Skirts Today, and Blouses Too

Impressed by these H&M skirts, black $34.90, yellow print $24.90:











Aren't these lightweight, flowery blouses charming (flowers $14.90, green $12.90, & front-tie $24.90)?











Annnd, is it a long tank, or is it a dress? Depends on your height. And although they're horizontal, those stripes are lovable ($19.90).




H&M Herald Square, 34th & 6th Ave
or
H&M, 7th Ave @ 34th

No-No or Yes-Yes: twin dressing?

Spotted on Fifth Avenue a few weeks ago:

Out of step, and perfectly in step.

Who wears it better? Just kidding. I did a major double take to make sure they were wearing the same boots (and jeans?), then chased them down the street to get a good shot. I'm ruling this "No-No" because you could be sending the message "I can't think for myself so I buy what she buys," or "we're a package deal." Which ostensibly some might find appealing until they realize they're hanging out with women who dress alike. Embarrassing. Trust me, once my sister & I wore similar (not same) scarves for a wedding. There happened to be not just one, but two sets of twin sisters dressed alike also in attendance, which inevitably lumped us in the horrific "sisters dressed alike" category of wedding guest freaks. So my troubled past votes "Hell No-No."

Would you wear the same boots as your girlfriend to go out about town? And say screw you to those of us doing double-takes? Well, they are really cute boots.*

*these look a lot like Steve Madden's Intyce, ($199.95).

Steve Madden, 41 W. 34th between 5th & 6th

Well Done, H&M

I was not expecting the Marimekko tribute collection at H&M to be so hot. The online mannequins wearing those black sandals with every outfit kind of scared me. But after visiting both H&M's on 34th Street, I'm a little obsessed. And really impressed. Most dresses are lined, fabric looks good (although I'd avoid the rayon as one of the skirts was already doing that worn, wiry thing), nothing is over $69.90, and the prints are winners. Bright, bold, come-give-me-a-kiss winners. Here's my top faves:

These incredible skirts;

These shorts (just don't overdo it with the top, which alone is hippy cute);


This scarf, which is big and fab enough to wrap around two of you;

This maxi dress in a summer light fabric;














And my #1, "gush with the guy at the register" item? This case ($24.90), which comes with these ridiculously humongous and lovable sunglasses. See co-worker mugshot for proof. Everything should be packaged so well.






Here's what I'm not obsessed with:

The pants and the sunhats, which both felt a little too grandma/friend-of-mom from the 1970's.

And the crowds? This morning wasn't busy, but later in the afternoon I sensed such a frenzy building among the racks that a size 8 skirt search got a little panicky. I thought I'd have to throw an elbow, but sanity prevailed. However, hit an H&M soon as the 8's are almost gone on 34th Street. 6's and 4's are still looking good. Forget about large sizes for the skirts. There seem to be more 10's and up for the shirts. Looks like the Herald Square store has the collection in its entirety, fantastic necklace and all (picture to be posted later).

H&M Herald Square, 34th & 6th Avenue
or
H&M, 7th Avenue @ 34th

Straw Reminders

There's little reason to not pick up this $5.90 straw bag for the beach. Particularly as it will make us all sigh and say "the beach! Soon we'll all be at the beach!" Oh, my god, I'm going to the gym tomorrow morning and doing squats till I can't walk.




H&M 34th & 6th
or
H&M, 7th Avenue @ 34th

Conceal, Not Reveal

I got a new Bali bra in the hospitality suite for fashion week, and have been test running it every since. Available at Macy's Herald Square, this bra taught me something it's taken me years to learn: cheap bras aren't worth the money. Normally I grab a bra at H&M or Target. But Bali has taught me that one doesn't need to be tugging at one's bra all day long. It is worth it to spend a little more money for a nice bra.

And the new Bali "Concealers" bra (right) incorporates one of my favorite underpinning must-haves: the breast petal. Usually I buy these at H&M or in the lingerie department of Macy's, wear them once in lieu of the bra (thanks to my less-endowed physique) and toss them away. But the new Bali bra has them built in, so NOTHING shows. A good day bra, right ladies? At night I'm assuming most of us don't mind if all is not neatly tucked away from view.

So, to recap, this is a very comfortable bra, is tagless, and conceals all. My only complaint is that it's a little bullet-bra looking, but I think I got ambitious with the cup size. Which reminds me, most women wear the wrong bra size, so ask the experts at Macy's lingerie to help you with fit.


Macy's Herald Square, 151 W. 34th btwn Broadway & 7th

Blooming Herald Square

The bulbs are blooming and birds are singing, so take a shopping break, enjoy lunch and bask in the fragrant air. Can you believe this is midtown, at the Broadway bowtie? Spring has arrived in Herald Square.

Trust: The Banana's Going Green

Support the green efforts of the Banana and buy a cute tank. I visited 34th Street's Banana Republic today looking for ec0-friendly clothing; WWD wrote of a 50-piece collection to be released on April 8. For now, it's more like a 2-piece collection. There are organic cotton tank tops for women ($18) and shirts for men. The tanks are soft and I love the cut. Nothing like classing up the wife-beater with a rounded V-neck. The black is a medium (fit snugly) and the striped a large (long).

The other 48 pieces? No worries, as it seems more will be arriving by summer 08. And good news is this will be a continuing concept, not just a flash in the eco-friendly pan. So as it gets warmer look for the green elephant logo (above) to buy organic. It makes me so happy to see the Banana get back to its safari roots.

Be sure to shop 34th Street's Banana Republic from April 22 - April 27, as they'll donate 1% of all in-store sales to Trust for Public Lands. And here's more incentive:

• the new, upscale Monogram collection for men and women at the 34th Street store;
  
• a huge petites section for women on the second floor;
• women's jeans: there's always a cute pair on sale (right, $64.99) and the fit is always great.
  

Banana Republic, 17 W. 34th between 5th & 6th