Tales Of London: Part 3: TOPSHOP TAKES MANHATTAN!

Fueled by my Topshop high, especially after a trip to the Oxford Circus flagship location -- an exhaustive, cavernous 100,000-square-foot fashion emporium (this location alone pulls in

$292 million a year) that features three floors, 200 changing rooms, a hair salon, nail parlor, eyebrow bar, make-up stations, personal style consultants who will deliver your goods to you via SCOOTER and an entire section devoted to CANDY! -- I returned to Amurica more excited than ever (especially after the dollar is worth about as much as a Chuck E Cheese token over there) for Topshop to arrive stateside. As it turns out, my superficial prayers have been answered, because...

TOPSHOP IS COMING TO NEW YORK IN SEPTEMBER 2008!

Drapers confirmed it in November 2007, as did WWD, but those bastards make you pay to play. Good think the awesome Racked scooped it back in October 2007, complete with location, photos and all!

The premiere USA Topshop will be located at:

478 Broadway near Broome Street in Soho

That's currently the site (see my helpful Google map below!) of the dreadful Yellow Rat Bastard, and while it's sorta sad to see another Soho staple go (like when Canal Jeans because Bloomingdales [Co-op]), let's be honest -- Soho isn't even a shell of its former self, AND, hello IT'S GONNA BE A FUCKING TOPSHOP! And, while the two H&Ms (I wonder how they'll fare as a result of the Topshop traffic -- will they benefit from the predictable spillover, or will there be Topshop-induced tumbleweeds a-blowin'?), Muji, Bloomie's, CB2, et al have made navigating Broadway del Sur an Inferno-esque nightmare, I again refer back to my original point: TOPSHOP IS COMING TO NEW YORK!

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Anyway...

Hundreds of fashionistas lined up outside Barneys just to get their hands on Kate Moss' capsule pieces last year. And recall the veritable affordable-fashion riots that H&M's New York arrival generated. (Think Beatlemania, except instead of 1964, it's 2008, and instead of the Beatles coming down off the plane onto the Tarmac, imagine super cute $16.90 graphic print dresses and $48 skinny jeans! Yay! Then imagine people getting trampled to death! Boo. ) I can only imagine the scene the opening of Topshop -- by the way, they say September, and even though construction has already begun, who knows if the schedule will hold up, though if I were Sir Phillip Green, I'd be rarin' to get this puppy off the ground. And if this article, which details how the Oxford Circus location prepared for its biggest shopping day of the year, is any indication of how the Big Reveal will be handled, I'm sure the kids will have it on lockdown. Which doesn't mean I won't skip the opening ceremonies (unless I get a personal invite of course, which, if you're reading, Topshop PR peeps, I would GRACIOUSLY accept!) and wait until the 11th hour of the following Tuesday night before I hit it up. But only because I fear for my personal safety.

More Topshop love and linkage:
+ June 2006: The Times treads cautiously. (Fuck 'em! I'll skip 'em in line!)
+ May 2007:The Independent takes a look at Topshop's ascent to retail victory.
+ September 2007: The New Zealand Herald explores how totes good marketing turned the once cheesy chain into a fashion giant.

And finally, Catwalkqueen reveals Topshop's Spring 2008 designer collabos: Jonathan Saunders and Louise Goldin. Coming later this month, Christopher Kane, which should beat the high-waisted pants off Kate Moss' rather "meh" collection. Now, hurry the hell up, Topshop, and expatriate already!!!!

Tales Of London: Part 2: TOPSHOP TAKEOVER!

I truly think it's for the best that there isn't a Topshop in the states (yet). I'd be broke.

