Department of spring
An early spring here has made women buzz like bees to honey to the shop windows, and caught some merchants short-handed.
I hit three department stores, hoping to find what my mother used to call "a handful of clothes", a few pieces or an accessory to greet the season. Seeking the magic triangle of quality, style and a decent price, I avoided both the perilously pricey and the lumpy lower ends.
The stores now display an abundant bouquet of dresses, many with floral themes, and much in silk, its waftiness appeals after winter wool. I loved Tahari's silk Ivy dress, $298, the charm in a placed print that differs in back:
I admired the wit in Tory Burch's Kamille deco-printed silk skirt ($325), with tromp-l'oeil gores. (At 21 inches, way too short for me.) You don't see this colourway: vibrant blue, chrome yellow, lavender and white; this stood out amid a sea of faded no-colours and navy.
Tahari's Tricia framed silk shirt ($198) was another pulse-quickener. It's quiet, but says something, and the silk is a supple midweight that doesn't feel like you're wearing a nightie.
I dithered. That shirt implies some upkeep and careful wear. Is that my life these days? Time for an allongé and a spin round accessories.
Aquitalia's Karma pump ($350): it's hard to find a black spring shoe, open yet closed, without a vertiginous heel. (It's also available in bone.) A perfect shoe that I could actually walk in.
I advocate the carrying of a seasonal bag; few effects jar like a bulky, heavy-looking bag with your crisp spring things. While the selection is good, it's wise to pounce.
I'm also favouring the enforced discipline of a smaller bag like the Cole-Haan Sheila leather crossbody, 9 x 8 inches, either in punchy orange or a calm yellow-beige called "Sandalwood". And that's my problem: a budget means decisions; if this, not that.
I came home with my head full of silks, sightings and these luminous tulips. Spring on my table, if not on my back.
Comments
Your tulips were an excellent decision
Wishing you a joyful week
Helen
I do need a spring tote as all mine are too dark, or too small to carry items for two. I wouldn't have thought to look at Tory Burch as the logo usually scares me away, but I'll have to check it out.
Tulips are always perfect.
And the shoes! Divoon.
I'm on the hunt for a sleeveless spring blouse -- that's blouse, preferably cotton or silk, not a t-shirt -- that I can wear under a jacket, but I don't know where to find one! It seems like everything is a knit.
I'm with you as to the little brass feet on handbags. The toffee-colored Michael Kors tote my daughter gave me for Christmas has them, and they do save wear & tear on the leather. All the bags you've shown are beautiful--must be hard to choose.
Shopping for "a handful of clothes" (perfect phrase) myself before traveling, I was surprised by one of those occasional items of uncommon quality in our local Banana Republic: a nicely finished navy Chanel-style Spring cardigan with real brass buttons and little pockets. It came in Petite sizing, too, so it actually fits! A lucky find, and with a navy-and-white-striped Gap tee underneath, breezy enough for warm days, yet still somewhat polished.
C.
Tory Burch should be paying attention to this discussion! I too hate big logos on bags (or anything). Last year I was hunting for a spring bag, and most were either logoed or blingy, especially Coach, which used to have such nice bags until they veered off into tacky-bag world. I found a lovely one at Cole-Haan, in a pink-tinged beige, and only the teeniest of logos.
Coach does seem to have gotten the message, though, lately at least some of their bags are more like the old elegant, logo- & bling-free style.
pseu: Maybe she got the message re the huge logo? Shopping on a trip is fun but I have to be really sure as returns are a whole other story.
Frugal: I intensely dislike big logos too.
Mardel: Too-short skirts (and dresses): a few smart makers (Boden, Poetry) offer two lengths but most cut only one *short* length! Few prints hold my interest after a year which makes me slow to commit to them.
Jane W.: One can actually learn to carry less, I've had to.
materfamilias: That's right, the work and non-work clothes can be quite different. I need so little in the former category now but can always use a 'good dress'. Gardening is the perfect way to use up jeans that have seen their best days.
sisty: A sleeveless blouse is a tricky item (for the manufacturer) as bust and armholes have to fit perfectly. So is a knit, but it's a little more forgiving. Have seen a few in local boutiques but that won't help you.
C.: Your sweater sounds so fresh and spring-y! BR yields occasional surprises and is always worth a look. You are lucky to have a handbag with feet- hard to find.
Cole-Haan make some lovely bags and the once-venerable Coach seems to be trying to recapture some of the grown ups with the Coach Classic line.
C.
SewingLibrarian: In my recent posts on luxury, I observed what you have. The high end of retail should provide more delectable fabrics, well-designed prints and better dyes.
c.: Thanks; I love it when this happens.
Anna
I was attempted by a nice skirt and top by Marimekko.
Of course the only Marimekko Shop in Germany didn't order the La Strade pattern, instead they try to sell those awful and infantinel patterns which you can wear to the kindergarten.
In nearly all cases when a TV production involves a presenter, a form of narrowly defined beauty is part of its shallow entertainment package. Saying looks should not count *in a visual entertainment medium* is naive.
Gill's viciousness, whether aimed at chefs or classicists, sells and he knows exactly how and why. He too is a content provider, just in a glossier cover.