The End Of The Plain White Tee

For the days when the need to express your self is stronger than a plain white tee. Maybe your inner rock chick needs to surface (The Clash Tee $54.00), or it’s a day when a picture does paint a thousand words (Slub Lace Graphic Tee $39.50). Graphic tee’s are the ideal way to tell your story of the day.

They reveal your individual humor; the convictions that make you, you; and images and trends that can describe your personality. Let your soul sing, your insides twinkle and your mind speak it’s thoughts with today’s graphic tees.

Clockwise from top left: Flag Skull Tank $32.00 www.topshop.com, Marcus Lupfer Lara Lip Tee $160.00 www.shopbop.com, Slub Lace Graphic Tee $39.50 www.express.com, Pink Smile Girl Stripe Tee $31.00 www.sheinside.com, The Clash Tee $54.00 www.pixiemarket.com, Zoe Karssen Lost Angeles Tee $94.00 www.netaporter.com, Annie Graphic Tee $49.50 www.clubmonaco.com, House Of Mental I Can Be Tee $48.00 www.lordandtaylor.com.

From My Closet To Yours – Styling Tips By kristin

The Cropped Jean

I have always loved to wear cropped pants so I am super excited that cropped jeans are a major trend. Actually, to me,  the cropped ankle length has never gone out of style and wears like a classic. I’m zeroing in on jeans because so many of us live in them, but the cropped ankle length looks great in any pant.

For all of you on the shorter side that succumb to the belief that cropped pants make you look shorter -I believe, if the pant hits right at the ankle and is a slim fit they won’t – I included a pair of striped, cropped Current Elliot’s that elongate the leg making you seem taller. This Spring/Summer they come in a plethora of colors and a variety of rinses to fit everyone’s palette preferences.

If you are a little nervous about investing in the cropped jean, there are many jeans out there at reasonable and low price points – Express, For Ever 21, The Gap, Lucky Brand etc.. Another great way to teat drive the cropped jean is to cuff a pair of skinny jeans to the ankle or above, or  cut off a pair you already own (I’ve done this to older styles of mine) and not be out-of-pocket.

Happy Shopping!!!

Clockwise from top left: Hudson Nelson Marilyn Cropped Jean $189.00 on sale for $139.00 www.lastcallcom, Elizabeth and James Deb Cropped jeans $194.00 on sale for $88.00 www.lastcall.com, Mih Paris Cropped Slim Leg Jeans $174.00 www.shopbop.com, Current:Elliot Stiletto Mid Rise Cropped Skinny Jeans $200.00 www.netaporter.com , Shelly Sofia Capri J $99.00 www.luckybrand .com, BDG Ankle Cigarette Mid-Rise Jean $59.00 www.urbanoutfitters.com

Get The Look For Less – Candice Swanepoel Outside Dior

We recently received a request from a reader to highlight this photo of Candice Swanepoel outside of the Christian Dior Fall 2011 runway show for a Look For Less post. We are just as excited as you, our readers, to discover how to get our hands on these coveted styles at affordable prices. We absolutely love your comments and recommendations and encourage them often. Ask and you shall receive!

Candice Swanepoel definitely knows how to work a provocative ensemble, all the while looking chic and sophisticated at the same time. As a supermodel and face of Victoria’s Secret it should really come as no surprise that her beautiful undergarment-a black crocheted black bra, topped with sheer webbing up the decolletage would be a head-turner.

On par with one of Fall 2011′s most luxurious trends, Candice carries a lush fur coat, the perfect piece to wrap up her entire look. While commiserating with other superstars at the Fall 2011 Christian Dior runway show, we are almost certain Candice was the focus of the event.

We’ve curated a selection to get Candice’s Fall chic look for less:

Clockwise from top left:   Vince Camuto Faux Fur Vest $175.00 on sale for $86.90www.nordstroms, Ponte Shrunken Blazer $80.00 www.topshop.com,Robert Rodriguez Sheer Mesh Top $ 265.00 on sale for $92.70 www.outnet.com, Etienne Aigner Venice Flap Satchel $103.99 www.ebags.com, KiKi de Montparnasse lw Soleill Black Lace Crochet Bra Top $190.00 www.shopbop.com,  Four Seasons Pleated Skirt $38.99 www.shopruche.com,

Designer Pre Fall You Can Buy & Wear Now

If you’re anything like us, you can’t believe we are approaching the middle of August. Where did the summer go? Before we know it we will be with friends and family at a Labor Day BBQ delighting in the weather and burgers and franks, pondering how summer could be over.

