Posts tagged Christian Louboutin
How To: Wear Spikes and Studs
Dec 11th
Spikes and studs used to express somewhat of an emo look now they are the hottest design around! People are dying to wear spikes and studs on anything from head to toe ranging from earrings to headbands to jackets to bags. Basically, you can add studs to any item of your wardrobe and it will be deemed fashionable. Depending on how style daring you are there many different routes you can take to pull off the spikes or studs trend.
If you are that typical trend-setter…
You’re always wanting to be the first one to show off that new style now matter how crazy it may look. And with this trend, there are many different ways you assert your style status while showing off your love for spikes and studs.
Going with an all-over spiked shoe is a great statement piece, whether you go with traditional metallic spikes or a monochromatic look as seen in picture number one above (Christian Louboutin Pigalle Spikes Fluorescent Patent Red Sole Pump, $1,195). Should you want to take it one step further and you’re not afraid of a little height, try out Jeffrey Campbell’s Spiked Lita Boot ($195).
A blazer or jacket with arm/ shoulder studs could be paired beautifully with black skinny jeans, a white shirt/sweater for a stark style, or even a simple black dress and heels for evening attire.
If you are more of a budding trend-lover…
You’re someone who likes certain styles once they have caught on and become popular. You are more likely to carry a bag like number four above (Mango Spiked Bowling Bag, $110, Mango.com). A bag of this size and detail is multi-purposed - great for going out shopping or even a carry-on bag for traveling.
Other items that a budding trend-lover could be seen wearing are:
Studded or spiked wristlet and flats - The wristlet on the left could go with just about any outfit to add some emotion and eye-catching shine. The flats on the right would go great with black shorts or even a shirt and sweater. Add a pendant necklace and you’re sure to catch some attention with just those few details.
Spiked jewelry - If donning spikes on your bag or shoes is too much for you to handle but you still want to follow this obsession, the best thing to do is incorporate it into your jewelry. When wearing spiked bracelets the best thing to do is stack them as shown above to give an even fuller look. As shown in box number two in the graphic above, you can try spiked bangles (the ones above are ASOS spiked stretch bracelets $14, and the photo below is Stella & Dot’s Renegade bracelet $59), or your can ode the ’80s with earring like in box number three (these are Jenni Design Spiked Earrings $16).
Studded manicures - Giving your nails some stud love is also a more low-key way to try the trend (shown below), and we found one of the best studded manicure tutorials here on Lulu’s Blog. Its very eye catching but make sure not to puncture someone while giving a friendly handshake!
Electronic accessories - Phone cases are a great item to show off your love for spikes and studs it looks great but is something that is not constantly being shown off. People will notice it when you whip your phone out for a quick call or text message but then you can top it back into our purse once its seen.
~Jenna, fashioniSTA
The FashioniSTA’s Summer Wedding Essentials
Aug 3rd
While summer weddings are guaranteed fun times of dancing, drinking, and plenty of ooh-ing and aah-ing at the lovely couple, it also raises the question of what to wear? With so many different types of ceremonies and parties, there are endless opportunities for style. We’ve chosen a few different looks and fashioniSTA essentials for any kind of wedding you may attend this summer!
Whether you’re celebrating in Nantucket, Cape Cod, The Hamptons, or Kennebunkport, anywhere along the shore is a perfect opportunity to play up that preppy beach chic look. Go ahead and wear a fun, festive seasonal color- it is summer after all. Accessorize with simple, classic accessories, and don’t forget to wear flat sandals, you don’t want to be wearing heels on the beach!
Above: Dress, J.Crew. Jewelry, Kate Spade. Sandals, Mystique.
For a traditional wedding, you can never go wrong with an LBD. Since this summer has graced us with the trend of the peplum, try a dress which has that feminine detail and shows off your shape. If the ceremony is held in a church, it’s a good idea to bring a light sweater or cardigan to cover up your shoulders. Add simple bangles and earrings, and choose a great pair of heels which you are able to dance in.
Above: Dress, Alice + Olivia. Clutch, similar one here by Lauren Merkin. Shoes, Christian Louboutin.
Backyard weddings, barn weddings, and garden parties are some of the most fun, casual, and laid back celebrations. Wear a light-weight, breathable dress- barns and backyards can become very stuffy and hot during a party. Accessorize with rustic, effortless jewelry and a neutral clutch. For outdoor weddings, wedges are a must! The last thing a fashioniSTA needs are the heels to her Louboutins sinking into the dirt!
Above: Dress, Diane von Furstenberg. Earrings, ASOS. Bangles, Alex and Ani. Clutch, Tory Burch, Shoes, Steve Madden.
