But Back to the Fashion - Banana Republic

So enough about reading and Doing Good Deeds already - although if anyone else would like to enter my super-Cali-fragi-awesome charitable giveaway here, the Universe and I would do a most undignified happy dance - let's talk about fashion again for a bit.

Speaking of the Universe, it has apparently opted to put EVERYTHING on sale this week, to the delight of me last minute shoppers everywhere. One of my old favorites, Banana Republic, came up with a 60% off sale today. While my own personal spending on me is at a temporary halt, in my bloggerific dedication to you, I sauntered over to the virtual sale rack and found goodies worthy of our, ahem, your, attentions:




Going counterclockwise from the top left . . .

• BR Monogram Color-Block Sweater Dress: Down from $225 to the eminently more reasonable $145. I've been stalking this one for a while. Hmm . . .
  
• Lace Lady Dress: From $175 to $119.99. No, I don't just like it for the prim name, although I can't blame you for thinking it. Love the fun take on lace, which is trendy but also to us traditional sorts happens to be a classic.
• BR Monogram Princess Sleeve Collection: Maybe we should rename this post "The Prim and Properly Elegant Dress Post" or something. Regardless, love this for daytime & the more reasonable new price, $150 $149.99 down from $175.
• BR Monogram Chain Detail Dress: So perfect for a formal work setting with a little cardigan. From $195 to $125.
• BR Monogram Faille Sheath Dress: Love the origami-like detail at the waist. And the model's fierce look. Great price drop here - from $225 to $129.99.

And let's look at the accessories section:




Again, starting in the upper left corner:

• Angora Argyle Trouser Sock: As HRH Preppy Princess pointed out, BR has some adorable argyle right now. As longtime readers will note, I'm slowly coming around to the 'gyle . . . except that I've also become inexplicably lame and started writing stuff like " 'gyle" . . . in any event, these are down from $9.50 to $5.99.
• Winnifred Cutout Ballet Flat: Such a cute basic for spring! Or for when the insane Texas weather swings to 75 mid-December! Exclamation point! Now $39.99, from $79.00.
• Drake Quilted Shoulder Bag: Great trendy chain detail, but in a ladylike enough form to make me happy. Tres on sale, from $230 to $139.99.
• Floral Scarf: one of those frippy lightweight scarves us warm-weather Texans can occasionally use; from $69.00 to $39.99

Goodnight, pets - back to reading that addictive "Twilight" book, er, solving the fiscal crisis . . .

Cashmere At The Republic

Lately I've felt as though I've been cheating a bit on my original non-designer clothes love, Banana Republic, in favor of the clever marketing team at J. Crew. Granted, J. Crew keeps coming out with things like this, so I consider the defection to be wholly merited, but nonetheless, I've felt the need throw a little love in BR's way.

So consider my delight upon the weather here in Texas FINALLY complying with a dip below 80 degrees - it would seem our little winter coat experiment succeeded, ladies! - and BR's simultaneous roll-out of its' fall cashmere line. None of these are going to take the fashion world by storm, but they are solid basics for either work or casual wear that I'll be adding to my internet-sale stalking list (credit: all photos Banana Republic):

"BR Monogram Cashmere Color-Block Sweater Dress" (say that fast three times) - As far as I can deduce, "BR Monogram" is code for "We' d like to charge you more for the exact same items", but I've fallen for this ensemble despite the price tag. From the Jackie-esque sunglasses to the model's snooty expression to the neckline detail, this is every inch a Pretty ensemble. I am even willing to overlook the potentially unflattering bubble hem - or will be when my mental trickery somehow persuades BR to put this on sale from the current $225 . . .


"Cashmere 3/4 Sleeve Boatneck Sweater"- a wonderful basic in both on-trend and classic colors and nice button detailing along the neckline. Additionally, Miss Hips here thanks you, BR, for so often remembering to do figure-flattering cuts like the boatneck. This one is priced competitively ($160) with the J. Crew cashmere staples, so we shall see who goes on sale first . . .

"Cashmere Argyle Sweater" - To any Power Preps reading this, I have a confession to make - I have a bit of a problem at times with argyle. There, I said it. It started with a particularly unfortunate sweater vest my grandfather used to golf in, and ever since, I've had mixed feelings about it. However, I can confidently support this argyle, which again has the flattering boatneck cut and comes in deliciously feminine colors like this berry.

"Cashmere T-Shirt" - again, no revolutionizing design here, but this is a great basic to have in both classic and on-trend colors, with a flattering wide waistband to boot. At $120, this is am appealing cashmere deal ("cashmeal?").

Expect more cold weather wear finds to come, as I revel in this delectably breezy 3 minutes of fall we get here . . .