BRADFORD'S CLOSET: THE SEARCH FOR FALL'S STAPLES (AND WE DON'T MEAN BREAD AND MILK)

by Bradford Bankhead, the trials and tribulations of stocking the closet of a savvy cost-effective fashionista!

Okay, so here is the deal, I consider myself a fashion forward (albeit incredibly neurotic) gal. My husband however, considers me a danger to our credit. As such we have made a compromise; I am now a married- fashion forward- budget conscious-neurotic kind of gal. That being said I only get a few staples to get me through each season. Some of them require investment, some not so much, either way it is a budget conscious way to keep me in the fashion loop. The following details my search for the first staple of my Fall 2007 wardrobe: the high waisted pant.

I love this pant; it is very Katherine Hepburn: it looks great and it’s tailored. Therefore, I can think of a variety of places to wear it from the office to Game Day and all things in between (not to mention it can be paired with a few things that I already own - which is a must for my wardrobe). Not to mention the waist is so high that my stomach is held in without the aid of Spanx!!

To begin the day I have to put on the perfect shopping outfit, naturally it is my most comfy as one never knows how long this will take. One of my Summer 2007 uniforms (I usually have about three that are in rotation in any season) is a large blue Michael Stars shirt that is gathered at the bottom, gray leggings, and rainbows (keep in mind I look suspiciously like a raspberry blow pop, but it is so comfy I do not care. I am beyond thrilled about the return of leggings!! ). Once dressed and out the door my quest begins with a pit stop to fuel up with my most favorite Starbucks beverage (This is the most caffeinated and high maintenance drink they make.) A grande dirty chai latte, this is a grande chai latte with two shots of espresso add soy. With my heart rate sufficiently elevated, hands jittery, I am wide eyed and ready to shop.

Saks Fifth Avenue Want It! Advertisement


My first stop is Mt. Brook Village , this is one of my fave stops for several reasons
a) clearly, there are several cute shops to choose from b) should I hit the jackpot early on I can be back, on the sofa and into a Lifetime movie in no time
c) with gas prices so high and so many cute clothes out there who want to waste extra $ on gas if they don’t have to.
My first stop Susan G. Mathews (this is one of my favorite stores and home of one of last year's fall uniforms) however, today no such luck. As always, they had cute things, alas, none of the pants that I am looking for. Since I was in the village I popped over to SWANK 35223 which is beyond great and had just sold out of, what I am told, the “Fabulous black high waisted pants”. Instead I decided to try on some high waisted skirts – they were cute but a little big and I am more of a pants girl myself.

Next stop was Homewood. First I stopped into Theadora’s who ironically had also just sold out of pants (it would seem I am late on this bandwagon!!) However, I did fall absolutely in love with this fabulous comfy cute bone colored wrap thing. It was a long sleeved wrap made from the most comfy cotton. It was everything in my power not to purchase but I was a woman on a mission!

Slightly disappointed, hot, and hungry I headed to The Summit (I know right, why didn’t I start there). My first stop, natch, was Anthropologie where I found some wonderful wide leg pants but nothing with the high waist that I was looking for (i.e. these all required Spanx after a large meal). When I inquired about any high wasted pants I was told that they were not yet in but should be arriving soon. Dragging myself away from all the cute things and wonderful books (I swear I would go in there for the books alone, did I mention I am a closet nerd), I headed down the hill to J.Crew. Which had lots of cute short coats, that would be precious with my high wasted pants, but no pants—again I am told to wait until later in the season. Feeling most tired, I headed to the Mecca of clothing Saks Fifth Avenue where once again I was distracted by the fab bags for the fall season. I headed upstairs where I found a couple of pairs of pants by Vince - FINALLY!! Who knew this search would be so hard. Clearly you need to be way ahead of the game or you will find yourself waiting until later in the season!