cheap monday jeans

I’d read about Cheap Monday jeans in WWD, but it wasn’t until I visited Tokyo that I actually got to see a pair of its corduroys in person. The idea behind Cheap Monday is to sell stylish trousers at “inexpensive” prices. I’d argue that $65 isn’t inexpensive, only less expensive than your J Brands and Acnes–but that’s just the cheapskate inside me who remembers her mother cawing about the exorbitant prices of Guess? jeans back in the ninety-one.

scatterbrained ny times story

Can anybody tell me what Guy Trebay is doing in today’s Styles story? There are some funny sentences in it for sure (“You can hardly squeeze another lip liner into these spaces, which are packed so tightly with photographers, models, dressers, hairdressers, stylists, grungy model boyfriends and enterprising creeps.”) but the organization of the story itself is more confused than Axl Rose’s concept of personal hygiene. Here’s what we can learn from the story:

three ridiculous items i oddly want*

* But would likely never wear.
1. A trilby hat. H&M has a decent one for about $8, and it is surprisingly cute on, albeit in a lesbian-chic sort of way.

2. Those pants that have suspenders attached to them. An ex-boyfriend used to wear suspenders drooping around his bum (not in a crusty-punk way!) and it was endearing. I just think my bottom would look big, though, as though the suspenders would likely work with my junk to create some sort of bizarre Wu-Tang symbol.

3. Sweater dress. I know it will hug me in all the wrong ways. I know it might be a little too Sheila E (or is that Sheena Easton?). But every now and then, I think it might not be as horrible as it most certainly would be.

three pieces that make you look chubsy

Work the voluminous trend the wrong way, and even the leanest twig will look bloated. If you have any semblance of hips, you’ll seem pregnant at worst and gassy at best. Unless you are aiming for Zeppelin chic, avoid these faux pas:

five fabulous, cheap ebay finds

Sometimes I wear expensive clothes. I do not pay much money for them, because I buy them on eBay. The only downside to this plan is that people assume I make more money than I do, and they expect me to be farting money or something. So now I’m going to find good auctions and list them once or twice a week for your bidding pleasure. Bid early, bid often, but don’t you dare bid on any size 4 dresses. (the goods after the jump)

mango loves milla

The Telegraph reports that Ukraine-born Milla Jovovich may design a collection for Spanish fashion chain Mango. This is great news for those of us who dig Milla’s excellent Jovovich-Hawk collection but can’t afford the crazy prices. Considering that Milla and Kate Moss are now designing their own cheap-chic lines, can other models be far off? And how will their look translate to women who aren’t, say, reed-thin and intimidatingly beautiful? We shall see.

dear gareth pugh

This is not Tom Petty’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More” video.

Sincerely,
The Fashionist’s best friend, who is not only funny but also sage in her letter

fashion show: i am a grump

I went to a fashion show last night. It was standing-room only, which was kind of silly because the press section had plenty of empty seats. I suppose it makes for better buzz to say that a show had two hundred people standing rather than to point out the empty seats in the regular audience. But that’s just a quibble.

Can I tell you a secret?

an introduction

The other night I was thinking about how, even though I am professionally part of this crazy fashion and beauty industry, it is not as glamorous as outsiders imagine. And then I mentally started a lengthy complaints list that ranges from models (not really that skinny for the most part) to magazines (why aren’t they smarter?). So I decided to come here and say all the things I’m not really supposed to say in polite, stiletto-heeled company. Expect sporadic updates and literature references.