We fell in love with Maurices’ cute, casual, and trendy cotton looks at Cotton’s 24 Hour Runway Show back in March. Easy separates and adorable dresses hit the runway, and we were hard pressed to pick a favorite. Luckily, their website is filled to the brim with some fabulous cotton fashions – and all at prices that are very easy on the wallet. If you’re looking for a few wardrobe updates for summer, but don’t want to spend a pretty penny, take a look at some of our favorite finds from Maurices – all under $50!
We love Anthropologie‘s online collaboration platform Made in Kind. Each month, the retailer partners with a handful of emerging and established designers to release an exclusive group of capsule collections at lower price points. The notable list of collaborators so far included Chris Benz, Tracy Reese, Gregory Parkinson, Timo Weiland, John Patrick, and Samantha Pleet, among others.
This month the spotlight is back on Karen Walker, one of Made in Kind’s inaugural designers. The brand has been described by the U.K.’s Independent newspaper as being “The kind of look that provides a means of appearing cool but not trying-too-hard, cute but not saccharine, alternative but not self consciously so.” Fun fact, since 2002 Karen has been working closely with stylist Heathermary Jackson on all collections.
The new line called Runway is inspired by “Victorian seaside holidays.” The dresses, skirts, and tops come in a nautical palette of blue, red, and white. We are thrilled that most of the garments in this collection are made of cotton.
For several years now, fast-fashion retailers have made a name for themselves by partnering with well-known designers. Take Roberto Cavalli’s collection for H&M or Missoni’s collection for Target, both of which drew crowds and rave reviews. Banana Republic, however, is turning these kinds of partnerships on their heads.
The retailer made waves with its Mad Men collection, a line of clothing that took cues from the popular television show, and recently announced it will launch a collection to tie in with the film Anna Karenina, due to be released in October. Just as the Mad Men collection channeled the 50s with sheath dresses, classic trench coats and zippy prints, the Anna Karenina collection will feature luxurious fabrics like velvet and lace, in tailored styles meant to evoke the 19th century.
But that’s not all. Banana Republic also announced a partnership with Bon Appetit and OpenTable, the online reservation booking system, called Desk to Dinner. The idea is to promote a new collection from Banana Republic that can do just that: go from the office to a night out. We’re huge fans of having our clothes do double duty, and we can’t wait to see what Banana Republic, Bon Appetit and OpenTable dream up to do just that.
We’re hoping for fitted cotton sheath dresses, which can be amped up with some heels and statement jewelry, or beautiful tops that can be worn under a sweater at the office, but flaunted on their own for a night on the town. What would you love to see in the new Desk to Dinner collection? Let us know in the comments!
The newest trend in denim appears to be geographic: made and sold locally, that is.
Williamsburg Garment Co. is one of a handful of independent American manufacturers who keep costs down by manufacturing small batches of high-quality denim and selling it locally. It’s like the Slow Food movement…clad in baby blues.
“I couldn’t compete with bigger companies doing business in the standard manner,” says Williamsburg Garment Company’s Maurice Malone, owner and designer. “Small became my advantage. I’m able to react quickly to the market, choosing to build relationships and patiently working on the foundation of my brand.”
While 74% of consumers saying they love or enjoy wearing denim, according to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ Survey, it turns out this sentiment goes beyond a simple appreciation for an American invention; 55% of U.S. shoppers say it is important the clothes they buy are made in America. These respondents say made in America is important because most (87%) prefer to support the U.S. economy, and 38% also say apparel made here is better quality.
The average American owns seven pairs of jeans and spends about $33 per pair, according to Monitor data. Just 9% of shoppers have purchased jeans that cost $100 or more, but those wearers are the likely audience for the small denim movement.
For small manufacturers like Malone, craftsmanship and attention to detail are paramount. And that kind of effort is appreciated by denim consumers: the Monitor finds 98% say fit and comfort are important in their denim purchase decisions, followed by quality (92%), price (91%), color and durability (89%), “makes me look good” (88%) and style (83%).
Malone says his business model enables him to sell his premium denim for a relatively low price because all orders are paid for before shipping, so there are no markups for unpaid invoices or discounts.
“A small company like mine is going to be successful because it takes chances,” Malone says. “After all, if you’re dressed the same as everyone else in the parade and moving in the same direction, how do you expect to stand out?”
At Williamsburg Garment Company, the jeans go for $102 to $125, from high waisted to selvedge boyfriend styles and even the classic skinny jean silhouette. Check out a few of our favorites, below:
Have you heard the great news? Iconic designer Diane Von Furstenberg has teamed up with All-American brand Gap to launch a global kid’s collection. The only thing cuter than the vibrant shift dresses, shorts and trousers in this upcoming Gap Kid’s collection are the words Diane von Furstenberg used to describe her capsule collection:
“A little girl, the minute she is born, she already is the woman she will be. So to empower a little girl is to empower the woman she will become.”
Don’t you just wish you were five again? The DVF Loves Gap collection launches on March 15. Get a sneak peak at Gap.com and join the conversation on Twitter with #DVFLovesGap.
