Does This Make Me Look Hippy?

by Marinka on February 2, 2009

Yesterday morning, I stood with a cup of coffee in front of Saks and looked at their windows. I’ve posted photos of display windows before and I’d wanted to do it over the Christmas holiday, but they were so fucking cheesy that I couldn’t bring myself to do it. They had some kind of story about Mike the Snow Flake, based on a children’s book, I’m guessing, although possibly an extra from a Head & Shoulder commercial. It was really atrocious and I was worried that Saks as an establishment was having some sort of a nervous breakdown.

And then two weeks ago, I walked past Saks and there was a horrendous line stretching from 49th Street, all along Fifth Avenue and down to 50th Street. Apparently, there was a class action law suit because department stores overcharged on makeup and as part of the settlement, Saks and some other stores had to open their doors and give people free make up. I think the limit was $20, but the lines were like hours long. Who stands in line that long for this crap? And also, isn’t it like the law to overcharge for makeup?

But anyway. On Monday morning, the crowds were gone, the weather in NYC wasn’t freezing and the window displays were gorgeous. And for once, the outfits made for real women, with hips.

As you can see, these are costumes from The Met Opera.
But Saks isn’t done with hips!

They have several windows displaying hippie fashion, for kazillionaires, I imagine. Although when I took a closer look at the mannequin’s legs, they were dirty. Seriously, Saks?  Fifth Avenue window mannequin and you couldn’t get one with cleaner legs?  Sign of the times.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there were another class action lawsuit against them for emotional distress over the unclean mannequin.  Sign me up!

Reminder!

Scary Mommy, OHMommy, A Southern Fairy Tale and I are doing our first ever joint giveaway and it’s a doozy! Check out the EZ to Read and Understand Rulz here! Go and read so that you don’t fuck it up.

One year ago ...

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{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }

Heather February 2, 2009 at 10:23 pm

Really Haute Hippy? I know their sales are down but really Haute Hippy is the answer?

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Susan February 2, 2009 at 10:39 pm

That is simply tragic. At least the giveaway is great!

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JLC February 2, 2009 at 10:44 pm

Im pretty sure Manhattan is the only place in the world, (possibly also LA), where they can get away with shit like this. …lol

If displays like this start popping up on the streets of Toronto, I think it means it time for me to reside elsewhere. =)

(and by elsewhere, I mean somewhere else in Canada, because unfortunately for me, I cant for the love of god, figure out a way to gain legal residence in the US.
Gr. Any Ideas?)

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Tiaras & Tantrums February 2, 2009 at 10:58 pm

ha ha – I heard about the free makeup – a day too late! I never would have stood in line though

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silvergirl February 2, 2009 at 11:14 pm

But really, who ever heard of clean hippee legs! Kudos on your attention to detail, Saks!

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Rosie&James February 3, 2009 at 12:50 am

My sister is a real life hippie and it’s not just the legs, there has to be hair on the legs, armpits, … and the hair on her head should be green. I’m boycotting until they can represent real hippie women.

😛

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Christine February 3, 2009 at 1:11 am

Oh good lord, a lawsuit about the price of makeup!!???!!! Give me a flipping break. It’s not like it’s a necessity. They’re not gouging people for milk and bread.

Reached a new level of ridiculous.

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Christy February 3, 2009 at 1:33 am

Who thought up the idea to sue a department store for this?!

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Kylie w Warszawie February 3, 2009 at 1:54 am

Okay, I actually wanted to comment on yesterday’s post, but apparently I’m being discriminated against because of my time zone!

Anyway, how do you get away with an unclean mannequin? I guess the economy is worse than we thought.

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Jeanne February 3, 2009 at 2:43 am

It may be haute, but it’s not hot.

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blognut February 3, 2009 at 4:10 am

I would like to know what Sak’s gave all of those poor over-priced make-up buying victims if the value was around $20. It would have to be a sample-sized lipstick or a tube of Maybelline mascara. Aren’t the poor things being revictimized?

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Cindy February 3, 2009 at 5:03 am

Macy’s had to do that areound here. They just announced that they were giving away free makeup, nothing was mentioned about an amount. HA! $20? That’s not much for make up even at the grocery store!

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lisa February 3, 2009 at 5:10 am

I love it when you showed pics of NY — especially Saks, because they’re so full of themselves.

Next month they can have a related window of “Does this make my ass look big?”

