Catalogue Fashion

I have a confession to make, readers, I have, uh… um… bought clothes from catalogues before. *gasps!* I thought I could keep it secret and not let the whole world know but these catalogue companies keep sending me their wonderful thick and fashions-packed books to remind me that I shopped there before. *shakes fist in the air*

I am slightly snobbish when it comes to catalogue fashion, mainly because a lot of the stuff on the catalogues are past season stuff being re-sold again in the catalogue. I can’t help but feel a bit cheated when I hand over £50 for an item that was only £15 during the store sale. However though, sometimes, if I really want something that much (even though its past season stuff), I would still be okay with paying full price for the item.

So in just a matter of 2 days (yesterday & today), I’ve been sent 3 catalogues. One from La Redoute, which is my favourite catalogue company, one from Additions Direct and one from Fornarina, all the way from Italy. I have to say that the catalogue for La Redoute, a french catalogue, really doesn’t represent their goods as well as their website does. As for Fornarina, you can’t actually buy from their catalogue but I really love their LTD line but its almost impossible to buy it unless I live in London where they have a flagship store there.

I can’t stand Additions Direct, Abound, and the much over-hyped by Trinny & Susannah’s Littlewoods-direct. These are your pretty much standard catalogue companies that sell past season stock for the same price. I don’t like their catalogue pictures and the way the present their selling stock. It really makes it look cheap and disposable. (sorry for being so brutal)

However, if every company were to present their clothes like Fornarina does so well and attractively, I might just change my mind. Fornarina’s catalogue is so pretty and every single page looks really funky that it actually makes you want to buy their stuff even though I have to admit that it is a bit overpriced. If you are interested, you can go to Fornarina’s website and ask for a catalogue to be mailed to you. Its a collector’s item, seriously.

The reason why La Redoute is a better catalogue than the rest is because most of their clothes are actually designed by their own range of designers, rather than having selected items from selected brands fill their selling stock. Sometimes, they have renowned designers design a small range of clothes for them as well. At the moment, you can have a taster of Christian Lacroix and Antik Batik at La Redoute for much less than their original prices.

I wonder if any of you secretly buy from catalogues? I admit that I shouldn’t be snobbish and dismiss catalogues that I don’t like but I just can’t help myself. Well, one thing for sure is, I won’t be suprised if one day I’ll have to eat my words for buying from catalogue companies that I dislike. Never say never, I say.

And oh, I am quite sure “NEXT” is about to send me their catalogue soon. As well, as Victoria’s Secret, which I actually do not mind at all! Its about time for me to do some lingerie shopping anyway. hehe.