Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Does This Make Me Look Hippy?

Yesterday morning, I stood with a cup of coffee in front of Saks and looked at their windows. I've posted photos of display windows before and I'd wanted to do it over the Christmas holiday, but they were so fucking cheesy that I couldn't bring myself to do it. They had some kind of story about Mike the Snow Flake, based on a children's book, I'm guessing, although possibly an extra from a Head & Shoulder commercial. It was really atrocious and I was worried that Saks as an establishment was having some sort of a nervous breakdown.

And then two weeks ago, I walked past Saks and there was a horrendous line stretching from 49th Street, all along Fifth Avenue and down to 50th Street. Apparently, there was a class action law suit because department stores overcharged on makeup and as part of the settlement, Saks and some other stores had to open their doors and give people free make up. I think the limit was $20, but the lines were like hours long. Who stands in line that long for this crap? And also, isn't it like the law to overcharge for makeup?

But anyway. On Monday morning, the crowds were gone, the weather in NYC wasn't freezing and the window displays were gorgeous. And for once, the outfits made for real women, with hips.



As you can see, these are costumes from The Met Opera.
But Saks isn't done with hips!



They have several windows displaying hippie fashion, for kazillionaires, I imagine. Although when I took a closer look at the mannequin's legs, they were dirty. Seriously, Saks?  Fifth Avenue window mannequin and you couldn't get one with cleaner legs?  Sign of the times.


I wouldn't be surprised if there were another class action lawsuit against them for emotional distress over the unclean mannequin.  Sign me up!

Reminder!
Scary Mommy, OHMommy, A Southern Fairy Tale and I are doing our first ever joint giveaway and it's a doozy! Check out the EZ to Read and Understand Rulz here! Go and read so that you don't fuck it up.


65 Comments:

Blogger 2 Brits, 2 Yanks, 2 Dogs said...

Really Haute Hippy? I know their sales are down but really Haute Hippy is the answer?

February 3, 2009 at 12:23 AM  
Blogger Susan said...

That is simply tragic. At least the giveaway is great!

February 3, 2009 at 12:39 AM  
Blogger JLC said...

Im pretty sure Manhattan is the only place in the world, (possibly also LA), where they can get away with shit like this. ...lol

If displays like this start popping up on the streets of Toronto, I think it means it time for me to reside elsewhere. =)

(and by elsewhere, I mean somewhere else in Canada, because unfortunately for me, I cant for the love of god, figure out a way to gain legal residence in the US.
Gr. Any Ideas?)

February 3, 2009 at 12:44 AM  
Blogger tiarastantrums said...

ha ha - I heard about the free makeup - a day too late! I never would have stood in line though

February 3, 2009 at 12:58 AM  
Blogger Steam Me Up, Kid said...

But really, who ever heard of clean hippee legs! Kudos on your attention to detail, Saks!

February 3, 2009 at 1:14 AM  
Blogger rae said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

February 3, 2009 at 1:37 AM  
Blogger Rosie Posie said...

My sister is a real life hippie and it's not just the legs, there has to be hair on the legs, armpits, ... and the hair on her head should be green. I'm boycotting until they can represent real hippie women.

:P

February 3, 2009 at 2:50 AM  
Blogger Christine Gram said...

Oh good lord, a lawsuit about the price of makeup!!???!!! Give me a flipping break. It's not like it's a necessity. They're not gouging people for milk and bread.

Reached a new level of ridiculous.

February 3, 2009 at 3:11 AM  
Blogger Christy said...

Who thought up the idea to sue a department store for this?!

February 3, 2009 at 3:33 AM  
Blogger Lucy Filet said...

Okay, I actually wanted to comment on yesterday's post, but apparently I'm being discriminated against because of my time zone!

Anyway, how do you get away with an unclean mannequin? I guess the economy is worse than we thought.

February 3, 2009 at 3:54 AM  
Blogger Jeanne Estridge said...

It may be haute, but it's not hot.

February 3, 2009 at 4:43 AM  
Blogger blognut said...

I would like to know what Sak's gave all of those poor over-priced make-up buying victims if the value was around $20. It would have to be a sample-sized lipstick or a tube of Maybelline mascara. Aren't the poor things being revictimized?

February 3, 2009 at 6:10 AM  
Blogger Green said...

Macy's had to do that areound here. They just announced that they were giving away free makeup, nothing was mentioned about an amount. HA! $20? That's not much for make up even at the grocery store!

February 3, 2009 at 7:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love it when you showed pics of NY -- especially Saks, because they're so full of themselves.

Next month they can have a related window of "Does this make my ass look big?"

