What I bought from the Saks Clearance

Burberry coat

As I've already mentioned, it's pretty bittersweet to be losing the local Saks Fifth Avenue. With the consolidation stock they received, it makes the browsing experience even more fun than usual because there are have brands not typically carried in Pittsburgh. But the knowledge that the store will soon be gone for good is a bummer.

When I visited last weekend I wasn't sure that I would purchase anything. I went to handbags first and found a smooshy gray Rocco bag that tempted me. I even carried it around for a while to figure out if I could manage its infamous heft. Those iconic studs are some serious hardware! Ultimately I put it back. I have plenty of bags so I've become very sensible about impulse purchases (even when things are 65% off!). This is especially important because everything at the Pittsburgh Saks is now final sale.

They are honoring the original return policy for merchandise purchased before the clearance began. And because Anthropologie keeps releasing new colorways for the Pieced Column dress (some of which I like even better than my after Chrismas Saks Bailey 44 buy) I returned it. I read about some quality issues with the fabric and decided I could better put that gift card money to something that will be able to be worn often (lowering the cost per wear) and for years to come.

I've written about my enduring love for outerwear and every year I tend to find one coat to add to my collection. Well, last year was an exception. Although there were coats that I liked, none were the right price at the right time. When I saw the racks of Burberry for 65% off (with a gift card that would make it more than 80% off), I decided to make a purchase. 

Burberry coat

I have already worn it every day this week! 

Note: They still had a lot of the Bailey 44 dresses and they are going to keep marking things down along the way so it might be back in my possession eventually. I will also be sale stalking the Pieced Column at Anthro because I do think it is a gorgeous, fun dress and I liked how it fit me. Eventually I believe I will be able to find one for a better price than retail. Check out Carol's new reviews of the dresses on In Pursuit of Pretty Things. 

Trying a trend with trepidation

Ancient Myths Maxi Skirt

Today a bunch of stuff I wishlisted went on sale at Anthropologie (list with photos thanks to Roxy, here). I was near my local store anyway so I made a quick stop to check it out. I almost bought the Chartreuse Shoots dress (reviewed here) but it is still a little too pricey, in my opinion. I did find the above maxi skirt in the sale room. I have wanted a maxi skirt for a while. Gretchen of Gretchen's Closet (who I consider to be the queen of cool maxi skirt ensembles) suggested I start with a solid color. But I have always been a print junkie so OF COURSE I still went with a print. I hope I can figure out ways to wear this. Here 13 of Thirteenlbs makes the Ancient Myths Maxi look fantastic!

I plan to bring it with me to Maine cause it feels... vacation friendly. I'm still not totally confident about the purchase so I might keep the tags on, leaving it wrapped in tissue. If I don't find a way to wear it, I am going to take it back. This sounds like a reasonable plan to me. Do you give yourself any "wear or return" deadlines?

Return Chronicles: part 10000

This plaid Alice + Olivia dress was a great bargain at Saks in New York last month. But I've had it for almost a month, the return deadline is looming, and the tags remain attached. I think it should go back but took some photos and tried styling it to make sure I didn't want it. What do you think?

Pros:
Oversized collar makes it visually interesting
Plaid (especially in gray and black) is something I find to be timeless
Shirtdresses are definitely timeless

Cons:
The hem is shorter in the front and my gams are not the greatest
That big collar I like isn't the most flattering on my figure

Quality Control Issues and Customer Response

I bought a dress from Urban Outfitters back in October and am having a dilemma. Although the dress is very cute, the button loop at the neckline broke immediately and after I laundered it (exactly according to the care instructions, although I did not tumble dry like it said I could for fear of shrinking) the already short dress shrunk considerably. Now I realize it was not the world's most expensive dress. But even for $44 I expected it to hold up for longer than 2 short (dinner-length) wears and 1 wash!

I am still within the holiday return window and need to decide whether I should take the dress to the store or call and ask if I can mail it back due to defects. Or should I just eat the money and be annoyed? What would you do?

Do you ever feel timid about asking retailers to stand by their products? I normally wouldn't but the idea of staring the hip Urban Outfitter customer service staff in the face, explaining that "I simply cannot wear a butt-displaying former-dress-now-tunic, therefore I want a refund," makes me nervous.

This entire experience is also a lesson about the futility of buying cute but cheap thrills. It is a lesson I have learned too many times over!

Lessons Cher (from Clueless) taught me

There's no shame in having "lucky clothes."
Tenacity is most impactful when delivered politely.
And perhaps most important: take photos. You can't always trust mirrors.

