SHOPPING DIARIES - October 24th, 2010

What beautiful weather we had in NYC today! Such a climate made for a perfect shopping day down in Soho, so I thought I would create this new post, entitled, "Shopping Diaries," to give you guys a better idea of where I like to shop and my opinions on the retail environment in New York.

To begin, I explored the basics at Vince and Unis, then headed across the street to scope out the vintage at Ina and later Amarcord, the fast fashion at Uniqlo on Broadway, the high fashion at Rag & Bone, and quite by accident, the perfect mix at the Florsheim pop-up on Mercer street.

The quality of Vince's offerings has steadily declined over the past few of seasons since I began shopping there a couple of years ago, though I did pick up a pair of their skinny jeans ($240, pictured at right) to put away for Christmas. Their bottoms have always been a standout and their new skinny jean cut is without a doubt the most flattering I've ever worn. And, by picking out a $42 T-Shirt, I was eligible for their Spend $250, get $50 back sale (basically, I got the T-Shirt for free).

Unis always makes a great peacoat, and I'm lusting over her grey wool offering that I showed you guys earlier in the Bloomingdales mailer.

On the vintage front, Ina had some Moncler just in for almost the same price as the current full-price coats at Barneys, and an AMAZING Burberry double breasted wool coat for around $500. I believe it's a size small as it fit me like a dream but, as you guys know from my +J post, I already picked up the Chesterfield coat at Uniqlo for almost a fourth of the price. Amarcord had some great military jackets and, as always, a fine selection of luxury dress shoes and long coats.

At Uniqlo I picked up another one of their Cashmere Cardigans, a slim corduroy blazer for $80 (!!!), and a sweatshirt that is a 100% rip off of of the Wings + Horns one pictured below. Although I feel bad buying a rip off, the fit and price ($30, compared to $200) were just too good to pass up.

Rag & Bone was pretty depressing. While their clothes look great on a runway (and everyone knows what a big fan of their Fall/Winter 2010 show I was and still am), in person and alone they just loose their life and end up looking stiff. I went in expecting to walk out with one of the Tiberland boot colabs, but alas, they did not live up to expectations. I knew it was too good to be true. Not yet completely defeated, I tried on a pair of green corduroys ($195). The fit was alright, but I just wasn't in the mood anymore.

Feeling defeated and competely bootless, I was about to make my way home before I basically walked right into the Florsheim pop-up store without even realizing it. The lofty space is clean and welcoming, with the Duckie Brown collaboration taking up the front space, a great selection of well priced accessories in the middle, and the Florsheim Limited collection in the back.

I tried on a few pairs of dress shoes and boots while I was there. The Duckie Brown shoes were a little bit too feminine for my taste, but the Florsheim Limited collection was perfect. The prices were unbelievable (almost all of the shoes were under $150), and the styles were both classic and intriguing without being too unwearable.

I picked up a pair of the Sentinel lace-ups in camel for just over $99 and a Fair-Isle cap for $65. Check out some pictures of the space and my shoe purchase below.

(Florsheim Accessories)

(Florsheim and Duckie Brown Collaboration Collection)

(Florsheim Limited Collection)

Sentinel in Camel ($99)

SAVE - Uniqlo Cashmere Cardigan - $150

A cashmere cardigan is one of my favorite Fall/Winter wardrobe staples. Once a luxury, Uniqlo has produced their own slim fit version in 100% cashmere for just $150. The cardigan is offered in navy, charcoal, light grey, camel, and black. Although the cardigan is one of their most expensive items in the store (save the +J collection), it's with good reason; the sweaters are thick, soft, and fit perfectly. If $150 is still out of your price range, there is a lambswool version for $40. Save.

SAVE - +J Fall/Winter Collection

Jil Sander has gone dressy for her +J Fall/Winter collection for Uniqlo. Windbreakers and parkas are inspired by blazers, and outerwear, such as the Chesterfield wool flannel coat (pictured above), would work beautifully over a suit. Speaking of suits, +J has produced the only suit you'll ever need for this winter. Slim, charcoal grey, and under $300, it's a must have. The down quilted jacket (pictured below) is reminiscent of Thom Browne's puffer snap button coats for Moncler Gamme Bleu two seasons ago, and at a fraction of the price.

