Professorial Pregnancy part 2

I've tried to approach my pregnancy wardrobe with practicality and caution. It makes little sense to invest in a massive amount of money into attractive and yet temporary clothes. But logistically and as a person who works outside of the home, I need clothes that fit, that are comfortable, and that allow me to maintain some sense of visual academic professionalism expected by my students, colleagues, and supervisors. Thankfully, an academic professional context is fairly forgiving and I didn't need to acquire a rotation of maternity suits or traditional business clothing.

I knew all along I would need to buy actual maternity clothing. My Pregnant in Anthropologie series has been fun to execute, particularly during the second trimester and a few pieces still work for me at this stage. But my body didn't start off so "small" in the sense that I ever hoped or expected to forgo "maternity" clothes entirely. I admire those who can with the help of their own creativity, but I also think the possibility of pulling off a maternity-clothing-free pregnancy is body specific. And it is out of the control of the individual because every body adapts to pregnancy differently.

Accumulating some attractive pregnancy clothing wasn't something I expected to enjoy, despite my penchant for shopping. I resented the notion of spending on temporary clothing because I believed that "maternity clothes" were automatically not attractive. Thankfully, I was mistaken! I have managed to locate a number of pieces, designers, and boutiques that still feel very much in the style of pre-pregnant me.

Now that I'm in the third trimester, my body speaks of this pregnancy on my behalf. It announces itself to the world before I have a chance to confirm or deny. It needs no hand-on-belly "tell" for people familiar with what I looked like pre-pregnancy to understand what is happening.  This nonverbal announcement preceded by that period of "in between," can feel liberating for some. But I never forget that it is also separate and distinct from my own voice. And when you are a part of a smaller campus community, the fear is that your body will become fodder for gossip.

So far I haven't experienced much negativity with regard to my pregnancy but I have at times disliked the lack of control I have over this stage of visual "announcement." My maternity clothing has helped me to continue to feel like myself amid significant physical and emotional changes. So although I might have been able to get by with less by repeating much more, I am glad to have shopped carefully to secure deals on everything I've acquired.

To clarify, I will indeed be repeating my maternity pieces with some frequency, but I also need to admit that I've acquired more maternity clothing than I initially thought I would ever buy. This is due in part to gifts, sales, and stackable promotions at both mass and boutique retailers.  But I would be kidding myself to deny that the lack of control I've felt over my body's transitions has influenced my desire to shop, at times for retail therapy purposes. Clothing for me has always been a venue for exerting relative control amid otherwise stressful or challenging circumstances. My pregnancy has been normal and healthy but it is still a relatively new, disorienting, and temporary state. I don't necessarily recommend this method of coping, especially if there's not room in an ever-tightening budget, after all expanding one's family can be quite costly! But my maternity wardrobe budget has remained a lot smaller than what I have spent on myself in previous sale cycles and my partner and I are saving with even more aggression than usual, in anticipation of what's to come.


Although I dedicated discretionary funds toward temporary clothing, I do expect that many of these pieces will transition nicely into postpartum times. A number of the items are nursing-friendly. And at this point (other than a pair of cords) I don't expect I will need much else to get me through the rest of my pregnant experience. I'm glad to have pieces that enable me to still feel like myself while I'm in front of a classroom or attending committee/faculty meetings. Even if I look different from the outside and feel different on the inside, having maternity-friendly clothes with which to assemble professorial outfits permits me to maintain my professional self-esteem. For working moms-to-be, that absolutely is value-adding.

Outfit details:
Maternal America scoop neck dress with floral tie waist
Wolford tights (which are surprisingly belly-friendly!)
Giuseppe Zanotti flats (current season version is sans captoe)
Kors watch

Pittsburgh Saks Closing Haul

It's officially over. Unless you're planning to stock up on fur coats, Saks Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh no longer exists as an option for eager consumers. The loss of this store is a brutal blow to the retail landscape of Downtown, removing yet another destination from the neighborhood. I worry about how this will effect the downtown Larrimor's outpost. And Brooks Brothers or even Macys, for example. When there is one less destination available within a cluster of proximate stores, the suburban malls with their free parking and climate control increase their appeal. Of course plenty of downtown workers provide a customer base for what remains.

The silver lining of all of this was the consolidation sale which saw Saks stocked with brands never previously carried and prices difficult to beat in their final days. Even outlet discounts like those found at the nearby Off Fifth were stingy in comparison to the additional 70-90% off.

