With a long E, as in Evil ([info]evelynnash) wrote,
@ 2007-12-18 10:48:00
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When Kamran met one of his law school friends Sunday to study for their upcoming final, I tagged along like the adoring girlfriend I am. His friend always apologises for making me sit there quietly while they discuss the implied warranty of habitability and other jibberish, but Kamran always jokes(?) that I deserve it. This time, I brought along several issues of New York magazine, one of which contained the following full-page ad:



Pretty much the most beautiful cape you've ever seen, right? And I'm in the market for a cape, anyway. I showed the ad to Kamran and his friend, and the friend asked how much I thought it went for. I guessed a couple hundred dollars, knowing the mark-up on clothes in New York, and began imagining starving myself for three weeks in order to save up enough pennies to buy the thing.

But when I looked at the Blanc de Chine website yesterday, of course they didn't have the price listed. Which I knew was a bad sign. So I diligently searched other sites–afraid of just walking into boutiques and picking up price tags as I am–and found that it's $1,615. Sure it's made of cashmere with a silk tie rinsed to look like leather, and sure it has pretty much the greatest collar EVER IN HISTORY, but

$1,615!

On one hand, I'm sort of glad that I'll never be able to afford that. It makes me feel like a better person that I can't have everything I want. Beautiful things become more meaningful when you only own a few of them, right?

But on the other hand . . .

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[info]courtneychaos
2007-12-18 04:35 pm UTC (link)
Fina a similar pattern and make the stinking thing. You could even get someone else to make it for you for less than $1,615. It is beautiful!

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-19 03:17 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, that was my first thought, but I have no rinsing-silk-to-look-like-leather skillz to speak of. And would I ever be able to replicate that collar? The collar's the whole point. And where do you even find patterns like that? I only remember granny dresses in the McCall's book back in my sewing days of yore.

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[info]courtneychaos
2007-12-19 05:00 pm UTC (link)
It looks like the pleats get larger as you approach the bottom. The collar just looks like it's the small ends of the pleated fabric gathered? It may also be two seperate pieces joined, so you have your large pleats for the capelet and the small for the collar? Gathered pleats will give it some structure. Vogue sometimes has some decent patterns. You may have to find one that's similar and improvise, or you may find something similar on a Victorian pattern website (http://www.agelesspatterns.com/)??? I can improvise you a cashmere capelet (I don't know about treating silk though!) if you can finish writing my winter exams for me! I would much rather be sewing these days.

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-20 02:52 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, it's the structure of the collar that gives me pause. I can see how pleats of, say, oil cloth might stand up like that, but I can't imagine some cotton blend behaving the same way.

Finishing your winter exams it is! I have a 20-page essay on Ulysses with your name on it.

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[info]candent
2007-12-18 05:02 pm UTC (link)
Is this one of those items that will go out of style by next year?

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[info]damncutekitty
2007-12-18 08:04 pm UTC (link)
Some people would say that capes never go out of style, but then many of those people also play D&D and go to renfaires.

Snarkiness aside, I think it takes a certain personality to pull that look off. Katie is fabulous and totally can. A cape is a classic piece that can be worn at will by those who can wear them well, regardless of trends.

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-19 05:01 pm UTC (link)
You are pretty much my new best friend.

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[info]caropal
2007-12-18 10:34 pm UTC (link)
That's what makes it all the more desirable. But, don't worry -- you can break it out again after 20 years when it comes back into style!

Seriously, though? If I had the money, I would totally buy that. (Okay, maybe not that, but something like that, for the same amount price. Pretttty...)

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-19 05:03 pm UTC (link)
I will make you my partner in my expensive-cape-making venture. And we will keep them in style FOREVER.


BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

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[info]caropal
2008-01-18 09:52 pm UTC (link)
Together? We would take over the WORLD.

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-19 04:51 pm UTC (link)
Capes have been hot since the 1800s, when the very stylish Abe Lincoln himself was gallivanting about in them. Get with the program.

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[info]saraide
2007-12-18 05:54 pm UTC (link)
Who isn't in the market for a cape? That would look adorable with your short hair.

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-19 05:17 pm UTC (link)
And it maybe possibly might make me look like I actually have a neck! Or else it will swallow what neck I do have and make me look like I'm trying to eat my boobs!

Either way, I win.

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[info]some_noah
2007-12-18 07:23 pm UTC (link)
You do realise what Blanc de Chine translates to, yes?

Oh, Katya.

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-19 05:21 pm UTC (link)
Yes, and?

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[info]comix08
2007-12-18 08:54 pm UTC (link)
Even though I already told you earlier that I'm not going to be the one to spend $1600 on a cape for you, I've decided that I need to make it up to you a little. Therefore I decided that I have to get you this for Christmas:



Unfortunately, it seems like Mattel has discontinued it. I'm sorry. Now you're just going to be let down twice this year.

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-19 06:38 pm UTC (link)
Would it be in bad taste for me to say something along the lines of, "My new boyfriend would find a way to get it for me"?

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[info]comix08
2007-12-19 07:46 pm UTC (link)
Yep, it would be very tacky of you. Although its not like that would ever stop you or anything.

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[info]spaghedeity
2007-12-18 09:27 pm UTC (link)
Kamran studied on Sunday instead of going to both morning and night church services?

That heathen. God will surely punish him in his upcoming final.

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-20 02:44 pm UTC (link)
The power of Kamran's brain is far superior to Jesus's test-wreckin' skillz.

You may begin your false idol worship . . . now.

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[info]welfy
2007-12-19 05:02 am UTC (link)
I think that cape is kind of hideous, but you're talking to a girl who owns over 20 tie-dye shirts.

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-20 02:45 pm UTC (link)
Hideous!? I mean, I can see "capes aren't my thing" or "I can't imagine how ridiculous you'd look wearing that", but hideous?!

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[info]pygmalism
2007-12-19 05:16 am UTC (link)
that seems like something that you could make or have made for much cheaper. i realize someone already said this, but seriously, come on! remember your roots in the outlet mall and dollar store capital of the universe, ohio!

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-20 02:49 pm UTC (link)
Well, I do have serious plans to stock up on $1.99/yd fabric when I'm home this week, but I don't know if you can get raw cashmere at Wal*Mart.

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[info]pygmalism
2007-12-21 05:54 am UTC (link)
does it have to be made out of cashmere though?

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[info]caropal
2007-12-22 10:13 pm UTC (link)
Yes.

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[info]kickery
2007-12-19 02:59 pm UTC (link)
I almost adore you, Katie, but that cape is horrible.

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[info]evelynnash
2007-12-20 02:49 pm UTC (link)
Not as horrible AS YOUR FACE.

I win!

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