I’m a curious person and like to know what people think and what their habits are. I find it interesting that shoppers can be very rigid in their shopping habits; they may never set foot in Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus. They don’t buy from catalogs because of returns. They only shop at certain retailers because they think they can’t afford or won’t find anything in a boutique or higher-end store. I say, don’t limit your choices. There are possibilities everywhere!

I like seeing clothing on models as it’s easy to visualize the outfit on my body, so catalog or on-line shopping is good for that. The larger retailers have made returning items very easy. You usually have a return label and an amount is deducted from your credit. When I calculate time and gas, the amount to return the item is less than what I’d spend on the streets. Just be sure to try on the items right away, keep the original packaging, carefully repackage the item and return as quickly as possible if it doesn’t work.  It is worth it to me when the stores I’m ordering from are further away or “on-line” has sales.

I enjoy going to the boutiques on Oak Street in Chicago.  They are fun to visit and there’s a limited amount of square footage, but you’ll find items there you won’t find elsewhere. If your time is limited, I’d go to Nordstrom or Saks, Macy’s, Bloomingdales. They have your favorite designers under one roof. When visiting Chicago, I plan my time carefully with boutiques and department store shopping. While some labels are out of reach for the average consumer, it’s an adventure to touch and see the fabrics and designs. Believe me, you will see that filter down to your price level in a different fabric, but it makes you aware of what is out there and a better-informed consumer. Try on different brands and designers to find what works for your body type.   Also watch for the “clear it out” sales – I’ve made great purchases at 75% off!

After Rochelle Behrens graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and moved to Washington DC for a lobbyist job, she faced what a lot of women do in conservative work dress: the typical oxford-cloth shirt gaping at the bust. No matter how much money she spent, she could not find a button-down shirt that fit across the bust and ended up safety-pinning the shirts from the inside.

Rochelle began spending nights reinventing the shirt, rearranging the buttons to allow a modest peek of cleavage and adding a second internal placket of buttons that smoothes puckering or gape. She acquired a patent and the shirts are manufactured in Barcelona, Spain. Knowing she had a good thing, she sent sample Shirts to Oprah Winfrey and it was named one of Oprah’s “five things to have in 2011.” The shirts cost around $90 and can be found at Bloomingdales, Von Maur and boutiques around the country.

Needless to say, Rochelle quit her lobbyist job and expects to sell 10K shirts by year end!

“Sewn in our exclusive cool stretch cotton from our European mill. Our collars and cuffs will stay crisp, our shirts are long enough to tuck in and stay tucked in, and ours are decidedly feminine and lightweight.

Oh, did we mention The Shirt won’t gape at the bust? No wonder it’s The everyday, everyway Shirt™.”

Available in SEVERAL colors

The Ruffled Shirt in black or white

http://the-shirt.com/index.php/the-shirts.html

cAN we ever talk too much about shoes? Do you have the feeling I prefer tennis shoes for physical exertion, only?  Maybe I’m in denial that tennis shoes have become an acceptable shoe for non-physical American footwear? Woe is me!

Imagine….a cute dressy skirt, blouse and cardigan/jacket with TOMS sparkling canvas flats (see previous Blog). Or casual wardrobe but wear those cute Via Spiga slingback kitten heels to punch it up (below). It’s almost a surprise for the observer….an unexpected. We think beyond the box.

GUYS: stayed turned for what a man says about men’s footwear…. I like this guy!

AT NORDSTROM:

Nine West ‘Tali’ Sandal

Jeffrey Campbell ‘Mention’ Flat

Attilio Giusti Leombruni Perforated Cap Toe Flat

AT BLOOMINGDALES:

New

COACH Daffodyl Cutout Ballet Flats

sooo CUTE and GIRLIE !!

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Mouse Ballet Flats

‘The popular MARC BY MARC JACOBS mouse ballet flat gets an update in animal print haircalf and leather embellishments.’

I GURANTEE you’ll have fun with these Marc Jacobs flats. Adorable!

