Selected Shorts

On the back cover of the January J. Crew catalog is a cute outfit featuring a hip length white cotton shirt with a cascade of ruffles down the front and a pair of cutoff shorts.  Here’s where it gets stupid - the shorts are $79.50.  For a pair of cut offs??  The shorts are made of cotton denim, not woven titanium.  I checked the description; there are no gems in the pockets.  Nothing that you could pawn was sown into the inside seams.  Michael Jackson did not sign these shorts.  They are not Lady Gaga’s castoffs.  However, they are the new “jaded” wash - the “faded” wash wasn’t worn out enough.

Here is a look that you can create for practically nothing.  If you can’t bear to lop off the legs of your Sevens, Levi’s or Old Navys, take a trip to the nearest Salvation Army or Goodwill, grab a pair of worn out jeans for $7, take them home and get to snippin’.  With such a tiny investment you can customize them.  Make one leg shorter than the other.  Add buttons and rhinestones.  Embroider your name in fuchsia across the left back pocket.  Bleach them, paint the Mona Lisa on them, dip Fido’s paws in gold paint and let him walk all over them.  Do anything you want - or leave ‘em plain - just don’t pay $79.50 for a pair of cut offs!  Step away from the insanity and slip that credit card back in your wallet.  That money can buy you and your sweetie a decent meal at a number of good restaurants in the city.  Or, use it for a pair of full length jeans!

Cover Me

The best concealer on the market is on its way to me in a small white box.  I found it last year at Sephora, but I just ordered a new supply online from the Derm Store.  It is the perfect match for my skin color and the perfect consistency for ease of use.  It goes on easy and doesn’t cake during the day.  Lorac is the brand; C7 is the color.

In my quest for coverage I’ve tried a bunch of products from high profile lines such as MAC, Prescriptives, Stila, and Fashion Fair, as well as countless drugstore brands.  The colors were usually ghastly and the coverage was not long-lasting.  I felt like I was wearing a mask with these products.

Lorac’s concealer covers very well but is not noticeable on my skin.  I’m not trying to hide much, I just want to look better.  I don’t want to look like I’ve applied makeup with a trowel; I’m not interested in Halloween everyday.  So, if you are looking for coverage not overage, check out Lorac concealer.  This stuff rocks!

Another Anthropologie Major

I am a latecomer to Anthropologie’s sale room.  Found out about it through a friend of a friend.  I work at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the headquarters for Urban Outfitters and its subsidiary brands, Free People and Anthropologie.  I see the happy young fashionistas milling about everyday in the hottest styles, pushing the latest trends.  On lunchtime walks I peer though the windows at the bolts of lively fabrics and adorable sample frocks fitted on the wire models.  But I had never set foot in the Anthro sale room!

My first trip to the spot at 18th & Walnut was on a rainy Saturday after Christmas.  I was delighted by the variety of items on the racks, shelves and in the bins.  I expected to find clothing that no woman over 40 would wear but I was so wrong!  Most of the clothing was appropriate for a high stylin’ over-40 fox.  Strapless minidresses that could be paired with leggings and ballet flats for a funky Friday night outfit.  Gorgeous colorful silk skirts in the perfect, most flattering length, tweed pencil skirts shot through with metallic thread.  Luscious leather boots, sandals, belts and bags. Sweaters that are vibrant rainbows, plaid coats, and quirky home accessories such as embroidered lamp shades and thick, cozy throws.

On my first visit I bought a pair of tan leather thong sandals (had to return them, regrettably - ½” too short), and a purple, orange and black print silk skirt (I felt the tropical breezes against my legs when I tried it on).  Second visit -- I bought gifts for friends.  Third visit -- I bought a heavily discounted coffee table book featuring the photography of Richard Avedon, and a mustard tweed short sleeved cardigan that is a perfect layering piece.  I’m a convert to the charms of the brand.  It’s lively, sexy and un-ordinary.  Print, texture and design details combine to make unique pieces to rev up your wardrobe.   

Sometimes the sale room is a feeding frenzy of bargainistas; at other times you can stroll quietly and examine each item without feeling pushed to move on or having some tasty morsel snatched off the rack right under your nose.  There is clothing for the business casual workplace, clothing for a night out, clothing for weekends.  The best part (besides the dramatically slashed prices) is that the stuff in the sale room is current.  I saw skirts and sweaters from the most recent Anthro catalogue on the racks.  Unlike other discounters that are carrying merchandise from 2-3 years ago, Anthro never leaves you guessing about the currency of its discounted stock.  Plus, new merchandise arrives every Tuesday. 

One word of caution -- there may be items that have a date attached to them (e.g. 2009).  Know what will make you look like just another fashion victim.  For example, too many ruffled sweaters and scarves can give you the appearance of a multi colored head of lettuce.  Take along an honest, open-minded friend whose opinion you trust.  Better yet - take me along!  We’ll have a fun time at Rittenhouse Square and the hot cocoa is on me!