Target Treats
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 11:32AM 
Shopping at Target should really be approached like shopping for vintage: go in with zero expectations, be willing to try everything on, and keep an open mind. But the cardinal rule is if you find something you think you may want – don’t hesitate, just take it – it won’t be there when you come back again.
Unfortunately for me I went too late to score anything from the Jovovich-Hawk Go International collection. I especially wanted the polka-dot blouse for the spring and summer. But, it is a credit to the designers and Target’s increasingly popular concept of limited edition fashion lines that the racks were empty. Nary a single hippie-chick-chic outfit in sight! I thought that since the television advertisements were still running that there’d still be stock, but alas… Mental note: get to Target the first day of the new Go International collections.
It is rumored that Jonathan Saunders will be bringing his sleek ultra-mod sensibility to the Go International lineup once Jovovich-Hawk moves on down the road…I wonder how Middle America will receive it?
I was happily surprised to find two other Target “designer” collections full of delicious treats: Loeffler Randall’s collection of handbags and shoes, as well as Subversive Jewelry’s “Subversive for Target” collection of statement making necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
I spotted the Loeffler-Randall bags as soon as I entered; I was completely arrested by the chic shapes, and girlie but sophisticated details. The woven material, gold linings, subtle labeling and delicate rosettes caught me off guard. I thought: “Since when is Bottega Veneta designing for Target?” Score. I ended up getting one of the satchels and I completely love it. It holds everything I need, it’s lightweight, and it looks A LOT more expensive than what I paid for it. (By the way – this whole collection is on markdown right now, so it’s definitely worth a look-see. I know that some people don’t necessarily agree with me on this point, and the piece is definitely not a Bottega, but it’s still a fun purchase within my budget that I’m thoroughly enjoying.
As for the Loeffler-Randall shoes – very different story. The flats were definitely appealing and could be worn with anything, but they were very tight and I have a thing about having my feet breathe, as it were. I tried a half-size larger and it didn’t seem to help. The soles were insubstantial and once on, I felt like I could feel every bump in the Target linoleum. For the money, I’d rather just go to Nine West and get a pair on sale that I know will last at least a few months.
The latest collection of handbags is from Gryson, which Chic & Charming is not so impressed with (and frankly neither am I,) but things do always look better in person…we’ll see!
Subversive for Target was lots of fun. Very much in tune with the original Subversive collections: layered chains, ribbons, pearls, vintage-inspired, found objects, and little oddities all thrown together. I have some pieces of Subversive that I’d bought on Girlshop.com back in the day, but haven’t bought anything recently. The Target collection may be just the thing. The price point cannot be beat on these pieces, topping out at $59 and looking like they cost at least double that. The only group I didn’t care for was the “Bauhaus Beach House” – too beachy and not enough Bauhaus. It looked really cheap and pre-teen. Conversely, I absolutely adored the “BoHo Victorian” and “Visions of Saturn” groups – lots of great stuff here, especially the pink pearls with ribbon & crystals, and the multi-row cameo in bright blue. Love!
Target is like shopping vintage in other ways too in that one should really mix pieces found their with other pieces of higher quality. Just as one wouldn’t want to look like they stepped out of a period film when they haven’t, one really shouldn’t be head-to-toe Target. For example, mix the Subversive for Target bracelet with one from Jessica Kagan Cushman, or the Loeffler-Randall flats with some Theory trousers. This way you’re well-dressed and on-trend without looking like a victim. I think that the hgih-design and low prices concept is fantastic; it’s really come into its own over the past few months and I certainly hope the designers and merchants continue to roll out collections of affordable style.
Reader Comments (2)
Helene
PS If Target does in fact team up with Jonathan Saunders, be sure to keep us informed.