If there’s any one who likes loves wearing designer clothing/accessories/shoes/etc., it’s me. Not that the label really matters that much (okay, maybe it does…); it’s just that there’s no denying the fact that designer clothes fit better, look better, last longer… you get the point. But let’s face it: Unless you’re Katie Holmes, the likelihood of purchasing your entire wardrobe at Neiman Marcus is slim (though a few choice pieces here and there wouldn’t hurt).
And because we all love the way the fancy embroidery enhances the back pockets of our Sevens jeans (and boosts our confidence), and feel a tinge of pride when we catch someone eyeballing the Marc Jacobs logo on our bag, it’s probably safe to say that we’d do anything possible to get something designer — but without the designer price. Generally speaking, this usually means long Saturday afternoons in Marshalls or TJ Maxx (where we’ll purchase slightly defective pieces) or early Sunday mornings at Woodbury Commons (where we’ll find merchandise from last season that we are pretty sure/hope and pray will pass as this season). I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with that, but wouldn’t it be nice to have the label without the hefty price — and the dissatisfaction that comes with buying something that you know has been picked over by thousands of hungry-for-a-bargain shoppers?
Well, in the past couple of years a handful of high fashion designers have done the everyday consumer a huge favor by introducing diffusion lines. Now several department stores — where we’ve always found super cute things for affordable prices — carry merchandise that has the luxury label without the exorbitant cost. From H&M (where we’ve snagged fantastic designs by Roberto Cavalli and Stella McCartney, to name a few) to Kohls (where, since the fall of ’07, everyone has been going nuts for the much-sought-after Simply Vera Vera Wang collection) to Target (where we’ve found trendy clothing and accessories from the likes of Proenza Schouler, Luella Bartley, and most recently, Erin Fetherston, which hit stores in November), we can now buy items that are similar to — and have the same name as — what’s on the runway.
Luckily for us, the excitement continues into 2008. The latest designer to team up with low-cost retailer Target is Jessie Randall, the creative director of Loeffler Randall (a feminine, chic brand of upscale women’s wear that began in 2004). The Loeffler Randall Ready-To-Wear collection is the fourth in a series of limited-time-only accessories to be sold at Target stores nationwide. Her line, which debuted on Dec. 30, will be available at 12 of the Target stores in the Hudson Valley (see below for details) and at www.target.com until Mar. 23. This is great news for anyone looking for elegant, seasonal shoes and handbags. The collection includes clutches, satchels, and totes — available in cream, brown, gold, and rose gold, in patents and linen — as well as two styles of flats in the same colors and materials. The shoes are priced at a mere $29.99 and the bags will range from $19.99 to $49.99.
As you can see in the photos below, the styles are suitable for both day and night time and will easily dress up a simple outfit. And in my opinion, the colors will complement a lot of what you probably have in your closet right now — and are likely to work with the lighter hues that you’ll have come late-February/March: they’ll darken your wardrobe just enough so that your ensemble won’t be screaming “springtime” too prematurely.
(Note: Rumor has it that next up for Target will be the Jovovich-Hawk line in the spring — and a surprising partnership with the already moderately-priced Converse.)
Cute clutches, $19.99 each
Rosette ballet flats, $29.99 each
Woven satchels, $49.99 each
Peep-toe flats (also available in rose gold and metallic linen), $29.99 each
The perfect going-out clutch, $24.99 each
The cream-colored version of this large crinkle tote is strikingly similar
to the Loeffler Randall “RUBY” ivory leather tote (which retails for $495
at Plaza Too)
The Loeffler Randall line can be found at the following Target stores:
Albany County:
1440 Central Ave., Colonie
675 Troy Schenectady Rd., Latham
Orange County:
1 N. Galleria Dr., Middletown
128 Bailey Farm Rd., Monroe
50 Route 17 k, Newburgh
Rensselaer County:
625 3rd Ave. Ext., Rensselaer
Rockland County:
50 Spring Valley Market Pl., Spring Valley
4120 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack
Ulster County:
1300 Ulster Ave., Kingston
Westchester County:
195A N. Bedford Rd., Mt. Kisco
500 E. Sanford Blvd., Mt. Vernon
9 City Pl., White Plains
* If you’re looking to spend the extra (EXTRA) bucks, you can get the real luxury Loeffler Randall handbags and shoes at stores in NYC (like Intermix, Scoop, and Bergdorf Goodman) and Westchester (at Plaza Too in Bronxville, Larchmont, Mt. Kisco, and Rye; and at Nordstrom at the Westchester Mall in White Plains).