Chico’s: I’m going to go ahead any say it: Chico’s gets a bad rap. Sure, there’s a bumper crop of stuff with a few too many moving pieces—this one’s got crochet and macrame, and also fringe and ombre—then stripes too, just for zip. And yet, they’ve got some perfectly serviceable basics, like these tanks. And I quite like this tee, which has a kind of half-Missoni half-Ikat print that could be too much, but somehow isn’t. I’m pretty sure.
Midnight Velvet: The fact that Midnight Velvet’s got a dress with a print they call Stained Glass goes a long way toward describing what the aesthetic is here. As does this cello-shaped wine rack. But this pleat front cami would work great as what they call in fashion-caption land an underpinning. Like with a shrunken blazer. And although I could do without the banded bottom, I think this Grecian-looking jersey top has potential too.
J Peterman: Here are a few things to know about the J. Peterman Catalogue. Number one: it still exists. Two: it still doesn’t show actual pictures of most of what they’re selling, which seems rather bold in this day and age (but which is a decision I’d imagine they’ve actually turned into a stance, and then in turn attached a great deal of romance to over at Peterman HQ). And three: the copy is even more can’t-look-at-it-can’t-look-away than you might even remember. Which is why I chose this dress—which maybe I would wear but probably not (something like this seems more up my alley, but who can tell? It’s a drawing!)— because you must read the tale the accompanies it.
Langston’s: I actually thought Langston’s would be a snap: any old-school western-wear catalogue will be full of great belts and riding boots and other fun stuff. But they’ve decided to get with the times, over at Langston’s, which means there’s a whole lot of this going on too. I did find these Levi’s boyfriend jeans, however, and I still love a good pair of Levi’s. And—laugh if you will—I actually do think I could make this cowgirl top happen, like under a blazer, so you could just see the cute snap buttons.
Cabela’s This boating, shooting, camping and fishing catalogue might have been a major trial (anyone see me in this?) were it not fot the fact that they carry Filson duffle bags, which are like the coolest things going.
Discount Dance: At first, I was exceedingly worried about how I’d make anything work here—sure, there’s a certain kind of twentyish, overly Black Swan-influenced young woman who could build a very beguiling outfit around something like this, but she is not and has never been me. Happily, most all dance supply catalogues have at least a few pages devoted to ballroom shoes. I’d totally wear these.
Togshop: The catalogue for Women (who probably golf) of a Certain Age. I like this tunic just fine.
Soft Surroundings: Soft Surroundings tells a tropical-vacation-all-year-round sartorial story (witness the Carnivale Dress, and the biggest statement of a coral necklace you could ever hope to find). Most of the clothes here look like they’re cut for the middle-aging lady of potentially expanding girth—but not frumpliy so, which I give it points for, even if the aesthetic isn’t quite my thing. This scarf is kind of great, though.
Okay, can I just say how much I love your blog? I have no specific pithy remarks on your latest entry — just general all around love. Love your sensibility, your sense of humor, your opinions, fashion related and otherwise. So glad you were featured in the NY Times. Thanks!
Kim- I am absolutely loving your catalog posts. Very entertaining. I am also a person who gets excited to shop anywhere and everywhere. I even get excited to go to Walgreens!
Chico’s: Stick w/the solid knit tops.Nice finish,good fabric and tanks cover bra straps and have good coverage around the arms. Not disposable clothing as one reader mentioned in another post. One can enjoy the odd bit of jewelry as well depending on one’s taste and current trends.
Soft Surroundings:The silk drawstring pants in black are a classic.
Love this challenge!
” it’s the butlers day off”
* dies*
I love your blog as well, the first blog that I actually do read! Now, I have to say that the Peterman dress won me over with the dialogue. What fun it would be to write this stuff! a nice 50s sensibility about it! Wait a minute, do *you* write these captions?
Hmmm, as much as I am loving this series I find these sites way too easy–but yet have not found the time–yet!–to go looking for more challenging. I still can’t get that crazy photo of the grinning girl in the brown hoodie out of my mind…unfortunately.
Just you wait.
When I saw that Togshop tunic I thought ” no way, there HAS to be something better” and when I went to look…. Nope, that really IS the only acceptable choice. Yikes!
Will you do J.Jill? My strategy with them is to look for the weirdest thing on the sale rack. It usually passes for something more fashion-y.
Kathy – that is so funny because I JUST bought a light pink pleather jacket that was reduced several times at Chico’s! It screamed to me from the sale rack.
I just picked up this in red, and I think, when not paired with khaki linen wide-leg crops, it will be cute. I remember thinking when I bought it, “Well, no one else I know will have it!” I also like some of their basic skirts.
http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/itempage.aspx?BID=5669531&PFID=211&item=P7050D&h=P&sk=P
Chico’s also has great linen kind of wide leg pants. (I wish they made them a little bit longer.) I bought black, white and natural. Great with a skinny tank top, and you can throw them in the washer/dryer.
This brings to mind the era in which my parents lived in Oklahoma City. One would think that I (born and bred in NY) couldn’t possibly find things to buy in the local shops…oh, but I DID. It just took some time.
Am I too late to submit a contender? For your consideration: http://www.shopnational.com/
National, yesss!!! Fabulous choice.
God, you ARE good at shopping.
I would wear the St. Kitts skirt from Soft Surroundings….
J. Peterman= Elaine, on Seinfeld.
I needed to come back and comment – I clicked on some of these links and now the web ads that I see are all Chicos and Sundance. No more Saks and Shopbop! Evil.
CONGRATULATIONS!! I cannot believe your amazing success! You can really spend money anywhere!
Try Christopher and Banks, a mid-western retailer aimed at those that like Chistmas sweaters. Can’t even look in the window when I walk by.