We Wish You a Merry Sample Sale

Our pre-New Year's Resolution is to start Christmas shopping before Christmas Eve! Luckily, this week is jampacked with sample sale-ing opportunity...here's our shopping schedule:

12/3 - Candela at 584 Broadway (through 12/14)
12/4 - Current/Elliott, Joie, Equipment at 260 Fifth Ave (through 12/8)
       - Splendid/Ella Moss at 260 West 39th St (through 12/5)
12/5 - Olive and Bette at Third Ave between 71st and 72nd (one day only)
       - Shoshanna at 231 West 39th St. (through 12/6)
12/6 - Eberjey at 40 East 34th St (through 12/7)
12/7 - day of rest.

Basically, we should be ready for holiday weekend festivities fully bedecked in new apparel. Perhaps a Friday soiree in adress from Shoshanna and Eberjey lingerie and a Saturday jaunt in Current/Elliott jeans, Candela boots and a basic Splendid top. 

Oh...well, this is embarrassing...back to gifts.

Basically, we should be ready for holiday weekend festivities with the peace of mind that holiday shopping is nearly complete!  

And, because we know there is more to the season than gifts, we won't forget about our friends from the Salvation Army who are out in the cold this Christmas season looking for donations.

And to all a good week of sample sale battle...it's the most wonderful time of the year!

How do you Fall? Autumn trends!

With Paris Fashion Week in full swing as of today, we are excited to see the collections for Spring/Summer 2012. As the temperature drops in NYC, though, our immediate concern is what to wear this fall! During NYFW, we already spotted several palatable trends (here, here and here).

Also deserving honorable mention is the collar necklace. We noticed chunky collars both during NYFW and on our European adventures. The Scandinavians, tackling the cold weather well before we do, were sporting collars galore paired with loose weave sweaters. We are happily pairing collar with loose weave sweater and partial-sheer maxi shirt on this fall day. How will you wear it?

Shantell Martin Continuous Line

Shantell Martin's artwork flows in a Continuous Line at the moment you emerge from the Williamsburg lowlands into Black & White Gallery

 follow it into the whimsical outdoor space 

stylish patrons milling

thoughts flowing from mind to medium

inspiring us to ponder what thoughts would flow from our mind into tangible sartorial creation 

perhaps gold-studded crimson smoking slippers with sheer black maxi skirt

check it out at Black&White Gallery/Project Space 483 Driggs Avenue September 21 to October 28 for indoor exhibition and September 21 to December 23 for outdoor exhibition

Post-NYFW Retail Therapy at Urban Space Meatpacking

Now that NYFW is over...where to go, who to slap (referencing the fashion-related slapping incident just a few days ago)? After brunching at Pastis this Sunday morning, we suggest you walk over to Urban Space Meatpacking, an oasis in the shadow of the Standard Hotel. 

The outdoor market is reminiscent of the Union Square and Bryant Park holiday markets, but in our experience has been far less crowded than either of those bustling venues. With many up and coming designers showcasing their wares, this is a great place to find something bearing that elusive trifecta: stylish, unique and reasonably priced. 

Specifically, Urban Space Meatpacking is a fabulous option for accessories and food...perhaps two of our favorite things. Among the various jewelry vendors, our favorites were the geodes and gems of Rifle + Radford and the colorful chunky necklaces at wink&flip. Foodies can get anything from Sigmund's pretzels (including a sunflower seed version) to gourmet pizza to homemade popsicles. Mmmm, we're off to USM - see you there!

Fashtastically NYFW!

Although we are silently shedding a single tear as NYFW nears its conclusion, we were all smiles as we were spoilt for street style choice on this beautiful evening at Lincoln Center. Here are a few selections, more to come soon!

Maxi dress with chunky jewelry and hint of neon pink gives an impish nod to summer's fading rays. Horizontal stripes with lace jumpsuit and hipster-esque glasses (we're guessing non-prescription?) make a fun and unexpectedly pleasing duo...even if we wouldn't have opted for the leopard print heels.

While the sartorial savvy of the silk slacks and Chanel purse go without saying, what sent us into fashtastic bliss was the accessory selection...see chunky clear collar spiced with neon.

 Ok, we are well over last year's obsession with hats. However, neon sheer maxi + lace + double gold cuff + sufficiently sullen face > headwear halo.

Reaching for the sky at NYFW

Sky-high buns do not belong to FNO alone! They have been the hair trend du jour NYFW. And to this we say - yay! We hope this look, so simple to execute yet still clean and chic, catches on this fall...goodbye to last year's headwear and hello to the bun!

Check out bun + sheer tied top + studs on the collar. 

