Trends in Shoes for Fall

Looking for a great shoe to update your look for Fall? Here are six great examples of what you can expect to see hitting the shelves as we speak.

The Bootie

Moschino $695











Guess $124

The Cut-Out

Michael Kors $133











Jessica Bennett $149

The Lace-Up

Guiseppe Zanotti $999

Guess $154

All photos courtesy of Zappos.com

Botkier for Target- SHOP NOW!

I love Botkier so much I purchased one for a family member for Christmas. Don't I wish they had come out with their Target line at these affordable prices? The bags are all priced between @20-$50, instead of the average $500! The Target line included wristlets, satchels and clutches, all encompassing the Botkier design philosophy using hardware and functionality.

They can be found in select Target stores and Target.com. But hurry, they went on sale July 21st, and are only around until September 14th!





Botkier for Target® Satchel - Gray Python











Botkier for Target® Hobo Bag - Gold

Christian Siriano on Bluefly.com

What fashionista isn't in love with Bravo's Project Runway? Last season Bluefly.com took over the "accessories wall" from Banana Republic. Lucky for him, because Bluefly.com just launched his clothing line on their website. For all of those ladies hoping to get in on the action, take a gander at these looks he has pulled together. Not surprised they are all fabulous. Photos courtesy of Bluefly.com.

The "Fit" Flop- I Think Not

New York Magazine had an article today about the Fit Flop, and the crazy numbers of them being seen on the subway. I myself have succumb to the advertising claim that merely a shoes could help get my flabby backside into shape, by doing nothing more than walk. Here is my take on the shoes after about a year on/off of wear:

I have small feel to begin with. I love my small feet. I love men that love my small feet. But nothing about these flip-flops make my feet look dainty in the slightest. The thick sole is supposed to stabilize you, and force your leg muscles to work harder while you walk. The fact that I look like Frankenstein outweighs the minor improvements it may have done to my thighs, if there even were any. If I wanted the look of sandals to show off a nice pedicure, there are much nicer shoes to choose from.

Granted they are a staple to the California lifestyle, but I could not agree more with what the article had to say: "And minus the thigh muscles we may or may not get, we're not the biggest flip-flop fans. On the beach they're great, but on a dirty train or city sidewalk, we opt for something a bit more … stylish." (http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/07/one_million_pairs_of_fitflops.html?mid=fashion-alert--20080722)

To read the article, click here.

Photo courtesy of The FitFlop.com

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale BUY NOW!!!

It's that time of year again!! Nordstrom, leader in retail service, takes all of their NEW fall fashion and puts it on sale! Here is your chance to snag all of the upcoming trends at a discount. Hurry, the inventory won't last long, and the sale ends August 4th. Shop in stores, or online at Nordstrom.com.

To book an appointment with me before the sale ends, call 415-806-5541, or email me at jenniferh@beyondblack.biz. We can navigate the racks together.




Photo courtesy of nordstrom.com

Women's Bodies Are Back!!!

I LOVE fashion blogs. It is so interesting to me to hear what other people have to say on the matter. One of my favorite bloggers/columnists/authors is Simon Doonan. He offers up stylish advice with tongue-in-cheek humor, making it fun to read and very addictive.

He wrote this little ditty for The New York Observer:



Teen Chic is Tired; Women Are Back! by Simon Doonan, July 15,2008

"Women’s bodies are revolting! I don’t mean that the way it sounds. The girls of the world have simply had enough. They are mad as hell and they are not going to take it anymore. Anarchy and change are in the air.

But what exactly is going on? Is the super-skinny trend coming to an end? Are real women—remember back when being naturally curvaceous was good thing?—about to make a giant comeback? Are Michelle Obama’s arms too thick or too thin? Will Angelina Jolie’s womb continue to burst with babies? Is the anorexic-but-busty trend—that ho look against which I inveighed in my most recent book, Eccentric Glamour (Simon and Schuster, $24), finally beating a retreat? So many questions!

