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Quick Run Through of Target + Neiman Marcus Collection


I liked it.. then I didn't like it, then I wanted and didn't want it..
I've been having my ups and downs with the recent Target + Neiman Marcus collection that is currently being sold in Targets. I've talked a lot about it on my twitter, so might as well do a quick first impressions on a few of the items.

So I went to Target multiple times to check out the items.
I'm not really in a spending mood lately, so I didn't want to make any emotional decisions.

Alice + Olivia bike and luggage.
I think Alice + Olivia should just keep doing what they are good at : making beautiful and delicate dresses and evening wear. If I had money to throw around, I would have considered the bike, maybe, but I'm not really sure about the $500 price tag on the bike.. I dunno.. T_T the thick buckle belt around the basket reminds me of Santa's belt.

Same with the luggage.
I love traveling and I obsess about carry-on luggages.. but this one made me laugh a bit.
The wheels are really tiny (so easy to break off!) and the size could actually go a bit bigger too (20 inches in height lessens the value).
There were some cuteness going on inside the bag. It's the four additional baggies that came with the luggage!

product image from

There's four!! Glasses, Other, Laundry and Shoes - each very self-explanitory with its function.
If these bags were sold separately, I would be willing to buy them, just not with the luggage. 

Marc Jacobs.
$69.99 for just plain ol' pouch with marc jacobs slapped on it.
There was something else too (I think a scarf?), and that one too was expensive.

It's cool that there's people willing to pay just for the brand name... but I thought Marc Jacob items were the biggest rip off compared to quality in the whole bunch.

Oscar de la Renta Tote 
A bit more reasonably priced at $59.99. I'm not a huge fan of the cut-out lace pattern on the shell, but I thought structurally it was pretty good for the price. If you guys like the stiff paper mesh feeling (I do!), then this tote is worth giving a side-eyed glance.

Prabal Gurung clutch was accidentally grabbed with the gloves. Just by touch, I was surprised that the clutch actually had a pretty good hand-feel to it.  The structure of the item seemed pretty sturdy and good. One could accidentally sit on it and not have to worry about crushing the integrity of the clutch. ;)

Okay, back to the gloves.
I think these are the best money you could spend on the entire collection. The long gloves are made of extremely soft letter and the quality is really good for its $49.99 price tag.  I've had a phase where I was going crazy over long gloves in 2006 and gloves with good quality easily tip over the $400-$500 mark.  I can't really say that these gloves are the best quality in the industry, but I really think it's so much better money spent than the bike or pouch introduced above.

But why is it so expensive. T_T

Band of outsiders cookie cutters.  
It's really cute and sturdy in real life.  If I were a baker, I'd love to have these given to me as a holiday gift. I think these are totally worth the money.

Tory Burch lunch bag and Carolina Herrera Travel bags (set of 3).
I originally wanted the Tory Burch lunch box, in hopes of using it as a makeup bag when I travel. 
But the inside is REALLY REALLY cheaply made.  And the repeat print reminded me so much of.. Goyard.  I don't know why TB always does this, but she always seems to be borderline infringing on others design patent (Prada bag, goyard print..etc). Anyway, I saw the Carolina Herrera bags and I assure you these are of better value.  The three bags are connected to each other with a golden rod and the bag construction is well worth putting in a couple more bucks. 

I understand that this post has a tint of bitterness and disappointment in it, but that's exactly how I feel after the high-running emotions have died off.  It's a good marketing strategy on Target's side, but I just feel like most of the stuff really isn't worth the money - unless you genuinely like paying for the brand name itself. 
Rag & Bone makes quality clothes in the US and comparable sweaters are sold at $495ish in department stores.  When the price is cut into almost 1/7 of what it is normally sold at - there is going to be a lot of compromise with the quality. And for such a compromise with such high-up brands, I think target's prices are pretty hefty.

During the time I was in the store I realized that a lot of people "oohh" and "ahhhhed" over the products, but barely anyone picked something up and put it in their cart. That was the same for me too. The collection corner is extremely fancy and pretty - I wanted something, but there wasn't anything that really made me want to open up my wallet.  I guess to me this is a good sign - I am maturing and I don't buy products just by the brand name (haha). 

Anyway, if you have time go look at the collection. Many of them were omitted in this post and I do think they are worth looking at just for fun. Who knows, maybe I'm dead wrong about my first impressions?! :)



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  1. I agree with your assessments. I think the bike was too pricey for Target audience. The luggage to me looks like circus tents for some reason.... Marc Jacobs pouch looks fine from outside until you opened it... not lined. Crangi's frame and box feel too expensive for what they are. CH bags are actually not a bad price. Great for people who do a lot of traveling or just extra pouches inside a tote to separate contents. I did some reviews of other items of this collaboration on my blog. Check it out. I'm also raffling a set of Tracy Reese plates which I think are one of the nicer, more reasonably priced item within this collaboration.

  2. Dear god, that bike is hideous, haha. I love lime green and magenta used together, but I feel like the pattern on the frame is way too busy. A plain white or, idk some polka dots would look a lot nicer. Not that I'm one to spend $500 on a casual bike anyway.

    I do think the pouches that came with the luggage are very cute, but like you I would only get them separately. Oh yeah, and those cookie cutters! So cute~

  3. Totally agree! I mean.. if the quality is great, then maybe it is worth buying it but usually high brand names charge ridiculous price. I like to shop at banana republic because quality and price matches well. In this bad economy, I would not buy those luxury high end brands just for the name :)

  4. I was really excited about the collection too, but I just couldn't find anything really worth buying! A little disappointed. Oh well. ^^


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