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The Dental Maven February 3, 2009 at 5:12 am

The mannequin is clearly one of those Frankensaks models. Her upper torso isn’t even the same color as her arms and legs. Budgetary issues.

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Belle February 3, 2009 at 5:24 am

Because I can’t participate in your give-away, I’m going to CSI-thingy the reflection of you in the window (yes – I can see you!)and post it on all the dating sites as a non smoking vegetarian that’s up for anything…

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Ronda's Rants February 3, 2009 at 6:20 am

I do like the window…but I am with you, let’s clean up her legs and maybe a pedicure!

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Smart A$$ Mom February 3, 2009 at 6:33 am

Free makeup for overcharging?! I expect free housing on the East Coast any.freaking.second. I will sit right here and hold my breath.

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Swistle February 3, 2009 at 6:33 am

I want that first dress on the left. But could they make it a little looser in the bodice?

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Comedy Goddess February 3, 2009 at 6:58 am

I smell the Olson’s behind this.

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Andy February 3, 2009 at 7:07 am

Imagine wearing that dress at the grocery store. You’d knock down everything on both sides of the aisle…now I know how Jessica Simpson feels

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Tiffany February 3, 2009 at 7:24 am

I’m all about that first dress. I’d wear it everywhere. I often wish we could get away with wearing old fashioned clothing….where woman were allowed to hide their problem areas with yards and yards of material. Maybe I should become Amish instead.

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mo.stoneskin February 3, 2009 at 7:28 am

anything goes with the credit crunch, soon there will only be dead mannequins lying on the floor with tatty clothes

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Amy - playhereoften.com February 3, 2009 at 7:36 am

Yawn. I want more exciting windows.

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Kristine February 3, 2009 at 7:40 am

Once again, I am jealous of your views…I’ve got concrete and overpasses…

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jill jill bo bill February 3, 2009 at 7:47 am

What do you expect? She has no eyes to see her dirty legs.

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That Girl Who Likes To Go, Go, Go February 3, 2009 at 7:52 am

I’m trying to leave a clever comment but my head hurts so much, and I can’t think when I have a migraine. I think it’ discrimination against people like me – people with exploding brains.

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for a different kind of girl February 3, 2009 at 8:30 am

Don’t really expensive hippy-inspired dresses go against the free-spirited, “Let’s stick it to The Man!” attitude of hippies?

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Jessica February 3, 2009 at 8:35 am

Ah window shopping is a great option to avoid spending…or racing through the mall with 2 kids, 2 balloons from the darn shoe salesman and food court lunch smeared on all three of you…not a lot of salesman want to wait on you 🙂

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WA February 3, 2009 at 8:44 am

Does the dress smell like patchouli and have special pockets for your hackeysacks?

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Rachel February 3, 2009 at 8:47 am

I wore braids in my hair to a black tie wedding on sat night and got many compliments!

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Amy @ Milk Breath and Margaritas February 3, 2009 at 8:48 am

Haute Hippy is simply stupid. Who thinks this shit up? Even if I were a kazillionaire I would never let myself get that bored.

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peajaye February 3, 2009 at 8:53 am

just imagine the damage shakira could do in that first number.

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lizspin February 3, 2009 at 8:59 am

Those darn dirty hippies! The next thing you know the mannequins will be smoking weed right there in SAKS windows!!!!

And another thing . . .Does SAKS seel any makeup under $20????

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♥ spoiled mommy ♥ February 3, 2009 at 9:01 am

I heard about the free make-up, my mother went and got her some…she isnt one to pass up anything free. lol

But Im sure our lines were nothing like what you saw that day.

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Trenches of Mommyhood February 3, 2009 at 9:04 am

Yeah, they did that makeup giveaway here in Boston too (at Macy’s). Lines for days – everyone wants something for free…

Oh, that reminds me, consider this my entry for your contest!

Heh.

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Simply AnonyMom February 3, 2009 at 9:16 am

Waiting in lines for $20 worth of makeup is terrible. WHo does that??

Dirty manequins, I would expect at Sears…not Saks.

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Kate Coveny Hood February 3, 2009 at 9:52 am

Standing in line for $20 of make up just goes to show what lengths people will go to for “free stuff.” The same people would have been there if they were giving away free hot dogs. I blame it on the recession (not really – but as a general rule, I like to blame everything on the recession…and reality tv).

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WackyGrandma February 3, 2009 at 10:36 am

Do normal people really shop there?

