At the Boutique with Ms. Laverne and Ms. Kim

Ms. Kim (l) and Ms. Laverne (r)

Another Saturday and I’m at one my favorite small businesses, The Wardrobe Boutique.  Today Ms. Laverne (sales and training coordinator) and Ms. Kim (sales associate) are managing the store, and they are busy! 

Ms. Laverne is supervising a team of tiny teen volunteers from a local high school who’re styling mannequins.  Window dressing and merchandising can be lots of fun, but it’s a challenge today because the mannequins tower over the girls.  They’re quiet as church mice as they buzz around grabbing sweet little pieces from H+M, The Limited, Anthropologie, and Banana Republic to dress their models.  I hear occasional bangs and thumps as the girls disconnect arms and legs from the giant albino women, but there are no casualties.  Later I hear murmurs of approval from the team as accessories are tied and draped over re-costumed mannequins.  Looking good!

Ms. Kim and Ms. Laverne greet and banter with customers while helping them find fierce leopard pumps for a special occasion, crisp white button downs for the office, or the perfect pair of tall black boots.  Ms. Laverne chats amiably with a woman buying a navy skirt with cream piping, and suggests complimentary shoe colors.  She smiles while folding the skirt and says, “Oooh, this is nice…I was looking at this myself!“  No doubt she was!

One of my assignments is tagging costume jewelry for sale.  Ms. Kim immediately busts out laughing when I sit down with tagging tools and a box of necklaces and bracelets.  She tried to show me how to tag clothing a few weeks ago, but I developed anti-tagging disorder which manifested itself by tags missing their targets and flying through the air, landing on the floor at my feet.  I coulda put an eye out--mine!

All day the ladies ring up and bag purchases for shoppers who are ecstatic with the amazing bargains they found.  Sales from the 50% off racks are hot.  “Frequent shopper cards” are punched and distributed to loyal customers (the ones who usually score the authentic Prada bags because they stop in every day and see the bags the moment they go on display).

I love going to a retailer who makes everyone feel welcome.  I love working with folks who are sharp, funny, and open-hearted, and I feel good about the time spent.  The best deal is friendship, which Ms. Kim and Ms. Laverne give in spades.

A Penney for Your Thoughts

Boy, did I get a surprise when I checked out JC Penney recently. I haven’t been a Penney’s shopper for decades.  Didn’t even know that they’d changed their moniker to “JCP.”  My memory of its stores included style-free women’s clothing that was decidedly uncool. So, although I’d heard about Penney’s hip new TV campaign, it was the opening of a new store in a nearby mall that really piqued my curiosity. 

I walked into a clean, brightly lit store brimming with the cutest, most colorful fashions!  And everything’s affordable, with most dresses in the $25-35 price range. I found good quality and expanded sizes! 

Unique items from Nicole Miller, Lulu Guinness, Bisou Bisou, Allen B, and Mac + Jac fill the racks.  My favorite piece is a Nicole by Nicole Miller leather shoulder bag in royal blue, emerald green, or Sunkist orange.  Roomy enough for everyday use and less than $100!   

Here’s a partial list of the goodies I saw: 

• Adorable '60s-inspired A-line and sheath dresses
• Black lace pencil skirts (my favorite daytime style statement).
• Sexy black pleather dresses, jackets, and skirts (this is some fine faux skin).
• Classic wrap dresses (pick up one today--you’ll be gorgeous in it tomorrow).
• Strapless party dresses in gorgeous jewel tones (the 2012 holiday party season is just about over, but now’s the time to stock up for future occasions).
• Pine green suede tuxedo jacket with leather piping
• Super fun sequined tops and skirts (great for one more round of “Auld Lang Syne” and one more glass of champagne).
• Tweedy cuffed slim trousers (you know they’d be perfect with your favorite booties).

Budget-minded fashionistas should pay a visit!

Never Can Say Good-Buy

Filene’s Basement is closing.  For good.  This week.  Where’s my black armband and veil?

Today I wore a black leather Kenneth Cole car coat that I bought from Filene’s Basement in 1996.  The coat is a classic double-breasted style with roomy pockets.  It’s heavy with a silk Sunback lining.  The leather is a bit distressed on the seams and around the buttonholes, and all the buttons have been replaced.  The coat was relined was in 2006.  It always gets compliments and is widely coveted by friends and strangers.  I’m thinking about handcuffing it to myself whenever I wear it.  Anyone who tries to steal it gets me as part of the deal. 

Filene’s Basement was my playground.  I always found the hottest labels (BCBG, Earl Jeans, Nicole Miller, Theory, Prada, Donna Karan) at prices that didn’t send me swooning to the ladies lounge.  Filene’s Basement in Center City Philadelphia also featured a fur department--a little something for the wealthy who appreciate a bargain. 

