The Best Black Pants: It's Personal

I'm not sure which is better - the perfect pair of black boots, or the perfect pair of black pants.  This week, I will go with the second option: PANTS.  I went to Personal Affairs, aka "pa" in the East Village on Sunday and tried about everything on until I landed on this fine specimen.  Interesting tactile material, low-waisted/hip hugger (but not too low), and somehow make me look much narrower.  They also come in a putty grey and have jackets to match!  They are being shortened right now and then I'm off to the (rat) races!  Yippee!

The "Jegging?" Seriously?

Half Priced PANTS at Anna

I have a secret. A secret tale of PANTS ON SALE! These pictured pants are half off, or about $70 at Anna. Navy with very light brown pinstripes make them perfect for work. And the way they fit? Well that makes them perfect for anytime! And unlike some other very much more expensive brand of well known pants - they are LINED to just above the knee! So we are talking high quality trou.

OK, warning: they run about two sizes smaller than you probably normally wear, so for all you evil size 4's, welcome to 8 country. However! They fit so well that the first day I wore them to work someone immediately asked me if I had lost weight. So get over the size number obsession and adorn yourself.

My Theory

My theory is that Theory makes a nice pair of pants...a nice pair of pants. But jeez Louise they cost a lot! I refuse to spend $300 on a pair of unlined pants, but I guess I am willing to spend $138. They really fit better than most pants, look fairly cool for work/dress pants, and they can be worn pretty much all year round. So a good investment, I'd say. I got these on the 40% off the lowest marked price rack at Bloomingdale's today. And I suspect I may be able to find others on sale at Nordstrom's, Saks and Bergdorf's...but that is just a theory.

HOT Jeans for Dear Old Dad from Lands' End

If you need to get the old man some new jeans for Father's Day, look no further than the cutting-edge fashions brought to you by Lands' End.

How HOT are these men's jeans with Lycra?
But seriously, they offer a very wide range of sizes (unbelievable, in fact) from which to choose, and methinks you would be unlikely to find such a selection in a bricks & mortar store.

They are incredibly cheap $31.60 + shipping ($7.95), and tax, depending on where you live/ship to.

Now as dad's waist expands, so will his jeans. But in STYLE!

Anna: Call Me Late to the Party, But Please Call!

I'm not exactly sure how I missed out on this store all these years, but located on E. 3rd St. in the 10009, Anna is the front runner to become my new favorite store.

Upon entry, I spent about 15 minutes rummaging through the sale bin. I found the coolest pair of blue cords that had a 'sailor'-button up front and a naughty little lace-up in the back. I have not bought them (yet), for a reason (of my own doing) that I will get into later.

After emerging from the bin-pile, I began surveying the rest of the apparel hanging along the perimeter of the store. At first glance I almost decided that it was merely another one of those little dime-a-dozen stores full of delicate pretty little dresses for delicate pretty little girls. I was quickly derailed from that notion by the saleswoman who swooped in and really made the apparel come to life with her styling expertise. I realized that this is no lightweight outfit (pun intended).

In fact, I was suddenly trying on a suit, tops, dresses and the like that I thought would never ever fit or look good on me and my solid - nay - "athletic" frame. So while I did have to try on the largest sizes available (which was why I haven't yet bought the naughty cords, which were a smallish size 8), everything I tried on somehow fit perfectly, or hid my mid-section flaws, or accented my best features. I'm not really sure how these clothes achieved this illusion, but they did. I was torn between the pants, suit and four dresses that magically transformed me into a hot chick.

So since I am on a mission to dress like a respectable grown-up whenever possible, I went with the grey pinstriped suit, which was on major sale for $181, and a dress that was form-fitting but not in a cheap or too young kind of way (see photos, pizza not included). I am on the verge of purchasing at least one of the other dresses - but perhaps only if it's made in a different color or pattern - only because I have so many black/grey colored dresses that I want my new fab dress to stand out. Perhaps a burgundy or even an off-white?

So my only concern is that if I gain another ounce and a half, I shall be sized right out of these exquisite clothes. But I suppose that is my problem, not Anna's. Maybe I'll jog downtown to the East Village as part of my new dual exercise/shopping regimen.

