Throwback Thursday.

#tbt for many reasons today: To last Thursday when Jill and I decided to man up and celebrate Halloween in not-so-true to Mean Girls form and to 1992 when ripped jeans and band tees were IT. 

Wayne and Garth frolicking with purses? Doubleshwing!

This got me thinking about the recyclability of fashion trends. If you hold on to something long enough, will it inevitably go back in-style? Countless times I have heard my mom recall while flipping through the new Bloomingdales' catalogue, I used to own one just like that! My response is along the lines of wishing she held onto said piece because I'm sure it was made with lasting quality and was far less expensive than whatever the price for said piece is now (and would probably be worth much more today because it is vintage). 

Personal style and what is considered "in" evolves. There are always those pieces you wonder, What was I thinking? but then there are those you are happy you held on to.  While I don't know what I would do without multiple chambrays in my wardrobe now, five years back, I don't think I even owned a chambray or knew what "chambray" was even referring to.  Flashing back to 1994, a "denim button down" was what me and my dad sported, along with a pair of dirty bucks that I also own again today. Of course this idea of holding onto something with the intention of wearing it at a much much later date can't exactly work when you are still growing, but it proves the point; Fashion has the tendency to repeat itself. 

I happen to think dressing as Wayne and Garth had to be the easiest (and might I add, one of the most fun) costumes I have ever done because of what it took to pull it together: Flannel? Check. Concert tee? Check. Large hipster shades? Washed out denim? Converse? Check, check, check.  

I even believe those patent leather purses they're wearing are pretty HOT to today's standards, maybe a bit reminiscent of a Kate Spade clutch. What pieces in your wardrobe do you think are worthy of holding on to? Will wedge sneakers soon be out to only be back in again? 

Pumped Up Kicks.

Kicks, Isabel Marant (Similar Ash version here and here)

Wedge sneakers have been around for awhile now. At first I hated them. No, I despised them. I couldn't understand why someone would want a sneaker with a wedge. The concept both looked and sounded just stupid.  And then, somewhat recently, it dawned on me -  that I actually liked them. Like an elementary school crush, I was caught off guard with the fact that I actually liked what I thought was if anything obnoxious and not cute.  

Once I came to terms with reality, I had to snag a pair for myself. The Isabel Marant edition is pretty pricey but I found that Ash makes a very similar version for much less and they are extremely comfortable. I am now in love with them. I wanted to do a bop to show the pair I purchased, but alas, I live in New York where we anxiously wait for nor'easter Nemo to pass. A bop will have to wait until next week. 

In the meantime, I'm excited to see the different kinds of wedge sneakers that designers will come out with, Kate Spade included. 

P.S. These don't run in half sizes, so go up a euro size. I'm usually a 7.5 so I got a 38.

Ombre.

Just as I was obsessing over Rag & Bone's ombre denim, I discovered that DL1961 has their own version of ombre as well. We shouldn't be too surprised that denim has caught the ombre bug along with my once highlighted to the root locks. I may have taken it too far while at an event at Nike ID recently when I gave the faded look a test drive with my kicks, but I'll have you be the judge of that. 

Nonetheless, I'm super excited for this trend this fall and cannot wait to slip into a new pair of my always-perfect-fitting-favorite, DL1961.

(Pictured, Top to Bottom: Rag & Bone; DL1961; sneak peak of Nike's latest designed by me)

Get All Red, White, and Blue

Get All Red, White, and Blue by chelsbop

(Left to right: iPhone case, Zazzle; Shirt, Rebel Yell; Shorts, DIY, TopShop; Sunnies, Ray-Ban)

Get in the spirit this holiday weekend with flag inspired pieces. Marking the unofficial beginning of summer, no matter where you are be sure to rock some red, white and blue and don't forget to sport your all-American Ray-Bans.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Switch it Up.