With that in mind although I was pretty sure this See by Chloé bargain skirt from Yoox was going back (it is flimsy, somewhat see through, and unlined), I took photos. And they confirmed my suspicions. Even on sale with a stacked code, this skirt isn't worth my closet space. I like the print but I don't have room for sheer and flimsy. It is too short to wear sans tights so c-ya.

Back it goes: MBMJ Bronte Lace Dress

MBMJ Bronte Lace Dress (or here)

I LOVED this dress when I first saw it... so romantic and pretty. When it was marked 70% off for Thanksgiving, I snatched it up to try it out. Unfortunately, a poorly placed line makes this dress dreadful on me. Notice the way the lines of the lace seem like they are supposed to go below the bust? They at least come close to doing so on this model:

Not so much on me. And because they don't, it makes the entirely thing appear to be ill-fitting even if it is very comfortable. As much as I love this dress when I layer, it just isn't worth keeping.

Fit review: Because it is a somewhat forgiving pullover style, the sizing is SML. I am wearing a medium which fit fine except for the obvious problem described above. Ample hip room, ample waist room, appropriately sized arm holes, comfortable modest length. If it weren't for the curious and poorly placed line that bifurcates my bust, I would keep it. It comes with a very useful semi-attached slip. The slip can easily be cut from the shoulders and used with other drop waist dress styles. Or swapped for something all black to create a monochromatic lace texture. The dress is of very high quality but its retail price point is a bit insane. My inner goth loves the longer sleeved version, but I don't think it was carried in many department stores so finding it on sale would be challenging.

The Return of Goldilocks and the Fit Dilemma

Sometimes semi-monogamous dressing gets me in trouble. My loyalty to a particular shape blinds my ability to evaluate which size to choose. This crepe See by Chloe dress has the exact lines and cut of the Trail Print dress I blogged earlier this week. And because the solid color version was unlined, I ordered a size up thinking it would be a good thing. Not so. This more generously cut dress makes me look lumpy and drab. Back to Yoox it goes!

Over on Shop JessPGH a cute button front skirt by Trovata is up along with a rundown of the items still available! Make me an offer!!

Flights of Skirt Popback: Twinkle by Wenlan "Midnight Cygnus" Review

I had Twinkle by Wenlan's Midnight Cygnus skirt (item #923334) on my Anthropologie Wishlist for a while. When it made first cut but was still well over $100, I knew it was destined for a second markdown. And although this additional cut never displayed on the sale page (as far as I know) one day when I opened my wishlist, there it was for half off of half off. I pounced (free shipping makes it so low risk) and it arrived soon after. The skirt is beautiful in person. Very formidable brocade-type fabric in a wool/cotton/silk blend, layered over a full lining. Simple back zip. Pleats, pockets, and a fabric knot at the center of the waistband. I never saw the Flights of Swan dress in store, but imagine it is similar albeit a different shape and colorway.

I am wearing a size 8 here and I would say it runs small (like most TbW). I would have preferred a 10 in this style for added length and added space to house a post-lunch food baby. It does fit my waist, even though it looks painfully tight in the top center photo. To be clear, that is actually my t-shirt blousing over. Although I got it for a steal, I think I am going to have to return this one.

Serial Returns and Compulsive Online Shopping

One of the limitations of living in a small city is that the lack of retail variety. Many of the stores here don't carry my favorite lines so I find myself lusting and coveting the mere opportunity to see a garment in person, and try it on. To that end, I will occasionally succumb to favorable online promotions, free shipping, and strong return policies, ordering things that might not be kept unless they are purposeful, reasonably priced, and flattering. Lately I've had a spate of bad luck and ended up returning a lot of things I knew were risks. The benefit of this method is that I won't be tempted by low ebay prices because I will know how unflattering these particular items were on me. Exhibit A:

I blogged not long ago about a See by Chloe dress called The Favorite, in a lovely sky blue with ruffled sleeves. I hadn't realized that the bubble shape was held together with an elastic gather placed uncomfortably around the upper thigh area. This caused the dress to hike up quite a bit during any movement. And an already short dress quickly moved into scandalous territory. Back it went to Bloomingdales.com!

But it left me feeling guilty. It is not as though returns are a victimless endeavor. Particularly when you consider the environmental wake of online shopping and transportation of goods. Why had I purchased something sight unseen, anyway? I didn't need a dress. I just wanted it. And that compulsive move goes completely against what my resolution for this year was: To WANT less. But I try to remember that this project is not linear and I have good and bad weeks because I am fallible and human.  It is a good reminder that consumerism can feel so instinctive and exigent when its roots and its objectives are completely the opposite of both those descriptors.  I guess my summer should be spent contemplating: How does one unlearn that wanting? And why/when am I nagged by consumer desires most?