Your Vote is Needed, and a Preppy Mish-Mash

Hello-Hello and happy sunny, breezy, blue-sky-kind-of-day!

We spent the morning away from the Prepatorium and are racing to catch up, so we shall primarily offer what we believe to be called ‘eye candy’ in our little post today. (Do tell us if this usage is improper.)

Because we know you frequently awaken in the middle of the night, unable to sleep because of your concern about the Hope Diamond and how it is faring, we bring you an update:

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

The company that originally donated the diamond to the Smithsonian, Harry Winston, is going to be resetting the famous (and many believe cursed) stone.  There are several design options under consideration, including this:

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

As well as this….

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

The Smithsonian is saying, “The Fate of the Hope Diamond is in your hands.”

How can that be? The ultimate decision on which new design Harry Winston will use for resetting the stone is open to a public vote; here is the third design you may select:

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

Just click here to review the three designs, learn loads more about the 45+ carat stone, and cast your vote.

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Next, a little retail news with word that Fornash has opened their new store at Tysons!

Simply one more reason to visit that corner of the globe when in the area. We have long favored the Gecko Bangles from Fornash:

In other retail news, J. Crew is promoting their Long-Live Summer Sale.

We haven’t perused the offerings, but do have one thought to share: if it is at all possible to hold off on purchases, we’re betting Crew does the “Take an extra 20% off sale prices” promotion sometime around the approaching holiday weekend. We have nary a clue other than past experience.

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Next, how is this for an Adventure in Argyle?

The Prinz Preppy Photo Album holds forty 4″ x 6″ pictures, and is only $2.99.

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If seeking a little Pretty in Pink for your four-legged friends and family members:

Yes, it is the Preppy Puppy Tank from PetCo, described thusly:

“…A cute and sassy tank top that goes anywhere…”

Silly Tilly would like to be “sassy” but sadly (ahem), is a little rotund for such apparel.

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We close with a look at Gossip Girl’s ‘Chuck and Blair,’ from ads running in this month’s NYLON Korea.

NYLON Korea

The ads are actually for ASK clothing (we’re not linking to the site as Google warns it may harm one’s computer), and feature Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick.

NYLON Korea

For more on the ads, pop over to the NYLON blog.

This concludes today’s preppy mish-mash. Thank you for your patience with our goofy little mess today!

Tennis Fashions, Serious Sales of a Prepalicious Sort

Hello everyone, it is another delightful summer day here at the Prepatorium, we hope it is the same wherever you may be today!

We begin with the tennis fashions debuting across the pond at Wimbledon. (WARNING: Readers may want to be sure small children are safely away with Nanny in case the following photo is so shocking it provokes an unwitting shriek or scream to escape one’s mouth.)

TP begs your forgiveness for distributing such wretched images, but we are sworn to report on such things, despite the trauma inflicted on our psyche.

PHOTO: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

For openers: Roger Federer, gold lame and Nike are five words that ought never be used together at the same time. It’s just plain wrong. Gold lame?  This is a substance best kept far away from the sporting world, with the possible exceptions of figure skating and gymnastics.

This story from the Times of London does a stellar job describing the look, invoking an Anti-Prep in the process:

“Even if the all-white uniform evaded the attention of any Taleban snipers, their gaze would surely be caught by the sun glinting off the gold ends of Federer’s luggage. That bag looked like something Paris Hilton would take to a spa. Perhaps there was a chihuahua inside.”

The jacket brought flashbacks of the Nehru collar favored in the 60’s, while the body had a distinctly military look. It gets worse, as underneath the jacket was a vest that almost looked like it belonged under a dinner jacket.

PHOTO: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

Fortunately the fashion disaster was quickly forgotten as play got underway and Mr. Federer readily dispensed with his first opponent.  How do we all feel about the return of last year’s Tennis Cardigan? A good alternative to this week’s look?

PHOTO: K Lamarque/Reuters

Also sporting an interesting jacket over their working clothes, Maria Sharapova.

