the special shopping feeling

I wanted to share with you another 'secret haunt' of mine. Dave's on the west side of 6th Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets proved to be an endless source of fascination and inspiration for me one day last Fall.

My experience at Dave's that day gave me the Special Shopping Feeling, which I would define as the following: the Special Shopping Feeling hits you when you least expect it; but when it does, everything suddenly looks great on you, and is in a price range that suits you at that moment. You are thus inspired to try new shapes, new fabrics, new colors, and basically reinvent yourself (whereas before you were feeling so cautious, so formulaic, so in a fashion rut).

As you can see from the photo above, Dave's carries basic workwear labels (which I utterly love; but my fascination with menswear tailoring, and the simple yet bold details found in workwear and uniforms is a story for another post). What you will find when you walk through the doors of Dave's are oodles of Levi's, Carhartt and Dickies. And curious amounts of plaid too. You will probably wonder why a fashion designer would recommend this place to you.

I will tell you. I was looking for some good basic everyday pants. Nothing fancy. Just a good basic everyday worker uniform of my own. (I should add here too that I am obsessed with Communism for the clothes. I love the idea that everyday, one wears the same thing. I also love the stunning visual effect created by that same singular outfit, replicated in the thousands when you and all of your comrades assemble for parades. You must admit it's true. It is visually stunning. I hope I don't get blacklisted for this comment. Anyway, when I work in my studio, I prefer a uniform. My item of choice: Style 2102 in black by American Apparel. In fact, I own more than 10 Fine Jersey Short Sleeve Tees in black, which I wear with minor variations. It is all about the minor variations for me though. But that too is a post for another day.)

Back to the Special Shopping Feeling and my great find at Dave's. I tried some Levi's cords in a shape that was new to my closet. I am not a jeans person at all. I am a cords person (which I would define as a much friendlier down-to-earth type, looking to wear just plain pants, not a flashy pocket stitching. I hope I am not alienating any jeans people out there. I admire your jeans-wearing-ness. It is just not my personal style.)

The cut of these cords was so flattering. I loved the lower-but-not-too-low waist, the flaps on the back pockets, the cut of the leg. All super. I bought a color I never buy. Slate Grey. And then I purchased the same style in a second color. Chocolate Brown. Not black! Not trouser-style! I broke out of my holding pattern. Oh that Special Shopping Feeling.