shopbop shoptalk

Function is Fashion: Zippers Do Double Duty This Fall

Fashion vs. function is an endless debate. Will those covetable 5” booties make me fall head-over-heels both figuratively and literally? Is it really wise to wear that string bikini in strong ocean waves? (I can testify that no, indeed, it isn’t.) But luckily, sometimes the sartorial stars allow fashion and function to align. Enter exposed zippers. Useful or purely decorative, the trend spotted on last spring’s runways is exploding for fall.

We all look for timeless styles with a modern spin, and zippers provide that fresh angle. A little black dress takes an of-the-moment turn with double zips adorning the front (as in this dress by Geren Ford), or with a zippered belt cinching the waist (like this cowl-neck Helmut Lang dress). And in the hands of Current/Elliott, this fastening sharpens up the classic pencil skirt.

Sure, zippers can be all-out edgy, but designers known for their femininity play the adornment against type with ruffles and rosettes. Zippers and chains temper a sweet shift by Nanette Lepore, while Catherine Malandrino uses them to make a ladylike knee-length frock really pop, and Juicy Couture’s princess goes punk with its Ruffle Zip Cardigan.

On the other hand, accessories make it easy to just nibble on a trend, and zippered shoes, bags, and jewelry are a way to make the look your own by pairing it with your signature pieces. I’d add the above Bop Bijoux bracelet to my usual wristful of bangles, or carry any one of the new Alexander Wang bags to add interest on lazy tee-and-jeans days.

--Tonya

first fashion

Our Favorites from What's New
I’m off to Chicago for Lollapalooza next weekend, and though I’ve been building my concert-going wardrobe all summer, it’s still not quite complete. I just grabbed a new mini messenger bag—just the right size for my essentials, not so big my shoulder will hate me by The Killers’ last song Sunday night—and browsing What’s New this morning, I’ve landed on a few more last-minute additions to my Lolla repertoire.
	Airy Ella Moss jersey will be a godsend on what promises to be a steamy weekend. The beautifully detailed back on this tank sold me the first time I saw it. Ella Moss - Marlo Top
	I’ve fallen hard for Karen Walker sunglasses (the Kiwi designer is making her debut on shopbop). These retro-glam shades will let me play cool kid for a weekend. Karen Walker - Pilgrim Sunglasses
	The picture of deliberate dishevelment, this necklace will add easy depth to my Bop Basics tees and cutoff shorts. flutter by Jill Golden - Dragon Necklace
Fill a few gaps in your wardrobe with styles from What’s New. --Amie

shopspotted: flowers as hair accessories

Trend forecaster Anne Ziegler travels the world scoping out the latest and the up-and-coming in areas ranging from fashion to music to art to travel. She’s helped retailers identify current and future trends and has worked with some of the biggest names in the glossies (Elle, Vogue, Lucky). Dream job? You bet it is. Here, Anne talks about a mini trend that’s popping up across the globe.

Blame it on summer love or the season’s heat, but there is no denying that a sweet trend is developing in hair accessories. Once reserved for ladies in tropical locales, girls across the globe are wearing flowers in their hair. I’ve spotted the look in Argentina, Spain, Italy—fashionable women are accessorizing with faux flora, and I have to say, I love the look! It’s simultaneously feminine and confident, and most importantly, looks absolutely adorable.

--Anne Ziegler

Shop Your Style

The best thing about online shopping? The selection. Such a wealth of designer names at your fingertips, ready to be delivered to your doorstep with just a few clicks. But there’s a downside to this avalanche of options: fashion fatigue. Browsing two-hundred-sixty-seven versions of the little black dress can try the patience of even the most sartorially obsessed, leaving you looking for a shortcut. (Something like a list of top 10 songs, but for clothes.)

Good news: I’ve found it. Sure, size and color matter, but we all know the real reason most closet contenders are dismissed out of hand is that they’re not your style. Now Shopbop has it set up so you can shop only those items that suit your style with five mini-boutiques stocked with pieces selected especially for five distinct looks: Classic, Edgy, Bohemian, Girly, and Casual Chic. Not that you have to limit yourself to one, of course. Each boutique is meticulously edited, and you can mix and match J Brand jeans, cocktail dresses, and dress pants from each for a look that’s uniquely yours.

You define your style. Shopbop helps you refine it. (And speaking of great style, check out the winners of our first ever Most Fashionable Fan contest on Facebook.)

