make this option more trendy. Since I have a pear shape this look isn't especially flattering on me, so I throw a blazer on over the shirt to rein my shape in a bit better. For jewelry I've kept it simple using a cameo brooch from Charlotte Russe.

Leggings: similar here and here
Tank top: similar here
Boots: similar here and here
Necklace: similar here, here and here

I think every woman should own a pair of skinny jeans. I am anything but skinny but these jeans are great for creating a lean silhouette. This second option is all about looking tall and fab. Once again you can easily let the top just hang down naturally. I want a little more structure out of this look though so I've layered a long cardigan over the Diaphanous Tunic. I have a tendency to go monochromatic -- this is the effect city life has had on me -- but there's no reason why you couldn't do blue, purple, brown, grey or gold over it. I have worn the Elodie Lily Cardigan ($128) over it as well. In this case I chose J.Crew's Pointelle Twilight Cardigan because it has thin gold strands in it and so does the sparkle tank top.

You will want to use a long cardigan for this look -- a waist-length cardigan will cut your silhouette. A thin belt is a possibility but for me the wide belt makes me look thinner. It's a great place to add sparkle or a pop of color if you want to keep the rest of the outfit quiet. I have a very wide purple belt I sometimes use as a cinch. The thicker belt helps to define the waist and the pumps add even more height. The final height boost comes courtesy of the pumps.

Cardigan: similar here, here and here
Belt: similar here, here and here
Pink Pumps: similar here, here or a suede option here

The final option is the one that I wear the most. Long, shapeless tunic + pencil skirt = instant shape! You can belt it though I chose not to here. I think denim is a good match for the Diaphanous Tunic as it's great for day to night. The ivory version of the tunic looks great with a wool pencil skirt. To winterize the look you can add tights. For these shots I paired heels but boots are also a great pairing.

If you want just a hint of the top to show through, a cowlneck sweater is a great option. This allows you to show just a hint of the tunic while keeping it from overpowering the rest of the outfit. Hide it for day -- then reveal it when you go out at night.

Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft Rib Transfer Cowl Neck Sweater (now $30)
Skirt: Gap Denim Slant-Pocket Pencil Skirt (now $40)
Shoes: J.Crew Patent Leather Juliets in Blanched Almond (now $90)

The Anthropologist launch party

2009-11-07T16:47:00.012-05:00

photo from The Anthropologist

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to attend a launch party for The Anthropologist. Hosted by Anthropologie, the party featured all three of the artists currently featured on the site. The site is an expansion on the things that inspire Anthropologie. Though the site is not an e-commerce site, in seeing what inspires the designers I've seen the site on two levels. The first is strictly exploring it much as a designer searches for inspirational motivation. There is observation. There is comprehension. There is retention. But then a second gear kicks in, and the process moves towards deeper layers. Suddenly there is introspection. And from there comes motivation and action. It's been really fun to find my own inspiration from the site. You can read more about it in this post.

Knowing that the site's focus was abstract prepared me for the party. It was in the same place where I'd seen Leifsdottir's Spring 2010 presentation in September but it was redone into a whole other world. The room was transformed into an art gallery, with a central multimedia hub allowing partygoers to surf the site while each wall was dedicated to photographs and biographies of each artist.

I started with David Eustache's work. For his contribution, he took a three-week road trip with his daughter Rachel. What daughter didn't take at least one with his Dad? Mr. Eustache spoke of wanting to delay the inevitable inertia from child/dependent to adult/independent. All of the photos were of his daughter doing different innocuous acts -- playing a guitar, sitting somewhere, walking somewhere, etc. In the photos where she is looking away from the camera we truly see the world through a father's eyes: proud, protective and maybe just a bit sad to watch his little girl grow up. (Or perhaps this is what I read into the photos.) This photo below was particularly touching to me:

Still a young woman but she is growing into a proper adult. I found myself thinking about my drive out to college: three days from Connecticut to Colorado on I-70. Just me and Dad. I was a pretty rebellious teenager and thought I was ready to be on my own until it was time for my Dad to fly home, at which point I didn't want him to leave at all. Very interesting to see this tug from the other side. The letters they wrote each other are a fitting summary (click on the thumbnail that says "I love you" in Mr. Eustache's section on the Anthropologist site to see). Will Rachel remember the clothes she wore and attach memories to certain stops on the trip? I can still remember what I wore on: my first day at the campus radio station, my Senate picture, my Sorority yearboook photo, and so on.

