Target Me

I know for most women, what happened this weekend in San Francisco was no big deal. And I’m not talking about the Women’s Marathon, 49er or Giant’s NLCS games, Treasure Island Music Festival, or anything else that swelled the City ranks like sourdough starter.

Target finally opened. Here. In my City.

San Francisco Target, 4th & Mission Streets, Metreon.

You probably take it for granted, this access you non-city dwellers or people with cars have to what I know must be a magical place full of fabulous and fun and fantastic finds that are practically free.

Years ago when I still had my Mini Cooper (may it rest in peace), I’d occasionally drive out to the Daly City Target, first hitting the Sizzler across the parking lot for the “famous” salad bar complete with cheese toast (best bread item ever) and a giant glass of cheap chardonnay. Even with a full belly and a slight buzz, Target never seemed to look even remotely like the well-shot and designed ads perfectly placed in Elle Decor and Vogue. Nonetheless, I’d leave with a cart full of crap I didn’t need.

Fast forward to today, and I often find myself complimenting friends on either their bag (Target!) or bangle (Target!) or bedspread (Target!).

If I wasn’t so lazy and crowd averse, I would have run down there this morning when they opened. Instead, I’m waiting until a weekday afternoon to see if the new Target of my dreams can match the actual Target of reality. In the meantime, I visited Target.com, which I hadn’t in ages, to put together an outfit I would actually wear.

The site itself is no great shakes, and the sheer load of inventory is overwhelming.  To help fight through the clutter, I limited my searches to the color “black.”

I also shopped with this strategy in mind, which is helpful when choosing items from fast-fashion/discount stores:

• Keep it simple. The more complicated the item, the more apt it is to look cheap, too trendy, and fall apart.

• Keep it neutral: Stick to a rich color-palate: blacks, greys, tans, whites. Feel free to inject a hint of color, but only a hint. Or you’ll look like Peg Bundy.

• Keep it matte: Look away from shiny objects. They scream “Vegas”, and snag if you look at them sideways.

• Keep it classy: Choose classic silhouettes like the trench, a-line, button-up blouse, crew-neck sweater, shapes that live forever, even if the garment does not.

Below is the outfit I came up with. Most items are from the Kirna Zabete collaboration. Kirna Zabete happens to be one of me and Jslow’s favorite boutiques in Soho, carrying a well-edited group of emerging and enduring brands from Anthony Vaccarello and Altuzarra to Azzedine Alaia.

I think I hit the fashion bull’s eye. What do you think?

1. KZ at Target Dahlia Trench, $59.99. 2. Target Hermatite Bib Necklace, $16.99. 3. Target Hailey Jeans Co Lace-up booties, $39.99. 4. KZ at Target Crystal Lips Ring, 14.99. 5. Target Mossimo ribbed tank, $9.99. 6. KZ at Target Metallic Jacquard Full Skirt, $39.99. 7: KZ at Target Patent Hard Clutch, $34.99.

7 Responses

  1. Paula

    You look fantastic! I can’t wait to drag my ass to Target to try on that skirt (love the blue), and I LOVE how you styled it (pun intended.). The Lip bracelet looks great too. I’m dying over your shoes, and am about to scour the web to find them. Thanks so much for sharing this, Gloria. Have a great day. xoxo

  2. fashionmomblog@yahoo.com'

    I totally understand! I have been excited since the announcement that Target will soon open here in Montreal as well! A couple of days ago, we noticed that the store that Target will replace is closing down so we must be close… I can’t wait!!!!

    1. Paula

      Wow, I absolutely love Montreal, you are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. The saddest part of my excitement about Target opening is that I will gain access to Candy Corn Oreos exclusively sold there. xoxoxo

  3. jenniferdavis00@yahoo.com'
    Jen

    I second that, Target in SF… dreams do come true! Have you seen the Neiman Marcus x Target collection? They released the photos the other day, and I cannot wait for the holiday craziness of December so I can go snatch it all up…

    Great post
    xox
    Jen

  4. Paula

    Thanks Jen! I haven’t yet seen the NM collection other than online; what do you think? I still haven’t made it down to Target; want to go together? Let me know. xoxo

    1. jenniferdavis00@yahoo.com'
      Jen

      I love about 1/3 (especially all the Rodarte and rag & bone.).. enough to wait in line when it’s released Dec. 1? We shall see… And yes I’d love to! We must find time to get together soon 🙂

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