Most of the world is aware of the vintage clothing goodness
that is Mad Men (not to mention the great acting, fantastic writing, blah, blah, blah). I am so very envious of
everyone who works with/is clothed by Janie Bryant – can you imagine what that
costume shop looks like?! I believe I might
actually faint at the sight of it. Sarah Jessica Parker's Vogue Closet foray has nothing on racks and racks of vintage confections!
What I am not fond of is the attack of the 1960s knock-offs.
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| Mad Men for Banana Republic 2012 |
I have quite a few Banana Republic purchases in my closet from years past,
and the quality is decent. The sales they
had a few years ago were just too good to miss – a merino cardigan sweater for
under $10?! 70-80% off of the original
price?! I am terrified to think about how that
is possible – where exactly can one find merino wool that cheap? And why on earth are the original prices so
high if things go on sale almost as soon as they are put out on the floor?
I have no actual evidence that The Gap Corporation uses unfair labor
practices, but as someone who makes her own clothes, I just cannot imagine the
person sewing those seams is being paid enough. And that is a whole other
discussion for another day . . .
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| Mad Men for Banana Republic 2011 |
Back to my original point: I was somewhat disappointed in last year’s Mad Men inspired
line.
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| Mad Men for Banana Republic 2012 |
The length of the dresses and skirts are off, and the
garments look too mass produced (I know, I know, that’s because they ARE mass
produced for a contemporary consumer).
The problem for me is that the very things that make vintage so special (all
of the wonderful little details like welt pockets, contrasting bound
buttonholes, pleats and tucks galore, etc.) are the very things missing from the collection. And, to be honest, I am not looking for
vintage-inspired, I am looking for the real thing, so I am probably not their
ideal shopper.
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| Mad Men for Banana Republic 2012 |
I do love the color palette that Janie (we are on a first
name basis, you know) has chosen for this year’s collection. In fact, I was just working on a bright pink
dress this weekend! Still, they are
somehow not quite right – it just looks like classic Banana Republic.
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| Mad Men for Banana Republic 2012 |
And guess who else has jumped on the bandwagon? Estée Lauder.
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| Mad Men for Estée Lauder |
Now, I do love that dress!
The neckline, the three darts radiating out from the center waist, the
cap sleeves, the single brooch as embellishment. Now that is beautiful.
So for the time being, I will stick with my vintage patterns.
I've found that the things you complain about with Banana Republic are things we see in the blogosphere too, so it probably reflects what people want. After all, how often don't you see a vintage pattern or a vintage dress with the hem taken up for example?
ReplyDeleteTo me, it kind of defeats the purpose of vintage... but that's, of course, because I got into vintage patterns for the sensible cuts, "low" hemlines and "high" necklines.
I actually have nightmares about vintage pieces being butchered. I just have to hope that those super short hems haven't been chopped off, but are simply tucked under (fat chance, right?).
DeleteI think they are trying to balance between the vintage feel and the needs of the costumers. This is probably a strategic choice, after all they are want to sell things. I guess the 'mass' costumers can't tell the difference between vintage and vintage-inspired. Besides, there aren't many who would actually wear clothes from another era. Still, I miss the little details too. In the meantime we can sew whatever we like...
ReplyDeleteWe don't have Banana Republic in Australia, but from the photos you're showing on your blog the 2012 collection is much nicer than the 2011 collection. I quite like the look of that hot pink dress!
ReplyDeleteI have concerns about the current vintage-themed trend, but my concerns are purely selfish. I do wear true vintage garments and accessories and finding lovely day dresses in good condition in a decent size is hard enough as it is. The current trend just makes it more difficult for those of us who do this because we love it, not because its 'fashionable'.
On the positive side - for the short amount of time that vintage is in, I'll be on-trend!
That's a good point on the Banana Republic Mad Men collection. I felt the same way when it first came out, like it's just BR clothes, what's the fuss?
ReplyDeleteThe Estee Lauder collection, on the other hand, is very tempting.
I love all things repro and vintage-inspired...if done well. Unfortunately so much of it isn't done well. (I'm looking at you, stretch bengaline.) The Mad Men collection seems to have the right idea...but the dresses are just SO short. Booo!
ReplyDeleteI really like the off-white dress with the cute little polka dot cummerbund. Good thing I scooped up this Vogue pattern before it gets deleted:
ReplyDeletehttp://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8278-products-6703.php?page_id=1156
Oh my goodness - I had completely forgotten about that pattern - thank you for reminding me of its existence! It is somewhere in the sewing room, waiting for the perfect fabric . . . maybe I will have to do something about that this year!
DeleteThat pattern is on my mind because a) I finally ordered it now that it's being discontinued and b) my current project is all about finicky princess seams with piping, so I'm looking forward to a little cut->sew->wear->WIN fun on my next project and this fills the bill.
DeleteAnd speaking of Mad Men sewing, I came across this today:
http://www.juliabobbin.com/2012/02/mad-men-dress-challenge-you-in.html
I kinda felt the same way but for maybe slightly different reasons. One of the reasons I really love the fashion of Mad Men is that there are MANY different body types (albeit, they are *technically* Hollywood bodies) represented. As such, I can always find something that appeals to me not only because of pretty fabric, but because the actress is wearing something that resembles the way clothes fit my body. The BR clothing photos I saw didnt; rather it was all the same super skinny models wearing clothing designed for like-bodied people. That really disappointed me.
ReplyDeleteGood point! I guess I just expect super skinny models to appear in print ads and do my best to visualize how a normal person might look in the clothing. And don't get me started about BR's vanity sizing - RIDICULOUS!!
DeleteSo glad to have the real thing - 1960 clothes in my collection. Even though I am too big/old to wear them, I know a couple of young ladies that look absolutely smashing in them. They fit them - curvy but in the right places. However, they prefer the new retro style clothes from any label because the fabrics/fit are more forgiving and easy to care for. But they are not collectors, etc - just girls who want to have fun.
ReplyDelete