For the two of you out there who are unfamiliar with Topshop, it's a fast-fashion clothing chain that's essentially a Forever 21-H&M (minus the LOGG crap)-French Connection. And we hit 'em up four times (but I don't count the one on the Strand because it SUCKED), though we also went to three museums (four if you count Edinburgh Castle as a museum, which I kinda do). Here's what I got:

This top is from the Laura For Topshop designer collection -- Laura being Laura Lees. This photo (which I graciously nabbed from someone selling it on eBay), doesn't do this adorable top justice. Normally I'd consider embroidery on an already busy print to be too much, but it's like a happy little quiet surprise around my décolletage! It was only 10 pounds, and I've already worn this about three times now.

I got this, which I believe I've blogged about before, but in off-white. Yay! Shopping destiny!

(Apprx $98 USD, Topshop)

And finally, my Topshop coup de grâce -- the star bow-front dress!! Now, research has shown me that this is, as Susiebubble of Stylebubble refers to it, one of the "distinctive hotcake" pieces of Topshop's Fall/Winter '07 line. Which is basically means, if you're too lazy to read the humorous post, it's one of the "those items/ pieces" you see on EVERY other girl below whatever the British equivalent of 14th Street is. The piece ladies risk fingernail-to-cornea injuries to procure. And while I didn't know that going in, the eagle-like inner honing-device that fuels my shopping instincts propelled me toward this piece like a heat-seeking missile (and yes, that was a LOT of mixed metaphors, but I'm eschewing proper grammar here for sake of emphasis). And the dress, which reminded me of that Catherine Malandrino star-print dress I so desired, was MINE! Weee!

It's fetching a pretty penny on eBay right now, and even though if I lived in London, I'd probably deem this dress "over," and even though that's basically what the girls over at Thefashionpolice.net have done, I intend to wear it and wear it well! Wee!

Holiday Handbags!

Ho Ho HooooMG I want these cute clutches:

($145, Kooba, Activeendeavors.com)

Love the idea of holiday accessories that are sort of in the red family but aren't like Santa-red.

($350, GoldenBleu, Fashionchateau.com)

I will, however, make an exception for GoldenBleu. LOVES.

($138, Hobo International, Bloomingdales)

Not bad. I really love the black one.

($78, Banana Republic)

A nice little elegant number to hold all of the 143 lipsticks and glosses I invariably and inexplicably have on me at any given moment.

($65, Levis)

I've spent half my day in disbelief that this bag is by Levi's. (Okay, not half. More like 13 seconds, but still...) HOW cute it is this? I never would've guessed -- it looks like a sweet little 1950s vintage number handed down to you by your "dirty joke" auntie. Hooray to you, Levi's, for nailing that subset of the handbag market!

($138, Bo Bo Bags, Luggagepoint.com)

I am including this as a "holiday bag" because it's a cute travel bag, and sometimes you gotta travel over the holidays. To get to where the presents are.

(Apprx $61 USD, Topshop)

And speaking of presents, I would very much like to receive this Topshop butterfly print bag as a present! Looks like it's sold out right now, though perhaps they'll re-up?

And finally, here is a bag I PRAY no one receives as a present, for it is no gift at all:

($54.99, the erroneously named Ivegotyourbag.com)

Um, I don't know who the fuck Kippy is or why s/he charges $445 for belts that probably even Brooke Hogan wouldn't be caught dead in, but someone needs to put a stop to this fashion morts ASAP before the holidays are RUINED FOR EVER FOR EVERYONE!

Cute Boots!

More boots, please! I'll take one of each, size 8, please!

($659, Chloe, Yoox.com)

These cream Chloe boots only come in a size 6, but they're so hot I'd practically consider foot binding to squeeze into them. Foot binding's the new "going green," y'all!

($248, Free People)

Love these Free People foldover boots -- the wooden heel keeps them from looking like a vintage classic and not overly "L Train" nuevo-mod.

(Apprx $175 USD, Topshop)

Elegantly tough, but not overly "Hey, look, I'm trying to look like I drive a motorcycle"-ish.

(Apprx $154 USD, Topshop)

Purple, but not obnoxiously so.

($27, Lulusfashionlounge.com)

I know I'm like 15 years too old to wear these, but they're still so freaking cuters!

