Season of cats and clans
On Labour Day Monday, saying I owed it to my readers, I trolled our city's largest department store, The Bay (like Macy's in the US) to check what the big mass-market retailers had on offer.
I will say, no I will growl: animal. Nine West, Jones New York, Anne Klein, Liz Claiborne, INC. All of them had a cat print, or at least a zebra running though the section. Shown, Abstract Animal Print Scooped Neck Cardigan, Nygard Collection, $88, from Nygard.com.
Jones New York's Leopard
-Print Tie-neck Blouse, $99, does retro with a ruffled placket and nicely scaled print, but in sheer poly I'd freeze by October, and it's too wintry looking to wear in summer.
Their C
omfy Leopard-print 3/4 Sleeve Top ($89, also comes in an open-front cardi and a gored skirt) is another animal entry. Though I liked the dark yet lively pattern, I just could not drop over $100 on this piece.
Anne Klein followed the animal-print trend but thankfully in better fabric, with a python-print pleated cashmere tunic, $245.
The best top I saw at the department store was an Anne Klein cashmere draped-necked tunic in an eye-catching feather pattern, with a refined autumn palette, $245.
Plaids everywhere
Di
d m
ass market make a pact?
A Nygard Collection '40's-era kilt-detailed skirt ($85) and smart stroller ($158) lured me with the promise of replicating the pieces my mother wore in this same tartan.
When I grabbed the pieces, I felt the stiff poly-viscose blend and fled, mourning the memory of Mom's fine Scottish woolens.
This ruched bias-cut sleeveless dress at Liz Claiborne, is cute if you are thin, but I looked like an ottoman.
While I would not consign the plus-sized woman to dull darks, is
it not a bad idea to put her in this oversized loud plaid? The colours don't coordinate with the bottom, and cut her right across the widest point in wild blocks of orange and purple. 
The oversized Flannel Toggle is a lot of blocked colour even in small sizes. Duffles in interesting shades are terrific, but they are usually a single colour for a reason.
My sense is these mass-market retailers have cut fabric quality but not the number of offerings, so while the racks look stuffed, there's a lot of cheesy cloth out there.
I was aware that someone was looking at me, and met the gaze of a tiny woman of about 70, sitting on a chair. She nodded hello and said, "I like your jupe."
Her daughter appeared to ask where I'd bought it. As soon as I said "Max Mara" (about three years ago), I remembered I should not fritter away a cent on just average clothes I really don't need.
If I decide to
add a plaid, I will choose this Eric Bompard pure cashmere voile tartan shawl (12
0cm x 120cm), light enough for indoor wear, €212. Over twice the cost of two so-so items, but the quality is immeasurably better.
I will say, no I will growl: animal. Nine West, Jones New York, Anne Klein, Liz Claiborne, INC. All of them had a cat print, or at least a zebra running though the section. Shown, Abstract Animal Print Scooped Neck Cardigan, Nygard Collection, $88, from Nygard.com.Jones New York's Leopard
-Print Tie-neck Blouse, $99, does retro with a ruffled placket and nicely scaled print, but in sheer poly I'd freeze by October, and it's too wintry looking to wear in summer. Their C
omfy Leopard-print 3/4 Sleeve Top ($89, also comes in an open-front cardi and a gored skirt) is another animal entry. Though I liked the dark yet lively pattern, I just could not drop over $100 on this piece.
Anne Klein followed the animal-print trend but thankfully in better fabric, with a python-print pleated cashmere tunic, $245.
The best top I saw at the department store was an Anne Klein cashmere draped-necked tunic in an eye-catching feather pattern, with a refined autumn palette, $245.Plaids everywhere
Di
d m
ass market make a pact?A Nygard Collection '40's-era kilt-detailed skirt ($85) and smart stroller ($158) lured me with the promise of replicating the pieces my mother wore in this same tartan.
When I grabbed the pieces, I felt the stiff poly-viscose blend and fled, mourning the memory of Mom's fine Scottish woolens.
This ruched bias-cut sleeveless dress at Liz Claiborne, is cute if you are thin, but I looked like an ottoman. While I would not consign the plus-sized woman to dull darks, is
it not a bad idea to put her in this oversized loud plaid? The colours don't coordinate with the bottom, and cut her right across the widest point in wild blocks of orange and purple. 
The oversized Flannel Toggle is a lot of blocked colour even in small sizes. Duffles in interesting shades are terrific, but they are usually a single colour for a reason.
My sense is these mass-market retailers have cut fabric quality but not the number of offerings, so while the racks look stuffed, there's a lot of cheesy cloth out there.
I was aware that someone was looking at me, and met the gaze of a tiny woman of about 70, sitting on a chair. She nodded hello and said, "I like your jupe."
Her daughter appeared to ask where I'd bought it. As soon as I said "Max Mara" (about three years ago), I remembered I should not fritter away a cent on just average clothes I really don't need.
If I decide to
add a plaid, I will choose this Eric Bompard pure cashmere voile tartan shawl (12
0cm x 120cm), light enough for indoor wear, €212. Over twice the cost of two so-so items, but the quality is immeasurably better.
Comments
Love that Anne Klein feather sweater. I'm leaving the plaids alone, unless I decide to go for one of those Pendleton 49'er jackets.
I think I want to see that Anne Klein sweater in person -- it could well be worth a splurge!
If I wanted to buy cheap fabric I'd go to H & M where at least the price tags match the quality.
I am a freak for fabric and like materfamilias I can't understand that people will choose to wear uncomfortable fabrics.
Northmoon: I can't fit into H&M, but am not especially mournful.
materfamilias: Drop by soon, my sense is it will sell well.
Pseu: Want one of those '49er jackets too!
It was interesting. The other day, dd and I were at the mall remarking on the preponderance of plaid, which I love, and she said she couldn't imagine me wearing plaid, since I don't have any. I had not realized that I had neglected the plaid part of my personality. It's still there on the inside, whether it shows or not. lol
I'm really not very fond of animal prints. Today I saw a woman of about 30 wearing a feline printed tunic with big-cat heads on it - really too much. I love cats but would have really looked the mad catlady in that.
Tartans and other plaids can be lovely, but not for me, except as a scarf or shawl. They really have to be in a good woollen fabric.
Interestingly, in a moment of harmonic convergence, while you were at the Bay, I was finding my first ever Hudson's Bay blanket at a thrift shop. It has a cigarette hole near the bottom and a little moth damage, but it's from the 1930s and I will cherish it!
I would bet that the 2nd hand market in cold climes--Toronto, New England etc--is full of classic wool sweaters. I am so snobby that I only REALLY like old cashmere.
rebecca: Kind of thought that about you! Even if it''now' plaids are also classic.
lagatta: Sound like a beauty of a coat! That's the heartbreak of thrifts, it has to fit. Left you info on duffles on the Pendleton post. Cat HEADS are not animal prints (at least I hope not), the fur-pattern print can be quite discreet- but not for everyone.
Sounds like you scored a Hudson's Bay Point Blanket- see their site for the history.
I've noticed here too this winter masses of animal prints of all sorts.