It had been almost over a year since i wrote my article about Hollister, but yet i still had the job.

I did not seem to mind anymore. I continued the tradition of swallowing my pride, but no longer  did I care about my discount, my job became an important social aspect of my life.

Oh yes, this was until we got the new boss.

Everyone knows what it’s like getting a new boss. He or she will either be a pushover or a complete toolbag. For me, it always seems to be the latter.

His name was Derek. He was a large man who barely fit into the company’s clothing. This was because he spent most of his life at the gym. I think by spending so much time sculpting his guns he may have constricted a few too many blood vessels.

He seemed to have been pointing out flaws in everyone’s work and letting us go unappreciated for the hours we were putting in.Luckily for me, he hadn’t found a flaw yet.

I think this panicked him. So for my final month working, he stalked me. Hid behind plants, lurked quietly in the corner, watching, waiting for me to screw up. And then I did.

A woman old enough to George Burn’s mother walked into our store. I was not about to berate this woman with the company’s tagline “Hey, what’ up?” It would have only have confused her, and I did not feel like giving this woman a cerebral aneurysm by explaining it.

"My mother was a saint!"

So I said “Hi, how are you doing today?!”

Big fucking mistake.

According to my manager, being hip and cool out weighs friendly and polite. No more could i work for this man, so I wrote him this letter

“Dear Derek,

If you don’t know by now, I don’t enjoy my job. If you haven’t noticed, it’s because you’re completely devoid of human emotion.

I started this job with high hopes. I thought working here would be a relaxed environment; my oh my how naïve I was.

I soon was whisked into a world of mass consumerism and materialism that I couldn’t have begun to fathom before I started working here. For instance: the company’s idea of model standards.

I’m not an idiot; I can hear your conference calls. I heard Chelsea complaining about our model’s not wearing enough plaid. I heard the other managers talking about their new recruitments. “I think she’s really cute, she’d be great” or “I don’t like him, especially after he shaved his head.”

How about this, who gives a fuck?

It wasn’t until recently that I realized this, I’ve known this forever. If you didn’t know I’ve been with the company longer than you have, so for me to only notice this now would be absurd.

The last string was pulled earlier this week. According to anonymous sources at the manager meeting, the managers, you believe that we are stressed out because of the company’s instance for us to wear plaid.

^Way too stressed out

I’m tired of making witty comments and transfusing them with sarcasm, so I’m just going to be blunt. It’s not the plaid; it’s you.

By hearing this quote I realized there is no getting through to you. You have no idea of how other human beings think or act. It’s the only explanation

You’re like a robot.

But it doesn’t matter, because you don’t. I can think of a long list of things that are more important than Hollister’s and your impact in the world including Atkins, contact lenses, snuggies, antiperspirant deodorant,  Go-gurt, crystal meth, red states, socialism, Hayden Panterrie, that funny asian guy off of Knocked Up, construction paper, Bonanza, barracudas, cheap cologne, and George Clooney.

So I’m going to go back to my life of yager bombs and happiness and you can go back to yours of snorting testosterone and So Cal.

Yours truly,

Mario

PS: PULL UP YOUR FUCKING PANTS!!!!!!! “

I hope I made my point.

Sorry for the slow delivery on the show audio from last week. Keep in mind, the Real Deal on Sports staff is working feverishly to keep our fans entertained!

Put some real shoes on with those jeans, young man!

rdos-bros

Nice cowboy hat and belt buckle.  What’s up Marlboro Man?  You get that hat from the farm?  No.  Oh, I see, it was a gift from your niece who picked it up from the swag table at the Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus concert last week.  And that belt with the oversized, almost novelty, belt buckle – did you win it at the rodeo or from the turkey shoot at the county fair?  It was an impulse buy from near the register at Abercrombie & Fitch.  At 36, aren’t you a little old to be shopping there?  But we digress.

That’s great that you order table service and the most expensive bottle in the place, but didn’t you look around and realize this is a dive bar?  That 22 oz. Budweiser Select big beer was a good choice for someone with such discerning taste and a refined palate.  Oh, this is a fine dining establishment and martini bar.  You look like a tool ordering the $350 drink made with Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac, Dom Pérignon champagne, a dash of orange liquor, and garnished with a sapphire in the bottom of the glass to impress the already drunk bar fly cougar he has been hitting on all night.  ‘Nuff said.

Yep, he’s an all around classy dude.  Needless to say, keep on trying.

“This place is killing my morals,” grunted my manager Stephanie.

I could see why, in fact, Hollister had taken a piece of each of my fellow coworkers ethical standards; but we continued to swallow our pride for the paycheck and dismal 20% discount.

