emilyjboyd

Jeggings!

2011-01-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

I must admit, I have been hit by the jeggings bug! Some of you might be asking, what are jeggings, and in short they are jean - leggings, hence, jeggings! As, I am sure you are all aware, leggings and skinny jeans have taken over the fashion world, especially during these cold months. They are perfect to wear with sweaters and boots, and my-oh-my they are comfortable.
I feel like I came into the jeggings party a little late. At first I resisted the skinny jeans look, because frankly, I am not a size 2 and I really didn't think they would like flattering. So I purchased some Paige skinny jeans to test how I liked them and surprisingly they weren't too unflattering, I liked them with heels, flats and boots, but the problem was like normal jeans, they tended to stretch out as soon I wore them, which left for an unflattering look. So I tried once again and this time bought some Joe's Jeans jeggings, and I am in love! They are as soft as cotton leggings, yet have the look of skinny jeans. Perfect to wear with boots, as there is no bunching and with sweaters, or flowy tops.

Here are a some of my favorite jegging options...

James Jeans Joes Jeans Paige Premium Denim

Twiggy Idol Jeggings Black Corduroy Jeggings Contrast Verdugo Jegging

Happy Shopping!

Jackets, Jeans, and Boots... Oh My!

2010-10-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

Fall is finally upon us and although I am missing the warm sunshine, I am pretty excited about wearing boots and jeans, and bright colorful jackets and sweaters. This Fall is all about jeans, skinny jeans, jeggings, boot cut, you name it! It's all about the dark wash jeans paired with tall riding boots, a shirt jacket or a sweater.

It's easy to create the perfect look this Fall by starting with a great pair of jeans, like these dark was skinny jeans from Paige. These jeans can be paired with a great riding boot, either in brown or black, or a pair of flats or even a pair of heels when going out. A great pair of dark wash jeans are a must have for the Fall.

After you have picked up the classic pair of jeans, next step is a great paid of riding boots. These classic Frye boots, are the perfect Fall accessory. They look great paired over the Paige skinny jeans. They are also the perfect fit for a tunic and leggings, or even to wear with skirts and dresses. Their classic style and lines ensure that they will never go out of line and can be worn all Fall through the Winter.

The final must have for Fall is this class swing jacket from Tulle. The zig zag belter waist jacket designed with cute front and back princess seams at front is the perfect punch of color for your Fall wardrobe. Plus at only $99 it's a steal! This great Hot Pink color can be paired with other bright colors underneath like chartreuse green, yellow, and blue. Feel free to mix and match this Fall.

Happy Shopping!

Velvet!

2010-07-31T15:51:00.000-07:00

Everyday our team is hard at work in finding the latest and greatest clothes from designers throughout the world. They continually look for new and innovative, yet budget friendly, designers to add to our repertoire. Recently we started working with a design company called Velvet. They offer beautifully detailed feminine clothes at a reasonable price, and lately I have been loving their easy-to-wear dresses.

As we start to transition into a new season, cotton dresses provide the perfect summer-fall transition piece for your wardrobe. In the summer, you can easily pair with a great pair of metallic flats or gladiator sandals, and even a fun cardigan for cooler summer nights. Then, in the Fall, you can throw on a fun pair of knee high boots, accessories such as a long necklace or a belt and you have the perfect fall look.

Check out these fun options below:

Velvet Verlinn Dress

This easy to wear cotton dress, is shown in the color "shade" which is a light blue, with a hint of grey and perfect for Summer OR Fall. The v-neck dress, features a little bit of smocking detail right underneath the bust, which helps to create a natural waist while also flowing away naturally from the body. This dress looks great paired with metallic flats or brown or tan knee high boots!

Velvet Zaylie Dress

Another great look from Velvet is the "Zaylie" dress which is also made from a soft cotton, and features rouching around the dress. The cotton hugs the body in all the right places, yet the rouching helps to minimize any problem areas. Don't forget that even after Labor Day you can still wear white proudly. The Zaylie dress can easily be dressed up with a great necklace and short boots.

