Gossip Cbus’ Christmas Guide

Last minute shopping have you stressed? No worries… Below of the recommendations from our Easton Evaluation…

Abercrombie
Collared Shirts ($69.50-$80)

American Eagle
Men
Heritage Fleece ($49.50)
Date shirt ($39.50
Sueded Striped Henley ($29.50)

Women
Heritage Full Zip Fleece ($39.50)
Deep V Print ($17.50)

Apple
Nano-Cromatic I-Pod ($148)

BCBG Max Azria
Snake Embossed Leather Sandal ($225)
Red Satin ($200)
Simple Leather Sandal ($198)

Bebe
Emma Jewel Encrusted Sandal ($159)
Arlene Curvy Ankle Strap Sandal ($139)
Rome Leather Sandal ($139)
Sexy Contrast Trim Knit ($98)

Cache
Strapless Taffeta Dress with the Ruffle Hem ($208)
Strapless Bubble Dress with Ribbon Belt ($188)
Tiered Taffeta Halter ($188)
Double Strap Stretch Satin Halter ($178)

Coach
Signature Stripe Studded Top Handle Pouch ($148)

Diamond Cellar
Dolce Aquamarine and Diamond Ring ($1,348)
Diamond Journey Pendent ($1,100)
Circle of Life Earrings ($240)

Eddie Bauer
Button Down Shirts ($43.99)

Express
Men
Graphic Velvet Jacket ($178)
Lance Field Stripe with Graphic ($54.50)
Pique Polo ($44.50)

Women
Hounds tooth cropped jacket ($84.00)
Ruched Fitted Dress ($68.60)
Shimmer Stripe Scoop Neck Top ($29.50)

Gap
Sweaters ($39.99-$89.99)

Godiva
Signature Eighteen-Piece Truffle Set ($36)
Bbear with Chocolate ($24)

Henri Bendel
Number Seven Shoulder Bag ($395)
Lady with Dog Clutch ($275)

Lacoste
Collared Long Sleeve Shirts ($65.99)

The Buckle
Men
BKE London Sweater ($56.50)
Division E Crown T-shirt ($54.50)

Women
Billabong Stephens Coat ($89.50)
Daytrip Rose Top ($26.50)

The Limited
Ruffle Tube ($98.00)

Sony Style
Cyber Shot Series ($129-$329)

Victoria’s Secret
Velour Sweats ($38.50)
Hoodies ($34.50-$68.50)

Z-Gallierie
Coffee Table Christmas Trees ($19.95)
Wreaths ($10.95-$59.99)

Easton Evaluation: Bebe

Men’s fashion is practical. Women’s fashion is candy. Clothes are not needed. They are wanted. Style is not appreciated. It is craved. Trends are not merely another step in the evolution of clothes. They are another era in fashion history. Morons could boil it down to the simplistic and ridiculous phrase “women like to shop.” No… women, unlike men, realize that fashion is not what you cover yourself with… fashion is a window into your soul…

Bebe’s soul is very scattered… Their collection, as I have written with others, was equal parts gorgeous and gruesome… With some ensembles, I sought the perfect compliment… With other ensembles, I wanted the designer standing in front of me so I could smack them in the mouth… Bebe’s shoes are a different story…. Their shoes are spectacular. While you might want to purchase the dress somewhere else, the perfect shoes for said dress will be found in this store…

Bebe’s styles are, without question, the greatest I have seen… They are bold and unique… And I say this without hesitation; several pairs could overshadow any purse or jewelry as your perfect accessory… I recommend the emma jewel encrusted sandal ($159), the arlene curvy ankle strap sandal ($139), and the rome leather sandal ($139). Each is not merely a pair of shoes… They are jewels, around which you plan that storybook night out…

As I said, the clothes pail in comparison to the shoes… It’s like comparing the Grand Canyon to that sandbox whole you dug as a child… There collection has a few superstars, the sexy contrast trim knit ($98) is one… Unfortunately, the majority of the collection walks into the category of the jeweled one shoulder ($198)… a hideous cross between Arab couture and an Elvis stage reject….