Black tie weddings may be the most difficult to shop for, but if you think of it as playing dress-up, it can also be the most fun! Look for a classic gown that will last forever. Choose black or a classic color that will never go out of style, and steer away from trends! Go for a simple gown, with a simple silhouette and simple details- classic and chic. Antique jewelry is a great way to accessorize for a black tie event, it’s unique and always glamourous. Carry a small structured clutch, and add sparkly sandals to brighten your step.
Above: Dress, Rebecca Taylor. Shoes, Manolo Blahnik.
~Lisa, fashioniSTA
An Ode to Our Valentines
Feb 14th
Between the multiple outfit choices, floral arrangements and gifts, Valentine’s Day is a very style-oriented holiday. So to celebrate this, we’re announcing our love to our very own style valentines. Won’t you be ours?
Louboutin (the man and the shoe)
There’s a reason that the sole is red, it’s the color of eternal love, the kind you can only feel for a shoe. Louboutin, you have captured our soles (we couldn’t resist).
Sparkle
Who doesn’t want to shine a little brighter? No one we know. We’re thrilled that a little sparkle has made its way into a multitude of the Fall 2012 NYFW shows this past week. From Erin Fetherston to Alice + Olivia, the designers doled out the sequins, glitter and shine (even Theysken’s Theory had a gold piece). What do we say to you, sparkle? After seeing the dresses at Reem Acra, “be mine” only touches the surface. Sparkle, you will always be our brightest valentine.
Andy Cohen
The most fashionable man in our hearts may only live in our TVs, but we’d like to think that if we ever got the chance, Andy Cohen may reciprocate our style love. We give you this valentine mazel, Andy, as a thank you for being your incredibly stylish self, now five nights a week.
Children at NYFW
For a series of such high-profile events, sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the seriousness of it all, especially when all of the models look so depressed. That’s why we’d like to make the kiddy fashionistas at NYFW our valentines. What’s better than a wide-eyed child sporting a tiny designer handbag?
STA Consignors
This could be an entire blog post in itself. There are no words to describe some of the people who have brought their pieces into STA stores. As avid shoppers, we would like to take a minute to thank the people who may not even know how deeply they have touched our hearts. To the consignors who outgrow their classic, black Ray Ban wayfarers, we salute you. To the consignors who have brought in special occasion sequin dresses and make another girl’s dream of the perfect party dress a reality, we honor you. And to the consignor who brought in a pair of black patent Louboutin pumps, if one of us could hunt you down and give you a hug, she would.
And Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you, our special valentine fashioniSTAs. You are our best valentines, we love you all!
The STA Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide
Dec 20th
Stumped as to how to be the best Santa this year? We’ve compiled a list of our stores’ best gifts, all sure to put you on the nice list for years to come. From small accessories to designer finds (new with tags, of course), all of these items have been fashioniSTA-approved and are available to purchase over the phone just in time to slip under the tree! Check out http://www.secondtimearound.net/locations.aspx for a list of all the stores and their phone numbers!
STA Stocking Stuffers
Stick any of these items into someone’s stocking and you’ll know the true meaning of holiday cheer.
New Marc Jacobs Mini Wallet $99 at Lexington Ave NYC store
Longchamp change purse $25, makeup case $29 at Atrium Mall store
Diane von Furstenberg headband $59, at Lexington Ave NYC store
New Coach leather wristlet $39.20, at Hoboken store
It Only Looks Like You Spent A Lot…
Want the glory but none of the expense? Here are some items that will gain you ooohhh’s and aaaahhhh’s without the hefty bill that’s usually attached!
New Ugg shearling boots $49, at Hoboken store
Cejon rabbit fur scarf $59, at Brookline store
Miu Miu handbag $199, at Upper West Side NYC store
Tory Burch python Reva flats size 7 $149, at Englewood NJ store
TSE cashmere sweater with fur trim $183, at 324 Newbury St Boston store
Tom Ford sunglasses $129, at Philadelphia store
Swarovski cuff $128, at 176 Newbury Street Boston store
Swarovski cuff $128, at 176 Newbury Street Boston store
Givenchy bracelet $69, at Newton store
Big Spender Santa
You cannot get your mother a vacuum for Christmas and have her not take it the wrong way. Are you now without a gift to give her? Go the extra mile with these suggestions, just don’t tell her they were a third of their retail value!
Burberry down coat XS $329, at Charles Street Boston store
Bottega Veneta ostrich woven handbag $1479, at Englewood NJ store
David Yurman diamond bracelet $2500, at Chicago store
Hermes scarf $239, at Englewood NJ store
Louis Vuitton Papillon $399, at Englewood NJ store
To: Me, Love: Me
Whoever said it was wrong to shop for yourself during the holiday season clearly never saw these.
