Yeah, the mystique... I lost it for luxury goods in 2001 when I first moved to the US. When I first saw designer brands that were WAAAAAY exclusive and out of my reach when I lived in Australia (like, RL, DKNY, Hilfiger, even fing Mossimo and Ekco that are now house brands at Target!) heaped around a Filene's Basement, they, and every idea I had about exclusivity, was instantly, in every sense of the word, discounted.
I know those brands are entirely midle-low class but the dollar exchange rate plus cost of importing plus 2001 was pre-US/Australia free trade agreement meant that less than a decade ago these were barely attainable to me and I was a fairly wealthy white chick in law school.
I feel no love for brands these days, how quickly they can lose their appeal.
I'm dreaming of a beautiful pole saw - anyone know where I can one at a steep discount, because Lowe's and Home Depot simply will not put them on sale?
I'm ready to cut down all those pesky tree branches from my neighbors who refuse to trim thier damn trees and make me pick up all the crap that drops in my yard.
Well, the only stores in my town are a Reny's and a Wal-Mart, so I don't know where I can get my hands on some of these discounted luxury goods. I suppose a plane ticket to NYC would cancel out the money I saved.
I just wish, for once, I saw people who are dropping crazy money in stores actually look nice while doing it.
It's amazing, beautiful clothes of all colors shapes sizes and price ranges fill the mall. Yet rarely do I see anyone actually looking good at the mall. Go figure.
NYC, where I live; LA, ATL, Chicago, and other big cities are of course exceptions to this rule.
@jennilyn: I think that whenever I'm watching Real Housewives of Wherever the Hell. And no, Atlanta is not an exception to the rule. :) I don't know how I managed to see anything with my eyes rolled so far to the back of my head. The tackiness you see strolling through Lenox Square Mall, dude. I swear. I saw much more stylish people shopping random little places. That's what happens when you buy what you think you should buy instead of what looks good on you.
I just bought my first "expensive brand" purse, and it's not even really an expensive brand. It's a leather Kenneth Cole bag. I only bought it b/c I was a thrift store, and it was brand new - sticker price was $200, but they were selling it for $35. Apparently some richer person had donated it brand-new, tags on, paper in.
However, although I don't regret buying it, it makes me wonder how well "luxury" items really are made. Because after using it once, a little bit of a corner is "rubbing" off. And it's supposed to be genuine leather.
@elisa: My Isaac Mizrahi for Target zebra print leather bag only started rubbing off last year and I bought it junior year of college. I've had that bag for five or six years now.
I like Tim Gunn's observation. The regular profit margins are out of control on luxury products like shoes, scarves, and handbags. I remember reading in the NYT once that the average luxury handbag retails for 14x the actual production cost, whereas Louis Vuitton bags cost 16x what they cost to make.
@HanaMaru: Seriously, read "Deluxe" by Dana Thomas. If you want to see how the luxury handbag aspect has completely warped retail and fashion, the book is great.
I hate, hate, HATE prominent logos, and won't buy anything that's emblazoned, so that rules out a lot of designer stuff right there. But I have to say ~ I recently got a pair of high-end boots on eBay for $50 (brand new, store sample pair), and boy, are they gorgeous and comfortable. So I guess there's something to be said for discreetly- or non-labeled designer stuff at reasonable prices. Only if I truly need it, though. I can't get behind recreational shopping in this economy; it just feels too let-them-eat-cake'y.
HitOrMs will never get a gold star because she doesn't hate on sex workers was starred
HitOrMs will never get a gold star because she doesn't hate on sex workers was unstarred
@HitOrMs: I'm a bag person, too and I agree that the bags you find in thrift stores are really cool. I like things that are different, which is another reason I choose thrift stores over discount stores for a lot of things, but my vintage bags are so much fun that whenever I try to go to a regular store and buy a good work bag, I'm so disenchanted I'm back at the thrift store buying another purse for going out. I do have funky totes that serve at work bags in the meantime, though.
@Shotrock: DSW carries a pretty great selection of Furla bags, too. I got a used one a few years ago and I love it, so I'll probably get a new one eventually.
A Marc Jacobs bag stopped being special and unique when every chick on the 6 train is carrying one. (Sorry, I really hate MJ designs and have no idea why he's so popular.)
@tscheese: Strawberry is the awesomeness. I get home stuff and beauty products from Target, but very few clothes. That's where most of my college wardrobe was from and the fact that most of it didn't survive made me sad.
But I've gotten $5 tees and $20 jackets from Strawberry that still look great. Mix them with your fancy clothes and they automatically look fancier, too.
@Miss Smith Drank Your Vodka: And I've found stuff skimpy and shoddy for the price. I'd rather pay Land's End prices and be sure I'm getting something that won't die in the wash or fit oddly.
@tscheese: I hit up a Super Target over Thanksgiving, combed the clearance racks, and left extremely happy. Two full outfits and cozy flannel sheets for $60 total. I also saw three very scary women, pushing a loaded cart while all wearing matching "OPERATION BLACK FRIDAY" t-shirts. The Saks patrons are much less amusing.