Again, you may find a dress your heart wants… However, you are more likely to find shoes your heart pounds for… When this happens, find a sales associate (they are excellent… willing to answer any question to the point of slightly overselling their product) and indulge…

Easton Evaluation: Express

There is a fine line between selling and overselling. I know throughout this series (which is rapidly concluding), I have evaluated salespeople, praising the ones that were attentive and scorching the one’s the embarrassed their employer. I believe that salespeople should be there to help. They should answer your questions. They should offer suggestions. They shouldn’t be life like manikins. With all of that said, I don’t want a sales associate attached to my hip. I don’t want someone who oversells the product. Nothing from an associate is unacceptable. Too much of an associate is nauseating.

During my thirty minutes inside Express, the fine line was nearly crossed. The sales associate, an adorable (and when I say adorable, she is the text book definition) twenty-one year old Ohio State student took upon herself to walk me through every section and discuss a barrage of combinations and specifics… What would go with what, what she thought was amazing, what I thought was amazing… The shopping experience turned guided tour nearly veered into the realm of wanting of overselling… However, at every opportunity to step back and let her point sink in rather than be pounded in, the sales associate relented. At the conclusion of our time together, I felt as though I had been through an enjoyable conversation… and I was more than impressed with the collection I had just viewed.

For men, I recommend the graphic velvet jacket ($178), lance field stripe with graphic ($54.50), and the pique polo ($44.50). The jacket is the perfect statement piece for that night out at the club. The lancefield stripe and polo are perfect compliments for that casual evening with friends or that early in the relationship crucial date.

For women, I recommend the hounds tooth cropped jacket ($84.00), the ruched fitted dress ($68.60), and the shimmer stripe scoop neck top ($29.50). The jacket is the perfect eye catcher for when you enter the party. The dress will flatter any form and turn any head. The scoop neck top is that simple staple that any girl can dress up or down depending on their mood.

The only complaint I have with either collection is the horrid sweaters. Multiple droopy pockets, saggy form, hideous colors… All they are missing is the large letter and Richie Cunningham could wear one on Happy Days. Despite my objection to the sweaters, Express’ collection is among this holiday season’s very best. Not only can one find that perfect gift, they can find their significant other a whole new wardrobe…

Easton Evaluation: Diamond Cellar

Variety is essential. I’m not talking about keeping your life interesting or any other cliché, I’m saying variety in accessories or attire, in companions or clubs, it is what makes you yourself… It has different names…. Fashion sense, preference, style, taste… But they all just substitutes for one concept… Variety… the substance of life…

The Diamond Cellar perfectly epitomizes the variety concept… Whether one is seeking a bracelet, ear rings, necklace, or a ring… You will every style, every price, a gift for every occasion within their gorgeous showroom (which included a TV… How many jewelry stores have a TV?)…

Their sales associates are equally impressive. As you walk into the store, they greet you and I’m not talking the “hi, how are you” dismissal I mentioned receiving at Pac Sun… They smile, they ask what are you are seeking, then they walk you around to several cases and show you anything you might want to see… Some jewelry stores will stand over their cases, look at what you’re pointing out and agree with you it’s pretty… Diamond Cellar’s sales associate must have pulled twenty pieces for me… I didn’t buy anything, but I was still treated as a potential future customer… someone they want to see return… “The hi, how are you crowd” should spend an hour here…

Concerning their collection, I don’t know where to begin… I could recommend every item she pulled… The plum colored three strand bracelet ($95.00) is elegant… the circle of life earrings ($240) are exemplary, the diamond journey pendent ($1,100) is exquisite, the dolce aquamarine and diamond ring ($1,348) will capture her heart…

The first piece of jewelry is a milestone in any relationship… Even if you eventually break up, the girl will remember when and where it was given and she will remember who have it… If you’ve reached that stag of your relationship (which in my opinion, can never come to early), you should go nowhere else but the Diamond Cellar… A memorable gift deserves a memorable shopping experience.