Velvet Kaja Dress

Possibly my favorite dress from Velvet right now, is this blue cotton dress named the "kaja". The wrap dress features great ruffled cropped sleeves, and a tie at the waist which helps to accentuate and define the waist area. The design of this dress makes it to easy to wear, and yet dress up or down for work, a reception, a picnic or just to run errands in. It looks great with just a simple pair of flip flops, or dressed up with heels.

As always, Happy Shopping!

Fun Gift Ideas!

2010-06-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

The creativity of others never ceases to amaze me, especially people who can make things with their hands, whether it be from baking or sewing. I personally can barely sew a button let alone crochet a blanket, or create a quilt. However, I am fortunate to have a lot of friends in my life though that possess these skills, never know what you might need them to make for you! :)

A friend of mine has been crocheting for years and recently after the birth of her adorable twin girls, she started her own little business called, "Two Cute Boutique". She makes crocheted hats and bows for babies and children. Just

check out some of these adorable hats and hair pieces for little ones! They are all handmade and one of a kind custom orders. Also, they make great gifts for friends and family members.

As a fellow small business owner, it never hurts to help spread the word about a great new company. So if you get a chance go to her shop website at: http://etsy.com/shop/jenniferjudy and check out all of the great pieces she has to offer. Plus, she does frequent giveaways as well, so spread the word to your friends too!

As always, Happy Shopping!

The Perfect Day to Evening Look

2010-05-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year, when it's actually still light out when I get home. It always makes me feel like I somehow have more free time to get things accomplished at night (this isn't really actually the case, but it still makes me feel better). I love being able to go to dinner with friends after work and actually be able to see them in the daylight. The added hours of sunshine also mean it's a lot more feasible to convert your work clothes to an outfit for an early-dinner or after work drinks with co-workers (i.e. throw on jeans, put on flats, etc).

It's very easy to get in a rut when it comes to work clothes and then "going-out" clothes, so I put together a sample outfit. Something you could have on during the day and then easily modify for a night out.

Daytime

Always a great starter is a clean white shirt. Perfect for the office and very easy to dress up for a summer evening dinner. This ruffled shirt from Paperwhite, offers just the right amount of detail and flair with the ruffle bib detail. You can either leave it untucked like in the image to the right, or you can tuck it into a more high waisted skirt. Another fun way to play up a basic shirt is to add a belt on the outside of the shirt while leaving it untucked.

This shirt is great layering piece also, and would like great underneath a bright colored cardigan, like this multi-colored sweater from Charlotte Tarantola. Again, you could easily tuck in the white top and have the sweater unbuttoned over the top, or you could leave the top untucked and just loosely button a few of the middle sweater buttons. Either way, feel free to mix and match to whatever feels the most comfortable for you. Also, don't forget to accessorize! Play up the great colors of this cardigan with a new pair of crystal earrings or even a longer gold dangling necklace.

To complete the daytime, office wear look, I would suggest pairing the sweater and top, with a great black pencil skirt, like this one from BCBG. Besides being very in-style right now, pencil skirts are very flattering on most shapes. They help to de-accentuate the stomach area and also slim the thighs, especially true for black skirts. This whole looked could be topped off with a great pair of black summer heels or wedges (see my previous blog for suggestions). It's very work appropriate look yet has a great deal of edge and sophistication.

Evening

The great thing about this look, is it's very easy to go home, exchange out a few elements and be ready for a night out on the town! For starters, you can keep the crisp white shirt on, as it's always a good look in the day and in the evening. You may also choose to keep the sweater on as well over the top just to add more color to your outfit. Next, exchange out the black skirt for a great pair of dark wash, boot cut jeans, like these ones from Michael Kors. A dark wash is a very flattering look for any body type, and the boot cut is great for those who are looking to balance out larger hips too (not that any of us struggle with that area).

After you've got your great jeans, top and sweater (maybe) on it's time to finish that look, and head out the door for your night on the town. For those of us in cooler climates, even during most summer nights, I take a jacket or sweater out with me at night. And what I love about this coral colored jacket is the punch of color it gives you no matter where you are. This Kenneth Cole trench coat, looks amazing paired against the dark wash jeans as well as the multi-colored sweater and crisp white shirt. It looks so great on and is so comfortable that you can easily wear it throughout the night too. Finish the outfit off with a great pair of metallic flats (or heels, depending on how your feet might be feeling that day), and enjoy your night, knowing that you look fabulous!

