Mad Men-Inspired Line from Banana Republic

The much-anticipated return of the next season of Mad Men has been delayed, but the capsule line from Banana Republic will still launch this month- August 11th to be exact. Click here to view a slide show of the collection.

Critics are saying the styling of this line is more 60's- inspired than the actual clothes and accessories. I am inclined to agree, however, I think it was smart of BR to create a line that is current as opposed to a bunch of costume-y pieces. In order for the clothes to sell, they need to translate to 2011, so to the critics I say, "Shut your trap and just enjoy the line."

These two dresses are my favorite looks in the entire collection:

I am usually partial to full-skirted silhouettes, but the color of the dress on the left and the print of the dress on the right were every bit as appealing to be as the shapes. I also really adore the neckline and bodice of the solid-color dress on the left. And while I may lean towards full skirts, there is a dynamite sheath dress in an amazing oversize houndstooth print that is making me drool:

It isn't all for the ladies, though- there are suits, sweaters, ties, and even fedoras for the gentlemen in this capsule collection:

The accessories are also really appealing- I especially love the leopard print bag and the multi-strand pearl neacklace:

Skinny ties and bow ties are both part of the collection for men and I'm thrilled to see them. I hope to see some guys around town sporting such a cool, retro look.

What do YOU think of the new line from Banana Republic? Are you a fan of Mad Men? Would you have noticed this line if it hadn't been associated with the TV show? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear what you think!

Alert: New Diffusion Line at JC Penney

MNG by Mango has designed a diffusion line for JC Penney and I really like a lot of the pieces. This sportswear line has visual interest, but also versatility and the prices aren't bad, either. Some of my favorite pieces so far:

Corazon Bowler, $79.92

Bow Neck Blouse, $35.94

Trench Coat, $127.92

You can check out the rest of the line here and then leave a comment telling me what you think of it! Happy Saturday! 

It's Wedding Season!

There must have been about a million people getting married yesterday. It felt like the official beginning to the summer wedding season. I knew at least a dozen people who were attending a wedding yesterday, one of which was my roommate. We ran into each other at Target a couple of weeks ago and she was searching for a dress by Zac Posen. He recently did a diffusion line for Target. Anyway, she was waiting for this dress to go on sale 50% offf and as luck would have it, there was one left and it was her size. She debuted the dress at the wedding yesterday and I think she looked pretty A-MA-ZING:

Call me jealous, but I am craving this dress! It's so FIERCE! I love the brocade fabric, the metallic finish, the bow across the front, the silhouette, the zipper detail on the bodice- I love it all! And of course the fact that she got it on sale is even better. It's a perfect choice for a summer wedding for a lot of reasos. Nicely done, Meg!

Some of my other favorite pieces from the Zac Posen for Target line:

I love the ribbon detailing and the belt at the waist. SO fabulous. I personally do not have the legs to pull off the socks look that this model is sporting, but I would absolutely rock this dress in a heartbeat.

Again with the socks? Anyway, I think this dress is fabulous, too. Andrea and I were shopping right before I got my romper and she actually tried this dress on. It was complicated and confusing, but in the end she felt a different size would have been better. (Side note: it is MUCH longer in real life than it is on the model. Andrea is a few inches taller than me and the dress came all the way to her knees.) The strange thing was that it had no label, so we couldn't figure out where to find it in the store. She didn't end up getting it, but it's good to know that if she changes her mind about it soon, she can search online and actually know what to look for. What I love about it is the print. The fabric is a flowy poly-chiffon with a gorgeous print and a flattering cut. It's super fun. While neither of these last two picks would be ideal for a summer wedding, they are ideal for just about any other summer outing. And the best part about them is that they are all on sale now. I may have to hop on over to Target to see what treasures I can find on the sale racks!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Roller Coaster Day

Today felt like an absolute roller coaster of a day. You know the kind- you're elated one minute and completely depressed the next. For example, this morning I got up and put together what I thought was a pretty fabulous outft incorporating the mixed prints trend rather successfully (in my humble opinion, anyway):

