Lovely People, that is. A label I just landed on from my best online resource, Racked.

Check out these gems on super-duper sale. Not a long post, but a worthy post for you today. Click. Love. Buy.

I can picture these under jeans, with leggings, miniskirts or any skirt. And if you're daring, you can wear them with tights in the fall and winter.

Pretty colors against neutral tan. Open peep-toe with leather strappings to securely hold your foot in place. Tapered heel, double buckle. Add all this up and you get a delicious shoe.

I’m in love with Ralph Lauren Rugby. For those of you unfamiliar, it is just as it sounds: a line of clothing inspired by the sporting look of Rugby uniforms combined with an undercurrent of the UK but bubbled neatly in all-American classic style.  Then, it’s reimagined to fit an urban-cool, funk-a-licious prepster of any metropolitan city (or a really daring suburbinite). The colors are right, the stylings are fresh, innovative and captivating, and the quality, well, it’s Ralph Lauren after all.

Here is what I mean…

Plaid of the prepster, distressed and rolled-up jeans, proper heels, girly ruffles, and a newsboy cap. Could more styles end up in one outfit so harmoniously? Probably not.

Fair Isle sweater dress with a wide neck that shows off a more intersting, but subdued pattern. The tie adds a droplet of masculine style that peeks out and the leggings provide a special layer of femininity, lest we forget, we're girls.

Hello Highland-ess! This kilt makes you want to draw your dirk but the leggings and heels remind you that you're dealing with a woman. The shirred shoulders soften an otherwise classic pattern of plaid, and the hat "tops it off" with a funky personality.

I just bought these amazing new boots from the DKNY store here in NYC. As I was strolling, I decided to go into DKNY to browse and look at all the fall garments adorning the shelves, draping lovingly over racks, and boasting their rich colors and supple fabrics to passers-by. Then, I saw the boots. They made me stop, look, grab, touch, buckle and unbuckle, and ask urgently to have them in my size.  Ashley, the lovely sales woman happily obliged and giggled at the slight pleading in my voice.

She brought them in my traditional size 8 and, as any good sales person would do, one half size up. She knew that they run small and didn’t want me to lose my momentum at the first pair feeling just a touch snug.

She was right. I tried the 8s. They were stunning but snug. I tried the 8.5, slipped them both on and was immediately transformed into from a 5′2″ sassy woman to a 5′8″ GLAM-azon/contestant for America’s Next Top Model. Even my walk changed as I approached the floor-to-ceiling mirror.

There was no question. I was buying them. And here they are–my new boots. Love them with me, won’t you?

I will wear these boots with the following: Dresses with tights. Leggings. Skirts. Flared-leg pants and jeans. Shorts in the fall & spring. To work. Out for the night and back again.

Transforming your summer threads into fall ensembles can be as easy as adding a jacket, cardigan, or under-layer like a long sleeve, fitted cotton tee.

Take your favorite summer maxi dress (you know the ones – those sexy, grecian-flowing, full-length cotton or silk jersey dresses you wear with beautiful flats or flips).  Create a foundation underneath with a tissue-thin t-shirt and top it with a tailored blazer or jacket.  Instead of your beloved flip flops, trade up for a pair of low-heeled riding boots with tights for another layer shielding your precious legs from the fall nip. The long dress looks effortless, comfortable and still sexy in a very reserved fashion. The blazer adds a tailored bit of structure, and the pretty t-shirt puts comfy cotton against your skin and adds a pretty pop of color underneath the seasonal re-emergence of black (black…always good for fall).

Check it out…

Easy and inexpensive, from one of my favorite stores - Target!

Can't get enough of JCrew's basics - Cardies, tanks, and these great Ts

A good blazer is one of the best investments you can make. It transforms anything into a polished, fitted, and sophisticated look. And it acts as your "coat" in the in-between weather temperatures, like in fall.

Like a good blazer, a well-made pair of boots go with EVERYTHING no matter what you're doing. The tall shaft make them ideal for all lengths of bottoms and the low heel is the saving grace of your feet for a long day at work or running around town.

to fall, that is.  If you feel like you can’t take your summer duds into the fall, you’re crazy!  you can absolutely do that with a few key styling elements.  Fall is the best because you can have the opportunity to wear leggings, boots, cool jackets and other warmer weather accessories without feeling like you need to pile on a huge, heavy, burdensome coat.

That said, here is the first installment of Summer to Fall – Let’s Move Forward!

Summer Skirts Become Fall Skirts

There’s nothing better than a dichotomous, seemingly unmatched outfit, just working!  Take a girley, fluttery summer skirt (the brighter the better!) and pair it with ankle length leggings and ankle boots or t-strap pumps. Top it off with a lightweight cotton, crew neck sweater and a classic Nipped-in Blazer.

