Tag Archives: BCBG

Klout perk from Bluefly.com and what happened (not)

21 Dec

Today I received an email from Klout–the “influencer metric” measurement site–which informed me that I’d received aperk. Said perk being $25 off a purchase of $50 or more from Bluefly.com a very well-established e-commerce site which offers designer brands….

Well, first, what do we mean by “designer brands.” This term is getting a little confusing. I completely understand when I’m looking at something from Ralph Lauren or Michael Kors–designer name = designer brand. It’s when we get to names like 7 for all Mankind or Hayden or CeCe or Miss Sixty or L.A.M.B…..well, I’m not sure if I’m dealing with a manufacturer or if I’m dealing with a brand that’s fronting for a celebrity, or what I’m dealing with.

We certainly have come a long way from the couture houses and the transparency of “designed by so-and-so for y manufacturer or House of another so-and-so.”

What then becomes even more frustrating is the tons and tons of goods that simply look the same. All some sort of knit jersey in black, heather grey, beige, eggplant (or plum, or jam or whatever you want to call it) or another rather dull color. Seriously, if I’ve got to click through 30 pages of utterly boring turtlenecks and open front cardigans, I’m going to lose my patience pretty quickly.

I also was not entirely impressed with the search feature nor how it narrowed the criteria. I typed in “beaded jersey tees” and came up with a bunch of stuff–some of it beaded jersey tees, some of it designers starting with the letter B.

Oh, and then there was the size range. Let’s just say it wasn’t mine….

After my eyes began to water, my right shoulder to ache from the clicking, and my brainwaves to short circuit, I figured it wasn’t worth trying to redeem the $25 on an item or two of clothing.

I quickly glanced through the fragrance offerings, and noticed a few items that were worth the perk. Sadly, no one on my list is requesting fragrance this year, and I’m still working through some fragrance I purchased last year when I worked at Victoria’s Secret (Oooh La La! being my favorite for its cherry and vanilla notes.) So, no new fragrance purchase….

Overall, I’m not thrilled with many of the designer-discount e-commerce sites. Often the size ranges are limited, or the goods are limited, or I have no need for what they are offering. The status-seeking that drives designer purchases is, thankfully, not a particular need, thankfully, and my wardrobe is pretty much full for the season….

So I’ll politely pass on this particular perk.

I still, however, retain my “Influencer” ranking…

Fashion Find: ‘Atessa’ sandal is a designer look for a fraction of $$

16 May

If you have an eye–and photographic memory–for fashion and design,  you will come across amazing finds in unusual places….

Take, for instance, my local mall (Holyoke Mall off Rt. 91).    We’re not a fashion bastion out here in the Pioneer Valley, so imagine my surprise when I spotted the Worthington ‘Atessa’ sandal at JC Penney.  It has the look of an expensive designer “cage” sandal for the fashionably frugal price of $39.99.  Here’s a quick pic I took wearing the shoes this afternoon:

So similar to what I’ve seen in Alexander McQueen, BCBG, and other collections!

They sport a 4- inch heel (ok, 3 5/16-inches.  close enough to 4) with a nice padded footbed.  All stitching is trimmed nicely so there is nothing poking on the inside.  Beautifully finished, man-made embossed snake-skin that feels and (so far) wears like leather.

Would I wear these out to an important event?  Yes, indeed.  The heel is the right height to be contemporary and non-”menopausal”, and as long as I don’t beat them to death (I can be tough on shoes) they should maintain their shape and shine.

That is, unless everyone at the event will be wearing high-end labels.  Then I might have to break the budget for a pair of Jimmy Choos.

A quick note on buying good budget-conscious fashion:  materials in budget fashions don’t need to last forever.  A good budget fashion piece should last at least to the end of the season.  Sometimes, depending on how many times it’s worn, a piece might last longer.  If stored properly, it can even be used into the beginning of the season of the following year.  Unless you are buying “fast fashion.”  In that case, you definitely get what you don’t pay for.  If it lasts through one washing, you’re lucky.