Let’s start with the ho trend. All over Manhattan, fashion folk are fizzing in their cubicles over the June issue of Italian Vogue. Yes, I did say cubicles! Calm down! Not everyone in the world of fashion has a giant, sleek chrome and white Ugly Betty office. I myself am the proud occupant of a small, gray modular structure. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Au contraire! Situated prominently in the main hallway of the Barneys office, I enjoy loads of spontaneous encounters with colleagues and visiting dignitaries alike. If I need a little privacy then I simply squirt perfume at any unwanted looky-loos. I keep a selection of fragrances in a little gray drawer for this very purpose.

But I digress. …

As I said, all over Manhattan, style professionals are fighting over this issue of Italian Vogue. There sits ’80s supermodel Linda Evangelista—womanly, more beautiful and fascinating than ever, the very essence of snooty elegance: looking like a cross between socialites CZ Guest and Barbara Hutton. The dignified Steven Meisel photographs of Ms. Evangelista flip the bird at skank style and pay tribute to that long-lost era when women were pampered because they were mysterious and special, and not because they could pole-dance. “Thank God!” hissed a female colleague, who had stopped by my cubicle to try and steal my copy.

The new refinement makes a really refreshing change from the porno chic that has dominated our culture for so long. Apart from being extremely draughty for the wearer, ho style has the unforgivable effect of making all women look the same: see The Real Housewives of Orange County. The bitchy-heiress look offers infinitely more opportunity for eccentricity and personal expression: see Linda with that gorgeous Philip Treacy glove hat plopped on her lovely Canadian head.

Fashion insiders are clearly ready to classy it up a little, but what of the poor whiplashed consumer? One minute she’s being told to rouge her nipples and tattoo her butt crack, the next minute she’s thrust into a Louis chair, surrounded by a gaggle of gassy pug dogs and forced to do her best Duchess of Windsor impersonation. Will she be able to make the transition? The general consensus around my cubicle is that the ordinary woman in the street is more than ready to trade in her teen-hoochie thang for some haughty Evangelista-esque glam.

My cubicle feels strongly that Linda is the gal to lead the charge into a more sane, less youth-centric, more woman-friendly year. Born in 1965, she is living proof that life, and fabulousness in general, begin at 40. Watch for her in the upcoming Prada ads. And watch for her peers Naomi and Christy in various other fall fashion campaigns. The supermodels are back!

Cubicle theories abound regarding the return of this triumvirate. Some say it’s because “Celebs are OVER!” I believe that the reason is more profound: the supes, unlike the fragile, stunned-looking Eastern European teenage chicks who have dominated the runways since the late 1990s, actually have internal organs and are therefore capable of emotions like joy and rage and are therefore more real, i.e., interesting. The naïve dingbat anorexic moment has passed. Super-skinny has lost its resonance. It’s time for

Karl Lagerfeld to pack on a few pounds. Jiggly is about to become the new scrawny.

And what about Mrs. Obama, she of the athletic decidedly unscrawny arms? The fashion flurry around La Obama is deeply amusing to moi. My cubicle visitors keep banging on endlessly about how great it will be to have a Jackie O-ish fashionable presence in the White House, a woman with “great style.” It’s not hard to decode these utterances: “Great style” is clearly a p.c. euphemism for “does not have thick ankles like most politicians’ wives.” Michelle Obama, Jackie O and Carla Bruni Sarkozy are all lauded for their “fabulous sense of fashion.” The reality is that their personal style is non-intrepid. What these gals have in common is not fashion bravado, but rather a distinct lack of cankles. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. The simplicity and tidiness that unites this triumvirate is totally laudable and very much in keeping with the limitations of the office.

Talking of office limitations, my little gray cubicle could really use a bit more storage. Perhaps another shelf or two. And remember, gals! Women are back."

sdoonan@observer.com (http://www.observer.com/2008/style/teen-chic-tired-women-are-back)

Image courtesy of BCBG.com

Are Sunglasses the New "It Bag"?

I can't say I'm surprised by the fact that sunglasses have become the latest "It" accessory of today. With our economic recession, only the elite can still afford the "It" bags of years past. And that's not to say that handbags have lost any of their allure, or their lofty place among status symbols.

