STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

f413 · Kenneth Cole

I need advice on brand quality

rocky · Coach

what type of style do you like?

luckylily · Gucci

IMO, C&C's are only worth the money when they are on sale. I absolutely love the cut, fabric, styles and colors. However, I find that the brighter colors don't wash very well. Even with hand washing a couple of mine have faded pretty significantly after very few washes. For tees I really like American Apparell and the Halogen brand, which is a Nordstrom brand.

My favorite boutique brands are Trina Turk, Blue Dot, Burning Torch, Petro Zillia. For jeans, I like Kasil and Citizens. Most boutiques (at least in my area) have pretty good bi-annual sales.

If you want to spend a bit more than you would at ON, but not totally go the boutique route, Anthropologie carries a lot of nice lines. I also find that for basics J.Crew stuff holds up a lot better than ON. Whereas, ON and, say, The Gap, seem to be hit or miss on how long something will hold up.

I definitely think it is worth the money to invest in boutique priced pieces, especially classic items that will last a long time.

RyanJ · Coach

I absolutley love CC ts. They fit me really great and I love the fabric. I think they are worth it. I use to buy cheaper ts, but I haver started buying just CC.

f413 · Kenneth Cole

quote:
Originally posted by: rocky
"what type of style do you like?"

As far as style goes I guess i'm looking for classics that will last over time. I'm not looking for fancy or dressy clothes, more like high quality basics. I guess I just wanted to know if y'all feel like you truly do "get what you pay for" with pricier labels with regard to fit and quality. What I want to do is buy like one GREAT piece a month rather than settling with old navy for cheap frills every week. This is my own interpretation of a shopping ban. Or save a huge chunk to spend in boston a couple times a year. I just don't want to assume pricier means better because of the Sevens stories and I bought a petit bateau tee and it shrunk alot and I know botiques aren't as generous with their return policies.

Sorry for my manic ramblings-F

P.S. To borrow from Halleybird I guess I just wanted to know what your "greatest hits" were -not specific items, but brands you always go back to. Thanks

-- Edited by f413 at 20:26, 2005-03-24

bex · Chanel

as for CC tees- i agree that they are okay on sale but not worth the price otherwise. i really like the BP brand tees, camis, tanks that the BP (juniors) department carries at Nordstroms.

As for jeans- I prefer sevens, Citizens of Humanity and Joe's Jeans

and as for boutiquey brands- i feel like i can't buy anything too trendy that i can find repeated down at Forever 21. so i always try to buy things that are unique and unusual from those lines. I like to purchase Ella Moss and Rebecca Taylor from the boutiques that I shop at...

hth!

Hedvig · Coach

I've kind of settled for the middle ground. I never see anything I like at ON or GAP, except of course online, but seeing their stuff in person usually sets me straight. On the other hand, boutique prices are simply too high for me.

So I shop at BR during sales (although this spring their colors were all wrong for me, so I ended up spending $17 total...), occasionally at Mexx, and order some things from Esprit. Their quality is fairly good, in my experience.

Oh, and I also get brands like DKNY at Macy's during sales or at Filene's Basement. This shopping method actually works for me pretty well!

-- Edited by Hedvig at 00:43, 2005-03-25

f413 · Kenneth Cole

Thanks everyone!

halleybird · Hermes

I don't necessarily agree that you get what you pay for, unless maybe we're talking super high-priced items. I've had pricier items from BR, J.Crew, etc fall apart quickly, but then I also have some stuff from Forever 21 and Old Navy that have lasted for years & years.

I think it's more important to look for things like material and construction. Try to pick natural fibers (I try not to buy poly or acrylic unless it's a blend), especially cotton/stretch blends, which I think wear well. Also look at things like seams (are they double stitched? Do patterns match up?) and hems (finished vs. unfinished). I've totally revamped my closet in the past 3-4 years, and I've had really good luck this way. HTH.

Andrea Julia · Coach

I don't think CC tees are that great. I have a long sleeved one and a tank that I would wear together. After 2 washes they became totally misshapen and too big for me. They say dry wash on the tag and that's what I did. I'm disappointed too because they looked so cute on before. And it's not like I am going to buy more knowing they don't keep their shape well.

stylethread · Kenneth Cole

I own a lot of tanks from C&C (no tees, just spaghetti strap tanks). I waited until they were on sale to buy them. The quality seems good to me so far, I don't wash them any more than I really need to though. Are they worth full price? Well...I say no. They are the ultimate layering tanks, and I wear them all the time, but they're too pricey. Wait until they go on sale, and you can buy more than just one or two at a time. It's a lot more fun that way anyhow.

rocky · Coach

For classics I would go with BR, Theory, Capitol Tailors for pants and blazers. I do like C&C and ella moss for tanks and tees...hmmm...other than that I LOVE my generra cashmere cardigan...super soft. Like with most pricier items I usually buy them at significant discounts if you think their retail is too high. Just check Marshall's, Loehmann's, Nordstrom Rack, and boutique sales. HTH!!

dc · Dooney & Bourke

Well, I can certainly vouch for DVF (sine you mentioned it). All of the silk jersey wraps I have of hers are as fresh as the day I got them, and forum old-timers will recall that I wear them a LOT. I think her stuff is a solid investment - not too trendy and pretty solid in general. I do not mind paying full price for a DVF dress (she does dresses best) and a deal is even better!

