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

[Anonymous]

Agreed on Olive Garden. I live in NYC and went to the Times Square one kind of as a joke (had never been to one before) a while ago, and it was very solid. Honestly better than many nicer Italian places in NYC that cost far more. And the meal was also $90 for two people including wine, which is downright cheap for a sit down meal in Manhattan.

[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???

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.

Yayy for us ES teachers! I traded in law at several firms for teaching and i could not imagine still dressing in suits and heels at hundred$ per item. Plus, I am home at 4 for my run.

[Anonymous]

We have well into 7 figures in assets but Hampton Inn works very well for our family when traveling. We might upgrade for a true vacation but just to sleep while on the road or visiting family..Hampton Inn works well.

[Anonymous]

Olive Gafrden is really good. I scoffed until my 40s when I went for the first time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have well into 7 figures in assets but Hampton Inn works very well for our family when traveling. We might upgrade for a true vacation but just to sleep while on the road or visiting family..Hampton Inn works well.

+1. We also love clothes from Kohls Costco and Loft. We drive Hondas and have an unremodeled kitchen from 1992. And contrary to what many on here believe, we could not be happier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have well into 7 figures in assets but Hampton Inn works very well for our family when traveling. We might upgrade for a true vacation but just to sleep while on the road or visiting family..Hampton Inn works well.

is there a budget Marriott brand you like?

I do think there can be a difference between very cheap hotels and mid-range, particularly with respect to noise and help in resolving any issues with the room. But the one time I splurged on a more expensive hotel (like $400/night pre-inflation in 2022) I was like … there’s literally nothing that makes this better than the Fairfield Suites other than that the front desk people creepily greet me by name when I come in.

[Anonymous]

The entirety of this thread is gauche and vulgar.

[Anonymous]

The 49 cent croissants at the new LIDL on Wisconsin Ave in Tenleytown are pretty darn good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have well into 7 figures in assets but Hampton Inn works very well for our family when traveling. We might upgrade for a true vacation but just to sleep while on the road or visiting family..Hampton Inn works well.

is there a budget Marriott brand you like?

I do think there can be a difference between very cheap hotels and mid-range, particularly with respect to noise and help in resolving any issues with the room. But the one time I splurged on a more expensive hotel (like $400/night pre-inflation in 2022) I was like … there’s literally nothing that makes this better than the Fairfield Suites other than that the front desk people creepily greet me by name when I come in.

NP here. We are Bonvoy members and tend to stay at Residence Inn when we do road trips to see family. Now I’m wondering if we should consider Hampton Inns instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have well into 7 figures in assets but Hampton Inn works very well for our family when traveling. We might upgrade for a true vacation but just to sleep while on the road or visiting family..Hampton Inn works well.

is there a budget Marriott brand you like?

I do think there can be a difference between very cheap hotels and mid-range, particularly with respect to noise and help in resolving any issues with the room. But the one time I splurged on a more expensive hotel (like $400/night pre-inflation in 2022) I was like … there’s literally nothing that makes this better than the Fairfield Suites other than that the front desk people creepily greet me by name when I come in.

Fairfield Inn is probably the equivalent Marriot but we end up with Hilton in most cases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

PP here. I needed something to cheer me up today -- and this is it. Will head to Walmart today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 🤣

Yes, and yes.

[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???

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.

Yayy for us ES teachers! I traded in law at several firms for teaching and i could not imagine still dressing in suits and heels at hundred$ per item. Plus, I am home at 4 for my run.

Once can see why. You don't even make sense.

[Anonymous]

Does anybody remember Chesapeake Bay seafood House? That and Bob’s big boy buffets our family staple fancy dinners and Sunday brunch out. Oh my God, I love those places.

[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 sister in law wants Cheetos from America (crunchy not puffy). That’s the only thing she likes in our pedestrian country.