Posted in clothes, color, colorful clothes, fashion, Floral prints, Image, Leggings, shopping, style, summer clothes, trendy clothes Tagged: fall clothes ]]> http://callastyle.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/lets-move-forward/feed/ 0 ZG Skirt Leggings Booties T-Straps Crewneck Sweater Nipped Blazer http://callastyle.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/frenchie-style/ http://callastyle.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/frenchie-style/#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:03:25 +0000 Zovig http://callastyle.wordpress.com/?p=306 ]]>

New to me, but maybe not to others, is a little store in downtown Manhattan, birthed by the French (of course, because that’s where high fashion starts) called Comptoir des Cotonniers (literal translation: Counter of the Cotton Ones).  This store was introduced to me by my friend Anita a few months ago. I’ve only been once, but I will return.

It is a French-made ready-to-wear line for women with bright and rich colors, simple patterns,  a girly, whimsical (yet timeless in style) aesthetic, and all the best blends of silks, cottons, and the like. They sell shoes, bags, dresses, pants, tops…the French works.

Here’s the frenchie-411 on my faves:

Wear in the summer with ballet flats or in the winter with tights, boots, a turtleneck layer and high-waist belt!

Oh how dreamy and Mediterranean are these blues?

Stunning color, simple yet girly ruffles and a drapy, comfy style that is to die.

Trench for the Fall. Bag for all Seasons (and everything but your kitchen sink).

I own this top! Oh, the beautiful silk is loose and sexy, the color is universal for all skin tones and the wide neckline flatters most women's silhouettes.

We’re into the dog days of NY summer right now and I can’t live without flip flops. I wear them to the beach and to run errands. I wear them in the shower at the gym and down to do my laundry. I wear them at my summer share house. I wear them in the apartment when I am doing chores. I wear them; oh, do I wear them.

My favorite brand of casual flips are Havaianas.

They come in countless colors and designs, stay on your feet, the rubber doesn’t give you blisters, and the straps are remarkably slender making them sweetly elegant. The best part is how affordable they are with some of the prettiest ones being under $25. Below are some of my favorites.

But before I get to my faves, I have flip flop etiquette to share.

In NYC, women often wear them to commute to and from work (saving our soles from sore feet caused by long days in our various strappy numbers, up and down subways steps and over sewer grates).  But please, please, take them off when you get to work. They are not professional and they do make that horrific noise with each step.  If you must wear flip flops, buy leather or jeweled versions that are more upscale and just as comfy.

And now, my picks… (I haven’t linked all the images because you can simply go to Havaianas site and be dazzled by all of the choices yourself.  I do and I am.)

I have recently (well, not so recently actually) been finding that I am addicted to online sample sales. The daily new crop of brands that go on sale at 11 am or 12 pm ET. The countdown clock that suggests urgency – miss out on it now and never see it again.  The pretty pictures with up-close zoom features showing you every button, buckle, grommet, crease, stitch and suppleness of fabric. And of course, the original price slashed only to show the 40-50-75% off discount.

Well, needless to say, the economy sucks.  And I need to be responsible. With a 50/50 chance of the garment working and only being able to return things for credit (meaning, no refunds, ever), I decided to put a stop to my obsessive online shopping. I discussed this with a good friend (an equally obsessive sample sale troller) and she drafted The Shopping Creed – a list of guidelines that we must both follow in order to purchase (or not purchase) a garment from online sample sales. And here, I share it with you.

You CAN’T buy it if:

• You have it already in some way, shape or form
• You can only wear it to an imaginary event (“What if a friend gets married in Greece? I have to have this!”)
• It’s being sold for less than 60% off
• It’s a T-shirt over $30 (with shipping)
• You’re not sure it’s going to fit
• You’re being daring and it’s not normally something you wear (more than likely you won’t wear it)
• It’s a pair of Jeans (they never fit)
• It’s final sale and non-returnable

You CAN buy it if:

• YOU LOVE IT and have been waiting for it to go on sale
• You can definitely resell it on ebay (must snag images of it from the sale)
• You DO have a friend getting married in Greece and it’s the only thing that makes sense
• It’s more than 70% off
• You will wear it ’til it’s dying day
• It’s a staple item that your closet needs
• It’s a gift for a friend
• You’ve asked a friend when you’re in a bind and got the OK

Of course, we laugh at ourselves for our need for something like this. But, I have to say that it has forced me to really evaluate my shopping choices, even in the last few days. No, I don’t need the split sleeve silk top in royal blue.  And no, I don’t need the maxi dress in emerald green silk jersey (because I already have five maxi dresses and all of them are gorgeous. Plus I have not enough days in the week to wear them all!).  Don’t even look at the JBrand denim sale – jeans need to be tried on in person before buying them.

