Window-shopping - pleasure or torture
Torture it is…
Normally I’m not a big fan of window-shopping. I tend to find it more torture than pleasure.
Thing is, if I see something I like, I want to buy it. And if I can’t -because I’m not a wealthy person- that frustrates me. Where’s the fun in that?!
Oh, yes, I’ll have those slingbacks, thank you very much! (Dolce & Gabanna) Way above my budget, of course!
So I go shopping when I ‘need’ or want something and when I find what I’m looking for, I buy it and I go home. Period. Yes, I’m boring sensible like that.
…but sometimes it is a pleasure; it really is!
Since we live near Orchard, Singapore’s number one shopping street, with mall after mall on both sides of a 5-lane street, our walks often lead us along kilometers of shop-windows. And not ‘just any’ shop-windows.
No, Orchard Road is lined with flagship stores from all imaginable high end brands: Chanel, Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Kate Spade and many, many more.
And I can’t deny that their windows are often something else!
How cool is this?! Designer bags with fun pom poms, displayed on what looks like a disposable tray. Fun! (Fendi)
Shop window displays as art installations
Walking along these shop-windows often feels like walking along art installations.
Many displays are a real feast for the eye.
I have nothing with the brand Moncler, but I often am impressed with their window displays.
Often the window displays of the high end brands are very pretty and photogenic.
Delightfully over-the-top baroque by Dolce & Gabbana.
On top of that they sometimes tell a story, are interactive, funny or entertaining.
D&G uses tambourines, in all sizes, with retro images, as a decor for tropical fashion with lots of pineapples.
A bag that looks like a vintage camera and another one that’s shaped like a camel. Kate Spade’s latest collection has tons of camels, pom poms and tassels. Very cool!
In those cases, window-shopping becomes a pleasure, even for me.
I don’t like Burberry, although I love Burberry Prorsum. So the fashion in this display I don’t like, but I love the theatrical staging. What’s the story here? With that parachute and all….
Have a look at this display:
Cool, isn’t it?!
And what about this one?
Oh…if only I were a millionaire…
I usually buy cheap clothes. Allright, MANY cheap clothes, I will admit to that. But I never pay much per item.
Now I know women that are avid thrifters. For bargains, to have unique items or out of ideology (recycling and such). They would not spend that much money on high end fashion even if they could.
I understand where they are coming from, but it does not work that way for me.
Maybe thrifting is different and better in countries like Canada and the USA, but in Holland 1. there are not that many thrift shops, 2. they are not as crazy cheap as in the fore-mentioned countries and 3. there are less spectacular finds like my friends from overseas regularly stumble upon, 4. they hardly have clothes in my size.
On top of that recycling and consumerism are not on the top of my list of concerns, to be honest.
So yes, if ever I were to become a millionaire -or make that: a zillionaire- I probably WOULD buy myself some Chanel, Burberry Prorsum, Prada, Miu Miu and what not, from time to time.
When I win the lottery -in which I don’t play, so that chance is 0%, for sure, but theoretically, I would buy this whole ensemble in a heartbeat. (Fendi)
I’m not a designer bag person, but for this one I’d make an exception. Swoon!
I’m not impressed by brand names and I’m definitely not yearning for designer bags or anything.
These handbags e.g. mean nothing to me, but the window display on the other hand…..so cool! Leather cacti with zippers!!! They would be perfect in my house.
But sometimes haute couture or high end fashion DOES make me drool.
Also Gucci went delightfully over the top with this collection. Love it indeed!
Dior.
Valentino.
Miu Miu
I love these displays by Chanel. The computer boards as a backdrop. The original hairdo of the mannequins as well as the outfits with flimsy, powdery lace peeping from under more classic Chanel jackets. And those checkered pants!
Wish I could sport such hair. Cute and funky! Chanel
Love love love this Chanel look.
D&G uses tambourines in all sizes, with retro images, as a decor for tropical fashion with lots of pineapples.
D&G. Come to me, pineapple dress! Yesssss….!
Shoes by Tsumori Chisato.
And for the men:
D&G
D&G
D&G
D&G
Some things I would never wear, but they are fun to look at:
Cra-zy!!! Miu Miu
Miu Miu
In a couple of weeks I return to Singapore and honestly, I can’t wait to check out what’s in the windows of Chanel and the likes. It’s been over three months now, so everything should have changed by now!
How about you? Do you love or hate window-shopping? Can you enjoy a window-decor as a piece of art? Are you a thrifter? Would you buy expensive clothes if you could afford them? Or is that against your principles?
When I was in Hong Kong I saw similar extravagant window displays and clothing that was like walking into an art installation.
I was so impressed by Gucci that I went back several times and spent probably over an hour in one of their stores just absorbing the insane amount of creativity that they put into their pieces.
I was *almost* so enamoured by it that I thought for a nano second about purchasing a graphic silk skirt for $1600. So silly! I would never be able to wear that skirt enough to justify spending that kind of money on it.
As you know I’m an avid thrifter. That is where my heart lies now. I find it hard now to shop retail. It’s just not my thing anymore. Seeing the amount of waste that is being created and how it is destroying the planet makes my heart sad. I much prefer the thrill of the hunt and knowing that I’m not supporting fast fashion.
bisous
Suzanne
What a beautiful pictures, what creativity. I am the same as you. Window shopping just leads to irresponsible purchases. But sometimes when it is really out of my league, like Prada and the likes, I can enjoy it. Like art. I love the Paris flagstore of Hermes for instance, but would never buy anything.
Even if you would buy designer stuff like this, it would still be you. It might be more expensive, but the style remains the same. Our styles meet at the Fendi outfit.
Greetje