From Couture to Cheap (Supposedly)
As much as I love the greats--Balenciaga, Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs--who are we kidding? I don't have the budget for their stuff. The only time I can indulge in high fashion is when I hit the occassional sample sale, spot it on SmartBargains.com and BlueFly.com, or get it as a gift (either from a generous boyfriend or publicist).
Even still, I subscribe to Vogue to see what I'm missing, what I can turn into a look for less, or just for fashion-porn purposes. I am a style voyeur, after all. I even love the smell of the pages of things I can't afford. But wait, could I be wrong? My January issue arrived today...
Do you see what I see? Look--towards the bottom, left-hand corner, above the bar code: DRESS CHEAP?! No way.
I flipped through the 160+ pages. Hmmm, not one thing in my price range. Let me look again, I said. I looked at the Table of Contents, nestled in between ads for Valentino, Cartier and Prada (just to name a few). It promised, if I turn to page 156, I'd find, "Out with the old, in with the new: We've got ten inspired ideas to make the transition ever more stylish, all in tune with environment- and recession-minded resolutions."
Hmmm--recession-minded ... That's me!
I quickly rummaged through pages, ignoring looks from Rodarte, Phillip Lim and Bottega Veneta. I even passed over a gorgeous feature on Barack and Michelle (which, of course, I'll read later in its entirety without interruption). I finally get to page 156, and what do I see? A Kotur clutch for $795, a Smythson sewing kit for $975, a hybrid motorbike for $4,800, and a Chanel leather tote for $1,525.
Cheap? I think not.
The only "recession-proof" item on their Fresh Start index was number 10--make do and mend, encouraging fashionistas to repair wobbly heels and worn soles to extend their shoes' shelf life, which (I suppose) means you don't have to buy new shoes?? LOL.
--Ysolt
Have you seen the latest issue of Vogue? Do you feel duped?
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That's awful! Who in their right mind would be touting that stuff as recession minded? Recession minded for whom? I think they should take a page from Allure who's editor Maggie Buckley said “Shopping is almost embarrassing, and a little vulgar right now”.
Like this is really surprising? Come on, it's Vogue. The magazine for women with more money then sense. Or at least women married to rich men who shower them with money so the ladies will ignore the mistresses on the side.
Being surprised about their idea of cheap is like going to Newport Beach and being surprised when you find every other building houses a plastic surgeon. Not very surprising at all.
Next time read a real magazine like US News.
Jami, good lord -- what's with all the negativity? I really don't get it, if you're always complaining about The Fashionator's posts, why are you still reading? By the way, i checked out your site and you have a thing or two (or a million) to learn about looking good and ... singing. ha
I feel your pain - LOVE couture & the like, but can't afford anywhere near the pricepoints. However, there are quite a few places out there to get fashionable pieces without breaking the bank - you just have to do a little digging.
I feel your pain - LOVE couture & the like, but can't afford anywhere near the pricepoints. However, there are quite a few places out there to get fashionable pieces without breaking the bank - you just have to do a little digging.
my main thought is...could they have chosen a worse picture of Anne Hathaway? she's a beautiful woman, they must have picked the worst of the shoot. sad. and....it is Vogue. who's surprised?
I never read Vogue, however I read other magazines such as Glamour, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan to name a few. While they do feature some budget friendly items at times, mostly their goal is to sell and sell those labels that pay them the most to advertise, therefore it is Balenciaga or Dior or Roberto Cavalli or some other label that are being pimped at us. The audience of those magazines are not rich and famous, but women who work hard and spending two months rent or mortgage for a leather bag or lacy dress is the most ridiculous idea.
I agree with you all
The Vogue look just doesn't work for my life or for me. I live in the country, for one. My husband and I both work full time, and soon I'm going back to college to work toward my master's degree. We bought a modest fixer upper house we're working on gradually as we can afford both the time and money to do it ourselves as we go. I have seen shoes in the magazine that are quite simply works of art, but I could never even wear shoes that look like that, for example, to go to work. The "cheap" versions would not work for me, either, as I work with kids in a rural area; sneakers are actually required for dress code. Designer clothes in working with children who have a background in poverty seems to be ridiculous to me. Our mortgage for several months is equal to some of the individual items in that magazine. I have seen shoes for the same price as my car. That is ridiculous, and we live in a nice house in a nice neighborhood in a pretty, rural setting.
Great catch on the "cheap" thing ;)
Vogue is only to look at and then replicate the looks with your own budget.... I agree that they are out of touch... but it is the only mainstream magazine doesn't write about sex positions and 'how to be sexy for a man'.... i think that's so lame.... At least they are a little fashion forward even if everything is super expensive- when I was in High school , I used to copy things in Vogue by going to thrift shops and vintage stores and sewing some things myself....
http://twoliablog.com/teacups-and-couture/