Tuesday, May 05, 2009

The Namesake

The lovely Ambika directed my attention to this gorgeous tweed clutch a couple days ago. While it's not totally my style, I'm seriously considering purchasing it because it is called "The Winona."

My name is relatively rare, so I don't see too many pieces of clothing named Winona. I used to pout over this quite often, especially in my Delias catalog-loving days, because their dress page reads like a suburban girls' school roll call, and my name was never included. In retrospect, my name scarcity was probably a good thing, as I would have excitedly bought anything and everything labeled "Winona," whether a toggle coat or a new strain of heroin.


So here's a question for you: Have you ever bought something--a "Christina" coat, "Lyndsey" flats, etc.--just because it shared your name? Or are you way more mature than I am?

62 comments:

chelsea said...

Oh it's so cute AND with your name!! You MUST have it!

TheSundayBest said...

I bought a stuffed animal once...called Thomas.

So...yeah. That happened.

Michelle Schraudner said...

Nothing good is EVER named Michelle. I get the weird princess-y stuff.

amanda said...

That clutch is gorgeous -- you should get it!

Despite the fact that my name is ridiculously popular (especially since it was a very old fashioned name that saw a resurgence in 80s), I almost never see it used to name clothing or accessories. Strange, since there are so many of us!

daddylikeyblog said...

Amanda--
That's so funny, because I was almost named Amanda! Then my parents decided to do a 180 and go with an obscure native american name instead. Hmm...

Deann B. said...

I stopped to admire a cute pair of flats once and was very surprised to find my name on the tag. "Deann" is not a popular name, much less a popular marketing tool, so yes... I bought a pair. For posterity.

WendyB said...

Many pieces of clothing have been stolen BY a Winona. Does that cheer you up?

Brittney said...

There are many, many things named "Brittany", but my name is "Brittney", so I'm never tempted.

I did find a shirt the other day called "Amanda & Brittney" (HEY HEY, Amanda~) but it wasn't my size, so I wasn't tempted. haha!

Audi said...

Alas, the only thing I've ever seen with my name on it is an overpriced imported car.

lauren price said...

I've rarely noticed clothing with anthropomorphic names, but I guess that's because I hardly ever shop online/catalogues (I'm assuming they're more apparent in print, since the dresses at Nordstrom never introduce themselves to me).

Ralph Lauren is the obvious match to my name, but I don't think I own one article of clothing from that brand. I'm definitely not any more intrigued by pieces from their line just because my name is Lauren!

Ali said...

My mum saw a jewellery stand in a department store and the brand was "Alexandra & Robyn" - she had to choose something to buy because my name's Alexandra & hers is Robyn....
There's a store called Ally here, but I spell my name Ali so I don't see much with my name on it

Applesaucery said...

Actually, few things bear my name--which isn't that unusual, actually. Maybe I just don't shop in the places that name things Claire.

Lisa said...

I'd have to say no, but I do love having the same name as one of the Simpsons.

Muttersome said...

My name is Bernadette, which you almost never see on clothes. I once bought a t-shirt because it said Bernadette on it...also it's a cool t-shirt (a MadamimadaM palindrome shirt).

Ali said...

by the way, I've always wondered... is your header & background colour made intentionally to look like the Dunder Mifflin desktop on the office?

onesong said...

NO BECAUSE NO ONE EVER THINKS TO SPELL CATE WITH A C THEY'RE JUST TOO GOOD FOR MY NAME APPARENTLY I'M NOT MAD OR ANYTHING WITH MY CAPSLOCK ON

G. said...

There was a lamp at either Crate and Barrel or Restoration Hardware called Gillian. I ALMOST bought it. Seriously, though. A LAMP?!

*~Dani~* said...

I totally bought clothes from Dani Black just because the first "famous" person I saw use my nickname. Didn't hurt that the clothes were nice too.

Kristina said...

I bought a book of stickers last year that had "Kristina" spelled correctly. It's maybe the 3rd thing I've ever found with my name spelled right (yes, spelled with a "K" is right).

Eleanor said...

A selection of songs (Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles, Eleanor Put Your Boots On by Franz Ferdinand, Hey Eleanor by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone) that wouldn't necessarily have bought otherwise. I can totally see myself buying the first themepark keychain with my name on it, but it's not likely.

Mishabelle said...

I get to deal with lots of people either serenading me with The Beatles or howling at me with Guns N' Roses... but rarely do I find clothing with my name. I think I found a pair of hi-rise boot cut pants called the "Michelle"... but that look is so unflattering on me. I just don't have a very flattering name!

Darcy said...

I bought a Stila lipstick because it was named after me (or so I like to think). And it was spelled the same way my name was spelled as well, which is somewhat uncommon.

VERONICA said...

Clothing named Veronica is almost always kind of hoochy, at least in my experience.

