I don't care how well-photographed the catalog is. It's a fucking catalog.
I do think the Anthro windows are amazing. I'll admit to you right now that I tried (and failed) to make these for our wedding. Fortunately, I ordered extra paper lanterns in anticipation of that failure. DIY and I don't get along very well.
But all of a sudden everyone is taking inspiration from Anthropologie??
Go ahead and buy their shit if you want to. Some of it is pretty good. But can we just please acknowledge that Anthro didn't invent jam jar glassware and shabby-chic china and mismatched table cloths? They were just smart enough to capitalize on what cool girls have been doing forever.
I mean, I dig Alexander McQueen, but I know he didn't invent punk rock.
This post is brought to you with a nod to a couple of private tweeters.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
What is with all the ANTHROPOLOGIE themed weddings?!
Labels:
anthropologie,
diy,
f* this,
flowers and decor,
wedding
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On my first ever visit to NYC last year, I fell in love with Anthropologie but I certainly wouldn't bestow them the creators of shabby vintage chic. And how about just having a wedding that is inspired by your love for each other and NOT a chain store catalog or any other over-styled photo shoot that is shoved down the throats of all brides-to-be!
ReplyDeletei can still have a barneys-windows-themed vow renewal ceremony,* though, right? i run hot and cold on simon doonan, but i feel like he and i could generate some lethal DIY.
ReplyDelete*ew.
the windows always lure me in, then once inside, i think, "wtf? i ain't no granola muncher and these candles are giving me a headache. peeeace!"
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU.
ReplyDeleteAnthropologie is from Philly anyways.
ReplyDeleteThese dudes should just call their wedding theme "ode to capitalism"
ReplyDeletea little off topic, but could we also do away with fabulous, gorgeous, darling, swoon, signature drinks, and yellow at weddings while we're at it?
ReplyDelete*standing ovation*
ReplyDeletedude, what's your beef with the signature cocktail? not all of us can afford to stock a full bar.
ReplyDeleteStumbled upon this blog randomly, BUT I TOTALLY AGREE.
ReplyDeleteI'm with @theflashdance. The bad part is calling it a 'signature cocktail.' You drink bourbon, ESB, while it is your signature, we would never call it that.
ReplyDeleteAnd to hell with swoon-worthy. And "pretty details" (vomit) and I don't know, brides who pick really horrible ugly clashy colors and say they are "their colors" because they are "unique." Unique and looking like ass sometimes overlap, but I don't think you want both.
But in general, can I get a f*ck yeah? Thanks lady. Ripping off the cool girls indeed.
I totally agree..they do sometimes have cute stuff and I do shop there. The window gets me every time. But I was bummed when I recently saw and Anthropologie themed wedding somewhere on the internets. I used to work there, and think it is far from inspiring!
ReplyDeletemeg's right. no problem with offering one or two drinks. it's the name i have beef with.
ReplyDeletefeelin you now.
ReplyDeleteAnthropologie ripped me off. I swear. But then I was over shabby chic in the 9th grade because that is how cool I am. What is wrong with a wedding that is glam to your ears that isn't D-I-Yed everything? Maybe that is just jealousy talking. I can't D-I-Y to save my life.
ReplyDeleteI've never liked Anthropologie - overpiced is not my style, and if it was, I would shop at the boutiques in my neighborhood - and I resent stores that show their clothes on mannequins and not real models on their website because I don't get a good enough sense of style and detail - oh, and skirt length, something I like to know before I buy a dress.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have a general problem with people overstyling their weddings - and on the one hand, I think "is it really so bad if people are reusing old jam jars as glassware at their wedding and mismatched tablecloths? that sounds easy!" but then I thought about it more and anytime anyone tries to stick too closely to our inspiration, we lose a lot of our selves (and our sanity) in the process. And now there are dozens of brides (I'm pretty comfortable that basing your wedding on a catalog is not something men have a lot of say about) out there scouring thrift stores for the coolest mismatched tablecloths when they could have saved themselves a lot of trouble (and laundry) by just using the ones provided by the venue or the caterer. Which just seems like a lot of effort to go to to be considered cool.
@Anonymous - What's with the Philly beef? Yeah, we started Anthroplogie, but we only have one of them left here now, and it's mostly patronized by middle aged suburban ladies who need shabby7 chic handed to them prepackaged while having a lunch with the ladies in the city. Plus, we are the greatest city ever created. Where else are you encouraged, nay shunned for not eating beef and cheese regularly? Not to mention we are home to the original player, B. Franklin.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, anthro is pretty, but it's over-priced pretty for those who don't want to try. Your wedding can do better if it's based on your true desires and values, as opposed to a window.
those damn coffee filter things sucked.
