Elastic Wasteland

I dedicate this title to those who honestly believe the damage we’ve caused our earth is reversible. Now let’s talk about clothing made in China.

As I was hanging up some new clothes from White House Black Market, I came up with this title. I was imagining my new satin tunic-style shirt concealing—I’m embarrassed to admit—the elastic waistband on a ten-year-old skirt. I suppose if that’s the worst thing hanging in my closet, then I’m not doing too bad.

The new White House Black Market in my neighborhood is going to be like black clothing crack. I’ll bet if people had to choose black over white, black would win 3 to 1. If there were other stores that carried the same styles, I would never know it because the combination of too many colors I don’t like and nothing in either black or my size may have overwhelmed me, and I’d never give them a chance.

The overall concept of the store is brilliant. Artistically speaking, once you remove the element of color, you’re down to only the variable of style, which makes shopping more definitive and easier to deduct a solution. (In my drawing class I prefer to stick to one type of media until I feel more at ease with interpreting the human figure.) The design of the store is not opulent, but it’s nothing short of alluring; the clothes are the heroes. It’s such a novelty in itself that only black and white are on display. The fitting area is like a “Best Of” women’s clothing retail environments: they have the deluxe lighted mirrors from Ann Taylor and the inviting, open-style fitting area from Anthropologie, all with dramatic but flattering lighting. Anyway, I made off with a fair armload for my 29.95th un-birthday. It’s enough to tide me over till 30.

Ikea opens on March 12 (daily f-ing news in Cin City), and Crate & Barrell is coming soon to my neighborhood as well. The only thing that would make me happier is Scandinavian Designs. (Oh, and a Tokyo Joe’s. Or Yo! Sushi, but I’m not sure if they have those on stateside.) Lord have mercy. Capitalism at its best. Recessions are caused by rumors of recession. If people shop enough to ignore the news, they’ll just keep shopping. Look at me go!

~ by mw on February 28, 2008.