Via Spiga "Dolmen" Slingback Pumps

Wear as “dressier” walking shoe, or pair with capri or ankle jeans and casual accessories.

Stuart Weitzman "Perfecto" Pumps

Available in black or tan. I like the tan to dress up the “walking casual.”

DKNY Hosiery Chevron Knit Tights

Knit sweater tights look great with your LBD (little black dress) or a cute skirt. Or wear with the boot toppers below for a sassy look!

DKNY flannel melange pointelle boot topper.

Anne Klein New York Shawl-Collar Ribbed Dress

This dress is a gal’s best friend. Included belt cinches the waist for a sexy silhouette.

Need a little red this season?

Calvin Klein Red Pleated Sheath Dress

The pleating on this pretty dress makes for a flattering shape.

DKNY "Roslyn" Flared Trench Coat

Check out this link. Even on sale!

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Dress "Ethan" Sheath Dress

Belt this dress with a black belt and wear with a camel coat!

If you haven’t heard, Friday Sept 10th is Fashion’s Night Out. Good idea. Why? I don’t know how it came about but I say let’s put a little energy and merriment into our lives as we begin the fall season. Lift our spirits as we remember September 11th. Check your stores for events or click on hyperlinks below. There are several chances to contribute to charities with purchase of particular merchandise. 

Have fun!

Window on 57th & 58th Street

BERGDORF GOODMAN  For events, click HERE

FOR SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, Click HERE

MACY’S  STORES

NORDSTROM EVENTS, Michigan Avenue

BLOOMINGDALE’S EVENTS

Bloomingdales , 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, was buzzing with excitement as customers shopped for their fall wardrobes. Military and casual looks are paired with sparkle to bring up the bar on your everyday wear. Change your shoes and jewelry to easily take you from afternoon errands to fun nights on the town. Here’s a cute camouflage dress and outfit from Michael Kors I thought were great!

INC International Concepts is another of my favorite lines to freshen up your wardrobe at great prices. I find their styles fresh, fun and great fitting on many figure types. Here again we see military looks and colors along with glitter that adds fun to your look.

Here’s Karen Kane outfits with leggings. These bring to mind great travel options.  Airplane travelers take note: these pack easily, are comfortable and stylish, will keep you warm with jackets, and look good with flats or boots.  

The Lauren Jeans Company/Ralph Lauren says classic updated for the season. Never can go wrong with Ralph Lauren! 

On a recent visit to Bloomingdales on 59th Street and Lexington Avenue, New York City, the collections for Fall are impressive.

Ralph Lauren Blue Label. Classic with a twist. Love the collection.

Tory Burch. Let’s see, which one? I’ll take all three!

Ah, Ralph Lauren Black Label! Lovely camel and gray. Elegant.

Burberry. The patterned trench coat with black outfit works beautifully.

One of my favorite designers, Michael Kors.

Karen Kane is a line I’ll always check out at Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Boston Store: wherever they sell her clothing. Here is a fun display at Macy’s at Coastland Center in Naples, Florida.  Karen Kane is fashionable, fun to wear -  items ending up in your shopping bag.  Check it out – try it on.  Nice – fun – easy.

INC is one of my favorite lines.  It is reasonably priced and “fashionable.”  The clothes fit girls with curves and are flattering.  I check out INC’s display at Bloomingdales and Macy’s. Price range is usually $59 to $99.

Here are examples of great outfits.  In the “brown” display, I especially like the blouse with white tie and sweater.  It is classic and lovely.  The outfits I’m  unsure about are the ones with the shiny puffer jackets.  Both black and brown displays showcase this look.  The looks here are okay because the shiny puffer is paired with a traditional bottom – tweed skirt.  If you just have to have the shiny puffer, I don’t think I’d stray much from how it is shown here.  Save puffy for the tweed pants or skirt.  I can see the black puffer with a pair of Ralph wool charcoal-grey with thin white stripe pants I have.  Throw on a white cashmere turtleneck underneath.  Personally, I find the shiny puffer very limiting, and it would not be at the top of my “to buy” list.