During a long-ago morning commute a big rusty smudge attached itself to my freshly dry-cleaned beige slacks.  I had an important meeting that day, so it was Filene’s to the rescue.  I dashed to the store that was three blocks from my office and bought a pair of dependable black pants.  Filene’s motto should have been, “here I come to save the day,” but my buddy Mighty Mouse had a lock on it.

The end of an era came much too soon.  I loved the stores in Washington DC, where I scored great stuff like silver star-studded Converse, a Vivienne Tam Mod-inspired black knit tunic, and a cute color block dress that screams for 60s-style go-go boots.  I’ll always cherish the retail therapy sessions that Filene’s offered.  A moment of silence, please.

Sunkist Feet

Who could resist these orange patent leather Unisa sandals?  This is one of my amazing finds at The Wardrobe Boutique. These adorable sandals were brand new and available to the foot-baring public for only $20!  The tropical popsicle-orange is intense but a surprisingly neutral color, and the style rocks cropped pants, maxis, shorts, and casual dresses.  They’re beach ready, whether you’re headed to the Italian Riviera or Wildwood.  I can practically smell the Banana Boat suntan lotion!

Resale Superstar

I love having a hidden stash of treasures that were curated by sorting through piles of donated unusables.  Sensational shoes, beautiful bags, dazzling dresses, and spectacular shirts from The Wardrobe Boutique fill my cramped closets.  I’ve gotten some incredible deals there that are almost too good to be legal.

Casual Friday posts over the next few weeks will feature an amazing item that I scored from the Boutique during the last few months. Enjoy!

Walk A Mile in These Shoes

I’m smiling because two new pairs of fabulous summer flats from 6pm.com arrived on my doorstep this week.  Both pairs are black, flat and shiny with big buckles.  One pair is a perforated ballet flat by Bella Vita, the other is a dainty peep-toe by Donald J Pliner.  Both were on sale at giveaway prices.  The Pliner shoes have ankle straps, a dancer’s pedigree, and look as if they were rinsed in gold spray paint.  The Bella Vita shoes are great for those warm days when your pedi is raggedy but you still want to look cute.  It’s likely that I’ll live in these shoes for much of the summer--they are funky, unique and will make everything look fresher. 

6pm.com is a great website for bargain hunting shoe addicts.  Big names (Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan, Charles David, Calvin Klein), small prices.  Have your credit card ready!

Plenty at Daffy's

Fans of designer Tracy Reese should extend their lunch hour tomorrow and head to Daffy's at 17th & Chestnut. The building's fifth floor has a stash of items from her Plenty line for consideration. These are vintage-inspired classic pieces in deep shades such as peacock and sapphire. There are workplace-friendly black velvet pants, cropped jackets with jeweled closures - stuff that looks great and will keep you cozy on chilly fall mornings. Can't say I didn't tell you!

Cheap and Cheerful

A few summers ago I picked up an adorable black and white double knit polyester shift dress at Target. It was from the Isaac Mizrahi for Target line, a favorite. Sleeveless, fitted bodice, inverted front pleat, back zip. No ironing needed – always looks fresh. (Isaac has moved on to Liz Claiborne, and Target has not been the same for cheap and chic fans. Isaac always had the store’s most classic designs, and he created a distinctive style by fusing eye-popping color with timelessness.)

I’ve only worn the dress a few times because it needs a bit of tailoring. It still looked new when I pulled it out of the trunk this spring and hung it with my other summer dresses.

Earlier this year I bought a shamrock green double-breasted cotton cardigan from Old Navy. Three quarter length sleeves, slightly flared, hits at the high waist. I bought it anticipating my summer travels, long flights in cold airplanes, and chilly restaurants at home. Hung it in the cedar closet tucked away with my wool and cashmere.

One day during our moody rainy spring I needed a great work outfit that would lift me out of the doldrums. I dug out the Old Navy sweater and paired it with the Target shift, rocking the early 1960’s socialite look. I added a pair of killer black slingbacks, and raised the temperature of the outfit with Big Red (see May 27 post).

Got a bazillion compliments that day. Some loved the pop of the green, a color that I never before considered wearing. Others liked the dress, particularly the effortless style and always right black and white pattern. Here’s what’s cool – the dress was $30, and the sweater was $40. However, the outrageously sexy shoes (Faconnable from Nordstrom.com) cost more than twice the total of the dress and sweater. The moral of the story: a successful mix of the cheap and the costly often works best with classic styles. Think of simple pullover sweaters, shirtwaist dresses. Consider wearing a Gap t-shirt under a classic cashmere sweater. Spend more on the interview suit and layer it over a colorful, inexpensive Old Navy t-shirt. Splurge a little on items that you'll wear for many seasons (coats, suits) and less on basic building blocks (t-shirts, black tights, white shirts). Don't break the bank on jeans, but spend as much as you can comfortably afford on good footwear. You'll never regret it and you'll look sharp everytime!

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.