From Preppy to Pretty: The New J. Crew

I started browsing the J. Crew catalog in high school, sadly to say before clicking through styles was mainstream.  I remember the clothier as a champion of the chunky sweater, henley and crew neck cotton shirts, and an unmatched selection of Chinos.  I owned the two pocket, the front pocket, the flannel-lined, you name it.  It wasn't until after a few years of loving their incredibly soft fabrics that I fell in love with my first bit of sparkle from J. Crew, a light pink button front with puffed sleeves and weaved with shimmery gold threading.  Who knew that they would develop into sparkly chic several years later?

I believe they've reached their peak with pieces embellished perfectly for day but with just enough glitz for heels at night.  And though you'll now be paying more per square inch of fabric than that of their former preppy styles, you're paying for high quality and designer influence at a price nowhere near its designer counterpart.  You may be pleasantly surprised by J. Crew's new sparkle.  Take a look below.

The Mixed Media Dress 

J. Crew Bon Bon Dress $268

Alice+Olivia Sequined Bustier Dress $495

This Fall's Vest

J. Crew Mongolian Lamb Vest (also in black) $800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Mongolian Sheepskin Gilet $995

 

 

The Miniskirt

J. Crew Metallic Sequined Bell Skirt $275

Dolce&Gabbana Sequin Miniskirt $825

 

The Ballet Flat

J. Crew Sequin Bow Ballet Flats $188

Miu Miu Bow-embellished Patent Leather Flats $495

More of My J. Crew Favorites

Martinete Feather Jacket $1200

Sequined Jersey Bloomer $98

Blossom Bauble Necklace $135

Disco Tartan Top $650

Betsy Wrap Cami $110

Click Here: J. Crew's Fall Lookbook - AMAZING!

Spending Wisely: The Summer Essentials

Among the many wonderful gifts I received for my birthday, I was definitely delighted with some gift cards to my favorite clothing stores.  I'm often a bargain shopper, finding a way to maximize my purchases either by price or utility, so this experience was sure to be the same.  I went for utility with this shopping spurt and gathered items on my list of summer essentials.  I didn't forget about the gentlemen either; you'll find a few must-haves in this post, as well.

WOMEN: I started with the perfect sateen shorts from White House | Black  Market, not too casual or dressy, but having the definite potential for day chic.  These shorts were paired with the perfect accessory: a black and white print sash.  A skinny belt would have been an equally exceptional choice to loop the shorts, but I'm more of a sash kind of girl. 

MEN: One of my guy friends found an excellent pair of seersucker shorts at J.Crew; they may be the only seersucker shorts I've ever really liked.  Pair these with a leather tipped web belt from Polo Ralph Lauren, and your wardrobe for the unbearable hot months is almost complete.

WOMEN: The next item I bought for myself was a not-so-nautical long cardigan in a fun summer fuchsia from Banana Republic.   Though the nautical trend is very tempting, it doesn't fit my personality, but if you'd like to give your long cardigan a more boat style, choose a neutral color, add a Breton striped tee, and you're done.

MEN: Though it may not scream runway style, I'm in love with Guayabera shirts for men.  I've seen some in blue linen without too much embroidery which are my favorite, but others with more embellishment can still be classy.  As this shirt has definitely replaced the Hawaiian print, it should be on the summer essential list for casual wear.

WOMEN: The last two items I purchased were a versatile cotton knit dress and sandals.  I desperately wanted a maxi dress, but I'm too petite for such an ambitious look.  Taller women are much more apt to pull off the maxi.  I chose a drop-waisted navy number with an embellished neckline.  I can dress it down for day (with my sandals) or dress it up with some fun heels for night.  Whichever style you choose, add a dress in a cool material to your summer wardrobe.

MEN: Lastly, for men I would recommend a comfortable slip-on with no-show socks.  Find a color and fit that you can wear on any given day, but please don't buy Crocs!  I suggest a shoe like the Bowles Slip-On from Johnston & Murphy, comfortable and stylish.

Shopping this summer doesn't have to be expensive.  Choose wisely and purchase items you can wear with many outfits.  For instance, a skinny belt can be worn with shorts or over the long cardigan.  Be creative and show your style with versatile pieces for summer.





In the pictures above:
Picture 1: Printed sash from White House Black Market
Picture 3: Long fuchsia elbow sleeve knit cardigan from Banana Republic
Picture 4: Ankle strap sandal from Gap

Who is the Ford of fashion?

Living in America, such a plentiful land of pride and freedom, one would think that we would be pretty much self-sufficient, but the truth is, we're not at all.  I buy tomatoes from Mexico, shrimp from Vietnam, toys from China, and clothes from India, Indonesia, etc.  My Ralph Lauren frames are even made in Italy.  So, where's all the American made goods?  I understand that not everything can be harvested or made here, but of the things I buy on a regular basis, many could be found in our own heartland, around various coastlines, and definitely in the deep South, the land of my roots.  Even more importantly, we could employ so many Americans by increasing our production of goods, leaving less to fuel the recession of our present time (I understand this isn't the only factor).  Since I write about fashion, I'm primarily concerned with clothes, shoes, and accessories made in the great US of A!