I love reading the International Herald Tribune's Fashion & Style section. Last week they had an interesting article on the subject:

"Prices for designer sunglasses have jumped to $350 or more in recent months, from an average of $250, retailers say, and the price spike has not turned off shoppers. 'The youth of America has discovered sunglasses to be the aspirational and prestige item of the moment,' said Marshal Cohen, a senior analyst with the NPD Group, a market research firm. He predicts, 'Sunglasses
will replace the handbag as the image item' among teenage girls and young women."1

But this trend is not just about tightening our frugal belts, and it's not just affecting women.

"Men have embraced sunglasses with a passion, and may even be driving sales," said James Spina, the editor in chief of 20/20, an eyewear monthly. 'Unlike men's previous pet object, the watch, which half the time is covered by a sleeve, sunglasses are always visible, a kind of jewelry for the face. They give men an identity.'"2

Talk about making an investment in a fashion statement. I have to think that men are just as eager to reign in their spending off of watches, but still want to be in style. But again, the designer watch, just like the handbag, will never go out of style, no matter what our economy looks like. To read the rest of the article, click here.

Here are some great styles that won't make you feel like you are the only person left on the planet that can't afford the high-end designer sunglasses. All under $200:

Gucci black belt buckle detail sunglasses
retail value: $320.00
bluefly: $192.00

Christian Dior black metal 'SubDior' aviator sunglasses
retail value: $320.00
bluefly: $192.00

Fendi white logo aviator sunglasses
retail value: $250.00
bluefly: $150.00

Paul Smith men's pewter square aviator sunglasses
retail value: $325.00
bluefly: $195.00

1,2 All quoted text from (http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/10/style/10sunglasses.php) All photos courtesy of Bluefly.com.

Somewhere Between Casual and Business (the top half)

The California laid back lifestyle has influenced the fashion of our day-to-day, unlike cities such as New York where you will never see flip flops and a sport coat paired together. Combine this attitude with the plethora of tech companies based in the Bay Area, and you are guaranteed to see these two looks exiting the CalTrain station: (a) For many men in Silicon Valley, business casual means a pair of khakis, short sleeved button down shirt and dress shoes, with their belts sporting the latest in cell phone technology. And (b) the translation of that into their weekend clothes means a logo t-shirt (usually showing their place of employment), baggy jeans, sport coat and dress shoes. Neither looks have any personality or style. This is not an insult towards men or their profession. It is merely an observation from a fashion point of view.

What is the underlying cause of this hodge-podge dressing? For many men, the hardest things to shop for are those looks that border the line of casual weekend and business attire. My experience is that many men are grateful not to have to wear a tie every day, if ever. But that doesn't mean you can't look sharp and well styled. The first thing to address-- what goes on top?

Endovanera
Thermal Front Shirt in White $165

This shirt is great because it is reminiscent of a tuxedo shirt, with the casual touch of a thermal knit inlay on the chest.

Shades of Greige

2-Pocket Long Sleeve Weekender Shirt in Navy Linen $79

The military styling of this button up, along with the great price, makes this a great buy.

Ted Baker

Ziggy Long Sleeve Half Button with Chest Pockets in Black $179

Not all sweaters have to look they they came of the set of "Leave it to Beaver." This is a great pull-over that can be worn over a nice shirt, and is a great alternative to a light jacket.

7 For All Mankind
Blazer in Black $294

By no means should my statement above make you think that sport coats are out of style. They are a staple to every man's wardrobe. It is a matter of the styling of the jacket, the fabric, and cut.

Theory

Steeler Luxe Shirt in Pomegranate $245

This shade of purple is going to be H-O-T for fall, and will be seen on shelves everywhere.

Pictures courtesy of Revolve Clothing. All Items shown above found on www.revolveclothing.com.

Patiently Waiting on My Wishlist

I am very excited to report that the color purple is going to be in hot demand during the colder months. In its many shades, you will see it making a head-to-toe appearance very soon. Don't believe me; check out the pre-fall collections hitting stores now.

