(click on image to enlarge)Last year, the 1972 NM Christmas catalog was featured here to a somewhat lukewarm reception. This year, the 1986 Apple catalog I posted was seen by half of the United States and all of Australia. I don't get it but I never do. Maybe it was the Belinda Carlise video? Anyway, I blew the dust off my corporate American Express card (they'll never know) and secured this 1976 cheese extravaganza off eBay.
Christmas of '76, I was waiting for the Special Forces 'Q' course to start at Ft Bragg. I didn't know Neiman Marcus from Shinola and the same could be said about Special Forces and what it took to make the grade. Of the 88 in my class -- three got their green beenies and they were all noncoms. My class was the last to allow lower ranking enlisted (E-1 to E-4) after which you had to be an E-5 or above due to the brutal wash out rate.
It's not what you dream -- It's what you fail at that gives character. And this catalog is full of character. That's why I love it so. However, I'm not adverse to an equally cheesy music video of the era saving my ass. Here's to the 85 who failed at USAIMA and to Phil. I remember this playing in the barracks like it was...a very long time ago.
The TV series Dallas must have been originally imagined while gazing at this catalog.
ReplyDeleteThose clothes are simply a train wreck...what were they thinking...
ReplyDeleteTo this day, NM is still a purveyor of upscale bling that is really no different than the God-awful stuff you've shared with us here. The $400 Prada high-top sneakers are gobbled up by the twits who valet-park their Escalades and Hummers outside.
ReplyDeleteIf your tastes are more Neopolitan (e.g. Brioni, Zegna) then NM might have some good stuff, and I've seen shirts by Charvet and T&A in there as well. But from a trad perspective, it's largely a disaster.
Bummer. I'm a 44R. Guess I won't be able to wear any NM cotton jumpsuits to overhaul my "saturday wardrobe". Sometimes you just can't win.
ReplyDeleteA couple years later (1978) I visited the NM store in the Galleria in Houston. I don't know if it was the catalog's special item or not, but they had a dollhouse with lights and it cost as much as real houses in the town I lived in in SE Texas at the time.
ReplyDeleteVerily, The Jams.
ReplyDeleteTies or bibs?
ReplyDeleteThinking of "those who don't remember history, repeat it"; aren't those his-an-her Snuggies in the second photo? An I still believe it true, that one should only wear fur if you see a gynecoligist. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteIs that a B&O control deck and turntable? I've got a buddy whom still uses his everyday
ReplyDelete"NM is still a purveyor of upscale bling that is really no different than the God-awful stuff you've shared with us here."
ReplyDeleteSure they sell bling but so do lots of places. They also sell lots of rather nice stuff It's purely a matter of discernment. A weeks ago I picked up at a reasonable price a couple of very nice Drake cashmere ties that are never going to look blingy or go out of fashion.
Reminds me of the nylon-esque Kate Spade backpack I bought at NM back in the '90s.
ReplyDeleteStill thinking about this . . . now it reminds me of watching "Rhoda."
ReplyDeleteCathleen- Rhoda's a good one. Certainly Mary Tyler Moore in the pleated St John comes to mind although I can't see Lou in a fur coat.
ReplyDelete