Okay! The Chanukkah fairy cometh, and I'm off to see what s/he has brungeth! Chappy Chanx, y'all!

More Cute Things That Are British

There used to be two Warehouses -- sorta like the UK version of Express -- in downtown Manhattan, but I guess they want away, I guess because they sorta sucked. But this dress does not:

(Apprx $163, Warehouse.co.uk)

Fun '60s-style prom dress! Yay! Lovely holiday pick too with some black tights and even an LBC (Little Black Cardi) over it. (Via Secondhandshopper.)

(Apprx $51, TopShop.com)

Nothing too groundbreaking here, but I just love how classic this plaid buttondown is with a fun roll-up button-sleeve twist. Yay!

(Apprx $132, Topshop.com)

True, they are fairly Willy Wonka (or Dr./Mr. Magoo's Funhouse Wondershowzen or whatever that new Natalie Portman movie's called), but they're so fun. (Via FemaleFirst.)

(Apprx $183, Faith.co.uk)

UK readers, what's the story with Faith? The first I've heard of it was today, when I found these and the fuschia Magoo shoes in a round-up on FemaleFirst. Faith looks like maybe a British Nine West? Yes? No? Feelin' a sister? Anyone? Anyway, I love these and the version in all black.

(Apprx $122, Faith.co.uk)

... But not as much as I love these "smoky" jeweled cone heels.

By the way, I am headed "across the Pond" next month, but I am ruing the crappy dollar as I'll barely be able to afford a crumpet let alone any items TopShop and up. Hell, the prices at Primark will probably be akin to Barneys at this point. Boo! You know the exchange rate is fucked when you find yourself thinking "I could get that for sooo much less back in New York."

Monday Mortses!

A few selects to start your week off right... by encouraging you to gouge your eyeballs out of their sockets!

(Apprx $163, Topshop)

I mean... that's just... a lot of patent. Red patent, no less. No really... there should be less of this.

(Apprx $132, Topshop)

Ooh! The Chewbacca look = HUGE for Fall 07. Honestly, the only thing worse than real fur is horrendously cheap-looking acrylic fur. Can you even fathom how ratty this thing would look at like 4AM Sunday morning after a smoky pub crawl? Classy!

($51, Lip Service, Sourpussclothing.com)
Speaking of classy...

($26, Asos.com)
Oh, Sienna. What have you done?

(Adidas)

Mmm. Nothing says "sexy" like tight elastic bands squeezing the most universally flattering part of every woman's thighs! Add in some cargo pockets to highlight the sausage-casing effect, and it doesn't really get much sexier than this, ladies!

Wax On, Wax Off: More Wax Jeans!

Continuing the ongoing one-way discussion about wax jeans... I've been seeing them everywhere lately, and I predict they're going to be the indie sleeper hit of the season, especially since shines, glosses and polished finishes, especially in dark shades, are so big.

I still haven't found an actual "definition" of wax jeans, but fear not, they don't come with a wick and a gross Glade bathroom odor or smell like Veet or anything. From what I can tell, the wax is just a stiffer, glossy finish or wash applied to denim, usually employed on skinny jeans: I can only imagine that this would make skinny jeans look even skinnier. I can also only imagine that stretch is out of the question with wax.

The waxing can either be subtle (case in point: I realized that my boyfriend has a pair of Diesels that has a very light wax finish -- they almost feel sorta starchy) and non-offensive, like these...

($130, Vanessa Bruno, Net-a-porter.com)

Or they can be hardcore and fucking TERRIBLE when when they go wax to the max, like these:

($220, Gold Sign, Net-a-porter.com)

Wet look = no.

($189, Gold Sign, Activeendeavors.com)

Gold Sign and Stella McCartney seem to have the market cornered on wax jeans. These Gold Sign Misfit jeans just too "Tell me about it, stud." They are kinda hot in theory, and I guess there's a time and a place for them, but that time is probably around 2 a.m. and that place probably involves a ton of cocaine and Pete Doherty's bloody deviated septum.