Stephanie had more a reason to be upset than I did. She was asked by the head manager to fire a girl because her style didn’t hold up to our company’s standards. This is code for saying she’s ugly.

“She’s a really good worker,” she regressed “I just don’t see why I have to do it.”

It was always tough to live up to company standards. The first visit from our regional manager entitled her to claim that no one in the store impressed her. I happened to be working that day, so I guess I’m not So Cal enough.

When first hearing of the opening of a Hollister, I immediately looked at it as the perfect job opportunity. I’m shallow, young, and somewhat fashionable, there are not many places for me to fit in besides high school, so it seemed to be the perfect niche.

I interviewed for the job with the hopes of being a model. There are two types of workers at Hollister, there are models and there are impacters. Models are the people most are familiar with. Their job is to stand around, fold seemingly endless piles of clothing, and greet customers with the standard “Hey, whats up?” Impacters on the other hand did actual work such as audits, inventory, and making sure the clothes get from the stock room to the floor.

Being a model didn’t seem to hard, so I interviewed for the position. I got a call 3 days later, asked to be an impacter. I didn’t really care, I was just happy to get in for the discount.

I soon learned that I was asked to be an impacter because a majority of people who interview for models don’t get it, and if there’s room, they’ll join the impact team. In other words, the impact team is where they shun all the ugly, smart, or brown people who work in the store.

After working there for so long, the store started taking its toll on me. I became fed up with the corporate’s insistence of the taglines “hey, what’s up?” and “Did you grab some So Cal?” These “taglines” never seemed to make people any happier to be in our store; in fact, most people were dumfounded, confused, and even appalled out our choice of words.

HCO also liked us to always remember that we were selling a lifestyle, not clothing. It’s a grim day when a company flat out tells their employees how aware they are that they’re selling a name not a product. I often became angry with my managers, insisting that we were selling t-shirts and jeans woven by indigenous people of other countries who have low standards when it comes to child labor laws. My managers would often ignore these comments, but I could tell they were in the same hell I was.

Before I came to the store, I was happy with my Abercrombie, American Eagle, And Hollister clothing, but now I have come to see it for what it is. A name.

I never realized how important and influential a simple name could be. A name can raise the price of any given t-shirt about $15.

As time continues, I feel more and more embarrassed about my job. People ask me where I work, and I always sheepishly respond “Hollister.” Most of the time people comment that the place is too dark, the music is too loud, and that its reeks of cheap cologne. I already know this, but they always tell me as if I haven’t been informed of its conditions.

But for every ten people I tell about my job, there’s always one who is astounded that I have a position there. They seem impressed, but I can’t help but to feel bad for them. They, like I was, are lost in infinite path of greed and superficial happiness that will never truly be satisfied.

Nonostante questo sito nasca principalmente con l’intento di recensire negozi, ristoranti e locali di Roma, il primo post è dedicato al famoso negozio Abercrombie & Fitch, Fifth Avenue, New York City.
Siamo stati da poco a NY, immancabile passeggiata per le vie dello shopping.

Uh, forte, le vetrine sono enormi, ma oscurate. Sale la curiosità, anche per il gruppetto di gente davanti l’entrata. Ok, entriamo!
Ingresso con commesso/modello a petto nudo, addominale scolpito, sorriso ebete. Praticamente buio. Musica a tutto volume. Calca che non si cammina. Divanetti qua e là. .. Hey, dove sta il bancone? Vorrei un Mojito!

Ah, no.. qui vendono vestiti.
Dunque vediamo… questo è carino! Non è in vendita.
Ok, quest’altro. È finito.
Vabbè dai, mi piace questa maglia dei commessi. No, è solo per commessi.
Ok, questa felpa i prima fila. No, è solo per esposizione.

Tutto ciò unito alla ressa, al buio, alla musica alta non mi ha aiutato a scegliere, io che già in situazioni ottimali faccio molta fatica; ma non ha neanche permesso di provare, gustare il momento dello shopping.

Però ci si può tornare per fare due salti dopo l’aperitivo!

Have you ever really thought about how many people on this campus are cheating on their significant others? I do. And my suspicions were confirmed when I was informed that a certain guy has been cheating on his fat ass boyfriend. I think we all know who I am talking about. You know, that couple that looks like completely opposites, besides the fact that they are both flaming homos. Skinny-fat, ugly-cute, they both counter each other.

On that note, there are also rumors that a certain wedge is trying to drive the ‘happy lovebirds’ apart. This wedge, an Abercrombie boy, has been skanking himself around to all the gays on campus and ruining all his friendships in the process. Clingy much? My advice to him – stop hitting on guys in relationships. They don’t want you. nor do single guys. But that’s enough about the gays… it’s just so easy to pick on them, there is so much drama.

