Pink Rock Candy-Blog

Every so often I receive scathing comments about my anti-Hollister post. I wrote about never being able to find the clothes shown on the mannequins in the store, and for reasons unknown, some of those who have commented don’t understand why I don’t love Hollister or my frustration due to there lack of stocked items.

Some of those adding their two cents were quite informative, having worked at Hollister, they told me things on the mannequins usually sell out the fastest and the clothes on the mannequins are practically ruined because they are stretched, pinned and sometimes cut to create a certain “look”. Since I have never worked retail and am known to march to my own drum when buying clothes. I wouldn’t really know how drastically mannequins affect the sales of products though I do realize if they didn’t, mannequins would be obsolete.

Then there are the people who leave little comments, calling me stupid, telling me not to enter a store I don’t particularly like, and even one impersonating me and renouncing my disdain for Hollister because apparently “I am not as poor as I was.” Though, I accept that people don’t have the same opinion, I have t say insults are the worst way to sway anyway your way. I know there are some great Hollister shoppers out there so I’d like some real details. Sure some people shop there just to say they buy Hollister clothes, but what are some attractive and/or unique qualities of Hollister products, and what am I missing by not shopping there? Why should I pay $25 for a t-shirt with the Hollister logo on it and isn’t that like paying to become a walking advertisement for the company? What type of products does Hollister provide that I can’t purchase at another store for either less money or better quality but priced similarly? What exactly is the company’s aversion to the color black? According to Hollister employees I have spoken with, they don’t sell anything black, not even black flip-flops.

I truly want honest opinions. I understand how people can be defensive about their favorite store/designer, but I’m always open to shop at different places. I’m also not as frugal as I may seem— If I really want something, I could careless about price, and I’ve been known to make an impulse buy or two. Honestly, I used t have a severe aversion to shopping at any store in the mall. Now, I at least shop at Forever 21 or H&M for cheap, trendy clothes I’ll probably only wear for a season— a fact I’ve settled my wallet with.

What other stores do you shop at when visiting your local mall?

p.s. Though this is a personal blog— my opinion verbalized— I fully appreciate everything anyone who stumbles across my posts may think. However, if your intent is to insult me, you might want to do it using proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Not only does it help the comprehension experience, but also I’m more likely to take you seriously.

I try really hard to keep PRC as fashion related as possible, but the fact of the matter is, this is my personal blog, giving me the right to do whatever I want. Sometimes I really want to talk about what’s going on in my life and just gossipy stuff, but unfortunately, I can’t bring myself to ignore my duty to fashion. So, I present you with my life issues in a fashion related analogy. Are you ready? Here I go!

T-shirts are an active, sometimes annoyingly so, part of my life. I’ve worn t-shirts that were too small in an attempt to model myself after belly-baring Cher Horowitz, in my younger years. I’ve worn, and sometimes still do wear the over-sized, Mary-Kate style, bag lady tees. The new t-shirts I buy are usually trendy, sometimes loud, and will most likely bore me in the near future.

So why is it, with all the ineptitudes of the new tees I neglect my older t-shirts that, for the most part, fit amazingly? Even though I do primarily ignore the old-faithfuls, they’re always there when I need them and are so comfortable and perfect until a newer more excited t-shirt seems to come along to break my heart— ahem, I mean, break the bank.

What I’m saying is, the tees I should wear all the time, I too often throw into the depths of my closet only to have them save me when I truly need it. Though I now realize this problem, the good t-shirts are so out of reach I’m stuck with the trendy, frivolous, predominately unreliable ones.

Oh, the humanity! No longer will I forget which tees actually look good on me— at least, I hope not!

p.s. The shirt I’m wearing is from Glamour Kills.

Yesterday, history was made. US citizens elected Barack Obama, a man who happens to be black, as president, but I have a haunting memory running through my head. Imagine, you’re trying to leave a putrid public bathroom, when suddenly your escape is blocked by a group of indistinguishable girls wearing a uniform of a baggy sweatshirt and medium-wash jeans tucked into the basic short Ugg. I felt as if I was in a movie about sheep-herding body-snatchers or something.

I know Uggs have been around for what seems like ever— too long if you ask me— but, the shock of seeing such homogeneity is still unnerving.

Furthermore, instead of being adversely affected like the rest of the economy, Ugg Australia has actually showed a 130% increase in yearly sales, reports Telegraph.co.uk.

How does something like this happen? You would think that after, numerous men and women scoff at the visual offense that is an Ugg boot, people would stop buying them. Not only are they expensive, but the Telegraph article also says the “flat soles leave the arches limp and can cause painful tendon conditions [...and] the flimsy sheepskin casing makes a weak ankle cushion.”

So what exactly is the appeal? Comfort? Warmth?

Mama always said beauty was painful. Comfort is a non-argument, and if you want warmth wear socks. I’m adding mine to the thousands of other pleading voices, if the US can support ‘change’ why can’t Ugg wearers around the world?

PETA2 supporters protesting outside of the Influence book signing at a NYC Barnes & Noble. Photo Credit: NYMag.com

Dear PETA and PETA2,

I don’t really get it. Why do you persist on bashing people like Anna Wintour and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen about their furry attire. It seems to me like you’re wasting your time because I doubt they will change their fur loving ways anytime soon.

Your ‘Hairy-Kate and Trashley Trollsen’ campaign was funny when it came out earlier this year, but it’s slightly dated. They’ve topped your worst dressed list for as long as I can remember, and if it wasn’t frowned upon, I’m sure you’d gladly spatter them with red paint.

It may just be me, but all of your hate tactics just seem like a waste of time. Those who are against fur don’t need Olsen-bashing campaigns to change their opinion, and those who approve of wearing fur don’t care what you think.

Why waste the money?

Perhaps you should spend more money on your ‘Hottest Vegetarian’ award, of which the people I choose never win, or you could throw more money at celebrities that care and support your ideals, so the general public can gossip about their half-nude ads.

Maybe I’m missing the point, but as I understand it, we’re in a recession, so stop wasting your money.

Grosses Bises,
Chelsea Rae

The economy is in a tailspin, the world is in an uproar, and I’m completely tired of hearing about it. Taking 3 journalism classes and a marketing class, it seems all I hear about lately is the dramatically declining economy. The one thing that usually distracts me from the monotony that is political and economic news is shopping and anything and everything fashion. Unfortunately, the fashion industry is linked to the economy meaning, when things go to shit, I can’t shop and even fashion writers start talking about it.

As much as I wish I could ignore this problem, it’s everywhere. Though I am a fairly privileged young woman, the affects of this economic crisis have definitely trickled down. There’s an article from the NY Observer, called ‘Crashion! What to Wear To the Recession’ and they reiterate the necessity of smart shopping. They say don’t waste money on fleeting trends like drop-crotch pants, but splurge on a basic blazer because it’s classic and you can wear it forever.

I feel like I’ve heard that a thousand times, but maybe now this idea will actually stick.

I find myself shopping a lot less than I did this summer, and wanting to make things instead of buying them— hello, Nylon DIY pages! My dreams of becoming a master seamstress are even more prevalent, knowing how many clothes I have stored that I will never where again unless I re-purpose them myself. I also bought a ton of feathers, because I’ve decided to carry my love of feathers into the fall and probably even winter. I made this really cute feather hair pin yesterday, and I’m so stoked about it. I’ll take pictures and post them.

What precautions and measures are you taking because of this economic down-turn?

Photo Credit: Fashiontribes