STYLEnosh

ARE YOU READY FOR JIMMY CHOO AT H&M?

I love, love, love this collection. Too bad I won't see one stitch of it. The closest H&M to me is Orlando and I just can't muster up the time, energy, or effort to drive 4 hours, camp out, and claw my way through the throngs of shoppers. But dang, it sure sounds like fun. I think Tamara Mellon may be my new style crush. The Jimmy Choo for H&M line launches in stores on November 14th. It's been reported that the prices range between $60 - $200 with one pair of over-the-knee boots at $299. It's not what most people consider to be the ideal price point for H&M. But I guarantee this stuff will sell like sweet tea on a hot summer day. (NOTE: It's official. That last reference proves I've been living in the south too long.) Are you willing to pop a couple hundred bucks for Jimmy Choo at H&M?

TAKE 40% OFF THE LIMITED PANTS AND JEANS

The discount applies to regular prices only. Bonus: Enter your waist and hip measurements on The Limited website and it will brilliantly tell you which style of pants and jeans will work best with your body type. For instance, my waist is 24 and my hips are 36.5. So the Cassidy style are the perfect pants for me (which I've known for years) and the 917 style work best for jeans. Sweet! 

THE NEW WARDROBE OF ANN TAYLOR

If you've been reading any fashion magazines lately, you may have noticed the slick, new ads from Ann Taylor announcing the "New Ann". I kept seeing the ads in like every other magazine so I decided to check out the site.

Not bad. My interest is peaked. The clothes are showing more playful, chic characteristics than the long-standing suits and serious nature of the previous Ann Taylor. There are still suits to be had. But now they're presented in a way that incorporates a more fashion.

Another thing I couldn't help but notice that the models on the site were not only more stylish but a tad bit younger too. I wonder if the powers at AT are targeting the fresh faces of those young women just entering the workplace. I only hope they can find jobs so they can actually buy the clothes.

ANNA SUI FOR TARGET HITS THIS WEEKEND

My favorite designer for Target lines are the ones that bypass beige and boring "safe" looks. Think Proenza Schuler in 2007 and this year's Thakoon line. The new collection designed for Target by Anna Sui fits quite nicely in that group.

Here's a sneak peek of some of the looks. And here's a link to the list of Target stores that will be carrying this line. Each of the looks are based on one of the key characters from the CW television show, "Gossip Girl".

If you're not familiar with the show, it's about these uber wealthy, often conniving, fashionable beyond their years teens and the struggles that come with being super rich, manipulative, incredibly stylish. It is such a guilty pleasure! Anyhoo, the Anna Sui collection captures the fashionable soul of the GG cast and churns out a refreshing, color and texture rich fall line.

The prices for this designer Target collection are on the higher side- dresses ranging from $44.99-$69.99 and jackets from $79.99 and up. There are some less expensive items like tops and skirts for $19.99.

Overall, I love, love love this collection! And I can only hope that my Naples neighbors will find it repulsive so that I can rack up all of these wonderful pieces when they make their way to the clearance racks. One can dream.

CHRISTIAN SIRIANO FOR PAYLESS HITS STORES TODAY

Remember the "fierce" competitor and winner of Project Runway's season four, Christian Siriano. Well he's a been a busy little (no pun intended) fashion designer. After designing a collection for fall 2008, he also collaborated with Victoria Secret to create a make-up line. And today, his collection of low priced handbags and shoes hits Payless stores. You can view the line here.

There's been a little chatter regarding Christian toning down the line to make it more mainstream. The collection is definitely not over-the-top crazy like you'd expect from such a imaginative designer. But with prices ranging between $29.99 to $49.99, I don't think you can expect too many embellishments. I think the looks work quite nicely for the initial Payless launch. Who knows, maybe the spikes and crazy chains (which had been reported on other blogs) will show up at a later date.

Let me know what you think about Christian Siriano's new line.

LET'S GO OUT! FOR FASHION'S NIGHT OUT 2009

Fashion's Night Out was created to remind us that shopping keeps people working. If your community isn't sponsoring any special events for the occasion, why not patronize one of your local stores anyway. A little bit goes quite a long way.

Fashion's Night Out is Thursday, September 10th. Shop and enjoy!

via www.fashionsnightout.com

This event benefits the Sept 11th fund. Global event.