--Maureen
Shopbop Shoptalk

first fashion

Our Favorites from What's New
I’m always on the hunt for more transition pieces. Essentially, it’s what you wear whilst shifting between tube top and turtleneck weather (or what you throw on in July when your favorite restaurant sets the thermostat at “bone chilling”). With fall just around the corner, I don’t always want to be carrying around a cardi, so I need something casual but more inspired than a basic long-sleeve tee.
	Hooray for 3/4 sleeves! This is what I’m talking about: appropriate arm coverage, front draping with a touch of sex appeal, and go-anywhere jersey I can dress up or down. Velvet – Ariana Top
	A hobo that works year-round, I’ll add this DVF bag to any ensemble and instantly up my city’s heat index. Diane von Furstenberg – Stephanie Slouchy Bag
	Pumps or boots? No need to make such taxing decisions when there are plenty of haute booties that offer the best of both worlds. These Belles of the ball can be worn with a mini dress and bare legs now, and with all stripes of funky tights once the weather cools. Belle by Sigerson Morrison – Tie Back Wedge Booties
There's a wealth of options for spring, fall, and all the mini seasons in between, in What’s New. --Suzanne

They've Got Staying Power + How to Clean Your UGGs

Last winter, I read more than one blog post posing the same question: are people really still wearing UGG boots? The answer, from London to L.A., was yes, they are. Why? Because the sheepskin boots have become a staple in many a winter (and for you surfers out there, beach) wardrobe.

Brought to the United States in 1978 by Brian Smith, UGG’s Classic Tall and Classic Short styles are modeled after the same sheepskin boots worn and adored by Australian beach bums. The boots were a hit on the West Coast, and eventually made their way east, where they were appreciated for their cozy warmth in the north’s brutal winters.

More than 30 years later, the brand has branched out from their classics to include a full range of styles, including UGG slippers (the Coquette is among the most popular), driving moccasins, fashion boots, and the most recent addition, the Classic Cardy, a knit take on the brand’s iconic silhouettes.

How to Clean UGG Boots
It’s an oft-asked question, and one that needs answering: how does one go about cleaning UGGs? I consulted the back of the brand’s Sheepskin Cleaner & Conditioner bottle, and after getting past the no-brainer warnings (“DO NOT use a washing machine.” No kidding.), I discovered the process is pretty simple.

Here’s the low-down:

Step 1: Get yourself a bottle of UGG cleaner.
Step 2: Grab your dirty, worn UGGs, and get them a little wet with some clean, cold water.
Step 3: Dilute the cleaner using a 1 part water/1 part cleaner ratio (that’s half water/half cleaner for the math challenged among us).
Step 4: Apply your diluted potion to a wet sponge (not directly to your boots—you’ll end up with a big-ol’ cleaner spot), and very gently scrub the area clean.
Step 5: Rinse in clean, cold water, then lightly stuff the boots with paper and let them dry naturally and slowly.
Step 6: When the boots are dry, brush them very lightly with a soft-bristled brush.

Before Step 1 (when you first buy the boots) and after Step 6, you may want to treat them with UGG spray, to minimize the number of times you have to repeat steps 1 through 6.

--Amie
Shopbop

elsewhere & otherwise

* W asks “What's Alexander Wang really like?” His longtime friend Ryan Korban answers: As a student at Parsons "he lived and breathed fashion, completely and totally, from the minute he woke up to the second he went to bed." Not so surprising. [ W Editors’ Blog ]

* A shakeup in the world of Fashion Week. M.A.C. is offering alternative space far from the tents, at Milk Studios—and it’s free! Proenza Schouler, Erin Fetherston, and Alex Wang are slated to show there. [ The Cut ]

* The Cut loves Giuseppe Zanotti. So do we. So does Balmain. [ The Cut ]

* Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton fêted the 10th birthday of their label sass & bide. What’s next? “We would really like to show at London fashion week—that’s the next project,” said Clarke. [ Style.com Style File ]

* DSQUARED2's brotherly duo Dean and Dan Caten will play judges and hosts to Bravo's latest reality fashion foray: Launch My Line. [ The Cut ]

* Meet the ladies from The Beautiful Life, the most fashionable addition to the CW’s fall lineup. Looks like our TiVo will be working overtime this fall. [ WWD ]

* Is Vogue shifting gears? The rumors (“Think a new circle of models, an influx of fresh, young photographers, and a desire for ‘unpredictability’ in the stories.”) say yes. The mag says no. [ Fashionista & The Cut ]

* The man behind The Sartorialist, Scott Schuman, gets a little cheeky—and candid—with the Canadian press. [ The Globe and Mail ]

* Tuesday would have been Jackie O.'s 80th birthday. Take a look at her post-Washington style. [ Huffington Post ]

