Last Call for Wide Legs and All

Revel in the bounty of The World’s Largest Store. One of the many beauties of the department store experience is selection of style and price. Macy’s Herald Square is a shopping cure-all and the perfect happy ending to our wide leg story. Naturally the jeans options are vast.

Put your blinders on and ignore the purses on the first floor. Ride up the escalator to “Misses Better Sportswear” on two. Yes, “misses,” it’s very retro like hats, matching gloves and shoulder pads. Skip floor three as jeans are scarce, and hit four if you’re shopping for your younger sister, teenage daughter, or can’t resist the warm pretzel aroma.

DKNY on the second floor has a pair of black wide-legs ($128) with a pretty satin waist band and back pocket detail, heavy denim, and a great fit (see left). INC has a pair with super wide legs and a big cuff for $69, but the waist doesn't give much. The Calvin Klein's are unremarkable. Now run to the other (east) side of the second floor and find the new favorite, Level 99. These handcrafted LA jeans have: real wide legs, a strong standout pleat (love the pleat this year), and length to the floor and beyond. Good luck choosing, you may end up with two if you can splurge. Most styles run $118. Get the dark 5 pocket for work (near right) and for the weekend the lighter blue that feel like an old pair of Levi’s and have the cute back pockets (far right). You’ll want to wear them home.

Honorable mention: Joe’s Jeans “Rocker” at Meridian. One of my favorite brands, these jeans are so great you should never let them out of your sight. The “Rocker” is ridiculously long, the fit is superior and they are so comfy you could sleep in them. Visit Meridian soon as they’re on sale for $118 and sizes are limited.

Macy’s Herald Square, 151 W. 34th between Broadway and 7th Avenue
212-695-4400
Meridian, 977 6th Avenue between 34th and 35th, 212-279-4445

Break a Leg

Attention, shoppers, this is only a test, we will soon return to our previously scheduled wide-leg programming. Although the Herald can only do one more jean posting before losing her wide-leg mind.

Payless must be mentioned again because the weekend is upon us and don't you want to stroll around town in your cool, scuffed ballet slippers like Amy Winehouse? You can for $17.99 at Payless on 34th Street thanks to their American Ballet Theatre for Spotlights line. Unfortunately, us large-hoofed gals (bigger than an 8) won't find our size as the store doesn't carry the full adult line. On 34th they're in the children's section but don't feel dumb, pretend you're buying for your niece. And how awesome is this jazz shoe ($24.99), all 80's looking and just what the ladies are wearing in Brooklyn.

If you can't fake the 8, larger sizes are available online (http://www.payless.com/). But for immediate gratification visit the district and enjoy BOGO 1/2 off on everything. Surely you know what BOGO means, so buy the jazz shoe, get the slipper for $9.00, tease your hair to new heights and enjoy the sunny weekend.

Payless, 110 W. 34th between 6th & 7th, 212-947-0306

Wide Legs and All, the Fourth

Still looking? Today is 4 in 1, four stores in one northern block of 34th Street between 5 and 6: Bebe, Express, Banana Republic, and Zara. Results vary, but, as usual, there’s no reason to leave the district empty-handed.

Get prepared to buy at Bebe even if you haven’t visited in ages. If the world’s least Rebecca Romijn-looking blogger can find clothing here, so can you. And if you like H&M’s big hat you’ll die for Bebe’s, or to be more exact you’ll pay about $50 more. It’s elegant in winter-white wool so good luck keeping this clean, but it looks incredible. Bebe’s jeans are well made and the fit is great for the rear view. But if you’re not into logo promotion, the blue wash denim with the silver metal patch ($129) isn't for you. Instead try the dark wash wide-leg with back pocket contrast stitching (also $129). And the blouse? For $79 it's irresistable in silk and just enough spandex to keep you snag-free on the subway, even while toting a big bag.

We love you Express! Once an integral part of every girl's gloried teenage mall years, and now a great source for work pants. Where else will we get our torn, sequined Flashdance shirts, um, I mean Editor jeans? These look good and are $69.50. The inseam is short on the jeans, but the black editor pant (right, $59.50) is longer and fits perfect. A great deal and an all-purpose pant.

