Anna Sui Arrives at Target

Anna Sui’s most recent collection arrived in Target stores on September 13 and is already being plucked off the racks like so many ripe fruit. Taking inspiration from Sui’s favorite show, “Gossip Girl,” the collection is infused with Sui’s signature bohemian flair.

Sui created a look for each female character of the cast: Serena, Blair, Jenny and Vanessa. However, I have to say the clothes all have a more Sui-like bohemian kick rather than being imbued with the new york spirit. The clothes still charm however with exotic prints, intriguing fabrics and fun shapes.

Anna Sui’s more high end lines have captured my fancy though. You can see them at her website or at the website ShopStyle. ( an all inclusive online store I’ll feature in the next post).

$39.99

$24.99

$59.99

$69.99

(Photo Credits: Target)

the clothes are higher priced than some of the other featured designers Target has had, but Anna Sui is a more well-known designer. you can be assured that clothing is well made and even if you can only afford one piece, it’ll last a long time. High end clothes are almost an investment.

Make that $10 dress look like a $100 dress

Sometimes there is nothing more lovely than buying a silk dress that cost your weeks worth of groceries, or a pair of leather shoes that cost you your rent. But sometimes we have to push those desires to the side and spend our rent money at more affordable places. To make that burden easier to carry I’ve listed some tests I use whenever I have to huff on over to the thrift stores.

Don’t buy inexpensive clothes in bright colors

The fabric and dye used are already cheap and a bright garish color will only draw attention the fact. Try and buy only rich, deep colors; a rich color makes the piece look rich.

Garish colors: Anything neon, lime, pink, yellow, teal, and so on.

Rich colors: Plum, black, indigo, forest green, cream, grey, etc.

As always there are exceptions to the rule, so if you like it go ahead and buy it.

Check the stitching and thread

If you’re buying an inexpensive piece, look over the stitching. Make sure it’s tight, small stitches. If there are any loose threads, go ahead and lightly tug it; some pieces just have extra stitches that can be removed without harm, but if it unravels other stitches, ditch it.

Make sure it fits you well

The way a piece of clothing fits you can completely make or break how you look. Many experienced shoppers will know when a piece of clothing fits right; it will feel comfortable and look good. For those who are unsure, ask these questions:

For jeans:

Is the material gaping when you sit down in the back?                                                                                                                                    Do the jeans rest right on your hips comfortably?                                                                                                                                               Does it make your Behind look fantastic?                                                                                                                                                         Also don’t forget the shrink factor. When you wash your jeans, they will shrink, so buy the size accordingly. Basically if it looks good, feels good, buy the jeans.

For dresses:

Does the length coordinate with your height? If a dress falls at the knee or just about the knee, that’s ideal, but if it ends awkwardly at your calf, skip it.                                                                                                                                                                                      Is there gaping underneath the armpits? If there is, it doesn’t fit right.

Choose a better fabric

Try and always buy cotton. It’s natural, sturdy and makes the piece look better. Polyester is also a suitable material as it is usually combined with natural fibers and may be more wrinkle-resistant. A fabric I can’t stand though is rayon. To my eye it looks fake, cheap and feels the same way.

Don’t be a lazy shopper. Examine the piece of clothing, move around it and see how it feels on your body. Ask yourself the Golden Three: Is it Durable? Is it Versatile? Is it Affordable?  If the clothing doesn’t meet at least two of these criteria, I won’t buy it. Remember it’s your money, so spend it wisely.

The Fall 10

Although where I am writing from ( Scottsdale Arizona) it is 114 degrees out, I’m already lusting after this Fall’s fashion prospects. As the heat waves soar on, so does my desire for crisp mornings and even crisper tweed jackets and silky scarves to contrast them. So to those of us suffering in hotter climates, let’s pretend its an ideal October day…

Ten things I’ll be wearing this Fall

1.  Jacket

Photo Credit: Spiegel

2.  White Shirt

Photo Credit: Old Navy

3.  Trouser

Photo Credit: Nordstom

4. Silk scarves

Photo Credit: Top Shop

5. Sheath dress

Photo Credit: Newport News

6. Bangles

Photo Credit: Torrid

7. Skinny belts

Photo Credit: Anne Taylor

8. Cowl neck sweaters

Photo Credit: Old Navy

9. Neutral-colored outerwear

Photo Credit: Forever 21

10. T-strap heels

Photo Credit: Victoria Secret

LIFEwithBIRD clothing line

LIFEwithBIRD is a beautiful clothing line created by the Australian pair Nicholas Van Messner and Bridget McCall. They know how to effortlessly drape a dress as well as make another with perfect structure. If I had the money, I’d buy almost every piece.

Photo Credits: LIFEwithBIRD

A sandal victory!

I’d just like to point out this small fashion victory. Thank you Target in aiding me in my quest for inexpensive footwear.