New Christian Louboutin shoes sizes 36-41, at Thompson Street NYC store
Royal Style: Channel Your Inner Kate
Apr 28th
Overnight Kate Middleton has become a style icon, and with her classic and timeless fashion sense, it’s easy to see why. Her use of preppy textiles and clean lines create flattering and effortless silhouettes, which make her look flawless, whether she’s at a royal event or running errands. But what makes this future princess such a great example of what-to-wear is how she has fused everyday style with natural royal flair. Whether you’re looking to snag a prince or just look like a princess, take a cue from Kate and her to-be royal style.
Daytime Duties Chic
Being a future princess is hard work, what with all the hand-shaking and royal daytime appearances. For Kate’s royal duties and mingling with the lay people, her look is always pristinely streamlined, often consisting of tailored knee-length dresses with matching jackets. Of course being the princess-in-training that she is, she’s usually donning her signature headpiece as almost a daytime, demure tiara.
First order of business: invest in a pair of Christian Louboutin black pumps. After that, you’re halfway there. To live up to Kate’s style example, streamline your daytime look with a shift dress paired with a matching, tailored coat. Should a dress-coat identical match prove difficult to find, go with Kate’s ever-present off-white coat option over a neutral dress, like this look from our Burlington Mall store (left).
For a more formal daytime event – such as a garden party or non-royal wedding – just shorten the jacket and darken the colors of your outfit. Kate has been seen utilizing the ever-classy blazer and bold A-line dress combo, simply follow her lead and pick a bold jersey or cotton A-line dress and pair it with a neutral blazer, keeping the accessories neutral and minimal. If you’re not a dress person, go with a printed A-line skirt with a black blazer (like this example from Harvard Square, right).
Feeling extra bold? Top off your look (literally) with Kate’s signature headpiece: an embellished hat. Your pick should be something along the lines of Blair Waldorf meets high tea, whether it’s a hat or a toned-down headband with netting and/or feathers. Check out Newton’s Miu Miu embellished headband for a touch of nighttime sparkle during the day.
Royally Casual
On her off-time, Kate often looks like the poster girl for casual cool in equestrian-inspired ensembles, nautical prints, and classic neutrals. She’s often in timeless pieces, such as striped sweaters, tailored pants, the occasional printed dress, and the distinctly British herringbone blazers. Her weekend look is essentially casual chic, mixing femininity with preppy classics, wearing boots or simple black flats.
For hanging out with the royal court or grabbing lunch with your equally-fabulous girlfriends, channel Kate’s casual-wear through neutral jersey tops, skinny jeans, flat boots, delicate gold accessories, and of course blazers. Combine these for an equestrian ensemble, or go with a striped sweater to follow Kate’s nautical style. For a truly feminine look, go with a pair of white jeans with a neutral jersey top and a pair of flats, like this look at right from our Burlington Mall store. An elegant oversized string of pearls is the perfect accent to this feminine ensemble. Remember, when it comes to color palettes, save the bolds and brights for nightlife and princess appearances, for a truly casual Kate look make your daytime a neutral zone.
The Prince is Giving a Ball
For her nights out, Kate continues to keep it chicly simple, wearing draped dresses in silk or jersey, almost always complete with bold – yet complementary – seasonal shade. The attention is always on the dress, with smaller accessories and minimal jewelry. Emulate these effortless ensembles with a classic dress complete with intricate draping or other fabric detail. Not only will these silhouettes flatter any shape, but the simplicity of the overall dress allows you to work with bolder colors than you could if the dress had a lot of beading or lace detail. For longer dresses, the jersey-wrap style works great for a formal yet easy look.
For cocktail-length you can go A-line as long as there isn’t any tulle or other material that adds too much fullness to the bottom. Try something like this red Jessica McClintock dress from our Harvard Square store (left), or if you’re looking for something more form-fitted, go with this Tara Jarmon example from 219 Newbury Street (right). Pair dresses like these with an elegant, neutral clutch (minimal embellishment allowed) and take Kate’s lead and go with a simple black evening shoe. Kate always goes with very little jewelry, so you can go with simple diamond studs, or if you’re feeling fancier, go with embellished earrings like these from our Mott Street, NYC store (below) and you won’t even notice you’re not wearing a tiara.
There’s one final touch to achieve Kate’s style. The perfect blow-out of course, consider it the royal cherry on top of your style sundae! Now go unleash your inner princess, camera-ready smile included, of course.
