The Budget Fashionista

I was trying to find a Steve and Barry’s close to where I live so that I could check out the SJP line, and I found something that was a little confusing to me… Is the Bitten line supposed to be available at all Steve and Barry’s or just at certain locations??

And to respond to the main question here, I find that Bitten is something that I would buy even if it didn’t have SJP’s name on it… I shop at stores like GAP and Banana Republic and J. Crew and anywhere else I can find pieces of clothing that are interchangeable, go with other pieces of clothing I already own, and will be in style next year, or til whenever the clothes are worn out.  If I hadn’t seen it on Oprah, I probably wouldn’t have known about it for a while, but would still have wanted to buy it.

I am just trying to get me a pair of jeans and be done with it. I’ll spend $$ on shoes and purses elsewhere. I have to look at her clothing up close to make any judgements.

I taped the Oprah show and watched it over the weekend - and completely agree with the Budget Fashionista Review. 

1.  The Bitten Clothing line was less than impressive - it is lacking in originality and quality.

2. I love SJP but not sure she can “sell” the clothes.  Tell us something about them, other than that you are “excited.”

3. Do I dare post this....  but isn’t anyone out there disappointed with Oprah and the quality of her show these days?  Why didn’t Oprah ask some of the “hard questions” already asked by those on this message board.  How is it that they are able to make clothes for under $20.00?  Where are these clothes being made?  AND The SJP episode was blatten product placement.  It was like watching an hour long commercial?  What happened to the raising of public consciousness and discussion of issues that matter?

I think it’s interesting that everyone keeps mentioning the quality of the clothes when I have read numerous articles (and an interview with a high end designer--I can’t remember his name)that all say that the cost of producing clothes across the board is generally the same. The jeans you got from Gap or True Religion hardly ever cost more than $5 to make. Why knock a clothing line that is giving people on a budget more options. I make less than $20,000/year, it’s hard for me to spend more than $20 on a clothing item (I bought a dress for $75 once and it pretty much broke the bank). However, I still love clothes and I want to look decent. I like the clothes in her line, yes they’re basics, but sometimes that’s all you need.

I wanted to say that anything that I can purchase for under $20 is a steal.  I have beautiful clothing that I am afraid to wear becasue of the kids.  I always look rather good in the morning, but at the end of the day, I am wearing their food and have to try to save my outfits.  I could care less if a tee got destroyed at a day to the zoo or the park.  You can get many more. I am going to reserve my judgement until I “kid test it.”

Hiii...I was just wondering if anyone remembers what that strange word Sarah Jessica Parker used in relation to making her clothing line? It’s driving me bonkers thinking about it!!!

I am v. excited about this collection. I Saw it on oprah, and i wasnt overly ooh-hh about it, but then again, how many people go freaky over designer duds on the runway that i wouldnt let me dog poop on, and at thousands of dollars? yet all anyone can say, is a bit boring..well i guess thats me then!

I love the idea of basic pieces at great value, yes time will tell if they are decent quality items, but if they last a year It will have been worth it. I shop at steve and barrys for my son and husband.  the ladies collection in there has always been a little random, so im looking forward to this new stuff that goes together..Ive always thought the mens stuff they sell in S&B;is great for the prices, and i would compare to old navy.. cargos, shorts, dress shirts, cable knit sweaters? under 10 bucks!

even old navy/target arent really cheap to me, 20 bucks for kids jeans, 30 for mens/womens. gap are 60! I applaud anyone who makes clothes more affordable for us. I have no problem with sjp for doing this, thing is-most of the US cant afford the fancy-shmancy stuff, but we can look put together if we try!

Would I be interested in the clothes if SJP wasn’t connected? I wouldn’t know about them if she wasn’t attached, but at those prices, hell yes I would consider buying them.
I, too, was really disappointed with both Oprah and SJP for not addressing ethical (or otherwise) trading practices and labor conditions. Since it wasn’t mentioned at all, I suspect they have nothing to brag about in that department. However, what most people are ignoring, except Hayl up there, is the fact that even expensive clothes are unethically produced by underpaid, abused foreign labor. Victoria’s Secret, Express, A&F;, you name it - all higher end brands, and as far as I know they’re all made abroad where the workers are paid less than peanuts. All you’re doing is putting more money in the hands of the designers and distributors, definitely not helping the disenfranchized masses.
It has been my experience that higher prices don’t necessarily mean higher quality levels, but higher quality level invariably means higher prices. That’s just the way it is.
Also, just my opinion, but Mizrahi’s Target line is nothing to write home about. It’s not THAT cheap, and I find it for the most tacky, frumpy, and made of really gross synthetic fibers. Their younger designer lines marketed for juniors are pretty cute and stylish, but like everything else at Target, the fit is generally woeful. Also those particular styles aren’t affordable for a lot of people.
I like SJP too as an actress, but TBF is spot on. Don’t buy into the PR. SJP as a private person, for all we know, could be a delightful gal. What she shows of herself to the masses is purely marketing.