@Miss Smith Drank Your Vodka: I haven't been able to wear anything there for a while, but I thought it was just because I'm oddly shaped. Even basics like tees either don't fit right or shrink badly in the wash. It's sad when Old Navy serves that need better than your average discount department store.
Forget evening gowns and handbags; I'm waiting for my 60% discount on the absolutely stunning All-Clad cookware set I've been fetishizing for over a year... come on, Macy's, don't let me down!!!
@Piranha426: Macy's has fab sales on home goods. I have Fiesta for everyday, and I just wait for their sales and get whatever. They once took four months to get a certain bread tray in stock, but at 60% off, I could certainly wait.
As I said above, Williams-Sonoma outlet. I don't know how many there are, but there's one forty minutes from here. I like All-Clad too. WSO has high-quality seconds and I got a nonstick skillet there for something like $15. Use it constantly.
@TheFormerJuneBronson: Oh! One thing WSO never has, though is the Provence tableware. I've been drooling over that stuff ever since it came out. But no. freaking. way. am I paying retail for it.
@TheFormerJuneBronson: Have you used their "Tools of the Trade" line? I saw three of their 12-piece TotT sets in a newspaper ad the other day reduced from $99.99 to $39.99 and then to $29.99!!!! I am soooo tempted but $30 for 12 nice pots and pans seems too good to be true.
@Piranha426: No, I don't think so. But if they seem good to you, that price is pretty sweet! I wouldn't risk it on nonstick. But you can scrub the hell out of stainless.
@Miss Smith Drank Your Vodka: I know, I never find clothing at really good places for a discount. I'm lucky if I find my size at all. Fat girls don't need to look nice, because they probably don't have homes or jobs or husbands or anything, don'tcha know.
@R_Claw...v.2.01 now comes with hope for the future.: When the $400 bag is $50, I'm on board. But the odds are excellent that I'm going to hate the $1800 bag no matter what. I've never yet met one that I've liked.
@TheFormerJuneBronson: Me, neither! Grommets, bangles, buckles, sparkles, nuts, bolts, rhinestones, crystals, initials, metallic paint...jesus, it's enough to give me a seizure. Can't anyone produce a simple tote made from plain, supple leather anymore?!?
@rowingrowingrowing: With a nice, thick lining that isn't going to sag and pull, and with pockets that are actually useful and don't distort the bag, and feet on the base? Reinforced straps? Lifetime repairs guaranteed? For the money, I want quality. Not crap made by hobbled children in Asia. When are they going to get this? Is this current market saying it loudly enough?
@rowingrowingrowing: I'm with you. I'm looking for a new handbag and can't find anything I like among the blinged-out gangsta versions in all the stores. At least that's what they look like to me.
@rowingrowingrowing: Coach makes great simple leather bags without logos & crap. And they are on the lower end pricewise in their category. And there are tons of Coach outlets where you can find amazing deals. I have had some of my simple leather Coach bags for 10+ years.
@georgina: Vintage Coach on eBay is very reasonable too. I bought a beautiful leather spectator purse, looking just broken in enough not to be too new, for a steal a few years ago. I think it must have been from the 80's. Sure doesn't look it, though.
@cocobanal: Yeah, that's what they look like to me, too. I walked into a Wilson's Leather outlet recently (just for a good lungfull...I love the smell of leather) and when a salesperson asked if she could help me find something, I asked for exactly what we are describing here (simple, buttery leather tote, quality lining, functional interior pockets, reinforced straps, discrete little feet). She first handed me about a half dozen rediculous handbags with over the top embellishments. When I reiterated what I was looking for, she looked at me as if I were from another universe entirely and after a long pause, replied that she couldn't help me.
@rowingrowingrowing: My best friend's leather work tote is Mossimo from Target and I totally thought she got it someplace fancy. If they hold up as well as my Mossimo peep toe pumps I got in college, it may be a good deal.
@rowingrowingrowing: My one nice bag is exactly what you're thinking of. [www.tanobag.com] The leather is gorgeous, they're well lined, come in tons of colors, and they're rarely more than $200, which is less than most of those fancy designer brands. They aren't sold in department stores though- two websites, and boutiques. I bought mine in a boutique in NYC with high school graduation money, and it is the nicest thing I own, except for maybe my leather jacket (which I bought on Bluefly, of course)
@rowingrowingrowing: I just reread your original description of the bag you want and realize my suggestion was ridiculous. I'll try again: I have a really fun green buttery leather purse I bought from J. Crew when I worked there. They sell roomy, stylish totes also. You'll probably be able to get one that has all those features on sale there soon.
How could the economy possibly be in a recession when, just now, on my lunch hour, I witnessed the following vehicle driving in downtown Chicago:
Custom painted matte gold Cutlass with gold spinning rims, heavily tinted windows framed by novelty gold frames, a giant sticker of Calvin pissing on a word that reads "HATAZ," and, emblazoned on the side, in metallic gold script, "HATAZ NEVEH PROSPAH."
