I Bought The Dress

Would you buy something that's been prominently displayed in The New York Times as possibly one of the world's cheapest dresses? Well, I did. I also bought its less infamous yellow sister seen below. Both from Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten line, and both cost $8.98. So for under $18 I got two colorful summer dresses.

Do I care it had its 15 minutes in The New York Times? Nah. Perhaps I'll wear my blue dress like a flag? Look, here it is, and I'm damn proud! Not a penny more than $8.98!

pretty yellow dress front, full-skirted, & backwards (couldn't resist, felt very Westwood) - pretty blue dress front, back and front again - and you can wear chunky heels or flats















Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall level 2, 33rd @ 6th

So Much To Do...

Fuel up, kids, because there's a lot of new shopping on 34th Street today. First up, the Gap Artist Editions T-shirts in celebration of the 2008 Whitney Biennial debut in stores:


I spotted these in The New Yorker, and have my eye on the Hanna Liden big bird (bottom right). And Stephanie Seymour in the Jeff Koons? Sexy. Looks like they are all $28.



Next, get thee to Footaction on 7th & 34th at 3pm for an old school, bad-ass celebrity sighting: the Rev Run will be dropping by to promote the release of the "Icon Sneaker." Ladies, I may have to stalk him a little because Run-DMC is, well, remember the video for "Walk this Way?" Aerosmith has never been so cool.

Last, Steve & Barry's Laird Hamilton Wonderwall collection, a surf and skate apparel line for men, debuts today. Everything is $9.98 or less. Not familiar with Laird Hamilton? Girls, he's the hot blond surfer dude married to Gabrielle Reece and famous for mastering those crazy, 70 ft. waves. Take a cue from Laird's collection and plan a guy-centric night at home for the man. Rent Riding Giants, a seminal surfing movie starring Laird, surprise your guy with a new pair of Wonderwall board shorts (above), and dress yourself down with SJP's Bitten loungewear (this should include boy shorts). Works every time.

Gap, 60 W. 34th at 6th Avenue
Footaction, 430 7th at 34th
Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall level 2, 33rd @ 6th

Steve & Barry's = $8.98

Everything in Steve & Barry's in Manhattan Mall is $8.98. Space is limited in the store (looks like big renovations), so I'd recommend shopping during off hours. During lunch and peak hours it will be crowded. Still, those checkout kids are fast.

Here's what you should pick up:













Bitten goods. Dresses and denim jackets for $8.98 is a bargain. That disco pink bodysuit is the most Carrie item I think I've seen SJP do for Steve & Barry's. It fits surprisingly well, although yes, it rides up. But show me a bodysuit that doesn't. The black and white dress are the same style, very cute and nice feminine details (pleated, swingy bottom). And buy that denim jacket small and tight (you can take the girl out of the heavy metal club....)

Also get the EleVen sweatpants. They are soft, long (remember, Venus is tall) and wash well (I bought these months ago). And they are $8.98! There are also lots of T's and long sleeved shirts, but it looks like most of the pretty sweatjackets are gone.

Then pick up a pair of Steve & Barry's cargo shorts for your man. Because it's going to get warm and they're $8.98.

Steve & Barry's, Manhattan Mall level 2, 33rd @ 6th

All About Barbie

Who wasn't inspired by Barbie as a young girl? Me. I was more impressed with Ken and Barbie's gymnast cousin Trixie. But doesn't it make sense that Patricia Field has created a Barbie-inspired line for Macy's? Have you seen Sex in the City? Only Patricia Field could convince America that it's perfectly de riguer for Sarah Jessica Parker to be running around Manhattan in little more than a men's shirt or booty shorts and 5 inch heels in the middle of the day. And only Barbie or SJP could pull it off.

The inimitable and talented Ms. Field will be appearing today at Macy's Herald Square to launch her new line of casual wear, accessories, and handbags, all inspired by the blondest she-bot doll in the history of dolldom. Visit the Impulse department on 2 (it's a conspiracy, I swear) today at 6pm, nosh a little and listen to Mickey Boardman of Paper Magazine interview Patricia Field.

