In praise of Olive Garden and Hampton Inn; praise YOUR lowbrow favorites!

[Anonymous]

Roy Rogers is my guilty pleasure

[Anonymous]

Anybody remember the 3 dollar carafe of Ernest and Julio Gallo? When I was broke in college, that was the only wine I could easily afford AND it tasted good PLUS it didn't give me a headache.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about onion dip made with sour cream and a packet of dried onion soup, served with a bag of chips.

Heaven.

Only Lipton's Onion will do.
And yes, heaven

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is lowbrow about Ann Taylor clothing?
I am genuinely confused

Ask in the fashion forum.

My hot take is that some women wore too much of it in their early career and now they have more money and it reminds them of being relatively poor. These people are buying pieces that are 100s of dollars per piece now. Less famous brands that are upscale and often foreign.

OP here. I used to work at Ann Taylor in the early 2000s as a side gig. I loved it. The cashmere, the lined pants, the Merino wool, the suits. We used to open boxes in the back and want EVERYTHING.

Now, the materials are cheap, the “fit” is boxy, there are no sleeves are darts, the quality is abhorrent. I forgot myself and bought some things on sale last year online, but when I got them home in my hands, I realized how cheap the fabric was and how poor the quality was. Never again. It’s a shame, but Ann Taylor is terrible quality and far too overpriced for what it is. It’s junk fashion. It’s the junk food of fashion. You know it’s bad, but you consume it anyway. And I say this as a former employee and brand fan!

PP. You are correct that quality has dropped but it's also true that's pretty much true across the board until you start spending $300+ per garment piece. So no reason to single Ann Taylor out if you have to criticize mass mall brands. The people who dump on it seem to prefer indie/European brands.

OK, you’re taking it very personally. I also think Banana Republic and similar mall brands have declined in quality, but not as much—not such a steep drop-off. You can still find pieces at Banana. You cannot find anything at AT, and it’s because both the fabrics AND the fit are so awful now. There is nothing good in there. I still get birthday rewards via email and literally have gone in to get something basically for free or a steep discount, and walked out because nothing was worthwhile, nothing. You can disagree. And I would ask if you were the great-granddaughter of Ann Taylor or something, but I know from working there that there is no Ann Taylor!

PP. Not taking it personally. I'm interested in retail fashion as a business because I worked as a clerk at a Macy's level department store for a summer. I never fit into Ann Taylor clothes. I am petite but was never a slim, delicate petite. So Ann Taylor/Banana Republic/J Crew never worked out for me. I had most luck with Kasper suiting, which barely exists anymore. (The brand's been bankrupt several times in the past decade.) Strangely I've discovered in the past 10 years that Ann Taylor Outlet is much better than the main store. And I can find things there while still not having any luck at the main mall stores. It's become one of my go-to stores.

I think wool fabrics have been cheaped out across the entire mall store fashion lineup. Also at indie fabric store near me. It has to be a systematic issue.

I do appreciate your perspective as a past retail employee. I am at least glad that "dresses came back" to the industry in recent years.

Can we still shop at Talbots or is that lowbrow too???

What do you mean "still"? You could never shop at Talbot's if you wanted to look like anything other than a frumpy kindergarten teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is lowbrow about Ann Taylor clothing?
I am genuinely confused

Ask in the fashion forum.

My hot take is that some women wore too much of it in their early career and now they have more money and it reminds them of being relatively poor. These people are buying pieces that are 100s of dollars per piece now. Less famous brands that are upscale and often foreign.

OP here. I used to work at Ann Taylor in the early 2000s as a side gig. I loved it. The cashmere, the lined pants, the Merino wool, the suits. We used to open boxes in the back and want EVERYTHING.

Now, the materials are cheap, the “fit” is boxy, there are no sleeves are darts, the quality is abhorrent. I forgot myself and bought some things on sale last year online, but when I got them home in my hands, I realized how cheap the fabric was and how poor the quality was. Never again. It’s a shame, but Ann Taylor is terrible quality and far too overpriced for what it is. It’s junk fashion. It’s the junk food of fashion. You know it’s bad, but you consume it anyway. And I say this as a former employee and brand fan!

PP. You are correct that quality has dropped but it's also true that's pretty much true across the board until you start spending $300+ per garment piece. So no reason to single Ann Taylor out if you have to criticize mass mall brands. The people who dump on it seem to prefer indie/European brands.

OK, you’re taking it very personally. I also think Banana Republic and similar mall brands have declined in quality, but not as much—not such a steep drop-off. You can still find pieces at Banana. You cannot find anything at AT, and it’s because both the fabrics AND the fit are so awful now. There is nothing good in there. I still get birthday rewards via email and literally have gone in to get something basically for free or a steep discount, and walked out because nothing was worthwhile, nothing. You can disagree. And I would ask if you were the great-granddaughter of Ann Taylor or something, but I know from working there that there is no Ann Taylor!