Easton Evaluation: BCBG Max Azria

Only one wardrobe item can be considered both critical and unsung. Shoes. Think about it… If someone wears perfectly chosen shoes which compliment their ensemble, then no one notices them. No one, recovering from their hangover, discussing their evening, remembers the shoes. If unfortunately, someone missteps with their shoe selection, the faux pas can be a topic of conversation for weeks, if not months after…

While the entirety of BCBG’s collection is grand or gruesome, their shoes are stellar… From conservative to intrepid, BCBG has the perfect pair for a night out with the boyfriend or to serve as an elegant compliment to that stunning holiday party dress. My recommendations include snake embossed leather sandal ($225) or the simple leather sandal ($198). Each has a unique flair, which will turn your ankles into the centers of attention.

As I mentioned, beyond their shoes, BCBG’s effort is regrettable. Their collection is very hit or miss. Yes, I found a red satin ($200) I adored… However, that was balanced by a printed silk chaffon ($508) that is a cross between something a tribal queen might wear and bed sheets which may adorn any hooker’s hotel room… At this time of year, with so many obligations that require the perfect look, you don’t want to spend an hour of your time trying on five bad dresses for every good one…

Worse than their clothes, their sales associates… An unimpressive group which seemed locked behind their counter… I am thankful BCBG’s shoes were adorable… Otherwise, I might have requested the thirty minutes of my life back…

Easton Evaluation: The Limited

Aim small. Miss small. In other words, don’t sprint toward the running back, lining up the home run hit, only to draw nothing but air as he runs past you into the end zone… Stick to the fundamentals… Line him up, tuck your head and shoulder and drive through the man… This football analogy is also useful for designers… Don’t stick a collar or sequins or a belt on a dress to try to make it stand out… Construct a gorgeous dress and it will stand out…

The Limited, when they sit down to design their next collection, should take the above paragraph, frame it, and mount it on their wall… After twenty minutes in their store, I was left with one impression… Their designs were gorgeous or giant mistakes… No in between is present… Often, it looked as though the designer was trying to hard… As if he tacked on one more piece in the vain hope that piece alone would sell the outfit…

A perfect example of their perfect or putrid contrast were these two dresses I have linked… I recommend the ruffle tube ($98.00)… It is classic and elegant… I don’t recommend this second dress… The top and waist were fine, but seriously, a Christmas tree skirt hemline… Was the designer drunk?

I must say a quick word about the sales associate I encountered who was very helpful… He answered any of my questions concerning what I could pair and not pair with what… Although, most of what I saw, I wouldn’t want to pair with my closet…

Easton Evaluation: Abercrombie

I assume (and I could be wrong), that everyone seeks to get along with his or her coworkers. I assume (and I could be wrong), that one of the reasons people like or dislike their jobs, that they look forward or don’t look forward to work is talking with coworkers. And finally, I assume (and I know I’m not wrong), that conversations between coworkers, now matter how fun or important, should never take place at the expense of helping a prospective customer…

Abercrombie employees need to learn that lesson. During the thirty minutes I spent in their store, a male and female sales associate stood at the front of the store talking. They never looked at me, they never interrupted themselves to ask if I needed help, they were practically sharing shoes… Thankfully, Abercrombie’s clothes were so spectacular, the collection’s greatness was so obvious, that I honestly didn’t need their help (imagine if I had needed it)…

Specifically, I recommend their collared shirts ($69.50-$80)… The design is classic Abercrombie… Subtle and understated with colors that will compliment and expand any wardrobe… If your goal this holiday season is to make your boyfriend into that guy whose fashion is envied, you need to buy from this collection.

Easton Evaluation: Pac Sun

I have a confession. I have never worked retail. I have never spent a six to ten hour day folding, pricing, unpacking clothes, walking the same floor, staring at the same four walls… Still, I feel I must give some advice to those who do… When a customer walks into your store and you see them, asking “Hi, how are you” does not count as doing your job. It never has. It never will. You might try “Hi, is there anything I can help you find” or “Hi, is there anything you want to ask me”… That would be doing your job…

I have been asked would I give a positive review to a retailer even though their sales associates fit this airhead description… Here is your proof that I would… Despite their useless ornaments who were pricing and folding, Pac Sun’s collection is outstanding. While they do have a tendency to fall into the to many print shirts trap (in both men’s and women’s), their shirts and thermals are impressive.

