Macy's Fashion Show Brunch with Cheapy

Have you missed me, fellow shoppers? I was in L.A. for a week (not shopping--working), and then I spent a few days recovering.

Right before I left, however, Cheapy took me to a fashion show that was part of the annual ATP Masters Series. (This tennis tournament is Cheapy's favorite event of the year. He spends hundreds of dollars on tickets for the entire tournament, takes the week off work, and has a stay-cation in the hot hot sun at center court, often spending 12 hours a day there, sneaking into more expensive seats, scoring free lemonade to spike with vodka, and making friends with fellow tennis fans as well as food vendors and bar tenders.)

Tuesday morning of the event included a "Ladies Day" brunch and fashion show put on by Macy's and Cheapy got tickets. He was the only male in there except a 12-year-old boy sitting with his mom and sisters looking like he wanted to die. The other ladies at our table all asked, "How did you get him to come to this." "It was his idea," I told them. Cheapy didn't mind being in a tent full of woman, and he had me bring my camera along so he could take some pics, standing right next to the runway in his grungy camo-cargo shorts and sweaty hat snapping away. At one point I went to the ladies room and when I came back Cheapy was missing. He emerged from the models tent with a few of their names and email addresses jotted down. (That's so Cheapy.)

Here's the lowdown on the show. (All photos by Cheapy)

First up--oh the horror--leggings. A few minutes later--I kid you not--a model came out in stirrup pants. (Cheapy turned around from his post by the runway and we simultaneously mouthed "Oh my God!")


Next up a bunch of rather hideous bold prints dresses from INC in non-natural fabrics. This black and white was rather shapeless.


This yellow and blue loud. This yellow hue is not wearable for most, I'd say. (I do like the yellow clutch carried by the model in the solid babydoll dress. But if I see another babydoll dress I'll scream. Enough already.)


The show also gave us special occasion dresses. I like the shape of the center embellished dress--flattering. Note the forty-something model on the left!


Lots of red and black went down the runway. Didn't like.



Didn't like.


Didn't like.


This is not a white ruffled blouse with a high-waisted pencil skirt--it's a dress. Were you fooled?


I like menswear-inspired pieces like the ones below. A classic vest and trousers with a feminine blouse is always a hit.


So if you head to Macy's for some fall shopping, here's what you're in for courtesy of INC, Micheal Kors, Donna Rico, Maggy London, and all:

• red, white and black
• safari colors (beige, brown and olive green)
• high-waisted skirts, pants and jeans
• embellished dresses
  
• tunics and babydoll dresses
• menswear influence, pencil shirts
• graphic prints
• leggings and stirrup pants (also known as the '80s)

(I am counting the days until Nordstrom opens at The Mall.)

Friday Night at The Mall

I mentioned in my last post that my company declared "summer hours" during which we can leave at 3 o'clock on Fridays. So far summer hours have been doing a number on my discretionary fund. Last week it was Dillard's, Victoria's Secret and Sephora, this week Macy's and Gap. I left The Mall with a shopping bag full of purchases about which I am quite jazzed--three dresses, a pair of shoes and a white shirt.

I spent some time in that Macy's dress department and it was not much fun. All the things I liked on the hangars looked dumb on, the dressing rooms were like 95 degrees, everything seemed to zip up the side which was hard to do, and each time I was trying things on there was an annoying women having a loud cell phone conversation in the room right next to me.

I gave up and headed to INC where I found this dress that I love love love. It was in the petite section which is always a plus, and it's a cotton shirt dress with a full 1950's-ish skirt. I got the brown and white pictured below in a petite size as well as a black and white floral print in a regular size, which also fits me nicely but is just a tad longer. I wish I could have shown a bigger picture, but the Macy's site is being weird (which you may find if you click on the link to this dress.) The picture below does not do this dress justice--it's so way better in person when you can see just how cute the print is.


I also got these Reaction by Kenneth Cole wedges only not in black as pictured here. They were also offered in pewter and I've got a weakness of a metallic shoe. They're a nice squishy comfy wedge and I really like the wood heel and the t-stap.

Finally I fell into the Gap and bought two white items--it's practically summer, you know--time to lighten up. I got a rather granola dress that's two layers of very light cotton with some embroidery. It's not normally something that I'd gravitate towards (it's a little Rachel Zoe), but it's really a good summer piece, it was flattering and comfortable, and it was on sale for $34. (I couldn't find it online.)

I'd already checked out when I noticed a display of white shirts. Remember the hip-designers -do-the-Gap white shirts? Let's just say they did not go like hotcakes at The Mall. Not quite right for the suburban Midwestern mall shopper, I suppose. They were all on sale for $16.99 (and are currently $44.99 online). I headed back to the counter and bought this one by Phillip Lim, which was my favorite of all of the white shirts they offered. It will do well for me in my chilly office through the summer months.

What I Learned on My Lunchtime Shopping Trip (or Everything at Macy's Sucks)

I stopped by Macy's on my way home for lunch today. (Macy's is between my office and my house. I drive past it daily.) I was not impressed. Kenneth Cole: What are you thinking with your color palette? INC: What is up with the icky fabrics? Calvin Klein: You have some very odd shaped sweater-y items and I'm not even sure what they are.

Maybe February is a bad time to shop, a weird transitional period as the winter items are clearanced and the spring items are trickling in. Or maybe Macy's buyers are on crack. Or perhaps the designers and manufacturers are having a collective bad season. This does not bode well for near future lunch-hour shopping.

I give you: turtleneck dresses, shiny mini trenches, hippie wear...

My Huband Hated My Outfit!

Friday night my husband and I hit the mall about 45 minutes before the start of movie we were seeing. Then he told me he didn't like my outfit, and--this was the wine talking--we should go buy me a new one. He was interested in a short purple babydoll dress in the window of Forever 21. No way I was going for something that cheap when he had a buzz and a credit card. We headed to Macy's.

I ended up with a cute blue shirt dress from Macy's house brand INC after a mini Material Girl fashion show and a lecture from the old lady who worked there that men aren't allowed in the dressing rooms. I'm generally a big fan of INC--they can be a little too trendy but you can often find some of-the-moment items along with wardrobe staples (like the great trench coats they just got in)--and they are pretty well made. And the great thing about shopping department stores like Macy's is that something is always on sale.

Since I only had about half an hour to shop, I found myself back at the store on Saturday morning. (My husband said it was like he brought a junkie to an opium den. Whatever.) My Saturday morning finds included three more INC items. I got a black and white patterned jersey babydoll dress with a bubble hem--trendy but very flattering on. I also bought two pairs of shorts, a leopard print for my more '80s moments (seen on the model above whose legs are longer than my entire body) and a knee-length pinstripe pair with sewn a in grosgrain belt detail.

After that I hit Sephora to stock up on a few of my fav Stila products. For other Stila fans out there, they are currently having a 20% off sale on their vintage line.

P.S. I got the silver Vince Camuto shoes the other day. They are just as beautiful in person, but I fear the heels are too high for me. However they look divine with my blue dress so I'm still mulling over whether or not to keep them.