Saturday, January 19, 2008

Shopping Journal Entry #2

Built By Wendy
7 Centre Market Pl

I visited Built By Wendy for their end of the season sale. This is a label that I have a lot of issues with. I understand that the motto behind this label is simplicity, however the construction of the shirts are too simple to be priced so high. And each season, there is little variation in design. While I was at the register I browsed through the Spring/Summer collection, and sure enough they had the same exact shirt designs from the fall/winter collection, just available in a different fabric. If the shirts actually fit well, then perhaps I would not find this method so distasteful. But they don't. Most of the shirts are tunics or pullovers, designs that lack any real tailoring or concept of the female form. So why continue to produce more of something that just doesn't work.
Purchasing a shirt for $155 at Built By Wendy seems even more ridiculous when Ms. Wendy Mullin will sell you the simple pattern used for making that shirt at just $14.95.
"Built By You"

The dresses are also very plain in construction, except for some overwhelming pleating or draping on the sleeves.
All in all, Built by Wendy is designed for a select few. Perhaps a middle schooler looking for a sophisticated and flouncy satin dress [that is cut to appease her prepubescent body] to watch Gossip Girl in; or grown women easily attracted to pretty fabrics.

Despite all this, I am still a fan of Wendy's. She has some very attractive and sensible designs, a keen eye for fabric and an awesome t-shirt line. I ended up purchasing this slightly overpriced American Apparel tee [$35] for the screen work.












Oak Sample Sale
cash only, final sales
Bond St & Lafeyette

One day too late. I arrived at the new Oak store on Bond St. the day after its grand [sample sale] opening. I could already tell that some great pieces and accessories were plucked from the racks. No worries though, the store is still fully stocked, though all the [hipster] checkered scarves were purchased within hours of the store's opening.
The store is currently still in a makeshift state. The windows are covered with pages from the Oak catalogue and the register is hidden behind large pieces of cardboard. As I was shopping, the manager announced that they would be getting a store mirror in 2 hours.
The dressing rooms were up and running, and women where trying on armfuls of Neal Sperling.

I walked away with Oak's Fall '07 Broaklyn Tee for just ten bucks.













I definitely recommend stopping by this sample sale, especially with United Bamboo and Acne dresses marked down to $130.

Happy shopping.

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