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- five Fabulous Spring Fashions Under $5

Unwilling participant takes the Old Navy Challenge

Amanda Aikman, Managing Editor

hink pink...and green, and yellow.
Spring has arrived, and spring

fashions are quickly sprouting up

in pretty, preppy pastels everywhere. This
Season, ’80s country-club kitsch meets
40s Hollywood glam in a mish-mash of
Bermuda shorts, golf shirts, tennis skirts,
cardigans, and pearls.

Remember those shrugs (cardigan-

style tops with sleeves but not much else)
that were all the rage a few years ago?
Well, they’re back and they’re everywhere,
reclaiming shelf space from the now
passé ponchos at a store near you. The
good ones have a vintage, pin-up The
Aviator-inspired feel (Banana Republic,
Jacob, Penguin), and the bad ones have a
Dallas Cowgirl, stripper, Daisy Duke-
inspired feel (Old Navy, Dynamite,
Stitches). Flowers have also made their
annual (or is it perennial?) return to
springtime trends, showing up on cotton
A-line skirts or pinned to fitted 3/4-
length-sleeved

Ballerina
slippers, tennis skirts, capris, totebags—

cardigans.

there are all kinds of beautiful spring
clothes and accessories available out there.
But don’t get swept away. After all, you’re
going to need some summer clothes soon
enough, too.

Of course, it’s easy for me to tell you

to rein it in, but can I heed my own
advice? Not usually. Which is why, in the
name of science, I subjected myself to the
Old Navy challenge, and set out in search
of five fabulous fashions for under 50
dollars.

True, it may not sound like much of a
sacrifice on my part, but believe me—it

was. I am not a fan of Old Navy. I am not
a fan of their mass-production, supermar-
ket approach to homogenizing fashion. I
am not a fan of their giant, fluorescent-lit,
overcrowded, disorganized stores. I am

not a fan of their phony, dimwitted,
“Stepford” employees. And I am nota fan

of their poorly cut, poorly constructed,
overtly branded clothing. But...1 a cheap,
and I am desperate, so...Old Navy it is.

When I first entered the Pacific Centre

location in Vancouver, I had to fight to
quell that familiar feeling of disgust and
anxiety that Old Navy stirs up in me. I
resolved to be a good sport, took a deep
breath, and boldly strode into the vulgar

family shopping emporium. I ignored the
abandoned heaps of clothing strewn over
the disheveled racks and littering the
floor; I smiled at the fleece-festooned,

large, middle-aged woman that shoved

14 | www.theotherpress.ca

 

past me in her zeal to attack the pile of
yoga pants and stretch tanks unceremoni-
ously displayed in the middle of the store;
and I even managed a sincere “Hello”
when greeted by one of the headset-wear-
ing teens who didn’t even bother to make
eye contact or wait for my response. I was
on a mission, and I wasn’t going to let
anyone or anything distract me.

Turns out, I was actually pleasantly
surprised. Yes, most of the clothes are
poor fitting, but I guess you have to cut
them some slack (or s/acks, because God
knows they could use the help) consider-
ing that their garments are constructed on
an assembly line manned by small over-
worked children in far-off sweatshops.
Despite my griping, however, in the end I
did manage to find five affordable items
for the gals out there that I can honestly
say I would welcome in to my wardrobe

this spring. I had planned to recommend
something for the guys as well, but I had
to leave the store before I could fully ven-
ture into the men’s department. I’m sorry,
but there’s only so much garish dance
music and jubilant-bordering-on-hysteri-
cal Khaki advertisements that one person
can subject herself too—even in the
name of science.

1) Prim and proper cardigan with flo-
ral appliqués: $44.50

This classic, white, 100-percent cotton
cardy with 3/4-length sleeves and knit flo-
ral appliqués is a lovely (and surprisingly
subtle) addition to any lady’s spring-fash-
ion collection. Perfect with a pretty pair of
capris or dressed up with pastel ballet-
slipper style flats and a knee-length skirt.
Wear it while you stroll hand-in-hand with
your sweetheart through the town square,

 

or toss it aside for a romp in the hay with
that cute boy at the church picnic.

2) Knockout silk tieback blouse: $38.50
This 100-percent silk, capped-sleeve
blouse also comes in solid red or black,
but my favourite version is the vintage
looking, abstract-patterned, lime and yel-
low. With delicate button features on the
front and a silk tieback waistband, this is
one hot little number. Add a pencil skirt
and heels for pure va-va-voom, or simply
pair it with some great low-cut jeans for a
night out on the town. A word of warn-
ing though, this top looks fabulous on the
hanger, but is cut very large. The size
small was too big on me (which means it
would be too big on most people) causing
the design to lose most of its effect.
Comes in extra small, as well, but quanti-
ties were extremely limited.

3) Smart and stylish three-button cot-
ton blazer: $49.50

Ideal for spring, especially in white, this
practical blazer has a 100-percent cotton
outer shell and could easily work both
indoors and out. Shorter waist-level fit
and solid three-button construction
makes for a flattering, contemporary sil-
houette. Dress it up or dress it down, and
with the pretty polka-dotted lining (100-
percent polyester), you can actually
believe the next loser who says “that out-
fit would look better lying on my floor.”

4. Light-and-lacey bow-tie cami: $15
This lightweight, t-shirt textured, 100-per-
cent cotton cami comes in a great sunny
yellow colour, and features a lace waist-
band that extends and ties at the side. Its
flattering vintage cut (baggy in the torso,
fitted in the waist) makes it a good fit for
most body types. Versatile for day and
night, and at only $15 you won’t cate if it
falls apart by the end of the season.

5. Back-to-basics fitted tees: $11.50
(when you buy two or more)

These fitted, 100-percent cotton, capped-
sleeve, crew neck t-shirts are affordable,
practical, and come in a wide range of
solid colours. Why pay up to twice as
much for a comparable item at other
stores? This type of wardrobe basic is
what Old Navy is really good for, so stock
up—and with the money you save, you'll
be able to buy some well-made, unique
skirts and pants elsewhere.

March 23/2005