Since my last update, a few people have emailed and commented asking what I bought. So I figured I would share my closing haul as a part of this epilogue. A proper eulogy would likely include a retrospective of my buys over the years of visits. And while that would fit neatly with the initial intention of this blog (to archive, unpack, and think through my consumer habits), I will spare you. Instead here are my most recent finds.

Three silk blouses from Parker, Nanette Lepore, and Akris. A few T by Alexander Wang shirts from the men's section that were $9 marked down from $74. Also in men's a Rag and Bone pullover for Chris that was $17 marked down from $250. Two holiday ornaments marked $2.50, down from $75/each (who would spend the full retail amount on a single bulb, I do not know). Three Wacoal brassieres that were 70% off plus an additional 10% for buying multiples.

And these two dresses by M Missoni and DKNY, respectively. It seems like a lot of stuff when I put it all together but Chris paid for his own things as well as the above M Missoni wave sweater dress which will be a birthday gift to me (at Missoni for Target prices, no less!). I bought far less than I would have if I was still in the same (admittedly ridiculous) consumer pattern exhibited during the recession clearances of 2008 and 2009.

But I still feel indulgent and even a little gluttonous. I have long needed to beef up my sleeved blouse arsenal for both casual and professional ensembles. Although the DKNY dress is not necessarily my usual style, it was such a soft wool, it looks quite flattering on, it was marked down to $24, and seems perfect for more conservative professional occasions. I think its career functionality will prove itself swiftly as I will treat it as a suit alternative. My shopping in the coming months will slow as I tend to buy less from spring and summer collections. And thanks to Anthropologie's new directions, none of my pennies have gone there in 2012. All of this is to say that I am certain my shopping habits will recalibrate accordingly after the above (albeit discount) splurges. Thanks for reading! If you are local, I'd love to head about your purchases!

Kate Spade City Lights Lillith Skirt

Kate Spade City Lights Lillith skirt (on sale in another colorway here)

I fell in love with this skirt last summer when it was launched on the Kate Spade website. But like most Kate Spade garments, it was way too expensive. So I waited patiently and gave myself time to determine how badly I wanted it. Although the skirt is printed and unique (and I already have a few printed skirts), I figured it could be versatile due to an otherwise neutral color palette. And it could be dressed up for a party or down for work. Eventually I was able to make the markdowns suit my budget in conjunction with a coupon (signing up for emails generates a one-time-use, % off code).

The problem with shopping the sale section of the Kate Spade website is that items bought for more than half off become final sale. I hate final sale and usually wind up tracking down pieces from other retailers or via ebay. When you don't have the chance to try something on before buying it, final sale becomes especially dangerous. But I couldn't find this skirt anywhere else. So I did a bit of sizing research and decided to purchase it in an 8 (which is my typical dress size for this brand). It seemed to work out well. The cotton linen fabric is substantial and the skirt is lined. It comes with a matching black belt and has pockets along the side seams. The length goes to the knee on me which I appreciate. But it is very full. I think that the pleating on a fabric this heavy adds unwanted bulk to an already curvy lower half. I'm sure this would deter many from buying it. I wear full skirts often so I was not bothered by it. I snapped these photos when the skirt arrived. I considered wearing it to the academic conference where I was presenting that week. But ended up going with my suit separates instead. More on that tomorrow!

I know there will always be another skirt, another print, another garment. I already find myself admiring this printed tote and the umbrella that matches my skirt. But the good thing about sale stalking is that you give yourself the time and space to mull over purchases. Shopping sales this way rather than with impulses induced by sale goggles seems wiser on the whole. I hope to wear this skirt many times over the holidays. And I am pleased with the purchase.

On repeats and no repeats

J. Crew factory rosette cardigan (similar here)
Kate Spade dress (current season version)

Gucci wedges

Heathered bittersweet Spanx tights

Vintage necklaces, Linea Pelle leather bracelet, Target enamel bangles, Betsey Johnson watch