We can't take it, such a beautifully executed fashplosion.

More to come as NYFW wraps up over the next few days!

(And don't forget to contact us via email at styleshifter.ss@gmail.com if you are in need of styling!)

Ellery and Christopher Esber Spring 2013 at New York Fashion Week

Making their NYFW debut yesterday, Australian designers Ellery and Christopher Esber presented versatile collections showcasing subdued colors amplified by sparkle (Ellery) and shiny futuristic fabric (Esber). 

Ellery

We would love to see a girl lighting up the city with this burgundy jacket. We see it glamming up the office during the day with some close-fitting black pants and transitioning to evening with leather shorts. 

CHRISTOPHER ESBER

Our favorite look of Esber's collection was this white mini-dress. While incorporating traditional lines, the designer updated the silhouette with his choice of fabric. We could see the look accessorized by a rough-hewn metallic collar.

Stay tuned for more Fashion Week coverage! In the meantime we must go ponder what to wear to the tents today...mulletskirt, perhaps?

Street Style at NY Fashion Week: mulletskirts, buns, and denim...oh my!

Behold above the signal for the most beautiful time of the year! Unsurprisingly, many of the themes from FNO were back amongst the NYFW StyleSetters. Check it: 

Washed out denim vests and jackets have been everywhere, but we love this version for pairing it with a feminine floral touch. 

Casually stylish, with a fun and easy version of the omnipresent super-high bun.

Mullet skirt chic'ified by sleek hair, red lips, and, of course, a touch of Prada.

An eye for details. We are in pastel heaven between the necklace and the nails.

See you tomorrow, Fashion Week!

Fashplosion at Fashion's Night Out

Following our own advice, we braved the stylish swarm that descended upon Meatpacking for FNO last night. For those of you who couldn't make it, let us paint the evening in broad strokes. Dancing in the street -> accessory shopping and cotton candy consuming at Urban Space Meatpacking -> dancing in the street...all against a backdrop of champagne corks popping.

If in need of inspiration for your weekend looks, here are some of our favorite trends that we spied on the Street StyleSetters:

  

Fashplosion! 90s throwback (washed out pearl-studded denim vest), sky-high bun accentuated with enormous 90s style bow, mulletskirt (we decree that this should officially be one word), and, obviii, sparkly converse sneakers.

 

 Xoxo...sky-high bun and wrappy bracelet combo. 

   

Tribal print + maxi skirt/dress

 

For our part, we were inspired by these trends to style an ensemble of simple neutral maxi-mullet dress + accessories from Wink and Flip + Candela sandals.

Welcome back, Fashion Week.

Fashion's Night Out Survival Guide

It's here...the most beautiful time of the year!! Fashion Week, taking place in New York starting on 9/6, kicks off with Fashion's Night Out on September 6th. 

FNO boasts a treasure trunk of options, meaning that there should be something to suit your taste no matter where it may be. Get there early and scoop up swag at Rifle + Radford at Urban Space Meatpacking, drink champagne pretty much anywhere, listen to live music, or check out one of the many FNO parties. Overwhelmed? Here are our top tips for survival...nay, success, at FNO!

1. Stick to one or two adjacent neighborhoods. The last thing you want to do is spend your evening stuck in transit on subways jammed full of eye-candy on their way to the next event.

2. Make friends. Word of mouth is sometimes the best way to figure out the best things going, especially since there are tons of underground parties just waiting for you to discover them. (Special shout-out to Barry Yoko, my bff from last year's FNO!)

3. Be charitable. Whilst it fun to accumulate free swag everywhere, keep in mind that most events are geared at least in part towards raising money for charity. Good karma, StyleSetters.

4. Take sartorial risks! If ever there was a night to wear that outfit that you normally won't chance, now is the time. Nothing is off-limits. This is the most beautiful time of the year, inside and out...time to express yourself, whatever that means for you.

5. Drink champagne. Just a rule, that's all.

To start training, review StyleShifter's coverage of FNO 2011 here. 

                                                         

To check out the official website of FNO: http://fashionsnightout.com/fno/nyc

A handy guide to 10 fun and affordable summer accessories

Nails - the perfect accessory. You may not be able to buy the perfect new sundress, but you can definitely treat yourself to the perfect new nail color! And, lately, we are loving the digit-al trends. While the options abound, we've been coating ourselves in Essie's latest collection. To be technical, we've specifically gone with mojito madness, bikini so teeny, and off the shoulder. Check it:

 

Bikini so teeny + off the shoulder = summer.

We are fully aware that people harbor mixed emotions about the rogue ring finger concept, but we love it. Our inner 10 year old is cheering on every grownup with these tutti-frutti combinatinons.

