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Written and Illustrated by Kathryn Martinez |
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I've been to all the stores that are
absolutely parts of our lives, looking for the spring-y-est finds I could find. As
promised, I chose five items from each store, mostly based on feel, fit, and
color--requirements that I consider musts in everyday dressing.
Here we go. |
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| The Gap |
First, I stopped at the ubiquitous Gap, where great,
useful jackets can be found for those April showers: |
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First is a mid-thigh trench coat that looks more like a lab coat.
It’s got two front pockets, and its buttons are hidden for a slick look. $78.00, and
it comes in grey, black, and pale dusty-yellow. |
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On the sportier side is a nylon pullover parka, with a panel across the
chest, like an extra pocket. The collar is fastened with velcro, which is always fun.
$39.00, and can be found in grey, black, khaki, and blue. |
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Also very rain-friendly is the Gap's hip-length rain jacket with a
hood. The inside is lined with that crazy mesh that some athletic shorts are made of.
$59.50, and comes in black and fisherman yellow. That’s it for outer gear. |
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Next is a fitted, long-sleeved button-down. It’s 100% cotton and
extremely soft, but oddly enough has a slight windbreaker material look to it. It comes in
an assortment of colors, like white, army green, navy, yellow, khaki, red-orange, pale
pink, a wacky floral print, and checked plaid. $38.00. |
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Lastly, I spotted cute denim hats on sale for $10.00. One is in a soft
rose-colored denim, with an inner lining of beige material. The other is in dark indigo
denim, with red stitching and black lining. |
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| Banana Republic |
Here's the 411 on Banana Republic, where I found a few
good tops. |
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First up, a long-sleeved button-down shirt. It’s cotton with some
lycra for stretch and fit; other than that, it’s pretty basic. Especially inviting is
the very sweet lavender color that it can be found in. $48.00. |
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I loved this one the most. It’s a rayon/wool long-sleeve T-shirt
with a scoop neck. It’s very soft, very thin and somewhat see-through, just
enough to let a bright colored tank top show through. Comes in grey, a lighter grey, and
black. $88.00. |
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Next up are the knitted T-shirt (above) and tank top (below). Both the
short-sleeved T-shirt and the tank have a v-neck, are 100% silk and really soft. T-shirt,
$48.00; tank top, $42. Colors: stone, charcoal, and dusky lavender. Both are parts of a
sweater set that includes a cardigan, but I'd stick with the tops. |
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Lastly, I spotted a great bag in reddish/brown leather. The straps
start off bigger at the bottom, and taper toward the top. They’re also a bit stiff;
they stand up on their own. $98 for the bigger one, $78 for the smaller one. They come in
black, too, but the reddish/brown one is nicer, in my opinion. |
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| Ann Taylor |
Now, we have a few things from Ann Taylor. |
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My favorite item here is a skinny, black leather belt with a very
sculptural clasp. $40.00. |
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Here, above and below, is a pale, powder blue suit made of linen/rayon.
It's really cute and demure, but in that classy Fifties kind of way. The shift dress
(above) is pretty standard: sleeveless and fitted, $98.00. The jacket (below) has
three-quarter length sleeves and a rounded collar, $158.00 |
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On sale, I found cashmere scarves for $79.99, because it is still
chilly after all. Comes in pale pink, grey heather, and a pale beige. |
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Last is a beige silk knitted cardigan with some interesting knit-work
going on at the bottom, $88.00. |
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| Club Monaco |
I found Club Monaco to be a place for clothes with a
lot of utility. |
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First thing I liked, again because of color, is a tricot cotton tube
top. It's grey on one side and red on the other, which means, it’s reversible!
$39.00. |
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Next are the sweatshirts, which come in white and sweat-pant grey. They
have the comfort of that bulky sweatshirt you love to wear, but the way it's cut removes
the sloppy factor. $35.00. |
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Club Monaco is a nice place to find pants and skirts, the kind you
see on other people and find yourself staring at, which is what I did to all the sales
people. They’re thick, supple and stretchy, but still structured. I especially like
their "cone leg pant" in grey, $89.00. |
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Also great is the 27" length skirt. Once again, it's got a bit of
stretch to it for the comfort factor, and has invisible pockets that are conveniently
unbulky, $89.00 |
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Last, but not least, is a grey, mid-thigh length wrap cardigan to keep
you warm on those spring nights, $99.00. |
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| Agnes B |
Finally to Agnes B., where the first thing I found was
this silk polo-shirt. |
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The sleeves on this silk polo extend to the elbows. But the best part
about it is the color, a pale yellow that manages to be vibrant, but not overbearing, kind
of like sunshine. $115. |
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Secondly, I found an aqua tank top made of cotton, $36.00. Once again,
it’s all about the color. |
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Two sibling black canvas tote bags. One (above) is longer that the
average bag; big enough to fit a W magazine, or the envelopes from the NY Public
Library’s picture collection, $100.00. Its little sister (below) is smaller and costs
$58.00.
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The last item from Agnes B is an olive green cotton long-sleeved top
with a v-neck. It’s slightly spiffy, but still casual, $75.00. |
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Well, that’s all for the Top 5. Check them out,
and tell us if you like them. |
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