Eileen said...

I have to say I've never seen anything named "Eileen," but I would definitely buy it if I saw it!

Anonymous said...

As a Gillian with a G, I don't often see things with my name on them. It's always Jill or Jillian. I used to always check the racks of keychains/bookmarks exc. When I do see something "Gillian" i am tempted to buy but never have. (Although a Crate and Barrel lamp? Crazy!)

Tara said...

When it was really awesomely cool to own mugs/pencilcases/beanie babies with your name on them, I could NEVER find a "Tara". No joke, once a girl in my class bought me a mug with "Tanya" on it, saying it was "close enough". So yes, if a piece of clothing was named after me then I would definitely buy it!

Anonymous said...

Only thing I've found is a band called Veronica's Toy that has a song named "Elaina" on it, and yea, I did order it. Luckily, the song and the band turned out to be pretty decent, so it wasn't a complete waste of my time or money.

Other then that, nothing uses Elaina. Disney uses my last name as the teacher of Huey, Duey and Louie, and if they made a figurine of her, I would be all over it, but for the most part I am totally safe.

Claire said...

I've never even seen clothes named Claire, but I did get my ears pierced at Claire's haha.

lo said...

I've actually seen a lot of things named "Lauren" and I would be tempted to buy it if it didn't for some reason make me hyper-critical. Like to bear my totally precious name it must be extremely amazing and drool-worthy. I even got offended once because some catalog had a Lauren bedset or something that was in pastels and LAUREN IS NOT A PASTEL NAME.

Also slightly related- my mom couldn't choose a name for me and so decided to leave it up to fate, opened up a magazine, saw a Ralph Lauren ad (my father's name is Ralph) and the rest is history!

Hannah said...

confession: I bought a "hannah" bra from victoria's secret online. it's tragically fug: cheap front clasp, that white shiny floral print that playtex bras from kmart are made of, and polyester padding that would probably emit audible crunching noises if someone attempted to feel me up in it. needless to say, it has never been worn.

meliasaurus said...

A. once i saw a shirt called Amelia from abercrombie but it was way too plain. amelia is not plain

B. hannah - i had a bra from Victoria secret that when i moved the wire made a squeaking noise rubbing against the fabric. i remember being with my then bf and totally embarrassed while making out because every time I'd move it seemed like my chest would creak!!!!

Lopi said...

I bought a cardigan from the collection Penelope & Monica Cruz did for Mango. I loved my name on the tag, even though I spell it "Penelopy"! I have it posted here:
http://fashionarchitect.blogspot.com/2009/01/shopping-makes-world-go-round.html

Elise said...

I feel the same way, finding anything with the name Elise on it is very difficult. In my entire life I've found one personalized thing in a store with my name on it. Of course I bought the stupid little mini license plate from Mt. Pocono but it just kind of hangs out in my room.

I'm with Audi though, the Lotus Elise is super pretty but far too out of my price range.

Kara said...

I guess I don't pay attention to the style names on clothes, but I still scour every rack of plastic tourist crap that MIGHT have "Kara" on it. In 27.5 years, I have found one keychain and a pair of barrettes. I don't know if I would purchase it if I found it, but looking is still a compulsion. Why?

Ana said...

There has never been clothing or anything cool named Ana since the dawn of time, UNTIL Penny's came out with a brand called A.N.A standing for A New Approach, but I'll TAKE IT! they have some cute ruffly fun shirts, and my coworker had on ANA shoes the other day and was like I BOUGHT YOU!!!!!
so yes, I buy Ana clothes as much as possible.

Anonymous said...

I am a sucker for stuff with my name on it. I love the after Christmas sales. I have many snowflake laden coffee cups, hand towels, and candles all proclaiming my name.

Anonymous said...

oh, i forgot to say my name: joy!

Kim said...

The only time I ever see "Kim" anywhere is in Eminem lyrics and he's threatening to kill her.
I did pick out "Aquarius" Oneida silverware when we got married because that's my stupid sign and now I hate it so much it's not even funny. So I'll probably never do THAT again.

Amanda M. said...

Firstly, I think you should be THRILLED you have a rare name. It's so frustrating meeting another Amanda about every few months. There are so many!

But no, when products are named Amanda, I generally weep for the designer's lack of creativity, as it is a horribly bland name.

Katie Kiekhaefer said...

I bought a cardigan from Old Navy.com because the color was "Katie's Kayak Blue." Will I ever admit this in public? Nope, definitely not :)

But the purse is darling--I would buy it even if it wasn't my name.

Unknown said...

I bought a bra that was called Harriet, and came *this* close to buying a bag last summer from LK Bennett as it was called Harriet too, but alas it was way too expensive for me to justify it simply because it had my name :(

hope505 said...