(Shoes, Franco Sarto; Laces, Crewcuts; Jeans, Henry & Belle)

Getting inspired in the most unexpected of places never comes as a surprise. That's why when flipping through the pages of my J.Crew catalog recently I wasn't too surprised when the back Crewcuts pages grabbed my attention. I admire creative director, Jenna Lyon's fresh reinvention of the classic brand and the Crewcut pages comes nothing short of what I would imagine the stylish mother to dress her own children in.

Specifically, "dirty bucks" as we once referred them were laced up with bright hues in place of a classic brown. Now, I no longer have those "dity bucks" I used to wear on a daily basis and even if I did I can assure you I wouldn't fit in them, so my comfortable Franco Sarto go-to's were the next best thing to try this trend out. 

I think it might work better with a shoe that has more of a cut like this. Maybe I should stick to sneakers when it comes to neon laces. Either way, it's fun for a temporary change. What are your thoughts?



Oscars & Mint

I'm giving three shoutouts to Angelina, Gwyneth and Maria.

(Left to right: Angelina Jolie in Versace , Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford)

While the two starlets kept it classy with timeless black and cream ensembles, I love how Maria dared to wear the new "it" color in her Maria Lucia Hohan gown.

I can't wait to wear this mint/aquamarine shade! Check out my picks:

Minty by chelsbop

Equipment silk blouse

$208 - shoplesnouvelles.com

Paige denim
$179 - bloomingdales.com

Goldsign super skinny jeans
$190 - net-a-porter.com

Rebecca Minkoff mini clutch
$195 - stefanibags.com

Sunglasses
knockaround.com

essie Nail Color Turquoise Caicos
$7.79 - target.com

Winter White.

(Denim, Seven; Sweater, Madewell; Vest, J.Crew; Bag, Rebecca Minkoff; Sunnies, Smith; Shoes, Franco Sarto; Bracelets, Madewell) Photog: Samantha Imparato.

White in the winter? Don't mind if I do! It's relatively easy to pull off as long as you stick to neutrals and avoid any bright palettes like orange (too creamsicle!) or neons (save that for summer!)

I am absolutely loving my Rebecca Minkoff. It goes with everything! Have you worn white jeans yet this winter?



Day of Hearts

Happy Valentine's Day!



Rebecca Taylor Heart Print Dress



A day to be adored or a deliberate marketing tactic to boost sales for little hearted chochkas? Whichever your view, I must admit that I roll with the latter crowd and judging by her new collection, so does Rebecca Taylor. Of course the above Rebecca Taylor number  is adorably cutesie in all of its speckled hearted glory but RT's Fall 2012 Collection was singing a different tune on the runway this past week.

Think mixing textures and playing with layers. Not so cutesie now, are we?

Layering with different texures? Check!

Velvet pants? Check!



Boots with the fur? Check!

 

Photos via Style.com



I think the designer did a fantastic job with this transition. Normally hints of girly undertones scatter her line, but darker neutrals have taken their place making it almost like RT's edgy-alot-cooler-younger-sister (What's up Sam Laj!?)

What do you think of this collection?

P.S. I bought little heart earrings this weekend and wore them yesterday. The thought was there...

Grammy's: Best Dressed

Katy Perry may have won my vote for best performance of the night with a huge slam to Russell Brand, but Rihanna stole the show on the red carpet as well as on stage.

Black maintains elegance with this edgy frock. Rihanna took to the red carpet with a plunging neckline and barely there back designed by the artist herself in collaboration with Armani.

photoa via GETTY.

Her punky coif reminiscent of a 1980s Tina Turner do' complemented the look to its entirety.

Now, that's what I call a perm!

Rihanna translated her punk vibe on stage during her "We Found Love" performance with Coldplay while sporting an acid wash denim vest over a black ensemble (perhaps KP's alter ego, Kathy Beth Terry was the first to bring this retro look back!)

 I have been wanting a denim vest for awhile now but haven't brought myself to buy one; it just seems a bit pricey for something that can easily be a DIY project, which might be in my near future...

Runner-up: Kate Beckinsale (always gorgeous!)

