Bargain Alert for Lovers of Bailey 44 Column Dresses

Tank dresses similar to Anthropologie's Maia Column, and Petite Column dresses

I am not usually one to promote knock-offs but many Anthro-philes have lamented the retail price point, quality, and full-price sellout of Bailey 44's column dresses, available at Anthropologie in various iterations over the last year. Recently, while browsing my Google Reader, I noticed that the lovely and always well-dressed Najeema of A Stylized Hysteria was wearing a maxi dress that looked suspiciously familiar, with its askew, zig-zagging stripes and its potential to flatter a range of figures. In her entry, Najeema mentioned that she found it at TJ Maxx and the brand was Max Studio. I decided to check out my local Marshalls and TJ Maxx to see what was up.

Tank dresses similar to Anthropologie's Ines Column and Scrolled Column Dresses

Although I couldn't track down the exact maxi shown on Najeema (which is a shame because I love the full length of it) I did find striped and lacy tank tops, shorter dresses, and maxi skirts from Max Studio as well as other brands, adopting a very similar aesthetic to Bailey 44's.

 Bailey 44-esque maxi skirt

In my research I found the "real" Column dresses to be made with nicer and thicker fabrics, offering a bit more coverage than these cheaper versions. But all of the discount options I saw (from checking two Marshalls and one TJ Maxx) were available for $19.99-$34.99, making them an undeniable bargain, comparatively speaking. I imagine the simple design elements and the popularity of the column dresses mean we'll be seeing a lot of brands attempting their own versions in the coming months.

If you missed out on the Bailey 44 Column dresses, do you think you will buy one of the bargain options?

Eating my words re: "inspired" pieces

For my birthday Chris got me many cute things. One of those things happened to be a cute bracelet that looked suspiciously like the Hermes Collier de Chien cuff. I feel sort of guilty about directing him to the independent jeweler who sold it. Especially because I try to avoid blatantly "inspired" items (as discussed here). But it is purple leather (not a color offered by Hermes), very obviously not trying to be Hermes (i.e. it doesn't say "Hernes" or anything else knock-off-y, plus it lacks an additional set of studded hardware featured on the real deal), the clasp is quite different, and this one is pretty in its own right. The real deal:

What do you think? If someone makes an "inspired" item do you avoid at all costs? Does it change if you would never be willing to spend the large sum of cash required to get the real deal (even if you had it)? Does it matter if the person selling the inspired piece is independent versus mass market? Do you think I am a hypocrite? It is ok if the answer is yes! I will still wear the bracelet. :) After all, I still wear Anthropologie's Burberry knock off, the Two Paths trench!

ETA: In the comments you will find the link to the website where it was purchased. It looks like the site is sold out but maybe they will restock? I also know that Target has a CdC-like bracelet right now but I haven't seen it in person. 

Quick Hard-Working OOTD

DVF dress

Cece cardigan

Chloé flats

Anthropologie trench

Banana Republic necklace

I wore this to campus before Spring Break began. I have owned this dress for a long while. It was one of my first purchases from Shopbop. Although it isn't part of my hardest working garments list, I have brought down its cost-per-wear significantly over the years. At 70% off, it was easy to do.

Later today I will share some of the hardest workers in reader closets! 

In unrelated Pittsburgh business and ecommerce news, it was a major bummer to read that Modcloth laid off workers this week. Included in the layoffs were a few that the company very recently relocated from Pittsburgh to San Francisco. It almost makes me glad that they gave my friend the ax before she uprooted her and her husband's life late last summer. My heart goes out to those who are now looking for work.

Knock Off News and Ethics

I spotted these See by Chloé-mirrored prints at a fast fashion boutique on Haight St. in San Fransisco. Imagine the price points and stock of a mom and pop version of Forever 21. It is possible that they use similar supply chains so maybe they will end up there or at Francesca's Collections or one of the other similar spots?

Above are See by Chloé pieces featuring the prints. The poly-blend of the knock off dresses make them markedly different from silk and wool fabrications. But still. And yesterday reader Maggie May alerted me to Forever 21's Trompe L'oeil knock off of the Marc by Marc Jacobs cardigan I posted (from the Spring 2010 collection).

The Forever 21 version is on the left with MBMJ on the right.

It got me thinking again about the ethics of inspiration. I can't deny that it bums me out to find knock offs of pieces I e-stalked and bought (usually at a significant discount). On some level it makes the time I spent tracking something down feel wasteful. But I also realize it isn't simple or cut and dry. References and inspired pieces are everywhere. Keeping up on who referenced who can be daunting and time-consuming. It'd be one thing if fashion was my job, but it will always be my silly hobby.  I also don't have the finances to buy every original piece I covet. Knowing where to draw the line becomes even more challenging when so many brands create their own cheaper, "diffusion line" versions of expensive, coveted pieces (Mulberry for Target is one example). Where do you draw the line? Do you draw a line or think about knock offs?

For example, last season I almost bought the Brief Meeting Blazer from Anthropologie which was a pretty direct Elizabeth and James knock off. When I found the Elizabeth and James original in a Nordstrom Rack for about the price of the Anthro version, I passed again. When something I want is knocked off at a mass retailer it kind of kills my desire for the original (along with my desire for the cheaper version, Two Paths Trench coat notwithstanding).What are your thoughts on buying obviously inspired pieces?

Now I see what the fuss was about: Anthropologie Two Paths Trench

I went out to the burbs to return the Anna Sui County Fair dress in person this weekend. While there I decided to try on a few items for fun and fit knowledge (in the anticipation of future sales). I was especially excited to check out the Two Paths jacket from Idra.

It is knock off of a much more expensive Burberry trench seen on the character Robin from the television show How I Met Your Mother. And it has been heavily reviewed all over the Anthropologie Blog Scene. I've never seen the show but I did love the coat when it was posted on Fashionism.

The drape of the fabric is very different from the vastly cheaper Anthropologie one, which is to be expected. But otherwise the coat is very close to the one above.

 

Size 8 was a good fit on the bottom but a little big on top

I really love the side view closed. Not as much open. The fabric is substantive and seems rain resistant if not entirely waterproof. The buttons are hard to close. I didn't buy it because I have a zillion light weight jackets and sweatercoats I rarely wear. If it makes it to the sale section, maybe I'll bite.

But I feel somewhat mixed about the knock off issue. It isn't counterfeit in that it doesn't claim to be Burberry but it does completely appropriate their design. Despite the knock off aspect, the quality of the Idra coat is impressive for the price. I couldn't afford the Burberry if it was still available anyway. Should that alleviate my knock off concerns?