I would probably buy these clothes, regardless of who makes them. I’m definitely not a label-wearer; for me it’s all about whether the item flatters my body. It’s hard to judge quality until you see and feel a fabric yourself but the idea of basics under $20 is fresh. Last I checked, this was the “budget fashionista” blog, so what’s up with some comments belying snobbery and insensitivity to the budget-conscious? It is odd to me that some people automatically assume that the Bitten line’s price means it’s any more cheaply made than Gap clothes or even more expensive stuff. I’ve made that mistake time and again: $75 cotton shirts from Anthropologie that say “Made in China” and turned out to be of very thin/poor material and quality; $50 clearance for a sweater from that same store that I then discovered had a giant hole in it because it was poorly knit. Do you think these things cost more for the company to produce than what Bitten costs to produce? They’re ALL making money hand over fist on what amounts to total garbage, quality-wise. So I say, let’s all get over the snob appeal that the fashion world tries to sell us, and praise clothes that are affordable and not totally Sears-catalog-esque. It doesn’t mean we all have to like and wear the Bitten line. It does mean we shouldn’t assume expensive clothes are always better, or that marketing to a budget audience is demeaning somehow. That’s just playing right into the big designers’ ploys. As for all the comments that there is nothing new here, it seems to me that’s really not the point of this line. I mean, what exactly is “new” anyway, and we can all use this stuff in our wardrobe, unless some of you always go grocery shopping in a dress from Barney’s and some Manolos. In which case, what are you doing reading this “budget” blog?

What it comes down to is SJP claims to be selling a superior product at a low price--and she’s not. As many others have pointed out, we have seen these clothes at low prices, and we’ve seen them done better: Target, Old Navy, even Wal-Mart.

What makes it even worse is that SJP expects to be seen as helping the poor or disadvantaged somehow. Sorry if I don’t think you’re a saint! There’s nothing new in this: many designers have done lines for Target, and anyone remember Jaqueline Smith for KMart like 20 Years ago? I don’t remember any of these people patting themselves on the back like they’re saving the world or something.

I tend to like SJP because she tends to come across as “Down to Earth.” But her insistence that we all be somehow *grateful* for her clothing line seems to belie this.

Here comes the rain on everyone’s parade!!!!!

Let me begin by saying Sarah Jessica Parker
has always struck me as a wholesome, grounded
actress and that her Cary Bradshaw character
will likely go down in history as one of the most endearing TV characters of all time.

Unfortunately, I take great issue with some of the commercial endorsements she’s made through the years, particularly the GAP and now this most recent, Sweatshop perpetuating line - Bitten.

The tragedy here is that Miss Parker is encouraging American consumers to make PRICE the most important criterion in their shopping decisions.

In other words, environmental, social and labour considerations for her line are of zero import.

Anyone who thinks clothing under $25 can be made
from ecologically sound fabrics or by fairly paid,
un-indentured labourers is lying to themselves or just to apathetic to give a hoot.

Shame on Sarah Jessica Parker and shame on shoppers who keep brands like this in existence.

To those commenting about the Glamour shot SJP did, everyone knows you take your inexpenive pieces and pair them with more expenisve ones. Didn’t you guys ever watch “The Look for Less”? I loved that she styled her low budget clothing with her high end desinger ones.

I also really like her line. I’m 21 and in college and those pieces are just what I’m looking for. Simple basic pieces that I can pair with more expensive(well as expensive as my budget goes) ones. I already decided I’m going to spend my next paycheck on some of her items.

Would I buy it if her name weren’t on it? Yes, if knew about it and liked the quality. I don’t care whose name is on the tag, if it’s pretty, fits me well, and is within my budget, more than likely I’m going to buy it.

I think sjp has done a good thing, with steve and barry. i’m really tried of spending money on my expense clothes and everybody goes to tjmaxx and other outlet stores and spend less for their. i’m petite and really like sjp style and i’m learning to save more of my money in the bank and look just as good with affordable clothes. to each it’s own but i’m not going to continue to make others richer when it doesn’t take all that for everyday wear. one day maybe i’ll do what sjp is doing with my own name…
peace
linda (Ca)

I know I’m a little late to the party, but I recently emailed Steve and Barry’s to find out about their manufacturing practices (I didn’t know anything about the store at all) and this is an exceprt from the response I received:

“We manufacture our merchandise in many countries around the globe, including the United States and most continents.

Also, we require very high standards for the working conditions at vendors that produce merchandise sold in our stores.  If you would like to become one of our vendors, you must commit to a working environment that is both socially and legally compliant, governed by a comprehensive system of measures that include ongoing monitoring by both outside agencies and internal compliance teams.  We strongly believe that every single person is entitled to be treated with dignity in a safe working environment, no matter where you happen to live.  Work must be a free choice in a hospitable environment by persons of legal age.”

