Shopping

October 16, 2009

Wardrobe Jackpot: Boring Stores Reinvented

This recession totally sucks. But, if you ignore the unemployment rate and rising cost of beer, some good is definitely coming from it. And one of those positives is the fact that the plummeting sales of retail chains has caused them to re-evaluate their brand and reinvent themselves for fall. Suddenly stores that used to make me feel nauseous (boasting window displays stuffed with mom jeans and fugly tablecloth patterns), actually have some adorable stuff that us college girls would actually consider wearing.

For the closets of fashionistas, this is great news. Now there are a dozen more stores that we can peruse online during class and drool over on our weekly treks to the mall. (Plus now when my mom calls and tells me she’s going to Ann Taylor to pick up a suit jacket, I can ask her to pick me up a cute skirt to add to my care package!)

Check out my favorite extreme makeovers (that don’t involve sexy Ty Pennington) below:

The Gap

Then: Uber boring button up shirts and polos.
Now: Cute staples essential to layering.
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: The perfect dark wash jeans – soft, stretchy and with the perfect butt pockets – for us girls with some junk in the trunk.

gapjeans garpshirt gapskirt

Express

Then: Going-out clothes that were borderline trashy.
Now: Chic party clothes that are fun, but not slut-tastic.
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: Fail-safe dress for girls’ night out. The clean lines of this color blocked, one-shoulder dress make it effortlessly chic while still being young and trendy.

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Ann Taylor

Then: Boring mom clothes
Now: Classy pieces that have some edge to them
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: Edgy, heeled boots. The wrap around leather strap adds just the right amount of personality and these would look pretty killer over a sexy pair of skinnies.

anntaylor boots anntaylorcoat anntaylorsweater

New York and Company

Then: All the store had was 40 different black pants that all looked the same and some really fugly jumpsuits.
Now: Totally on top of the trends (I’m talking leggings, tunics, ruffles…) at prices that wont break the bank.
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: Go-to pencil skirt. It will be there for you through dinners, parties, weddings and any other occasion that forces you out of your sweats and into real clothes. (And did I mention it’s only $32?!)

nyandcskirt nyandcdress nyandcleggings

Old Navy

Then: Cheap, shapeless clothes
Now: Cheap, adorable clothes
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: The ideal fall jacket: satin lined, waist cinching, wide brimmed, bold colors… should I go on?

oldnavycoat oldnavyshirt oldnavydress

Banana Republic

Then: Stuffy, sophisticated and over-priced pieces.
Now: Hip, trendy, and totally catering to 20-somethings (with a large bank account).
Must-Have Wardrobe Addition: This darling sheath dress. It’s totally party worthy, but belt it and throw on a cardigan and some tights and it works for an important class presentation, too!

October 15, 2009

Plouf! Parisian Puddle Jumpers from Aigle

by fashionpulse

Via our lovely friends at thefind.com:

Yes, I’m a fan of Hunter Wellie rain boots, but they seem to be growing in popularity and are showing up on well-dressed feet all round town. I am looking for a new pair of unique rain boots and found Aigle rain boots that are made in France. Mais oui! These boots are a bit more fitted and I love the riding boot style that is made completely of rubber. A lovely boot to throw on with leggings and an over-sized chunky knit sweater when I’m running out the door in a hurry. These boots are tailored and becoming every bit as fashionable as the Hunter wellies. These boots are from Aigle, which provides outdoor gear to French sportsmen, equestrians and those who visit the countryside for pleasure. Yes, these are the real deal and are perfect for urbanites looking for a waterproof and comfortable city rain boot.

Retailers including Martin + Osa and J. Crew now carry Aigle boots. On the upper left is the Aigle Start Riding Boot ($103.20 was $129.00 at Martin and Osa), a lovely plain black riding boot that is a perfect reproduction of their leather counterparts. On the model are a pair of violet Burberry rain boots (upper right, $195 at Net-a-Porter) to show you how utterly fab skinny jeans look tucked into tall rain boots. On the bottom row far left is the Aigle Women’s Bergen lace up rain boot ($207.95 at Shoebuy.com). I love the lace up fronts, which makes tucking in your jeans easier and ensuring an extra snug fit. Again in the riding boot style these two-toned Aigle Jumping Rubber Boots ( bottom row middle, $199.99 at saddlesource.com) look like traditional dressage riding boots if you are looking for the Bon chic, bon genre aka French preppy style. Lastly is the two-toned Aigle Women’s Rubber Boot in Brown, ($149.00 at studentmarket.com). I love the two-toned texture of this one, a nice alternative to an all black boot, would look chic and sporty paired with tweed and a chunky cashmere sweater.