How are we in a recession amidst such class, such elegance, such dignity?
@Miss Smith Drank Your Vodka: I'll use em as sleds and take them all the way to work when the ground is covered with ice and I can't even afford a CTA 30 day pass anymore. If I get a good running start, it should take me most of the way downtown.
As I was saying ... we shall start a small school for the homeless children, such as, and we will teach them maps of where it is safe for Hataz to travel, as well as how to correct the following sentence:
I worked in retail for a long time and was in at the start of a fancy chain who shall remain nameless (but whose name refers to a branch of learning). I was floored by the mark-ups when I worked there - at least 200% on housewares and not so much less for clothes. I still go to great pains not shopping there.
Being in my hometown mall and seeing all the crazy sales last week, I just have to wonder if consumers are stopping to think what the mark-up is on everyday clothes and stuff if Macy's can afford an extra 25% off the top of everything.
@Jabbotage: Aw, but is this the store with the pretty pretty housewares? The one named after a branch of learning but that spells it with an "ie" at the end instead of a "y"? The one where, about two weeks ago, I bought two pretty pretty bowls for about $3 each and which I still gaze at lovingly when I eat my cereal and yogurt from them? I have several things from there, all purchased on sale, and I love them.
I'm always perplexed as to why anyone would pay even 50% off retail and call it a SALE at, let's say, The Gap, when I can tell you I have three pairs of $65 Gap Jeans in my closet which I bought for UNDER $8.99 each, on the GAP clearance rack hidden away.
I've never paid and refuse to pay retail.....ever!
@Scout: You are lucky you can fit the clearnace sizes. Those of us who are a hard fit NEVER EVER find anything on the clearance rack. For me, $9 jeans that fit and don't fall apart the first time I wash them are but a lovely dream.
I guess I am lucky. I'm also lucky that my foot is a size 10 (long roots for a tall tree so-to-speak) - if it were an average 5 to 7 I'd be SOL I'm sure.
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I know those brands are entirely midle-low class but the dollar exchange rate plus cost of importing plus 2001 was pre-US/Australia free trade agreement meant that less than a decade ago these were barely attainable to me and I was a fairly wealthy white chick in law school.
I feel no love for brands these days, how quickly they can lose their appeal.
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I'm ready to cut down all those pesky tree branches from my neighbors who refuse to trim thier damn trees and make me pick up all the crap that drops in my yard.
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It's amazing, beautiful clothes of all colors shapes sizes and price ranges fill the mall. Yet rarely do I see anyone actually looking good at the mall. Go figure.
NYC, where I live; LA, ATL, Chicago, and other big cities are of course exceptions to this rule.
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However, although I don't regret buying it, it makes me wonder how well "luxury" items really are made. Because after using it once, a little bit of a corner is "rubbing" off. And it's supposed to be genuine leather.
Back to rockin' the Target purses for me! =D
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Srsly.
I only have two fancy purses. One is a black Botega Venetta, the other a brown Tod's. Both discreet and logo-free.
I have lots more evening bags, but I've gotten those at thrift stores all over. Cuter, cheaper and more interesting than anything in the shops now.
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I wanted to be like, "But you're Target!"
Put 'em back in his place.
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But I've gotten $5 tees and $20 jackets from Strawberry that still look great. Mix them with your fancy clothes and they automatically look fancier, too.
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But when that baby goes on sale.....
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As I said above, Williams-Sonoma outlet. I don't know how many there are, but there's one forty minutes from here. I like All-Clad too. WSO has high-quality seconds and I got a nonstick skillet there for something like $15. Use it constantly.
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And, I hope some prices don't go back to "pre-recession" prices ... they were already out at a "boom" price anyhow.
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When I hit the sales, it's all 00, 0 and 1s. Grrrr.
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Custom painted matte gold Cutlass with gold spinning rims, heavily tinted windows framed by novelty gold frames, a giant sticker of Calvin pissing on a word that reads "HATAZ," and, emblazoned on the side, in metallic gold script, "HATAZ NEVEH PROSPAH."
How are we in a recession amidst such class, such elegance, such dignity?
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As I was saying ... we shall start a small school for the homeless children, such as, and we will teach them maps of where it is safe for Hataz to travel, as well as how to correct the following sentence:
Hataz neveh prospah.
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Being in my hometown mall and seeing all the crazy sales last week, I just have to wonder if consumers are stopping to think what the mark-up is on everyday clothes and stuff if Macy's can afford an extra 25% off the top of everything.
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I've never paid and refuse to pay retail.....ever!
Retailers : LIARS
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I guess I am lucky. I'm also lucky that my foot is a size 10 (long roots for a tall tree so-to-speak) - if it were an average 5 to 7 I'd be SOL I'm sure.
so, sorry if my post came off as snobby!