Buffalo Exchange

Who isn’t on a budget these days? In 2009 when you’re grateful to have a job, you’ve gotta look at controlling costs. However, it is important to remember that cost-cutting does not mean becoming being frumpy dumpy schlumpy. There are lots of places to shop where you can fill a bag with current, gently worn clothing that speaks to the devastating diva that I know you are.

If you haven’t heard of or been to Buffalo Exchange, I suggest you drop everything, lace up your Chucks, and head over to the 1700 block of Chestnut Street. Wear something that you can wriggle out of easily because you’ll be headed to the dressing rooms.

Buffalo Exchange is a resale shop for men and women where customers can buy, sell and trade (see their website for more information). The items are always fashionable and you can routinely find labels such as BCBG Max Azria, Kenneth Cole, J. Crew, Max Studio, Free People, Levi's, and Seven for all Mankind. Their jeans collection is second to none that I’ve seen in resale; the store has an ample supply of skinny, wide leg, boot cut, black, white, indigo, faded…everything but Mom jeans!

Buffalo also carries unique women's t-shirts, including lightweight graphic tees that are perfect for summer. The shirts are often new and thankfully free of slogans such as “I’m With Stupid” or “Kiss Me I’m Irish.” The tees pictured are for my upcoming summer vacation. Each one is new with a less than $20 price tag.

My biggest score from Buffalo was a 36" square navy blue silk Nicole Miller scarf that is a homage to St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia. The scarf is illustrated with images of the Philadelphia skyline, rowers in the Schuylkill river, the school seal and mascot, books, and of course, sports equipment. Got it for $24.

Hip young staff is always helpful without helicoptering. The store's soundtrack is usually fabulous (Wilson Pickett, Ella & Louis, Talking Heads, Sinatra). Dresses. Jackets. Shoes. Bags. Fishnet stockings. Get there now before the recessionistas snatch up all the good stuff! After shopping, you'll still have cash for lunch.

Wedding Dress Blues

It’s June and someone recently asked me what I thought of wedding dresses. You know, those overpriced confections that are the stuff of little girls’ dreams. The frothy, silky, trussed-up lacy things that make otherwise sensible women submit to a year of fad diets, painful sessions with personal trainers, as well as dermabrasion, waxing, boob jobs and other forms of contemporary beauty torture.

As a bride who chose not to wear traditional bridal finery, I never gave them much thought. They were fine for other women, but not for me. I think that the most important part of the wedding is the vow to love and care for one another.

Here are some of my issues with wedding dresses:

Cost: the average wedding dress costs $800-1,500; the average designer wedding dress is $3,000. Can you say mortgage payment? I’d rather keep the roof over my head than shell out for a dress that I’ll only wear once. Besides, today’s divorce statistics say that the wedding dress will become an unpleasant memory for half of all brides.

Lack of subtlety: you can’t slip quietly into a room wearing it; too much rustling and swishing.

Vulnerability: traditional ivory/white dresses are targets for a red wine spill. And when that happens, how many folks will grab their dinner napkins, race to the bar for bottles of seltzer and help a sista out?

Last week I read an article in Newsweek that came late to the fact that modern brides are forgoing frilly, virginal dresses in favor of modern designs that don’t subscribe to the notion of the princess bride. Women are choosing lacy minis, sleek column dresses, and tailored pantsuits. This isn't news - Bianca Jagger wore a white YSL pantsuit when she married Mick in 1971. And although the marriage didn’t work out she made a strong statement for individuality.

Consider this - in some Asian cultures red is a traditional bridal color. It is thought to bring good luck, joy and happiness. What a great way to be unique! And, isn't that what every bride wants?

Sixteen Hundred Below

I recently visited a retro clothing and antique furniture shop in South Philly. Sixteen Hundred Below is in the basement of a carpet shop at the now hip intersection of Tasker Street and East Passyunk Avenue. The designer/buyer, Maria Furey, is a warm, amiable South Philly native who will make you feel like an old friend. This fun little shop stocks clothing from the 1950s, '60s and '70s, as well as good old-fashioned furniture and housewares that will remind you of Sundays at Aunt Lucille's house in 1964.

You should know that I don't like cookie-cutter looks. "Me-too" is not me. I prefer to put a personal stamp on my outfits, and I'm drawn to places where I can find playful but versatile pieces for my wardrobe.

At Sixteen Hundred Below I found funky double knit dresses, some jazzed with gold lame or synthetic jewels that my mod mom would have worn in the mid-60s, silky shirt dresses perfect for a candlelight dinner at home, and delicate, gauzy pastel nightgowns like those that my happily single Aunt Julia wore each evening. Their menswear collection skews 1970s. Burgundy velour suits, flowered or plaid shirts, and jackets that will remind you of Starsky and Hutch or The Streets of San Francisco. All clothing is clean and pressed and neatly hung in strategic spots around the store.

I combed each rack thoroughly and found an extremely cool black handknit cardigan with rows of fat black loops at the collar and cuffs that are reminiscent of the puffs on a pampered poodle's ankles. I also found an absolutely amazing black leather circle skirt. The hem hits the lower calf and the look is very flattering. I'm planning to wear it with my black Tony Lama boots in the fall. I can't wait to see what her vintage coat collection will be this Winter!

I'm Not From Missouri, So Don't Show Me

Thursday evening I was at the Second Street El stop when I spotted a young couple headed for what looked like Date Night No. 1. They were dressed for dinner: he in a dark suit and shirt sans tie; she in a lightweight form-fitting minidress and heels. Emphasis on mini. She had a nice figure, good legs and youth on side, but then she started climbing the stairs. With the first step, she covered her behind with her purse, and held it there during her careful ascent to the street.

Style Note: If you're fully dressed, but have to cover your butt to keep your business to yourself, the dress is too short. If anyone can effortlessly spot your dainties/unmentionables/silkies or lack thereof, the dress is too short!

Her vain attempt to cover up tells me that very little thought went into her choice of attire. Perhaps it was her date's idea, or maybe her girlfriends cheered her on. Every woman wants to look good on a date; every woman wants to stun, stop traffic, and turn heads when she's out with that special someone. Realistically, though, a teeny bit of modesty is good. Mystery can be sexy.

Don't leave yourself vulnerable to drafts in air conditioned restaurants, cold seats on the subway, and unsolicited stares and comments. Slip into a maxidress (see May 23 post), a hot pair of dark wash jeans, fierce heels and a low-cut lacy blouse, or the ubiquitous LBD. I guarantee you won't have to use your purse for anything but carrying date night necessities: lipstick, cellphone, keys, and cab fare.