It's STILL too early to be typing especially on a Nokia phone with crumbs stuck in between the keys. But seeing as I was chortling out loud on the tube so much so that the bloke next to me with a green bowler hat, half a can of Guinness and a questionable smell was looking at like I'm the crazy, it's definitely worth typing out on this cramped bit of apparatus.
Another train to the coast, another issue of Teen Vogue that only really takes up a 50th of the journey time. It's all about recessionistas in the August issue and here are some choice ways of saving money...
"I recently got into what I call 'basement shopping.' I went downstairs and discovered a box of my mom's old Chanel headbands." says a gal named Beau Ossorio...
"I just dug out my Marc by Marc Jacobs stuff from from eigth grade!" says another gal named Larkin Bailey.
Conclusion... Get yourself a firstname that is a prime contender for another skinny jeans and messy hair 'indie' band name and you too can have the luck of happing onto some curdling Chanel and moulding Marc Jacobs.
Teen Vogue...god bless thee...god bless thee for warming the scant and sub-zero cockles in my limp and tepid heart...
How unashamedly middle-class. Maybe some day Teen Voguettes will recognise their privilege.
/Male-Mode.com
Posted by: Male Mode | 18 July 2009 at 08:59
I read that. Unfortunately, I have neither a basement nor a mother who purchased Chanel. Or even the excuse of a cool, indie name. Alas, even the Marc by Marc Jacobs stuff I buried recently in my backyard to make a designer tree has been damaged by rain.
Not one of my best ideas, I admit.
Posted by: Natalie | 18 July 2009 at 09:06
FANTASTIC!
Posted by: Sister Wolf | 18 July 2009 at 09:33
ha ha I read something similar over the summer, sure that was Vogue recommending you dont need to buy a new Chanel jacket this season simply have your mums one altered into a cropped style!! Sure my mum would love that idea!!! I will have to see if I kept it, had me rolling around on the floor it was so ridiculous!
http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/
Posted by: pearl westwood | 18 July 2009 at 10:50
haha, Larkin Bailey's quote was the best.
Posted by: yulanda | 18 July 2009 at 11:36
Yeah, my basement is just HEAVING with Channel cast-offs. In fact I'm altering mummy's old jacket right this minute... OH COME ON!
Posted by: dressed and pressed | 18 July 2009 at 13:12
Susie, I love it when you're snarky- you should do it more often!
Posted by: andrea | 18 July 2009 at 13:34
ahem. if I ever have a daughter I've always planned to call her Beau.. *runs away and hides*
She sure won't find any Chanel in my 'basement' though, possibly some broken Christmas decorations..
Posted by: Ali | 18 July 2009 at 13:42
ACK. I feel conventional fash mag rage coming on.....
Posted by: ondressingup | 18 July 2009 at 14:06
Ergh, this almost makes me feel as sick as watching The Hills. Teen Vogue, you need to get real!
Posted by: The Starling | 18 July 2009 at 14:09
vogue and teen vogue have been doing a good job of making me laugh. There idea of a budget is spending 200 dollars on a dress as opposed to 500+.
Posted by: Joy D. | 18 July 2009 at 14:10
Heh heh, I totally love that you pointed out those quotes. I read that article, and when I got to "I just dug out my Marc Jacobs stuff from eighth grade!" I nearly rolled off the sofa. I also think it's funny how the article decided to have that one token girl from New Jersey who actually has a part-time job and shops Urban Outfitters' sales rack. At least they seem to be making an effort to get their head out of the Manhattan private school racket.
Posted by: catherine_sr. | 18 July 2009 at 14:14
That's so ridiculously funny. I hate all this recessionista/ cheap finds media. I'm reading the best book called 'CHEAP' about our collective obsession with the cheapest find. In a recession, if people want to save money, they should pay more for things they know they're going to wear, even if that means paying the dreaded retail price. I hate slogging through my closet of impulse buys from bargain bins. Then again, it's about the hunt, right?
Posted by: Pamela | 18 July 2009 at 14:40
You know what real recessionistas do Teen Vogue?
They're scrimping their change so hard that they don't even buy YOUR MAGAZINE, the physical being of your publication itself!
I've officially delegated Teen Vogue a magazine stand browsing when I'm loitering at Barnes. Good luck with the recession Teen Vogue!
