Monday, February 10, 2025

Stuff 58: The CD Wears Prada

Or do they?

By J.J. Atwell

You remember the movie The Devil Wears Prada? It came out in 2006 and was a fun romp through the world of high fashion. With many funny scenes, it implied that wearing big name fashion was a must for the women of the day. 

I’m guessing that big name fashion is still a high priority for today’s women. In today’s musings I’ll use “Prada” as shorthand for any of the big name fashion lines. So feel free to mentally substitute Louis Vuitton, Armani, Hermes, Louboutin, etc. as you read on.

Not the Devil

I don’t wear Prada, but if I were the devil, I might. It seems to me that there is a huge difference between how we CDs view high fashion and how GGs view it. For those that can afford Prada, there may be good reasons to spend the money for a quality product. A product that the GG will likely use regularly and get their money’s worth. 

For those of us who are occasional CDs though, it can be hard to justify spending the money on high-end goods when you can get by just fine with more ordinary versions. Especially if you are trying to build a feminine wardrobe on a shoe string budget. 

Prada on a Shoestring?

Surprisingly (at least to me) you can actually find Prada on a shoestring budget if you’re willing to shop in the used market. I’ve gone to several thrift stores and found high-end goods there, some still with the original tags.

A couple of my GG friends, Alicia and Gigi, speak highly about the Poshmark website. That led me to take a look at their website and I’m sure I’ll be buying some things from there in the future.

I’ll Be Back

I’ll be writing more Stuff, possibly while wearing Prada. As always, comments are welcome either here on the blog or by email to Jenn6nov at-sign gmail dot com. JJ is always looking for more stuff so if there is something you would like to read about please let me know!



Wearing Rebecca Taylor
Wearing Rebecca Taylor


J. Conrad Frank femulating on stage in The Matinee – A Collection of Short Comedy Plays.
J. Conrad Frank femulating on stage in The Matinee – A Collection of Short Comedy Plays.

1 comment:

  1. JJ dear, such a pertinent topic that I think many often wonder about.
    For me, the very high end stuff like Gucci or Prada were not something I felt I needed, though I’ve gotten a lot of good but not extravagant stuff like Michael Kors or Cole Haan at good prices on E-Bay or Poshmark!

    Unless I was trying to Femulate in Beverly Hills with the Kardashians, I feel anything from clothes to bags to shoes that I find at a Marshal’s or Nordstrom Rack lets me blend in with women just fine wherever I go, and I often receive compliments too.

    I will say that even if your wardrobe is not right full of high end designers, adding a few nicer pieces like a bag or boots can elevate your wardrobe, and many women notice this when out and about. There are stereotypes and stigmas out there about CDs, femulators, T-Girls, etc., so having a nice bag, coat, or shoes sort of adds a legitimacy to what we do, and can add a degree of acceptance. It sort of shows we take this side of us seriously, whether that is once a month or full time, and projects that this is not a cheap thrill or what not. I would just say any “splurge” pieces should be a classic design that will not go out of style any time soon and go with a wide range of outfits and occasions.

    I will caution that especially in the realm of bags, knockoffs abound! Now some knockoffs are downright fabulous and hard to tell apart, and I know many girls who do not mind a knockoff, but just something to keep in mind when shopping on-line, at a flea market, or used clothing venue, as some unscrupulous people will try to pass these off as genuine.

    Norah

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