Alternate title: Why I don't (30 for 30) remix. The ideology of consumerism is powerful. The lure of the consumer fix and the emotionally transformative prospects for retail therapy continue to inform purchase decisions among even the savviest shoppers.* I've long believed in the idea that through repeated wearing, a garment's use-value increases (so if you take the cost-per-wear calculus, it becomes less expensive to the purchaser the more you rotate an item through your ensembles). Still, that desire for more, newer, better has meant that so many of us continue to pursue quantity, regardless of quality. Personally, I know I have too many clothes, even if the majority of the stuff I buy at this point is of nicer quality. Reading through the intelligent and practical thoughts of "The Year of Nothing New" helped me better understand my own personal tendencies for amassing quantity. And rewearing pieces (without self-imposed wardrobe constraints) is something I practice constantly (monogamous dressing is my pastime). I admire that so many people participate in the 30 for 30 challenges, as I do think they can inspire creativity and innovation among people who have limited wardrobes (during extended travel, for financial reasons, or just for the sake of relative minimalism). But I have never considered participating in such challenges myself.

Like many of the various remix challenge participants I find myself thinking that I have too much.  Even after consistent edits and weeding, trying to be as ruthless and unsentimental as possible; even after multiple resolutions to "buy less, buy better," I still find myself capable of avoiding repeats within the fall and winter months of the semesters. I suppose that sounds obscene to some. And I guess I should clarify that I don't mean each outfit I wear is always completely new. But the central component of an outfit can easily be swapped for each new semester audience. After all, right now I only teach my students two days per week. When I have a wealth of options it makes me think I should rotate for the sake of equitable use even when I get the urge to repeat (to the same audience) in quick succession. So I try to go through a rotation of outfits that is organized based on season.

Obviously some pieces can't be worn in the dog days of late summer and others simply are not practical to sport when it is 10 degrees below freezing. So my wardrobe strategy is seasonally dependent. Within the rotation my goal is to maximize what I have without pretend limits and with realistic attitudes about when to cut something from the roster (hence the difficulty I've had in finding pieces to include in Jewish Girl's rounds of the Use it or Lose it Challenge). Especially when they are novel or especially flattering, I find myself wanting to wear some pieces every day (like the above dress). But I resist, perhaps irrationally.

Should variety be the default when your options are plentiful? I often wear the same outfits in quick succession when they can be spread among diverse social circles. Some days I even want my own personal super hero uniform to involve an arsenal of the same garment that I thoughtlessly and happily sport all the time. I envy the simplistic chicness of a wardrobe consisting of all neutrals and/or just a reasonably small number of key pieces. And yet (like so many privileged Americans) my own relationship with consumerism  has been such that "more" often conflates with "better." Maybe it is the inevitable side effect of existing in a Supersize-happy culture?

Lately when I find myself staring into my wardrobe, wondering what to wear, I fantasize about that small, perfectly-edited, neutral-tone wardrobe where everything matches and everything is unfussy and chic.** And repeats are inevitable.

*For an academic take on the intersections of faith and shopping, see this excellent book by historian, Lizabeth Cohen.

**I acknowledge fully the immense privilege it is to have such a non-problem (aka a "privileged person in the developed world problem" which is increasingly becoming my more nuanced version of the useful shorthand meme, "first world problem").

Weekend buys

Mrs. Roper Tory Burch maxi dress
Similar here and here

Although I've not been shopping much, there are a few things that tempted me enough to bite. Consuming strategically still poses its challenges. For deal hunters and shopaholics alike, just about any purchase can be rationalized. I admire those who have managed to abstain fully from consumerism (like The Year of Nothing New). But making do or doing without can be easier said than done!

I have been trying my best to limit the impact of sale goggles. I've avoided the kind of shopping that is basically meandering (less temptation). And I've not had time to scour my favorite websites to glimpse all the pretty fall fashions. Still, end of season clearances make now a great time to buy a bathing suit or a summer dress. Because I have a trip planned for December (that will yield the opportunity to wear summery clothes) I sniped the above maxi dress by Tory Burch on ebay and I bought a new swimsuit on clearance from figleaves.com. 

Rachel Comey Barbaro Deluxe 
Similar Comeys but with triple buckles here

I also wanted a new pair of booties for fall. I have suede ankle boots by Rosegold that I wore all the time last winter. Regular leather will be even more versatile for Pittsburgh. I tracked down a pair I loved and for a price I could swallow. The current season Rachel Comey Barbaros were out of my budget at retail, but I found these studded Deluxe booties gently used. I am really happy with these purchases!

Roundup of links worth reading

I wanted to encourage people who are still shocked and still interested in the Anthroholic Scam Scandal to read intelligent contributions by bloggers who are offering analysis, reflection, confession, and suggestion.