February 3, 2009 at 7:10 AM  
Blogger The Dental Maven said...

The mannequin is clearly one of those Frankensaks models. Her upper torso isn't even the same color as her arms and legs. Budgetary issues.

February 3, 2009 at 7:12 AM  
Blogger Belle said...

Because I can't participate in your give-away, I'm going to CSI-thingy the reflection of you in the window (yes - I can see you!)and post it on all the dating sites as a non smoking vegetarian that's up for anything...

February 3, 2009 at 7:24 AM  
Blogger Ronda's Rants said...

I do like the window...but I am with you, let's clean up her legs and maybe a pedicure!

February 3, 2009 at 8:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Free makeup for overcharging?! I expect free housing on the East Coast any.freaking.second. I will sit right here and hold my breath.

February 3, 2009 at 8:33 AM  
Blogger Swistle said...

I want that first dress on the left. But could they make it a little looser in the bodice?

February 3, 2009 at 8:33 AM  
Blogger Everyday Goddess said...

I smell the Olson's behind this.

February 3, 2009 at 8:58 AM  
Blogger Andy - Instafather said...

Imagine wearing that dress at the grocery store. You'd knock down everything on both sides of the aisle...now I know how Jessica Simpson feels

February 3, 2009 at 9:07 AM  
Blogger Tiffany @ Lattes And Life said...

I'm all about that first dress. I'd wear it everywhere. I often wish we could get away with wearing old fashioned clothing....where woman were allowed to hide their problem areas with yards and yards of material. Maybe I should become Amish instead.

February 3, 2009 at 9:24 AM  
Blogger mo.stoneskin said...

anything goes with the credit crunch, soon there will only be dead mannequins lying on the floor with tatty clothes

February 3, 2009 at 9:28 AM  
Blogger Amy - playhereoften.com said...

Yawn. I want more exciting windows.

February 3, 2009 at 9:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Once again, I am jealous of your views...I've got concrete and overpasses...

February 3, 2009 at 9:40 AM  
Blogger jill jill bo bill said...

What do you expect? She has no eyes to see her dirty legs.

February 3, 2009 at 9:47 AM  
Blogger Tammigirl said...

I'm trying to leave a clever comment but my head hurts so much, and I can't think when I have a migraine. I think it' discrimination against people like me - people with exploding brains.

February 3, 2009 at 9:52 AM  
Blogger for a different kind of girl said...

Don't really expensive hippy-inspired dresses go against the free-spirited, "Let's stick it to The Man!" attitude of hippies?

February 3, 2009 at 10:30 AM  
Blogger Jessica said...

Ah window shopping is a great option to avoid spending...or racing through the mall with 2 kids, 2 balloons from the darn shoe salesman and food court lunch smeared on all three of you...not a lot of salesman want to wait on you :)

February 3, 2009 at 10:35 AM  
Blogger LTYM said...

Does the dress smell like patchouli and have special pockets for your hackeysacks?

February 3, 2009 at 10:44 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I wore braids in my hair to a black tie wedding on sat night and got many compliments!

February 3, 2009 at 10:47 AM  
Blogger Amy said...

Haute Hippy is simply stupid. Who thinks this shit up? Even if I were a kazillionaire I would never let myself get that bored.

February 3, 2009 at 10:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

just imagine the damage shakira could do in that first number.

February 3, 2009 at 10:53 AM  
Blogger Liz Wilkey (a.k.a. A Mom on Spin) said...

Those darn dirty hippies! The next thing you know the mannequins will be smoking weed right there in SAKS windows!!!!

And another thing . . .Does SAKS seel any makeup under $20????

February 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM  
Blogger Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

I heard about the free make-up, my mother went and got her some...she isnt one to pass up anything free. lol

But Im sure our lines were nothing like what you saw that day.

February 3, 2009 at 11:01 AM  
Blogger Sarahviz said...

Yeah, they did that makeup giveaway here in Boston too (at Macy's). Lines for days - everyone wants something for free...

Oh, that reminds me, consider this my entry for your contest!

Heh.

February 3, 2009 at 11:04 AM  
Blogger Simply AnonyMom said...

Waiting in lines for $20 worth of makeup is terrible. WHo does that??

Dirty manequins, I would expect at Sears...not Saks.

February 3, 2009 at 11:16 AM  
Blogger Kate Coveny Hood said...

Standing in line for $20 of make up just goes to show what lengths people will go to for "free stuff." The same people would have been there if they were giving away free hot dogs. I blame it on the recession (not really - but as a general rule, I like to blame everything on the recession...and reality tv).

February 3, 2009 at 11:52 AM  
Blogger WackyGrandma said...

Do normal people really shop there?