Moving on. Word is that CollegeACB is the new JuicyCampus, just not as well known. Its my new best friend. Anything you have ever wanted to know about ‘banging hot chicks’ and ‘finding the hottest hockey players’ is on this site. Sarah Keating, Sam Goulet, everyone you have ever wanted to be known for sleeping around with, because god knows they’ll be running their mouths.  But, aside from the established gossip on that site, I don’t really have anything to add about the other people on campus at this point. But it’s only a matter of time.

gossipME ♥

p.s.: follow me on twitter – GossipinME

The other day, I went to the mall with my 15-year-old son. Not his favorite place to be…especially with his mother. We had a few goals, however, and he had to be involved. Our first stop was Macy’s to get him dress pants, collared shirt and a new tie. What 15-year-old boy doesn’t love trying on dress clothes? The pants were the toughest part…he had to try on about 6 pairs of varying styles and brands before we had a winner. I use the term ‘winner’ loosely, as he would much rather be in jeans.  The shirt and tie were less painful for him. He didn’t really care what color or style, as long as it matched

Then we decide to hit a few of the stores he prefers such as  Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. As a mom…Abercrombie makes me feel very torn. All over the walls and even on their bags, there are pictures of gorgeous young men with very little clothes on. I do appreciate them..but then realize these models are probably barely 18 and then I feel like a perverted old lady. Then I try to convince myself they are likely more like 21 or 22 years old. I could still be their mother….

If you have never been in these stores, they are good for sticker shock. The prices are outrageous…especially at Abercrombie. I tend to stick to the back area of the store, where the clearance racks are. Some good deals can be found if you take the time. Thankfully, my son is a reasonable kid and doesn’t demand that I buy him the $80 sweater that he may or may not grow out of by February. Not that I would give in to this anyway. It is true, that some of the items he likes from there such as sweatshirts, he will be in for years…since he gets them on the bigger side.

So here I am, a confident woman going into these stores with my son. Sometimes I go in alone.  If I am at the mall by myself, I will check in to see if there are any good deals. I am not sure why, but I have to stop myself from suddenly feeling inadequate. The “woman’s” clothing hanging on the racks are adorable, sexy and often very…very tiny. The young girls working there are cute, young and perky. I suddenly feel like a troll. I have to remind myself that these are kids…and not only that, I am the customer. I am grateful I only have to shop in the men’s section…for now.

In Hollister, there is a sign that says ‘All Outerwear 30% Off ’ . We head in to see if we can find Alden a jacket he will wear to school. (His ski jacket only gets put on when skiing or being forced to shovel snow.) There is not much to choose from in terms of outerwear in these types of stores, but we do find a small rack with some quilted plaid shirts and a sale sign. On the other side of the rack are some heavy fleece lined zip up sweatshirt like jackets. My son likes it a lot so I send him to the register to make sure it is on sale. The girl says no…because it is considered a sweatshirt. Hmmm, I think. It is on this sale rack…granted on the other side of the “plaid shirt jacket”. Maybe she didn’t really see what it was, I think. We see another young girl folding some clothes. We ask her and she suggests we go back to the register and have the girl ring it up to be sure. So…we go back to the register.  Another girl is also there, so I ask her to please check the price on this. It rings up at full price…$99.50. Ouch. “So, this isn’t considered outerwear?” I ask. “No, this is a jacket….” she says.  Oh, well that makes perfect sense.

The girl, who my son originally asked about the price, is now glaring at us. As I am walking away, she says something snippy to the girl who just checked the price and rolls her eyes. What I want to do is stop and say, “Seriously? You are rolling your eyes because I had this other girl double-check a price? You didn’t bother checking it, you just said it wasn’t on sale. Excuse me, but maybe you haven’t noticed that I am actually the customer. For the record, in most people’s realities…a jacket IS outerwear.” I’d ask for a manager not only to question the “sale” but to comment on this girls lousy attitude…but chances are the “manager” would be maybe 18 as opposed to the age of girl is question..which looks to be about 16.

Instead, my son and I just walk away. My thought is, if this girl is about 16 as I have guessed, she may in fact go to school with my son. As annoyed as I am, I smile and say thank you and leave the store. I wouldn’t want to embarrass my son in front of these pretty, yet obnoxious girls. Once we are out of the store my son asks, “Did you see the look she gave you?” I tell him I did, but didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. “Thanks…” he says, “she goes to my school.” I may not have bought him the jacket/sweatshirt he wanted…but I did save face. I am still a cool mom.

