Things aren't going quite as planned at the uptown section of the Natick Mall (as opposed to the original ghetto wing, the one where you can still buy black-light art), the Globe reports, quoting analysts who blame New Englanders:
... While there is ample wealth in this region - the average household income is about $110,000, nearly double the state average - there is still a culture of buttoned-up Yankees who aren't accustomed to indulgent spending on luxury goods, according to Madison Riley, a retail analyst at Kurt Salmon Associates in Boston. ... "There has been a culture in the Boston area of that Yankee thriftiness, even when one had money," Riley said. "That's changed in the city of Boston but the mentality still resides in the suburbs, and that is impacting Natick." ...
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Comments
Cheapo for Her
By SwirlyGrrl
Mon, 05/05/2008 - 8:56pm
Long-sleeve T from Target Close out rack: $2.50
LL Bean basic jeans: $19.99 (about 3 years ago)
Costco Underwear: $7.99/4 pair
Bra - Filene's Basement Closing Price $7.99
Socks: so old that I can't remember
Shoes: $39.99 Merill Mocs (List $90) from Sierra Trading Post(cheap shoes are no bargain for me - I kill either them or my feet or both in a day)
Last week in business drag:
White Suit Pants: $16.99
matching Carole Little black/white graphic jacket $24.99 (both from marshalls)
Black Pima Cotton Top: LL Bean $14.99 (vintage 2006)
Bra: $16 (2 for 1 sale) from Cacique (a wonder of engineering,that)
Undies 4/$8 at costco
Pumps: Clarks $26 at NH Outlet store (also vintage 2006)
Explain why I need to spend more than this on anything? Full price is for sitheez! I do admit to spending good money on shoes and bras, as both require special sizing and need to be comfortable, fit well, and last a long time.
And, yes, I own a sewing machine. I actually made most of my maternity clothing from remnants off the discount table at Fabric Place as I didn't like the price or quality of the stuff I found in the stores.
swirlyness
By bostnkid
Mon, 05/05/2008 - 9:19pm
costco undies are hot!
definitely
By Anonymous
Mon, 05/05/2008 - 9:24pm
buys his underwear at K-Mart
Microfiber
By SwirlyGrrl
Mon, 05/05/2008 - 9:57pm
Breathable, washable, neither hot nor cold. Just right.
I'm sure I could buy the same thing at Drektoria's Secret for $15.99 in a girly print that would show through the white pants, but why bother?
I don't wanna be Marge
By bigdumptruck
Mon, 05/19/2008 - 11:49am
I'm picturing the Simpson's episode where Marge remade the couture suit she'd bought on sale so that she could keep wearing it to different events. If I paid $500 for a shirt I'd have to wear it every day.
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From the brains behind http://www.bigdumptruck.com
Economy Much?
By Katie
Thu, 05/29/2008 - 8:48am
The article gave me a good chuckle too. I don't think that the problems that the newly expanded mega-mall is having have anything to do with puritanical New England fiscal conservatism or fashion sense. I don't make a lot of money (fresh out of school), so my liking $900 prada shoes that I have no place to wear means that I just flat can't buy them.
For those that can afford such things, the timing is just wrong. As prices for oil and food rise and the economy remains unstable, many people, wealthy or not, are doing the smart thing and saving money, protecting their investments (because, lets face it, most luxury clothing items will never appreciate in value), and spending smartly.
When the economy rises again, as it inevitably will, in a few years, then places like the Natick Collection will flourish again and people won't bat an eye at paying $100 for a cotton T-Shirt from Nieman Marcus. The decision of the Natick collection to expand and upgrade was a good one, the timing just could not have been worse. But if it can survive the next few years, then it'll likely experience great profits when the money starts to flow again.
So, Boston Globe, don't assume that we all just look bad and go to church. Maybe we just know that this particular time would be better spent saving. After all, the $100 T shirt or $900 shoes won't offer a lot of comfort to anyone who is getting their house foreclosed on, not do they count as an asset when you go file chapter 13.
it's a Mall
By Lyss
Mon, 05/05/2008 - 7:34pm
that's what they get for renaming it the "Collection"
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