Carly of Strawberry Heels Forever is from Canada (so she was more tempted to use Kim's services due to shipping costs when ordering directly from US retailers) and she knew first hand the maneuvers and runaround that Kim gave to bide herself time (and let the timeline for filing paypal dispute/claims processes expire). So did Anthropologiesque, unfortunately. And I'm sure by now everyone is familiar with the frustrations In Pursuit of Hippyness shared that helped crystallize how lengthy these transactions could take.

Being a recently degreed lawyer, Jewish Girl weighs in with some a fantastic analytical perspective while providing a comprehensive synopsis of everything that unfolded over the last few days. Her suggestions for moving forward are spot on, particularly the one about reconsidering the function (and import) of constructive critique.

Dea of Dea Diaries raises the really important point that part of why this happened is through the perpetuation of an internal hierarchy based on blogger popularity. I agree and also add (to reiterate Jewish Girl) that the intense moderation of legitimately constructive, critical,  red-flag raising comments was fierce on Anthroholic's blog. This led to a culture of silence because if victims couldn't issue their complaints on the owner's blog AND they didn't feel comfortable sharing negative experiences on other blogs (because of Kim's popularity leading to fear of ruffling feathers) then no one else was warned.

Roxy is hosting a great discussion about finances, blogging, budgeting, and shopping at Effortless Anthropologie that has a lot of people (myself included) sharing in the comments.

Little Girl Big Closet is speaking bravely and candidly about shopping addiction and personal struggles with with oniomania, which has generated productive discussion too. She also shares her own experiences (multiple and including positive and negative transactions) with Kim's personal shopping service. Similarly to Dea, Tara's words raise a significant question about popularity, power, and hierarchy in the blogosphere. How do we rebuild trust in one another while maintaining some policing mechanism to prevent this from happening again? When can we speak up even if it is about a beloved and popular member of the community?

Edited to add that Anjali of Goldenmeans shares her thoughts on why she was not that surprised or shocked that Kim did this. Instead, because she knew Kim's longer pre-blog history she's left feeling sickened and sad. I too knew Kim before she started her popular blog. I also knew this history making me unsurprised by Kim's actions. Both of us are confused that she didn't learn the lesson when she did this on a much smaller scale and was caught. Facing criminal charges and larceny will be a lot harder to brush under a rug.

The Mascarade also belongs to the forum mentioned by Anjali where all of us are members. She is weighing in on Kim's previous deceptions to members of the community. And she reminds us that many forum members tried to issue warnings to the community a year ago.

And finally, weighing in with some much needed levity are the hilarious ladies of Looks Good From the Back. 

Are there others? These were the ones on my radar but feel free to share yours or share more.

Meditations on a Scandal

It has been a complicated, crazy week in the world of Anthro-blogging. When the story broke on Get Off My Internets, then trickled to other blogs and websites, eventually leading Roxy to issue a very useful list of best practices to avoid being scammed on Effortless Anthropologie, I (frankly) was busy with non-blog responsibilities. The very stuff that enables my consumption by providing me with stable employ was making it hard for me to keep up with this rapidly unfolding situation. What was probably for the best as a little distance was really helpful.

But I look forward to participating in Roxy's upcoming post about financial circumstances and consumerism/blogging. I believe this entire ordeal has the makings of a teachable moment: To make sure we don't get in over our heads. To try to avoid getting carried away or defining ourselves by material goods. To make sure we think through out consumerism. I think many of us are guilty of substituting shopping for therapy, or shopping for reward, or shopping for hobbies. Don't get me wrong. Fashion is a legitimate interest. Style is a worthwhile hobby. Those who say otherwise perpetuate misogynist ideas inadvertently when they accept without thought other "spectator" sports. But when interests in style and fashion couple with gratuitous consumerism and materialism, sacrificing time spent with loved ones, forging meaningful connections, spending and saving in a balanced way, etc... when it gets harder to find ways to bond digitally that are less about fawning compliments or closet curation and more about deep intellectual exchanges... THAT's when we reach dangerous territory.

