A Tale of Two Skirts.
Those of you who read my blog last week knew about the Marimekko and Banana Republic collaboration launching last week. Being the fashionista that I am, I logged onto the Banana Republic site on Tuesday afternoon (a perk of being a BR cardholder ) to order a skirt from the collection. Much to my dismay, my coveted skirt was SOLD OUT online! I was devastated. This is no ordinary skirt, it is THE Kivet Print patio skirt . I placed an online order sans the patio skirt and hoped for the best when the stores opened on Thursday morning…
A little background, the Kivet Print patio skirt was the hottest item in the collection, especially since Jamie Chung was spotted in LA wearing it with black pumps, a red clutch and a matching Kivet print sweater. That sent every fashionista, stylist and celeb wannabe, into an all out frenzy.
Come Thursday morning at 9:40 am, I secure the 1st spot in line at the entrance to the Grant St., S.F., Banana Republic store (those of you who know me personally, know that I am a freakishly punctual person, so, naturally, I was in the garage waiting at 9:15 am). I could see the collection through the windows and was trying to see the location of the Patio skirt. People start to line up behind me. I should note here, that I lived in NYC for 10 years, so don’t EVEN try to cut me in line!
After waiting for what seems like forever, they open the doors at 10:03. I frantically weave through the other shoppers, only to arrive to the rack with only 2 items on it, a size 2 and a size 0. “What to do, what to do”, I think to myself. I end up procuring a size 0 which, unfortunately, is nowhere close to my size 8 figure.
After milling around the store for a bit, I meet a very disappointed gal who needs a size 0. We cajoled a salesperson with at 4 to give it to me, while I gave my size 0 to a very grateful company employee/fellow shopper. I was getting closer to my 8. I tried on the 4 and big surprise, it’s too small. I decide that my talented seamstress with be able to let out the pleats in the back to transform a 4 into an 8. I buy the 4 along with a few other cute pieces and hang around a bit. Hey, 20 years in retail had to teach me something, right? I spot a salesperson with a 10 and 12 heading for the fitting rooms. The size 12 fits the customer who reserved them, so I snatch the 10 from the shocked salesperson and it’s MINE! It’s still not an 8, but only one size off. I leave the store with 2 patio skirts (size 4 and 10), feeling victorious!
Later that day, I post to craigslist.org for a trade and come up short…no one has an 8. Meanwhile I get many offers for my 4, as I clearly state that without an 8, I’m keeping the 10. Then it hits me, eBay! I list the $98 skirt for $100 starting bid, with a $250 “Buy Me Now” price. I can hardly believe it, but two hours later, I have a notification that my skirt has been purchased at $250. Let me say that again, $250! I am beyond ecstatic as I contemplate someone buying a $98 skirt for $250. I am at a loss as I think to myself, ”this is a CRAZY business”.
I’d love to hear if anyone else was lucky enough to get the Kivet Patio skirt. Tell me your story!
May 28th, 2014 at 8:31 am
I can’t wait to see this skirt! Great story!!
May 28th, 2014 at 10:14 pm
You will definitely see it soon, Tiffany, I promise