Feeding the Shopping Addiction

As a present to myself, I purchased this Alexander McQueen bouclé-tweed dress on eBay.  Happy Birthday to me!

Alexander McQueen's 1995 Highland Rape collection revolved around the Jacobite Risings and the Highland Clearances and introduced the McQueen Tartan for the first time. It was also the collection that cemented McQueen as a mover and shaker in the world of high fashion.  The Widows of Culloden, the 2006 Alexander McQueen Women's Autumn/Winter collection, revisited the Jacobite Risings which culminated with the final defeat of the Jacobites by the English in the Battle of Culloden.

The collection was full of nipped waists and augmented hip lines, all designed to exaggerate a woman's form.  The pieces were beautifully handcrafted.  The below was one of the looks from the runway...


I have long been looking for an Alexander McQueen piece in the tartan.  Lo and behold, eBay had an auction for this skirt a few weeks ago, and I won it.

Here is a photo of the skirt, which is now happily hanging in my closet.  I am still so excited that I was able to find this piece and was fortunate enough to win the auction to add it to my collection.

Today and Tomorrow were days I had set aside to accomplish most of my shopping in London (or at least do a lot of browsing with actual purchasing happening NEXT weekend if necessary).  Planned stops include...

Rigby and Peller, Agent Provocateur, Vivienne Westwood, Stelle McCartney, LK Bennett, Burburry, Mulberry, and Jimmy Choo.

As I have upcoming trips to London and Los Angeles (which both happen to have Alexander McQueen stores), it is inevitable that I will make a purchase.  McQueen has dresses in a lot of the hot hues for Fall/Winter 2012 including aubergine, dark red, bright red, and green.  The big question now is: Which dress should I buy?

First, there is this blood red knitted dress.  Dark red is a must have for this fall, and the color and full skirt are features I really like about this dress.

Next, there is this cherry wool dress.  This particular shade of red is my favorite color and is also a must have for fall.  Like the dress above, the color and full skirt are features I really like about this dress.  

Of course, all bets are off if they have this particular dress in a shade of red.  On the website they only have it in bottle green (pictured here) and black. I am not without hope as, in my experience, the stores have things in stock not on the website.  I love this style of dress, so I am wishing and hoping that they did it in a shade of red as well.  I shall see shortly either way.

So, if you could choose, which would it be?  

Tonight, I had to make a very, very tough decision. Alexander McQueen's online end of season sale (prices currently at 60% off) is still going strong.  It just so happens they still have a dress and a belt in my size that I have lusted after.



However, if I bought one or the other (or both) now, I would not be able to buy anything substantial when I go to London in September and visit the Alexander McQueen flagship on Old Bond Street (or Selfridges, or Liberty, or Harrods, etc...), thus, the dilemma.

Ultimately, my strong feelings for some of the new season selections won out (and the possibility to take advantage of some arbitrage opportunities), so I am holding off until my trip to London.  Here is hoping they have one of these items in the size I need!