Hot Town Summer In the City

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I've spent the last 4 days looking for cute, inexpensive, "business casual" pieces for my internship this summer. Yeah not a fashion internship but I cast a wide net during my Spring job hunt. It was one of the first jobs I applied to and the last one I interviewed for - which shows you how random job searching can be.

My first stop was the internet. I combed through Fashionista, New York Magazine and Top Button to find sample sales in New York. Checked Bloomingdales, J Crew, Banana Republic and the Gap for sales and found none. Then I made a list of stores which may be within my price range and planned my attack.

There was a Theory Sample sale on 36th between 6th and 7th. I've forgot the actual address or sponsoring sample sale company since because I didn't find anything within my price range. The only reason I went is because I found this PERFECT brown Theory cowl neck tee at a sample sale last summer for $20. As a college student - and now broke recent grad - I wouldn't spend that much on a tee, but the cotton blend fabric showed off my curves nicely, the sleeves are at a beautiful long length, and the bottom hem just covers the hip bones of my long torso. I could wear it out (which I have) and I could wear it to interviews/work (have and shall!). Since that introduction I have been a fan. Theory has some really great basics and their palate is usually nice and sparse. Actually I don't know if sparse is the right word. What I mean is that they use bold even color, lots of black and white, and not many prints. With that love in mind I hiked up a flight of stairs (hey they were steep) and found myself in a room full of racks and racks of beautiful garments. However with $200 to spend on a suit, dresses, flats, a pair of pumps, perfume and make-up, beautifully tailored dresses running $75 a pop were off my list.

I was going to try to the bi-annual Diane Von Furstenburg sample sale on 5th and 29th but figured it'd be as much of a tease. Depressed I walked to 23rd and 6th to discount designer retailer Burlington Coat factory. On the way I saw this mannequin in a shop window. This is by far the strangest thing: Pipi Longstocking hair, a head dwarfed by her shoulders and that grin or is it a laugh? Well at least it achieved its desired effect, I looked. Funny.

Anyway I actually found some really nice gear at Burlington Coat Factory. Of course I had to go through racks and racks of garments to find possible outfit with all the buttons still in tact. But I got a Calvin Klein suit and a Michael Kors dress together for about $100. That made me and my wallet very happy.

Oh random note, New York Burger on 22^nd and 6^th has delicious fries, burgers and interesting sauces… I suggest the Seattle burger which has Portobello mushrooms. Yum! And my brother came home last night raving about the equally yummy & cheap $1 cheese pizzas @ some pizzeria on St. Marks.

The next day was blouse/cover-up day (yeah it’s the summer, but working in an office means at least 8 hours in an air conditioned room, burr!). I went to the Gap and tried on the CDFA white shirts. I don’t think they were made for my body plus I don’t usually like button down shirts. Ann Taylor yielded an adorable swing jacket, and H&M had cute basic cardigans and Uniqlo (my favorite store, it’s like a Japanese H&M) had a sale on broadcloth button downs.

I still need shoes and make-up. I’m over budget, hot from the heat wave and tiiired. Oy. I continue tomorrow.