Next I looked at Jane Campion's contribution. She made a visual scrapbook from the set of her most recent movie, Bright Star. As one of only three women to ever be nominated for a Best Director Academy Award and an Academy Award-winning screenwriter her storytelling qualities are clearly top notch. I did not speak to her directly at the party. (I found her to be pretty shy! Although I also might have been a bit shy myself.) Instead I listened as she told a small group about wanting to capture the human emotions of the love story. Imperfection was OK as it made the story seem more real. The photos on display captured quick flashes of emotion. Her section on the Anthropologist site reinforces this further.

It includes vignettes from staff members and Ms. Campion herself, plus storyboards from the movie. My favorite anecdote is the extra who is told of his duties and fee, so he asked when he should pay the crew for having a part in the movie. I laughed, only because at one time I probably would have asked the same thing! Her story is recorded in photos, drawings and stories much as each of our lives are. The parallel in clothing for me is that I have special memories attached to certain pieces. Some have bad or good luck attached and some speak to a time in my life that may have passed. This was an engrossing photo essay by a talented visual artist.

A good portion of my time at the party was spent flipping through three of Andrew Zuckerman's books on display. I am familiar with his book "Wisdom" but had never seen "Bird" or "Creature" before. His work is instantly recognizable for the stark white background upon which the most mesmerizing photos are placed. Out of the three artists, his was the collection from which I saw the most literal design inspiration. Some of the bird photos in particular looked like fabrics. Especially the close-ups. Just amazing.

I'm a big text art fan and "Wisdom" is filled with intriguing type placement. Line breaks, spacing and size all speak volumes about the message the words themselves yield. Likewise, each of us has our own style. Some of us are preppy, some are boho, some are trendy and some are a mix of different inspiration sources. Yet while we're each unique there is a language to our clothing that is as clear as the words we speak. Our outfits say when we're happy, and sometimes they say when we're sad. It all ties together in both spoken and written word mixed with nonverbal communication.

I had a wonderful time at the party. Thank you to Anthropologie's Community Team for the invite.

Reviews: Winged Victory Top, Rare Bloom Tee, Skirted Peacoat

2009-11-06T18:41:00.006-05:00

Today's visit to the 5th Ave Anthropologie was both a blessing and a curse. The three new items I most hoped to see were all there. That's the blessing. The curse is that I had trouble controlling my spend total! I even enable myself sometimes. The staff was in a great mood while I was there. A lot of the seasonal staff has started and I have to say that everyone was so nice! It truly adds to the experience of shopping at Anthro. Kudos to you, 5th Ave team!

Odille's Winged Victory Top ($68) was waiting for me downstairs. I grabbed both a 6 and an 8. The three left-hand shots above are the 6 and the far right shot is the 8. This shirt is nothing short of exquisite. My favorite Odille piece ever, easily. On the hanger I was nervous that it would be too short on me and luckily that was not the case. There is no support built into the top and I think that's OK. It'll be easy to wear a strapless bra under the top.

The product shot accurately conveys the fan detailing and cross pleats. Also, I'm delighted to report that the sash is just as full in real life! It's not quite the vibrant lime I was hoping for. It's softer and slightly darker -- it just photoed very bright. Trust the product shot color.

The one issue I often run into with strapless tops is being between sizes, and this one was no different. The 6 was perfect everywhere except across the bust, where my 34D's caused the fan pleats to pull. It's a shame but I had to size up to the 8, which was loose everywhere except for my bust. I will have to get this top tailored. I just had to bring this top home with me. I don't usually say this but if you are thinking of buying this top just do it. It's really amazing. I am however kicking myself for not getting the Frilled & Thrilled cardigan even more now, as it would be a great casual option over this top.

With one winner already set aside, I moved on to Deletta's Rare Bloom Tee ($58). I knew I'd be buying this unless it looked absolutely horrible on me. And happily it did not look horrible at all.