Photo Credit: DSW

Please not the style AND the $39.95 price tag.

Photo Credit: Target

Sweet bargain? I should certainly say so.

This is why I adore Target and don’t care that myself and 1 million+ other ladies do too. A $17.95 sandal is always a cute sandal.

DSW, watch yourself.

Who wears short shorts?

For me shorts have always held a certain taboo. I could never put a denim pair on without thinking: Do these fit right? Are they too long? Too short? And of course, how do my thighs look in these? It’s all about finding the right pair to grace your hips and flaunt your lovely gams, though. 

 

1. Go easy on the denim. Denim has just been over-abused for too long. Case in point: all those teenage girls in cut-offs where the pockets are longer than the actual shorts. And just as exposed as other body parts..

2. Cuffs. Cuffed shorts are just classy looking. They’re also a nice detail .

3.  High-waisted. They look good with a tucked in white blouse. 

4. Bow-front ties. They look sweet.

5. Silk. Or silk-like blends. The fabric feels lovely and it looks great and pulls together anything you wear with it.

6. Dark colors. Black, grey… They’re a refreshing color compared to all the lighter colors of summer.

The pleats are a nice detail.

Photo Credit: Target

 

 

Bow!

Photo Credit: Forever 21

 

I love the flare on these.

Photo Credit: Forever 21

New clothing proportions

Math was never my strong suit, but I could always handle Geometry. I loved how visual it could be with the curving lines, triangles and rectangles. So I’m overjoyed to see it in the fashion world. Geometric influenced shapes, such as ruffles, layers, longer hems, folds and pleats bring just enough intrigue to a piece of clothing without overwhelming it. 

On the color side of things, I’m looking for bright colors like yellow, plum, salmon, teal and lime. I’m building all this around a few central colors such as dove-grey, cream and black. I’m going for a clean, structured look with a few stand-out pieces laced throughout.

In a way, I’m trying to create a look reminiscent of a city: stiff, clean lines, hard shapes and metallic colors with flashes of color racing throughout. Like a city I want my clothes to look unassuming at a first glance, but the closer you look, the more interesting things one sees.

But showing is always better than telling, so let’s begin.

Photo Credit: DKNY

Photo Credit: Calvin Tran

Photo Credit: Moschino

 

Photo Credit: Forever21

 

Photo Credit: Target

Vintage Adventure II

As you may have remembered from my last post, I’m profiling vintage stores across the Valley. This week I’m featuring the popular Buffalo Exchange located at227 W. University. Buffalo Exchange not only promotes great fashion, but environmental responsibility by recycling and reusing clothing.  They are currently offering a $5 off coupon now through April 22 when you bring in animal food or toys which they will donate to the Arizona Animals Welfare League.  Another great thing they do is whenever you don’t use a plastic shopping bag for your purchases; you’ll receive a token which you can then donate to a charity such as promoting human rights around the world.

Buffalo Exchange

I experienced this second-hand store first hand and was not disappointed by the varied selection. I meandered through the store looking for great pieces to contribute to a great outfit and I accomplished just this.

After examining several dress racks I found a lovely grey dress, perfect for warmer climates. I decided I would make the dress the centerpiece of my outfit.

Dress by Color Me Red                $22.50

There is nothing better than bright yellow flats, yes?

Shoes by Blossom Collection                             $18.50

I actually bought these snakeskin bangles, I loved them that much.

Snakeskin bracelets                                              $11.50

Peacock bangle                                                       $ 13.50

A quality leather satchel always adds a luxurious quirk

Leather satchel by Fashion Express   $ 13.50

The final Product

Buffalo Exchange is a fantastic store, where you’ll not only be helping your fashion sense but the environment as well.

Vintage Adventure

Today I headed down to Tempe to explore a  jewel of the vintage fashion industry: Sunset Clothing Xchange.  This  store is an excellent place to find unique and interesting pieces of clothing. My mission there was to see what it offered and put together my own outfit for a minimal amount of money ( I’m a college student on a budget, but what’s new?). I think I can proudly say job well done.

Sunset Clothing Xchange

This small, but lovely vintage shop is located right on 601 W. University and has a welcoming and attractive ambiance. Walking in, you notice the bright sunlight reflecting off the polished hardwood floors and from the huge gilt mirror on the back wall. Clothes are organized on circular racks that are placed perfectly- so you aren’t awkwardly careening with other shoppers who’ll then give you an even more awkward grimace . An eclectic soundtrack of Ra Ra Riot and Morrissey plays as you drift among vintage dresses and blouses.

Sunset Clothing Xchange has been in business for 4 years now and was the creation of owner Angel Fuentes. The store is wonderfully involved in the community and features local designers. Employee Lindsey Shank says they are currently featuring the designer Debris Blanc; his designs are placed throughout the store.