FASHIONISTAS BEWARE: THEOUTNET.COM WILL BE YOUR NEW BFF

This site is for all those label lovers!

via www.theoutnet.com

TheOutnet site says: 

TheOutnet.com is an exclusive designer outlet where everyone is invited. Brought to you by the team behind the award-winning designer fashion website NET-A-PORTER.COM, theOutnet is the global shopping destination devoted to selling discounted designer womenswear and accessories.

STYLEnosh says:

If you feel true joy in your heart from finding major designers at up to 80% off, you need to spend some serious time on TheOutnet.com. I first heard about this site when I was flipping through my handy copy of The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style. And the ladies at Lucky were spot on with this one (as usual). 

The selection is so delicious that I actually wish I didn't know about its existence which would eliminate my desire to take my bank balance on a little shopping spree. The shoe section is particularly insane with items from Brian Atwood to Miu Miu. And don't even mention the Christian Louboutin's for under $300. In.san.i.ty. I now know what designer heaven looks like.

OBSERVATIONS IN SHOPPING...

I just spent the last few days in a "tax-free weekend" Atlanta and amazingly, I didn't buy one thing. And while I didn't make any purchases, I did walk away with a few observations.

What happened to H&M? Is it me or are the selections at my favorite, affordable retailer looking a bit lackluster these days? Sure, there's the standard fare: shirts, skirts, jackets, and so on and so on. But that feeling I used to get when I scored the sweetest pieces for under $100 just doesn't seem to be present. I did find these two dresses for $34.95 each. But other than that and two belts, I couldn't find anything to buy.

I guess this was a good problem to have since I really didn't have any money to spend on shopping. But really, what happened to all those delicious H&M finds? I'm used to hauling an armful of goods to the fitting room and walking away with at least a few great items. Lately it just seems like everything is average and therefore easy for me to leave behind.

Avoid tourist shopping destinations. Why you ask? Because tourists, while essential to local economies, tend to be annoying. I had to listen to two ladies lament about how the shopping selection would be "so much better in New York." Really? Did you have to obtain some kind of shopper's certification to come up with that blatantly obvious perspective? It took everything in me not to say, "Duh." Oh wait, I actually did say that. Out loud. I really should have spent some time at the Virginia-Highlands boutiques (think Mitzi & Romano and Bill Hallman) instead of making two trips to Atlantic Station.

It really is okay not to buy, even when it seems like everything is on sale. It feels good to keep some money in my pocket instead of exchanging it for a new belt or a cute, little shirt. If you find a great sale or a tax-free scenario, only buy if you find things you need or love. Don't just buy for the sake of buying. I can honestly say I don't need any new additions to my wardrobe. So for once, I'm just saying no to shopping. Please don't ask me how long this shopping sabbatical will last. I'm sure there's a Macy's One Day Sale gearing up as I type.

FASHION SURPRISES IN EVERY CITY!

So I think I found my fashion heaven in Naples, FL. Marissa Collections is THE place to go for pristine designer shopping in southwest Florida. This store is absolutely beautiful! There are several rooms dedicated to one designer. Think Michael Kors (with a signed poster of the designer on the wall) and another room for Oscar de La Renta. And the designer choices are supreme. But the real superstar of this boutique is the handbag selection. There were numerous bags to choose from but I absolutely loved this beauty from Alexander McQueen.

If you're not familiar with shopping at the local boutiques in your city, stop in and give them a look. They typically have fantastic pieces from various designer collections. And they also host special events like workshops and trunk shows. And while the prices tend to trend on the higher side (this AM beauty sits just below a couple of grand), boutiques have phenomenal sales. (I've snagged a couple of 70% off finds over the years.)

In addition to Marissa Collections, some of my favorite boutiques are Intoto in Minneapolis, MN, where I purchased my first pair of Sigerson Morrisons and Tender in Birmingham, MI. I can honestly say that the money I spent in those stores yielded some incredible deals and styles that I've never seen on anyone else. Oh and years later, with proper care and feeding of course, my purchases still work in my wardrobe. And that's a fashionable investment.

What fashion surprises have you found in your city?

CAN YOU HAVE TOO MANY HANDBAGS?

