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The May J. Crew catalog is out. It was shot at a beautiful beach and features the typical quirky J. Crew styling… like who really wears sequins and a poufy hat to the beach?
I do like the sequin tank though (Sequin Drizzle Tank, $148). They also have a less expensive version (Sequin Tissue Tank, $74)
Here are a few other picks:
Linen Military Blazer, $98. I love linen’s slouchy casual look, it’s perfect for Summer.
Suckered Gingham Shirt, $69.50. This is done in a soft cotton and come perfectly rumpled.
Tailored Linen Maybelle Jacket, $158. I like the idea of a jacket with no collar. I think you could wear this with a lot of things – even just jeans and a tank top.
Also of note are their shoes. They seem to be going a bit more trendy. Like these (right to left): Bridgeford Lace-Up Platform Heels ($228), Agnyss Platform Heels ($250), Demetra Heels ($198), and Suede Averill Midheel Sandals ($238).
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When I was browsing for my post yesterday I ran across a Charles David shoe that has basically knocked off the Louboutin Simple 100 pumps exactly, except for the red sole of course… they wouldn’t have the gall to do that! I’m not sure how I feel about it. In a way it’s totally lame for Charles David to have done, but at the same time it’s just great to be able to get the same look for a lot less…
This is the very classic Louboutin Simple 100 Pump, $595.
I have these. I got mine back in Spring ‘08. They are light as a feather and beautifully made (in Italy).
I’d have to see the Charles Davids in person to see how they really compare, but they have certainly done a good job in copying the exact shape of the shoes. I doubt they are made as well… they are made in Spain though, which frankly I am impressed about that. Many shoes are being made in China now… even the $350 Marc Jacobs ballet pumps I posted about yesterday are made in China!
Charles David Cheri Pump, $160.
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I’m not much into ballet flats personally. I have no use for flats aesthetically, but they are practical. The ballet flat craze is… well, crazy! I much prefer the look of the ballet slipper on heels! I’ve found a few!
Christian Louboutin Georgineta, $795.
Christian Louboutin Lolo, $795.
Marc by Marc Jacobs, Bow Hidden Platform Pumps, $350
In the lower price points, I am not finding exactly the right thing…
These are close, and very inexpensive!
Tahari Ta-Desiree Pump, $44. The heel is too low though… (only 3″). But they definitely have the ballet slipper look.
These are even less expensive, but they have the peep toe…
Charlotte Russe Bowtie Pumps, $24.50
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It’s a dreary, rainy day in New York, but at least we only have a few more days of “April Showers” left. I got stuck outside this morning without an umbrella (not good for the hair!) so I’ve been thinking about umbrellas…
My favorite umbrella is always a classic Burberry. I’ve left one in a cab before, so now mine is the huge stick style that’s hard to forget.
Neiman’s has one that is black on the outside and nova check on the underside, Check Lined Umbrella $275
They also have a cute compact one now with a heart pattern. Heart Print Auto Umbrella, $125.
Here are some choices that won’t make you cry if you lose them!
From eBags, Galleria Paris Stick Umbrella, $24 (on sale, reg. $30)
Bloomingdale’s Green Umbrella, $18 (and with each purchase Bloomingdale’s will make a $6 donation for each exclusive umbrella sold to the Natural Resources Defense Council)
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Lately we’ve been seeing a lot of plaid shirts around – on people and at retail. It’s kind of unexpected – you know, plaid seems very L.L. Bean or farmer… but somehow it’s making a very cool comeback with the fashionable.
Charlize is wearing hers with skinny black jeans and some fabulous heels:
Lauren is also wearing skinny jeans, some platform heels, a giant bag and a gorgeous David Yurman ring:
Chances are you have a few pairs of skinny jeans and plenty of cool shoes, so all you need to get the look is a plaid shirt!
Here are a few of good options:
Banana Republic 3/4 Sleeve Boyfriend Shirt, $59.50.
Vince Supersoft Plaid Shirt, $245 at Bloomingdale’s
J. Crew Sconset Plaid Shirt, $69.50
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Sara Jessica Parker was spotted running errands in New York in a very low key ensemble highlighted by the Louis Vuitton Leopard Print Scarf. The print was created for Vuitton by the late Stephen Sprouse.
The scarf is amazingly still available! (it seems the Sprouse rose print sold out almost immediately)
The scarf is a cashmere/silk blend. It is a very large size of aprox. 51 x 79 inches. It is $715. Here is the link for purchasing. The Vuitton site doesn’t allow direct linking to products, so when you go to the site you can enter “leopard stole” into the search box to bring you to the product listing.