With a superior fit, technical fabrics, and minimalist design aesthetic, this +J collection is sure to fly off of the racks. Available at the Uniqlo Soho flagship starting October 15.

Photos curtesy of +J and Uniqlo

UPDATE: I purchased the Chesterfield coat on Friday and it is AMAZING! Definitely a must have for Fall and even Winter. The cut is slim and flattering, and the length will add refinement and sophistication to any outfit. The lining is also incredibly comfortable, while the wool/flannel on the outside is super soft.

SAVE - Uniqlo Coated Military Jacket - $49.90

Fortunately and unfortunately, Fall is approaching, and with it comes blustery days, slight chills and school, all of which this Uniqlo Coated Military Jacket will be perfect for. At $49.90, this is a complete steal, especially if, like me, you are in the market for an updated bomber jacket that doesn't cost you a year of college tuition. I'm in love with the color and will most certainly be picking one up at the Uniqlo Soho flagship store come my return to the city. Save.

WHAT I'M WEARING - Casual Friday

I'm looking outside my window and it's gloriously sunny, but according to The Weather Channel is is going to thunderstorm later... Well I guess I'll bring a packable rain jacket just in case.

Jacket: Uniqlo J+

Shirt: Shipley & Halmos

Jeans: Vintage Levi's

Belt: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Shoes: Sperry Topsider for J. Crew

A few quick notes on these items. Get them all! Let's start from the top down. This Uniqlo J+ jacket is light, and water tight. Its chic shade of green will go great with jeans, and its futuristic fabric is shiny enough to make its simple and clean design stand out. The Shipley & Halmos shirt is probably the best looking and fitting shirt I've ever owned. I bought it just yesterday at Scoop, on sale for $69! The jeans: I promise I will do a post on them later. The Marc by Marc Jacobs belt is a classic, thick brown leather belt. I think it was maybe $30... Not sure, I got it so long ago, but it's still going strong. The shoes I've been over.
Have a great weekend and try not to get drenched.

TO SPLURGE OR TO SAVE - Finding the Perfect T-Shirt

Yes, I acknowledge that T-shirt dressing is more L.A. than New York, but with the summer months ahead, its imperative that one finds a great white (or really any light color) tee to fight the heat. Another challenge is finding a T-shirt that, without being incredibly overpriced, doesn't look like something you would wear to bead.

Below I have compiled a list of my four favorite places to pick up a great white tee.

Numbers Lab ($35-$95) --> Find at Bloomingdales and Saks locations
Numbers Lab makes great tees that feel as if they are draped onto your body. They are tight and loose exactly where they should be, and have the perfect length in the sleeve and in the body.

Acne Jeans ($69-$110) --> Find at their store - 10 Green St., New York, NY
When you are wearing a Acne tee it is easy to forget that you are wearing a shirt at all. Does that sound weird? Well it's true. They are slightly oversized, which I think creates a great silhouette, and although pricey, are easily comparable to say, a Dolce & Gabbana tee that you could easily cost you upwards of $200. So depending which way you look at it, its either a save or a splurge!

James Perse ($45-$95) --> Find at his store - 361 Bleeker St., New York, NY
James Perse is world renowned for his mastery of the T-shirt. He has a series of stores on Bleeker street, each offering a copious selection of tees in different fabrics, textures, and styles.

Uniqlo ($5-$20) --> Find at their store on Broadway btw. Spring and Prince
Despite its international standing as a power chain store, Uniqlo manages to retain quality in its clothing, a fact that is evident in its most basic offering: the tee. You can either opt for a T-shirt pack (better for layering), a fine cotton tee, or one of their anime and manga printed graphic tees, all of which are extremely comfortable and look even better with time.