“What has changed, is that now people have bragging rights about what they paid. I admired a woman’s pair of pants at a party recently and she said, ‘Fourteen dollars! H&M!’ It really is, among the people I know, part of what they do now.” - Sarah Jessica Parker discussing her Steve and Barry's line in The New York Times.
May 01, 2008 @ 9:59am
posted by guest
May 01, 2008 10:11AM
That has nothing to do with SJP and her Steve and Barry's line. I think women always mixed high end and low end pieces. I, personally, am more proud of finds like $10 vintage bags or $14 H&M pants than I am when I buy a Fendi or something else recognizable and expensive.
posted by guest
May 01, 2008 10:15AM
Okay snobs, take a deep breath. SJP's line for Steve and Barry's isn't bad at all...it's really good fashion for people who can't afford that Marc by Marc dress on Bluefly or those hideous vegan shoes that Natalie Portman's been pushing recently.
Good for her for stepping out of her box, and not making another line like the one Sienna Miller did or The Row by those creepy Olsen twins! I mean really, do any of us need another overpriced celebrity-endorsed line? I think not!
SJP has a point...FASHION SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST PEOPLE WITH TRUST FUNDS!
Honestly, get off your pedestals for a bit, hmm?
posted by syako
May 01, 2008 10:15AM
How is that vulgar?
That was a very interesting article. I am shocked, as well, at the whole concept (a dress for $9?!), but obviously it's doing well. And it's good to know there's no sweat shops involved. hoo-ray to being different and making money!
posted by guest
May 01, 2008 10:16AM
pants at H&M are never that cheap unless they're severely marked down. i miss the old H&M days :(
posted by guest
May 01, 2008 10:19AM
Only the United States pay so much for clothes.. In most countries, people always took to being more creative with their clothes to make themselves unique where in the US, they pay a higher price to look like everyone else. Thank goodness for H&M and F21 and similiar stores that give us something that is affordable, stylish, and although, sometimes the quality is below average, a lot of their merchandise stands the test of time and wash.
posted by poseur
May 01, 2008 10:37AM
as someone who actually goes and checks the collection every time I am around a store, I can say that most of the stuff is things you would never-ever buy. The shirts do not fit, pants have a weird feeling. But every once in a while there is something that is interesting. I was in need of a coat for a vacation, and there was a coat there this one to be exact:
http://img.timeinc.net/essence/images/2007/sept/bitten_coat_269x269.jpg
It is not amazing, it is not carefully sewn but hell if I settle for f21, I would settle for this for 19.99! Of course I used a big black belt with it, which made it really nice. And I hate this expression but I got complimented(by fashionable people) I mean I will be giving it away soon, but heck it helped me through the winter, and wasn't bad at all.
Every once in a while there is something that you can "work with". That is the summary of bitten I think.
On the other hand I understand the pants, shirts and stuff that she keeps mentioning about the working people who want to dress nicely. if it works out for them and it sells then it is great. However I remember seeing 19 dollar shirts that I said to myself "I can get this same price somewhere else and would look better"
I am just curious though: Did she make a commitment to them for about a year or so? If not, it is great that after all these criticism that she got she still is pursuing this. That means she really is sincere.
posted by guest
May 01, 2008 10:41AM
She credits her line with changing people's perspective on cheap clothes??? Puhleeze. H&M and Target were on it years ago. People have been bragging about their $15 pants while she was still filming SATC in 2004.
Someone throw a jimmy choo at her.
posted by Holly
May 01, 2008 10:50AM
When I first heard of the SJP line at Steve and Barry, I admit I was skeptical about how they could ethically produce clothes at such a low price. After reading the NY Times article, I feel a little better about them.
Since when have pants at H&M been fourteen dollars?!
posted by guest
May 01, 2008 11:07AM
nearly everything from the SJP S&B line fit me TERRIBLY... BUT the boyfriend jeans, size 4 short are THE best fitting jeans I've ever had. I get compliments on them all the time. They do have this weird distressed thing on the front pockets thoug that looks really weird...
posted by misscynthiabell
May 01, 2008 12:28PM
Imho, it's not about how much the dress (or other article of clothing cost.) If someone compliments you on something say,"Thank you." That's it. They don't need to know if it cost $2 or $200!
posted by hayley
May 01, 2008 2:42PM
When you shop at Primark as much as me and my friends do, its just part of normal conversation to say how much your outfit was today.
(Today: dress: £10, shoes £8. Gotta love Primy)
posted by guest
May 01, 2008 3:31PM
ahah my friends and i have an ongoing competition in whos outfit cost the least.
posted by guest
May 02, 2008 9:55AM
I don't think Bitten jeans/pants fit so well if you're tall, but the dresses and jean jackets for $8.98? Perfect.
And these are getting to be scary times so Steve & Barry's is a life saver for many families.
posted by dumbbrunette5
May 06, 2008 3:16AM
"SJP's line for Steve and Barry's isn't bad at all...it's really good fashion for people who can't afford that Marc by Marc dress on Bluefly or those hideous vegan shoes that Natalie Portman's been pushing recently." well i definately fit into that group since i save for a year to 'splurge' on urban outfitters but i still think that, while the idea of bitten was nice, the clothes arent that great. and i never announce the price of my oufit unless asked..i dont think its vulgar and im always proud when i can find nice stuff thats majorly on sale but i dont shout it out.
posted by tribalpottery
May 01, 2008 10:02AM
How vulgar!