Happy Shopping!

Shoes.. the PERFECT accessory!

2010-04-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

Most would take one look at my feet and proclaim them to be fairly unattractive, yet that doesn't stop my from embracing Summertime and all of the fantastic open toed shoes! In fact, I was in Southern California last weekend, and was shopping down by the beach and looking for the perfect pair of summer flip flops. They seem to be a staple for anyone living in one of the beach towns.. so I of course, had to buy a new pair immediately to take home with me. Now it seems like buying a pair of flip flops would not be too difficult but because my feet are less than attractive (well, mainly it's my larger than life "big toe") every pair that I picked out and tried on, my boyfriend would so eloquently look down at my feet then up at me and tell me, "NO". After several stores and many pairs of shoes, at long last though, we found a pair that actually complemented my feet! Hallelujah!

Along the way though, I couldn't help but notice all the great styles out right now in preparation for the summer season. Sandals seem to be everywhere, and this year the more unique the better! I also stumbled across Elle Magazine's latest guide to summer shoes: CAUTION: there's some pricey ones in here. But it does provide a great overview of the trends for this summer!

Here's the link to the online story: http://www.elle.com/Shopping/Elle-Shops/Summer-s-Best-Shoes

What I love about this Summer sandals is you aren't just limited to flats. Heels and wedges are making a great comeback as well. Plus, there are so many fun gladiator sandals that are great with dresses, skirts, jeans, shorts, you name it!

Franco Sarto is one of our favorite shoe brands at Tog + Porter. They offer great quality shoes, in all the latest styles, that won't break your bank. These black strappy heels, are a great summer shoe. This summer the shoes are bold and big, so don't be afraid to wear that higher heel or something a little bit more bold than you are used to! These heels would look great with a pencil skirt at work, or even a sexy black dress or shorts for a night out.

Gladiator sandals are the must have shoe for this summer! The strappy flat sandal comes in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes and just about every company is knocking out a version for themselves. If you're looking for more of an everyday sandal, I would tend to stay with a more simple style, not so many straps or designs and in a neutral color. This Sam Edelman sandal, has a simple, jewel design, in a great basic neutral perfect to carry you from Spring to Fall. They look great with a pair of jeans rolled up a bit, a fun skirt or even shorts on the weekend.

A sandal that is always in style is the wedge. The wedge sole provides a little more support then a basic heel, yet can still provide you with the height you want to make your tan legs feel long, lean and sexy in the summertime! The black wedge heels with the strappy design from Franco Sarto are a perfect compliment to any wardrobe. Besides, from being very comfortable they are also very versatile and could be easily paired with a black dress for at night, or dressed down with a pair of shorts.

Last but certainly not least, are the always comfortable flats. Its' hard to go wrong with a great looking pair of flats in the summer. I love this pair from Sam Edelman because they combine two great summer trends: metallics and flats. Just because it's summer doesn't mean you have to pack up all of those great metallic shoes. The colors can easily be used as a neutral and paired with many different summer outfits from skirts to dresses and jeans for those cooler summer night. They are so comfortable and can be worn all year long!

Alright, off to the salon for that pedicure...

Happy Shopping!

Dresses, dresses, dresses...

2010-04-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

This time of year always gets me excited for the chance to wear new dresses! And this season there are so many dresses with fun patterns and colors, that you can easily dress up with the right types of jewelry and heels or even dress down by pairing them with a fun belt, and a great pair of flats.

This Dolce Vita dress is the perfect dress to exchange with a chunky brown belt in place of the waist tie belt and a pair of flats for a weekend look. Or dress it up with heels, a great necklace, and a cardigan for a work appropriate look. The material is a lightweight silk that makes wearing this dress a breeze!

Another great dress for the Spring, comes in the form of the Evelyn style dress from the Velvet brand. The v-neck style with twisted knot underneath the bust is a flattering fit for all women. The fabric is a sleek rayon material that flows away naturally from the body. The black and white pattern provides a great day to evening look as well. Place a great structured black blazer over the dress and you're all set for a night on the town.