Hey, I need to employ the help of others when combatting my own personal compulsive behaviors. I lost weight with the help of a group. I consult good friends when making major choices in my life to get different insights.  I work in marketing and that’s what we do, working in groups, that is.  Challenges are faced easier and more successfully with a partner or buddy.

So T and I face sample sales together and together we say a definitive “Yes” to those garments that will change our lives and “No” to those that only take up space in the closet (and my life).

Scarves! Next to rings, bracelets, necklaces, handbags, shoes, and belts, scarves are my favorite accessory. But it currently has bubbled to the top of my pool of adornments as my current favorite.

Let’s explore because a life without scarves is a life not worth living.

An organic silk chiffon short scarf can be the perfect dose of color to an otherwise simple neutral top. The scarf can be tied in a short, taut bow, dangle loosely to the side (as pictured) or just tie two points behind your neck for a drapey/cowel-like effect.

A long, skinny scarf like this, made from silk chiffon can be wrapped several times around your neck like a faux-turtleneck. Alternatively, you can wrap it one single time, loosely with both ends in front. I even love to tie these in my hair and let the ends hang down my back.

This boho-chic number can be used for warmth on a crisp spring morning and then transforms into an accessory against a crisp white shirt or tank top. Heck, I'd even pair this with a hot pink top (you risk looking like an Easter egg, but who cares?). I like to pair scarves like this with a comfy v-neck t-shirt and my favorite jeans on a Saturday afternoon of movies or errands.

This viscose scarf can provide warmth with your best pea coat or driving coat in fall weather. With the pom poms and ruffle-y layers of fabric, it's feminine and functional, chic and cozy.

How beautiful--a-spring-made-from-wool-for-the-winter! This wrap (super wide as it is long) drapes casually over your shoulders for an effortless pop of color to layer over your coat and again over your shirt when the coat comes off. The colors are delicious and bright, successfully reminding you that spring is just around the corner.

Linen is a natural fiber, lightweight, comfortable and high quality. This casual scarf should be loosely draped around your neck, or for some drama, over your head 50's-style for a ride with the top down in a convertible (if you have one).

Possibly one of the most famous designers of scarves, pictured above is the signature colorful, geometric silk of Pucci. This is a scarf masterfully turned into a top. If you're not this daring, you can certainly tie it around your neck and pin it with a beautiful golden broach. This is a pricey accessory, but Pucci says instant class and will never, ever go out of style.

Make no mistake–scarves are not just for warmth. I’d argue that’s the last thing they’re for! They’re an accessory, a necessary one. They come in all price points, lengths, widths, and functions. There are umpteen books dedicated to just tying a scarf.

Go.

Buy.

Play.

And I’m not referring to children.

Another item to buy in multiples…The Cardigan.

In it’s simplest form, it’s a sweater that opens in the front. How it opens, the way it in which it closes, the fit, fabric and silhouette are all variables that depend on the designer and the way you choose to “cover-up”. Cardigans are worn over everything–camisoles, t-shirts, oxfords, dresses, with skirts, with pants, with jeans…the works. Here are some of my faves right now.

This cardigan drapes elegantly and remains open at the front, but has the cinched waist to add structure and an hourglass shape.

A classic style that's never dated, the crew neck cardigan has a modest neckline and adds a polished effect to anything you throw it over. I'd wear this with a bright floral or loud geometric pattern underneath. The plain cardigan will balance the overpowering pattern.

The crochet of this tie-waist number gives some interest to an otherwise plain color (oatmeal is tasty but can be blah-boring in clothing) that could wash you out. Put this on over a simple black dress for a jazzy effect or a hyper-bright camisole and watch the color peek through the weave of the crochet. This will add dimension to a plain and simple outfit.

This one is sporty with it's thick rugby-like stripes but the twist is in the color combination. It may seem loud but let this cardigan be the focus of your outfit and keep everything else simple. Pair this with jeans or plain, flat front trousers and a simple t-shirt or classic white oxford (cuffs, collar, and tail peeking out). If you're worried the horizontal strips will widen you, button only the middle one or two buttons to create an hourglass shape.

This version is slouchy with an intentionally drape-y fit. But rest assured that slouchy does not equal sloppy if you layer it with a fitted top. Try a bold emerald green or bright orange with this soft navy blue pictured above. And, on the bottom, try your favorite light colored denim or even a classic pencil skirt and heels.

Cardigans aren’t just for sweater sets (snooze).  They are a versatile, comfortable, and essential garment that any woman needs more than one of in her closet. It’s a fast fix to punch up a clean look.  Find a style (or styles) you like, and buy in basic black, a pattern or stripe of your choice, and your favorite solid color for endless permutations with your various tops and bottoms.