BLUMARINE BLOW OUT SALE Tues, Nov 13

BLUMARINE BLOW OUT SALE
Where: Blumarine Showroom
37 West 57th (9th Fl)
12-920-1128
When: Tuesday, Nov 13th
10am-6pm
What: Bargains Starting At $60
Tops...Pants...Dresses
One Day Only

PANTS Pants pants

I am a staunch advocate of pants. I like wearing them. I like shopping for them. In my next life I hope to be a pair of well-constructed pants, preferably black. The one thing I don't love about pants is the price for a good pair. So a friend suggested that I use H&M in my quest for decent pants at a low price. She was right! I just bought 3 pairs of black pants there last night for a sum total of $95 (straight, high-waisted, cords). Now, I have to get them shortened, and possibly taken in a tiny bit, but it will be well worth it.

So how do they offer the public such low-cost trousers? Well, for one, they are not lined. For another, they aren't really meant to last a lifetime. And lastly, they have some kind of Santeria business methodology going on over there at H&M that we as mere mortals are not privy to, lest we meet our maker in a fatal "accident."

From the LA Stringer: Alvin Valley

starving.

restless.

it's raining (that equals crisis here).

these pants are beyond belief.

sale-Label: Alvin Valley

Deal: Up to 80% off jackets, tops, pants and skirts from the label

When/Where: Wednesday September 19th through Sunday September 23rd.Wed—Fri noon—7pm; Sat noon—6pm; Sun noon—5pm.

632 Broadway between Bleecker and Houston Sts, suite 602 (212-253-0095).

finders fee for certain size 2 pant styles.

your west coast correspondent

Jill Anderson: High-waisted jean

I'm not sure that I'm really "down" with this look. I feel like you have to be 6 feet tall and really freaking skinny to make this look "work" - otherwise you will look like a great big flag or something - way too much material going on here for short people, and not a great look for those with prominent "tummies."

H&M Supports Me

OK, so although I have not been particularly kind to H&M in the past, I found myself at the Fifth Avenue/midtown location with my gift card in hand. Yes it was a total zoo, but I managed to buy a pair of pants, a necklace, a metallic leather belt and - perhaps the most shocking-yet-pleasing purchase - two bras. I would have never thought that H&M would provide me with that kind of support, but I have to say they fit me as good as, if not better than, most any bras I have ever purchased before. And for a mere $16.70 a piece, I intend to return and replenish the bra stock with regularity.

I wish I could provide you with photos of me wearing them, but I am shy.

Decent Pants from H&M and Filene's

OK, so I've started to make one of my dreams a reality...pants...

I probably watch way too much of "What Not to Wear" on TLC, but it has encouraged me in new ways. One way being: buy pants that fit you in the waist and get them altered. I have taken this idea on board because I believe in my heart of hearts that if you are wearing well-fitting trousers, you will be a happier human and your life will blossom before you.

So this weekend I flitted over to Filene's Basement and H&M. I picked up the two pair you see on hangers (combined cost: $75) and have gotten them altered. I even had the pockets removed and sewed shut on the gray pair, because I decided I did not want to resemble a gas station attendant, more than perhaps I sometimes already do. Granted, the alterations jacked up the price, but also increased the chance that I would wear them -- often -- and happily. And isn't that what pants are for?

The other photo is of my Closet #1 (I have four), where said pants live. Granted, they don't have a lot of breathing room, however, they are in good company.

Les Pants

Pants glorious pants. I picked up this pair at my fave palace de clothing: Les Nanas de Gramercy, specializing in clothes directly from gay Paris.

So, no...these were not on sale. And no, they were not cheap. But yes! They are fun and fab and make me feel like Marilyn Monroe or Madonna in the "Open Your Heart" video or something equally as cheesy and American - maybe even Olivia Newton John in the last few scenes of Grease! Funny how I have to go to Paris to feel quintessentially American.

This horrendous picture does them no favor. But trust me on this one. They were worth thousands of pennies I spent on them.

No Really, February is Not Good

I know I keep saying this, but I continue hoping that I will be proved wrong.

This is just the worst shopping month ever.

I ventured out last night after work, seeking the pants of my dreams at Lord & Taylor and Banana Republic and came up completely empty handed. The pants I stumbled upon, were in a word: gross. Then, this morning I found myself outside of my favorite Filene's Basement on the Upper West Side, and again, nada. I tried on one pair of brown Laundry pants that seemed like they might be acceptable at $50...but they were too big. Damn.

Can someone point me in a better direction? Yes, this is me, Guerilla Shopper, asking for your help. I am man enough...Let's celebrate our love of pants together.

Love, GSNYC