FASHION : Shopping by the Book
As the mail-order business blossomed, many catalogues tried to be all things to all people. Sears added pages of super-trendy fashions to its traditional offerings. J. Crew put a smattering of sheer chiffon skirts among its weekend and career classics. . . . As a result, it’s not as easy as it once was to find that cashmere sweater set, velvet party dress or fuchsia suede belt.
Following is a selection of notable, affordable clothes and accessories for the fall and holiday seasons, and the catalogues in which they appear:
Shoes, Belts and Bags: Shoppers may be surprised that Sears offers some terrific, affordable shoes and purses for women with traditional taste. Leather pumps with grosgrain bows, a style reminiscent of Ferragamo, are $29.99. Basic leather penny loafers are $32. White canvas Keds, the perfect preppy staple to pair with denim skirts, run $26.99. Shoulder bags that resemble the popular, pricey Dooney & Bourke models are $18.99. (800) 366-3000.
The voluminous Spiegel catalogue has 2-inch-wide suede belts with H-shaped buckles in bright colors--fuchsia, purple, turquoise--for $40 each and gold-tone chain belts dangling small charms such as keys, pearls and hearts for $26. A quilted black vinyl headband, patterned after the Chanel accessory, is an affordable $20. (800) 345-4500.
Take note, however, of an even better deal in the JC Penney catalogue: a set of two similar bands, one red and one black, for $20. (800) 222-6161.
Jewelry: Spiegel is also a good source for fall accessories, especially costume jewelry. A trio of gold-tone chains dangling large pearls is $35. A pair of museum replicas--matte gold-tone drop earrings--is $28.
Traditional dressers usually prefer the Real Thing, but some convincing knockoffs of status jewelry are available in the Lewis & Roberts catalogue. A discount version of the Cartier love bracelet, with matching ring, is only $58. A tennis bracelet that gets its sparkle from cubic zirconia costs $129. (800) 933-5335.
In the Sears catalogue, matte gold-tone door-knocker-style earrings are just $14.99.
Weekend wear: Smythe & Co. is one of the most inexpensive, no-nonsense sources for Gap-esque sportswear out there. The silhouettes are mostly familiar and comfy, while the colors are fashion- forward, at least in name--driftwood, sweet potato, brick. A pleated polyester-wool schoolgirl miniskirt, a must this season, is just $59. Unisex black denim shirts are $38. An unusual, long poor-boy cotton skirt with an elastic waist is $39. (800) 955-7788.
J. Crew’s sportswear is classic, yet always seems in step. One all-American standout for fall: a cashmere sweater set of cardigan, $198, and matching short-sleeved crew neck, $148. Polo shirts without pocket insignia go for $22 to $26, depending on fabric and sleeve length. (800) 932-0043.
Special occasions: Trend-resistant women, particularly those with children, might look into Storybook Heirlooms. Although most of the catalogue’s ornate, expensive clothes are for children, there are a few styles for moms who like to make holiday dressing a family affair. A $250 black velvet button-front suit with white lace trim by Jessica McClintock coordinates with a girl’s two-piece suit. (800) 899-7666.
Talbots also avoids the beaded bustier party look, opting instead for subdued but attractive dresses and ensembles, most of which cost less than $300. A navy-blue velvet taffeta princess-style dress with a full shirred skirt is $215. A black velvet Albert Nipon chemise is $198. A hard-to-find evening swing coat with a single jeweled button is $260. (800) 882-5268.
Some of the sexiest after-5 styles available by mail are from lew magram ltd. Many outfits are short and tight, the favored look of Los Angeles club-crawlers. An off-the-shoulder bronze spandex number is $99. A short, sleeveless, scoop-necked black chemise with a gold lame back tie is $138. A black velvet jacket with faux pearl buttons and matching shorts is $129.88. For the truly trendy: a sleeveless plaid cocktail minidress with rhinestone straps is $139. (800) MAGRAMS.
Suits: Madeleine offers unusual women’s suits. One of the freshest looks is a $225 quilted silk elongated jacket and a short, slim skirt in charcoal. A single-button jacket and matching slim skirt in ice blue (the catalogue calls it silver gray) wool cost $350. Other jacket and skirt combinations are sold separately. This catalogue isn’t for bargain-hunters, but many items go on sale at the end of the season; just call the catalogue operator to see if a coveted item made the markdown list. (800) 344-1994.
Wild cards: Monarch surprises shoppers with original, to-die-for finds. This fall, its $39 gold vinyl trench coat is a veritable steal; similar versions in stores wear triple-digit price tags. Another notable: a white poplin blouse with a placket enlivened by whimsical, heat-transferred appliques (lipstick tubes, perfume bottles and birds among them). It’s $76. (800) 367-6002.
