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Excuse Me. Are Those Shoes Prada?

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(For the record – Victoria is NOT the person I am talking about in this post!!) 🙂

Sorry for the poor quality picture – but it was the only one I had that showed off the shoes I wore to the Wonka Party at Dylan’s Candy Bar from earlier this week.  At some point in the evening, I met a few good people who worked in the fashion industry. One of them asked me if my shoes were Prada.

And I said… no. Because nothing I own is Prada or any other mega designer brand for that matter. I told the girl the shoes were actually $29 DSW heels and she couldn’t believe it. We then got to talking and everyone in the group (besides me) were completely obsessed with labels. They all took great pride in purchasing quality clothing with quality names backing the brands. Meanwhile I was standing there wearing the following:

  • AJ Wright shirt: $7.99
  • AJ Wright sweater: $9.99
  • Jeans from ideeli: $39
  • Shoes from DSW: $29
  • Chain from ideeli: $19
  • Bag from Costa Rica street market: $10

My outfit was about as discount as you can get and that’s pretty standard for me. I do own a Louis Vuitton bag but that’s because my husband wanted to do something special for me while I was hospitalized for 2 months when I was pregnant with Liam.

I could very easily get caught up in that world and sometimes I feel like I am doing a disservice to my readers when I don’t. I am many people and sometimes it can get very conflicting. Yes, I am a mom and I live in a quiet neighborhood and I meet my friends to play Bunko and the movies. But I also cover NYC’s fashion and beauty parties and press events where suddenly the lifestyle is very glam and everyone I know is dressed to the nines completely knowledgeable of what trends are hot and what labels you should avoid. So I am always somewhere in the middle. And it’s a pull in both directions. Can you really live in both worlds? I do my best – but then questions like these make me remember that I am not fully committing to either. Should I have to? I don’t know.

The girl wasn’t trying to make me feel uncomfortable – and truth be told – we had a really fun time with her. But I walked away feeling a bit insecure – like I am somehow a fraud as the owner of INO STYLE . I covered over 80 shows and previews this season – and I don’t have this appreciation that the other fashion bloggers do. Believe me, I wish I did. These girls are so INFORMED. It’s unbelievable to listen to – a true skill. And I can’t look at a bag and tell you what fabric it was made out of – yet here we all are waiting for the lights to dim and the models to walk.

That’s another reason why I started INO Mommy. Because in the end, that’s all I am. I’m a mom and I am good mom. I know everything there is to know about loving my children and keeping them safe and happy. So I don’t ever feel self conscious about that role. I’m proud of that role. I own that role.

I don’t know why I wrote this post – it’s something I deal with all the time. Fashion bloggers are an amazing group of women and I truly envy their ability to be so put together and in the know. I guess there is a tinge of jealousy that I don’t have that capacity. Maybe that’s why I hired four girls to run that site and I stopped going into the city to cover those events. Because I didn’t want it to eat me alive.

Perfect example, last season I met up with a bunch of fab women and they all had Minx nails because that was the super hot thing to do. I didn’t even have my nails PAINTED. So, we’re all chatting and having a great time inside the tents and I can’t stop thinking about how I have to run and get my nails done with Minx. And then I caught myself. WHY do I have to have my nails done with Minx? These girls are my friends either way. They don’t care if I do or if I do – but I did. And I hated that I cared. It’s not something that anyone in that industry is doing to me. I have GREAT friends in that world and we always have a blast when we meet up at events, but there’s a want that grows in me when I do. And it leaves a bad after taste in my mouth.

Wow -I’m ranting. Does this make any sense? I’m going to stop before I end up writing a novel.

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Kathy

Sunday 21st of February 2010

No matter where you purchased your clothes if you feel good in them thats all you need people who label chase have no self esteem. You can find me in the sizem 9 1/2 aisle in payless thank you very much Jimmy choos hurt payless doesn't stuff your prada's Keep your coach. I feel good when i leave my house don't need a fashion show to tell me what looks good. It's all in your heart. I'm not a very confident person. Boy can I shop for a bargain.

anotherdirtymartini

Sunday 21st of February 2010

Vera, I understand how you felt. I do think that the person asking "are those Prada?" should be embarrassed! I like nice things also, but it's very superficial and I think, snobby, to phrase her question that way. I think she could have nicely complimented you and possibly ask you (aside) if you minded telling her where you got them if she wanted a pair herself. And Victoria, I knew she wasn't talking about you :)

veryvera

Sunday 21st of February 2010

This is EXACTLY what I am doing. Hit the nail on the head - it is all about us and how we feel about ourselves. And WE are the one that are causing this stress. It's just about acknowledging it's not really a big deal. Thanks for writing.

cindy

Sunday 21st of February 2010

totally get it! some of my mommy frineds show up at playdates in black slacks and heels and one even in a dress, tights and high heel boots. me = target jeans and dillards sweater and clogs from college. we were all sitting on the floor to. anyway, after that i started to dress nicer then told myself i'm great just as i am! period! you are too!

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