Outnet's Big Clearance Sale

Day Dresses
Longsleeve Tops

It's a most (perhaps not THE most) wonderful time of the year when the Outnet (outlet outpost of Net-a-Porter) reduces a huge chunk of stock to off load it as fast as possible. If I had a better idea of where my figure would end up post-partum I would be shopping like mad. Instead, I hypothetically shopped the above pieces. Are you getting anything?

My picks from the Net-a-Porter Sale

Day Dresses
Flats

Oh, Net-a-Porter how it tempts me with their perfectly unfussy garment photographs and thorough product descriptions. If only I had a limitless budget! Thankfully, a few times a year they need to clear out stock (even prior to offloading it with Outnet) so I can come closer to affording to shop there. And this is that time of year! Above are some of my summer-friendly favorites from spring collections. I also love this stretchy striped dress and these adorable bow flats. I've coveted this See by Chloé number for a while but it's a bit too fall-friendly to make sense for now. They have free shipping to all US shoppers. Are you getting anything?

An oldie but goodie from Tibi

My first ever Net-a-porter purchase was this printed silk Tibi dress. I coveted it all season and eventually found my size still available when their end-of-season sale went on sale (in the pre-Outnet days). I wore it a lot that year but then I put it away and sort of forgot it existed. That was until yesterday. I didn't know how cold it would be went I left campus so I wore tights. I could have gone bare legged and should have worn a less heavy tight. But that is a lesson learned in photographic retrospect. My favorite part about this dress is the accent bodice bib detail. It has big lucite buttons, careful pleating, and a ruffle trim.

You can the bib a bit better here.

You can also see my Redraven Studios pendant!

Outfit details:
Tibi dress (old) (another pretty Tibi dress is on sale here)(similar mixed print here)
BP Cardigan
Redraven Studios necklace (c/o)
Swatch watch
Spanx tights
Nine West pumps (similar)

The bad luck outfit

By Malene Birger dress

Aqua cashmere cardigan

Spanx reversible tights

Rosegold Liz booties

Kate Spade belt

Michael Kors watch and misc. bracelets from Target, Hiptique, and a flea market

This dress is one of those dresses that I coveted mostly because of how it looked laying flat, unfettered, and un-modeled on Net-a-Porter.

I should know by now that if a dress looks better lying flat versus being fitted onto lithe mannequins then it will probably be less than "flattering" on my non-lithe body. And on some level, of course I am aware of this. That doesn't mean that I will not be overtaken by irrationality on occasion (i.e. sale goggles). Besides, my theories about flattering are somewhat removed from "making a body look as small as possible." 

I pined over this dress back in 2008 but it never became discounted enough until it made its way to Outnet. Once on Outnet at 85% off, I pounced. When it arrived I realized that it needed to be altered for length. The combo of its volume and its length overwhelmed me. Done. I have to say that even though I've altered it and I truly love it in theory, it still hasn't been worn very much. Part of the reason is because I am in a total styling rut (especially when it comes to this dress). I wore it nearly the exact same way the last time it saw daylight (which I don't think I blogged but I could be wrong). And although I like repeats and monogamous dressing, if I can't figure out creative, new ways to style something it will be more likely to sit in my closet. For now it has a home but I think I need to branch out from the instinctive black pairings and try to wear it with color.

I welcome styling ideas and feedback!

*as an aside, I titled this a bad luck outfit because I proceeded to have a very bad luck day after I taught my first class. I don't care to relive it through language but as a slightly superstitious and overthinking person, it will take a failsafe occasion to remove some of the acquired bad vibes from this ensemble.

10 days late outfit post and Mr. Porter review

Manoush dress

BP Cardigan

Stuart Weitzman flats

This is what I wore on NYE in 2011/2012. Although NYE presents a great excuse to wear a new dress, this one wasn't new. In fact, it wasn't even new to NYE. I also wore it back in 2007/2008. When I was deciding what to wear, I remembered I hadn't worn my navy lamé Manoush dress for years. So I figured why not! I don't find many occasions where I can wear shiny fabrics without feeling a little over the top.

 

When I wore it on 12-31-2007

This dress was one of my first Net-a-Porter purchases back when they still gave you the black boxes (even for sale items). The recently launched men's fashion brother site, Mr. Porter has their own hefty merchandise boxes.

Mr. Porter Box

This one is shirt sized and has the texture and heft of the boxes that sometimes contain nicer perfume gift sets. I imagine the intent is to evoke an era and aura of by-gone luxury shopping unfamiliar to most (myself included)... i.e. when people bought hats and things and those hats and things all came wrapped up in branded boxes. This used to be standard practice for many now-defunct department stores.

 Department store shopping boxes from this etsy listing

I suppose a number of designers still box up their items with much fanfare and quality packaging (Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Balenciaga, and Chanel spring to mind). But it is rare for a multi-brand retailer to do so (unless you request the item be boxed for gift giving). The result is that the shopping experiences offered by Mr. Porter as well as Net-a-Porter and even (to a lesser degree with their reusable garment bags and zip totes) Outnet feel unique and indulgent. Chris ordered from the sale section and seems pleased overall. He loved the products he purchased (a sweater and a shirt). He likes the selection of brands which included Paul Smith shoes like these from Bertie. They ship via UPS but do not require any signatures for delivery, unlike the Outnet and Net-a-Porter. The included notes and branding also convey a sense of continuity similar to the founding sister site. Chris's first order came with a Mr. Porter stationary card addressed to Mr. hislastname, which was pretty charming. Orders arrived swiftly and although he didn't need it, the returns process seemed simple.

Overall, Chris is glad that Mr. Porter strives to fill a gap in the online retailer boutique landscape for stylish men. The prices are high when you aren't buying from a sale but the selection of brands and merchandise are vast and sales do happen. Chris is hoping for an expansion of their online outlet, Outnet to incorporate the leftovers from Mr. Porter.