PP. Not taking it personally. I'm interested in retail fashion as a business because I worked as a clerk at a Macy's level department store for a summer. I never fit into Ann Taylor clothes. I am petite but was never a slim, delicate petite. So Ann Taylor/Banana Republic/J Crew never worked out for me. I had most luck with Kasper suiting, which barely exists anymore. (The brand's been bankrupt several times in the past decade.) Strangely I've discovered in the past 10 years that Ann Taylor Outlet is much better than the main store. And I can find things there while still not having any luck at the main mall stores. It's become one of my go-to stores.

I think wool fabrics have been cheaped out across the entire mall store fashion lineup. Also at indie fabric store near me. It has to be a systematic issue.

I do appreciate your perspective as a past retail employee. I am at least glad that "dresses came back" to the industry in recent years.

Can we still shop at Talbots or is that lowbrow too???

PP. Sorry, it's even more banned. But I do also shop there and have best luck at the outlet version.

If somebody could please plug Chico's and J Jill we can finish the set.

J Jill: For Women Who Have Given Up

[Anonymous]

Popeye's
Church's
KFC
Taco Bell, esp if I can get offmenu items
Der Weinerschnitzel in Cali

[Anonymous]

Dilly bars at DQ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spam

Those dried potato flakes that make mashed potatoes when you add water.

OMG yes.

I made some last week.
They are great!
Memories of school cafeteria lunches

[Anonymous]

Red Baron pizza - I’m a NY pizza snob who won’t never ate any frozen pizza until some time early on in COVID when we stocked the extra freezer. But now when dh and the kids are away for a weekend I buy myself one and then destroy the box so no one knows.

Chickfila egg and cheese on a biscuit - when there’s a delayed open on a school day and I don’t have to be at my desk by 7:30, I take the extra morning time to pick one up and eat in my car.

Burger King impossible burger - I liked whoppers as a kid and once in a while on a road trip I have to get it.

Diet Dr Pepper - I gave up diet soda when I was pregnant and was smug about it. But nothing wrong with an occasional Dr Pepper over a ton of crushed ice.

Ranch dressing - if I’m having company I would never dare to put out a bottle, but it’s my go to when I’m just grabbing a handful of bagged lettuce for myself!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an antidote to DCUM derision, I am reflecting on my Thanksgiving trip to the Midwest with gratitude and awe.

My parents' house is beautiful, their neighbors are kind and generous, and my hometown is delightful.

To get there, it's a 10-hour drive. We drove straight there on the way, but on the way home, we broke the trip up with an overnight stay at a Hampton Inn (with a pool!) and ate dinner at the Olive Garden.

You know what? The Olive Garden treated us freaking RIGHT. Breadsticks and salad on point, and plentiful. All the entrees and kids meals were good. Glass of wine? Yes, please. It was pleasant and clean, the server was nice, the price was a downright bargain. Everyone had a good time. What a nice break after a long day of driving.

Hampton Inn, similarly great. Clean and nice rooms, nice breakfast area with edible-but-hey-free food, pleasant staff.

Here is your chance to say nice things about everything DCUM sneers at. Cracker Barrel, Embassy Suites, lazy rivers, buffets, Ann Taylor, Five Below, Aldi, Great Wolf Lodge, lay it on me. Tell me all about it. I want to hear all the NICE things you have to say about the not-finer things in life.

I don't think Ann Taylor belongs in here.

My contribution is that I like Cheesecake Factory. I have never had a bad meal there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totino's pizza (not the pizza rolls- never had those)- I could house one in just a few minutes. I also swear it was called Tostino's and was stunned to find out as an adult there's only one S in the name.

Also another huge fan of Olive Garden salad and breadsticks.

There's a gas station/mini mart where my parents live in Charleston that is amazing- Refuel. The whole family runs there to get junk food/slurpees.

IKEA vegetarian meatball platter is worth the trip down 95 to Woodbridge.

Cranberry sauce from the can- my husband makes an amazing homemade cranberrry sauce with whole berries and Grand Marnier- but I like the stuff straight out of the can.

I love this too. Totino’s party pizza. I have had trouble finding it in recent years. I prefer it over all other frozen pizza.

Totinos is the best pizza invented. I love it. I wish I could find the Canadian bacon one somewhere. The other flavors are in every store in NOVA.

I can’t find them! I have checked Giant in Falls Church and Vienna and Harris Teeter in Falls Church.

You gotta get yourself to a Walmart! They stock them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Olive Garden. Love it. I think the food is really good.