I tried on both the turquoise and the pink (pink photo below). The pink is rather washed out -- close to J.Crew's dusty blossom color. The floral medallion is slightly unfinished. The care instructions say it's hand washable so I hope this will curtail fraying. The draping is done so well. I sized down to a small and thought it was perfect. The turqoise is a dark blue closer to teal. There was some cleavage peeking from the v-neck but really just a hint. In the end I decided to buy the pink because I already own about 1,000 teal shirts. I hope to pair it with my Conch Shell Pencil Skirt from last spring (review here).

The Rare Bloom Tee in pink.
NOTE: this is a medium, too big.

The last item I was able to cross off my to-do list was Idra's Skirted Peacoat ($168). My hopes they were sky high for this coat.

Sadly I came crashing back to Earth on this one. Tien posted a review this morning on her blog and I knew I was in trouble. I tried on the 8 and was bummed out immediately. The biggest problem for me is that the torso is far too short. The skirt portion of the coat is out of proportion -- way too voluminous. Not like the product shot at all. It doesn't sit gently. It sticks out. From the product photo I was expecting a much lower wale that would resemble velvet. It is pretty soft but it's also kind of stiff.

The buttons were also a letdown for me. Very plastically and ugly up close. I was really disapponted by this coat. This coat is getting rave reviews online so I wonder if the production line changed at all? Because this looks like an error on me.

And the winner is...

2009-11-06T12:23:00.000-05:00

...BLONDMOMA!!! Congratulations! Thanks again to everyone who entered, and cheers to a wonderful community. There will be another contest soon, so make sure to come back and visit often.

Coming up late tonight, more reviews. Coming this weekend -- I had the chance to attend a launch party for The Anthropologist earlier this week. All three of the current artists featured were there! Photos, plus impressions coming tomorrow. I'll also have an outfit options set for the Diaphanous Tunic. And of course, even more reviews.

OOTD: November 6, 2009

2009-11-06T12:22:00.000-05:00

Oh, happy exciting day in NYC! Today is the ticker tape parade for the New York Yankees. I am quite the sports fan and I've bled pinstripes my entire life. The parade route -- up the Canyon of Heroes to City Hall -- is right by my apartment and when I left for work this morning there was already a huge crowd lining Broadway. I will be attending the Key to the City ceremony at City Hall but had to come to work this morning. So I just brought a Yankees cap instead of being all decked out. Yet somehow I look so serious in the shot. Oh well.

For work, I used Idra's Plaid Sailor Shorts (review here) as my base. I could hardly wait to wear these! It's really windy in the city today so I'm layered up, courtesy of some Target tights, a F21 layering tee and a J.Crew Egyptian cotton sweater from 2007. The necklace is part of the Rachel Rachel Roy collection and the cord blazer is from Benetton's 2008 winter collection. I threw on a scarf from Ann Taylor Loft and ran out the door! Some detail shots below.

Shorts and tights -- they make me happy.

Espresso Corduroy Jacket - Benetton (similar here, here, here, and OK here too)
Egyptian Cotton Sweater (kelly green) - J.Crew (similar here and here)
Long-sleeve Layering Tee from Forever 21 (similar here, here and here)
Wool Plaid Sailor Shorts - Anthropologie (similar here, here and here)
Black Diamond Crosshatch Tights - Target (similar here, here, here and here
Rachel Rachel Roy Worn Gold Pendant Necklace ($34)
Nine West shoes (similar here)

Reviews: Doffed

2009-11-06T08:14:00.007-05:00

The Soho Anthropologie has a cool winter hat display. And before I knew what I was doing the other day I snapped photos of just about every cap. This is the story of what happens when one girl is too busy concentrating on not taking blurry iPhone shots and not thinking enough about facial expressions. If this is any help to anyone I wear a 7 1/8 equestrian helmet and baseball cap. My head is pretty small. Almost all the hats I tried on were one size fits all.

