I don't know what's going on lately, but I've been shopping at the Gap.  Like I said before, I haven't really frequented it for several years, since my early 20s probably, because I've had this perception in my head that it was too cheap.  Well, I guess I've become a frugal fashionista because I've been checking them out lately and liking what I see.

I got this great sweater last weekend: Drape Front Cardigan ($69.50).  It's almost sold out online, but they still have it in stores.  The fabric is a wonderful blend of cotton, silk and modal, so it's super soft and a great weight for layering in the Summer.  The half length sleeves and floppy look make it just great for a casual but not bumish-looking layer.



The reason I even went in was because of the cardmember thank you sale, an extra 25% off anything... and I have the BR card, so it works at the Gap too.  So the sweater was only $52.13.

For some reason I always manage to drop my tweezers and dent the tips.  This is SO annoying because they're expensive.  I have long been a devotee of the Rubis Slant Tweezers, $35.



But, I recently discovered Mehaz Slant Tweezers, $24.95, and they even come with a little faux leather storage pouch!  They're made in Solingen, Germany which is where all good cutlery is made (Wustof, Henckels).

I find that they work just as well as the Rubis!

I was at the Gap over the weekend... I hardly ever go there, I'm not sure why.  I guess I think it's too cheap.  Well slap my hand, I found a great pair of jeans!

It seems like every brand is doing white denim this season so when I saw Gap's skinny cropped jeans ($69.50) in white I tried them on right away!  Well, not exactly "right away", they had to take the last pair of size 0s off the mannequin.


The fit was perfect, and they were 25% off... and then I got an extra 20% off because there was a bit of dirt on the leg probably from when they were putting them on/off the mannequin....so they ended up $40-something, crazy!!!

They look quite good with these Gucci sandals from my shoe archive (Summer 08).
  The only problem with white jeans is that you generally feel terrified to sit down anywhere in case it's not clean!

Gucci, owner of the Alexander McQueen label, announced today that Sarah Burton will take over as the new creative director.  She was head of womenswear design and has been with the company since 1996.  (Read more about it at Fashionista and The NYT.)



Speaking of McQueen, I've been wanting to buy something in homage because I don't own anything from the brand.  I am totally in love with these shoes, but they are just TOO expensive...

Alexander McQueen Leather Pumps with Skull Heads, $879.

Since I was on the topic of SATC this week, I will continue.  If anyone wanted to channel an SJP look, there is a very yellow dress by Halston available right now at theOutnet.com at a substantial discount.

Halston Draped Silk Blend Dress, Regular Price $1995, Outnet Price $698.25.



Both Carrie and SJP love Halston and SJP just wore this color (but Valentino) to the NY premiere of the movie.

I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Patricia Field... but it was always interesting to see how the characters in SATC were dressed, especially Carrie.  So it's no different with the new movie, even though the movie itself is supposed to suck, I think it will be interesting to see the fashion.

New York Magazine has a feature, here, where you can preview some of the looks and read Patricia's comments about them.

For example:

The ridiculous


The Not Ridiculous

Don't you love it when a stranger compliments your shoes?

That happened to me today!  I am wearing these Gucci suede pumps from Fall 2005... they look better in person - this is kind of an odd angle... They are still in pretty great shape thankfully.  I haven't worn them in quite a while so it was nice that someone noticed them.  It was a young woman coming off the elevator at my office building, she said "Great Shoes!", in a way that sounded like she really meant it...


They have a bit of the Guccissima leather on the toe and each shoe has half of a horsebit, so when you stand with your feet together you have the whole horsebit.

Oh, actually this happened twice this week because someone else commented on my new Marc Jacobs (yes, I broke down and bought them finally - I was really trying to not buy them but that didn't work out).  And to follow up on my previous post, the heel is 4.25", they are made in China (boo hoo) and I am happy I got them, I do think I will wear them for years since they are pretty classic looking and really comfy too.

Anyway, it's quite nice when a total stranger notices something like that, it brightens your day a bit.  So thanks strangers!

On Tuesday Manhattan's first Nordstrom Rack opened. We don't even have Nordstrom itself, so it's interesting that they opened the Rack first. I am looking forward to checking it out, I have long since given up on TJ Maxx, Daffy's and the like - I find they stock mostly junk. I did however have good luck at Loehmann's once (got a Diane Von Furstenberg silk jersey dress), but they also have a lot of junk. The new Nordstrom Rack is at Union Square, 60 East 14th Street.



Here's a feature from New York Magazine that compares finds from the Rack to finds from other discounters.

Here's an article about it from Crain's New York Business.

Hopefully I'll make it down there this weekend.  It's kind of pathetic... I hardly ever go South of Penn Station these days unless I'm going down to Soho or the East Village for dinner.  I really need to start taking advantage of this great city again! (sorry, that was off topic)

The annual Costume Institute Ball was last night, so there's a ton of coverage out today.  The ball feted the Wednesday (5/5) opening of the new Costume Institute exhibition: American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.  It runs through August 15th.

I thought Sienna Miller looked great in the dark blue Emilio Pucci dress.



As usual, there were a lot of missteps, perhaps one of the more egregious: Joy Bryant in a frou frou Marchesa gown. (yikes, this looks like an 80s flashback)



Here are some links:

New York Times article Elegance is the Norm at the Costume Institute Gala
Celebitchy's Trashy and Classy Fashion
PopSugar Pictures
Pop Sugar After Party Pictures

"Couture has become completely irrelevant," says Oscar de la Renta ... "Couture isn't necessary, even to promote the brand," De la Renta says. "Customers are smart. They know that a $10,000 wedding dress will look as beautiful as a $1 million wedding dress. Maybe it will not be finished the same way inside, but who will know?" ...

Excerpt from Survival of the Finest, Wall Street Journal, 4/29/10. An interesting article about haute couture and its future.