Social Stylists » Spring 2010

What’s IT for Spring?

SocialStylists — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:16:53 +0000

Furla Corniola Bag in Turquoise

Last year was ruled by the maxi dress and the fedora (even worn together sometimes).
The romper came in third.
The year before is was the gladiator sandal, which carried into last year.

But this year, is there one piece that each of us must have?

Is it a color?
Turquoise has been seen everywhere. Or perhaps the neutral look is the palette of the year.

Dolce Vita Woven Cuffed Thong $210.00

Is is a shoe?
The cuffed sandal is definitely being promoted by editors, although I haven’t seen many people wearing it. (Maybe because of the weather yet). Personally a completely flat shoe is uncomfortable to me, and the cuff can make some people look like they have cankles.

The clog is an option that is coming on strong. Chanel certainly set the stage for this to be big. My favorite clog is this sandal version by Bloom coming soon to Kindred Sole.

Bloom Clog coming soon at Kindred Sole

Is it shorts?
Shorts have been scarce the past few years, but now we are seeing some wearable versions from almost every designer.
There are the 50s inspired, loose fitting shoes in floral prints that are forgiving on most figures. There are bubble shorts, and there are shorts with an “apron” panel – aka. “skorts.”

And then there are the 80s-style, shorter cuffed shorts that look fantastic with tights.
(Caution is advised with this look, it definitely for the young-at-heart).

Porter Grey Bubble Shorts

Sequined Tee at TopShop

Is it cat-eye sunglasses?
I think they pair so perfectly with the floral prints and vintage looks right now. But the allure of the big frames is still there.

Is it sequins?
I have to admit I love seeing just a touch of sequins on an otherwise casual tee. And you can find them anywhere right now.

So what’s your choice for this season’s most important trend?

Spring’s (Scary) Stark White

SocialStylists — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:52:55 +0000

Black Halo Paris Sheath

I spent last week unpacking the spring orders at my boutique.
It’s generally a happy occasion when I remember, “oh yes, I ordered that. “
But then every so often – and any buyer should admit to this – there will be an “uh, I hope people like this” moment. Which is what I thought when I opened this season’s version of white.

I’m not talking just white or bright white.
I’m talking put-down-the-teeth-whitener-you-are-glowing white.

Is it practical? Will people embrace it?
Will people buy it??

I did a couple of pairing tests.
One of my favorite looks is crisp white against browns or tans. The very stark white of this spring looks uneven against earth tones. This shade of white will pair best with blacks, primaries and metallics.

And with the primaries, this spring’s white is strongest with graphics prints. Florals looked unnatural when paired with the unrealistic white. A more subtle white – one that might actually be found in nature – would pair much better. The metallics however, look fantastic with this shade.

Piazza Sempione Sheath

Burberry Hooded Jacket

Marc Jacobs Satchel

Maybe it when it warms up someday (a gal can dream), it won’t seem so dramatic.

A few years ago, I felt the same way when I opened a box full of bright orange bags. My initial reaction was “are these meant to be caution cones?”
It took a day or so, but I fell in love with that color.
And that color turned out to be my biggest seller – ever.

One Pair Fits All

SocialStylists — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:36:45 +0000

Do you have a great pair of sandals that you wished you had in every color?
Chicago’s Annie Mohaupt has solved your problem without draining the bank account: Mohop Shoes.

Annie Mohaupt

Made in Annie’s Logan Suqare studio, the Mohop Shoe (aka., Infinity Sandal) is a wooden wedge platform that you wear with whatever ribbon makes you smile. And since the wooden wedge is both a major trend for the spring and environmentally friendly, this is the shoe to have.

Each shoe comes with 5 ribbons (you select the palette) and you change it up to suit your fashion needs. You can also let your imagination go wild – buy your own ribbons, add other pieces (I’m thinking vintage costume jewelry), whatever strikes you. The Mohop website has a ribbon-how-to page for inspiration if you get stuck. Last summer Mohop even had a Facebook contest on tying Mohops – I’m convinced this is because Annie wants you to have as much fun with your shoes as she does.

Beyond the fashion, the shoes are amazing. Since Annie is an architect turned shoe designer, when someone says Mohop shoes are architectural, they really are. Being a builder, Annie figured out a design (patent-pending) to let the ribbons be changed easily, to let the ribbons give when they need to give (eliminating blisters), and to provide support for the entire foot.

So many options

How to order:
Choose Height
Low – about 1”
Mid – about 2.5”
High – just under 4”

Choose Wood
Maple
Cherry
Walnut

Then choose toe shape, size, and select your 5 ribbon set.
There is also a limited selection of Mohop sample shoes available on Mohop’s esty.com page.

I just ordered the mid-heel cherry, Maryam with the neutral ribbons, can’t wait!

www.Mohop.com
www.etsy.com/shop/mohop

Make the Most of Sales Season

SocialStylists — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:19:46 +0000

We are well in to sales season and indications are that major retailers will be going deeper on markdowns this weekend. When the deals heat up, it’s easy to get excited and buy things that we may question later. So from a boutique owner’s perspective, I’m going to share what to look for in the sales section.

Tory Burch Spring 2010 Show Photo by Peter Stigter

First spend some time in the new arrivals section. What do you like there? Then go to the sale section and try to find something similar. Often the best items have been updated from last season. You may be able to find something very similar at half the cost.

Then think about colors that will be significant for the spring. Equestrian is an emerging trend for spring while unusual shades of brown – cognac, sandal, saddle – were a growing trend for this past fall. Any items in these browns from the fall collections will be marked down but will go nicely with the resort and spring collections just arriving in stores. That makes something in a tan or saddle brown a pretty good buy.

Derek Lam Spring 2010

Blues are one of the best places to score a great deal right now. Navy was a strong color for the winter and blue is remaining a core color for the spring. The shade of blue for spring is slightly lighter, but the navy will still work nicely.

Another major spring trend is desert inspired colors. Think of anything that reminds you of the desert – turquoise, the colors on a coral snake, or the hues of a desert sunset. If I were to see something on sale in any color of the desert, I would take a closer look at it.

There will always be things on sale that we buy just because we love them. The dress you waited for to be marked down, or the random funky piece that just spoke to you will always be worth it. But if you are looking to do some major sale purchasing a little homework is in order.
Wishing you a happy and prosperous sales season!