I love these two together- it's my black & white plaid strapless dress that you've seen in several other RML posts combined with a sheer sleeveless black and white polka dot top with a long tie at the neck. Most people who complimented my on this look today (and there were quite a few) thought it was one piece and were surprised when I told them it's actually a top layered under a dress. I finished the look with some fabulous teal wedges that at 9:00 AM seemed like a great idea:

This was the first time I pulled these out since last summer and all those months between now and the last time I wore them had helped to make the memory fade. What memory? The memory that these shoes are nothing short of a torture device. I don't really understand why they hurt my feet so badly, but they do. My pinky toe ends up sticking out the side and rubbing against the front strap. How it gets out, I really don't know, but it does get out. It even hangs over the edge of the platform. Meanwhile, my big toe gets irritated by the strap on that side of the shoe and then my whole foot starts to ache because there is absolutely NO padding what-so-ever in the sole. So needless to say the great feeling I had towards this outfit when I started the day was long gone by the end. See what I mean? Up, then down.

But it doesn't end there. I was out shopping for work today and happened across this:

I was in a consignment shop when I saw it in a corner next to some other bags and I thought to myself, "Hmm... that bag looks a lot nicer than the ones around it." I picked it up and that's when I saw the label that read "DvF" which we all know stands for... (prepare yourself)... DIANE von FURSTENBERG. Now, this was definitely a more high-end consignment shop that tends to carry the occassional designer item. Of course, those designer items tend to come with designer prices. I flipped over the tag to check the price and did a double-take. It read: $18.99. How could this be possible? I asked the saleslady if it was real or faux, but all signs (including the inside tags) were pointing towards real, not faux. "It's real," she said. I found this confusing as I had seen an obviously faux Louis Vuitton handbag marked $59.99. I fully expected to ask to ring it up and have the sales lady reply with, "Oh, I'm sorry- we've mislabeled this. Its actually $118.99" or "Oops! We missed a zero in there!" Nope. $18.99. I was thrilled! I bragged about my purchase all afternoon! A DvF handbag for less than twenty bucks? As soon as I got home, I Googled the bag to find out what it was supposed to cost and discovered it came from a DvF diffusion line.  SO not as cool as a true DvF. However, I did see another one for sale (used) for $125, so even though it's not quite the coup I thought it was, I'm still really proud of my find. See what I mean? Up, then down, then up again!

Ultimately, I'd say my day had far more ups than it did downs- after all, what matters in a bag is that you love it, not that it's got a fancy label. And I hate to tell you, but sometimes beauty hurts, including your feet in bad shoes. But that doesn't mean they don't look fabulous! It's all about your outlook. (And that's where I'll end this post before it starts to sound like an after-school special.)

Jimmy Choo for H&M

Have all of you heard about the new Jimmy Choo line for H&M? I've been hearing all sorts of buzz about it for weeks, but the line finally comes out next week- November 14th to be exact. So I stopped by the H&M website to get a feel for what's coming. My overall impressions were these:

1.) Overpriced overall
2.) Menswear is too simplistic ($25 for a white t-shirt? I don't think so)
3.) The shopping experience is too difficult (you need a bracelet to buy a bracelet? For real?)

Here's how it works. Right now you can visit the H&M website and view the pieces in the collection. There's ready-to-wear clothing as well as shoes, bags and accessories for both men & women. To find a store selling the pieces you like, first go to the H&M website, click on "Collection Overview." All items have a "Find a store" button. When you click on the button you will see a list of the stores with that item available. On November 14th, you can get in line to that store. The first 160 people will be given a bracelet (which is only necessary for the ladies accessories, shoes and handbags sections). For the first 2 hours, the first 160 people will be allowed to shop in the bracelet-only sections. Apparently anyone can shop in the womens garment and mens collection areas. It all seems a little over the top to me. Apparently when Karl Lagerfeld designed a diffusion line for H&M, it was pretty crazy and I'm sure they're anticipating some craziness for the Jimmy Choo line as well. If I were a huge Jimmy Choo fan, I'd probably be excited.

