Critical Shopping

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This week, Jon Caramanica visits the Jack Spade on Bleecker Street. He sees the brand's deliberate, whimsical casualness as a stand-in for the entire West Village. Key quote: "Jack Spade is a brand for would-be would-be's, which you wear to let others know that while you don't come from privilege, and you don't wish to appear as if you do, you wish to let people know that you could play the role if you wanted, which you do not." [NYT]