I loved the SM Fred Segal, even if I never bought anything there—I loved the vibe there, and the café. My dad once ordered a (surely insanely expensive) puffy vest from them, an XL that wouldn't fit him in a million years. I wear a medium and it fits me perfectly, so he gave it to me, and it remains maybe my favorite item of clothing. It's a Santa Monica XL.
Yes the GAP stuff is weirdly stylish all of a sudden and it has to be the ZP influence and Deadwood, my God: the show that made profanity into poems. The chemistry and then heartbreak between Timothy Oliphant and Molly Parker — I can’t even. MP lived in Toronto briefly shooting something here and our sons were in nursery school together for a term and I was star-struck and tongue-tied at pickup every single day.
When I was in college the first time 50 years ago, the ORIGINAL Filene's Basement in the ORIGINAL Filene's of Boston was the store to go to for the "standard " engagement or wedding gift. In Minneapolis, you'd look at Target and then go to it's subsidiary Bamburgers to buy it. Same with Strawbridge and Wanamaker's in Philadelphia. That changed about 39 years ago with the rise of SprawlMart ( the Waltons are spinning in their graves(
But these days, it's the same ol kitsch in the same old store with a different name. I hate shopping anymore, even Amazon. And around here in Upstate NY we have 2 and a half empty malls and not enough affordable housing for the consumer who helped drive the forner economy. Go figure
I would go to the Fred Segal in Santa Monica just to wander around and then have a cappuccino in their cafe. Once I bought an overpriced headband with all kinds of stuff glued on or riveted into it and another time I bought an eyeshadow brush which I still have. My then dentist used to get calls from the salespeople when the newest Pucci capri pants or bikinis would arrive. She wore the capris under her white coat.
Just finished watching Deadwood with my son - he insisted I would like it. Ian Mcshane was terrific and such an interesting character with his dialogue.
So with you on all of that! I am a closet shopper for all the reasons that you pointed out people think you’re not fulfilling your highest potential but oh ,as you say, it’s like a sociological expedition. Glad to have found a soul sister in you!
You made me nostalgic for shopping at Pillar’s in Eagle Rock. Joe bought up remainders, unsold stuff, so much fun. Mom (7 AAAA foot) got all the mandatory work high heels there. Thank you for jogging my memory.
Shopping with a goal in mind is a guarantee that you won’t find what you’re looking for. Browsing is completely different. I can browse not only in clothing stores, but also furniture, lighting and accessories.
I see you made this Sunday’s NYT crossword - 27 across. Nice!
“They are the little energy cells that animate cities”… what a terrific line… and so true!
I loved the SM Fred Segal, even if I never bought anything there—I loved the vibe there, and the café. My dad once ordered a (surely insanely expensive) puffy vest from them, an XL that wouldn't fit him in a million years. I wear a medium and it fits me perfectly, so he gave it to me, and it remains maybe my favorite item of clothing. It's a Santa Monica XL.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
merchandising is an art!
I visited a weed store in Toronto and it was like going into an Apple Computer shop.
sleek!
Yes the GAP stuff is weirdly stylish all of a sudden and it has to be the ZP influence and Deadwood, my God: the show that made profanity into poems. The chemistry and then heartbreak between Timothy Oliphant and Molly Parker — I can’t even. MP lived in Toronto briefly shooting something here and our sons were in nursery school together for a term and I was star-struck and tongue-tied at pickup every single day.
When I was in college the first time 50 years ago, the ORIGINAL Filene's Basement in the ORIGINAL Filene's of Boston was the store to go to for the "standard " engagement or wedding gift. In Minneapolis, you'd look at Target and then go to it's subsidiary Bamburgers to buy it. Same with Strawbridge and Wanamaker's in Philadelphia. That changed about 39 years ago with the rise of SprawlMart ( the Waltons are spinning in their graves(
But these days, it's the same ol kitsch in the same old store with a different name. I hate shopping anymore, even Amazon. And around here in Upstate NY we have 2 and a half empty malls and not enough affordable housing for the consumer who helped drive the forner economy. Go figure
Great piece! Explain somewhat of why I love walking around shops, even in malls
Browsing is such a great escape. Like you’re sampling local styles and flavors and textures without having to fully commit.
I would go to the Fred Segal in Santa Monica just to wander around and then have a cappuccino in their cafe. Once I bought an overpriced headband with all kinds of stuff glued on or riveted into it and another time I bought an eyeshadow brush which I still have. My then dentist used to get calls from the salespeople when the newest Pucci capri pants or bikinis would arrive. She wore the capris under her white coat.
Just finished watching Deadwood with my son - he insisted I would like it. Ian Mcshane was terrific and such an interesting character with his dialogue.
Absolutely in on a rerun of Deadwood.
So with you on all of that! I am a closet shopper for all the reasons that you pointed out people think you’re not fulfilling your highest potential but oh ,as you say, it’s like a sociological expedition. Glad to have found a soul sister in you!
You made me nostalgic for shopping at Pillar’s in Eagle Rock. Joe bought up remainders, unsold stuff, so much fun. Mom (7 AAAA foot) got all the mandatory work high heels there. Thank you for jogging my memory.
Shopping with a goal in mind is a guarantee that you won’t find what you’re looking for. Browsing is completely different. I can browse not only in clothing stores, but also furniture, lighting and accessories.
were the prices at The Grand Bazaar amazing? Looks like a blast with all those beautiful
colors and home made goods. Wonder if prices are equally amazing?
Fascinating article this afternoon, Susan, Thank You and will reStack ASAP 💯👍💙🌊🌊🌊