Posted by: Sandra | 18 July 2009 at 14:53
I'm frankly baffled by Larkin's quote. Are these actual teens, or made up by the same scriptwriters and producers who give us Gossip Girls, NYC Prep, The Hills, et cetera?
/old, cranky person
Posted by: Mimi | 18 July 2009 at 14:55
Dear god. These people just make me want to vomit. And bless them, they actually seem to think they're being really helpful as if these are such good ideas that everyone can do!
Posted by: Heather | 18 July 2009 at 15:23
hahaha susie
this is the kind of shit i think about all the time when reading this magazine... i still read it of course, i mean, the editorials are so great!
Posted by: Laia | 18 July 2009 at 15:23
Without sounding too geeky...probably too late but I'll keep going...I have a weird love for this kind of inane article...they're nearly always "How To's"...and you always have to question the sanity of whoever wrote them (or was quoted in them)...but, at the same time, it's almost impossible to look away from them...they're the literary equivalent of a car crash...
Posted by: Hebden | 18 July 2009 at 15:51
i like your blog very much
Posted by: GLAYKI | 18 July 2009 at 15:51
Lol, how amusing! I have no basement but I'm pretty sure no fermenting recession busters are to be found my my storeroom/garage. I did however successfully find a vintage Oroton bag at the markets that smells like old lady and I have an uncommon first name. Do I qualify?
Posted by: PixelHazard | 18 July 2009 at 15:59
That is adorable. Just adorable!
And really, though, it *is* a good habit to pick up, even if you're rich. Maybe these kids won't be the ones topping themselves in thirty years time when the next recession hits and it's them in the big business, peers all wondering what the hell to do now they can't spend like throwing confetti.
Rich girls need to learn too, you know? No matter how preciously clueless it makes them seem to the rest of us!
Posted by: Claire | 18 July 2009 at 16:12
A couple of months ago one of Vogue's top recession tips was to get a fringe cut in your hair in order to cut down on the frequency you would need Botox! What parallel universe are these people in?
My top tip is to stop buying those crappy magazines.
Posted by: floraposte | 18 July 2009 at 16:16
I'm pretty sure there's no hidden Chanel or Marc in our basement....:P
Posted by: hek | 18 July 2009 at 17:47
I can't afford to do what these girls do in a reccession, even if thungs were better. But I did love the Emma Watson editorial.
Posted by: Meg | 18 July 2009 at 18:47
Oh my lord! I can't believe they print this stuff!
Posted by: Charlie | 18 July 2009 at 18:59
Psh, I've been doing that for years, finding old carpenter jeans and college t-shirts. Thanks Daddy!
Posted by: Nathalie | 18 July 2009 at 19:42
The Emma Watson Editorial WAS good, but you make a brilliant point, Susie. This stuff is garbage! Although, I do find a lot of fun things in my attic that I can certainly refurbish I'm sure that I'm included in the 95% + population that didn't buy Marc Jacobs when they were 13/14 years old.
Can't help but wonder if I AM in the category of the contender with a first name that qualifies for an Indie band, though ;)
Brilliant post girl. xox
Posted by: Maverick | 18 July 2009 at 20:03
These girls do not live in the real world, looking in my loft is not an alternative to shopping. There are probably a load of baby clothes up there. They would have been far better talking about outlet sites, clothes swapping and thrift stores.
Posted by: Kb | 18 July 2009 at 21:21
Hahaahhahahahahahahahahhahaahahhahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahaha
Posted by: Margot | 18 July 2009 at 21:37
I think people in the UK are much more likely to go to Primark or the supermarkets for clothes. Or charity shops..
I guess that's not the sort of people who read Teen Vogue!
Posted by: Ali | 18 July 2009 at 21:48
I wouldn't be surprised if Urban Outfitters gives these girls there own line with such fashion genius.
Posted by: chelsea | 18 July 2009 at 22:08
Yes, my house is just a lair of unwanted designer castoffs from the other members of my family... yeah, I wish! Considering they're not in my possession already, they definitely won't be in my basement!
Posted by: Molly Rose | 18 July 2009 at 22:26
Eeek, holy sh!t. I remember being 15 and reading that magazine and OGLING at some of the girls they showcased. One girl I recall had like 200 pairs of London sole flats.