Diane von Furstenberg Poplin Wrap Dress $365

Prada Ribbed Lana Coste Tights $155

Salvatore Ferragamo Varina Patent Ballet Flats $430

Love Moschino Wool & Taffeta Sweater $395

Pictures courtesy of Saks.com

"The Meaning of Sunglasses And a Guide to Almost All Things Fashionable"

I can't get enough of Vogue and InStyle Magazine. I gleefully flip through each glossy page, drooling over the designer wares and dreaming of the outfits I could create if I only had that $3,000 blouse on page 147. How does anyone stay on top of it all? I was asked yesterday how I stayed up-to-date on all the trends and fashions for the next season. There is no definitive one source for all things fashion. It is a combination of trend agencies who monitor and decide the trends years in advance, being a part of organizations like Fashion International Group, industry publications like WWD, newsstand fashion magazines and a good eye for what looks good.

There are other sources you can find to satisfy your hunger for more style savvy tips. Many self-professed style gurus and celebrity-turned-authors alike have tried putting their words of wisdom on style into print. I find many of these books very interesting. But there is a maze of titles to choose from. I am currently reading this great book called, "The Meaning of Sunglasses And a Guide to Almost All Things Fashionable," by Hadley Freeman. This book poses some interesting questions/points: (1) "Is fashion one big, nasty, and anachronistic, and misogynistic conspiracy to make women feel inadequate, or is it a means for self-expression that actually brings a lot of gratification?" xiii (2) "Thanks largely to the rise of mass market fashion... fashion is more than ever for the women themselves, not the men who look at them... In regard to the impact of mass market fashion, never before have so many good clothes been so readily available so cheaply, and never before have so many women been in the position to buy them with their own money." xv (3) "But I just do not see that having a sharp brain and strong self-esteem is incompatible with caring about how you look, and deriving pleasure from it." xv

This isn't a how-to book. More so, it takes the reader down a long path to enlightenment as to why fashion is what it is, and the statements we make with what we choose to wear. "It is a real blinking shame that fashion, which exists ostensibly to give women self-confidence, has become something that many people see as precisely the opposite." xvi

"From Publishers Weekly:
Belts aren't meant to hold up pants, according to Freeman, deputy fashion editor at the British newspaper the Guardian; belts are superfluous additions to outfits that help cinch a waist or make one appear thinner. In her witty and acerbic debut book, Freeman notes what designer bags say about their owner (Fendi is for the well-groomed lady); the messages different hemlines can send (super short miniskirts will have men whistling Roy Orbison's greatest hit at you); and the trouble with the unnecessary distraction patterns provide. Her short chapters come at random as Freeman takes a haphazard approach to the fashion world by organizing her book alphabetically—which leads to some confusion as there are six separate chapters dealing with footwear. Her most convincing chapters expose the problems with the fashion industry, such as the unrealistic body image models like Kate Moss present. Readers plagued with indecision concerning what blouse is best or what jean style fits their body type can turn to Freeman, who doesn't pull her punches (ethnic clothes, like a pastel beach caftan, are offensive; mittens are childlike; and animal prints embarrassingly obvious). (Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."

Photo and book description from Amazon.com

Fall Preview: Statement Necklaces

This fall, be ready to drop a few dollars into some accessories. One to focus on-- statement necklaces. Since fall fashion is going back to basics, add some pizazz with your jewelry. If you're like me, you have some less than favorable body parts you would rather not draw attention towards. One solution-- bring the eye up towards your smiling face. A stunning piece of jewelry will do that in an instant. No one is going to see your less-than-perfect thighs if they cant get their eyes off your face.

Here is one I am in love with right now. Found at Nordstrom, this is the Crystal Cluster necklace from Badgley Mischka. For $300, it's a sure thing for those day-to-night outfits.

Photo courtesy of Nordstrom.com

Must Have For Fall 2008

Mark Twain was once quoted as saying, "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." Anyone celebrating the 4th of July in The City knows how true this statement is. The summer being what it is here, it's hard for me to want to shop the neon colors so popular this summer.

Every summer I highly anticipate the warmer hues of fall, lavish textures, subdued elegance and layers, layers, layers. The layer of choice this fall-- colored tights. This ad from Neiman Marcus shows Vera Wang's take on the trend. I love the violet tights mixed with the mustard yellow skirt and blue blouse... amazing!

Photo courtesy of NeimanMarcus.com