Sunset Clothing Xchange obviously looks for clothing styles which are current and in-season ( They are looking for spring and summer trends). The clothes must be in good condition-meaning nothing you spilled taco sauce on. Pricing is based on the style, condition, retail price and brand. They buy and trade your clothes. However, if you really want to get rid of those old cardigans or footless tights (eesh), they’ll donate your items to The Sojourner Center for Abused Women.

I circled the store looking for anything that caught my eye. It took awhile( I’m picky) but I saw the yellow, decorated cardigan boldly peaking out between a lonely beige sweater and another chunky knit. I saw the brown leather clutch trapped behind a forgettable black satchel and the purple tank top was hanging out with the other tank tops. The necklace (which, I apologize, you can’t see) was a round pendant with a fun black and white dotted pattern.  The jeans and shoes are my own, because I couldn’t find either that fit well enough.

This fantastic shoe rack highlights interesting shoes, like the teal oxfords you see shining here.

Sunset Clothing Xchange has a comfortable and spacious dressing room

They also offer a wide variety of purses.

The finished project.

Yellow cardigan: Banana Republic, $15.75

Purple top: Tara Jarmon, $7.oo

Leather purse: $9.75

Necklace: Price unknown, but I don’t doubt they’ll give it you for a good price.

Sunset Clothing Xchange is a wonderful store that is stocked with great clothing and great employees ( Lindsey was sweet enough to take the pictures). They offer an overall pleasant experience.

Coming Next: Buffalo Exchange: I discover why all the hip, cool kids are going to this hip, cool place.

Spring stimulus plan

Hello lovelies,

It’s finally a new season, and with that comes fresh and fantastic new fashions. It’s Spring time and along with the rejuvenating weather there are also rejuvenating clothes to adorn yourself in.

Snakeskin

Snakeskin is back and it’s not just for handbags anymore. I like it on bangles, on dresses, skirts, and sandals. I like it in any color, from beige to deep purple. It’s a classic print you can’t mess up, unless you use it too much. I say use it in one place, like on shoes or just a bracelet.

Photo Credit: Ruby and Crickette

Photo Credit: Nine West

Tribal print

Ive never had an affection for tribal print before, but that’s quickly changed when I saw these season’s selections. I’m really enjoying tribal print on skirts in small, bright patterns. It even looks great in natural colors . Tribal print has been a trend before, so to keep it new I say wear it on mini skirts in small, delicate patterns;nothing too large and loud or you risk looking like an eccentric old woman. And don’t wear this print on maxi skirts. You go from tribal to terrible…

Photo Credit: Forever 21

Photo Credit: Forever 21

Bangles/cuffs

I have recently acquired an insatiable appetite for loud, bright bangles and cuffs. The weirder, more intricate they are, the more I love them. I say there are no limitations on this spring trend, just because bangles & cuffs are so fun and playful. I like mixing one or two “statement pieces” with a few smaller ones. I.E. a bright blue interwoven bangle with some thin gold bracelets and a medium-sized black enamel bangle. The only rule I have for bangles/cuffs is to not use other jewelry, or it’ll  look messy and cluttered. The only exception is maybe a small chain necklace or a ring on the opposite hand.

Photo Credit: Etsy.com

Photo Credit: Forever 21

New shapes

I couldn’t like this trend more- it’s so unique! Ive been seeing ruffles, asymmetrical hems, one-shoulder tank tops, long hems in the front and short in the back, and draping on everything. This style works best only on simple cuts and prints. You make it too messy and take away from the cut of you add a pattern. So keep it simple and surprising.

Photo Credit: Urban Outfitters

Photo Credit: Urban Outfitters

Photo Credit: American Apparel

Colors

Ah, colors. They can make your pretty green peepers greener, or make your complexion as washed out as an old sock. Ive been indulging in light and bold colors. They are the following: yellow, dove grey, sea foam green, bright blue, coral, plum, rose, & cream. I like these on skirts, dresses, shirts..Basically everything.

Ruffles

They aren’t supper girly anymore, and they’re in interesting places. I like them on skirts, on the sides of dresses and on the front of shirts. I don’t like them all around the neckline-it’s too girly. They work with any color, but i like eccentric ruffles paired with nude colors or deep jewel tones. Keep it balanced ladies.

Photo Credit: Target

Photo Credit: Target

Light-weight  scarves

Ive recently found a collection of my grandmothers old silk, chiffon scarves and they’re beautiful. I love to put them around a dress like a sash, it really adds a pop to a simple shift dress. I really like them in the traditional way too- around the neck. They’re such a winter staple, so to see them in the spring is wonderfully surprising. But make sure it’s not a heavy scarf, keep it light- in a silk or chiffon or any breathable fabric. For print, I’m rally loving paisleys right now, but any interesting design works too.

Photo credit: Forever 21

Photo credit: Urban Outfitters

One last piece of advice: Don’t follow my tips to a T. Always put your own little twist and shake into something; that’s what makes a piece of clothing yours.