This season Susana Monaco once again put out a great line of sleek, comfortable, yet sexy dresses. This belted, empire waist dress, is the perfect look for a Spring or Summer wedding, yet comfortable enough to wear out on the weekends as well. The material is so lightweight, and flattering against any body type. The passion color will brighten up any day and can easily be paired with a great metallic pair of sandals.

Have a great Spring and happy shopping!!

Spring had sprung!

2010-03-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

Looking at all the flowers that have begun to bloom, and seeing the warmer weather, it's clear that Spring is officially upon us. And in the world of fashion, that means it's finally time for color! This season there are so many great bright colors out there, whether it be for dress shirts at work or just a fun skirt for the weekend you cna't help but enjoy this season.

One of my favorite brands is Charlotte Taratola. She always uses bright colors and patterns to make her sweater sets pop. This bright blue "swim" pattern is no different. It can easily be paired with white pants for at work, or even over a tank top with shorts during those cooler summer nights.

Another great brand right now is Paperwhite. They produce high-quality sateen blousesm with a very tailored fit for women. The spring line includes a lot of great patterns and also bright colors. This button down is white and blue striped, and also comes in a yellow striped shirt that is also a great accent color for Spring. And will really brighten up your qork wardrobe.

Finally, one of my favorite brands that really knows how to utilize color is Tulle. They are known for their bright colors all year around. This bright yellow, double breasted cardigan is the perfect weight for Spring, not too light but not too warm either. It looks great with just a pair of jeans, perfect for weekend wear or even paired with a patterned skirt for work.

Straight from the runway... new Spring Trends!

2010-03-02T12:12:00.001-08:00

Ok, so this news isn't straight from the runway, but close to it! Last week, our corporate buyers returned from a trade show in Las Vegas where all of the latest fashions and hottest designers were on hand to showcase their clothes for the upcoming seasons.

In the process they noted some major fashion trends that were heading our way for Spring and Summer 2010.

Straight from the mouth of our VP of Products, Caitlin...

*Feminine Embellishments: Flirty details on tops and dresses is a major trend for seasons to come. A newly added vendor to our repertoire, Bordeaux stood out with its bejeweled, studded and beaded necklines. These styles can be dressed up with skinny jeans for a night out on the town, or even paired with slacks for a more whimsical work look.

*Draped Silhouettes: We saw A LOT of loose fitting, oversized blouses this year. This trend can go one of two ways: Either it looks way too baggy and offers little to no shape, or it drapes, hugs and swings in all the right places. Sanctuary is an example of a designer that hit the mark when it comes to this "boyfriend tee" look, utilizing rich colors, sheer fabrics and exotic patterns to dress up this potentially frumpy style.

*Military Mania: At nearly every vendor booth we saw something that was reminiscent of a war veteran's garb. BB Dakota, another fresh addition to the T&P vendor list, offered some tough, yet sweet versions of this standout style. Many of the jackets we viewed had strong shoulders, gold roping and masculine cuts.

Enjoy the new trends and look for these new designers in your next Spring order.

Happy Shopping!

We are now the new: Tog + Porter

2010-02-16T15:12:00.000-08:00

At long last, we have a new name! Many of you know that we were looking to transition away from Trunk Club for Women and into a new brand, look and name. We've finally arrived at Tog + Porter! (Double points for those of you out there who know where the word Tog comes from). We are still offering the same great style, and great service, just with a new name!

We are also rolling out our new website: http://www.togandporter.com/. Please check out the new site and application, along with our NEW referral program. For all of you current members out there, for every friend you refer who makes a purchase you will receive a $20 credit towards your next purchase! Not a bad deal! So please feel free to pass on this amazing service to all the deserving women in your life!

As always, Happy Shopping!

The Belt Revolution!

2010-01-18T14:14:00.001-08:00

Lately, many of my clients have been inquiring about how to wear belts with sweaters, dresses, jeans, etc. It seems that there are so many options out there it's hard to know the best way to wear a belt and when to wear it. HOBO International makes really great, well priced belts, like this skinny belt in Sorbet. The best way to wear the skinny belt is right underneath the bust line. Whether it be over a dress, or a button down shirt, feel free to accessorize and play around with the many different ways to wear a belt. And with a bright color like sorbet, it's a great splash of color and an easy accessory.