That aside, we are ones to bask in the moment, problem is, when shopping these days the stores are rolling out the fall merchandise, and it’s nearly impossible to wear now. How do we get our quick fix?

We have put together a selection of pre-fall goodies that you can wear now and come this fall. The Jenni Kayne – one of our new favorite designers, who is infamous for her super short skirts – wide leg trouser paired with a cream silk blouse or a wife beater and vest is ideal to wear now. Like wise for Dsquared2′s sergeant shorts and tropical print top which can be worn with tights and cardigan when the cooler days roll around. We would be happy to sport any of these dresses now or for fall.

Who says a women can’t have it all?

Clockwide from top left: Diane Von Furstenberg Cyrano Silk jersey Dress DVF $345.00 www.neimanmarcus.com, Jenni Kayne Wide Leg Trouser $350.00 www.shopbop.com, BCBG Max Azaria Janis Print Dress $178.00 www.nordstrom.com, 3.1 Phillip Lim Sleeveless Cowl neck Dress $675.00 www.shopbop.com, Dsquared2 Thank U Top $$395.00 & Sergeant Shorts $490.00 www.shopbop.com, Diane Von Furstenberg Squaretan Short-Sleeve Shift Dress $375.00 www.neimanmarcus.com,

B By Brian Atwood – The Designer’s New Lower Priced Line

It’s almost here!! B By Brian Atwood, the designer’s highly anticipated lower priced line, will be in stores  – Barney’s Co-Op, Saks 5th Avenue, Fred Segal and Shop Bop -  on August 15.

A cult favorite among celebrities, Brian describes the shoes as, “[My new line] is strong and confident with kind of a bohemian statement.” He goes on to say, “I would definitely say there’s three kinds of aesthetics melted together: Upper East Side poshness, mixed with downtown cool, along with a Parisian sophistication.”

The collection features 35 to 45 styles, and though the prices are lower – starting at $100 for sandals and $650 for boots, which is anywhere from $200 to $400 less than his signature line – we realize “lower priced” is a relative term. But hey, we’ll take any savings we can get, if it helps us realize the dream of owning a pair of Atwood shoes. Despite the lower cost, the shoes still look beautiful, and come in fun bold shapes and colors that give the line a more youthful feel.They even contain some bonus details–like rhinestones on the soles–to make the wearer feel extra special.

Starting this past Monday, July 25th, Saks 5th Avenue is featuring a new pair every day of the week for you to pre-order  -  just click on the link to make sure you get yours before they’re sold out.

Clock wise from top left: Black Pumps With Zipper Detail, Liese Metallic Ankle Boot, Forest Green Fringed Ankle Boot, Bronze Metallic Wedge.

Trend Report – End Of Season Sale

Can you believe it’s that time again; the end of season sale is here? And our favorite one starts tomorrow – Barneys Spring sale – and they are not the only ones!!

Now is a great time to get those designer basics from 30% to 50% off. I wouldn’t wait till after the weekend, it’s best to go the first day of a stores sale, before the choice pieces fly out the door. (not to mention the good sizes).

A lot of stores offer pre-sale, where you work with your favorite sales person – a few days to a week prior to the sale – who holds your handpicked goodies until the sale day. If you’re not on a first name basis with a regular sales person, you need to work on that for next season. For now, at the Barneys sale, you can work with Michelle Goodman (out of the Barneys New York Beverly Hills store) and I promise, you will be in good hands.

Hard to believe that soon we will be looking at Fall Merchandise in the stores. But for now, go get great deals, and if your favorite store is not on sale yet, check with them to find out when it starts. After all, it’s trendy to be prepared.

From top to bottom: www.newtaporter.com, www.shopbop.com, www.barneys.com, http://www.barneys.com, www.nordstrom,com, www.aldoshoes.com, www.swirl.com.

Spring’s Leather Jacket

When we think of leather jackets, we usually assume the weather has to be cold. Think again.