WOWWW. I'm guessing that wasn't purchased with babysitting money.
Posted by: Blanca | 19 July 2009 at 00:46
I do wonder if they are being serious when I read that stuff... But I loved the editorial with the baggy jeans, loafers and ankle socks. So me!
Posted by: rollergirl | 19 July 2009 at 01:12
Ummmmm.... my OLD Marc by Marc Jacobs? From 8th GRADE!??
I'm fucking sorry but in 8th fucking grade I was begging my mom to take me to Contempo Casuals (rememer that store Clueless fans?) and Charlotte Russe. Jesus- I still can hardly afford his shit.
Eff you Teen Vogue. Go cry to someone who cares.
Posted by: TheShoeGirl | 19 July 2009 at 01:22
Cuz EVERYONE has Marc Jacobs just hanging around from 8th grade... uh huh.
Posted by: Faith | 19 July 2009 at 01:50
Ha! Seriously. I'm getting really sick of Teen Vogue for pulling that kind of crap. I get the feeling that they don't understand NORMAL people... :-/
Posted by: Kath | 19 July 2009 at 02:05
love your blog!!!
Posted by: Skinny Mini | 19 July 2009 at 03:30
How precious...
*riotous laughter ensues*
Are they serious? Like, for real? Really serious? Wow. My grown ass should be so lucky to happen upon MbyMJ from 8th grade. My top shelf brand back then was Nike. LOL.
Posted by: Alicia | 19 July 2009 at 04:29
I'm wish i could find MXMJ from eigth grade. I'm pretty sure everything from eight grade for me cost less than $50. sometimes these articles just kill me.
Posted by: Austere | 19 July 2009 at 04:47
Don't need a basement, you only need your mother's closet. From my mother i got a tartan pencil skirt from Rodier and brown 70s two piece suit by YSL, from my grandpa I got a big Alaska sweater, from my grandmother Bruno Magli classic heels and half a ton of jewelry, and the best bf jeans ever belong to my brother..I think i'll be raiding my dad's closet soon!
leveggieburger.blogspot.com
Posted by: le veggie burger | 19 July 2009 at 05:14
You know what ?
We don't have Channel or Mom's Fancy basement, but we have our Favorite blog of Susie !!
Much more Valuable in our Metaphysical Matter !!
Susie, you are Awesome, sending Love from Brooklyn.
Posted by: miho hatori | 19 July 2009 at 06:14
Gosh they are sooo last season with those ideas!! I dusted off my Grandmothers old Dior dresses and have hemmed them up into minis!! I wear them with leggings and now they're so current and I didn't have to spend a penny! I'm the queen of recession. Or, maybe Princess. Princess Recession. I even stopped tanning and started painting my skin orange to get the same great look.
Posted by: megan v | 19 July 2009 at 06:21
Yeah, right.....I wonder if there's anyone at Vogue (Teen or Regular- US, that is) who actually reads the stuff they print, though I kind of hope they don't have one- I look forward to howlers like these..
Posted by: Dru | 19 July 2009 at 11:32
Teen Vogue can be good, but also so ridiculously funny, I'm not sure they realise it though.. it's like the girl they feature in her room sitting on a mountain of Marc Jacobs shoes or something.
It sorts of reminds me of the Vogue UK April's tips for fabulous frugality tips, like 'travel light, with Bottega Veneta' or 'up the glamous stake at home and wear the boyfriend's Prada pyjama'.. yes sure, so recessionista!
Liking your critical spirit, Susie :) xx
Posted by: Alize | 19 July 2009 at 11:46
I don't have a basement, nor a mum who buys Chanel, nor I own a marc jacobs bag, nor my parents have a disposable income for me to spend. I love clothes, yes, but I have the conscience of not wasting money that isn't mine
Posted by: pearl | 19 July 2009 at 12:17
haha! what percent of t.v. readers really have lives like this?
Posted by: selina | 19 July 2009 at 13:57
The only one I know of who has the teen vogue life is the http://seaofshoes.com/ girl. Check it out.
Posted by: polly | 19 July 2009 at 16:14
recessionista: a term coined and solely used by people who want you to buy their things. or magazines.
Posted by: jillian | 19 July 2009 at 16:47
Great post. I love these tips.
Posted by: Monica | 19 July 2009 at 17:05