PHOTO: Toby Melville/Reuters

Nike is also the company behind Ms. Sharapova’s dress, likened to a majorette’s costume by some. We find it more-than-attractive, especially on someone as lovely as she.  Everyone remembers 2008’s Tuxedo Dress to-do, yes? Come now, one can’t have forgotten last year’s Wimbledon Fashion Fracas already! (If visiting the link, do scroll down for the story.)

And wrapping up our Nike-clad trio of players today, Serena Williams was in a jacket reminiscent of a classic British macintosh.

PHOTO: Clive Brunskill/Getty

We think she looks smashing.

As always with this topic, we suggest readers pop over for a visit with Rich at Down the Line Tennis for the inside story.

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A quick follow-up to yesterday’s post on the Brooks Brothers Black Fleece expansion.

PHOTO: Courtesy Brooks Brothers

Above, styles by Thom Browne, the Black Fleece designer. Not only is Brooks adding two standalone Black Fleece stores, they intend to add 40 stores in Mexico.  Today’s WWD story on the expansion provides more insight on both developments.

When speaking specifically about the Black Fleece customer, Brooks CEO Claudio Del Vecchio has an interesting perspective:

“…Black Fleece customers have responded to having their own separate location, noting, “I’m not sure those customers are comfortable coming to Madison Avenue.”

We can’t imagine why. The company is also planning its first Country Club store that isn’t located at a resort; this new emporium will be in Seattle.

Oddly, the following photos are just into the Prepatorium, a look from today’s Moncler Gamme Bleu Men’s Spring 2010 Collection.

PHOTO: Davide Maestri/WWD

Guess the designer. Not sure?

PHOTO: Davide Maestri/WWD

Check the length of the pants.  Yes, indeed, it is Mr. Browne showing this collection at Milan Fashion Week, currently underway in Italy.

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We move now to some fabulous Sales & Savings opportunities, beginning with the retailer mentioned above, Brooks Brothers, offering 50% off in stores with deeper discounts available online.

Next, one of our favorites, Vineyard Vines.

The markdowns include the Anchor Turtle Bay Tee, now $24.99.

There is a significant amount of merchandise still available as of this writing.

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J. Crew is also doing another of their Final Sale promotions.

J. Crew

Including the Boy’s Pacific Madras Blazer, originally $135, now $49.99.

We have just been advised of a late-breaking appointment, so we shall close with the Keep Company Homer shoe, in the Watermelon color combination.

May your afternoon be sunny and bright!

More Price Cuts: Lacoste, Coach, J. Crew + Gossip Girls & Guys Do Rolling Stone

Hello-Hello! We hope your week is progressing splendidly, and that a touch of spring has entered your spirits, if not your habitat!

Before anything else, we must thank the one and only Preppy Player, who was much-too-kind in bestowing the Kreativ Blogger award on TP!

Thank You Preppy Player!

Thank you Miss Player, we are flattered by your generosity!

Today we have a jumble of all things preppy, or something akin to that, so let’s jump in with the topic near and dear to almost everyone’s pocketbook, the cost of enhancing one’s wardrobe.  (Yes, we are completely suspending the ‘no discussion of the M-word’ rule, as it is simply too top-of-mind and relevant to today’s content. So there.)

Regular readers may recall our posts last November and this January about permanent price cuts being implemented at J. Crew.  One example we shared was the Jane suede ballet flat; its original selling price was $98, less than what Crew previously charged for similar shoes. (One note: the Jane style flat is now marked down to $59.99 as part of the company’s Final Sale; this season’s version of the shoe is the Marjorie flat.)

The prep-style retailer is extending its pricepoint sensitivities to online marketing efforts, now offering “Instant Gratification” groups at the Crew website.

J. Crew

The featured merchandise is below $100; there are links for both Men’s and Women’s “gratification” items.

Now other retailers are sounding the same theme. Lacoste says they will be lowering the price of some merchandise, according to a column Jeanine Poggi recently did for Forbes.

“For the fall, Lacoste will offer cable-knit sweaters, normally $145, for $98…”

We are speculating the sweaters being referenced are similar to these, from last Fall’s collection.

