E-commerce is hyped
just about as much as the upcoming Y2K "crisis" (which will
probably amount to nothing more than a canned-goods shortage).
Still, there is some stuff that's supa in the hoopla, and
with a little tapping you can navigate your way to great dot.com
fashion stops. While there are plenty of standard reasons
to shop online (special deals, accessing stores outside your
geographic comfort zone, researching prices), a recent trip
around the zone linked me up with some of the more unusual
outposts on the fashion frontier.
1. Are
you an active person on the run with long luxurious locks?
Do you ride motorcycles? Do you want to make a lifestyle statement?
If you answer yes to any of these questions from www.hairglove.com's
FAQ page, you are a candidate for a Hair Glove. A condom-like
tube that you snap over your ponytail, this unisex industrial-looking
doodad probably won't be making it to the women's soccer finals
any time soon. The patented Hair Glove comes in red, black
or blue and can be fashioned out of neoprene or leather. Four-
and eight-inch models are available for $7.95-$14.95.
2.
Arrowhead Trading Co. sounds like like a place where
you might pick up a sack of flour, but its mission statement
reads: "We manufacture the highest quality outerwear for
humans and their pets." If you click your way to www.arrowheadtrading.com
you'll feast your eyes on a very handsome four-legged model
looking all outdoorsy in his nice-fitting jacket. Koby is
3 years old and says of his owner: "He likes to wear his
Arrowhead Trading Co. jacket too, we even have matching
colors. We stay so warm and dry, we can play outside longer."
Koby and Co. should know: The Minnesotan behind the biz
is a musher and sled-dog trainer. Koby's coat runs between
$20 and $40 depending on size; add about $100 to that if
you need a coat for a human.
3.
She's the Betsey Johnson of Canada. OK, maybe not
exactly, but Great White designer Kingi Carpenter flips
it like a feminist at her Toronto shop, Peach Berserk. Prices
reflect the boutique-like atmosphere of the shop--about
$50 for tops, $100 and up for skirts. Carpenter's Web site,
peachberserk.com,
also offers her full line of wacky fashions. Think Cindy
Lauper kicking it millennium-style--or that crazy aunt that
you always admired. Screened prints are temptingly titled
with names such as Kissy Kissy, Dos & Don'ts of Dating
and Voluptuous Vegetables. The Harlequin Heaven print has
scratchy book-cover prints; Naked Ladys is resplendent with
those lovely silhouettes you see on truck mud flaps. What's
really rad is that you can customize your design by fabric,
print and size. You can even get these prints on oven mitts!
I like it here.
4.C'mon,
you think Victoria's Secret stuff is sexy? How obvious!
How about ordering a custom cheerleading outfit with your
partner's name on it from www.teamcheer.com?
Put on your best Colgate smile, cruise around the Web site
by clicking on pom-pom symbols, and you'll find a variety
of alluring schoolgirl gear: suede or ultra-shimmery footless
tights for $14 and uniforms for about $85. Personalized
embroidery will run another $10-$20. Rah-rah has never been
so ooh-la-la.
5.
Customized swimsuits--who hasn't dreamed of the day?
At www.swimwear-unlimited.com
you can mix and match tops and bottoms and select from a
whole array of fabrics. Call (214) 742-7946 for prices.
Unfortunately, most of the styles showcased have a bimbo-ish
quality (think mid-'80s coked-out extras on Miami Vice),
but this gives non-Crawfordians faith that designing their
dream swimsuits online is just around the corner. I predict
the day of cute customized swimsuits will arrive, and the
ladies will take to the streets half-naked and dance.
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Willamette Week | originally
published August 11,
1999
|