Rock-Bottom: Tie between Nicki Minaj and Fergie. What was with that performace Nicki!? Er, I mean, Roman???

P.S. Great shoutout to the Big Man and Whitney Houston, RIP

iGift

Plum Street Prints iPhone Case

Is it just me or have there been a lot of birthdays lately and even more coming up within the next couple of months?

I am one of those people who tends to go for the monogramming option whenever it is offered. I like the innate personalization effect it has and when it is a gift it makes it seem even more personalized. This iPhone case by Plum Street Prints is a relatively inexpensive and special gift that I thought I would share. Really liking the nautical/patriotic theme going on here but they have a bunch of different designs and colors with monogram included in the set price. You also get to approve your design before it goes into production!

bop

Pop!

(Blouse, J.Crew)

Add pops of color to spice up your life outfit. Maria was easy to spot at the bar Friday night in her neon silk button down from J.Crew. Don't just limit your brights to shirts, get hue happy with pants, pumps and bags:



J.Crew Cafe Capri



Refresh your work wardrobe and swap plain black slacks for an unexpected tint.

Giuseppe Zanotti

Real life Barbie! When I saw these fun wedges in person I was automatically drawn by the colorblocking, but for $695 a girl can dream, right?! Do you like these or is it just me?



The Cambridge Satchel Company



Kat came to brunch with this lively satchel in tote. Have heads turning with this everyday pop of color. Reasonably priced, the Cambridge Satchel Company has an entire Fluoro collection the also includes orange, green and yellow.  

bop

Winter Shorts

The night before Santacon as I perused Urban Outfitters looking for some festive pieces to sport while I apartment and bar hopped my way through lower Manahattan, I stumbled upon a pair of velvet shorts and a pair of bottoms that could best be described as a "flappers paradise" with 360 degree fringe detail. Full on pants party, to say the least. Read: I got the black velvet instead.

It got me thinking that we shouldn't only save these fun festive shorts to match your ugly Christmas sweater-vest, but instead we should most definitely wear them to carry us through these cold winter months we have ahead. You can get a lot more mileage out of these than you think!

Tip: Pair with tights, oversized button-down, and mary jane pumps.

Editor's Picks: Winter Shorts

 1. Velvet Shorts



Frenchi Pleat Velvet Shorts



Slip into a pair of soft velvet shorts and you will immediately dress up any shirt. Unfortunately the pair I got from Urban Outfitters is sold out, but these pair found in the Nordstrom Juniors section are inexpensive and pull off the same look.

2. Leather Shorts



Free People Leather Shorts 

You Miss, are one badass. With diagonal zipper detail, these shorts can be worn all-year round. Wear with a concert tee and sport in the summer.

3. Sweater Shorts



Free People Sweater Shorts



Perfect for lounging or a casual daytime look. The colorful band detail is like a built in belt, but a lot more attractive!

bop



Yosef H.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! I finally got an iPhone and therefore will be downloading the Fashion Assistant App I praised about a month or so ago.

While I'm sure Santa may have brought you everything on your Christmas List (perhaps it was the Holiday Armadillo that treated you well a la Ross Gellar) I thought I'd share this story with you about a designer I recently met at Bloomingdale's while I was scoping out some leather goods in the Jewelry department.

As I approached a row of leather and gold bracelets (two textures that make for a fantastic casual bracelet) I was simultaneously approached by the designer, Jared Handler and learned a bit more about the new brand that is starting to capture the eyes and wrists of celebrities at a universally agreeable price point.

Back in 2003, Jared began making his line of bracelets from raw materials he found in local NYC markets, inspired by the notion that fashion should only be found, not forced. Less than 10 years later, Yosef H., the line named after Jared's own middle name and last initial, has made its way to major retailers such as Henri Bendel and Bloomingdale's. How is that for a dose of inspiration? 


Today, Jared still hand makes each of his bracelets in his Chelsea studio (which he nicely invited me to) such that each bracelet is unique to the person who wears it.

Hmm...maybe Santa didn't get you everything you wanted after all....

bop