This is not an accusation. I do not mean to sound like I am speaking about any individual who is involved in this scandal. On the contrary, I think many of us are left reflecting about meaning. What is the meaning of our things? Why do we gravitate toward those things? Where is the line drawn and when have we gone too far? If anything this moment can be one where we take more seriously and less for granted our desires to consume and the roots of our desires. The ideology of consumerism and the promise of the consumer fix are powerful drugs. I think anyone who blogs their shopping habits and enjoys living vicariously can empathize with the potential for getting carried away, for going overboard, for letting things own us rather than the other way around. Why not use these moments of reflection to step back from unthinking consumption and evaluation the mechanisms, culturally, socially, personally, financially, etc. that perpetuate a nagging drive for more.

When there are scandals and when someone is caught red handed many will respond with self-righteousness and indignance or worse (as Roxy has hinted) the unscathed will still seek vengeance like an angry mob. The concerns of those scammed are legitimate and they should be handled by professionals and authorities. For those of us who are mere spectators dealing with the aftershock, why not seize this moment for contemplation and self-critique? After all much like the ideology of consumerism, self righteousness can be a hell of a drug.

Thank you to the people who have emailed and direct messaged me offering their appreciation for the comment I made in response to Kim's apology on Effortless Anthropologie. I still believe in the transformative power of the truth and the potential for forgiveness. And I hope this situation doesn't jade us, but rather make us smarter, more cautious, and more learned.

Conscious Consumption and Late Adoption: My New Tablet

Kate Spade Journal print tote bag

Kate Spade Journal print tablet cover

My love for deals is well documented. Sale goggles have dictated purchasing habits in the past. And the other week, when HP announced that they were discontinuing and subsequently discounting their Touchpad tablet, I scrambled to buy two of them (one for me and one for Chris cause he's a far bigger gadget junkie than me). Two of them cost me less than half the price of one Ipad (which is a gadget I have coveted since its release). The main reason I wanted one for so long was so I would have something a bit larger than my iphone to occupy my time in airports and on airplanes. I hate fumbling around with my laptop because it feels risky when you are as clumsy as me. Although WebOs is essentially a dead platform, I am confident that someday I should be able to port Android onto this tablet. And for now I really like WebOs. I also have my iphone for apps unavailable on Touchpad.

In my generalized research I study media and the history of communication technologies. So in many ways it is important that I stay literate and capable with gadgets that are newer. My grad student budget stalled the process of adopting a tablet considerably (as well as the recognition that I had no pressing need for such a device). When I do acquire new means of mediated communication, I enjoy thinking through its history and the potential obsolescences it creates among older, more established media. Long ago I told myself that if I was to acquire a tablet (assuming it would be an ipad) that I would buy a self-conscious cover. Well thankfully the Touchpad knocked off the dimensions of Ipad 1. I think it's just shy of one millimeter of difference in thickness which isn't a big deal for most covers (to be clear the Touchpad is slightly thicker). The openings and buttons are in similar spots. And there are far more interesting accessories options for ipad than for touchpad.

I found these lovely vintage book covers about a day too late. By then I had already settled on (and ordered via ebay at 50% off) a newspaper classifieds print cover from Kate Spade that matched my tote bag. Note that you can find this cover in the outlets too (which take phone orders and ship for a reasonable rate of $5). I love print journalism and subscribe to home delivery. For me a tablet doesn't make newspapers obsolete. But my friends that work in print journalism live with some suspicion and anxiety about the future of their publications. This cover will keep me mindful.

New "Toy"

Waving goodbye to my once-trusty Ford Focus.

Despite all evidential blurriness and my desire for overall blog improvement, I have placed an indefinite hold on my search for a nicer camera. It is not that I don't aim to someday develop new skills in the realm of photography. But at the present moment, I just don't have the time or (frankly) the spare mad money. Last month (when faced with even more car troubles and repair bills) I traded in my beloved 11-year-old vehicle for something new.

If you consider only the numbers (and factor in average depreciating value upon leaving a dealership), a new car is hardly a wise investment. I toiled all summer long about when and whether to buy new or used. Currently, used car prices are inflated and in high demand (for many reasons, such as public anxiety over economic recovery/growth as well as the longer-term constraint on potential supply via last year's Cash for Clunkers program). I weighed my options: considering the potential risk of unknown when buying used, factoring my own priorities and desires for a safer vehicle to facilitate  weekly commutes, valuing potential financing promotions available (to those who have qualifying credit ratings) with the purchase of new vehicles, and thinking about the time/research involved in hunting for the right used car. Ultimately, I was able to negotiate the price of a 2011 Honda Civic that had all of my desired bells and whistles. This is my first legit new car purchase ever. And so far I have no regrets.