While pattern and texture, heavy or light print, are a matter of personal choice, you will be able to find the perfect wardrobe foundation in their collections… With their thermals priced two for $40, now would be an excellent time to walk in, ignore their salespeople, and scoop them up…

Easton Evaluation: American Eagle

American Eagle stores are different. When you walk into Abercrombie or the Gap, you always see sales associates on the floor. You always see shelves and tables of clothes, neatly stacked, not one shirt sloppily out of place. Every time I walk into an American Eagle store, I always see clothes scattered and I never see a sales associate roaming the floor… Thankfully, their clothing always exceeds expectations.

This year’s collections are no different… Both the men’s and women’s endeavors have exemplary style and variety… You will find clothes to compliment or update your existing wardrobe… You will find enough clothes to completely renovate your wardrobe… Their designs and color schemes are innovative… Of the staple outfitters, they are the best.

Truthfully, I could recommend about one hundred items in each collection… But, for those of you running short of time, here are some specifics that will make perfect presents… For men, I recommend the heritage fleece ($49.50), the date shirt ($39.50), and the sueded striped Henley ($29.50). For women, I recommend the heritage full zip fleece ($39.50) and the deep v print ($17.50).

Each of these items can serve as stocking stuffers or as that open prior to Christmas gift for the last minute holiday party.

Easton Evaluation: The Buckle

If you read us everyday (and I know most of you do), you will remember that I praised (actually gushed about) Christian Audigier. Imagine my surprise, when amongst the bland collections and putrid sales associates, I walked into The Buckle, which not only prominently displayed the Audigier\Ed Hardy line, but also featured an adorable and extremely thoughtful sales associate.

Both the Buckle’s men’s and women’s collections are stellar. Featuring unique designers, who are clearly not afraid of a risk (refreshing considering many of the safe, sorry ensembles I had thus far), the collections perfectly blend casual hoodies and jeans with explosively colored selections, which are perfect for the nightlife. Whatever the taste of your significant other, you will find the perfect statement clothing to match their personality.

For men, I recommend the BKE London Sweater ($56.50) and the Division E Crown t-shirt ($54.50). For women, I recommend the Billabong Stephens coat ($89.50) and the Daytrip Rose top ($26.50). Truthfully, I could recommend so many more… However, I suggest you venture into the Buckle… You’ll love every minute…

Easton Evaluation: Lucky

Fashion has exploded. Seemingly every week, there are new labels and styles, new mindsets and trends. With all this competition, designers must constantly seek originality. They cannot wait for their following… They must make themselves stand out… They must make the customer want to buy them, wear them…

Lucky hasn’t learned this lesson… Their collection is neither innovative or insipid, neither decadent or disastrous… Their ensemble straddles the fence in an uninspired manner, the kind you would see at Sears… Their print patterns are overdone, their jeans are pedestrian… Lucky is a name that could have progressed this holiday season, given Aeropostale and Gap’s futility… Instead, they joined the ranks of the unimpressive…

Their sales associates were equally miserable… It seems as though a rabid infection is making it’s way throughout the majority of Easton’s clothing stores… An infuriating plague of people who took jobs as sales associates and then forgot they were sales associates.

Easton Evaluation: Aeropostale

Aeropostale is constant. They are not the must have clothing line, yet they are ever present in every twenty-year-old’s wardrobe… The Aeropostale t-shirt that matches your hoodie… The Aeropostale jeans you pull from a pile and throw on only minutes before meeting your friends… Nothing about their collections ever screams flash or greatness… However, their consistency is remarkable…

That consistency continues this season to my great disappointment… This year’s collection is not a mess, it is not memorable… It is simply there… You want to buy it, because you have bought Aeropostale in the past. But, you don’t want to buy it, because nothing invests your imagination… It is as if the company took their staple status for granted… They produced an unremarkable line and hoped the consumer wouldn’t notice…

I did. I also noticed their terrible sales associates. They were scatted throughout the store… I assume they had knowledge of the product on the shelves…. Unfortunately, none asked if I needed anything… I don’t think they could have salvaged my opinion of the collection… but I think an effort was required…

Easton Evaluation: J-Crew

Cost and style are mutually exclusive. Unfortunately, any store can charge any price for anything. Justification or rationality are not required. What I may consider trash, they may price as exquisite. What I would consider exquisite, they may price as trash.

