Bebe described its new spring lookbook as a move toward chic, which piqued my interest, considering the mall favorite usually sits somewhere firmly in the middle of trendy and trashy.
Metallics, safari, ruffles--popular runway-inspired themes--are all there. Yet, nearly everything has been sexified. Like women's Halloween costumes, no Bebe shopper wants to be a cat, she wants to be a sexy cat. And for the store, it's not a safari shirt, but a sexy safari shirt.
The Sexy Sheen Safari Jacket ($149) with the Sexy Sheen Shirred Pencil Skirt ($89) is a good example. I like the details that come with the safari look, but not in shiny, tight, white polyester. I can't count the ways that fails.
The Panther Silk Strapless Dress ($129) is as literally jungle-inspired as they come. This handkerchief on steroids doesn't leave a lot of room for error (aka bending over), and if you're pushing 35, let's hope no one confuses the panther for a cougar.
There was one acceptable piece in the bunch. Click to see it.
Check out our Mall Stores feature, where we did happen to find some good stuff from Bebe's past seasons, although it wasn't an easy feat.