The first hats I tried on were the Snow Flecked Cloche ($38, left), which comes in either green or grey and the Newspaper Bucket Hat ($38, right). For me, a winter hat has to cover my ears or it's not practical. This hat passed that test. Though you can't really see it in the photos above the green hat brought out my eyes nicely. It fit nice and close on my head. The pattern on the Newspaper Bucket Hat is kind of crazy and I love it. I have some concern about the brim of that one catching the wind and being blown off my head. It was a little bit looser than the Snow Flecked Cloche.

Next I tried on the Gilded Days Hat ($58). I loved the marled yarns that make this one up. The pinks, yellows, ambers and greys will go well with a whole mess of winter outfits. But I wasn't loving how this looked on my head. The shape wasn't very flattering on me. If this were a skullcap I'd probably have bought it.

This hat isn't on the website at the moment but was also $58. It's mainly a dark green with browns mixed in. I think the photo on the right says it all -- someone out-of-shot told me I looked good in the hat as I was taking the photo. I was dubious. The flower applique is very pretty and the quilted texture is cool. But the conehead shape? No thanks.

The Snow Fort Cap ($48) is a bit more my speed. The brim is maybe a bit longer than it needs to be but overall this one was really lovely. It covered my ears and the flower was a nice little accent that stood out well against my dark hair. It's a bit springy in my opinion and would make a better driving cap than winter cap, but I could see using this one for a night on the town.

If the Snow Fort Cap brim was too long, then the Bon-Bon Cap's ($42) brim was a bit too short. I like the corsage crocheted but it was all a bit overpowering on me. Perhaps it balanced my shnoze though. I found this cap to be almost too small for me. And it did not pass the ear cover test. Kind of impractical as a winter hat.

The Starfish Cap ($38) gets the brim just right. There is one online review at the moment saying the cap is tight -- I did not have that issue. I found the cap to fit close to my head but comfortably so. I felt like it wasn't going anywhere. The starfish itself is beautiful and the lambswool is warm. If I didn't already own three caps in this shape (and one in this color) I would have bought this one too.

The Button Cluster Cap ($38) is similar to a hat I bought at Anthro over the summer. But it's wintertized with heavy wool makeup and an extra layer over the brim. The buttons are adorable and fixed well to the cap. This hat is snug but not tight on my small head. The brim is somewhat malleable so be careful if you're stowing this in a bag. Really cute, but again too similar to things I already own.

Here's another chapeau that's not yet on the website. I'm kind of at a loss with this one -- it makes me think Tea Party hat but I kind of loved it too. It's made of marled wool with a big old flower on the left side. It doesn't pass the ear test but it's pretty damn cute. I didn't snap a photo of the price but I believe it was $58. Post will be updated once this appears online.

Marvels & Wonders

2009-11-05T17:17:00.004-05:00

Anthropologie updated their homepage with a fabulous stilted animation. The frame animation reminds me of their site last November, when the theme was more about wire-thin squiggles but utilized a similar animation technique. I like both but the sense of wonderment this year is truly something to behold. Click through and you're taken to a collection of curiosities that can only be described as...well, for lack of a better term...curious.

I am still an avid reader. Now that I'm out of school I have a much better appreciation for the classics. They were work to read then but now that I can pick and choose they're the engrossing tales they were always meant to be. I proudly display my completed conquests but most books have ugly spines. So I love the idea of the Clothbound Penguin Classics collection! You can choose from The Picture of Dorian Gray ($20), Jane Eyre ($20), Pride & Prejudice ($20), Wuthering Heights ($20), Great Expectations ($20) or Sense & Sensibility ($20). These would make spectacular gifts. Additional titles will be available at bookstores nationwide.

The Great & Small Coin Purse ($28) comes in three hysterical options: bees, owls or elephants. Or navy, yellow or pink if you prefer to refer to them by the base color.

This picture is very odd to me, yet I keep staring at it! The featured Coin of the Realm Purse ($48) certainly has three cool-looking medallions going for it. But are they solid or just an intricately woven set of beads? A real-life sighting will help to answer.

Another set of coin purses are the bird variations of the Flowered Critter Coin Purse ($18). Quite honestly I don't have much use for a coin purse. But I could use them as a small carry-all for nights on the town. Or display. These are so very, very tempting.

