Does Not Compute

I hate computers (and ipad and iphones) for kids, so I love this.

I'd buy it, if it weren't $76.

Hey Big Spender

I do not go for budget fashion. This is fancytown, after all. But really, I have always found that if there is a particular piece of clothing you really want, it's best to buy it and not settle for a cheap ripoff. You will continue to lust after the real thing and slowly grow to hate your "bargain". Also, cheap clothing does not hold up well. The fabric and manufacturing (seams, button, etc.) often give up way before you want them to. For example, Target collaborations are always a bad idea. And let's be honest, do you really need 20 new complete outfits every season?! No. Buy some great pieces (however many you want to or can afford) and enjoy them, and bring them out every year or even wear them all year round. This approach works within reason. Everyone has a price point which they are not comfortable with, whether it's because there is no possible way to afford it or whether it is just seems wrong to spend so much on a piece of clothing or whether it just doesn't seem like a worthwhile investment (too trendy, etc.) If you're sure you don't want the real thing, an affordable "version" [ripoff] of it may be the answer. I recently went this route when I found a great jacket at Zara:

For $129, it was an easy choice. I would never spend $825 on an Isabel Marant jacket (the obvious "inspiration" behind Zara's jacket)

Also seen here being worn (badly) by Heidi Klum:

I am all for mixing cheaper items in, but building a wardrobe of cheap ripoffs is a really bad idea. If you have access to a washing machine (and occasionally a dry cleaner), you can live with a small wardrobe of nice clothing. Focus on what you really want instead of hoarding cheap stuff. (This tendency is a real modern phenomenon with the prevalence of cheap stuff made in China and the blogosphere's relentless appetite for something new. I'm looking at you, lecatch.com. Also, I see you perking up your cheap polyester clothing with $1000 purses and shoes.)

Black is still the new black

I am all about a black pant. That's how the fashion types say it: a black pant, not "black pants". They just gotta be different. Anyhoo,spring is when I start getting desperate for black cropped pants. I love them. J.Crew has some, and I have worn them in the past, but this year they are not fitting me right. My first plan was to have some old cotton Helmut Lang pants tailored--cropped and tapered. I'm kind of pleased with this solution, since $45 for tailoring seems nuts but is a bargain compared to buying new. In the meantime, I did find two other good pairs of cropped slim black pants. And since I am all about a black pant, I bought them too. First is from Comptoir des Cottoniers. This is a great mid-priced French (duh) line which now has a few locations in NYC, plus they are sold at Bloomingdale's now so you should be able to get it shipped if you are interested.

Unfortunately they don't look like much in the photo, but they are thin and stretchy black cotton with a little slit at the ankle. The website describes them as 7/8 length (those Frenchies are so precise). They have a mid-rise. They are pretty perfect, and cost $135. I have worn them practically every day since buying them. I also got a cool pair from Acne, the strangely-named Swedish brand. Their jeans have the best fit ever, and I always keep an eye on their clothing line. Generally I find it a little too fashion-forward for my life but if I still dressed fashiony I might wear some of it. Their boots are great as are their leather jackets. But I digress. They have done previous versions of their "Best" pants, which I never managed to get, but this time I found them in my size (they run generous FYI). They have a pretty classic fit but have a seam along the back of the legs which is an unusual (but not too weird) detail. The little slits on the back of the legs are also great. They are super-flattering and I pretty seasonless.