Wonderwall: The Last Chance?

As Steve & Barry's is now completely kaput, liquidation sales are in progress, eg: 60% or more off of everything. You know I couldn't resist buying the man some more Wonderwall:

I even got another pair of board shorts for him - they were $3. And I know West Coasters must find those surf T's kind of silly ($2), but everytime he wears one the young, Wmsbrg. hipster types go nuts. Kills me!









Laird Hamilton, where are you and your wonderwall going? I will track you down, watch out Gabrielle. At least now the husband has enough board shorts & T-shirts to last him a lifetime.

As for me, I didn't see much in the way of clothes, although I may go back for a spring Bitten tunic top. But I've had my eye on these Bitten wallet things for a while, so I picked up two of the brightest for under $3.

And I couldn't resist the grey scarf hair thing, or the gold headband (Both around $1.50). Do not get the too-ridiculous-tight elastic hairbands(not shown) or you may do permanent brain damage. Or maybe it's just my ginormous head. I did buy the elastics, but for my cat who is obsessed and plays fetch with them for hours.

In other fascinating, discount store news, I just noticed on my Strawberry receipt that these:


are categorized as "Gym Active." I may have to go back for these (I bought the black) now that I know they are gym-appropriate. Brooklyn YMCA weightlifters, beware.

Steve & Barry's Manhattan Mall, (but not for long) 33rd & 6th Avenue

Thanks, Laird

Thank god for Laird Hamilton's Wonderwall collection at Steve & Barry's in 34th Street. Seriously, it's the only stuff I buy for my husband that he doesn't immediately reject. Usually his first reaction to clothing is "take it back." Then 24 hours later he'll give it the green light. I don't know, commitment issues?! Here he is in a long-sleeved shirt, grey sweat shorts and a striped polo I had to get because it's so soft, albeit very orange. All is $8.98.

White pocket T from Gap, $6.99 on sale. Note the solo cute orange buttonhole on the shirt and the little Wonderwall logo. Excuse the cleavage shot, the model hates shopping AND trying on clothes. And he's barely had his morning coffee. When the orange polo "shrinks," I'm so sleeping in it.










Steve & Barry's is still open in Manhattan Mall. The clerks say it's not closing. Prices have been raised to $14.98 & $19.98 for a lot of lines, but the Wonderwall is still $8.98. Best deal in the store.

Also, I always grab white Gap T-shirts for myself when they're discounted, so the other day I picked him up a couple, now on sale for $6.99. While in the men's department, I noticed this:

An attractive men's fedora, on sale for $18-ish. Perfect for him, yes?! Umm actually, no, so now I'm the happy owner of this hat. Ladies, always keep an eye out in the men's department for a little poaching.


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

Steve & Barry's: What To Buy

Before the store goes away, try and get some of these:













As you can see, Wonderwall by Laird Hamilton is a men's line for the surfer/skate dudes in your acquaintance. Although my man threatens me all the time with a skateboard purchase, I think I've convinced him he's too old to start (I'm not an ageist, this is for the safety of the general public). But the clothes he can wear, particularly when they're cute, very inexpensive, and well-made. The Wonderwall line has soft cottons and nice design elements, like pull strings on the inside of the cargo shorts and lining in the board shorts. The graphics are cute and the prints are stylish. I've got my eye on a palm tree T-shirt for myself.

This is, unfortunately, not me and my husband.

The flip flops (above, also come in tan) got a big thumbs up, as the soles are fabric. Important for those who have sweaty feet in the summer. I didn't know I was married to a foot-sweater until this Fourth of July holiday; he wore his cheap rubber flip-flops and was sliding out of them during a long walk. Finally he had to take them off and go barefoot. Ewww, barefoot in Brooklyn.

So load up on Wonderwall before it disappears, and maybe resurfaces elsewhere. But if Mr. Hamilton's line is (hopefully) picked up, everything will not be $8.98. We've learned that doesn't quite work.

I'll end with a little love letter to the great surfer:

Dear Mr. Laird Hamilton,

If you're great line survives, can you please convince your lovely wife [Gabrielle Reece, pictured above] to design one for the ladies? Thanks,

Fashion Herald

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

Your Friendly Manhattan Mall Update

Manhattan Mall, the mall of midtown and home to Steve & Barry's and Strawberry, is going through some changes:










The bottom floor is what used to be the food court. A loss, yes (no more food samples), but all this construction will bring JCPenney to midtown Manhattan. I haven't stepped foot inside a JCPenney since I was a kid. And back then we had more family ties to Sears as my sister was a top seller in automotive (employee discount, baby!). So send me some JCPenney comments, I'm curious as to what you all think.

And some Manhattan Mall windows:










At Steve & Barry's, the Sex and the City T-shirts by Bitten. Umm, "I'm with Mr. Big," not really interested but perhaps it's my age/marital status. You?

Also at Steve & Barry's, the Wonderwall line by Laird Hamilton. "We are all equal before a wave." Maybe if one is a world-class surfer, yes. Me, not so much as I discovered on my honeymoon after a bit of a tropical storm. But Laird's line looks pretty good. I eyeballed the collection today and am buying some later this week (the lunchtime line was too long). There are some decent looking striped shirts and also plaid shorts for the guys. And it's all $8.98 or less. Will try to get Husband (a much more "equal before the wave" type) to model.

And I was inexplicably drawn to this Victoria's Secret window:

then it hit me: this was exactly what I had needed for my own wedding gown. Something reasonable to pouf up Mom's dress. She and I had some gut-busting fun shopping for a crinoline (the original had been lost). The only ones we could find were huge, as in "bigger than the church aisle" huge. So I hope this helps someone out there who is also overwhelmed by too-too poufy wedding undergarments.

The rest of the Victoria's Secret wedding collection looks vintage, pretty and sexy. Has anyone tried it on? Lingerie trying-on was not happening today as I haven't been to the gym in over a week.

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

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