A cottonista never sacrifices quality and comfort for style, which is why we’re always bringing you the trendiest updates
in cotton fashion.
Up-and-coming designer Jaime Rice knows a thing or two about clothing that’s stylish and comfortable. She’s designed for several contemporary lifestyle brands, including favorites like Ralph Lauren, Puma, and Marc Ecko.
Now Rice is using her expertise to create a comfortable and youthful apparel brand that transforms casualwear into fashionable pieces that can easily transition from day to night. “Women on the go want to be comfortable AND stylish…I want TUCK to be the first lifestyle brand to cater to those women,” said Rice at the grand opening of her TUCK showroom.
The chic, comfortable, affordable clothing line includes a variety of tops, dresses and bottoms, all made of cotton, jersey, or ponte, and is scheduled to premiere in NYC boutiques and e-commerce for Spring 2012.
Follow TUCK on Facebook to join their ever-growing fan page, and get a sneak peek at their Spring 2012 collection.
We were pretty excited when we heard the news that Target is collaborating with artist Gwen Stefani, who’s known as much for her fashion sense as she is for her music. Harajuku Mini for Target, which will be available in-store starting today, November 13, is the first fast-fashion partnership we know of that’s exclusively for kids (six months to 16 years!). Browse the collection online at Target.com.
“I’ve always been inspired by the cool children’s clothing in Japan, but it was always so hard for me to find it here,” said Gwen Stefani. “That’s why I am so excited to partner with Target because I’m able to create something inspired by that look but that’s easy to find and affordable. Now all the moms can get their hands on it!”
We know a few fashion-forward tweens ourselves, and they’re just thrilled as we are. The collection shows great range – from hoodies to headbands – and prices are budget friendly, too: $3.99 to $29.99.
But that’s not all; the second installment of the Harajuku Mini for Target collection will be available at Target beginning December 25.
We consider ourselves pretty environmentally savvy, but even we were surprised by the results of a recent study from Levi’s, which found that laundering denim at home has the biggest environmental footprint – and therefore the biggest potential for improvement. Cotton Incorporated completed a Life Cycle Analysis of Cotton, as part of a larger project called VISION 21, with similar results. It turns out we need to have a hand in keeping our baby blues, well, green!
Earlier this year, Levi’s released a new line of denim called Water<Less jeans, which are made using significantly less water. In their research, they found the average pair of jeans uses 42 liters of water in the finishing process. The Water<Less collection reduces the water consumption by an average of 28% and up to 96% for some new products in the line.
And a recent article in the New York Times revealed that Levi’s isn’t stopping with the finishing process; they’re also stonewashing denim with actual stones, not water, and sewing clothing tags that encourage consumers to wash their denim and then simply hang dry, or freeze to kill any germs.
But we’re style mavens, so even if it’s environmentally friendly, it still has to look good! That’s why we love the range of styles and silhouettes in the Water<Less Collection. The Modern Bold Curve Skinny Jeans are a classic style that can be paired with anything from a cute, peasant-style tunic with sandals to a fitted blazer and boots. On the men’s side, the 511™ Skinny Selvedge updates the skinny silhouette with raw denim for a masculine, yet modern look.
How are you trying to be more environmentally conscious with your denim these days? Do you prefer to hang dry? Or wear them one additional time before washing? Have you tried freezing them? Let us know in the comments!
Who else deserves a designer spotlight but this moment’s “it girl” Trish Summerville? Throughout her career, this talented costume designer has put her creative stamp on everything from music videos to feature films, so when it was announced that she would be creating all of the looks for the highly anticipated film The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, we couldn’t have been more delighted.
What makes this announcement even more exciting is the H&M women’s collection Summerville designed, inspired by Lisbeth Salander, the film’s anti-heroine. Those who follow Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo trilogy know that Salander’s look is all about individuality, strength, and survival.
“Salander’s look is very real and very lived in, with pieces that her character has worn for a long time, like her jackets that act as her armour to shield her from the world,” says Trish Summerville, Costume Designer for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. “I wanted the collection to have the essence and strength of Salander, with a fashion edge, and I’m pleased with the result! My goal is for women to find pieces in it that they love and then mix them with their own wardrobe to create their own personal style.”
This dark and edgy 30-piece collection comes complete with battered jeans, zip-up hoodies, moto boots and leather jackets. The line will make its debut at Colette in Paris on November 28th and will be sold in over 180 H&M stores worldwide beginning December 14th.
With fall just around the corner, Resort 2012 is probably the last thing on your mind. Still, we couldn’t help but take notice of Prada and sister line Miu Miu’s 2012 resort collections. Both lines incorporate unique twists on a variety of classic wardrobe staples. The lines showcase sweaters in sherbet shades, preppy cotton trenches in periwinkle blue, lace gloves, and a variety of mixed textures and patterns that will make any stylista blush. Lusting over the collection? We are too! After all, a girl can dream.
For more images and information about the collection, visit Stylecaster.com
Photo: Luca Bellumore, courtesy of Stylecaster.com
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