When it comes to my closet I am a big believer in lowering cost per wear, maximizing versatility and longevity, and retaining value. While the evidence of price depreciation was convincing, I wanted the security of a warranty and I knew that I valued the price per use as well as my own peace of mind. New-ish used cars were so costly that I found myself considering new instead. My mom is a master car shopper and negotiator so I have to thank her for accompanying me and advising me along the way. Although this consumption is entirely unrelated to outfits/my closet it seemed too monumental and large a purchase to leave out of the conversation. Tomorrow I'll share my other new "toy"* (which is probably the last thing I'll buy for a while) and hope to hone my skills at creative repeats/remixes til the holiday sale season.

*for the record, I'm not down with trivializing something so costly by calling it a toy and hoped my long-winded, serious diatribe conveyed the irony of my title.

On wearing tight dresses

Black Halo Jackie O dress

(in black or pink)

Chies

(Disregard my bedhead and lack of make up. I snapped these like Cher from Clueless to get an idea of how I'd look. 

When I feel insecure it's as though mirrors can't be trusted).

As the overwhelming majority of my outfits indicate, I tend to avoid clingy silhouettes on my lower half. I'd rather put on a tent dress that creates a potato-esque shape than wear something that hugs me all over. But tonight I am going with some friends to a place I wouldn't normally go. And both the scene and the dress code indicate that I would fit with the crowd if I wore something tight. Although my body image is usually sound, I'm also human. And on occasion (on a bad self esteem day) the mere thought of wearing something tight on my lower half gives me a pang of panic. My body insecurities stem mostly from the span of my hips and thighs, both of which are functional (making my irrationality feel even more silly when I confront it and think it through). In fact the realization that every bathing suit I'd buy would still expose those parts led me to start wearing bikinis (despite inhabiting what most would deem a decidedly un-bikini body). Realizing my own irrationality makes me interested in wearing this dress. Of course, it's possible that I will cave and wear a girlie, comfortingly full skirt. Still the opportunity to break out of my comfort zone is tempting.

I  bought this dress a few years ago when I was feeling relatively body confident. Although my shape hasn't changed that much in the interim, I never wore it out of my house. It's so silly to hang on to something because you like the idea of it more so than how it looks on you. But I can't get rid of this dress. I altered its length to my body. And I *want* to feel like it is something I can wear, regardless of the number on the scale or the size on the tag. I believe in health at any size. And I know if I saw another woman wearing it, I would think "hot dress!" It is just that I have never been the kind of gal who wears hot dresses. Plus wearing it would be in defiance of "the rules" for dressing a body my size. Rules with which I strongly disagree. Rules that make women of all sizes feel inadequate. I want to be the sort of person who is comfortable defying rules that make women feel irrationally bad about their able and healthy bodies. But can the mere act of wearing a dress (that, lets face it, conforms to sexy and even sexist standards) even accomplish such a thing? I know I am over thinking. But that is my way...

Are there shapes and silhouettes to which you gravitate or favor in your dressing? If given an occasion to try something new with little risk (beyond the confrontation of your own admittedly irrational hangups), would you take it? And can the act of wearing a tight dress on a non-model frame do anything more than conform to/confirm ideals that are sexist anyway?

Maine-ly abstaining from shopping

I was in Maine for the last 10 days or so (if you count the time spent driving) and as much as I enjoyed it, I am really glad to be home. I will write about the trip later on but one of the things I got to do en route was stop by the renown Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets in New York. It made a logical halfway point for a break in the drive and I was eager to visit a place I had heard about for so long. Although the store selection was overwhelming, I had limited time and was traveling with Chris and Speck, the dog. For this reason I chose the stores I wanted to visit carefully and browsed swiftly. I was able to visit Chloé, Balenciaga, Barneys, Off Fifth, Neiman Marcus Last Call, and Kate Spade. If I had unlimited time, I would have also gone into Prada, Burberry, and Tory Burch.

I was surprised by how dog friendly most of the stores were! Speck accompanied us into Barneys, Off Fifth, and Kate Spade. In Barneys they even gave her a bowl with fresh water! I didn't buy anything except for some road snacks from Off Fifth (thanks to the Mystery Money promo, they were basically free). I did see a dress I've coveted for a while in the Chloé outlet, but even the outlet discounts were too spendy for my budget.