($88, Asos.com)
These actually don't look too bad.


(Apprx $100 USD, TopShop)
These aren't too terrible.



($140, Jennifer Ann Gilpin, Aerluxe.com)

WHAT THE FUCK? I went to state school. People just do NOT do these kinds of things.

That is all.

Awesome Shit, Some On Sale

Two collections of gorgeous items. They're all lovely. They're just not all within my budget... Oh who am I kidding -- I can't stick to a budget.


STEAL IT

($865, Christian Louboutin, Saks Fifth Avenue)

Prettier than the prettiest princess in the pod. Sigh.

($578, Anna Sui, Madisonlosangeles.com)

Very cute. But maybe a little TOO early '60s??

($545, Thomas Wylde, Net-a-porter.com)

My favorite piece of the post.

($395, Michael Kors, Saks Fifth Avenue)

Nothing earth-shattering here, yet I just love it.

($350, Milly, Net-a-porter.com)

So elegant. So perfectly wintery. So want it.

($265, Jalda, Saks Fifth Avenue)
Luscious.

YOUR ACCOUNTANT LOVES YOU...

($496, Stella McCartney, Net-a-porter.com)

... Because you know a good deal when you see one. Plus, the layering practically means you get three tops for the price of one!

($339, Zac Posen, Saks Fifth Avenue)

Surely this is even cuter in person. And with some cute opaque tights and booties.

($312, Botkier, Ssense.com)

This is half beautiful, half looks like it came from within.

($258, DKNY)

If you can find a more versatile dress, lemme know.

($229, Ports 1961, Saks Fifth Avenue)

Gorgeous, eventhough this does sorta look like something you'd find at H&M.

($145, Mike & Chris, Rarechic.com)

Come and just TRY to tell me this dress isn't serious sexytime. And NOT just because this chick probably isn't wearing anything underneath. Ahh... just PERFECT for the office, no?

($97, Cass Guy, Rarechic.com)

How perfect would this look under a grey or navy cardigan?

($95, Plenty By Tracy Reese, Labelspree.com)

I know I've posted this before, but I rediscovered, and now it's even closer to cold weather time. Yay! Get it! (Whoops. My inner voice started typing).

($88, Dusty Of California, Bussstopshop.com)

Utterly adorable. I can't even deal with all of the what-to-wear-on-the-bottom options that this dress comes with.

($85, James Coviello, Saks Fifth Avenue)

Normally this sweater would NEVER be my thing, but it just has some sort of Natalie Portman je ne sais qoui. Although I'm fairly positive that simply wearing this sweater wouldn't magically give me an adorable pixie cut and perfectly placed mole. Though I didn't read "The Secret," and perhaps I should.

($75, Naughty Monkey, Redvelvetcouture.com)

This is a prime example of the type of thing I probably wouldn't dream of getting on my own, but then I'd stop by a friend's apartment on our way to go to the movies, and I'd just pop in to use her bathroom really quickly because it's on the way to the theater, and these would just be sitting on her living room floor next to the paper, and I'd see them and be like HOLY FUCK WHERE'D YOU GET THOSE? WHAT THE FUCK? THOSE ARE FUCKING AWESOME! And she'd blow it off because to her they're no big deal and totally her and we'd maybe be running late to the movie, but then all I'd be able to think about for like the next week would be those boots. And the movie would be totally ruined for me. That's how sick these boots are. At least to me.

($69, Dolce Vita, Shopbop.com)

Great, huh?

(Apprx $50 USD, Topshop.com)

These are so fun, but they'd be hard to wear without running the risk of some d-bag at work or something coming up to you and bein' like "So, you're bringin' the '80s back, eh, Material Girl?" or something completely lame like that, so it almost makes them not worth it...

(Apprx $30 USD, Topshop.com)

So you're probably best off going with something like this. Ugh. I hate d-bags.