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MommyTime February 3, 2009 at 10:53 am

Lord knows my mother put up with a lot of things, but dirty knees when we were going to Be Seen In Public was not one of them. Apparently Saks is not her daughter.

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Elisabeth February 3, 2009 at 10:57 am

I don’t think I’d wear any of those. At least not until I slim my hips down a little bit!

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JesseCO February 3, 2009 at 11:01 am

I want free make-up, what the hell?

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Michele February 3, 2009 at 11:33 am

Cute! I love NEW York City!

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Andrea's Sweet Life February 3, 2009 at 11:34 am

I can’t think of anyone but a pregnant woman who would want to wear a dress with a sun bursting around her middle. Although, if she WERE pregnant, that would explain the dirty legs – everyone knows you can’t bend over when pregnant.

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aimee February 3, 2009 at 12:15 pm

I wonder if the mannequine’s come to life at night? You should camp out there and let me know…

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Heather, Queen of Shake Shake February 3, 2009 at 1:24 pm

That 2nd one had hips? I couldn’t see them.

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Domestic Goddess (In Training) February 3, 2009 at 1:30 pm

Finally a gown designed to hide my ass… or asses as the case may be.

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Tooj February 3, 2009 at 1:44 pm

So which did you get? They all look so comfy and practical for chasing a new cat around the house.

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Qweenie February 3, 2009 at 1:49 pm

I love those photos, dirty legs or not!

Here’s more giveaway love!!

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heartatpreschool February 3, 2009 at 2:02 pm

In an alternate universe where I had the time…I might have stood in line, just to see what I could for $20.

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Carolyn...Online February 3, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Maybe the dirty legs were part of the hippie style.

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Avonlea February 3, 2009 at 3:10 pm

I’m loving the purple lined cloak on the one Met Opera mannequin!

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peajaye February 3, 2009 at 3:20 pm

hey kids, they’re giving away free meals at denny’s today! (denny’s is a chain diner, known for its breakfasts.) hurry! it’s not too late to hang with the edgy, cool, free-spirited crowd (read: broke, scary, crack-smoking crowd) that’s gathered outside their downtown l.a. location!

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SCREAMING FOR CHOCOLATE February 3, 2009 at 3:33 pm

I don’t wait in line for anything, free or otherwise. Just isn’t worth it. Restaurants included….

Coco

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JoeinVegas February 3, 2009 at 3:59 pm

A lawsuit sounds fine. If we take all of the New Yorkers that viewed this display we should be able to settle for about 7.5 million. That would be ten cents apiece per plaintif with a little over 7 mil for the lawyers.

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Vodka Mom February 3, 2009 at 4:13 pm

dirty? DIRTY? Perhaps it was just a bit of five o’clock shadow. Even mannequin’s hate to shave. Or, perhaps they’re European.

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Smores for Breakfast February 3, 2009 at 4:40 pm

i love that you saw the dirt on the mannequins legs!
Fantastic! and yes, sak’s xmas windows were crap!

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Temple February 3, 2009 at 6:13 pm

You probably just got the Saks-mannequin-leg-cleaner guy fired…but well-deserved 🙂

I actually got my “free” stuff from that whole lawsuit deal because I happened to be in the right store on the day they were just hurling free products at all passerbys–pretty good score, too. Plus, I think it was karma helping me out since I have that whole “lawyer” vibe going. But no lines involved…I have no patience for lines…or dirty mannequin legs.

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Angela February 3, 2009 at 6:33 pm

I won’t sugar coat it, I’m only here for the giveaway!
Thanks for the opportunity to shop.

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C and C Mommy February 3, 2009 at 6:37 pm

I love looking at the window displays when I am in NYC though….nothing like it in TEXAS!!

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Miss M February 3, 2009 at 7:13 pm

When I give birth and get my tail to NYC for some girl time, I will add that onto my list of things to see…

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the mama bird diaries February 3, 2009 at 9:17 pm

Count me in! Wait, what are the rules for the giveaway?!

That mannequin will be laid off by the end of the week.

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Julie B. February 3, 2009 at 9:39 pm

Oooh, I wish it still was in fashion to wear those hip hiding gowns…um or not, my adidas pants are pretty damn comfy!

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Threeboys1mommy February 3, 2009 at 9:51 pm

Bleh! Dirty mannequins, gross! I used to be in the business of mannequins and there was never a dirty one on my watch… unless you count the one I brought home for Superdaddy once.

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beck'sthree February 3, 2009 at 9:57 pm

ha

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