Photograph courtesy of La Garconne
I prefer shopping online. Why should I be limited only to my immediate surroundings when I can have anything and everything just sitting down with my laptop at the kitchen table? Forget the depressing overhead dressing room lights and lack of variety—give me about a hundred pages of shoes on Yoox and I'm happy as a clam.
Tons of stores have sister blogs with really great styling. If I find myself lacking imagination with which to envision those new No. 6 clog boots, I can always see a head-to-toe look on one of my favorite blogs. My style is understated edgy, I want you to see me before you see my clothes. I want a coat to fit perfectly but have some subliminal details that make it more interesting the longer you look. I fashion myself a mystery to be unravelled. I enjoy the hunt for obscure designers and new talent.
My consistently favorite shopping sites are:
- Yoox—European designers abound on this Italian site that ships UPS worldwide for free, yes free. You will find choices from seasons past and some current goodies at discounted prices but snobs beware; don't let the discount stop you... the choice is spectacular.
- Creatures of Comfort —This little store is growing quickly, now including its own line of basics that are not all that basic. Alexander Wang jersey separates, Repetto ballet flats in colors galore and fresher-than-au-courant denim for more progressive dressers.
- Totokaelo—What styling brilliance. The blog is as good as the catalog. Models are cute and real, not so gorgeous and skinny that you can't relate.
- La Garconne—Admittedly, a very New York color palette of black, gray, charcoal, dove, ecru, black and more black. At least you know everything will match. No price breaks here unless there is a super sale but who cares? Remember, full price forces you to be selective. You want quality, not quantity in your closet.
- Maryam Nassir Zadeh—A stunning edit from New York's namesake boutique. Her dress choices are always lovely. One of these years, I will have an Electric Feathers habotai silk kimono dress. For now, I should stick with focusing on my mortgage payment.
Live a little, run around shopping less. And if none of it works, you can 1-800-CALL-UPS.
Madeline Meyerowitz is the owner of enokiworld.com, a website specializing in vintage designer clothing.
