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5 spring outfits

2/21/2016

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I struggle dressing for spring, so I've planned out a few outfits:

For work...

Boden cardigan, Zara t-shirt, J. Crew Outlet skirt, ebay shoes

Blue & white stripe button-down, same skirt...

Abercrombie blue-stripe shirt, J. Crew Outlet skirt, 6pm.com Sam Edelman sandals (right)

6pm.com Sam Edelman Angela, $35.99

For work...

Zara top (below), hand-me-down skirt, ebay shoes

Zara Top with Front Knot, also in gray, $19.90

For casual days at work or out to lunch...

Zara top (above), Anthropologie pants, 6pm.com Sam Edelman sandals (above)

Weekend wear...

Men's BR Henley (right), GAP pants, Zara loafers

Banana Republic Soft-Wash Colorblock Henley, $16.99 minus 30%

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Trend alert: extravagance

2/21/2016

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Excess. Lavish details. Crystal, lace, finery. Understated it is not. Old world & celebratory it is. The time of tzars & princesses is returning.

A quick walk through the new flagship Restoration Hardware store reveals the trend--velvet, chandeliers, & gilt mirrors are the order of the day.

In the designer world. we see it in the new Alta Moda line from Dolce & Gabbana--fur, tiaras, jewels, & lace...

Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda collection

And in the extravagant line of Paolo Sebastian...

The Snow Maiden - shot by @simoncecere #PaoloSebastian

Paolo Sebastian 2016 AW Couture, Image 6

But what's in it for the average budget-bound shopper? A few small extravagances--dramatic colors, rose prints, lace, & fine fabrics--are appearing in everyday stores...

Boden Party Pant, $74

Paolo Sebastian 2016 AW Couture, Image 2

Boden Elegant Hopscotch Dress, $68.40

GAP Printed Skirt, no longer available

Anthropologie Winter Rose Dress, $398, & Brenta Swing Dress, $228

Zara Top with Crochet Bib Front, $15.99

Detail from Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda show

Garnet Hill Bohème Easy Lace Dress, $58

At first sight, the trend scared me a bit--excess, beyond my means--but now I think maybe we're due for a return to grandeur & finery. We've dressed down for years; maybe it's time to dress up.

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"How may I assist you?": the culture of service

2/10/2016

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The Shoe Salesman, Jean-Baptiste Mallet (Grasse 1759-1835 Paris) (c) Metropolitan Museum of Art

Salespeople have been around for as long as we've had
  commerce.

Kneeling at the customer's feet, they've helped us try on shoes.

They've stood behind counters waiting for us to approach.

They've trailed us through stores eager to guide our purchases.

Why did we develop a practice of prostrating ourselves in the
name of sales?

Have you ever worked in the service industry? For commission?

Do you like to be waited on by a salesperson?

  Do you think the culture of service has died out with the shift to
  online shopping? Or is doting service valued even more
  highly now?

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A dozen coats & capes under $200

2/7/2016

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A few good dresses

5 spring outfits

Trend alert: extravagance

"How may I assist you?": the culture of service

A dozen coats & capes under $200

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A few good dresses

5 spring outfits

Trend alert: e﻿xtravagance

"How may I assist you?": the culture of service

A dozen coats & capes under $200

Facebook

Archives

Categories

Twitter

Trend alert: extravagance