I'm an expat and have lived in London, Berlin, Vienna, Singapore, and Dubai, and I've eaten at many "good" restaurants around the world. I still love Olive Garden, and I still think the food is good. Whenever I visit family in the US, I always go to Olive Garden with my sister, more than once in a visit, because I love it so much.

I also like that powdered salad dressing mix that you mix in its cruet with oil and vinegar. I can't remember what it's called, but when I go home for Christmas, I'm stocking up on that too.

And Big Red gum. I love that stuff and will take back many packs with me.

My French relatives take back boxes of instant pancake mix when they visit.

My European friend wanted Post's Banana Nut Crunch cereal and Cool Ranch Doritos. I packed a suitcase with 4 boxes of cereal and a soccer team sized Dorito's party bag of single chip packages when my family went to visit. It got separated from our regular suitcases and took a day extra to reach Budapest. I expect it received extra security screening. At least none of it got eaten along the delay path!

My relatives in Budapest always request Hot Pockets and Gatorade. :p

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In DCUM terms we are UMC (~500K gross HHI). All these “lowbrow” things are normal and consistent with our budget. Ritz crackers? Hampton Inn? Target? Is it lowbrow to go on a road trip? I actually think Target is overpriced.

The funny thing is that in DCUM terms we are poor (~150k HHI) and I know a lot of the people in our life who are at your income level think we are very "high brow" be sure we do things like make our own bread or restore antique furniture for our home. But actually it's just that we can't afford to just go to target and buy middle brow stuff all the time. We will travel abroad (using points) but stay in hostels, we hike for fun because it's free. UMC/rich people often think we do this stuff because of "principles" but really we just have to be frugal.

If we had more money I'd refurnish DD's room with IKEA and we'd go to Disney for spring break and I'd go to Target in the weekend and wander around and buy random stuff we don't need. But we can't afford it. I'm actually a very mid person at heart.

[Anonymous]

Applebee's, because the waitresses are so nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is lowbrow about Ann Taylor clothing?
I am genuinely confused

Ask in the fashion forum.

My hot take is that some women wore too much of it in their early career and now they have more money and it reminds them of being relatively poor. These people are buying pieces that are 100s of dollars per piece now. Less famous brands that are upscale and often foreign.

OP here. I used to work at Ann Taylor in the early 2000s as a side gig. I loved it. The cashmere, the lined pants, the Merino wool, the suits. We used to open boxes in the back and want EVERYTHING.

Now, the materials are cheap, the “fit” is boxy, there are no sleeves are darts, the quality is abhorrent. I forgot myself and bought some things on sale last year online, but when I got them home in my hands, I realized how cheap the fabric was and how poor the quality was. Never again. It’s a shame, but Ann Taylor is terrible quality and far too overpriced for what it is. It’s junk fashion. It’s the junk food of fashion. You know it’s bad, but you consume it anyway. And I say this as a former employee and brand fan!

PP. You are correct that quality has dropped but it's also true that's pretty much true across the board until you start spending $300+ per garment piece. So no reason to single Ann Taylor out if you have to criticize mass mall brands. The people who dump on it seem to prefer indie/European brands.

OK, you’re taking it very personally. I also think Banana Republic and similar mall brands have declined in quality, but not as much—not such a steep drop-off. You can still find pieces at Banana. You cannot find anything at AT, and it’s because both the fabrics AND the fit are so awful now. There is nothing good in there. I still get birthday rewards via email and literally have gone in to get something basically for free or a steep discount, and walked out because nothing was worthwhile, nothing. You can disagree. And I would ask if you were the great-granddaughter of Ann Taylor or something, but I know from working there that there is no Ann Taylor!

PP. Not taking it personally. I'm interested in retail fashion as a business because I worked as a clerk at a Macy's level department store for a summer. I never fit into Ann Taylor clothes. I am petite but was never a slim, delicate petite. So Ann Taylor/Banana Republic/J Crew never worked out for me. I had most luck with Kasper suiting, which barely exists anymore. (The brand's been bankrupt several times in the past decade.) Strangely I've discovered in the past 10 years that Ann Taylor Outlet is much better than the main store. And I can find things there while still not having any luck at the main mall stores. It's become one of my go-to stores.

I think wool fabrics have been cheaped out across the entire mall store fashion lineup. Also at indie fabric store near me. It has to be a systematic issue.

I do appreciate your perspective as a past retail employee. I am at least glad that "dresses came back" to the industry in recent years.

Can we still shop at Talbots or is that lowbrow too???

PP. Sorry, it's even more banned. But I do also shop there and have best luck at the outlet version.

If somebody could please plug Chico's and J Jill we can finish the set.

J Jill: For Women Who Have Given Up

Ok…

So no J Jill, Talbot, Ann Taylor….where are 45-60 yr old women allowed to shop. I mean I guess I’d better also dump my Old Navy jeans. Crap I bet Kohls is also off the table 🤣