Interpret as you might.

Personally, I love the clothing line.  Anyone who says “I can get the same thing at Gap” should understand one thing: these clothes were not made for you.  SJP has made it clear that these clothes are intended for people who can’t afford to shop at the GAP, or like me, at the very least, prioritize other things above their own clothing needs (despite an addiction to browsing the Marc Jacobs website).  Personally, I am grateful for a truly affordable clothing line with some great mainstay pieces and a few trendy ones.  Even if it is “yet another” of the same.  To me, all of you that go on about how this line is pointless sound smug.  And of course Steve and Barry’s and SJP are making money--why do you go to work every day?

Of course I would have no interest in the Bitten line if SJP were not associated...duh! I will reserve judgement until I can actually touch and try on the clothing in person.

Please let me know how to find out where these items were manufactured and what hourly wage was paid to the people who stitched those wavy seams.  I remember others who were called to task because of the low wages paid to overworked employees overseas in order to produce “inexpensive” garments. Thanks for helping me research this question.

Just because this line is inexpensive doesn’t mean that it is made in sweatshops. Now, I don’t know the exact practices involved in making the clothes for this line, but do you think if you spent 200 for a tee that means that it WASN’T made in a sweatshop? the only way to know for sure if an item of clothing is made in a sweatshop or not is for you to make it yourself...and i bet you couldn’t do it for 7.50!
I think this line is great, I am especially happy that it is carried in sizes up to 22. Many stores are now offering plus size lines, but the style goes away at about 16. As if, once you reach that size, you have become blind.
Props to SJP and S+B for thinking of this idea! Is it to make money? Of course it is people! Obviously, no one is going to go into business and sell clothes and not want to make a dime off of it. That is business.

I come from Australia, and the SJP line will probably not make it here, that said, I have seen the video’s and I’ve been to the site to have a look at the range. Why did I go? Well, simple, it’s SJP and I love her. Did I like the clothes? No. I was excited by the idea that it was a budget line in sizes that would fit a real person, and I admit that I was excited because it had SJP’s name attached to it. What did I expect? The same quirky fashion sense that she displays in her own personal style, isn’t that why so many people like her? The range is mediocre at best and displays nothing of SJP’s style at all. There is nothing that you can’t buy in just about any discount clothing store world wide, and, in fact, the looks are outdated. I think people will buy it for the same reason people stormed Target for the Stella McCartney range - there’s a big name attached to it. I also think they will return them for the same reasons - because they are ill fitting and poorly made.

HELLO, who are she fooling people-------Sarah J’P’s clothing is being made in a sweat shop, probably by children------in a third world country.  HOW two faced can Oprah and the others who give her a stage be????

Good for Sarah!!
Where can I buy her clothing in Indianapolis?

I just saw SJP’s line on the Today Show, other than the houndstooth coat, I can’t say that I was really impressed with the colors, however I am impressed with the sizing.  I love Target, especially Isaac,but their sizing is very limited and the designer clothing they have for a limited time is very cheaply made, which is fine for ultra trendy clothing that will be out of style next month.  A word though about pricing.  I put myself through school working at a dry cleaner in an upscale part of town and I saw every designer known to man.  Just because you pay top dollar for clothing DOES NOT mean that you are getting quality.  Some designers make things very cheaply.  As a consumer, you need to check seams and know fabric quality.  Don’t just assume that because you spent a great deal of money that you are getting quality.  As for the original question about buying something because it has a celebrity name, no I wouldn’t and probably won’t buy anything from this line except for that cute houndstooth coat, and I will check out the quality before buying it.  This is my first visit to your blog, I really like it and I will be back!

I think the line has great potential. First of all, basics are a good idea for anyone’s wardrobe. Second, of course the clothes are cheap thats what is so great! Third, you are not going to get freaking chanel for $14.99, if you want chanel you buy chanel. If Sarah Jessica Parker choses to put her name on it, it is to either make money and or because she thought it was a good deal. Sure the clothes have a gap feel but at least there not at a gap price. I think that the line is simple but practicle and I am excited to see what they put out next.

Went to Steve & Barrys to try on some of the Bitten line yesterday.  I am a 6 or 8 and the 8 fit like a 4 leg/but and a 12 waist!! Tops I found to be cut like most other stores - SKINNY.  As a 36D I like a little room to breathe - why am I needing to wear an XL???  Also, claims are sizing up to 22.  XL top is all I can find - I would hate to be an actual size 22 and try to fit into these XLs.  Maybe we should go back to buying clothing that fits an forget the name on the inside of the tag - who sees it anyway!!!!

can we ordered bitten clothes online?

Boo on you.  Some of the stuff coming out of some of the stores, i.e. Target, Old Navy, etc are for women 18.  Hell I am 59 and still like to look “sharp” without trying to look 19.  I like her look and God Bless Her......Angela