I commonly refer to myself as a fabric snob. I read labels like an investigator and I embarrass any shopping cohorts by smelling any leather-like item I take interest in. There is no room in my closet for “poly-anything.” [To be very honest there is no room in my closet for anything, period. My hangers reside on a bar shaped more like a smile than the traditional linear shape intended.]
Outlet stores launched by some of my favorite retailers like J.Crew and the Gap often disappoint me. I’m not old enough to use phrases like “in the good old days,” but I think outlets should be the “what’s left” and not the “what’s replicated in poly-blend.” The styles align with the flagship brand accurately in photos and even in the fitting room, but often once you drive it off the lot the quality will not hold up. In the case of a shoe it may not mold to your foot the way it should.
That being said, I broke my most adamant shopping rule this weekend and I would recommend the deed to anyone who will listen (err…read). I am ecstatic about my Factory Emory Flats from the J.Crew Outlet. I slipped them on my feet this weekend to “complete the look” and I was pleasantly surprised.
The shoes in the factory stores are typically (and conveniently) right outside the fitting rooms and in J.Crew I make a habit of asking the associate who is assisting me to make suggestions about coordinating pieces. She had all good things to say about the Emory Flat and was eager to hand them over. I made a decision that I would only allow myself one item this payday, and who knew it would be these little polyurethane imports?!
They bent and arched with such ease as I pranced around the store. I purchased the Bronzed Clay color because they looked fantastic with the red skimmer pants I had on. They will coordinate with just about everything I own, and unless there is snow on the ground I won’t hesitate to sport them. The extra 20% off promotion was the icing on the poly-blend cake.
C