There is also the classic black patent wide belt, also from HOBO International. The wider belt is also universal in the ways that you can use it to accessorize an outfit. The wider belt makes more of a statement and so you can pair it with thicker fabrics, like an open sweater or a loose cardigan. You can also easily wear it over a dress and sweater paired together. The best place to wear this belt is right at the natural waist. Feel free to mix it up and be bold... you can't go wrong!

As always, Happy Shopping and Happy Accessorizing!

Happy New Years!

2009-12-29T08:56:00.001-08:00

New Year's Eve is my favorite holiday of the year... I love a holiday where you can get dressed up and celebrate new beginnings! I normally try and get out of town for NYE but this year, I will be staying local, but still dressing up of course! :) For all of you out there, who haven't yet bought your New Year's outfit, may I suggest something made of silk or lace and something that sparkles! There's no better time of year than now, to go all out!

The sequined dress is paired with black tights and black booties. A very stylish way to accessorize while also staying warm! This BCBG dress is also reversible so you can where the v-neckline in either the front or the back. There is no better time of year than to wear sequins.. so this NYE feel free to go all out!

I also love this new line we've been working with called Kiyonna. This lace wrap dress, has the perfect amount of drama and flair, and at only $138.00 it's quite a steal! The wrap dress, is by far one of the most flattering lines for most women and the silk bow at the waist, adds a great punch of color!

Wherever you find yourself this New Year's Eve, I hope you have a wonderful time! Here's to a great 2010... full of many more days of shopping!

Winter Wonderland

2009-12-13T13:39:00.000-08:00

It is officially a Winter Wonderland outside! We had our first bout of freezing rain and almost snow this past weekend and I am sure it won't stop there. With temperatures well below freezing here the last few days it's been difficult to keep warm. And I know the same can be said for many of my clients out there. Several clients have been asking for warm winter coats and recently we sent this beautiful wool Kenneth Cole coat out. It's beautiful quality and silk lining is sure to keep you warm and stylish all winter long.

So no matter where you live, I hope you stay warm, dry and of course always in fashion all Winter long!
Happy Shopping!

The ultimate wrap for the Winter....

2009-11-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

For me the key element when it comes to dressing in the Fall and Winter is LAYERS! However, it can sometimes be hard to layer and not look like you are the abominable snowman, dressed in 8 puffy layers. A few years ago, I was introduced to the Splendid Wrap, and I absolutely love it! Thankfully for me Trunk Club for Women works very closely with the brand. The wraps are made of a lightweight cotton material, that is soft and comfortable yet has enough spandex material in it, to hug your body just right. I typically wear a tank top or a short sleeve shirt underneath my wrap but you can really wear it with anything. Plus, it's meant to be worn several ways. You can leave it open, wrap it around your shoulders or just loosely tie the ends together. It really is the perfect layering piece.

And if I might mention they make a great gift for the Holidays! :)

Pencil Skirts Shopping Guide

2009-11-08T21:17:00.000-08:00

With Fall upon us and Winter almost here, it's the perfect time to get those skirts and boots out. I love the idea of wearing skirts, tights and boots to work or out on the weekend. The problem is trying to find the right type of skirt that's flattering for my body type. Pencil skirts are very popular and "in", but it's hard to tell if they are flattering on my body type. I'm always wondering, do my hips look big, are my thighs being accentuated too much? And that's just pencil skirts, then there are straight skirts and a-line skirts and... well you get the point! I stumbled upon an article from Real Simple magazine with a shopping guide for pencil skirts and I thought I would share it with you.

Happy Shopping!

Pencil Skirts Shopping Guide

You must take a look at this new dress!

2009-10-17T10:58:00.000-07:00

I was searching online at the Laundry by Shelli Segal website for a picture of a great new dress that we just sent to a client and came across this list of must haves for Fall 09! It lists some very fun and useful tips for what types of colors and patterns are "in" for the Fall season. Check it out!

http://www.laundrybyshellisegal.com/musthaves.asp

Also, here is the fabulous Twisted Front Jersey dress in blue by Laundry. It's so flattering in every angle on. Here's what the website has to say, "From the cool shade of blue, this jersey dress is utterly beautiful. The twisted front detail raises the empire waistline to a new angle. Long sleeves make it ideal for the season ahead". Plus, for a little extra flair we sent a large leather belt to sinch around the waist. It's a great look for the Fall and will be perfect with tights and heels in the Winter!

