From classic to on-trend, you can easily pair these options with black or khaki pants and skirts, and be ready for that big meeting today in a jiffy. Of note, when shopping for low maintenance blouses,  look for key words such as “no iron” or “iron free”  and “machine washable” in woven shirts, and for jersey knits, synthetic fiber are ACTUALLY your friend; they are more wrinkle-resistant than cotton and natural fibers, so can easily transition from the dryer to the your body.

Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Tailored Fit Simple Stripe Dress Shirt with DOW XLA™, $98.50

Brooks Brothers Three-Quarter Sleeve Stripe Camp Shirt, $98.50

Mossimo Womens Dolman Knit Top – Assorted Colors, $17.99

Steven Alan Boyfriend Shirt, $188

American Living Womens Shirt, Button Front, $30

Old Navy Bird-Print Charmeuse Blouse, $36.94

Ann Taylor LOFT Tie Collar Blouse, $49.50

-Julia DiNardo

If Steven Alan’s collection for last spring was inspired by Mediterranean adventures, it is clear that for Spring 2012 he has returned to his homeland as he recalls Americana at its best. Steven Alan breathed fresh air into 60’s styling, updating classic looks with subtle quirks. Menswear and womenswear alike embraced a sunny palette of blues, greens, whites and neutrals with a few pops of yellow and orange. His prints, like his silhouettes, were dyed with nostalgia offering gingham, stripes, and vintage inspired sea-shell patterns.
For menswear, the emphasis was on lightweight and relaxed, but well tailored, skinny suiting- both pant suits and short suits.  On the more playful side, were shorts with brightly colored contrast hems and a baseball tees. Rolled up pants showed off Walk-Over Shoes in light suede chukkas and derbies as well as standard black Vans.

Steven Alan’s womenswear was dominated by darling dresses in a range of cuts, most of which fell at the knee. Shifts, babydolls, sundresses and house dresses were all sweet but smart with such details as a revealing backside to offset a conservative front. The separates, vehicles for his color blocking, celebrated fun boxy tops that paired equally well with short shorts, skirts and both wide leg and skinny trousers.

-Heidi Sloane

[Images via flickr]

Designer Steven Alan has paired up once again with classic clothing label Dockers to feature newly designed styles for men both men and women. Prices for this collection range between $135-$148 for women’s  skirts and pants and $128-$148 for men’s shorts and pants. Only select Steve Alan stores will carry this new line, but can also be found for purchase online at both Steven Alan’s and Dockers’ websites.

- Rose Lou

I’ve been excited for quite some time for the Steven Alan for Uniqlo designer collaboration project to come out, so I foolishly went to Soho on a Saturday. By the masses on Broadway and hour-long check out and dressing room lines inside Uniqlo, who would ever have thought that we’re in a recession? Anyways, the Steven Alan women’s collection was largely in a palette of red, blue, and a bit of black (not mixed together) with ruching, pleats, and sweet little pin tucks. There were some retro dresses that felt a bit Built by Wendy to me, with the real gems being the button down shirts. I like the  ones with accordion pleating and slight Peter Pan collars (seel left), as well as the chest pocket roll-tab ones, both available in blue & white, red & white or black & white.  There was no way I was waiting in the atrociously long dressing room lines, so I tried on the items in a mirrored corner of the men’s section. Final thoughts: for about $50 each, the button tees are a nice investment to make, whose mid-quality wil most likely last you more than a season. 

The men’s Opening Ceremony collection was a nice capsule of lightweight multi-colored button downs (see right), more dressier shirts that came with a pocket square, and blazers. Overall impression was that both of these collections could be a success, however Uniqlo needs to figure out a better way to funnel people through the store, as I don’t think its such bargain basement prices to elicit waiting on line for more than 15 minutes.

-Julia DiNardo

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I’m already a fan of the mega Japanese retailer Uniqlo, frequently visiting the store in Soho and picking up items for my Mom, boyfriend, Dad, and of course myself. I am thrilled to report the following Designers Invitation Project lineup (as written about in WWD):

Launching in March:
Steven Alan for women
Opening Ceremony for men

Launching in May:
Shipley & Halmos for women
Gilded Age for men

Prices will range from $19-$79 — a steal for a tailored Steven Alan shirt — expect to see me there opening day!

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Sick of the long lines and crazy customers that plague stores on Black Friday? We’ve found a bunch of fabulous sample sales that you can go to before the holiday so you can skip the mayhem, and enjoy leftovers and some rest the day after Thanksgiving!

• Té Casan limited edition shoe collections like the vegan flats Natalie Portman designed for the brand from $75 (regularly around $250)!

11/ 18-11/21, 9 -7 pm, 11/22, 9-6 pm.; 260 Fifth Ave., at 28th St

• Get 25% off of the entire Form Autumn/Winter 2008 Collection.

11/19-11/21, 4-8pm; 510 Broome St. 7E

• Pretty but pricey Sari Gueron dresses are now over 50% off!

11/ 19 & 11/20, 11-7 pm; 133 W. 25th St

• For the fine Italian luscious beauty products and apparel, head to Tocca for 45% off.

11/19-11/21, 11-7 pm; 542 W. 22nd St.

• Isreal-born designer Yigal Azrouël’s collections are on sale for 60-80% off.

11/19-11/20, 9-7 pm, 11/21, 9-4pm; 225 W. 39th St

• Get the iconic “Morning After Bag” from Rebecca Minkoff and apparel from Nicholas K for 50% off.

11/20&11/21 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m, 11/22&11/2311 a.m.-6 p.m.; 33 W. 17th St.

• Get your flannel fix and buttoned-up shirts from the master– Steven Alan apparel for up to 75% off.

11/20&11/21, 8:30-8 pm, 11/22, 12-7 pm, 11/23, 12-5 p.m. 87 Franklin St

• Denim for as low as $4.44? Only at the Three as Four sample sale!

11/20-11/24, 12-8 pm; 77 Delancey St., at Allen St.

• You’ve been good this year so it’s only fitting to head to the Obedient Sons and Daughters sample sale.

11/22-11/23, 10-6pm; 237 Lafayette St., b/t Prince & Spring Sts

• Who wouldn’t want a La Perla bra for $67, originally priced at $268?

11/24-11/26, 9-6 pm, 11/27, 9-3pm, 11/28, 9-7 pm; 260 Fifth Ave., b/t 28th & 29th Sts.

• Miss that Target collection Rogan did a few months ago? Get his real stuff and organic apparel from Loomstate for 75% off.

11/29-12/7, 11 -7 pm.; 91 Franklin St