In viewing the collection, it all seems to be about two or three times the regular prices of garments normally sold at H&M, but when compared to the price of a typical Jimmy Choo garment, the prices seem low. It's all relative, I guess.

So what do you think about this new diffusion line? Is it worth all the hype? Is it worth all the waiting in line trying to be one of the first 160 people to enter the shop? Would you spend almost $200 on a pair of shoes at H&M? Would you rather find a pair real JC's marked down or second hand somewhere else? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Shoesday Tuesday

A lot of people have been asking lately about clothing and shoes that are better for the environment- organic fabrics, vegan shoes, fair trade manufacturers and distributors, etc. It's obviously an important aspect of shopping for quite a lot of people. It can be difficult to find clothing and shoes that are both affordable and green. Until the practices used on these items become more commonplace, you can expect to pay a little bit more, but as green clothing becomes more mainstream, you will see the prices come down a bit.

Today's Shoesday Tuesday focus is on Madden Girl the vegan shoe line by Steve Madden. It's a positive sign that established designers are jumping on the green bandwagon, even if it is in small doses. You can find Madden Girl just about anywhere, but today I'm bringing you four Madden Girls shoes that are not only perfect for fall, but they are all available at Zappos for around $50. In addition, Zappos offers free shipping both ways nearly all the time, so there is no risk involved when placing an order. First up are a pair of fabulous black heels with the trendy cut-outs I mentioned a few weeks ago ($49.90):

What I love about these is that they're simple, but edge-y at the same time. Also, the criss-cross detail on the front can be eye catching or subtle depending on how it contrasts against your skin or colored tights, or if you wear the shoes with a pair of opaque black tights.

Next up, a super cute pair of peep-toe ankle boots ($49.90):

Once again, these could be paired with either bare legs, opaque black tights or trendy brightly colored tights. It all depends on your personal preference and the occassion. I also love the buckle detail and the interesting "pleating" on the front. The heel is substantial enough that you could even wear these to work provided the rest of the outfit is toned down a bit.

Next, are the most expensive of the day at $54.90, but I think they're worth it.

What trend ISN'T covered with these fabulous shoes?

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  Metallic? Check!
  
  
  
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  Ankle boot style? Check!
  
  
  
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  Cut-outs? Check!
  
  
  
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  80's throwback? Check!
  
  
  

You'll really cover the gamut of trends with these shoes. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the pewter metallic finish- it's so sophisticated, but not flashy, like so many metallics tend to be. I think I just talked myself into ordering these.

Wrapping up this post is another fabulous combination of sweetness and edge ($49.90):

I just love the deep, saturated color of these, but just like the pewter booties above, they are also available in black. What's interesting about these is the 40's style rounded toe, mixed with the oversize buckle and the almost Escher-like swirling detail in the front. It also kind of reminds me of a Celtic knot. Either way, I love them and I hope you do, too.

And the best part for all you vegans out there is that none of these shoes use leather of any kind- they are all man-made materials. Talk about guilt-free! And for those of you who are hesitant to shop for shoes online, you're in luck. Not only are there plenty of Steve Madden stores all over the country, but most major department stores carry the line as well including Bon-Ton, and Boscov's. You can also check Marshalls & TJ Maxx as well- the styles might be a little older, but the prices will be fabulous.

One Shoe, Three Ways

A lot of people ask me about how to put an outfit together, or how to take something from their closet and use it differently, so today I present: One Shoe, Three Ways! Below are three different outfits that all work with this pair of shoes:

Every piece in this post has two things in common: First, they were all sent to me via Shop It To Me which I wrote about in this post. Second, they all cost less than $100 because the sale prices are 25-50% off the retail price. (The shoes are BCBGirls and selling for $59.99.) I like how they are classic in shape and color, while subtly displaying the cut-out trend I wrote about in this post. And now, on to the outfits. First, we have a Michael Kors pleated top ($62.65) and ankle pants ($33.90) with a Nine West blue leather tote ($74.70). I'll let you choose the rest of your accessories, but I would personally add a long thin necklace or a pair of delicate chandelier earrings.

