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!

Boots Made for Walkin’

Check out my cool boots from Eddie Bauer -- yes, you read the retailer’s name correctly -- Eddie Bauer. The Frye harness boot is the inspiration for this sturdy, traditional style stomper.  These darlings can make a karate kick deadly or turn a foot stomp into an emergency room visit.  Sometimes a girl needs a little extra protection.

The Eddie Bauer catalog shows up regularly in my stack of mail, but I haven’t ordered from them in years.  The last significant order I placed was for a pair of low-heel milk chocolate brown leather knee high boots that I still wear and absolutely adore. (They remind me of Robin Hood -- I feel like I should have a great raucous adventure with my gang of merry sisters while wearing them.)

The Frye harness boot averages $225 although there are some pairs currently discounted to $159.84 on Zappos.com.  No argument that they are well made from good materials in styles that your teenaged daughter would covet.  They are made to last forever. 

The Eddie Bauer boots are currently $129.99 on their website.  I originally found them while absent mindedly flipping through their catalog over dinner.  I thought about them for a minute, wondering how to fit them into my closet and my budget.  However, based on past experience, I knew I would get a high quality product for a great price if I ordered from Eddie.  The new boots are well made of the smoothest leather with great hardware, flexible though not flimsy soles, and a low stack heel that makes them easy to wear all day.  They will make their debut once the ugly gray slush melts this weekend. 

Love ‘em!

Follow You, Follow Me

Friends and fellow stylistas - many folks follow TV shows that they enjoy, or the antics of their favorite celebrities.  I appreciate that you enjoy Casual Friday and I want to make it worth the time that you take to read it.  I’ll keep the blog fresh, fierce and fun. 

I want to increase traffic to Casual Friday and you can help by - (1) signing on as a follower, and (2) telling your friends and family to sign on, too!  It’s as easy as asking, “Is this returnable?”  Simply click onto the colorful “Follow” icon on the sidebar and sign up using your Google, Yahoo, or Twitter account.  You won’t get spammed, although Big Sister will be watching what you’re wearing …

Thanks, and I'm looking forward to being shadowed!

Top Ten Style Resolutions for 2010

1. Seek out more vintage wear - do a regular resale/vintage shop crawl. Create special, personal looks appropriate for my attitude and aspirations.
   
2. Toss out the cherry red nail polish and vamp with the Elvira-inspired colors. Just bought a knockout burnt midnight color, Sephora by OPI‘s “In The Shadows.”
3. Step away from the department stores and step up to the boutiques.
4. Bust out selected evening pieces to mix with daywear.
5. Continue my thrice weekly trips to 12th Street Gym.
6. Continue to wear things that hug the body that I’ve worked hard for!
7. Wear my vintage coats. At free/inherited, and five or ten dollars, they are small style investments that I should not hoard.
8. No schlub wear while shopping or running errands. You get more respect when you’re not rocking the charwoman look.
9. Wear the gorgeous vintage costume jewelry that I inherited from my mother, grandmother and great aunt. The pieces will look better dangling from my wrists or my throat than they will lying in the jewelry box.
   
10. Forgo hair color and keep the ultra cool Charlie Jones as my barber.
    

A Thing of Beauty

I recently bought a birthday gift for a friend from a mall store. I took it home and disliked it immediately. It was impersonal, nothing special. It occurred to me that if the gift didn’t delight me it probably wouldn’t delight my friend. I returned the gift to the mall store, and picked out something unique and thoughtful from a small neighborhood shop. I loved it and knew that my friend would, too. The gift was a truer reflection of her interests and preferences.

Avoid the cookie cutter, anonymous gift routine this year – support your local artisans. One of my favorite artisans is my friend Lynda Black. She has crafted a collection of colorful bracelets that make a statement without being gaudy. They are not baubles, not mere trinkets. Each one is flower bed-pretty and encircles your wrist in an eye-catching kaleidoscope.

So, roll up your sleeves – you will want one of these handmade pieces. Your inner gypsy will thank you. For more information, contact Lynda through her blog, http://www.time4grace.blogspot.com.