The Banana cannot be visited without reminiscing fondly upon its safari days. Remember the jeep, the jungle beat, and the tropical flora? The clothes are practical as ever, just minus the rainforest trappings. This urban survival store has several jean options. No bells and whistles and the length, color and fit are all on target. The classic wide leg ($108) is soft, has a nice pocket detail and a pretty cuff that easily uncuffs. But don't you think Banana Republic should go retro on 34th Street, let the jungle reclaim the store so you can buy your jeans on safari? It could be nostalgic like a Kiss reunion but with khaki and monkeys instead of pyrotechnics and platforms.

Leave it to the Spanish to do WIDE-legs. Finally, not just flares or wider-legged, these Zara jeans are unabashedly big on the bottom. No, they aren’t bell-bottoms (see Spring 2008 Prada), because this cut has an even, broad fall. What style! But no one’s perfect, sometimes due to slightly itchy waist-bands and not totally great denim. For under $100 the trendy girl says defects, what defects? If you’re not that girl, Zara, of course, has other lovely finds, particularly in the jacket category. Try on the green plaid with the great collar. And Zara’s winter coats are so eminently buyable that they deserve your full attention for another day. Stay posted.

Bebe, 1 W. 34th Street, 212-594-8205
Express, 7 W. 34th Street, 212-629-6838
Banana Republic, 17 W. 34th Street, 212-244-3060
Zara, 39 W. 34th Street, 212-868-6551

Wide Legs and All, Cycle 3

The search goes on…

H&M is the destination for fashionistas trawling on the cheap. Full of stylish hits and the curious trend (see pic on left, love this orange wool thing and yet don't really know what it is), H&M never bores. Some swear by the jeans, none of which can be found on the first floor. But there is a pretty dark green suede makeup bag ($6.90), a beautiful white-fringed scarf ($9-ish), sweater coats for around $60, and a sales rack with brightly printed tops and long striped tanks, perfect for 90 degree October days.

The second floor yields some jeans, but not quite what we’re looking for. There are some wide legs, but the zipper features are too much ‘80’s hardware for the office. The Dior-like black satin ankle boots should be snatched up for $34.90 (unless you’re a size 9, which is sadly sold out), and the sales rack has lots of bright geometric prints that harken spring 2008. With this weather, you could be wearing these for turkey dinner instead of packing them away for next season. Also, there are loads of basic T’s for $7.90 and up. Make them interesting with this cropped, bunny-print cardigan that looks early Gwen Stefani.

Disappointing jeans-wise, but H&M always has something you need. Like the big ’70’s hat that walked right off Michael Kors’ runway. For $9.90 it’s modern retro, especially with a sweater coat, bright tights/leggings, and those “Dior” boots. Yes, leggings, very last season but they’re still practical and they’re still out on the street.

H&M Herald Square, 1328 Broadway @ 34th St, 646-473-1165

Wide Legs and All, Day 2

The search for wide-leg jeans continues…

The Forever 21 shopping experience: mind boggling, full of throbbing dance music, and awe-inspiring. By the time it’s over you’ll be forever grateful this store exists. Or you'll be in a music-induced trance.

Look for jeans on the first floor and get distracted by Exciting Find #1: the anorak. Last season’s runway trend is here, hanging on a mannequin above the denim. It’s probably not waterproof and the snaps are difficult to open but who cares, it’s $24.50. Best of all, it’s really a “faux-orak” because those ornery snaps are cleverly hidden. This means you get the pullover look without the pullover hair-messing and lipstick-smearing.

And the jeans? Great for 20-somethings but definitely not office appropriate. Longer in the inseam than Gap jeans, but not as high quality, these are great trend fillers. So for $29.80 they can be painlessly replaced in 6 months with the next great thing.

If you’re not buying these, consider Exciting Find #2 and some others:

short black moccasin boots. Hippy meets hip for $24.80. Look for them on the 1st or 2nd floor under clothing racks. Love them all winter and freeze for fashion;

royal blue cotton blend sweater, $17.80, first floor. Get a jump on spring’s color obsession with this standout hue;

men’s white T-shirt, 2nd floor. These long-sleeved T’s ($7.00) are simple and sexy. Pick one up for your guy but caution, they’re fitted. Only gym related 6 packs allowed;

gray belt, $8.80, 2nd floor. Insta-cool your basics with the color of the moment.

