Happiness is…Smythe!
Ask what my favorite brand is, I will undoubtedly say Smythe. Of course to a stylist this question feels reminiscent of Sophie’s Choice! Yet when it comes right down to it, Smythe is the one that I am most excited to see season to season, year after year, and that label I utilize in my wardrobe more than any other.
It was back in 2007 that Smythe first came on my radar. I was at Hysteria, where I had just been promoted to manager and buyer less than a year after taking a part-time job as a sales associate. I was thrilled at the opportunity and dove into researching new brands in the evenings on the internet. Since Hysteria had established an incredible reputation for carrying indie designers, I started to receive emails from all sorts of vendors that wanted me to take a look at their collections.
It can often feel like looking for a needle in a haystack when you are bombarded with choices and trying to assess the good from the most amazing pieces. When the reps from Smythe were sending me line sheets, I remember feeling a little timid at the price point. These were pricey jackets and I was new to retail scene.
Thankfully I had THE self-proclaimed ambassador to Smythe right next door at The Shoe Hive…Elizabeth Todd. My own collection, which is pretty extensive for 10 years of loyalty, pales in comparison to Elizabeth’s. Rumor has it this was the reason she moved her family to a larger home…with a dedicated Smythe closet!
The reason I am such a fan is really two fold…
- Jacket dressing is one of the easiest ways to create a stylish look.
- Smythe jackets have personality. They really just need basics to support their power.
So you could make a case for me cheating the style quotient for short-cutting how much thought and effort goes into my “looks” — but isn’t that what we are all striving for? Ease and style?
The label launched in 2004 and received instant success amongst celebrities. The very first Almost Famous star I found wearing Smythe was Kate Hudson. She had on this adorable light blue jacket with denim and I was immediately on board with the look.
Other Kates were soon to follow, such as the stunningly understated yet always classic Kate Middleton herself. The designers, Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe, were so thrilled that the blazer has been forever named The Duchess Blazer.
Smythe had a 10-year anniversary social media push in 2014 where you submit a photo of yourself in your Smythe…I sent a picture in and was over-the-moon that it made their montage! If that’s not the definition of being a fan, enlighten me to what is!
When Tamara made the decision to incorporate a boutique along with developing her clothing line, we wanted to find lines that she had no interest in developing herself. Jackets are tricky so instead of trying to design your own, why not carry the best jacket brand? Hence, Smythe was on the top of my wish list to reestablish my addiction…I mean, connection with the brand. TSALT has had great success with the brand thus far and cult followers from Canada have found TSALT as well.
The Jacquard Patch Pocket Lab Coat, in the boutique now
Sharp Shoulder Blazer in Navy Floral, also currently on the floor at TSALT
The early spring delivery is already in the store; we chose two signature jackets that will work easily over a solid dress or with a variety of pant styles you’re sure to see this spring.
By the end of the month, the first of two spring deliveries will arrive. Here’s how you can use a spring item, the Leopard Patch Pocket Lab Coat, at other times of the year as well. The “Schlep-Chic” look is from an email I sent out showing how to incorporate SALE ITEMS (like those you’ll see tomorrow at The Alexandria Warehouse Sale!) into stylish looks. This is an example of uniform or formula dressing — statement pieces added to great basics where the statement is the coat or jacket.
Then I took the same coat and transitioned it into another look for spring. Tamara discovered this pretty amazing tank – the Bra:30 — and many clients have loved this discovery as well for how it perfectly contours to your body with enough length. You do not need to wear another bra with these so the racerback is immediately friendly, too! The order may have been a little heavy-handed, which is great news for Alexandria Stylebook readers!
A group of black, white, and bisque has been marked down to $10 from $36. The concept of the Bra30 is that it’s the after-hours bra…5:30pm, you’re off work and slip into your “After Bra” (I needed this explained to me as well!). The tank doubles as a great support piece but without a shelf bra. It can be worn day or night, layered, no bumps, no lumps, no hooks, no wires. It’s happy hour, every hour! (This is their marketing, btw!) They are also made in the USA.
Here are more styles from SMYTHE that will be showing up this month. I encourage you to come in and try on some pieces. Certain styles have a very snug fit while other bodies have been designed with a little more room in the shoulder. TSALT is committed to building this brand amongst their clients and will also be establishing an online customer base as well. If you would like to be added to our Smythe email list for the new arrivals and pieces we are considering from market, sign up for our Smythe Collection Email List here.
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