China Rich Girlfriend

Dress from Pacific Mall // Dodo le Parisienne ballet flats // Rebecca Minkoff bag // Etnia Barcelona sunglasses 

As I wait patiently for an upcoming beach vacation to read Kevin Kwan’s China Rich Girlfriend, the latest and greatest since Shopaholic only they buy hotels and government estates, not last season’s Prada; I cannot but help confess where I bought this dress. Pacific Mall. And no, it wasn’t from a cellphone store. If you’ve ever been to Pac Mall (a massive labyrinth of bubble tea, housewares, cellphone stores, nail salons and basically a slice out of Shanghai) you’ll know there are also some really cute clothing stores.

I mean, you have to be a double zero to fit into anything but I’ve managed to find many adorable sweaters, shoes and dresses at the wonderful retailers who speak no english but who are ready to bargain with you if you’re paying cash. I whittled her down from $110 to $100 cash (pathetic) for this Dolce & Gabbana inspired number. Truth be told, there are so many counterfeits in that place it makes your eye bulge. I won’t shop at those stores unless it’s for a cellphone case. Pace, Marc Jacobs.

But here’s the real dilemma. I’ve gotten so many compliments on this dress when I wear it, partially because it’s really cute and partially because people just assume I’m wearing the latest and greatest fashions. And both are true. I don’t mean to oust myself here as being unfaithful to the holy grail of designer clothing. I mean, I won’t even shop at Joe Fresh (for many reasons but mainly because I can also buy 2% milk in the next aisle over from their cashmere sweaters). I just really like this dress and don’t have a problem wearing something that you definitely won’t find on LikeToKnow.it.

And if people ask me where I got it – I tell the truth. Why not? So what they collapse on the floor beside me foaming at the mouth with rabid disbelief. I can’t help it if they thought it was from Holt Renfrew, poor things.

So tell me, what matters more – the design or the designer?

Justine Iaboni