Vogue's lower-priced gift guide

The New York Times is reporting that, in light of the economic downturn, Vogue's holiday gift guide in December's issue will only feature items that cost less than $500.

Any frequent reader of Vogue, or really any of the major fashion magazines for that matter, knows this is a pretty big deal. Most of the items the magazines typically feature cost more than $500. Actually, make that double $500. In the November issue of Vogue alone, there was a (gorgeous) Michael Kors strapless dress for $2,695, some Marc Jacobs slingbacks for $1,660 and a YSL tote for $1,995.

Which makes me wonder, of course, if Anna Wintour gets the same nasty e-mails and phone calls that we do when we run an item with a price tag that shocks! simply shocks! some of our readers (trust me when I say that $100 pairs of shoes or handbags that cost more than $200 really brings out the worst in people)?