apricot’s closet: cape dress.

After much speculation on my part, I have been featured on TeenVogue.com’s Snapshop of the Week! There are no words, other than: YAY!!! & wow. :]

Cape dress & scarf, from Cali; jeans & sandals, from Ross; cardigan, from Charlotte Russe.

My sister, tangerine, came over yesterday, which prompted me to do a little shopping. (I’ve been good, after all, having not bought anything for myself in a few months.)

Tangerine & I ventured around the mall & stopped at one store (which is called Cali) that I had never heard of, but had the most amazing clothes. I can’t really explain the vibe of the clothing there, but the best I can do is to describe it as “urban bohemian.” Hard edges, flowy fabrics; unconventional layers, sporadic pleating, & uneven hemlines. In a word: amazing. I was in love; in sheer Heaven.

We spent about an hour in the store — which was having a major sale, by the way — going through racks & racks of dresses, jumpers, long tank tops, & scarves. I wanted everything, but before I made an impulsive decision, I called Lover to warn him.

Me: Hi Honey.
Lover: Hi… still shopping?
Me: Mhm. We’re at a store right now & it’s… it’s just amazing, honey.
Lover: (laughs) Oh yeah? What’s this store?
Me: I don’t know! I’ve never heard of it before, but oh my god, Honey; the clothes are to die for! Like, if you were here, you would totally drop dead & foam at the mouth because everything is so cool! (He wouldn’t dare drop dead, by the way. It was just a much needed exaggeration.)
Lover: (laughs, again) Oh yeah? Well, that’s cool Honey. I’m glad you’re having a good time.
Me: Yeah… well, I was actually calling… to um, ask you something…
Lover: Okay… what’s up?
Me: …What’s my budget?
Lover: (laughs more) That bad, huh, that you need a budget?
Me: Well, I’m just wanting to be sure because if I decide to come home with an armful of clothes, I don’t want you to shoot me, you know? I need to know my boundaries, honey, so I won’t overstep them. I don’t want you to kill me.
Lover: I see.
Me: So, how much could I spent without you killing me for it?
Lover: (sighs) I’d say… keep it under $60; no more than that.
Me: (swooning) Awwww, honey. You’re so generous! I can totally do that! Thank you, honey!

& while I could have taken complete advantage of his offer by barely missing the $60 mark — $59.97, perhaps — I spent under $50, that including the grey cardigan I found at another store, the plaid scarf & this interesting cape dress, which had me completely at “take me home.”

I don’t know why I love this dress so much, because on the rack it looked too weird to even be reasonable. & even while wearing it, it looks awkward. But it’s the awkwardness, I think, that makes it look so smashing.

I feel slightly gothic, slightly boyish, slightly lame in this dress. It’s perfect, to say the least.

EDIT; I have a favor to ask of you. Please vote for me as the Best Real Style of 2008. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you like this sort of thing) you have to register to place your vote, but it would be MUCH appreciated. I decided that instead of sitting on the sidelines watching people get competitive, I’ll give it a go & try to win. So, register at The Supermelon, & vote for me. :]

Merci beaucoup!