Lacoste.com

Originally priced at $135, the Long Sleeve Cable Knit Sweater is now $68.99 in most colors in Women’s sizes.  The Men’s Crewneck version of the cable sweater is on sale for $73.99, marked down from $155.   One thing Lacoste is promoting heavily for Men this Spring?

Lacoste

“Madras… the Preppy Classic” is also featured as a trend for Women.

Lacoste

We’re not sure how flattering this madras High-Waisted Skirt will be for most, that waistband could prove a little dicey.

Back to the Forbes story, apparently Lacoste plans to drop prices on more than just their sweaters:

“In spring 2010, Lacoste plans to lower prices in other categories, including its signature polo shirts.”

Also mentioned in the piece, party frock and gown designer extraordinaire, Monique Lhuillier…

“Monique Lhullier, for example, will offer several gowns retailing for $2,500. Her dresses usually sell for between $3,000 and $7,000.”

…along with upscale leather-goods firm Coach.

“Coach is also planning to trim profit margins, reducing its average handbag price to $300 from $335.”

As we mentioned in this post on their soon-to-debut Poppy line, Coach is using a variety of strategies to offer customers different price levels.

Perhaps the most frightening item in the Forbes story is the insight on other brands offered by a retail expert, Eugene Fram. His inside perspective on two companies near and dear to TP’s heart is chilling:

“In terms of pricing, some of the organizations are now on the defensive, like Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany’s,” he says. “It wouldn’t be surprising to see price reductions of 50%-plus in their attempts to avoid Chapter 11 proceedings.”

Simply put, this can’t happen. Cannot. Happen. At. Tiffany. Or. Saks.

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Also today, news of another magazine cover for stars of tv’s Gossip Girl show, but some may be surprised just which cover is featuring Blake Lively & Leighton Meester. Those with refined and/or delicate sensibilities may want to scroll quickly past the next photos as they are rather vulgar.  Perhaps we should have ascertained this from the title of the Rolling Stone story, “The Nasty Thrill of ‘Gossip Girl‘”.

PHOTO: Terry Richardson for Rolling Stone

For a moment we were a tad confused, sure we must be looking at images from an issue of W, as the article contains the requisite photos of the cast together in bed.

PHOTO: Terry Richardson for Rolling Stone

The story also includes Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szhor as well as most of the Gossip Guys, Ed Westwick, Chace Crawford, Penn Badgley.

Those interested in “more on the steamy cover shoot” can read all about it right here.

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Because we feel the need to lift ourselves up and out of the gutter, we shall close with a bit of nautical accessory fun, prefaced by this Pretty in Pink, the Silk Blazer from Smythe:

Smythe Blazer at Net-a-Porter

We adore Smythe jackets, for they fit like a glove while somehow managing to provide room enough to move around in without feeling like you are in a strait jacket.

And our spirited nautical item? Also from Net-a-Porter, the much-too-fun shoes from Stella McCartney.

Courtesy Stella McCartney

Yes, much-too-hip for anyone here at the Prepatorium, and a little (ahem) over the top from a budgetary perspective, but really… aren’t they darling?

Until next time dolls, smiles at each and every one of you!

New Thakoon Line, Preppy on Sale: Brooks Brothers, Hickey Freeman, LL Bean, More

The fashion comet known as Thakoon (formally Thakoon Panichgul) continues to fly high with word he is launching a new line, “Thakoon Addition.”  As seen in the WWD story:

“… a new capsule collection… a supplementary line with May-June and November-December deliveries, which will be inspired by some of the designer’s most popular designs, and sit alongside the main collection. The suggested retail price points for the line will range from about $495 for a top to $825 for dresses.”

This is not connected with the Thakoon for Target Resort collection, now slated to hit stores December 28.  The previous release date was December 25, an absolutely absurd day to launch the line; the 28th is far more reasonable.  Below, one of the looks from that group.