Forever 21, 50 West 34th between 5th and 6th, 212-564-2346

Wide Legs and All

Skinny jean devotees avoiding the wide-leg look? Delay no longer, as the quest for wide-legs begins. The mission? Find an office-worthy pair that will fit great, look great, and not require multiple credit card payments.

Start at the Gap on the corner of 34th & Sixth and go left downstairs. Be strong and don’t dally with the cute, cuffed skinny jeans, or linger with the $99 cropped black wool jacket perfect for fall (wear it indoors and out). No, you must focus instead on the trouser-cut dark blue wide-legs. Go long, as those hems should be dusting the floor behind you. Highwater and wide-leg should never mix.

Gap has improved their jeans. The cotton is good quality, feels slightly stiff, and is a nice fall/winter weight . The blue is almost dark enough (darker would be better for the office), and the fit is true for those with normal inseams. Sadly, even with the tall cut, long-legged girls must pass as they need another ½ inch minimum for ideal length. Note the picture above; those jeans aren't quite touching the floor.

But no Gap trip is ever for naught. Hit the sale racks, source of inexpensive T’s perfect for underpinnings or gymwear. And don’t miss the new items like the European Collection blue jersey dress. It’s a no-brainer piece high in style and ease of wear. Sleep late, throw it on over jeans and leggings, and go. It’s hard to spend $46 so well these days.

Mission statement: Jeans are a maybe but the sale items and new pieces are a must.

What I bought:
sleeveless gray T for the gym, $6
striped sailor hoodie, beat it up and take it on your beach vacation, $15
sleeveless white tunic for next summer or more hot fall days, $3.79

What I’m going back for:
3 for $18 knee-high socks hanging by the registers, hard to resist
European Collection button-front blue jersey dress, wear it to work, $46


Gap, 60 West 34th Street, 212-760-1268

An Ugly Fashion Fable

Once upon a time (4 years ago) a 64 year old farmer’s wife bought a purse that she soon realized was “too high fashion for Nebraska.” So she packed it up and shipped it to the East Coast, where all things high fashion can find a home. Like a hot potato, this bag quickly ended up in my hands with cries of “Isn’t it ugly? It’s so you!” and it was. The 1980’s heavy-metal faux croc styling and absurd zipper tassel were irresistible. And the cost of this bag? Probably little more than what was spent shipping it to its true owner.

Immediately I toted it around my then-hood, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to the disgust of a few close friends who didn’t mince words. “God, that’s an ugly bag.” As I walked down the street its prominent horse-tail tassel swung along behind me, prompting such looks that I began to lose faith. But then hipster girls in coffee shops gasped “Oh, I love your purse!” And female co-workers slyly queried “Nice bag, is that a Falchi?” It was anointed cool.

Years later, after fixing the zipper twice (still broken), contemplating cutting off the horse-tail (treason!), and stowing it away in the back of my closet (“it really is ugly”) only to take it out again (“it’s so cute!”), I was flipping through W magazine and saw an ad for the new Gucci bag. There, attached to its fabulous zipper, was not one but two of the aforementioned unique characteristics that made my bag so special/ugly: the slightly S&M tassel. And then, in a Vogue ad, Bally jumped on the tassel train with a look that was similar even in shape to Ugly Bag. “My God,” I thought, “is Ugly a trendsetter?” Implausible, yes, but could it be true? Had my Nebraska bag been farmed for a trend by fashion spotters endlessly trolling Williamsburg for hipster chic?

Perhaps, but more important is what Ugly Bag teaches us. First, high fashion can be found anywhere, even in Cornhusker territory. Second, high fashion is subjective. What is ugly to one may look chic and fabulous on another. So look closer in your Gaps, Strawberrys, and H&Ms. Seek out the unusual key pieces, a little something from Jack’s or the local jewelry shop that proudly displays gigantic, gold horsehead rings in their window. You might find your “Carrie” necklace or an ugly little something that isn’t really ugly, just “too high fashion” and thus perfect for you. And I’m pretty sure it will cost a lot less than a Gucci bag.