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

[Anonymous]

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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.

DP here. Hard pass. Love Kohls and Old Navy. I’m not dressing to impress people.

[Anonymous]

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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.

FYI, Hamptons don't have suite-like features in most rooms. So no couch and no kitchen. Also Hamptons don't do cocktail hours or evening food. I still like them better.

[Anonymous]

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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.

FYI, Hamptons don't have suite-like features in most rooms. So no couch and no kitchen. Also Hamptons don't do cocktail hours or evening food. I still like them better.

No evening food, but Embassy Suites have extra space, better breakfast, and free happy hour. Depending on the situation we may choose ES over Hampton Inn. I also look at reviews and see which ones are better rated online. With ALL of these brands, thr quality/experience is very location and management specific.

[Anonymous]

Since when is Embassy Suites low brow?
I stay in many hotels on business travel and I would put them above Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, Courtyard by Marriots, particularly in terms of price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since when is Embassy Suites low brow?
I stay in many hotels on business travel and I would put them above Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, Courtyard by Marriots, particularly in terms of price.

I am a big Embassy Suites fan. I wouldn’t consider them low brow at all, but neither are they Hilton/Hyatt Regency/Marriott/Westin either. Also, Embassy Suites quality can vary widely based on specific location.

[Anonymous]

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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.

You do realize, this is the area where MAGAs live, right OP?

MAGAs live everywhere. Even in NYC.

- a New Yorker

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You do realize, this is the area where MAGAs live, right OP?

MAGAs live everywhere. Even in NYC.

- a New Yorker

Uhh, more than half the country is MAGA, buddy. There was eevn a vote about it in November.

[Anonymous]

Arby’s big roast beef sandwich

[Anonymous]

Fritos - corn chips

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You do realize, this is the area where MAGAs live, right OP?

MAGAs live everywhere. Even in NYC.

- a New Yorker

Uhh, more than half the country is MAGA, buddy. There was eevn a vote about it in November.

Yeah? So you don’t disagree with me?

[Anonymous]

Anyone else a fan of Aloft? They have an Asian modern feel and also feel easy to disinfect.

I tend to stay Hilton or Marriott because I often travel with my dogs and they are pet-friendly.

I love the Home2Suites hotels too.

[Anonymous]

I love Buffalo Wild Wings. My favorite waitress knows my order by heart.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Culver’s …. Amazing! Had it last year for the first time and it was delicious.

Also, I had Golden Corral once when I was with my husband and young kids in an area with not a lot of other choices and it was perfect… I still think about that meal 15 years later!

Another low brow things I prefer: drugstore makeup for most things is sufficient.

Buffets in general are my “lowbrow” fave. Remember Sizzler? Being able to pile everything you want on your plate, getting ten entrees, second helpings! Anybody who doesn’t love that is living a sad life, imho.

Sizzler still exists! I saw one in Salt Lake City last month.

My brother used to go crazy with the all you can eat shrimp when we were kids.

[Anonymous]

Walmart, got clothes and winter coats for the kids and a few Reebok tops for me, $115. Cart full of Christmas decor $100.

[Anonymous]

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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

Pro tip - you can buy powdered Gatorade. I used to buy it when we were living overseas and couldn't buy the real thing. Nothing else comes close to Gatorade when you have a stomach bug/parasite/amoeba.