The beauty in Riff Raff

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Fashion RiffRaff

Preface: I keep up on my fashion sources: Ginia Bellafante, Vogue, The Cut in NYMag, Racked.com, Daily Candy, Tavi, Gossip Girl, What Not to Wear and old Sex and the City episodes. I’m constantly shopping uptown, midtown, downtown, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Long Island. I’m always browsing online. I will never stop window watching on 5th Ave. And I’m never not observing the runways on the streets of NYC. I invent. I reinvent. I borrow.

The Cut recently used the term ‘fashion riff raff’ to describe the non designer wearers of the world. Unfortunately, not all of us can shop at Bergdorf or Barney’s. I can’t take a quick trip to Melrose or Fred Segal and pick up some new pieces. I even have a hard time stepping foot in Club Monaco or Intermix. For those of you who frequent the little no name stores in the East Village or run to Steinway in Astoria, Junction Blvd. in Jackson Heights, Fordham Rd. in the Bronx, 125th in Harlem, Fulton Rd. in Brooklyn or Old Country Rd. in LI. for retail therapy this does not make you any less of a fashionista than Blair Waldorf or Serena Vanderwoodsen. And although Anna Wintour would probably catch an anxiety attack reading this blog or being in the near vicinity of any of above neighborhoods…what.ev.er.

Path of the RiffRaff: Herald Sq.

I remember a time when I used to go to 34th Street and I could spend hours shopping. I would start from 5th Ave. and work my way west on 34th following in the route of the M34 bus. In order: Strawberry, cross the street to Bakers, Dr. Jay’s, Aldo, Steve Madden, cross the street to LeChateau and then Forever 21. Maybe even cross over the Ave’s if I had the head for Daffy’s and always end up at Macy’s Herald Square. It was always a physically journey. I’d have to make sure I was well fed before, had a bottle of water with me, wore flats and carried light.
Without fail, life in Herald Square is always adventurous. It would include at least one verbal altercation with someone just to spice the night up, witnessing at least one person getting into a fight or arrested and laughter or tears with strangers over whatever scenes we were witnessing.

True Story: I once watched a middle-aged woman get arrested for shop lifting at Forever 21. She was sitting in the back seat of the cop car and then decided to thrust herself out of the side window headfirst. They put her face down in a straight jacket right in the middle of 34th Street: True Story

Nothing will top that level of crazy, but this past week left my feelings toward Herald Square in a strange place. I came home completely physically, emotionally and mentally spent. I did get some great new additions to my wardrobe BUT there has got to be a better way!!
We started at my favorite costume jewelry store in the universe, ‘Earrings Plaza’ at on Broadway bt. 31st &32nd. I stocked up on my signature bangle bracelets and also purchased two floral bangles.
Then we headed to Dr.Jays where I scored on a black, cotton, mid thigh length with a belt, cute ornamental buttons and perfectly positioned pockets, transitional trench coat. I can’t decide what the best part about it is: the fact that it was $20 and looks like it’s from Club Monaco or that it has lining inside of it that makes it perfect for folded up sleeves. What do you think? Can we say jackpot? Ahhhh…the little things in life.
I also got the coolest light blue pin striped button down with a black elastic belt and string button tie ups on each side. Don’t worry things take a dive so put your boiling over purchase envy aside and keep reading.

Below:
Jacket $20 Dr. Jay’s; Shirt, $14 Dr. Jay’s; Fedora $30, Target; Bag, $30 Aldo; Black Leggings, $40 Guess; Floral Bangles, $7 E. Plaza.

Forever 21 was insanity. The people who work there all have A.D.D in addition to being borderline retarded and/or completely clueless. I asked three different people if they carried a boyfriend blazer and all responded that they have no blazers at all. I found about six. The store was pure chaos and left me beyond overly stimulated. Too many options, too many colors, too much pattern and too many people. I got nothing and left stressed. Now for the obstacle course to get to Macy’s (which for those of you who don’t know the proximity is literally diagonally right across the street). It may have taken us about 15 minutes to get there while dodging baby carriages, muck puddles and groups of rambunctious tweens.
Macys!!! I’m excited. The annual flower show!!! It was (if I may speak in text term) sooooooooooooo gorgeous. Lilacs(my fave), lilies, tulips and real birds! And right there in the middle of the Chanel and Lancome counters! Great to see and experience. But try go really early or late to avoid a crowd that will ruin it.
I felt heartbroken after discovering that they no longer carry the brand Kensie Girl. The new Rachel Roy line is just okay. A little on the conservative side. I did not find one affordable boyfriend blazer. They’re done moving things around and I don’t like the new layout on the 4th floor. It’s not as hip as it used to be. Where’d the DJ go? Yawn!
Last stop is the Mac counter. The Mac counter makes me almost as happy as going to PinkBerry; original flavor eye shadows, thick toppings of eyeliner and the best new mango flavor AKA the sassiest gay men ever…fyi prettier than most women I know. Big xoxo to my new favorites on 34th: Pinkberry and the Mac counter divas of Herald Square!
As for Macy’s, I’m a little mad at it. I think were on a break. I will probably never go back to that Forever 21, unless my friends drag me. Dr. Jay’s I could never leave.

So, life isn’t easy on the riffraff side of the tracks. We have to fight for what we want, be extra selective in a store filled with tacky clothes and make friends where we can to help us through it. There is a way. It might be a challenge but you can look like a star without a Hollywood wallet. Don’t get me wrong. I would love to trade in my Aldo’s for a pair of Christian Louboutin’s. But most great things in life don’t come easy. What’s life without a story? What’s a story without a struggle? This is not the end of my intro to spring fashion shopping spree. I have a few more stories to tell.

Map of the RiffRaff:

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