J-Crew epitomizes this reality. They price every piece as if it were a diamond. Sadly, a review of their collection will produce more coal than carats. For every score, there are one half dozen scares. Button downs, polos, and sweaters that you can either find mirrors of elsewhere, find better of elsewhere, or find more reasonably priced elsewhere. Again, I’m not saying this collection is vacant… It just isn’t worth the hype.

Easton Evaluation: Eddie Bauer

Eddie Bauer… When one thinks about this company, the mind pictures cold and snow, skiing and snowboarding, shedding the thick jacket and cuddling in front of a crackling fire… You absolutely, under no circumstances, think Eddie Bauer and picture that perfect shirt you can wear on a date….

Maybe you should… While their shelves were stacked with jackets, gloves, and other cold weather gear, I was stunned by their impressive collection of button down shirts ($43.99)… Who knew this company was versatile? Their colors should compliment any wardrobe and their patterns are something you would expect from Gap…

If you are looking to outfit your entire closet, this store is not at the top of the list… However, I recommend you spend ten minutes… Ten more minutes than I would have recommended two weeks ago…

Easton Evaluation: Forever 21

Christmas is, without question, the most demanding holiday. You have holiday parties, family commitments, friend commitments, shopping… All of this before the actual day and dinner… With so much of your precious time already budgeted, the very last thing you want to do is look when you are shopping… Sure, you can browse… But, if it’s a busy day and you’re not sure what you’re shopping for, you want the suggestions right in front of you…

Forever 21 will not accommodate you… Not only are their sales associates nonexistent (literally no one walking the floor when I was shopping), their collection is miserable… Yes, there are a few cute items, a shirt or jacket or dress I could see myself buying. Unfortunately, these items are few and far between… I would estimate the ratio of cute items found to time spent in the store was one for every ten minutes and this is definitely not what you want at Christmas…

If you have two hours to kill, walk into Forever 21 and you might walk out with a full shopping bag. But (and I’m speaking only for myself on this one), I cant remember the last holiday season I had even one hour to kill…

Easton Evaluation: Lacoste

Style and attitude are not mutually exclusive. If clothing is hotter, trendier, or more expensive, the person wearing said clothing will carry themselves as thought they are a postgraduate degree better than another person… Their income, intelligence… Who cares? Thy have a logo of some kind on their shirt… Sadly, this style arrogance is not reserved for those only wearing the clothing… It extends to the people selling the clothing….

Lacoste’s men’s collection was exquisite. I would especially recommend their collared long sleeve shirts ($65.99). Originally priced at $110, their colors schemes are bold and original… They are the perfect gift for the boyfriend who needs to makeover his wardrobe or the preppy dresser, who is simply seeking to expand his…

I know you’re asking what does my first paragraph have to do with my second, other than I mentioned price? As I departed the store, a sales associate approached me and asked snidely “Were you not looking to buy anything tonight?” When I informed her I was only browsing, she quipped, “When you’re ready to make decisions come back.”

I hope she knows I won’t be… Sales associates, and I am speaking to all of you now… Do not act offended or as if it was a waste of your time for a customer to enter and not buy anything… It wasn’t a waste of your time, especially if the person comes back… Customers don’t exist for you, you exist for them…

Easton Evaluation: Dr. Mojoe

A pathetic sales staff… A putrid collection… One is clearly worse than the other… Yes, clothes are the reason you enter the store… However, sales associates make your visit memorable and are the reason you return… If the sales associates are terrible, they can make you regret even venturing into the store (New York and Company)… If the sales associates are gracious, they can gloss over any collection, no matter how vile.