Happy Shopping!

Jackets & Jeans...

2009-10-05T13:35:00.001-07:00

So, it's officially Fall I guess (according to my car temperature gauge it was closer to Winter this morning but the calendar insists its Fall), which for me means lots of Jackets and Jeans. I don't love being cold but I do love when I am able to throw on my Tulle coat and a good pair of Hudson jeans. I wanted to share with you a few of the latest Fall fashions from these lines.

First of all, I swear by Hudson Jeans! They are so very comfortable and always stylish. They are a mid-rise so you don't have to worry about exposing too much... ahem... skin. They also come in a variety of washes that are very flattering for just about any size and shape. The image to the right is their classic boot cut, with back pockets that are actually very kind and flattering to the tush as well. The length can easily be hemmed to wear with a cute pair of flats, or left as is, to be worn with heels.

I first discovered the clothing line Tulle about a year and a half ago, and I was immediately blown away by their line. Originally from Sweden this brand specializes in stylish yet affordable clothes for women. Their coats and jackets are their bread and butter because of their versatility and comfort. The jacket to the left is a pea coat in a rich raspberry color, which is perfect for the Fall. As we all know jewel tones are huge this Fall, and this raspberry is the perfect accessory to spice up any outfit, wear it over a sweater dress or with jeans and a great top for the evening.

Happy Shopping!

My favorite designer...

2009-09-20T11:24:00.001-07:00

The other day I was in a showing with a client and she had just received a new Susana Monaco dress. The dress looked fantastic on her and was a great fit. It donned on me then that I have to share this designer with the rest of you all, because she just happens to be one of my favorites. Now, of course, I love MANY designers, but my go-to for a great top or dress is Susana Monaco. Her clothes are always flattering and so very comfortable. Most of her tops and dresses have a great amount of give and stretch in them, so the material is soft and comfortable without being too tight. The other great thing about her clothes is that because of the material they can easily be dressed up or down. This dress to the right is a great example of that. The color is perfect for the Fall or Winter and could easily be accentuated with gold or silver accessories. It also can easily be worn to the office or to dinner with friends. The 3/4 length sleeves and rouching under the bust, add detail without going over the top. The back side of the dress scoops down a little bit to reveal the most flattering part of your back. Overall, it's a great look and I recommend Susana Monaco to everyone! Happy Shopping!

My modeling adventure...

2009-09-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

I am by no means a model. At 5'3", I can barely see over my steering wheel in my car. Yet, last night, I "modeled" in my first fashion show. I use the term modeling loosely, since I am not sure I did anything but smile and pose, and try like heck to not look nervous. The fashion show was part of a girls night at a local winery in town that raised money to help benefit their scholarship fund. It was a great event, and a great chance to drink wine and mingle with other professional women. I have to say the best part of my adventure was getting to wear a great new Fall look. I modeled an outfit from Banana Republic, which included a pair of navy blue skinny cords, a heather grey wrap sweater, great metallic flats and a white blouse with lace detail. None of the items I think I would pick out for myself normally (except for the shoes of course).. but surprisingly they all looked great and fit really well. I especially got a lot of compliments on the sweater, which I have determined is an absolute must have for the fall (see picture on the right). Also, the skinny cords were very flattering on, and for someone who doesn't normally rock the skinny pant look, I think they might be worth investing in!

Happy Shopping!!

Fall 2009 Fashion Trends

2009-09-06T21:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a great article from the website: www.whowhatwear.com outling some of the top Fashion Trends for Fall 2009 straight from the runway. Even though it talks about high end fashion designers (with high end prices).. it still is a great outline of the trends to come! Enjoy!