After yesterday's post, I have a confession to make. Remember last week, I posted the sales for the week? You may recall that the Kate Spade outlet stores were offering an additional 50% off the lowest ticketed price. Well I did what any faithful Kate Spade aficionado would do. I grabbed a shopaholic friend and made the trek to the outlet. The Kate Spade store was at the end of the succession of stores and by the time I got there, I was ready to shop. I thought maybe I'd buy a bag, if the price was right of course.

Well, the price was a little too right. See these three bags? Yeah, I kinda bought all of them.

But wait, before you shake your head and wag your finger, here was my logic.

1 - Most people that know me know that Kate Spade is my handbag of choice. In fact, it's my signature bag. So if there's an opportunity to get one of these beautiful bags on sale, I'm definitely looking into it.

2 - This sale was fan-tabulous! That means it was so good I had to combine fantastic and fabulous. I originally planned to buy a bag online but I thought the deals at the outlet store would be more beneficial. And I was right. The bag I was eyeing online was about $144. The outlet store sale price was about $82. The original price was $275. I call that a significant savings.

And C - There's no way I could successfully disregard points one and two and not buy a bag or two. I hadn't purchased a new KS bag in three years. I was definitely feeling a little over due. Instead buying the hobo bag I wanted, I grabbed these three: a brown leather tote (perfect for my fashion magazines and writing journals), a bright yellow satchel, and a red clutch with fuchsia leather trim.

See how the red clutch transforms into a tote? Absolutely delicious!! I would hang my head in shame but how can I when I look so cute!

SN

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TOO MANY CLOTHES?

There's nothing like packing to remind you of just how much stuff you really have and probably don't need. I'm not talking about packing for a trip. I'm talking packing for a new home. Yes, I am in the process of moving. And instead of picking up and moving across town, I'm moving to a new state. Florida to be exact. I'll be living, working, writing, and shopping in Naples. So I'm feverishly trying to get all my stuff boxed up and ready to go. This process has definitely confirmed that some of the previous purchases I've made were not the most wise.

Exhibit A - While going through my closet and subsequently pulling out everything, I found more than one item with the tag still hanging on it, like this black dress and these satin black pants. I think both items were around $15 a piece. And while those are some rock bottom prices, it's still $15 too much if you never wear it. I purchased the dress because you know, you always need a little black dress, right? But the trick to buying the perfect little black dress is to select a simple style that will last over time. I bought this one about six years ago and when I tried it on yesterday I though ick! I clearly no longer liked the dress but more importantly looking back, I don't think it ever looked good on me.

Exhibit B - There was more than one or two items that can easily be identified as, "I just bought this because it was on sale." The money I spent on that $7 blazer could have been used to buy something I really loved. Or here's a radical idea, I could have saved the dough and not bought anything. 

Packing has the unique ability to force you to touch every piece of clothing you own in a short period of time. And while folding that item into a box or storage bin, you really can't help but think back to the reason you bought it or when you wore it or why you never wore it. It's a great reminder that sometimes we just buy unconsciously on a whim. And most times, we don't need to buy anything at all.

NEW TARGET GO INTERNATIONAL: TRACY FEITH

Warning: This new line at Target is for the chic or fashion daring individual. All beige lovers need not apply!

I was at Target yesterday and when I walked past the Tracy Feith for Target racks I was totally surprised by what I found. If you're not familiar with this designer, check out the Tracy Feith bio. His style aesthetic, mixing bohemian with a luxury feel, has definitely carried through to his collection for Target. The looks are all very interesting and fresh. I love, love, love the sheath dresses! (The dress shown here is priced at $39.99.)

The star of this line is all of the colorful prints. If you tend to dress in from head to toe in black, white, or khaki, you should indulge a bit and try something from this line. Just remember if you're wearing a colorful top or skirt, be sure to pair it with one of your more neutral pieces. And if you're a fashion risk taker, mix and match those prints for a fashion forward look.  

This embroidered blouse is beautiful in person. And at $24.99, it's quite affordable. Several people reviewed this item and said that it was too big, giving it a "shapeless", "potato sack" look. One way to minimize the an extra blousy top is to add a belt around your natural waist. You'll not only create a waistline, you'll also be successfully accessorizing too.

SN

Images: Target.com