Out and About: Retail Reconnaissance
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| Cashmere Blend Eyelash Wrap |
I was actually able to get out over the weekend and do some boots-on-the-ground window shopping. Here are some of the items that stood out, and inspired me to share with you.
Nordstrom’s
Above, this “eyelash” (fringed on all edges) cashmere/silk blend wrap at Nordstrom is a perfect spring scarf. It’s feather light but warm, easy to style and is available in dozens of colors. I particularly like the color shown here, “Blue Merlin,” which would play nicely with neutrals. The label says “Dry Clean,” but I’d hand wash with some J.Crew The Laundress cashmere wash, and line dry.
While browsing the Petites section, the soft and elegant sheen of the fabric on the jacket below caught my eye. I’d seen pictures of this Eileen Fisher peplum jacket on the website and in ads, but assumed from the those images that the fabric would be stiff and the style too bulky to look good. Wrong! The fabric looks almost like shantung silk and drapes nicely, and this is one of those items that looks better on than in any of the images I’ve seen.
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| Eileen Fisher Peplum Jacket |
Even when worn open, the cut of the jacket nips in at the waist, and the high collar is very flattering. (I’ve shown the back picture here so you can better see the shaping.) I could imagine this jacket styled in ensembles from very casual to very dressy (if you don’t mind some wrinkles, just the nature of this fabric). Yes, those cuff buttons are functional. The zip closure disappears behind a placket, another nice and unusual touch. Though color is described as “black,” it’s really a very soft black, almost a dark charcoal.
pureDKNY
I’d done a few quick lunch-hour passes through the pureDKNY store in recent months, and really liked the relaxed-but-with-an-edge aesthetic. I set aside some time to go back and yesterday I spent about an hour perusing the racks. Donna Karan knows her way around knits, drape and women’s bodies, and I was really impressed with what I saw. There’s a LOT for us here!
But before delving back into clothes, I want to share a new jewelry find, now carried in the pureDKNY stores in LA and NY, as well as many galleries and boutiques. If you love jewelry made from natural materials and in unique and elegant forms, you’re going to love Ann Lightfoot designs.
Using materials like moonstone, feldspar, silk, ebony, quartz, Peruvian opals, buri nut and more, the designs are informed by Ann’s time working in Thailand, as well as her travels throughout Southeast Asia. These are beautiful, serene pieces that add a focal point to easy or edgy ensembles, and would look great with DKNY and Eileen Fisher clothing.
I’m told the pureDKNY store in LA at the Century City mall will be hosting a trunk show of Ann Lightfoot jewelry on April 27th. I’ll have more information on that, and also hope to have some pictures of some of the pieces from the store closer to the event.
While I was browsing, I struck up a conversation with Jennifer, the lovely assistant manager. I mentioned that many of the DKNY styles looked like they’d be great for travel, and she steered me toward the DKNY Cozy.
OMG, this thing is crazy awesome! It comes in a boatload of colors, is lightweight (silk/cashmere blend), soft and warm, and can be styled nine ways to Sunday. It’s an ideal garment for travel, as you can get so many looks from one piece. There’s a video, and even a smartphone app for styling ideas on the run.
If your budget has room for it, this skirt is amazing.
It’s made from washed Habotai silk that has dreamy movement and would be another excellent travel piece.
J.Crew
If I were a jeweled sweatshirt kind of gal, this would have been the one.
Trader Joe’s
It’s great to have so many family and friends who are Foodies. We trade information on restaurants, recipes and products. A recent recommendation:
If you have a Trader Joe’s market near you, check out this Balsamic Glaze. Drizzle over steamed veggies or broiled salmon, or even a bit of soft cheese. Your friends will wonder when you had time to take that gourmet cooking class!
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| Well, I’ll get the hang of it eventually. Really tasty, though! |
Edited to add: no, these items did not all come home with me! 😉
Hope your week is off to a great start. Did you do any Retail Reconaissance over the weekend? Anything good to share?
Disclosure: some links in this post may generate commissions for www.unefemme.net.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States License.
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Donna Karan has done that pucker skirt for years and years…..I have several in different fabrics
and they are always my ‘GO TO’ skirt. They wash beautifully……in a mesh bag on gentle. It is
an investment piece that will keep on giving….
I have considered the cozy over the years but have never tried one on for some reason. What does it look like on a person with a chest? Every time I see the various incarnations of it in print/video – its on a tall flat chested model. Which is not so helpful. I do love the versatility of it.
I do remember Donna Karan saying in an interview (ages ago) that the cozy grew out of a length of black cashmere that she use to style endlessly herself when she was starting out and didn’t have much in the way of a wardrobe.
love the Amy Lightfoot pieces. What is the price point? It is so great to have you out there scoping out all this good stuff.
thanks
Love that eyelash scarf and those organic looking jewels.
Balsamic vinegar is so delicious that I always have a bottle in the pantry. We tried mission fig balsamic vinegar and it is seriously amazing.
I’d love to go on a shopping excursion with you!
You did some serious shopping! Save some funds for shopping in England! I love the color of the scarf at the top….
Oh Pam, I didn’t actually buy all of this stuff! 🙂 I just wanted to share some cool finds.
Ooh could do with some DKNY Cozy – it’s freezing here!
That jacket looks lovely. I have to go to Nordstrom’s later to return something so I’ll see if I can find it. Thank you for the TJ’s Balsamic glaze tip. We’ll try it!
That cashmere eyelash wrap is the top is such a pretty color and I love the peplum jacket (a basic for work!). We do have a TJ nearby and I will have to check that balsamic. Looks delicious!
leslie
Thanks for sharing your real-world assessments. I find it hard to get past the photos of super skinny models and often just assume the clothes won’t look good on me.
I like those DKNY Cosy pieces – look like perfect slouch-in-style wear!
I love the scarf, it’s such a pretty colour and I like the idea of the DKNY Cozy – sounds perfect for travelling.
There’s a wonderful Lidia Bastianich recipe which is more or less that you brown chicken pieces (with bone and skin) in a skillet with olive oil/butter, rosemary, and garlic; then turn everything into a casserole and put it in the oven to finish cooking. About 15 minutes before it should be done, dowse it with balsamic or red wine vinegar and then baste a bit. Do the same about 5 minutes before it’s finished. I would think that glaze would cut the basting down to one step.
What fun; things are so different ‘in person’. The jewelry looks deeply wearable and looking fwd to seeing more!
The jewellery and the skirt would be great for travel. I love looking even when I am not buying. It would be helpful to see more real women modelling the clothes. On the Eileen Fisher website, you can see employees of different ages and sizes wearing the clothes.
I bought a DKNY Cozy a few years ago, in a gorgeous green. It’s very comfortable, but I don’t know that I’ve got the knack of wearing it – when it’s loose or in one of the looser incarnations, I feel that it overwhelms me; when I try the tighter wrap versions, it just seems to highlight my figure flaws (lack of waist being the main one). Maybe I need to go and try again 🙂
The scarf looks great. I do wear summer scarves, especially when driving to keep the sun off my neck. I think I may order the ivory, really pretty. I actually marinate raw vegetables in balsamic vinegar, with some other spices, and a bit of lemon juice, before I roast them. They always have a great flavor and you don’t need any oil or butter with them.
I am a great fan of DKNY and have 2 cozys. They are fantastic for travel and can be adapted from day to evening. Highly recommend.
I love the top necklace!! Edgy and interesting. The skirt has my name all over it :-)) I have one by Babette which looks similar but its getting tired and needs to be replaced.
I really love those necklaces, totally perfect for a night out, or a beach vacation. thanks for the scoop , danielle