Anthro Palo Alto store

My recent obsession with Anthropologie includes scouting different stores for sale items especially the 2nd cut items. However that is not easy with the store in Santana Row.  I finally got a chance to check out the Palo Alto store. My daughter had a shorter school day and an dentist appointment in the morning nearby.  I have to take the day off anyway.  We went after her appointment.

The store kind of located at a obscure place, near Alma street, which is the extenuation of the Central expressway.  It is not close to any other apparel stores.   The store is a steel rusted red color and has a little water fountain outside.  My 4 year old is quite fascinated by it.  I regard it as good Fengsui practice, blocking the road noise on Alma.  There are lots of street parking as it was a weekday, but the car speed on the road is so fast, it is almost scary. I waited for a long time before I can get out of the car.  Just when I thought the road it is clear,  within the time of unclipping my daughter from her seat belt, there are more cars coming.   As she was slowly getting out of car,  I picked her up and ran for our lives as the newly approaching car are not reducing speed , although they can probably see us from distance away.  The car zoom by within arm's length.  My daughter's sunglasses drop in the middle of the street and I was too scared to pick it up.

There were ample space in the store and almost have a warehouse feeling to it. Maybe it was a warhorse before?   It opens from 10-7:00pm during weekday. If you work like me,  chance of making in to the store during weekdays is small.  That probably explains why there were more left overs on sale items than Santana Row.  I was able to pick up the grand island dress in purple with my size.

I was looking for the best of bunches cardigan but they haven't made it to the stores yet.  Somehow the staff in this store doesn't feel as nice and friendly as the ones in Santana Row or any other stores I visited although they are perfectly polite.   I am not sure why I felt that way.  Maybe because they weren't checking up on you as often or offer to start you a room like the other places.  When I approach the SA  asking about the best of bunches cardigan, they continue talking between themselves for quite some time before took notice on me.   There were also less SA available in general in this store too, probably due to less customers.

My daughter soon get bored because I didn't bring a camera and my phone's battery is dying.  I have to save the last breath of the battery so I can call my hubby to coordinate lunch. So I let her took one picture while I was trying the Pholox and Coral coat. Sorry for the poor quality, her little hand always shakes when she take a picture.  In a low lighting, this is probably the best she can do.  Hey, at least this time my head is not cut off....

As many reviewers had tried on before,  the visual of the coat is stunning.  The flower embroidery is very rich and detailed.  I like the coral red trim and the color of the buttons, but the buttons are plastic, which could be better if they are some kind of coral color stone material. To me this is a statement coat and not a very warm one either, probably a good thing for the mild bay area weather.  I have serious doubt about how versatile can it get.  For me, I'd probably only wear it during Chinese new year or something festive as it reminds me of traditional Chinese brocade coat （棉袄) . The collar can be wear stand up or flat down.  The length is mid thigh. Bottom of the coat flares out a bit.  I don't know it has anything to do with the full skirt I was wearing that day.  but the flare make my hip look very wide.  I don't even have much of a hip to begin with. Size wise, I sized up to a 4 because I want to be able to layer it with sweater in the winter. It fit nicely with room to spare.

I think if you already have a million coats and look for something different, this one surely wins. For me,  I need to be able to get enough wear out of the $288 to make the purchase and it certainly not the case.