Enjoy great people watching at this event, because Patricia Field has a strong New York following and her fans are colorful and bold trendsetters. Proof of this is at the Payless store on 34th Street, where Ms. Field's 5 1/2 inch platform sandals ("Tempura," $40) and boots ("Sushi," $55) are currently almost sold out. Hurry and you may be able to find your size, but PLEASE practice a little platform walking before you take them on the street. Channel drag queen.

And while there look at the Abaete holiday collection. I love the black evening flats named "Betty," $30. They don't look special in the box but are beautiful on the foot. And as usual, her designs never look like anyone else's.

Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th, 212-695-4400
Payless, 110 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th, 212-947-0306

When Co-Workers Dress Alike

Could it be that when two people work closely together, they start to look alike? You know, like old married couples and pets and their owners? Hmm, let's check out our own Martin & Mazza, a young, smart team who favor a style I like to call "preppy punk." They've spent many months this past year working together in a very small office.

Unfortunately, we only recently started documenting this phenomenon. Here's White Shirt Day: The evening before White Shirt Under Gray Sweater Day (below), Martin tried to throw Mazza off with a text full of crazy wardrobe misinformation:

As you can see, he texted for naught. What's at play here? Are their style moons perfectly aligned or did the intimate office environment influence vital wardrobe decisions? Let's examine the facts: both wear great belts; both favor the dark skinny jean; both keep the tailoring neat; both adopt a stand-out signature [Martin with hats and Mazza with glasses (above) and red nails (left)]. The plot thickens. We'll continue tracking this modern nature v. nurture mystery as more clues emerge.

Where Martin shops in the district: H&M, Macy's, Gap.
Where Mazza shops: Uniqlo and Urban Outfitters. I'll convert her to a district store yet.

Martin says: Get undershirts at the Gap and make them fitted and more comfortable by drying them on high heat. Ahh, nothing like the shirt well done from the dryer.

Mazza says: She'll never buy anything from Sarah Jessica Parker. Mazza's tough, but wait till she hears Bitten has pea coats for $19.98.

H&M, 435 Seventh Avenue at 34th Street, 212-643-6955

Gap, 60 W. 34th at 6th Avenue, 212-760-1268
Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th St. btwn Broadway & 7th, 212-695-4400

Steve and Barry's, Manhattan Mall, 100 W. 33rd at Broadway, 212-564-1959

Shopping with KT

What’s so great about shopping with friends? Well, for one you get good copy. The Herald took co-worker “KT” to Steve and Barry’s in Manhattan Mall for some Bitten shopping.* Sarah Jessica Parker’s line is huge, inexpensive (nothing over $19.98), and nicely styled. We started with pants.

Women are always looking for “good pants for work.” KT grabbed a pair of dark blue wide leg chinos because she’s looking for “good pants for work.” I tried the high rise slender chinos because I really need, you know, “good pants for work.” Let’s go to the tape:

(KT) “I like them because they’re comfortable & long, [right]; the waistband isn’t tight.”
(FH) “Damn, the 8’s are small [left], and the 10’s are too baggy in the ass.”
(KT) “Mine too, but they’re just for the office and they’re $14.98.”

Voila, KT! Yes, $14.98 generally does not equal couture fit. Upon further examination, KT decided they’re too “crotchy” (this girl never stops). She’s right too, they bag all up in that area. Hmm, wonder if that'll come out in the wash?

Next up, Bitten coats. On the navy pea coat:

(KT) “This is a perfect coat to wear to a bar, toss in a corner, and not worry about all night long.”

Bravo KT! Copy like that could sell thousands of peacoats to young city girls. Pony up, SJP, because they’re so cheap ($19.98) that spilt beer, sticky fingers, and drunk girls taking home your cute coat is no big tragedy.

What KT bought:
Black gathered neck short-sleeve top for $7.98 (see above right)
“bar-able” coat for $19.98 (right, on KT)

*Project Bitten goal: Coerce the women in the FH office to buy Bitten and get blogged. The line is vast, impressive, and CHEAP. Nothing’s over $20. Return for can’t miss pieces that women of all shapes/ages can wear. Feel free to email fashionherald your Bitten opinion.

Steve and Barry's, Manhattan Mall, Level 2, 100 W. 33rd at 6th Avenue
212-564-1959