Shopping for the Other Half

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This post is brought to you by Steve Salter of Style Salvage, aka my other half.  Obviously, I wasn't able to go with him to the Dover Street Market Market sale which opened unofficially on Friday 30th April (he had a special invitation to go early but it turns out EVERYONE went that day…).  I couldn't even call him up to shop with him remotely as I was on the plane enroute to Sydney.  By the time I had reached Bangkok, I did cheekily call him up to say "Well???" and I knew he had done good even though he sounded unsure…

Here's his account of proceedings…

"After nodding and smiling as Susie recited her notes before leaving for Sydney the day to fight my way to a bargain or three soon came around.  Despite being full of fight and hope I didn't get off to the best of starts because, guided by my iPhone I actually ended up at the wrong address just before the market opened its doors.  Fortunately I was not alone in technology blundery and joined up with a merry band of lost comrades.  After a couple of frantic calls we were guided to the correct address by someone who was already inside.  When we reached the actual warehouse destination our relief was short lived as we had to join a queue.  A long queue but us Brits like nothing more than joining a queue and even though we spent the best part of forty five minutes gazing longingly inside the doors with green eyes as we could see people snapping up what we imagined were real bargains, the time flew by.

I was soon inside armed with my scribbled notes "Shoe Size = 38, Clothes Size = Small – 36 – 8/10, Designers to nab = KANE, Tao, YSL (Leather), Sacai (Knits), CdG, Toga, Pilotto." and an empty bag.  Now, this type of shopping really isn't for me. Of course there is a part of me that loves a good bargain but I mostly prefer a tranquil and pleasant consumer experience. I was initially struck by the sheer size of the market space and the number of double height rails unsettled me.  I then clocked the lost souls wandering vacantly around the space, some had bags full to the brim but a surprising number carried nothing more than confusion and bewilderment.  I took one look at at a couple of them and vowed not to turn out that way and soon set about nabbing bargains for myself and Susie.

With the weight of expectation laying heavy on my shoulders I decided to focus my attention on her.  I darted from rail to rail and box to box hopeful of nabbing a Kane dress or a particularly beautiful Sacai knit but it was not to be.  Just as I had given up and began to divert my attention elsewhere I stumbled an all too familiar sight of THAT gorilla print dress. I had found my Kane..but then I did the maths and concluded that the dress which had been vehemently worn by so many at fashion weeks so I let it go.  I have to confess to being a little disappointed but I could not let this get the better of me and set off with a renewed sense of urgency.  My shopping bag was soon stuffed with a number of interesting pieces from designers that I'd knew Susie would approve of.  As you'd expect the quantity of Comme des Garcons on sale was impressive and I discovered a few key pieces such as some intriguing stiff textured dresses and tops.  I then stumbled across a sparse rail and noticed the unmistakable fine knits of the Rodarte sisters. Once again though, the surge of excitement was soon bitch slapped by the fiscal realities of the price tag. Seventy percent of a hell of a lot is still a lot (RRP ¬£1400).  The spoil sport that resides in the common sense lobe of my brain pissed on my consumerist parade and I begrudgingly hung the knits back on the rail.

Despite having found a few pieces I had now reached a new low and wanted to throw the bag down and escape.  At this point I decided to look for my own needs and after being uninspired by the amount of streetwear and colourfully printed Comme des Garcon shirting, I uncovered exactly what I had been looking for, a piece by Casely-Hayford.  This find meant I had found a new gear and I set off again in the women's aisles.  Just as I had given up all hope a zip sparkled in the corner of my eye and I found a dress by Haider Ackerman.  I knew Susie could have great fun experimenting with this round zip dress.  It was a little more than I expected to pay for any one item but I deemed it to be worth it.  Once the decision had been made I joined yet another queue to pay before I was let out in to the wonderful outside world. I had spent almost two hours inside; shuffling, waiting, hoping, feeling frustrated and left relatively unscathed and happy."   

And the verdict of the purchases?  A BIG FAT gold star from me.  Maybe even TWO big fat gold stars. 