Dr. Mojoe presented such an experience… The sales associate was outstanding… She answered my questions, engaged me in conversation, and spoke with confidence and knowledge about the two pieces I ask to see. Why did I only wish to see two pieces? The collection was atrocious…. Limited selection, limited color schemes, and absolutely no style…

Particularly ghastly was a black and brown sweater, that the sales associate actually spoke very highly of… Black and brown? Are you kidding me? She argued… The do not pair black and brown is a fashion myth… Whatever she drank prior to work, get me a double… Black and brown should never (ever) be on the same fabric… They should never be in the same pile of clothing…

Easton Evaluation: Sony Style

Admittedly, I did not browse every item within Sony Style… I was very targeted in my search for a digital camera. While I cannot judge Sony’s overall collection, I can speak with certainty about their sales associates… Thy were one of the most courteous, thorough staffs that I encountered. They explained the differences between cameras, why one was superior to the other… A sales associate was even thoughtful enough to show me how to use the software that would come with my camera…

Ultimately, based on everything I was shown and told, I would recommend the Cyber Shot series ($129-$329)… With impressive features, such as touch screens, and an extensive color array (my personal favorite was the red), they are the perfect upgrade for seasoned shooters or the perfect introduction for aspiring paparazzi…

Easton Evaluation: New York & Company

The only thing worse than a terrible sales staff? A pathetic collection which exceeds the sales associates. New York and Company wins in both categories. I spent twenty minutes in the store, during which I found only one shirt I thought was semi-cute. In those twenty minutes, the sales associates remained huddled behind a counter. They didn’t anything, I don’t even think they looked at me. Not that they could have talked me into buying the filth… But, I assume they are earning a salary to do more than ring up sales (which I cant imagine there are many of)…

If one looked very hard (and I mean very hard) throughout Easton or Polaris, they might find a collection that was worse. However, I don’t think I will need to apologize to New York and Company any time soon… Whether it was misplaced items (ruffles or over done collars) on tops or skirts my grandmother might wear… New York and Company was a truly deplorable experience… Twenty minutes of my life they should be required to pay me for…

Easton Evaluation: Cache

In the internet age, anyone can start a rumor. They don’t have to have information or verification or facts of any kind… They can simply sit down with their phone or their laptop and through twitter or myspace or e-mail or text message, send a few words into their universe and create a stir based upon nothing… Such is the recent problem Cache has faced… An anonymous e-mail flooded into millions of inboxes across the nation claiming Cache would be shuttering hundreds of stores… None of it was true… But that still doesn’t stop customers from shopping elsewhere…

While I had planned to review Cache, their unique style always making them one of my favorite lines, the rampant speculation via e-mail and cable news heightened my interest. When I entered their store, I found their staff surprisingly eager to answer any questions I had about this completely bogus speculation… If I were an employee, I could imagine getting upset over the constant drone of false information (my sales associate says that at minimum five people a day ask her)… However, she answered every question I had with a smile… Along the way pointing out that Cache is a publicly traded company, so anyone can see that they are in no danger of a mass layoff.

The sales associate was equally helpful when the discussion was actually browsing clothes… She wasn’t aggressive, she didn’t oversell… She managed to compliment the collection’s style and quality within the course of a normal conversation… It was as if I were shopping with a friend, rather than someone tasked with purpose of absolutely having to sell me something, like their head was on a chopping block… Easily, it was one of the entire evaluation’s most enjoyable experiences.

Their product also lived up to expectations… Elegant cocktail dresses, which one could wear on a red carpet, as well as charming black dresses, which one could wear to their office Christmas party… With immaculate design and reasonable pricing, there was a dress that would flatter any body and fall into every price range…

While the event naturally dictates dress shopping, I would recommend four specifically… The strapless taffeta dress with the ruffle hem ($208), the tiered taffeta halter ($188), the double strap stretch satin halter ($178), and the strapless bubble dress with ribbon belt ($188). Each are sophisticated enough to rock as evening wear, while maintaining enough practicality to double for afternoon events…

Overall, Cache’s collection is stunning and their service is stellar… While I have no doubt that Cache’s products and services were like this pre-email, I can only wonder, if some not so great companies had an e-mail circulated about them… Maybe then, they would produce collections with the beauty, class, and grace of Cache.