This would be a great outfit for work and could easily transition from day to night just by switching the tote out for a dressy clutch and glamming up the jewelry a bit. A cocktail ring and some big earrings could do the trick.

Next, you know I have an obsession with dresses, so I HAD to pair the shoes with at least one!

Due to the height of the shoes combined with the length of this adorable BCBG Max Azria dress ($87.90) it's inappropriate for work, but great for a date or a girls night out. The bag is once again Nine West ($62.90), and don't let anyone tell you about that no-white-after-labor-day rule. Rules are meant to be broken, especially that one!

Feminine ruffles are very trendy right now and you can find them literally everywhere you look.

This BCBG ruffle dress ($38.90) is very feminine and light, but the shoes add a distinctive edge to the look. Paired with the smaller Nine West handbag ($58.07) and voila! Fabulous and feminine, but edgy enough that you're not completely girly. It's a sophisticated, mature feminine look.

You may have noticed that I don't like to create matchy-matchy outfits- they look so much less sophisticated than outfits that go together, but don't necessarily match. Just make sure the colors you choose are complimentary and you'll be good to go.

Diffusion Confusion

A diffision line is a term for a ready-to-wear line of clothing produced by a typically high end designer. It's a line designed to reach the masses and the items therein are significantly less expensive than their runway counterparts. Isaac Mizrahi led the way with discount department store diffusion lines with his line designed for Target. Lots of designers have followed in his footsteps including Vera Wang who has designed a line for Kohls and Alexander McQueen who also designed for Target.

The list of designers with diffusion lines could go on for days- Marc by March Jacobs, D&G by Dolce & Gabbana, and Emporio by Armani to name a few- but you should be aware of the differences in these diffusion lines. No, my friend, not all diffusion lines are created equal, and therefore it is understandable that you might have some diffusion confusion. I hope I can clear some of that confusion up for you.

The easiest way to break it down is to divide the diffusion lines into two types- the first is the type that is still handled by the designer. Marc by Marc Jacobs is a good example of this. The second is the type that is handled by design teams who work with the chain or department store where the product will be sold. Isaac Mizrahi's line for Target is an example of this type of diffusion line.

A mass-produced diffusion line is certainly a lucrative way for a discount department store to create a frenzy in their store- H&M had a run on their Karl Lagerfeld diffusion line, but that's a whole other story. The point I'm trying to make is before you plunk down your credit card, take the time to closely examine the garment you are buying. Some diffusion lines are still made with high-quality craftsmanship, while others are poorly tailored, and use cheap materials. To generalize, it is a safe bet that a diffusion line that is handled by the designer themself will be of a higher quality than one that is handled by a team associated with the chain store. Regardless, when considering a piece from a diffusion line, make sure you are buying it for the right reason- because it looks good on you. If you are buying something simply for the label inside it, you are bound to be disatisfied and will be far less likely to wear it. After all, who can see the inside label except you? Think about it.

Remember that when purchasing a piece from a diffusion line, you are buying something that is most likely mass-produced. When purchasing a designer piece, you are getting something that is made with high quality craftsmanship and it is more than likely a unique piece and sometimes even one-of-a-kind. Isn't that why we like buying designer duds? The idea that we can have something no one, or very few others will also have is appealing! When you purchase from a diffusion line, you may have a "designer" item in your closet, but it's likely not a one-of-a kind item. If that's not important to you, then onward! If you get nothing else from this post, remember that in purchasing ANY item of clothing the most important criterion is how that garment looks on you. Designer pieces, thrift shop or garage sale finds, department store items- any of these can be equally fabulous or fatal if they are not flattering on you.