When it comes to fashion, many American designers top the charts: Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Cynthia Rowley, Halston, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Vera Wang ... you know the names.  But how many of them are actually made in America?  The answer is very few.  In fact, I struggled to find any pieces in my own wardrobe that were made on our soil.  As a concerned consumer, I'm paying more attention to my clothing purchases, more specifically where they are made and in what conditions; fair trade is always on my mind, and in my opinion, buying American eases my concerns about the exploitation of workers in clothing factories.  We have revolutionized factory production with the best working conditions and wages around; just take a look at Ford Motor Company.  The question is: Who is the Ford of fashion?
 
If you wear strictly designer clothes,  you'll be excited to know of a few lines that are made here: The Row, line by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen; Propr, men's line by David Arquette & Ben Harper; Vera Wang; and more. (see links below)

Those who don't buy designer can find American made clothes at American Apparel; Todd Shelton for menswear; Anvil, organic sportswear for men and women; Etsy for handmade clothes & American made vintage; and more. (see links below)

The feasibility of purchasing all of one's clothing items from US manufacturers is not great, but we can attempt to add an item here and there (or more).  It's like our fashionable patriotic gesture in doing our part when it comes to American made clothes because only a small number of us are actually concerned with this very important issue.  We are the few, the proud, the shoppers, who care about our style and where it's made.

Additional Links:

• 7 for All Mankind
• Couture Candy (search for USA made)
• J Brand Denim
• Pink Mascara (search for USA made)
• J.Crew (very limited selection; I found 3 pieces)
• Banana Republic (some Denim made in USA)
• Like.com (search for USA made)
• Tobi.com (search for USA)
• ShopLAStyle.com (search for USA made)

Because I can't possibly know all American made clothes and it would take me eons to research it, please post comments with links to those that you know.  Thanks in advance for sharing!

In the pictures above:
Picture 1: Purple floral print dress (purchased & made in Hawaii); The Limited rose collared cardigan
Picture 2: USA made Arden B. blouses; J.Crew jeans
Picture 3: Vintage USA made cotton poplin dress; Vintage necklace from the set of Sex & the City HBO Series; Ann Taylor sandals

 

No Need for Translation

Though I'm always mesmerized by the avant-garde styles and unlikely silhouettes of the runway, translation for the everyday woman is usually a necessity.  In the case of this week's Chanel's 2011 Resort Show in St. Tropez, I've found no need for translation.  Lagerfeld's genius can be plucked from the runway models and easily adorned on any vacationing man or woman, with some styles even casual enough for a summer weekend.  My personal favorite is featured to the right in a photo from Style.com (photo by Chanel).

As I browsed the looks, I noticed so many styles from killer curves and geometric prints to romantic ruffles; the stripes were far from traditional, incorporating stunning and shapely designs.  The show featured very chíc men in brown and the clever juxtaposition of men's floral prints with a truly masculine belt.  And, no resort collection could be complete without the swimwear, which was interestingly paired with tweed.  If you're looking for accessories, this collection won't disappoint you, filled with clutches, belts, bangles and a touch of light baby blue nail polish sure to add flare to your summer.

Have some summer fun in Chanel's Resort runway style; it's definitely "ready-to-wear."

Here are a few more of my favorite looks:
perfect pinks
the other pink
geometric color blocks
a midsummer's night

View the complete collection.  Find your favorite look and share it; everyone deserves a little taste of this Chanel!

Big Names for Big Chains

It's designer quality, designer styles, and it's a few steps away from your mascara and body wash! I'm talking about Zac Posen for Target, and they didn't stop there; Jean Paul Gaultier was one of the first for their GO International™ campaign, and Jemma Kidd's makeup collection offers department store quality at a very affordable price.

We can view it as one of two things: an offering to Americans affected by a recession or simply good designers who like to see their clothes (and colour) on the everyday woman.  Whichever it is, I'm loving it, and I'm sure you will, too!

I needn't say more; these images speak for themselves.

Links for shopping:
Jean Paul Gaultier for Target
Zac Posen for Target
Jodi Arnold for Limited
Jemma Kidd for Target
Louise Goldin for Topshop
Richard Nicoll for Topshop

It's Not Only Fair, It Makes Sense

The word "organic" has become much more common in the past 10 years.  It's not just a term we hear in science class anymore; it's become a dealbreaker for many in their shopping habits.  One of my best friends is not a pure organic shopper, but she does carry around a list of items in her purse that must be bought organic, the "dirty dozen" she calls them.  Following this very justified trend in food shopping comes one for fashion that just makes sense: fair trade clothing, which, I might add, is often organic.

Because fair trade is a newer trend in fashion, shopping for style is a little more difficult, but it's not impossible.  Several clothing companies have been founded with a premise to provide the latest trends produced from fair trade cotton and in factories with fair wages, but this isn't the only goal of the fair trade agreement.  Most of these companies give a percentage of their profits back to the communities where their factories are located to promote education and social well-being among their workers and their families.  In a world whose people are becoming more socially aware of their effect on others and their lives, this idea makes perfect sense.  One of my favorite and probably the most notable fair trade clothing company is People Tree in the United Kingdom.  Their pieces are sensible and stylish, and they offer a line by Emma Watson (Hermione from the Harry Potter Series), who is also a model and style icon.  If you're set on buying fair trade, but don't want to compromise on style at all, People Tree is the place to shop.