I am in love with the Freshly Fallen Coat ($268). I'm conflicted because the neckline isn't what I'd consider a timeless look, yet it's so lovely and sometimes trendy pieces are worth investing in just to feel wonderful and amazing for however long the trend lasts. The hands in the photo are practically holding the coat out towards me. Want!

I have no idea what the Mushroom Pouf ($168) is. An ottoman basically I think. But in a year when Tim Burton is rethinking Alice in Wonderland, I would like one. Or two. In various shapes and sizes. My own toadstools and fungi collection in a solarium.

There are many more curiosities to delight -- have a look at the entire gallery for more.

Reviews: Jeans! (And two tops)

2009-11-05T08:01:00.002-05:00

A styling suggestion, courtesy of
the Soho Anthropologie (NYC).

One way I found Anthropologie was jeans. My inseam is 35" and while that's not the longest inseam it is longer than the average length. In high school I was complaining that no one made jeans long enough for me and a friend recommended Anthropologie. A week ago I got an email: Dear Roxy, how come you never review pants? Oops. Consider the point taken.

Adriano Goldschmied's Cirrus Stilt ($168) cigarettes are dangerously close to acid wash. Shudder. Anthropologie calls it "smoke" and I will too. The product description says they are 30" long but I don't think that's accurate. Yes they are short! Closer to 32" in my opinion. But they are also very low-rise so with some finagling I was able to get them about ankle length. These would be great for pairing with tall boots. I couldn't believe they fit over my calves -- true skinnies hardly ever do. But these are soft and stretchy enough to.

At first glance I thought for sure I would be sized out as these days I'm floating around a 31 waist. But I was able to fit into the 31 of these with no problem. They will stretch as you wear them so you may want to size down 1 size. I really liked how these jeans looked form the back. But the whiskering did my thighs no favor so I will not be purchasing these jeans. If they came in a uniform dark grey wash? I'd be in.

Project Alabama, they of the Magnetic Field Corset ($88, review here) have a second corset option in the Snowdrift Tank ($88). It's also made of thick, sturdy fabric. It's soft though, not rough. This time the embellishment comes from silvery beads. This time I knew to grab my true size medium. Some reviewers found the Magnetic Fields Corset too corset-y but I disagree for both tops. Is it close-fitting? Sure. But the Snowdrift Tank is really just a zip-up top. The exposed zipper blends in a little bit better against the grey. I really like both of these tops. Purple or cranberry next -- OK Project Alabama?

The Twists-Of-Fate Scoopneck ($48) has a pretty, woven neckline that pulled me in. From the product shot I was expecting the waist to be tighter but it hung like a normal tee shirt. In my true size medium, the sleeves were much shorter than I expected from the product shot. Less like dolman, more like cap. The length of the tee is great but I wasn't overly impressed. It's a cute tee with a nice neckline. And that's about it.

The other pair of jeans I tried on was Sanctuary's Sanctuary Twilight Peace Denim ($128). Of course I pick the shortest inseams at Anthro to try on -- these were 33" and a bit too short on me. Again I pushed them down on my hips a bit. I love the sash belt on these jeans though the knot was obviously protruding through any top. I was able to size down to a 30 waist with no problem and my guess is that these will stretch as you wear them.

The long pockets are nice and I thought the back pockets made my bum look fantastic. That light patch you see on the side is a bird. I liked the wash on these jeans. A really nice pair of jeans. Just wish they were longer.

I know you see the Circuitous Cardi ($128) on me as well but I'm not quite ready to review it yet. Soho only had larges left and I need a medium and a small before I can make a decision about it. Sorry for the tease! As an apology, please accept one more cool setup shot from the store:

Gorgeous.

Sale prices lower in-store?

2009-11-04T17:46:00.002-05:00

Hidden Sprigs Dress
$39.95 in-store vs. $89.95 online

Over the last couple of days I've received several tips that sale items are priced lower -- in some cases MUCH lower -- in-store than online. I swung by one of the NYC Anthros and can now corroborate this. Below is a list of additional items that I've either seen myself or had tips sent in about. If you know of any other items feel free to add them in the comments. I'll update the post if necessary.