* Harem pants aren't just for the ladies (though we definitely wear them better). Do you think any fellas will take their style cue from Russell Brand? [ Stylecaster ]

* Daily Candy is encouraging its readers to cut their own bags. Proceed with caution, ladies. [ Daily Candy ]

* And just for fun, give yourself a (cartoon) Mad Men makeover. (Or check out the latest from Ports 1961, and give yourself a real-life Mad Men makeover.) [ AMC via Fashionista ]

first fashion

Our Favorites from What's New
While flashes of neon may be the big color story of the moment, fall comes with an annual trend I can always get behind: jewel tones. From amethyst to ruby, turquoise to emerald, rich hues are sure to warm up cool days.
	Robert Rodriguez elevates a super-soft jersey dress with details like satin, ribbon, tiered chains, and exquisite draping, proving there’s so much more to the easy fabric than meets the eye. Robert Rodriguez – Rib Dress with Necklace
	Anlo’s date-night-perfect dark-wash denim meets its match with the line’s sexy tops. I envision this one with some equally vibrant jewels, like something from Gemma Redux or Jacquie Aiche. Anlo – Lansy Top
	Jumpsuits are going strong into fall, with Fashion Forwards continuing to love this sexy evening alternative to the ubiquitous dress. And this iteration will stand out in a sea of basic black. Robert Rodriguez - Jumpsuit
Find some fashion gems in What’s New. --Tonya

Play peek-a-boo: bikini tops and bralettes add a sexy new dimension to your look

The fashion blogosphere can’t stop rhapsodizing about fall trends, but it’s still only July and your summer style could use a shot of something new. While I was culling through photos of Senior Stylist Morgan for last week’s Studio Style post, I (no surprise) discovered an inspired take on pieces we all have in our wardrobe: a bikini/bra top worn beyond the beach or boudoir.

Left: Morgan creates a scintillating yet casual daytime statement with a peek-a-boo
bikini top. Right: A lace bra coupled with the above pieces is sure to generate after-dark sparks.

We’ve all seen innerwear as outerwear done in a ’90s Madonna bustier way, but what I’m talking about is more subtle, chic, and sans padded cones. For a daytime look, start with a sleek triangle bikini top in a dark color like black, midnight, or charcoal. I personally like the colored pyramid studs on this Brette Sandler style for extra kick. Top it off with a slouchy jersey tank that’s got a deep cowl neck, cutouts, a draped racer back, or all of the above. (I love how Morgan’s bikini peeks out on the sides in the pic above—the perfect answer for those tanks with the extra-deep arm openings that you’ll be seeing lots more of.) Finish with boyfriend shorts, a long flutter by Jill Golden pendant necklace, and flat cutout booties like these.

To take this look downtown, switch to a cool lacy bra like this one by Only Hearts, lightly bleached J Brand jeans, and carnivorous Givenchy booties. Doll up those peep-toes with a neon pedicure: hot pink, acid yellow, or tangerine polish brings a delicious color pop to a feverishly hot ensemble.

--Suzanne

the accessories hit list

The Latest by Kate, Fashion Director
Weather-wise summer’s only just begun, but new fall arrivals are hitting shopbop every day. Where to get started on your fall shopping? Accessories! Why? You can wear them today! Here’s my hit list:
	1. Round Sunglasses A celeb favorite and a simple way to make a big fashion statement. Invest in this must-have trend NOW! Favorite styles: - Lanvin Paris - Wouter Round Sunglasses - Oliver Peoples - Sheldrake Sunglasses - Proenza Schouler - Round Sunglasses (pictured)
	2. Studded Handbags Classic shapes take on a rock-and-roll edge when they get the studded treatment. Favorite styles: - Bulga - Blesk Stud Tote - Rebecca Minkoff - Supernova Stud Devote Handbag - Tory Burch - Studded Satchel (pictured)
	3. Avant-Garde Hair Accessories Incorporate a lavish hair piece for a little Parisian flirtation. It’s the perfect way to add some romance to your look. Favorite styles: - Bop Bijoux - Romantic Head Wrap - Bop Bijoux - Studded Headband - Felix Rey - Mesh Spiral Headband (pictured)
	4. Ruffled Shoes Seen on pumps and boots, ruffles are happening this fall. I’m particularly loving Marc by Marc's ruffle boots. Favorite styles: - Elizabeth and James - Risky Ruffle Pumps - L.A.M.B. - Randi Peep Toe Pumps - Marc by Marc Jacobs - Ruffle Back Knee High Boots (pictured)
--Kate