With the elimination of sweatshops and minimal wages for workers, the higher cost of production in fair trade clothing can also mean higher prices, as seen in some People Tree designs.  However, one American company has also found ways to avoid raising prices. Fair Indigo, instituted by a former Army paratrooper from Knoxville, Tenn. removes the middle men in production and distribution to keep prices low for consumers.  Along with their incredibly reasonable prices and fair wages for clothiers, this company built its first store entirely with eco-friendly products: bamboo floors and shelves, wood pulp lined walls, and bamboo clothes hangers.  Their clothes don't scream style and are less likely than those of People Tree to give you a runway look, but they're sensible and ethical.

Though it may take some time before we'll find fair trade fashion at our local department stores and designer shops, we can at least try to add some of these items to our wardrobe.  I'm hoping that just as my friend carries her organic list, we can all do something of this sort regarding fair trade shopping, making sure to add a graphic tee or pima cotton dress made by well-compensated hands in a safe and healthy environment.

If you're really interested in this movement, I've provided some links below for more information about fair trade organizations and foundations.

• Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International
• Indigenous Designs: Fair Trade Clothing
• "Fair Trade Fashion" Article from TIME Magazine
• The Fairtrade Foundation

La Petite Pour la Petite

“36-24-36, ha-ha only if she’s 5’3”…” minus a couple inches for me, but Sir Mix-a-Lot had it just about right.  He’s sure got my back, and if you’re petite, he's probably got yours, too.  But, he’s on the short list of people who actually do understand the petite figure.  The rapper knew what was hot then, and one thing is still for sure: petite is in!

Shopping petite can be a miserable experience.  Low rise covers half the navel, the lower back is revealed by a gaping pant waist, sleeves hang past the thumb, and dresses fall inches from satisfaction.  Though I shouldn’t admit it, I’m guilty of once purchasing Capri pants in lieu of ankle length.  It didn't work; don't try it!  Lately I’ve resorted to the more sensible idea of shopping online.  Most online stores boast their vast petite selection, but I’m usually left craving more.  Is it not too much to ask for designers to snip and tuck a little here and there for us shorter clientele?  After all, some of fashion’s biggest trend setters skirt a not necessarily "petite" but definitely smaller frame: Audrey Hepburn, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jackie Onassis.  But unlike these star-studded fashionistas, who have undoubtedly never had to sift through racks of clothing at the local H&M, we live in the real world, and we have to know how to handle it.

In this post, I'd like to offer my fellow short shoppers a list of some of the best petite shopping and relative links.  We first have to understand the petite figure.  You should remember that just because you're taller than 5'3" and never had to purchase short length pants, you could still be petite up top.  And some may need a shorter inseam, but find that petite sized sleeves hit inches from the wrist.  I’ve offered a list below of signs that you may need a petite size.

• Your sleeves are too long; petite tops are adjusted to hit in just the right spot, usually with a sleeve length between 29 and 31 inches 
• Your pants are too long; petite pants have inseams of around 27 to 31 inches depending on the type of pant you are wearing 
• The rise in your pants fits higher than it should; low rise pants should fall 2 to 3 inches below the belly button
• Dresses are longer than they should be; if the dress description says "just above the knee," the skirt should hit just above the knee-- they didn't lie!

When you're shopping petite, be sure to check all of the measurements, not just the pant, sleeve or skirt length.  You may need to go one size up in order to find a really good fit in other areas.

Now, where to go to find these perfectly tailored styles?  Below is a list of stores with the best petite selections.

• Banana Republic: Make sure you check your local store, but if they've recently discarded their petite selection (which many have), you'll need to look online.
• Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor Loft: I'm not the biggest fan of their styles, but they do offer many sensible petite choices, especially for business attire.
• J.Crew: The selection isn't extensive but offers a number of dresses, pants, and tops in petite sizes.
• Zappos.com: You can narrow your shopping search within many categories and find top trends in petite sizes.
• VictoriasSecret.com: The website offers petite length pants, but that’s about it.
• The Little Bra Company: This site has the perfect bra for up top petites.
• Amazon.com: This is definitely a must see if you’re looking for big name designers in petite sizes (e.g., Michael Kors, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Alfani, etc.).
• Paige Premium Denim: They have pretty much all the denim you’ll ever need in a petite wardrobe.
• Sweet Petites Apparel: This is the one-stop shop for sportswear, active wear, and more just for petites.
• Petite Legs: If you have short legs or even really short legs (24”-31”), you can find great jeans here. 

Now, don’t be fooled by all of the petite talk.  I felt the need to celebrate my new “Le Petit” blog by sharing my personal struggle to find stylish clothes in my size.  I’ll be sharing my thoughts about style from every angle.  And always remember the one thing that doesn’t discriminate between tall and short shoppers alike is SHOES!