February 3, 2009 at 12:36 PM  
Blogger MommyTime said...

Lord knows my mother put up with a lot of things, but dirty knees when we were going to Be Seen In Public was not one of them. Apparently Saks is not her daughter.

February 3, 2009 at 12:53 PM  
Blogger Elisabeth said...

I don't think I'd wear any of those. At least not until I slim my hips down a little bit!

February 3, 2009 at 12:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I want free make-up, what the hell?

February 3, 2009 at 1:01 PM  
Blogger Michele said...

Cute! I love NEW York City!

February 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't think of anyone but a pregnant woman who would want to wear a dress with a sun bursting around her middle. Although, if she WERE pregnant, that would explain the dirty legs - everyone knows you can't bend over when pregnant.

February 3, 2009 at 1:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wonder if the mannequine's come to life at night? You should camp out there and let me know...

February 3, 2009 at 2:15 PM  
Blogger Heather said...

That 2nd one had hips? I couldn't see them.

February 3, 2009 at 3:24 PM  
Blogger Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

Finally a gown designed to hide my ass... or asses as the case may be.

February 3, 2009 at 3:30 PM  
Blogger jmt said...

So which did you get? They all look so comfy and practical for chasing a new cat around the house.

February 3, 2009 at 3:44 PM  
Blogger Qweenie said...

I love those photos, dirty legs or not!

Here's more giveaway love!!

February 3, 2009 at 3:49 PM  
Blogger Kari said...

In an alternate universe where I had the time...I might have stood in line, just to see what I could for $20.

February 3, 2009 at 4:02 PM  
Blogger Carolyn...Online said...

Maybe the dirty legs were part of the hippie style.

February 3, 2009 at 4:51 PM  
Blogger Avonlea said...

I'm loving the purple lined cloak on the one Met Opera mannequin!

February 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey kids, they're giving away free meals at denny's today! (denny's is a chain diner, known for its breakfasts.) hurry! it's not too late to hang with the edgy, cool, free-spirited crowd (read: broke, scary, crack-smoking crowd) that's gathered outside their downtown l.a. location!

February 3, 2009 at 5:20 PM  
Blogger SCREAMING FOR CHOCOLATE said...

I don't wait in line for anything, free or otherwise. Just isn't worth it. Restaurants included....

Coco

February 3, 2009 at 5:33 PM  
Blogger JoeinVegas said...

A lawsuit sounds fine. If we take all of the New Yorkers that viewed this display we should be able to settle for about 7.5 million. That would be ten cents apiece per plaintif with a little over 7 mil for the lawyers.

February 3, 2009 at 5:59 PM  
Blogger Vodka Mom said...

dirty? DIRTY? Perhaps it was just a bit of five o'clock shadow. Even mannequin's hate to shave. Or, perhaps they're European.

February 3, 2009 at 6:13 PM  
Blogger Smores for Breakfast said...

i love that you saw the dirt on the mannequins legs!
Fantastic! and yes, sak's xmas windows were crap!

February 3, 2009 at 6:40 PM  
Blogger Temple said...

You probably just got the Saks-mannequin-leg-cleaner guy fired...but well-deserved :)

I actually got my "free" stuff from that whole lawsuit deal because I happened to be in the right store on the day they were just hurling free products at all passerbys--pretty good score, too. Plus, I think it was karma helping me out since I have that whole "lawyer" vibe going. But no lines involved...I have no patience for lines...or dirty mannequin legs.

February 3, 2009 at 8:13 PM  
Blogger Angela said...

I won't sugar coat it, I'm only here for the giveaway!
Thanks for the opportunity to shop.

February 3, 2009 at 8:33 PM  
Blogger C and C Mommy said...

I love looking at the window displays when I am in NYC though....nothing like it in TEXAS!!

February 3, 2009 at 8:37 PM  
Blogger Miss M said...

When I give birth and get my tail to NYC for some girl time, I will add that onto my list of things to see...

February 3, 2009 at 9:13 PM  
Blogger the mama bird diaries said...

Count me in! Wait, what are the rules for the giveaway?!

That mannequin will be laid off by the end of the week.

February 3, 2009 at 11:17 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Oooh, I wish it still was in fashion to wear those hip hiding gowns...um or not, my adidas pants are pretty damn comfy!

February 3, 2009 at 11:39 PM  
Blogger Aracely said...

Bleh! Dirty mannequins, gross! I used to be in the business of mannequins and there was never a dirty one on my watch... unless you count the one I brought home for Superdaddy once.

February 3, 2009 at 11:51 PM  
Blogger beck'sthree said...

ha

February 3, 2009 at 11:57 PM  

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