Save on your purchases with Coupon Codes from J. Crew from TheFind.com’s new coupon site

Save to:

October 14, 2009

LIVE FROM THE LIMITED POP-UP SHOP IN SOHO!

by fashionpulse

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I’m on display in the window at 134 Spring Street for the debut of The Limited’s pop-up store-three days only! It’s just me, the models, some chic Limited duds, and the Mac computer. Some people have walked right up to the glass and are peering in-they should come in since this is only until the 17th of October!

So if you come to SoHo, this is what you can look forward to at The Limited:

Elliot Staples, VP of Design is doing on one on styling consultations
Career expert Nicole Williams is here giving styling tips & advice!
Street-front windows introducing The Limited Doggie Sweaters on live puppies from the Humane Society of NY available for adoption

IF you come by tomorrow:

10:00am – 8:00pm Interactive photo booth displayed in windows with models in party dresses

5:00pm – 8:00pm Live music entertainment by DJ Kiss

Stop by Saturday for:

10:00am – 8:00pm Live graffiti artist painting 80’s inspired artwork in the windows

**So back to today! The Limited is thrilled to announce the re-launch of the Forenza sweater, their #1 selling sweater in the ’80s. I’m sure either you, your sister, or the coolest girl at school had one. It’s the open gauge, all consuming sweater that you pull over your head, although now the limited has them in duster-styles that look fab belted, as well as in oversized scarves that you can wrap and manipulate into tops!

Let’s jump to the suiting: I love the blazers, and to quote Rachel Zoe, “I die!” I’m wearing this in the window, the elastic sleeve jacket.

On my list also includes:

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My beloved slouchy hobo handbag, $60

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So now that you’ve seen a few of my favorite items from The Limited, is it time to get shopping? If you’re a budget-conscious fashionista, then I think you may very well be in for a treat, especially when you can get a suit for $150 and dresses for evening priced around $80. Just like the 80s and 90s are back in fashion, so is The Limited!

Pop-Up Store Hours:

Thurs Oct 15th 10-5pm
Fri Oct 16-Sat Oct 17th open 10-8pm

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October 13, 2009

The Collective Showroom: Indie Designers Magnes Sisters, Shenan, Yegang Yoo & More!

by fashionpulse

The Collective Showroom is a co-op that hosts emerging fashion and jewelry designs. I recently had the opportunity to visit the showroom and meet some designers; below is just a sampling of the talent they had in store!

Magnes Sisters

Yael, Tamar, and Dina – the Magnes Sisters – are behind an awesome handbag collection, which has previously been featured on Fashion Pulse Daily. This time around, we still love them as much as ever! Their popular dry martini bags (folding clutches) were my favorites and came in a variety of colors, fabrics, and prints.

[Image from oblikatelier.blogspot.com]

Oblik-Atelier

Mia Hebib is the genius behind Oblik-Atelier and is based out of Brooklyn, NY. Her art-deco (Hebib has an “obsession” with lines)- inspired collection is entirely handmade and limited in production. Oblik-Atelier, which has been featured in magazines such as i-D and Lucky, will soon be gracing the pages of a prominent Swiss magazine in Spring 2010. All of the pieces I saw were interesting, unique, and truly works of art.

Yegang Yoo

Korean-born designer Yegang Yoo (who has previously worked with Vena Cava, Hussein Chalayan, and Rachel Comey) is another emerging fashion talent based out of Brooklyn. Her accessible collection – first launched for fall/winter 2008 – featured awesome custom-made geometric prints, dark colors, draped pieces, and light fabrics, as well as many blazers, shorts, and tunics. I completely fell in love with her unique collection, especially with many of the brilliantly draped dresses!

Saltbox

Saltbox is travel luggage, totes, and cosmetic bags that are sturdy, laid back, and perfect for everyday use. One of the best things about this collection are the unique, crazy wallpaper-like prints – there is truly a design for everyone! The collection is also fairly priced – it’s a relief to find something attractive and well-made that won’t break the bank, let alone perfect for travel. In fact, many of the travel bags feature airplane emblems that, appropriately enough, went through quite the journey themselves: first embroidered, then made out of clay and shipped to India and New Jersey, before being completed and added as the perfect finishing touch to this already unique line of totes. Pick one up today and travel in style!

Shenan

One of the most sought after pieces in this collection, a black crop vest, originally didn’t make the final cut, but was so popular with everyone who saw it that the designer, Shenan Fraguadas, added it back in, and thank goodness for that! This bold and beautiful Brooklyn-based collection is heavy on a vintage-y and rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic, as well as asymmetrics, destruction, crop tops, neutral colors, and floral prints. One of my favorite pieces is a shredded black crop top that would surely add a tough, interesting edge to an otherwise basic outfit.

-Sarah Nason

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Shopping

Wardrobe Jackpot: Boring Stores Reinvented

Plouf! Parisian Puddle Jumpers from Aigle

LIVE FROM THE LIMITED POP-UP SHOP IN SOHO!

The Collective Showroom: Indie Designers Magnes Sisters, Shenan, Yegang Yoo & More!

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