"... whether a toggle coat or a new strain of heroin..."*hahaha!*
I have been satisfied having something named after me ever since Mr. Obama's campaign...HOPE all over the place
* ; )

Roxanna said...

I go by Roxy, so I often see clothing with my name on it. it's very strange, though, to see your name on someone's shirt/hat/swimsuit. It's almost like they stole my clothes or something. Or, you know that feeling you get in a crowd when you think someone called your name and you automatically respond? That's how I feel when I see someone in a crowd wearing a Roxy shirt. I have an urge to say, 'Yes?What is it?' It's very disconcerting.

ambika said...

I'm glad you liked it. &, as you might guess, I never encounter products with my name.

millie said...

My name isn't at all common in this country so I'm sure if I found something named Milena I would have to buy it. In Italy I've seen a store and a boat with my name, and in Czechoslovakia they even have those cheesy little souvenier licence plates. Yeah, if I ever see a dress or accessory I will have to buy it. Something named Milena would have to be fashionable, right? ;)

Nina B. said...

I've been tempted. But definitely not by the shoe designer, Nina.

Draya Ann said...

Topanga anything is hard to come by...unless you're looking for a canyon. :)

Dreampuff said...

The problem with those dresses is that the names that they choose are common weird names like Aurora (which I find really pretty in an ugly way) and Gwendolyn.

I think I would probably just pick my favorite and say it was called "The BumbleBecky" until someone called me out on it.

Dreampuff said...

P.S. There was a really hilarious joke that Mohammed is the most common name in the world. Yet there is not a single key chain at Disney world that has the name Mohammed.

Ridiculous-o!

Lanika said...

um. my name's Lanika.
so, no. I've never found anything with my name on it. I got excited in a gift shop once when I found a candle that said "They didn't have your name". I felt like Lanika was printed right on the candle because that was just, my life, summed up in that little sentece.

... and I almost peed my pants with excitement the other day when someone pointed out that a guy's t-shirt almost said my name. It said Lanikai.
I took a picture with that guy and his shirt. So no, definitely not more mature than you.

hillary said...

My name is Hillary Leia (yes star wars Leia, le sigh) and growing up pre Clinton era I didn't know any Hillary's growing up in NH. So when other little girls had whale barrettes with their name I never did.

I buy anything with my name. A few weeks ago I bought a pair of shoes at Kohl's names Leia. I NEVER had seen Leia.

Alison Hartford said...

I bought shoes to wear for my wedding that were called "Jessica-Elise" - the names of two of my best friends. Never found any worthy Alison items...

Lindsay Cline said...

one time my parents bought a faucet because it was named lindsay (which is my name.) true story. i don't know what's worse, buying a faucet because it has the same name as your daughter, or naming a faucet in the first place.

Krista said...

I never see anything named Krista, until very recently I was mindlessly looking through the ads in the Sunday newspaper and came across some horribly ugly teen sandals called "Krista" in the Fred Meyer ad. *Sigh* not quite what I was hoping for!

Lindsay said...

I always buy the Lindsay brand olives so when I look in by cupboard I can be like "Oh my goodness! It's Lindsay goodness in can form!"


- Lindsay (not an olive)

rhymeswithcori said...

There are plenty of things with my name on them, but never the correct spelling. Apparently, Cori isn't good enough- but Cory, Corey, Corrie and Corie are?

I probably would buy something with my name on it... even if it was a lamp. But it would be my FAVORITE lamp.

Bekah said...

oooh that is quite the cute clutch
it could go a long way

but I've only ever found one thing called "rebekah" (spelled rebekah, I've seen rebeccas before)
it was a dress from f21, but it was kind of just a giant pink shiny polyester tube dress with a collar/haulter neck

would not have looked good on me, so I didn't buy it:(

Anonymous said...

remember Paul Frank? the shirts had the little monkey on them? I actually knew a guy in high school named Paul Frank. He was on a terrific kick for awhile buying all his friends that "Paul Frank is my friend." shirt. That's the ultimate name-bearing-product scenario, I think.

Anonymous said...

First of all, that clutch is adorable.

Second, I tried on "Laura" pants at Ann Taylor once, but they didn't fit.

Third, I had no idea Delias was still around, and I am totally pumped. I think I still have some of their catalogues at home from the days when I wanted to be a fashion designer zomg.

Anonymous said...

i most definatley have done this and i feel the appropriate amount of embarassment. I have a blazer and a pair of sandals named "Randi" which is a nickname and a pair of black flats named 'Miranda', my real name.

dana said...

Whenever I see Dana (next to never), it's usually attached to something pretty cool that I want, like the Camper Danae sandals, low heel, in yellow patent. Will you buy them for me?

Mlle M said...

Redbank has a sparkling wine for about AU$12 called Emily. Don't think I'm not taking advantage of that.

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