ReplyDeleteI recommend making anthro's coffee cup globes instead.
look here
(scroll to the bottom of the post)
http://style-for-style.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-thoughts-on.html
I thought a signature cocktail was supposed to be a special one created for the event.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I think of the people I know, each of them has a standard drink preference no matter what the occasion - from Millers Lite to Cabernet to Champagne. I figure they'd be no different at a wedding, therefore only a handful of guests would even try a signature cocktail.
Our chef made big pitchers of "Las Palapas," fresh mint lemonade with Crème de Cassis and either tequila or vodka. Served in mason jars of course.
ReplyDeletePeople drank that shit.
anon @11:21, i believe you're right, although these days they don't have to be created for the occasion. as for what people are known for drinking, that's 'their drink.'
ReplyDeletein other news, i've been in danger all week of inventing a cocktail with fresca and absinthe. it doesn't even exist yet and i'm already ashamed.
Call me crazy but I figured if it tasted good, had liquor in it and was free, people would drink it.
ReplyDeleteWho the hell cares if its a signature or not?
BTW what's an Anthropologie themed wedding? That sounds expensive and like a lot of really complicated looking basic decorations? Am I right?
yay!!! she is back!
ReplyDeleteThe owner of the parent company of Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters donated tons of money to the Anti-Gay MAariage side of Prop 8.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love some of their stuff, I refuse to support their bigoted ways.
remember how i got all up in your shiz for poo-pooing j crew? this feels like the same thing, but somehow... I AGREE WITH YOU!?!!!?
ReplyDeletei hate the faux authenticity of anthropologie. it just pisses me off. maybe it's because like all of you, i've been interesting enough to collect funky sweaters, skirts, and bric-a-brack for the past 2 decades... and the insta-unique element of anthropologie just rubs me the wrong way.
but you know what really gets me? the quality of their clothing is SHITE. none of the items there are what i would call 'investment' pieces, though their prices make me wince.
at least at j crew you can buy a well-made navy turtle neck that will last you a couple of years.
**note** i am not a bride and never plan on being one, so i do not know the stresses of trying to create a fun, personalized, and special event.
you know, i agree... i do shop at anthropologie (and our wedding photographer used to be one of their visual directors). i appreciate their aesthetic most of the time, but to design an entire wedding around it? crazy. there is a difference in shopping somewhere on occasion and designing your life around it. obsessive much??
ReplyDeleteplus, they have a lot of damn gall for charging so much for those t-shirts. (yet sometimes i cannot resist. i'm only human).
but while we are on the topic, i hate DIY. i am not crafty or DIY-ish. and i feel like all of those anthropologie themed weddings are all crazy DIY. just buy some shit and make it easier on yourself.
right, fucking, on!
ReplyDeleteum, DON'T buy their clothes. are you serious? why give your money to a HOMOPHOBIC A*HOLE who owns anthro???
ReplyDeleteSeriously I have never been into either store because, you know, again we're a little behind here so I only go off the pictures! Styling in them throws water over 79% of the styling here.
ReplyDeleteWhile I may never hit the right note becaUse I cancertainly never find the wors, I simply find joy in what makes brides happy....
I still rethink it a lot and I just want ONE of the letter mugs! I will take the rounded critique and smash the fantasy but just one mug?
"Anthropologie themed wedding" is such a broad topic to get this angry about...
ReplyDeleteCall it branding, capitalism, or selling out.... but maybe it's just the easiest way for those "cool girls" to describe the style that their wedding is taking.
Get angry if you want to, but no one can deny that we all know what "Anthropologie style" is.
Anthro seems to copy the cool girl wedding. Look at their puffs in the window display, I seem to remember seeing that a long time ago in weddings...
ReplyDeleteBut brides can have the wedding they want, I don't care if it looks like anthro, or like every other venue wedding, it's THEIR WEDDING.
I think there is some jealousy in these kinds of posts.. I love most of the home stuff for Antrhropologie, a lot of the clothes aren't really my style to be honest while some I would love to have. But yeah, I totally dig their styling.. come on! I think it's silly to say your wedding is Anthropologie themed! You're all calling their style shabby chic, so just call it that. If that is your style then go for it! Not a single one of us has a completely original style. Don't be afraid to like what you like bc you are scared what people will think of you!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, I *love* Anthro stuff (though I could never fit into their teeny-girl clothes), but the first time I saw a wedding described as "Anthropologie inspired" I almost fell out of my chair (while still knowing I would probably like some of the wedding details). I think it's more just that somehow the Anthropologie descriptor threatened to overwhelm the more personal details that were surely a part of the experience.
ReplyDeleteSigh.