Look Forward To: Fall 09 Fashion Trends

Platform Pumps
Though we definitely love the brazen statement of the thigh-high boot (more on that in a moment), we're also crazy about the new wave of platform pumps. Some of our favorites thus far include Yves Saint Laurent's Imperiale Pumps ($795), as seen on the runway above, and Nicholas Kirkwood's Python Web Suede Sandals ($1800). Hopefully this isn't wishful thinking, but we have a feeling there will be some amazing high-street versions of these pronounced platforms shortly!

Razzle-Dazzle Legs
Tights are always a major component in our autumnal outfits, but this season we're going to take our opaques to the next level and try an embellished, textured, ornate pair. Look to Cynthia Rowley for some of the season's best examples; we're obsessed with her Embellished Tights ($250), which will be available on her site the first week of September. All in all, it's the perfect way to upgrade some of your more basic pieces for a relatively minimal investment.

Chokers
Cascading chains captivated us last year, but this time around the statement necklace has gotten shorter and turned into the chunky choker. Whether said piece involves metal rings, bold beads, or sparkly rhinestones, this is definitely a trend to start wearing now.

Lingerie Display
The neckline of the moment isn't for the faint, as it plunges nearly to the waist and turns the spotlight on your lingerie! That said, we loved the unabashedly revealing look of a peek-a-boo lace bandeau at Balenciaga and the simple neutral triangle bras at Miu Miu. Note to self: start stocking up on those beautiful bralettes and bandeaus now...

Winter Shorts
While we've waffled about the whole tights-with-shorts combo, it's indisputably a full-blown trend these days. The good news is this key piece comes in an assortment of fabrics—from wool to leather to lamé—so finding the right pair shouldn't be hard. Daring readers will flip for the Leather Hot Pants ($650) at 3.1 Phillip Lim, which looked amazing over burgundy opaque tights, while more conservative dressers might like Proenza Schouler's salt-and-pepper Tailored Wool Suiting Shorts ($780).

Sculpted Shoulders
The power shoulder continues to dominate this season, which is no surprise really, especially considering how influential the eighties are right now! Early proponents of this look (Givenchy, Balmain) are still endorsing the silhouette, though fall's look is more refined than previous iterations. This time around, try jackets and dresses that have a subtler sculpted shoulder—it's a more wearable look anyways!

Slouchy Overcoats
There were gorgeous jackets galore on the fall runways, but when the weather starts to cool down, there's only one piece you're going to want: the slouchy overcoat. This oversized item is a must-buy investment piece with a bit of a menswear-meets-dressing-gown attitude (so very Lloyd Dobler). If that doesn't make sense, just look to the unstructured styles from Chloe and Louis Vuitton to get the right vibe.

Thigh-High Boots
In addition to the more ladylike platform pump, the thigh-high boot is still going strong for fall. The shape can be either super skinny (à la Rodarte and Isabel Marant) or relaxed and easy (per Etro and Dries Van Noten); obviously the latter is a little more forgiving. There are lots of covetable designer pairs in stores already, like Brian Atwood's Suede Thigh-Highs ($1235) or Costume National's Over-The-Knee Boots ($1455), so if you're going to invest, you probably should take the plunge soon.

Long-Sleeve Mini Dress
If you're going to buy one dress this season, make it a mini with long sleeves. Whether it's sequin-emblazoned, detailed with zippers and studs, or simply asymmetrical, this style is having a major moment right now. Alexander Wang's fall collection contains a number of excellent examples, like the Slim Grommet Dress ($550) and Long Sleeve Goddess Dress ($590), that are sure to be a big hit with the downtown crowd.

Metallic Mix-Ups
The fall runways were stuffed with lamé looks and outfits made from metallic materials (it's a serious shine-fest out there). While we're not shying away from the glitz, it's best to mix these theatrical fabrics with more sober matte pieces. We'll look to the styling at shows like Isabel Marant and Dries Van Noten for guidance on how to incorporate these shimmery pieces in a wearable way.

Behold the return of color

2009-09-02T18:06:00.000-07:00

I have so many clients who look great in jewel tones, and lucky for them they are all very "in" this Fall season. There are so many great skirts, dresses and tops out there in colors like mulberry, topaz and boysenberry. One of my clients was just shipped this great BCBG cocktail dress in azalea and I wanted to share it with you. The cut is very flattering and the flair at the top really adds to the overall look. You could easily accessorize with some great gold earrings or a great gold cuff. Plus, it's simple enough to wear to work with black heels and simple back cardigan or blazer or you can really dress it up for a night out on the town! Enjoy!

