WHAT | WHY | HOW: The Seeds behind the Trends
August and September in fashion retail may be the hardest two months of the year. August is renowned for being one of the slowest months for retailers of women’s fashions since most of the household income is dedicated to back-to-school. Then somewhere in September everyone turns on a dime and wonders what they are going to wear as the upcoming season is upon them. It feels like 0 to 60. I’m very familiar with how this part of the year goes from my days as a buyer for Hysteria. I have had a substantial break from the buying role until this year. It’s just like riding a bike and now I’m back in the saddle. This time I bring more information than ever to the role.
Spending time in women’s closets and helping guide them through their own wardrobe hurdles gives me great insight into what women purchase. Before becoming a stylist, I approached market by making sure I included all aspects of what the boutique would need…dresses, tops, pants, skirts… Now I take on this same job and go into the process with the most important question that we should ask ourselves if we truly want to “Buy less, choose well.” How will I make use of this in my wardrobe? and Will I get my cost-per-wear out of this item? Now that these carefully curated beauties are arriving in full force, I thought I would take the time to walk you through the What, Why, and How of my selections.
Once Tamara made the decision to expand the clothing collection into a boutique, the pressure was on to find the collections to compliment her designs. One area that I felt we needed to cover well was denim. I set out to find three brands that would cover our demographic. FRAME was at the top of my list.
WHAT | WHY | HOW
- Besides being the most comfortable denim you may ever wear, FRAME also makes great ready-to-wear separates. Their silk blouses are amazing.
- The cropped flares are from Avenue Montaigne. They pull on, have a flat front, and have a great hand (meaning they will cover imperfections nicely). TSALT carries size 0 – 12 in most styles and can order 00 and 14 on request. We now have them in the new transition fabric which is a little heavier. In February 2017, TSALT will have these in ivory with a raw edge hem! Change is coming…and pants are having a moment now and into spring.
- The heel of the moment is the block heel, and the “Shorty” from Stuart Weitzman is my pick for a fall staple. When clients ask how to wear the cropped flares in the winter…here’s your answer, Shorty.
- The Leopard Coat is from Smythe. It’s a double breasted style and works wonderfully with neutrals. It’s the coat that will require little else as it makes a statement on its own.
The first time I heard about M.i.h Jeans was on goop. Gwyneth had partnered with the brand to revamp their best-selling Marrakech style, one that TSALT now carries and is still one of their strongest bodies due to its flattering fit. So what happens when one gets tired of their dramatic flares and doesn’t have time to have them professionally hemmed? Style is born. I met a young woman at one of the shows who promises me that she is the inspiration behind FRAME’s unfinished hem style. Her friend works as a designer at FRAME and had admired her undone hem. She was petite and just decided to take a pair of scissors to her pants…the rest is history (if you choose to take her word for it). She was also half my age and LOVES M.i.h. Long touted for seeming like “mom jeans,” who’s laughing now?! The “Mom Jean” is trending strong amongst all brands.
WHAT | WHY | HOW
- They are the denim girl’s denim brand.
- You’ve gotta love their muses: Charlotte Rampling, Jane Birkin, and Lauren Hutton.
- They source their denim from a handful of the world’s leading mills in Japan, Italy, and Turkey using the latest in denim technology to make authentic jeans.
- Their story is developed from roots in the 60’s and 70’s London denim culture.
- The square back pocket is an original 70’s detail with perfect positioning to give a great lifted shape.
- Their jeans are stitched on a curve to bring the shape and fit of the jeans to life.
What more is there to say, but come in and try a pair. The pair above is the Lou Jean. High-rise cropped bell with a 28.5” inseam and a 9.5” rise.
I have mentioned before that I was an art major. We were often given projects that forced us to think outside of the box. For instance, freshman year we had to take a famous artist’s work — Albrecht Durer, who was known for his wood carvings — and incorporate the human skeleton into the work. I think of this analogy often when I am trying to reinvent a client’s pieces into something current and relevant. Here, I chose to challenge myself with the Kate Spade Tai bootie (available at The Shoe Hive). This is the look I would create for this bootie: some tough girl denim and a super chic leather jacket with an authentic vintage vibe. The final touch — an artsy rose tee from Lauren Moshi.
WHAT | WHY | HOW
- The piece de resistance here is the jacket. If you channel Jane Birkin, take advantage of this moment. TSALT will take orders on this item where sizes are available. And FYI — this style is moving fast.
- The Le High Straight in Hudson Yards from FRAME is a cropped boot-cut silhouette with raw, staggered hems, 9.75 rise, mid blue wash. Consider this your London style made in America!
- Graphic tees are fun and an easy way to finish your leather jacket and denim. Lauren Moshi is a brother and sister design team (Lauren and Michael) who are inspired by high fashion and fine art. Every mark and every line on every piece is hand drawn by Lauren. Each garment is an original piece of artwork. They are also some of the most comfortable tops and sweats that you’ll ever own.
Last February I was tasked with going to our fur creators in New York. One of the first pieces they presented to me was a shorter pullover version of this jacket. I had a flash of Kate Moss and asked if we could have it created as the fingertip length jacket. Needless to say, I’m in love! This style comes in P/S and M/L. We have limited quantities. In my opinion, this is one of those pieces that you’ll own forever. Dress it up or down as Kate the Great does…just Google for the inspiration looks.
WHAT | WHY | HOW
- Paired here with a Moji Silk Slip Dress in black.
- TSALT will also custom create a slip dress for you if you are looking for one in a heavier crepe fabric. You may set up an appointment to discuss the details with Tamara.
- I paired this look with my favorite classic heels from Butter, The Pinot. What a great profile, and is also easy to walk in.
- Take advantage of styles that are beneficial to your ability to walk in a heel. This more substantial base could give you the added support you’ve lacked in a stiletto or even a kitten heel.
Sweaters as outerwear! When I was the buyer at Hysteria, I brought in Smythe. Buying for boutiques in a small town is tricky. We all have similar taste and love for all things that are made well. Smythe was open for distribution when I inquired in February and I thanked my lucky stars. It will more than likely always be a favorite of mine. They have collaborated with a knitwear brand, Augden, which offers handmade pieces fabricated from the finest materials, brought to life by craftsmen and artisans indigenous to the majestic mountains of the Andes.
WHAT | WHY | HOW
- Currently available in Olive and Black. A later delivery will include Gray.
- Consider it outerwear. Kate Hudson shows how easily it can be incorporated in lieu of a jacket on a cold, rainy day.
- Easily worn with denim but also would be a great topper to a black sheath dress or tea length pencil skirt and boots.
Don’t forget, this weekend is the Shop & Stroll event! Take advantage of any or all of these ideas by purchasing a bag in order to receive 20% off at TSALT
