Monday, March 9, 2009

Calling For The Classics - And a $60,000 Clothes Budget

This week's Wall Street Journal Magazine put together these 7 Classic Looks
to amortize your investment and bank on long term returns.

Hermes Scarf $375
Thomas Pink Shirt $150
Loro Piana Belt $595
Acne Jeans $299

Tory Burch Dress $325
Mikimoto Pearls $3980

TSE Sweater Set $720
Hermes Kelly Bag $7150
Gap Shorts $39.50
Rimini Sandals $98
Elsa Peretti Necklace (worn as a bracelet) $7500
Cartier Tank Francais Watch $17,925
Kiton Blazer $3500
Gap T-Shirt $16.50
Armani Jeans $725
Persol Sunglasses $270
APC Trench $420
Rolex Datejust $6050

South American Secrets Panama Hat $144.95
Ralph Lauren Satin Shirt $1098
Hermes Belt $950
Banana Republic Pants $79
Bass Wayfarer Loafers $89

Lanvin Dress $4145
Lanvin Lucite Necklace $3608
OK...here are some of the comments
If you can afford the clothing and accessories in these photos, you’re not worried about “getting through the slump.”
I’m not sure how a $7,000 Hermes bag and a Rolex “help get you through the slump?” Have you checked the front page of your website, the little piece about the unemployment numbers…it’s outrageous that you’d post something like this.
This is a bit silly, really, 950 for a belt, 1000 for a shirt, 6000 for a watch, 7000 for a handbag…that’s Fifteen Thousand dollars, and you don’t even have pants yet! This will help get WHO through a slump???
I just checked and the total of all these “classic looks” come to $60,251.95. Can I get economic stimulus funds if I buy these?
I admit that these clothes fit my style right down to the white dress and tennis shoes.
Most of my life I've worn clothes like these, in fact the white t-shirt, white jeans, blazer, white tennis shoes and good watch, was sort of my signature look for years.
What I like about these looks is that they can easily be created with less expensive pieces. Seriously, who needs white jeans from Armani for $795. And don't even get me started on the Lanvin lucite necklace for $3608....it's just so wrong in so many ways. Akoya pearls are way less than $1000 so the Mikimoto akoya strand for $3980...well that's another example of insanity.
All insanity aside, is this look chic or is it uninspired?
Does this wardrobe look like $60,251.95 to you?
Just curious.

















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7 comments:

Susan B said...

It's a classic American look but I agree that you can get the look for less at Gap, Banana Republic, etc. Back in the 80's in my slimmer incarnation, I used to wear pleated trousers with a crisp white blouse and white Keds. There's also some redundancy here too, why a Cartier AND a Rolex? Either one would work in most situations.

Jill said...

It doesn't look like $60K and I think it's boring...but I tend to be a peacock!

Belle de Ville said...

Pseu, this is certainly a white bread and mayonnaise wardrobe, but I like it for daytime dressing. It's easy to wear and easy to duplicate at a lower level whether through B-Rep, Brooks Brothers, J.Crew or Gap.
Also, I think the two watches are appropriate...one in gold and one in stainless steel...but not at full retail.
You'd have to silly to pay full retail when you can buy these types of watches pre-owned for a huge discount.

Belle de Ville said...

Jill, boring and safe this wardrobe is...just like me.
But, other than the Lanvin dress, I see this as a daytime wardrobe.
My peacockiness doesn't come out until the evening.

Anonymous said...

Am I the only one who noticed that the poor model seems trapped in a wind-tunnel?
There isn't one photo where her hair isn't going absolutely haywire.

Belle de Ville said...

Anon: I believe that they were going for Wind Tunnel hair...isn't that look considered classic?

Anonymous said...

All I know is I hate penny loafers with a passion, and the black ones with white pants is even worse!!

I too saw this spread in the WSJ and realized it's all copiable.

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