For those of us who cannot afford the Vuitton version (boo hoo hoo), there are some other options… and much more reasonably priced!
Here’s one from Harmony Lane, Leopard Fringe Scarf, $35. It is 100% cotton.
This one is super cute, because it is printed with leopard and cherries! It’s Galliano… but it’s sort of Vuitton-esque because it combines the leopard and cherries (they did the Murakami cherries). It is 100% silk and is $135 at Zappos Couture.
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I haven’t bought anything from Land’s End in years… but their new Canvas collection is perhaps making me rethink that. The looks are still pretty traditional but they are updated and the cuts are better.
Land’s End describes it as “an expansive line of effortless, versatile clothing for men and women that reinterprets Lands’ End’s authentic American style and combines it with modern, lived-in sensibility and fit.”
Here are a few of my picks.
Sleeveless Poplin Dress, $69.50 (very cute, I doubt the traditional Land’s End would do such a short length)
Wellie Boots, $69.50 (these look very similar to Hunter boots but are much less expensive)
Boyfriend Jeans in 3 Year Wash, $49.50 (okay, these aren’t that exciting, but $49.50, that’s cheap! … less than half of what J. Crew would charge)
Cotton Lawn Beach Cover-up, $39.50 (has that Tory Burch tunic look, but again, for much less)
You can learn more about what inspires the Canvas designers at their blog, here.
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For some reason I’ve always loved bamboo. It’s just cool. Fashion has also loved bamboo for some time – from Gucci’s use of bamboo accents going back to the 1940s to Tiffany’s sterling silver bamboo jewelry and silverware. Over the last few years it’s been even more popular, from bamboo wood floors to fabrics made from bamboo pulp… Well here are a couple of new fun and inexpensive bamboo things:
Sonia Kashuk for Target has these unique make-up brushes made with bamboo handles and natural or synthetic hair bristles (depending on the brush). They are a limited edition offering. Shown below from left: Straight from Nature Foundation Brush, $16.99; Straight From Nature Powder Brush, $19.99 and Straight from Nature Eye Brush 3-pc. Set, $19.99
Here’s another cool bamboo find: Physician’s Formula Bamboo Wear Face Powder and Bronzer. They come in the cool bamboo compact shown below, and what’s inside is good too. The powder and bronzer revive the skin with essential minerals needed to maintain an even skin tone, texture and healthy-looking complexion; absorb excess oil for a fresh, comfortable feel and finish without a drying effect; and smooth the skin surface and blur fine lines while providing a toning and lifting effect.
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Gap is offering an extra 25% off sale items. Use code GAPSALE25 at checkout. The sale items are pretty extensive including a bunch of tees, shirts, sweaters, denim, pants, skirts, dresses, activewear and loungewear!
Here are a few of the bargains:
Favorite Striped Tank. Regular $14.50, Sale $7.99, with Extra Discount $5.99.
Belted Utility Jacket. Regular $79.50, Sale $69.99, with Extra Discount $52.49.
Easy Straight Patched Jeans. Regular $79.50, Sale $39.99, with Extra Discount $29.99.
Twist Neck Dress. Regular $69.50, Sale $49.99, with Extra Discount $37.49.
Wow, those are some pretty amazing deals! Hurry, the offer ends today and is online only. Click here for the full selection of women’s sale items.
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Lately you can’t escape the ads for the new Balenciaga fragrance – they’ve got one in almost every magazine. Usually I tear out all the stinky paper inserts in my magazines, but I think I may actually like this one. The bottle has a nice vintage look to it with a crackled ball on top of a nice looking glass vessel.
The ads are nice too, they feature the classy but not typically beautiful Charlotte Gainsbourg. She is said to be Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquière’s muse.
Here is the description from Balenciaga’s website.
“BALENCIAGA PARIS is a luminous, sophisticated fragrance with beautiful ingredients shaped in an innovative structure • Both modern and classic, just like traditional haute perfumery • A Chypre Violet with the green, fresh signature of the flower and its leaves, blended into a precious harmony of pure woods • A refined, feminine fragrance with a unique trail • ”
There is also a great review of the fragrance at one of my favorite blog sites: now smell this, read it here.
You can purchase it at Neiman Marcus, $95 for 1.7 oz or $130 for 2.5 oz.