Today, I’m listing some great places to find those knitted sweaters we were talking about!

1. American Eagle

This winter, American Eagle has a lot of great chilly-weather clothing. One example is this adorable cable knit studded sweater. The two rows of buttons give off almost a military feel (one of the season’s other hot looks). At $69.99 it’s not a steal, but the blended wool will keep you warm (and fashionable!) through those cold winter nights.

2. Gap

There’s a great selection of knitwear new on the racks at Gap right now. This adorable toggle cardigan is only one of many new items that are sure to go quickly. The price tag on this is a relatively hefty $98.99, but if you shop around some you’re sure to find a few good deals, and this is a style that will last past just this season.

3. Abercrombie

Abercrombie is also offering up some portable fuzzy warmth to keep you cozy for the winter. This navy “Natasha” style sweater is only $78, and sure to outlast the elements. It has a relaxed style that reminds one of an old-fashioned robe, but much cuter.

- Margaret Westenhoff

What if you could SKIP all of the middlemen, the agencies and the casting calls? This could be your chance if you look like you could model for Abercrombie or Hollister! No experience required and you do not have to be with a modeling agency.

Click on Preliminary Submission Guidelines for instructions.

Sincerely,

The Team @ FitnessLookBook.com

So today I wore one of my fashion terrorist items: legwarmers. I always get weird looks for wearing these out and I can’t understand why, they’re so functional!

I mean let’s say you’re wearing leggings with low cut Uggs, what’s going to stop COLD wind from just breezing into your boots?! WE LIVE IN CANADA! I have earned the right to wear them! *ahem*

Not to mention these have a fairisle pattern. How cute is that!

Cashmere cardigan: Polo by Ralph Lauren, Silk printed tank tunic: Forever21, Gray leggings: Forever21, Legwarmers: Abercrombie

This weekend I finally bought the Metro Chic nail polish every beauty blogger has been raving about (e.g. lollipop26, fafinettex3). And I have to admit, it’s an amazing colour. Really unique, I haven’t seen anything like it, it can look purple, brown or gray under different lighting.

Sephora by OPI Metro Chic

I also managed to pick up this TNA sweater… I think it may have been an impulse buy.

What do you think?

So today I wore one of my fashion terrorist items: legwarmers. I always get weird looks for wearing these out and I can’t understand why, they’re so functional!

I mean let’s say you’re wearing leggings with low cut Uggs, what’s going to stop COLD wind from just breezing into your boots?! WE LIVE IN CANADA! I have earned the right to wear them! *ahem*

Not to mention these have a fairisle pattern. How cute is that!

Cashmere cardigan: Polo by Ralph Lauren, Silk printed tank tunic: Forever21, Gray leggings: Forever21, Legwarmers: Abercrombie

This weekend I finally bought the Metro Chic nail polish every beauty blogger has been raving about (e.g. lollipop26, fafinettex3). And I have to admit, it’s an amazing colour. Really unique, I haven’t seen anything like it, it can look purple, brown or gray under different lighting.

Sephora by OPI Metro Chic

I also managed to pick up this TNA sweater… I think it may have been an impulse buy.

What do you think?

Hello-Hello and welcome to another week, didn’t Saturday and Sunday just fly by?

We begin with a look at the new Tory Burch sunglasses, as seen on the designer herself in this ad.

Courtesy Tory Burch

This post on the Style File blog has more:

“The collection also features oversize squares and oversize rounds à la Jackie O, both with fairly subtle logo detailing on the arms.”

The line includes these foldable aviators.

Courtesy photo via Style File

Below, the Oversized Squares, and on the right, Rounded Aviators.

We don’t want to forget a reminder about the ongoing sale at Tory Burch:

The selection is being winnowed down, so scamper over for a look-see if so inclined.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ms. Burch is not alone in entering the optical market, Lilly Pulitzer is as well.

Courtesy Lilly Pulitzer

Here is a style we like, although they do not really exemplify those vibrant colors and cheery textiles associated with the “Lilly Look”. This is the Ella frame, and we adore the clean, spartan lines.

Courtesy Lilly Pulitzer/Kenmark

More in keeping with Lilly’s bright and sunny colorways, the Dasha frame:

Courtesy Lilly Pulitzer/Kenmark

Below, the ‘Lillian‘ model at Best Buy Glasses.

The eyewear is also available in children’s styles, a nice touch. Below, the Gaby frame:

Courtesy Lilly Pulitzer/Kenmark

A closer look at a pair from the Girl’s collection.

