As all good frugal fashionistas know, this is the week that H&M launches their annual designer collection. This year’s collection, Comme des Garcons, will be available Nov 13th at select H&M Stores in Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco & Chicago. Much of the collection follows Comme des Garcons usual “advant-garde” outlook, so it will be interesting to see how H&M shoppers respond. I have waited in line the last two years to shop the Roberto Cavalli & Victor & Rolf collections. Believe me, it was not a pleasant experience. Its akin to being thrown into a mosh pit at a punk concert. There is always pushing & shoving, and then when the doors open, a mad rush ensues to get to the racks. God help you if you can’t move quick enough to get out of the way. Its as though H&M sent out a siren call to all shoppers saying, “Bring me your bargainistas, your desperate cheap couture collectors, the huddled masses yearning for fashion to be free! ” And in a blink, the multitude appears. Some will camp out all night in front of the H&M 5th Ave flagship store to guarantee their spot in the queue. I’m holding my breath this year to see if the annual event is impacted by the recession and last week’s troubling economic report. This year’s collection features a few interesting finds, but the price tag for some of the items has gone up. The lovely, rather Victorian looking, black dress is $349.00 US. That gives me a pause.
However, there are some more interesting & economical choices. I do like the deconstructed black jacket for $129.00 and the pink or white ruffle shirt that could go with it for $49.90. The little ruffles at the cuffs of the shirts are quite pretty. The black spaghetti strap dress for $129.00 also shows promise. I would not wear it with the black polka dot shirt from the collection though. (note: I would also not wear it with the crazy coal black eye makeup raised up to my eyebrows, or “fuller brush” type hair, as the H&M model does in some of the adverts.) I think this little black party dress would look more elegant on its own or dressed up with another type of shirt. The two pieces of outerwear also are of interest. For women, there is a great looking trench coat ($199.00) and a zip front jacket (99.90) that might be a versatile piece. Most of the collection is in basic black, with a few different shirt colors & polka dots thrown it. There will even be CDG cologne offered as well as a polka dot satchel bag.
For men, the suit jackets and shirts look well done. They look very classic, something that could be worn as a wardrobe staple for years.
So count this Recessionista girl in for this week’s mad rush. I’ll be making the trek to the Beverly Center early Thursday morning with my faithful traveling coffee cup at my side. The prices are a fraction of the high-end CDG line, and that’s the lure. And, as every H&M collection follower knows, you can wear it a few times and then sell if on eBay if you tire of it.
I was in line last year for the Cavalli collection. Most of it was gone in 15 minutes. I’m praying for better luck this year, and wearing my running shoes !:)
Feets don’t fail me now -:)
Since 2008, Mary Hall has been the author of 
6 Comments
Yes, you poor poor dears, having to confine yourselves to splurging on slightly less ridiculously expensive designer clothes. How will you _ever_ make it?!
I respect your opinions, but some readers still want fashion, and this is there chance to get a top designer for less. Don’t hate, congratulate!
The $349 dress is an extremely limited edition — just 13 made! I saw it last week at a press event and it's wonderful. The others are as well. And, H&M has some other beautiful and affordable stuff coming out late Nov. on its own label. There are black party dresses and a black leather skirt, all under $100. So if you can't stand the H&M mobs for designers (and I refuse to do it!) just wait a week or two.
Nancy T, Thanks for writing in & letting Recessionista Readers know the inside scoop on the H&M stuff. Can't wait to see the CDG line + H&M holiday collections.
Readers, sign-up for the H&M e-mail list so you can get coupons for further H&M savings.
The Recessionista
Sadly, the collection won't be in any H & M stores here in Milwaukee. And I wouldn't be surprised if it's slim pickings in Chicago when I go visit my friend later this month. These lines go very fast.
i considered taking a “sick day” to shop this event but im going to be a good girl and stay home and save my money
let us know how it goes, spare no details!! you will have so much fun!