Hello everybody, please accept our apologies for the lack of a post yesterday. We have been simply swamped filling all of the Lilly Pulitzer pre-orders we received here at the Princess! It seems TPC (The Princess Consort, aka The Spousal Unit) gave the minions the day off! All of them! (Ahem. Right.)
So it seems we shall be forced to engage in actual manual labor again today. Honestly! But someone must help pack these…
Lilly Pulitzer Latte Da! mugs at Preppy Princess
And these….
Lilly Pulitzer Notebooks at Preppy Princess
Controlled chaos, yes, that’s what we have!
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We move on now to a look at Southern Proper’s new looks from their outstanding Southern Seaside Collection.
Southern Seaside at Southern Proper
For those unfamiliar with this fine establishment, it is well worth an investment of time to gaze at their offerings.
Not only is the merchandise refined and elegant, it is also whimsical, a rare combination to find well done, as it is at this firm.
Southern Proper
While the company specializes in ‘Haberdashery for the Gentleman,’ they do offer their Belle Bands for the ladies:
Southern Proper
We have been planning on posting about the company for months, but receiving their Southern Seaside email finally nudged to do it and we’re glad we did; we always have fun looking at their superb merchandise.
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The Brooks Brothers Black Fleece shop received a visit from one of our favorite columnists, Cintra Wilson, another of the Critical Shopper writers at the Times.
In describing the look and feel of the store Ms. Wilson takes a shot at a retailer arriving more recently to the prep aesthetic:
“It’s a slightly gothic twist on the Old Money Athletic Club look, originally reified into postmodern absurdity when Ralph Lauren stuck crusty leather bridles and yellowing crew-team photos on mahogany paneling and pronounced it a lifestyle.”
Ouch! The story naturally focuses on designer Thom Browne, the man responsible for the Black Fleece collection; a few looks are shown below.
BTW, the Black Fleece Chesterfield Coat (above left) is now selling at $598; it was originally $4200. Also above, the Double-Breasted Chesterfield in navy, originally $3700, now $598. Double ouch.
Ms. Wilson approached her assignment with some excitement, eager to try on the apparel, but she was disappointed.
“I found, in most cases, that the proportions were a bit off. The necks were too tight, the skirts too tentlike, the busts flattening.”
The writer does more comparing between Mr. Browne and Mr. Lauren:
“Mr. Browne, like Mr. Lauren, nurtures a fetish for the trappings of Old School Preppy, but the Thom Browne alumnus seems to be a bit more pale, less muscular and more (ahem) eccentric. Picture a cross between Pee-wee Herman and Nurse Ratched, only more obsessive-compulsive.”
Ultimately Ms. Wilson concludes Thom Browne is a “gifted designer,” but one who needs to figure out how proportions differ between men’s and women’s clothing.
“While superb on a mannequin, Mr. Browne’s designs don’t seem to possess any sympathy for the kinetic demands of three-dimensional hips and breasts.”
BTW, there do not appear to be any Black Fleece spring collection pieces online. It may be the company is slow in getting them to the web, or perhaps they need to clear out more old inventory before showing current looks. And a significant amount of old merchandise remains at Brooks’ online shop. We did not see *any* pieces that were not discounted by at least 50%.
The folks at Rare Daily also review the recently-opened store:
“The interior is a masculine contrast to Browne’s shrinking suits. It’s lavish and upscale.”
However, we do have to disagree with their statement that “… (Thom) Browne is the new Black this season.”
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We haven’t updated the goings-on at G2 (Gossip Girl) lately, we’ll just do a quick hit mentioning Blake Lively at the premiere of her new film, “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee.”
PHOTO: Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters
Ms.Lively is wearing the Silk Trompe L’oeil Wrap Gown by one of our faves, Oscar de la Renta. (It is available online.) Also seen with the actress at the opening in Berlin, Zoe Kazan (R) and Robin Wright Penn (2nd R), and director Rebecca Miller (2nd L).
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Because we are just as concerned about your trust fund as you are, we thought it timely to share a few sales at retail establishments you may be fond of, like Banana Republic. They have added to their already healthy clearance selection.
Banana Republic
We received another email from Polo Ralph Lauren this morning, touting their markdowns as well, “Now up to 75% Off“.
And the J. Crew President’s Day sale at their Factory Stores offer “up to 50% off” in their “Goodbye Winter Clearance” as well as 20-50% off “select Spring arrivals.” This promotion runs through 2/18.
Speaking of J. Crew, the retailer must have been thrilled to hear that Michelle Obama wears another of their pieces in the March issue of Vogue.
PHOTO: Annie Leibovitz
We close with a little nudge to enter our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery Giveaway, if you are so inclined and haven’t already entered!
Happy day and smiles to everyone!
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Pick the pattern you like and we shall send the lunch bag to you!
The Preppy Princess 