Maine itself was kind of a clothes shopping desert, save for Portland in which cute stores abound but I didn't shop... even the outlets in Freeport where the L.L. Bean flagship store is located had nothing I wanted. I did buy plenty of food, though. Ice cream, lobster, farm fresh cheeses and produce, etc. I didn't succumb to vacation goggles OR outlet goggles. Both can skew tastes with the lure of the novel. I did buy some things at the New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet. But libations are different. :)

One of these things (is not like the others)

"One of these things just doesn't belong! Can you tell which is not like the others?"

I'm pre-packing for Maine and noticed the dominance of one specific store save for one dress. And it caused me to hum that old Sesame Street song from my childhood. The cotton fabrics in my summer wardrobe seems to be a one trick pony! Oh well...

Sale Roundup and why I am sitting out this round

Second cuts have arrived and there are deals everywhere. I am showing restraint but that doesn't mean you have to...

Saks Fifth Avenue has made second cuts.
Barneys is now up to 60% off.
Yoox clearance for Spring/Summer is now up to 50% off.
Net-A-Porter's sale is still going strong.
Neiman Marcus offers up to 55% off.

Sitting out these sales was an easy decision. Right now there is nothing I want more than a digital slr. I have the funds for one (I think). But I don't have the time to learn to use it. I don't even really have the time to research which kind to buy. I want one just enough to dwarf my other, more frivolous consumer desires. But not enough to make the leap. (I say to myself, "this dress is pretty but it would be 1/5th of the dslr budget." And I put it back.).

When it comes to buying small or large electronics, I am uncommonly timid. I definitely feel intimidated. How do I know if I am picking the "right one." Electronics presumably have more use value and practicality than repeat purchases of handbags or dresses. But for so many of us, it has become too easy to rationalize buying impractically ("I had a bad day." "I have an event and want a new outfit." "I am bored so I am going to shop aimlessly." etc.). I'm trying to think through my consumerism and in doing so I keep coming back to the realization that too often my reasons for wanting are silly and irrationally materialistic. Clothes, bags, and shoes are my "safe"shopping categories. I can shop for them and feel like an "expert." I don't get that panicky "is the customer service person going to inadvertently figure out that I have no clue about this stuff" feeling I get when I need to buy something technical or auto-related. This isn't to say that shopping for clothes, bags, or shoes is bad or inferior. In fact, I balk at the subtle sexism of writing off fashion as only frivolity (because I tend to balk at the writing-off of any domain or interest overwhelmingly dominated by women). Clothing, shoes, and bags have use value in moderation. Over the years I have not exercised moderation in my approach to consuming these categories.

When I am contemplating buying something that has immense potential to be useful, I get shopping anxiety. Cameras are laden with symbolism and meaning. The practice of looking, the gaze, the iconography of photographs, the ways we see (and don't see) due to framing... all those scholarly aspects of visualization bog me down with intellectual overwhelm when I contemplate buying a camera. This doesn't happen when I think about buying a dress. If I buy a camera, I am buying a thing has the potential to capture memories... This thing is in a technologized genre of stuff that feels alienating, complex, and more expensive than so many other material purchases. 60% off camera sales don't tend to happen (even within the resale/refurbished markets) so spontaneous, poorly-thought sale-goggle-induced purchases don't threaten to squash my timidity. If only I could be more unthinking when it comes to shopping for cameras... and more thinking when it comes to shopping for everything else!

Mompos Review

Mompos Dress by Tracy Reese

I'm so late to the party on this dress but with good reason. Since I've been limiting my shopping, I've also decided to limit the items I try at anthro. Smaller wishlists mean less buying at sale time or otherwise! It's a pretty obvious and effective strategy. The Mompos dress fit very similarly to the Spinning Lace. And although it is very pretty and the fabric is of significant quality, I will be skipping it. I don't know that the shape is one I like enough to have in multiple fabrications. I am wearing a size 8 which is the size of my spinning lace dress. There is ample bust room. The hips are free. The waist is true. It has an attached slip with crinoline to add poof to the skirt. It is indeed very pretty but indeed something I have no reason to own.

Regarding more critical, conscious shopping, I want to suggest the following: Although this article focuses on fast fashion, I think it makes some really salient and more general points about materiality, identity, and the constitution of an aesthetic self (not to mention its smart analysis of the role of social media in fostering the desire to brand human identities among its users). The title is the Accidental Bricoleurs by Rob Horning, and my very smart friend, Shar linked it on her Twitter.