Fall is in the air...

2009-08-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Here in Oregon, throughout the year we tend to get more rain than sunshine (hard to believe, I know), so the thought of summer ending, tends to send me into a bit of a depression. As a California girl, I thrive off of the sunshine and warm summer nights. But lately, nights have been getting cooler and cooler... ugh!! The only thing that tends to snap me out of my depression is shopping for new Fall clothes and shoes!! :)

I think this Fall is going to be exceptional for fashion. I love all the rich deep colors out there and the great skirts, jackets and of course shoes. In particular, I am a huge fan of Franco Sarto shoes, mainly because they are comfortable, fashionable and always within my budget. As I was perusing the Internet the other day, I stumbled upon the Franco Sarto website and stumbled upon these must haves for Fall. The top shoes are the blue "Wasabi" pumps in suede. The rich blue color, is a must have for Fall and is a versatile enough color that it can be paired with other rich jewel tones like eggplant, hunter green and dark grey.

The bottom shoes are the "Cameo" flats that feature an over sized buckle wrapped in glossy patent leather. They are versatile enough to wear with skirts, slacks or even jeans. Plus the great plaid pattern adds flair and style to any outfit!

With so many great shoes, dresses and jackets out there, I think I am starting to embrace Fall a little more!

Happy Shopping!

Fashion Disaster #453

2009-08-27T13:47:00.001-07:00

I just returned from an amazing vacation in Sunriver, OR (located in Central Oregon). The weather and company could not have been more perfect. We hiked, biked, canoed and best of all got some sunshine. Overall, it was a GREAT vacation... minus one small incident. On Tuesday, we decided to go for a hike to an obsidian lava flow (which was beautiful) on the way back we stopped at some nearby falls (see picture).. also, very beautiful! We walked to the top to get an overall view and then decided to walk a little further down to get the view from the bottom. About half way down we all stopped to take a break and decide if we wanted to continue walking down the hiking trail. Me, being the very athletic hiking girl type.. ok, maybe I just think I am... somehow managed to slip on the dirt and fall flat on my butt. Ok, so it's just dirt right? Wrong!! I managed to fall on the only, jagged edge rock on the whole trail! It hurt so bad, I didn't know whether to cry or scream. Needless to say, I didn't continue down the path to see the rest of the waterfalls.

By the time, I got home the bruise was already starting to show. I will save you all the horrible details and just say that it was very black and blue, and took up a large portion of my rear end.

Flash forward to Tuesday of this week.. back at work and back to the grind, still bruised and a little sore though. I'm trying to enjoy my last few weeks of summer sunshine so I decide to wear the white pants with a flowy top (it's not labor day yet). It took me about half way through the day to realize my pants are a bit see through. Upon realizing this in the bathroom, I turned around remembering that I have a large black and blue spot on my rear end, that now can be seen through my pants. Thankfully, my top was long enough to cover most of said area until I was able to get home and change immediately!

I've now come to realize that saying shouldn't be "no white pants after Labor Day" but rather "no white pants if you fall and bruise the entire left side of your butt"!

"The Great Denim Event"

2009-08-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

Last night, I attended a fashion show at my local mall, entitled "The Great Denim Event". It was showcasing all of the latest denim trends and fashions, as well as tips for looking great in all types of jeans. So, I thought I would pass some of that insight onto you!

First off for Fall, colored denim and jeans are still very much in fashion! Particularly, grey or black!
For most shapes and sizes a dark wash is going to be your best bet, as it is flattering on just about everyone!
The skinny jean is still going strong! Don't be afraid to try and pair on, especially with high heels, you might be surprised that they will work for you!
Always remember to get the best fit, not too high but comfortable enough to take care of that "muffin top"!
And remember, be creative! Don't be afraid to try new looks and styles!

Happy Shopping!!

2009-07-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! I hope to keep you all updated with the latest findings and styles in fashion. As a Trunk Club Expert, I am your one-stop shop for cyber shopping. I am here to take the stress out of shopping by handling it for you. Stay tuned for more updates....