Addy Dress $29.95 vs. $69.95

Puckered Scoopneck $9.95 vs. $29.95

Beso V-neck $9.95 vs. $29.95

Guimard Dress $29.95 vs. $69.95

Color-Drenched Dress $39.95 vs. $89.95

Tweed & Chiffon Dress $39.95 vs. $99.95

Quizzical Sweater $29.95 vs. $69.95

Blooming Jacquard Sweater $39.95 vs. $79.95

Sanora Dress $29.95 vs. $99.95

Bold Boutonniere Dress
$69.95 vs. $89.95
(out of stock online currently)

Caranday Dress
$39.95 vs. $89.95
(out of stock online currently)

Catching up on "Man Shops Globe," plus apartment porn

2009-11-04T13:08:00.002-05:00

I had a chance to catch up on "Man Shops Globe" over the weekend. My complaints remain the same as from the first episode review but I think the show is starting to settle into a nice rhythm. Mr. Johnson talks to Patty Isen, Director of Special Projects for Anthropologie. Mr. Johnson goes somewhere amazing and looks for inspiration for Anthro's stores. Oohs and aahs ensue.

This past week Mr. Johnson traveled to Belgium and Holland, where he met up with former Anthropologie buyer Leslie Oschmann. Ms. Oschmann has started her own company where she affixes old paintings to furniture, in essence recycling and repurposing the paintings. Late in the episode they showed quite a few of her chairs on display in the Rockefeller Center (NYC) store's art gallery. From the looks of it I think this was back in April -- I faintly remember this and only wish I'd known more at the time!

This episode was all about the search for modern pieces that could be Anthropologized. I laughed out loud when Mr. Johnson described modern thusly: "It's not practical, it's not comfortable, it's not affordable!" Amen! Modern in this case meaning less Ikea and more the mid-century minimalistic (and expensive) shapes Apartment Therapy and such swoon over. Anyone remember the crazy yellow chrome Keiny Rocker Anthropologie carried in 2006? They mentioned it on the episode as a misstep. No argument from me!

Needless to say Mr. Johnson was having trouble finding what he wanted. Modern tends to read as masculine, and to paraphrase Mr. Johnson, Anthropologie traditionally does sweet and pretty things. It did allow time for a couple of distractions, such as visiting one of the design studios of Axel Vervoordt. It was nothing short of remarkable. Lots of strategically placed objects that play as mind teasers -- why is this here? What do the few objects placed with it mean? There was strong use of negative space and that's something you don't find much of at Anthropologie! An interesting contrast to be sure.

A vignette also took Mr. Johnson to a small street market in Brussels. I loved his remark: "A great way to disconnect from what shops are telling you is good." This reinforced another reason why I love Anthropologie's stores -- they find inspiration rather than deriving from the market.

On the episode a couple of weeks ago Mr. Johnson was in Turkey and he took a small group of employees with him. Among the group was Executive Creative Director Kristin Norris and European Managing Director James Bidwell. They were on the hunt for suzanis, fabrics and textiles.

They found some incredible stuff at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, which has been around since 1464! It was funny when Mr. Johnson remarked that the prices he was given were "tourist prices." Anthropologie Buyers, they're just like us! After a few detours (including a trip up the Bosphorus) the team found a textile artist named Engin Demirkol from whom Mr. Johnson ordered 5 mixed textile pillow samples. Through her "One of a Kind" vignette I learned that Ms. Demirkol collects textiles made almost exclusively by women around Turkey. Pretty fascinating stuff. My question is did her samples make it into stores? We know they at least made it to Mr. Johnson's NYC apartment.

photo by William Waldron for Elle Decor

Speaking of which, at the beginning of the episode there were a few shots weaved in of a production interview at Mr. Johnson's Upper East Side apartment in NYC (my old neighborhood! Not that I lived on 5th Ave with a park view though...). While they were showing the interview I couldn't help but wish they'd do a full tour of the apartment. Turns out my wish has already been granted! The apartment was featured in Elle Decor's October 2009 issue. There's a slideshow and a short article at the link. Ahh, apartment porn. I love it!