Courtesy Thakoon

The News-Observer (Raleigh-Durham) makes some intriguing observations on the upcoming Target collection:

“His look for Target is J. Crew meets Anthropologie, with a heavy-handed mix of stripes and florals — a look that’s expected to be big for spring. He was generous in using colors traditionally found at J. Crew — where he was once a merchandiser — including canary yellow, Kelly green and navy.”

The writer, Samantha Smith, is always a great read; she also does an excellent blog. It appears fashionistas will see the designer’s work at Target long before knowing if he is doing any Inaugural Day fashions for Michelle Obama, or even Sasha or Malia.

In our ‘Preppy on Sale’ update, Brooks Brothers has substantial inventory in their online Clearance section, including most Handbags and Shoes at 70% off.  They are also doing their Golden Fleece Foundation through tomorrow (Thursday, 12.12.08) night.

Courtesy Brooks Brothers

Shoppers using their Brooks Brothers Platinum MonsterCard MasterCard or  Brooks card will receive a 25% discount on their purchases; those using any other form of payment enjoy a %15 savings.  2% of net sales will be donated to Golden Fleece Foundation which supports charities like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Miss Nautical by Nature, we couldn’t help ourselves – the moment we spotted this we thought of you:

Brooks Brothers Nautical Scarf

Although truth be known, we aren’t seeing this on you.  If anyone finds it appealing,  Brooks has the Nautical Scarf marked down 50%, now $114 from $228.

Banana Republic says they have added new items to their sale; we found the Striped Peacoat Sweater appealing, now $119 from $175.  It looks like it could have a very high snuggle factor.

Banana Republic

LL Bean has added lots of new inventory to their sale and they are also discounting a number of outerwear styles.

LL Bean

Their offer of a $10 Bean gift card with a $50 purchase continues through Dec. 24.

LL Bean

Bergdorf’s is touting their sale, including three pages of Jay Strongwater markdowns.  The Tory Burch Channing Sporty Patent Flat is available in a number of sizes in both khaki and navy (left), and the Kate Spade Sassy Bow ballerina flat is also on sale.

The Penelope clutch from Kooba in either pink or black is now offered at $207, from $295; the Florence Eiseman Pleated Ribbon Dress for 3-9 Months is selling at $82 from $136 (we love the Peter Pan collar and front bow!).

J. Crew continues with what is beginning to seem like the never-ending promotion; we are reluctant to use the word ‘sale,’ as that implies a discount on specific merchandise. This is Crew’s discount predicated upon how much one spends.  J. Crew is also offering free shipping for purchases totaling $100 andmoreonline. Use promo code HOHOHO at checkout.

J Crew

Hickey-Freeman continues their sale, also offer free shipping on internet orders of $100+, with the code GSHOL. The Boy’s Navy Pinstripe is $148.50 from $195, as is the Donegal tweed.  Both are the Madison model, and at these prices one can’t go wrong.

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Hickey-Freeman’s younger, trendier Hickey merchandise also provides significant discounts right now, like the Striped Crew sweater at $82 from $248.

Hickey Striped Sweater

Hart Schafner Marx is in the midst of their Semi-Annual Sale; their cotton/silk sport shirts are $40.50 from $135, absolutely heavenly to the touch.

Hart Schaffner Marx

We are surprised to see they have removed the little promotional box about President-elect Obama from their home page. This is the brand doing the tuxedo for the Inaugural festivities, and they have also done several suits Mr. Obama wears frequently.

And the upscale Bobby Jones line has some very fiscally friendly bargains, items that whisper discreetly, “Take me to your closet!” Women’s Clubs are an additional 25% off, and the Argyle Cardigan in Navy is now $147, from the original selling price of $245.  Their $250 Urban Plaid Pleated Skort is now $75, available in a full range of sizes as of this writing.

Bobby Jones

The Men’s Madras Shorts are now $75 down from $125.

Bobby Jones

Free ground shipping is also included here for orders totaling more than $100, use Promo code GSHOL for the shipping offer.

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We close with an item dedicated to the always-wonderful Third Coast Preppy: the Times says lobster is at its lowest price in 25 years!