This Comme des Garcons cardi ticks all of that sheer box as well as being an interesting texture/knit… it is red but I've found that it is making friends the new Arnsdorf top so all is well…

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(Arnsdorf top, Gemma Slack crop top, vintage leather shorts, Peter Pilotto trousers, Acne shoes)

The Haider Ackermann is my first piece by the designer so that gets another big thumbs up.  I haven't fully explored the potential of the circular zip yet but at the moment, I quite like unzipping it half way and leaving the dress to trail…

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(Dagmar knitted jacket, Jens Laugesen trousers, Alexander Wang wedges, vintage gloves)

45 comments

  6. Sigh, yes I always enter into these things with great hope until it eventually dawns that fifty percent of a hell of a lot may still be a lot more than I can cough up. I think we can safely say that Steve has raised the bar for all other halves…The One must be a man who can be trusted to shop on your behalf! Would love to see more of that interesting circular dress next time!

  8. I am so, so impressed with Steve’s shopping skills. The boy did good, especially when sales like that are so daunting!! You look wonderful in both of the finds- I soo adore that CdG cardi!

  10. I love Peter Pilotto!! Amazing finds, I am so freaking jealous. I love the cardi although that term doesn’t really do it justice. <3
    skiepies.blogspot.com/

  11. Ah, bless Steve. I’m kind of glad I didn’t go (well I did go, I got as far as the queue then doubled back into town). Now those vintage leather shorts… are they from one of the Angels sales?

  12. Hay dear blogger!
    How are you? I’m glad that I’ve visited this blog! He’s lovely.
    Please, check mine too & maybe we can follow eachother!
    Love, Cindy.

  13. I think my friend may be the culprit behind the lack of Kane… apologies, she’s a consumerist junkie…who gorges…gorges!!!

  17. Oh Susie, oh Steve. I crown you both with the universe’s best shopping skills…INDEED! Take me with you next time, now will you?!!
    Hugsies from Honduras. =)

  18. The red sheer cardi. is gorgeous…and I am impressed w/ the outfit you put together!!!
    Two thumbs up!!!

  20. Great post Steve – and what a find is the red cardy, well done! I could do with 5 of that one (each in a different colour of course). Susie, what a top outfit you’ve made – you are the Red Queen, you and red are soulmates. The absolute star of the many good parts of this outfit is those red cuffs- divine!

  22. It is a rare and wonderful man that will go shopping at a regular store for 2 hours for his lady, much less warehouse/madhouse shopping! Lucky girl.

  24. that knitted jacket is amazing.. i enjoyed reading your other half’s view – i wonder how my boyfriend would do in the same situation?

  25. have u ever used the web RENREN.com (a web at the same same kind as facebook)
    i used 2 watch ur web
    but 2 my surprise
    there r some girl whom is ur big fan collected ur pic nd share ur style on there ,
    all i want 2 say is u r so popular /

  29. I just love your stile and you are an inspiration, and you have inspired me to write a blog. Now Im compete to become a fashion editor fore modette.se. Welcome to my blog and tell me what you think!
    Hugs, Alisa

  33. OMG HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SALE?! ARGH so disappointed I missed this! Damn damn damn
    xx
    Duck

  36. I think Steve’s developed an entire new genre of writing, I dub it “The Sample Sale Adventure Novel”.
    That’s a good man you’ve got there Susie, I was especially impressed by the thoughtful decision making RE the Christopher Kane gorilla top. Good job of weighing pros and cons!
    As we say in my neck of the woods “he’s a keeper”!

  37. Those are very lovely finds.
    I also took a little trek to the sample sale on the second day, but alas, no gems were to be found. I did set my eyes on a lovely Rodarte knit with mohair and sheer panels, but at nearly 400 pounds even after 90% off, it was not meant to be unfortunately…

  38. Well done Steve!
    I wish I had the will power to put things down when the price is ridiculous!
    I went to the sale also hoping to find a bit of Tao, but resulted in a £500 CDG coat and a £300 CDG top!!! They are amazing tho,so no regrets even it means starving myself for a month!lol.

  43. Alicja Bachleda striped down her look, by wearing just the Haider Ackermann Spring 2010 lilac wrap pocketed suede vest, with the lilac Haider Ackermann skirt.The result was amazing.

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