Notes of a shopaholic

Thursday, November 13, 2003:

Off Bluefly, I ordered two more pairs of pants from French Connection (one camel stretch wool blend, the other grey-black velour) and one from Diesel. I've had about enough of French Connection. Their clothes look cheap! The quality of the fabrics is clearly below Banana Republic, although their retail prices are about 40% higher. The Diesel pants are fine. I wished they made more clothes without plastering their logos on everything.
Steven Sherman // 5:05 AM

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The New York Times says bold print shirts for men are selling well. This could generate an interesting dynamic. As women have long known, bold patterns don't have much staying power--you wear them a few times and then they start to look tired. Will men actually follow women's strategy and frequently update their wardrobes?
Steven Sherman // 5:03 AM

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Tuesday, November 04, 2003:

Oh--I've been lazy about updating. I think the problem is not my own laziness (why would I want to blame that?) but the lack of a fresh shopping option. This season the big news is that J Crew, Brooks Brothers et al are promoting the 'classics.' I'm getting sleepy again.

Last week I ordered a blazer from French Connection off Bluefly. I've always thought French Connection was overpriced for clothes similar in quality (slightly hipper) to Banana Republic. This blazer seemed like a good deal for 79.99 (Bluefly price). As it happens, I would compare the quality to what you would expect from the International Male catalogue. Shoulder pads out to here, kind of yucky material.

I was much happier with an argyle sweater I snagged at Banana Republic for $50. A bit of a rip-off (although it fits nicely)--hopefully it will be marked down further before my ability to get the one time markdown refund ends.

Then I snagged a blazer from Hugo Boss on Ebay for $30 (what makes that especially sweet is that I had credit in my paypal account). Haven't gotten it yet, so can't comment.
Steven Sherman // 6:18 AM

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Friday, October 10, 2003:

I have a great idea for a TV show: cheap eye for the strapped guy. Shopaholics who pay the full retail price and now face credit card debt would get a rundown on the rules of bargain shopping, like: Daffy's is well worth checking out at the beginning of the season (I found a pair of tweed pants from Block 60 for $40)

Don't underestimate Marshall's (where I found a pair of black wide-wale cordoruys for $30)

Keep an eye out for wearhouse sales (I picked up a pair of wool glen plaid pants for $30 at the Benneton's sale at a nearby Holiday Inn)

Stop at TJ Maxx's frequently (snagged a white sport shirt (I've needed one for ages) from Calvin Klein Jeans for $20)

And always stop at factory outlets when you're on the road (I picked up a green barn jacket at the Banana Republic Outlet at Concord Mills for $32)

Then our subject would have two months (because you can't bargain shop in a weekend) to makeover their wardrobe with $1,000.
Steven Sherman // 8:31 PM

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Sunday, September 28, 2003:

What's become of my fair city? I don't pay much attention to being 'cool' these days, since I'm 38, and am a little embarassed that I didn't get over trying to be 'cool' before my mid-20s, but still, the idea that a white supremacist has some sort of street cred in NYC makes me a little sick.
Steven Sherman // 5:07 AM

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Wednesday, September 24, 2003:

Bluefly has a new look. What do we think? We'd be more impressed if they seriously marked down their mersh, so it doesn't sit around for years, like this sweater.
Steven Sherman // 6:57 PM

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Sunday, September 21, 2003:

I've complained at times about the local OffSaks, but yesterday they had some interesting stuff--some Prada, some Dries Van Noten floral velvet pants (curious how long it will take to move those). I picked up a Calvin Klein cotton blazer (60$ with a coupon I had) and a DKNY knit shirt (19.99)--which sort of shows how being around more interesting, expensive clothes can get you to open your wallet for more ordinary stuff. 1% of proceeds went fight breast cancer, which I guess means I made a contribution of about eighty cents. Not the most impressive fundraiser I've ever seen.
Steven Sherman // 9:49 AM

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John Bartlett experiences the 'straight eye for the queer guy.'
Steven Sherman // 9:45 AM

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Friday, September 19, 2003:

A couple of new links--fabric8.com has lots of independent designers (we like those). Thanks to the happily titled nogoodforme.com
Steven Sherman // 6:04 PM

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