PHOTO: Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times

We thought everyone would appreciate that news, as well as the shopping and pricing rationale from the story’s author, Melissa A. Clark:

“I’M a sucker for a sale, the kind of shopper who tallies the amount “saved” rather than spent. My arithmetic goes like this: It makes more sense to buy the $125 cashmere sweater marked down to $95 than to pay full price for the $80 one.”

On that happy thought, until next time!

Preppy J. Crew Takes Another 30% Off… if their site is up.

Hello-Hello and happy back-to-reality-day!

Blah.

Double blah-blah. There.  We said it. (This is just so unPrincesslike… could it be the evil twin is out and about today? Oh my!)

We apologize. This is clearly the result of some overindulgence on our part.  A bit too much gnoshing and not enough walking/running. But it is today’s harsh, cold reality here in the corner condo at the Preppy Princess InterGactic HQ.  Harrumph. Well, enough about us. How about you? Is anyone else experiencing a bit of a slump today?

One of our favorite retailers is most definitely experiencing more than a slump; it looks like an all-out crash at the J. Crew website. Here is what TP saw when checking the site throughout the day, and currently as of 5:30pm EST:

J. Crew 12/1/08

This has been the case since this morning, with the exception of one occasion when we saw the welcome screen. But that screen did carry an enticing offer:

• CELEBRATE AN ADDITIONAL 30% OFF MARKDOWNS.
• USE PROMO CODE EXTRA30 AT CHECKOUT

The offer is good through December 3rd, applicable only to Sale merchandise. We offer a humble “Thank You” to the fabulous Miss LBR, one of the first to let us know about her unsuccessful efforts to place an order on the site.

This represents something of an apocalyptic event for the retailer.  We were surprised when the additional 30% off promotion popped up in the lower left corner of the screen. While it is likely a planned promotion as the company continues cutting inventory, we did have a momentary thought it could be in response to the online debacle.

We clicked multiple times on the Additional 30% Off link, all to no avail. And then suddenly, we made it to this page:

J. Crew 12.1.08

And that page allowed us to then stumble upon this utterly divine jacket. We thought, oh-my-goodness, how-darling, how-very-Princess, we-simply-must-have-it! Now! We’ll take a chance this will work! We will order the Herringbone école jacket in Mediterranean blue.

J. Crew Herringbone école jacket

We did not order the jacket. The. Site. Stopped. Working.

Again.

It is unlikely consumers or Wall St. pooh-bahs will respond kindly to the latest technical struggles. Keep in mind that J. Crew has already spent more than $1,000,000 on customers who experienced difficulties with their site, including many friends of the Princess (henceforth known as FOPs).  J. Crew CFO James Scully told stock analysts last week about some of those expenses:

“… approximately $1 million in customer accommodations related to the direct system initiatives in the form of free and upgraded shipping and other customer appeasements…”

We don’t know about you, but we would prefer being referred to as “accommodated” rather than being “appeased.” The latter makes us sound like some sort of whiny, perpetually unhappy individual who had to be placated.  What do you think?

Now we are wondering if this is one of the next things we’ll see…

J. Crew July, 2008

However, we speculate the Call Center is working at 800-562-0258. Call us crazy, but we can’t imagine the preppy retailer hasn’t fixed this part of the operation.

While frustrated we are superstitious enough to not say anything hyper-negative about J. Crew’s ongoing difficulties. Why? Because we are so incredibly paranoid have a little karma concern and do not want to arouse the wrath of the cybergods. Negatory. Nope. Not us.

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You know how much the Princess loves her preppy dishes: Boatman Geller’s plates…along with the the platters and trays and the preppy plates from Preppy Plates…

TP is sends a big “congratulations” to Preppy Plate CEO Molly Hamilton, for this stellar story in Sunday’s Washington Post; it included a cute shot of Molly and her children.

PHOTO: Keith Barraclough

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For today’s Pretty in Pink we offer the following for your perusal:

This is at Target, and only available online. The outrageous Sceptre Komodo 23″ 720p LCD HDTV is $298.

And on that cheerier note, we say adieu; we shall return with a shopping update!