Any One Wanna Go Shopping

The joy of dressing is an art…..John Galliano

For me, this was a pretty tough week. Between the RNC, my daily reading of the New York Times, and The Washington Post, I was ready to throw myself off the sidewalk. I must have begun three blog post and I deleted all three. The words were just not happing for me. There was a time if something was weighing down my heart, I would go for a run, go to the gym or go to a flea market. This time I would have chosen the flea market. I’m a vintage hound dog, and I love just walking and looking at all the treasures. Sad to say, no flea market here…So, I went clothes shopping! Virtually | on line.

Shopping is a little different here in Cuenca. There is a wide price range and style caliber of small clothing/accessory stores throughout the city. In Cuenca, we have no major international clothing stores. Our local boutiques cater to a varied assortment of women and in a range of ages. The style can be traditional or catwalk ready, and these shoppers always look pulled together from head to toe! Latin women like to dress and dress-up.

By Design

I have to admit that I have not done a lot of clothes shopping here. What I have done, is have items made to order. I recently had two fabulous pairs of shoes made and a purse. One design came from a friend’s pair of booties, the other an Oxford-style, from the shoemaker : Marcini by Fredi Cajamarca Once I decided on the color and quality of the leather, out of the backroom comes a stack of hides in a wide range of tones within the color palette. The hides are in a vast array of embossed designs. For the booties, I selected a black alligator design and a contrasting deer colored suede. Not to be confused with Dorothy’s red shoes, I chose a tire tread sole, a solid red, and a contrasting mini black on red animal design. The quality of the leather is excellent and ranges from soft butter to suede. My foot is measured and outlined to create a precise pattern. I left a 50% deposit and a couple of weeks later they called to let me know my shoes are ready. I have to say, it’s exciting to pick up your first pair of bespoke shoes. And here is the best part. It is affordable. I paid under $80.00 for each pair!

On the line

Shopping online is a way of life that I have totally adapted too. I have never been a leisurely type of shopper. No all-day Saturday out with friends shopping. Just not my style. There are a few stores, online or in-person that are my go-to spots. I know the sizing, the quality and even in the stores, I would rarely try something on. I would prefer to try on at home and go back if needed – which didn’t happen much!

ZARA

I discovered ZARA in Paris, in 2001. And it is still one of my favorite go-to stores. The brand was launched in 1975 in Galicia, Spain as a family business. Today there are over 6000 stores in 88 countries. I’m fascinated that a massive global clothing company can consistently deliver a quality, fashion-forward design. I also like the fact that they do not define their customer by age or income.

Here are a few items that caught my eye. My life is pretty simple these days, even in the BC days (before COVID), it was simple. But, if we were going out to dinner or a party (in the good ole days) I would love to dress up! I’m a big fan of opposites attract...luxury and utilitarian. I’ll wear my vintage bling with jeans or a white shirt with my sequined pencil skirt and a pair of oxfords. Jenna Lyons, the former Creative Director of J.Crew is my style icon. Who’s your’s?

• 

• 

• 

EVERLANE

For a more casual look, I head over to EVERLANE. This primarily online retailer was founded by two-parters in 2010 in San Francisco. When I first discovered the brand I was astonished at their transparency. Every item is ethically made – they’ll tell you where. There is no traditional pricing-mark-up – they’ll run through the pricing with you! The majority of the designs are timeless pieces with an edge, either in color, or fabrication. I partially like their cashmere sweaters. The sweaters are well priced, multiple colors per style and great mark down when on sale.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

ANTHROPOLOGIE

Philadelphia, home of the Constitution and Anthropologie. Dick Hayne opened the first store in Wayne Pennsylvania – on the mainline, right outside of Philly. His customer was moving out of the city into the burbs and out-growing his Urban Outfitters stores. I personally adore everything about Anthropologie : the home furniture + decor : the apparel + accessories : the books and stationery. Most of what you can find there – you cannot find anywhere else. What suits me is it is not governed by trends. More by an individual creative style. When I want it to be not only different but to stand out – you’ll find me at Anthropologie

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted from all this shopping. And how do I feel – I feel so much better. Thanks for coming along with me to my three favorite independent retailers. I would love to know what a few of your favorite stores and sites are and why you frequent them over others.