This Spring 2011, the trend is leather jackets in light colors, metallic hues and vests. The cropped jacket with 3/4 length sleeve is an option that will breathe freshness into any outfit-day or evening. A leather vest can dress down an outfit, turn a simple summer dress into casual chic or lend some pizazz to your basic  jeans and heels combo. Going forward, try replacing black with a tan or nude color for the perfect year round option.

With so many to choose from, if you haven’t already invested in a leather jacket, now is the time.

Clockwise from top left:Rebecca Taylor Scalloped Leather Jacket $695 www.shopbop.com, Georgie Distressed Metallic Jacket $278 www.intermix.com, Grey Asymmetrical Leather Jacket $350 www.bananarepublic.com,Taupe Faux Leather Vest $89 www.topshop.com, Laundry by Shelli Segal Scuba Leather Jacket $417 www.bloomingdales.com, Emu 3/4 Leather jacket $385 available at Chelsea Brentwood (310)471-4770,

The Maxi Trend- A Little Something For Everyone.

With so many skirt lengths to choose from this Spring/Summer, deciding on one that’s best for you could make a girl’s head spin.

We think all the lengths are fantastic, but if you’re one that is not comfortable wearing the short, short minis- this is a season for you.  The maxi skirt has been resurrected and no matter what your style, there is one for you.

If you lean towards the minimalist- there are great maxi’s by The Row or LNA,  if you’re partial to the bohemian look- Blu Moon or Top Shop.  There are denim, geometric, floral maxi’s as well as the bold, vibrant colored maxi’s which Jill Sander- among others- did so brilliantly.

The point is, there is a maxi out there this spring for everyone- even for the girl who likes to flash a little leg; many versions sported side or front splits.  This Spring/Summer there is no reason for anyone to shy away from the maxi trend.

Blu Moon Almost Famous Maxi Skirt $ 154.00 http://www.shopplanetblue.com, Haute Hippie Brushed Silk maxi Skirt $365.00 http://www.netaporter.com, Genetic Denim Chole Open Front  Long Skirt $220.00 http://www.shopbop.com, Premium Maxi Skeleton Skirt $125.00 http://www.topshop.com, LNA Column Long Skirt,  $99.00 http://www.shopbop.com, Tory Burch Courchevel Pleated Chiffon Maxi Skirt $395.00 http://www.netaporter.com

Imitation Is The Highest Form Of Flattery

While in Paris for the Vogue Dinner in honor of Frida Giannini as part of Paris Haute Couture Fashion week Jessica Alba stole an afternoon to go shopping, looking quite stylish. We have made it easy for you to get Jessica’s look; add tights and a cozy scarf to our three clothing choices below.

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Left to Right: Top Shop Shrunken 1 Button Blazer $110.00 http://www.topshop.com, Elizabeth & James ‘Taylor’ Printed Silk Mini Skirt with leather Waist  $325.00 http://www.elizabethandjames.com, Miss KG Salvador Lace Up Ankle Boot  $159.00 http://www.asos.com

Royal Horticultural Society

 

The arrival of floral prints is as important to the style conscious as the first blooms of Spring flowers are to the honeybee. The bold flowers and bright designs reflect the upcoming season and evoke feelings of warm weather, out-door cafes and a welcome change in wardrobe. Florals are nothing new to the world of fashion, however for Spring/Summer 2011, most every designer included them in their collection.

The common trend for Spring/Summer 2011 is simple; the bigger and brighter…the better (maybe designers were following guidelines from the Royal Horticultural Society). Flower prints are beautiful and undoubtedly help us look more feminine-from vintage tea party to more modern and bright- there is a floral print for everyone this season.

This is a bouquet your boyfriend could send you that will last.

Clockwise from Top Left:Boulee Blouse $230.00 http://www.shopplanetblue.com, Navy Flower Print Wide Leg Pant $90.00 http://www.topshop.com, Planet Blue Floral Print Dress $77.00 http://www.shopplanetblue.com, Madewell Poet Skirt $98.00 http://www.shopbop.com, Bindya Iris Square Silk Scarf $38.00 http://www.nordstroms.com, Tibi Brook Easy Ruffle Dress $320.00 http://www.shopbop.com.