Mojito Madness

And, as if anyone needed added incentive, who doesn't love a hand massage?

Highs and Lows...the "mullet skirt"

Remember how much we loved hats this fall? Well, at last we have discovered our summer amore in the so-called mullet skirt. Breezy, flattering, festive, all rolled into a diagonal. 

The only problem is the name, which rings of unsavory scenes. What to call it? Maxi-min? Two-faced? Suggestions? Perhaps we need some aesthetically pleasing inspiration:

http://www.suzannerae.com/ 


The mullet  conch shell (maybe?) maxi dress done right by Brooklyn-based designer Suzanne Rae. We are inspired to traipse, nymph-like, through the cricketed summer night.

http://www.rag-bone.com

Another version of the mullet dart maxi dress, so named and designed by rag & bone. A simple piece that can be accessorized for most occasions.

Kickin' it at the Eurocup

For all of our Euro-phile brethren, the excitement reaches fever pitch at this time of year. For those of you recording skipping out of work to watch the semifinals over the next two days, the real question is, as it always should be, what is the proper cheering attire?* 

Spain v. Portugal. As we are rooting for Spain, the old country, as it were, naturally this means something red and/or yellow. Which leads to tomorrow's plan - 10:30 a.m., get on line for and subsequently dominate the Amanda Uprichard sample sale with the efficiency of Alonso's feet. With any luck, we will snag this and pair it with one or more red bangles: 

Italy v. Germany. Another of our homelands, Italy's Forza Azzurri is our pick. The eponymous nickname necessitates blue apparel. Leave it to the Italians to nickname their team after their uniforms. For this game we turn to Improvd for a blue maxi-dress, avant-garde couture designed by Valentino Vettori, who is, fittingly, one of our favorite Italian designers based out of NYC:

 

Buona fortuna, buena suerte, and so forth! 

*Because, trust us, you know no self-respecting European would dare be seen in anything less than form-fitting clothing perfectly contoured to their annoyingly petite bodies. Seriously, have you seen the Italian fans? Wistful sigh. But we digress...

Summer Sample Sales

Today NYC swelters at a balmy 100 degrees...which means that the only reason to venture outside of any air conditioned space is to go sample sale-ing! Yes, it is unfortunate that sample sale season coincides with a heatwave, but this is it. What you've been training for all year. Remember these tips, and sally forth, StyleSetters!

While these are an abundance of sales within the upcoming days and weeks, we curated some of our favorites for those of us who don't have time to make it everywhere:

Today - Start at Shoshanna (231 W. 39th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, Suite 422) and then head on over to Parker (234 West 39th Street). Walk downtown and pick up some lingerie at Eberjey (40 East 34th between Park and Madison, suite 1215, 6/21-6/22). End your jaunt with some plastic shoes at Melissa (520 West 27th Street between 10th and 11th Aves, Suite 601).

Next week, 6/27-6/29, 11-6: The eagerly anticipated Amanda Uprichard sale at 306 West 37th Street, 2nd Floor.

Eberjey

 Amanda Uprichard

Melissa + Jason Wu

Stay tuned on twitter for updates on our (hopefully) success at the sales!

Brooklyn Flea Market

                               Photo from www.brooklynflea.com

It’s that time of year when we flock outside, making the most of these fleeting yet glorious spring and summer months. While the options abound, there is one mainstay that never disappoints – Brooklyn Flea Market (at 176 Lafayette Ave. on Saturdays and in Williamsburg on the water on Sundays). Whether you are hunting for vintage finds while happily running into your neighbors, or people- watching as you chat with the vendors, there is something for everyone. We would suggest some favorite vendors, but there is something uniquely individual about the Flea’s offerings, so we instead suggest that you visit and figure out for yourself which best expresses your own style of dress, interior design, art, etc.

 

Photo from www.brooklynflea.com

 

We were lucky enough to interview Eric Demby, one of the Flea’s founders. He described some of what we love about Brooklyn Flea – the fact that it is its own community. The community includes not only the Flea’s patrons, but also the vendors, who have formed bonds of friendship among each other. In fact, perhaps the best expression of the Flea’s commitment to the community is the fact that their cleanup crew is made up of formerly homeless people that now have a place to work and interact with others.

Eric also filled us in on some exciting things that we can expect for the upcoming months! Watch for the launch of Smorgasbar in June, which will offer Brooklyn-brewed beer, wine and spirits. There will also be several interesting Kitchen Island (with Brooklyn Kitchen) events at Smorgasburg (Brooklyn Flea’s foodie sister), starting with a Daisy Flour Pie Contest on June 9^th. 

For more info: http://www.brooklynflea.com/