Hope no one believes that shopping isn't educational. Its not all fluff. Most of the time it can be but here and there a bit of knowledge can be acquired.
I did go in search of the parka I am now convinced I can't live without. A friend and I went to Soho where Woolrich has a store. Unfortunately they didn't have the one I love. But they do have parkas and a lot of them. I know of Woolrich from what I would consider their by now iconic blanket with bold stripe borders. But otherwise no real concept of what they do. Well seems like they've been doing pretty ok. The Soho store is just about a month old said the very helpful sales woman. They carry both men and women merchandise ranging in price from high $200's -their more classic but basic line of parkas to upward of $800. Hence now my $895 parka is making more sense.
The saleswoman explained that the parka was made especially for Club Monaco. They had the identical one but with real fur instead. They only made the faux one for the Club Monaco capsule collection. I love that Club Monaco wanted it to be faux fur. Plus its so much softer. Seriously. I did find out that although they have only recently been a brick and mortar store they have been making capsule collections awhile. Last season it was a collaboration with J.Crew. That sparked my interest. (A) Who doesn't love J.Crew and( B) where have I been all this time under a rock.? Didn't know any of this history. Like I said 'blankets' that's where I began and ended my knowledge of Woolrich.
Alas no parka for me there. Back to Club Monaco. There is one up the block. So in we went. The parka is there and it is that price. So no need to repeat the reality. But also not ready to commit but why not just take another admiring glance at it. A model I knew who had a small but beautiful line of clothing is now there. She oversees and works with customers on the different capsule collections they have. And they really have nice things. Plus their own line for Fall is beautiful. She has put her own design line on hold while exploring different while working with Club Monaco. It was so much fun seeing her and catching up
Although it was a gray and rainy day we were now in full window shopping mode. We did go to Trademark which wasn't far. Beautifully laid out store. Very airy feel inside. Great music playing. I was familiar with the website but it was nice to actually see the line. It's well made. Good cuts and great fabric. Although everything online has a strong boxy no shape look to it it's a lot less so when you actually see the clothes. There is an Amish meets upper east side school girl look to the line. Austere in a really cool way. Great look for the brogues and oxford style shoes that are so in this season.And if I was a size 6 I would be all over the clothes. Who knows. Maybe one day. Hope springs eternal as the saying goes.
Bloomingdales Soho was our next stop. My friend is new in town and hadn't yet been. All I can say about that is I wish I had never gone in. Because now I have 2 obsessions. 2 things that I feel I can absolutely not live without. Adding to my parka obssesions comes a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag I fell in love with. Its not off the chart expensive but it isn't cheap either. Its so great and I love. It will change my life if I get it. Ok let me not get carried away because I say that about everything I love. But then again it will. I know it. I feel it. Its the perfect bag in a perfect color. Bag. Parka. Bag. Parka. Either . Both. Neither. Can't afford it. So it has to be neither. Unless I don't eat or go out from now until forever. That will work I think. At least it will get me to the size 6 .But than again if I don't go out who will see all my pretty stuff.
I should be saving not spending. Save for a rainy day. For an apartment. For a country house. A great vacation. Or retirement. So many logical things to do.But do I want to dwell on all that reality. Can't I Iive in the illusion that shopping creates. You can have it all. Even an education in fashion. At least that part isn't an illusion. But the fluff is so much fun