Oh - other brands that stand the test of time for me are Theory, Laundry & petit bateau tees (a total devotee of the 3/4 sleeve tee).

That said, I don't shrink from buying the cheapie brands, but I do expect them to be disposable - that includes most mall stores and places like Old Navy. Most stuff I get from the Gap or ON I love for a season, but it's thrashed by the end. So try to buy that stuff on sale.

Don't forget great resources like bluefly for finding brands you like without paying full price - I like to buy Helen Wang, Mica, and Tabitha from there (and my all-time fave DVF dress, too). The prices are good enough that you can try out different things, and they are starting to get more and more designers. theree are ALWAYS bluefly codes out there.

-- Edited by dc at 00:33, 2005-03-25

Lilykind · Hermes

I haven't had much luck with Sevens, comparative to the rest of my jeans. My AG Angel Infinites that I've had for 3+ years have held up really well, but my Sevens were straing to have a huge rip at the crotch (yeeah....) after a year and a half. You should defintely take time and try on a ton of nice jeans so you know what works best.

I love James Perse for tees...worth every cent because they (unlike C&C) don't lose their shape in the wash and come in great colors. But they are $$$...for cheaper I like American Apparel (they shrink, but I have a short torso so I don't mind).

Maddie · Coach

I buy pretty much nothing but crap. I do think that J.Crew has really good quality, I have stuff from there that's lasted 5+ years. Especially sweaters. I also love Petit Bateau for t-shirts.

shopgirl · Kenneth Cole

i have sworn off what i call disposable clothes -- things from h&m and comparable stores. I used to go wild buying things on sale, and then never wearing them and giving them to goodwill a year later.

i pretty much now shop at the barney's warehouse sale twice a year and sample sales. i love designer brands because they are well made, but unfortunately they're also really expensive. Since I certainly don't have the budget, when DVF, theory, tahari or rebecca taylor have sample sales, i'm all over them.

i haven't bought a pair of jeans in years and I'm still rocking my miss sixtys and a pair of sevens from almost four years ago.

honey · Gucci

quote:
Originally posted by: halleybird
"I don't necessarily agree that you get what you pay for, unless maybe we're talking super high-priced items. I've had pricier items from BR, J.Crew, etc fall apart quickly, but then I also have some stuff from Forever 21 and Old Navy that have lasted for years & years. I think it's more important to look for things like material and construction. Try to pick natural fibers (I try not to buy poly or acrylic unless it's a blend), especially cotton/stretch blends, which I think wear well. Also look at things like seams (are they double stitched? Do patterns match up?) and hems (finished vs. unfinished). I've totally revamped my closet in the past 3-4 years, and I've had really good luck this way. HTH."

i agree with this 100%. this and taking good care of your clothes is the key, not so much how much you spend, or even specific labels. b/c sometimes it's really hit or miss. for example i'm completely satisfied with all my c & c stuff but others here are not. also i really don't like american apparel tees that much b/c the cotton feels icky and stiff and they're really short. i've only had one item (out of about 50 or so) i purchased from f21 fall apart on me. while the first time i tried on a sweater i bought from barney's (it was their private label) it ripped. so you never know. but if you follow halleybird's advice you'll end up with quality stuff.

sfclinevandy · Coach

I agree with the advice everyone has given you. Here are so more thoughts of mine...

I'm a firm believer that great accessories make a blah outfit fabulous. I have lots of distinctive jewelry (cheap and expensive) and I always try to wear something unique, whether it be a bold necklace or flashy earrings (not at the same time). I also believe if you have a nice bag, everything else will fall into place. It's gotten to the point that all of my bags are designer because they can make your Gap ensemble look much more chicer. Shoes are the same way... I love Charles David shoes because they are so pretty and well made but I also like Bakers shoes because they knock-off a lot of the $$$ designer styles.

Brands I always love: Trina Turk (cute feminine prints that don't look dated and amazing pants), Tocca (fun dresses, skirts, and tops), Betsey Johnson (great, flirty party dresses), Nicole Miller (almost all of my evening gowns are by her because they are so timeless and chic), Lacoste (good sporty basics), Lilly Pulitzer (not everyone's cup of tea but I'm an addict with 7 dresses, 2 skirts, and 3 tops), and both Mica and Tessuto for dresses.

All that matters about jeans is how they look on YOU. So far, I've realized that Citizens, Joe's (well, I just ordered them but they looked good when I tried them on), and Gap Long and Leans are the very best fits on me. You're probably totally different.

Some mall stores aren't that bad... Max Studio has beautiful prints and styles and KILLER sales, I LOVE J. Crew for everything, and Gap has great tees.

f413 · Kenneth Cole

Thanks all! I made a list of all the designers you mentioned. I am currently obsessing over my closet and am tempted to purge lots of stuff (how many jeans and tees does one person need?) Have you all heard that people only wear 20% of their clothes, according to _____?

I am totally fantasizing about getting rid of 80%, it would make things so much easier. I just want to love everything in my closet equally. CHEERS ! -F

fashionista L · Coach

This seriously makes me wanna rethink everything!! I always wish i had money for designer purchases like a to die for balenciaga bag or the like but I never have the money to because I spend so much on little stuff!!