April showers bring... awesome clothing technology

One of the great technological breakthroughs of the 20th century came fairly late: breathable fabrics that are entirely waterproof. Gore-Tex, of course, was the big one. It made life in Minnesota infinitely better, because you could stay warm and dry and still, you know, walk around and do stuff. (Most people don't realize that you get wet wearing waterproof clothing because of sweat and condensation.)

Now Gore-Tex has been upstaged in a big way. A new fabric called eVent is up to 50 percent more breathable than the old standby, and what's more, eVent is olaphobic--that is, it doesn't absorb body oils like Gore-Tex does, and therefore its breathability and waterproofing last longer.

You won't find eVent easily: Just a handful of manufacturers are using it in their outerwear. Pearl Izumi, the bike and ski clothing company uses it in one jacket, which we located at Erik's Bike Shop.

But if you're as convinced as we are that this stuff is the greatest thing since stone-ground mustard on sliced bread, check out Showers Pass, a tiny company in the rainy Northwest. Their "Elite" jacket ($179—actually a bargain compared to Gore-Tex products) has been the subject of a widespread whisper campaign suggesting that it may be the best rain jacket ever known to man (and woman). That's crazy talk — which we just happen to endorse.


Erik's Bike Shop, http://www.eriksbikeshop.com/
Shower's Pass, http://www.showerspass.com/

Secret sale alert: The Salvation Army has the best spring line

Wasn’t it the great poet-philosopher of FM Radio Steve Perry who said that joy comes in rediscovery? Not to make light of Perry’s inward journey or his band Journey, but a recent re-rediscovery of the “as is” basement at the Salvation Army downtown has us feeling like we’re totally in tune with Mr. “Oh Sherri” Perry and his crotch-hugging leather pants.

The Salvation Army at North Fourth Street and Tenth Avenue has always housed a plethora of cheap brand-name goods. But on a recent trip to its basement we discovered a treasure’s chest of unworn, unused, price-tag-still-on designer items. In fact, this Salvation Army has boatloads of samples from Target’s hip and modern designers. And because they’re samples (items used in stock photos, circulars, etc.), they've never been worn. What's more, they’re often pre-season pieces that have yet to hit store shelves.

We scored a (super-cheap) flowered fucsia bag by Porenza Schouler, the next “Go International” designer whose 1980s-New York-inspired line doesn’t hit local Target shelves for a few more days. We also snagged an adorable winter-spring black Isaac Mizrahi blazer for $3, a pair of cropped velvet Behnaz Sarafpour pants for $4, and a pair of Isaac kitten-heel patent leather flats for $4 (they're new in store for $29.99).

Our greatest finds? A spring berry-colored Kenneth Cole bag for $8 and a sweet little feminine black Ella Moss dress with the Barney’s New York price tag still dangling from its lace-lined shoulder. Barney’s was asking $178 for this darling Great Gatsby-inspired number. But we took it home for only $25.

Oh, the basement of the Salvation Army downtown. We’re forever yours. Faithfully.

Salvation Army, http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/, 900 N 4th St, Minneapolis, 612.332.5855

Secret Sale Alert: Anthropologie

Sweet, feminine embellishments. Silk that hugs the right places. Mother of pearl buttons. Afternoons in French cottages circa 1940. Evenings on the yacht circa 1977. Late nights at the underground New York club circa 1984.

These are all the things that the girly clothes at Anthropologie are made of. And we can’t get enough of it—especially when so much of it is up to 40 percent off.

Sure, the hefty price tag dangling from these soft, fine goods can have you creeping for the door (and all too often wishing you’d gone into vintage-inspired fashion). But a girl could spend days scouring thrift stores—and cutting and patching together vintage fabric and buttons and that flower pin you spent three weeks knitting—just to get something close to that new-wave sweater and that Victorian-inspired sweetheart dress that calls your name from the racks of this Magnolia-scented shop.

Winter is far from over around these parts. In fact, they say a big cold snap is arriving this weekend. Perfect, then, that Anthropologie has tons of lovely jackets, outerwear, sweaters, pants, and dresses on sale that can help chase away those post-holiday mid-winter doldrums.

Plus, given Anthropologie’s girly styles (sleeveless, strapless, short sleeves) many of the layered designs—from the darling, ’80s torso-hugging t-shirt dress to the flowery, crocheted mini-dress—can be worn well into spring.

Another secret: Much of Anthropologie’s goodies regularly go one sale. So if you find yourself fretting over that full-price dress decorated in abstract, gem patterns (just like mom used to wear!), be advised that either the store in Edina or the one in Maplewood will likely have it marked down in a few weeks. So save that money for your gas bill, and keep checking back.

One more tip: The stores’ sales items actually vary quite a bit. If you can’t find a cheap price tag at the Edina store, it’s worth it to trek out to Mapelwood. And to assuage your guilt for not spending weeks thrift-store hopping and looking for the originals that inspired these gotta-have fashions, you can take a tip from Colbert, and say you’re going “thrifty” shopping instead.


Anthropologie: http://www.anthropologie.com

4999 France Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55410
612.285.9164

12413 Elm Creek Blvd. N
Maple Grove, MN 5569-7091
763.416.1447

The coolest "local" rock T-shirt of the year

T-shirts are interesting, aren't they? Fashion is always a sort of indirect statement about your identity, but a logo T-shirt can be so much more direct: The clubs you frequent, the countries you travel in, the politics you believe in, the brands you support. And, of course, the bands you listen to.

Or maybe just another 100 percent cotton foundation garment? Pajamas for the terminally lazy? Not!

So, another salient question: What do you do with your old T's when they wear out? It can be heartbreaking to throw that old moth-eaten Motörhead T in the rag bag—the one your second boyfriend gave you on your third date on your 22nd birthday. The best way to overcome such tragedy? Stay ever vigilant and on the lookout for cool new merch to replace the old. Your dresser drawers cry out: Rotate your stock!

We recently ran across what has to be the coolest rock 'n' roll tee for the coolest band in the country. We're talking the Hold Steady, and we're talking their awesome retro-Twins tee. At $15 from Blue Collar Distribution, you can have your cool and eat it too. In fact, check out the complete line of Craig-Finn-Approved Hold Steady T's. Use this opportunity to grow and evolve: lose the Sam Goody, Pop Shoppe, and Vote for Pedro retrowear. Embrace the Hold Steady.


The Hold Steady T's, $15 from Blue Collar Distribution: http://www.bluecollardistro.com