Frederick’s Of Hollywood Way Ahead Of Its Time In 1963

Posted by: Catherine Strawn 12:30PM, Tuesday November 17th 2009 Filed in: style, galleries

Frederick's of Hollywood 1963 catalog

We stumbled across the Frederick’s of Hollywood catalog from fall 1963 (don’t ask), and while looking through its pages, we came to the conclusion that even though some of us think Frederick’s sells tacky stuff nowadays, back in the ‘60s, the retailer was ahead of its time.

For example, the above page depicts a “high heel boot.” Sold for $19.99 a pair, the description of these shoes reads:

Get with the swing to the big fashion! The feline favorite, the high boot with the collar cuff that can be turned up or down. Glamorous almost 4” heel. Goes great at all sporty affairs. Soft Black Calf. Sizes 4 to 10, Med.

Today, shoes like these are known as “booties” or “shooties,” and they’re on everyone’s feet this fall. Did people think they were trashy back in ‘63? We don’t know, but maybe this means we’ll be into buffalo check halter dresses, currently available at Frederick’s, 30 years from now.

Click through to see more fabulous fashions from Frederick’s.

Comments (10)

J. Crew’s New Accessories Catalog Will Make You Want To Rob A Bank

Posted by: Amelia McDonell-Parry 4:30PM, Friday August 28th 2009 Filed in: style, galleries

J. Crew Shoes Catalog

Something worth knowing about me: If I could, I would live in the J. Crew catalog, with its fun matching/clashing prints, bright colors, and carefree European vacays. I anticipate its arrival in my mailbox every, well, week (seriously, they come way too often) and page through the offerings, saliva threatening to spill from my lips. I have a policy, though—I never buy anything from J. Crew full price, as they are rather outrageous and everything goes on sale. Quickly. Seriously, if you love it, wait three weeks and it’ll be on sale. Love it, but still think the sale price is too steep? Wait another two weeks and it’ll be on final sale, with another 20 percent off. Trust me. I am an expert at this. Anyway, J. Crew just came out with their first shoe/accessories catalog and it is so pretty to look at that I am tempted to start keeping them for style inspiration down the line, much like the dusty copies of, sniff, Domino that I have on my bookshelf. Keep clicking to see some of the gorgeousness, along with obsessive gushing.

Comments (1)

Anthropologie’s August Catalog Features Real(er) People

Posted by: Catherine Strawn 12:50PM, Wednesday August 05th 2009 Filed in: style

Anthropologie’s August catalog is out, and instead of the whimsical models they usually include, the company photographed “real people” wearing their clothes. Everyone and their mother is into street style photography these days, with Scott “The Sartorialist” Schuman even snapping the latest ad campaign for DKNY Jeans. It is nice to see different body types wearing the clothes that are for sale, but are they real people or simply models who have more realistic proportions? We took to Google and searched a few of the names listed in the catalog to find out.

Comments (5)

The 10 Best Of The Ikea 2010 Catalog

Posted by: Catherine Strawn 4:30PM, Thursday July 30th 2009 Filed in: style, galleries

Ikea 2010 Catalog

The Ikea 2010 catalog is out, and we plowed through 376 pages of Swedish furniture to find the good stuff so you don’t have to waste your time. Even if you aren’t in market for a striped love seat slipcover or checked chair cushions, there are plenty of useful knickknacks and accessories to kit out your apartment.

Comments (5)

How Many Catalogs Do You Get?

Posted by: Leonora Epstein 5:00AM, Thursday April 23rd 2009 Filed in: style

And how many of them do you actually want? Yesterday, I received six catalogs for quite possibly some of the most obscure clothing companies out there. The only one I was happy to keep was the Barneys one (which I had actually signed up for). As for Casual Living, Ulla Popken (I have no idea what that means), and Gump’s San Francisco, these would be great if I was in the market for some embroidered crepe dresses, elastic-waistband cropped pants, or dragonfly pillows.

Cut down on your paper waste with CatalogChoice.org, a free service that lets you unsubscribe from your unwanted junk mail in one go and communicate your preferences to merchants, so you actually get what you want. Sponsored by the Ecology Center and endorsed by the National Wildlife Foundation, Catalog Choice is a great way to make your Earth Day contribution without even leaving your desk.

And if you’re seriously set on keeping that Newport News catalog, we’re not judging. [Catalog Choice]

Comments (1)

The Last 31 Days Of 2008: Stop Getting Catalogs

Posted by: Catherine Strawn 5:00PM, Thursday December 11th 2008 Filed in: news

Some catalogs are worth their weight in paper, others are a waste. I get an average of two L.L. Bean catalogs a month, and while I adore them and the fact that they sell plaid duct tape (amazing, right?!), I really don’t need to see the same sweaters, duck boots, and alarm clocks multiple times each month. Just think of those poor trees that were cut down to make all those L.L. Bean catalogs! So, I am going to call up my favorite purveyor of monogrammed tote bags and tell them to stop sending me glossy books every month. You should do the same—or go to Catalog Choice and communicate with companies about what catalogs you no longer wish to receive.

See all the ways to make the most of the last 31 days of 2008 here.

Comments (0)

Five Catalogs Your Mailbox Will Be Happy To Get

Posted by: Catherine Strawn 2:00PM, Friday September 26th 2008 Filed in:

I don’t get much mail, except for the occasional postcard from my mom and the handful of magazines I subscribe to. For the most part, this pleases me because I’m not wasting as much paper as I would if I received L.L. Bean catalogs every week. However, amidst crap catalogs like Just For Redheads, there are gems that so beautiful, you’ll want to live in them.

A.P.C.
Even the catalog from French import A.P.C. exudes the easy style you’d assume all Parisians possess. The latest, which appeared in my mailbox a couple weeks ago, comes covered in army green cloth.

Comments (2)