Courtesy Lilly Pulitzer/Kenmark

It is fascinating to see firms like Lilly and Tory Burch expand their product offerings.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Many readers know how we feel about the current incarnation of Abercrombie & Fitch, as detailed in this post (“Those Abercrombie Abs Part 1“) and in this post (“Those Abercrombie Abs Part 2“), in which we discuss the retailer as it used to be, back in the olden days, when the label looked like this, reading ‘Abercrombie and Fitch, Country Clothiers.’

TP's Turtleneck

The turtleneck partially shown above was just removed from storage and placed back on the shelf for another season of wear, despite the fact many might refer to it as ‘vintage clothing’.  It could be 25 to 30 years old, we really don’t recall, we only know it is très comfy and also retains a high snuggle factor, imperatives here at the Prepatorium.

Wikipedia

(No, not this old, that’s from 1909!)

Back to the issue at hand: the wretched retailer opened its first store in Italy last week, only its second in Europe. On hand for the festivities surrounding the grand opening?

Courtesy photo via WWD

The young men are models for the new store in Milan.

Indeed.

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Also opening a new store (and with properly clad employees), Louis Vuitton.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

The new shop is also at one of our favorite haunts when seeking retail therapy, NorthPark in Dallas.

Courtesy Photo via WWD

We’ll trust Hopsy and other Dallas bloggers to fill us in on how the new establishment is in person.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It wouldn’t be the Monday after Halloween if we didn’t gratuitously post about the costumes sported by Gossip Girl stars and IRL sweethearts Blake Lively and Penn Badgley. Ms. Lively was a flight attendant…

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty via Just Jared

…while Mr. Badgley was unclear on exactly who/what he was portraying; he also happened to be celebrating his 23rd birthday.

We must excuse ourselves now and seek out a quiet place to ponder the events of last night.

Courtesy AMC

We are more than concerned about Don and Betty.

]]> http://winonafashion.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/men-should-have-fashion-taste-too/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:25:02 +0000 citizensindenial http://winonafashion.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/men-should-have-fashion-taste-too/

The Biggest Mistakes That Men Make:

1.  Ed Hardey should never be your #1  fashion fallback.

I mean, cool, you have one shirt (Two, tops) that you wear once in awhile.  But if your boyfriend is wearing Ed Hardey EVERY time you go out on the town, because that’s what’s cool….you need to tell him that he looks like a royal tool.  I don’t really get Ed Hardey.  If you love the designs that much…just get a tattoo.

P.S. i would like you to know that the google title on that picture is “Ed Hardey Douchebags.jpeg.”

2.  Abercrombie & Fitch past the age of 18

I’m sorry, but after high school it’s time to branch away from douche-y-ness.  Abercrombie is mainly for people who have the unabridged urge to BE COOL…and they think shopping at A&F is the key to that.  Wrong.  At least buy something from J-crew or Macy’s or something.  Branch out.  Please.  We are not in high school anymore boys.

3.  Nothin’ But Sports…..even to work. Or a wedding.

Every guys needs to invest in a few solid button-downs and even a few polos.  Of course a pair of dress shoes also.  It sucks when every time you want him to take you to a nice restaurant…you have to go out & buy him an outfit.  What’s up with that?  Did your mom not teach you anything growing up?  Take off the Favre jersey & shave your patchy beard.

<3 Thank you & Goodnight

I hope all of you boys have learned something here

Oggi, a Milano, c’è stata l’inaugurazione del primo store di Abercrombie & Fitch presente in Italia.

Scene di questo tipo.

Peccato nessuno si sia scontrato con qualche suo consimile mandando in frantumi il suo cranio vuoto.

Alle ore tredici circa, in coda al Mc Donald’s in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, sempre a Milano, due giovani teenager – tutte in fissa con Mtv Mobile, camice di flanella addosso, Ugg ai piedi, oh che pazze – si confrontavano con una donna ben più adulta di loro circa la convenienza dello store italiano, rispetto a quelli americani.

Io, affamato, mi domandavo come starebbero così

]]> http://scappomaresto.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/abercrombie-apre-a-milano/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:24:31 +0000 scappomaresto http://scappomaresto.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/abercrombie-apre-a-milano/

Oggi mi è arrivata questa simpatica mail.
Sono quasi svenuta…….

My hair was a total mess today. Do you ever get days when your bangs act like the end of a broomstick?

It is unlikely that picture quality will improve. And yes, that frown is a staple in my wardrobe.

Hat: Delux, Blazer: Zara, Tank: Forever21, Skinnies: Abercrombie, Boots: Chinese Laundry, Necklace: Aldo, Awesome argyle socks (not shown): Smart Set courtesy of CCHAN

Necklace: Aldo

Ring: Aldo, Nail polish: Essie Berry Hard