~Ashley, FashioniSTA, Second Time Around
Shopping My Way Through Boston, STA-Style
Mar 18th
Confession. My name is Meredith. And I’m a shopaholic. An STA-aholic, to be exact. While I tell people I live in Boston to be closer to work and the Red Sox, the real reason why I live in Boston is to be close to some of STA’s best and beloved locations. Truth. Each location is like a different treasure chest. A fabulous fashion-filled treasure chest. Who needs pirate’s booty and gold coins when you have some of the amazing designer items I’ve snatched up.
Where: STA Charles Street
On a particularly gloomy day (rainy, gray skies, and my pad thai from an unnamed restaurant was dry and inedible), a ray of light shot down via STA. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the beloved brown leather case. Black logo. Center silver snap-button. My eyes darted over and there I found them. Classic black Ray Ban Wayfarers with a gradient lens. A staple for Audrey Hepburn, Tom Cruise, Mary-Kate Olsen – and me. A steal for only $59! My only wish? That there were more pairs – I would have bought them all!
Where: STA Burlington
My roots lay on the North Shore of Massachusetts, so it’s natural that I venture to STA Burlington from time to time.
Wedged between stores filled with the same trends, the same shoes and the same tired accessories, STA Burlington is a shining star in the middle of a suburban mall.By far the best part of STA Burlington? The oh-so Jackie O cream Chanel flats (right) with contrasting black cap toe that I found for under $100. These shoes top the must-have-gotta-have list for every sophisticate. Paired with a pair of skinny black pants, a black and white sailor striped top, and a baguette – any fashioniSTA can be perfectly prim and proper.
Where: STA Charles Street
My old copy of the original Preppy Handbook lists Burberry as one of the must-have, never fail brands for true preps. My mom (a self-proclaimed prep herself) taught me the same. “Burberry plaid was in style 20 years ago, and it will still be in style 20 years from now.” Her words rang in my ears as I spotted a pink Burberry plaid scarf (shown at right with blue companion scarf found later) at STA Beacon Hill for $79. The classic plaid print in 100% cashmere – and long enough to wrap twice around my neck! While I distain the imminent frigid New England winter, at least I know I can keep warm in style.
Where: STA 219 Newbury
Every fashioniSTA knows that shoe selection is no joke. Choos, Blahnik, YSL – so many choices, and only two feet! While I adore the Jimmy Choo’s edgy style, the timeless quality of Manolo Blahnik’s and the to-die-for platform pump in a pair of YSL Tributes, my heart bleeds red for Christian Louboutin.
Lucky for me (and my feet), with a tip from my best friend (fashioniSTA’s own Ashley), I found the most perfect pair of black suede Christian Louboutin platform pumps at STA. My ever-small foot (no joke, I’m a size 5.5) cozied up to the leather lining perfectly. Bells rang. Birds chirped. Forget Prince Charming, I found true love in my new shoes.
My love for my STA-found Louboutins grows everyday. A true fashioniSTA knows that there’s no wrong time for a killer pair of heels. I strut in them. I do laundry in them. I watch Gossip Girl in them (I swear I saw the same pair on Serena van der Woodsen!). And it all feels a little sweeter knowing that I found them at such an unbelievable price (under $250!) at such a fabulous store.
~Meredith, fashioniSTA/Super Shopper, Second Time Around
A Letter to Target on Behalf of Shopaholics Everywhere
Oct 11th
Dear Target,
You have broken the mold on inexpensive clothing with your designer collaborations. From Rafe to Richard Chai, each GO International collection that you debut makes you even more of a fashion superpower. On behalf of the shopaholic nation that flocks to your store, I must let you know that with great power comes great responsibility. How you handle this responsibility is up to you, but we have a few suggestions on designer lines we think could really help you live up to your potential.
Diane von Furstenberg
There is not one girl on planet Earth who does not love a DVF wrap dress. Want to see what mass mayhem looks like? Pair DVF style with Target prices and prop the doors open. Everybody looks good wearing her designs, and I know the only thing keeping most people from buying everything she ever puts on a department store rack is the steep price tag that seems to find its way onto every one of her garments. Just imagine it with us, Target: Racks filled with colorful, printed wrap dresses; chiffon-draped, floral summertime blouses; tiered, ruffled skirts; all topped off with a couple pairs of her animal-printed sunglasses. And maybe some rubber flip-flops with her signature love knot design.
Herve Leger
This isn’t so much of a suggestion as it is a desperate plea. I need a bandage dress, Target. And by “I,” I mean every woman in greater North America. Preferably one that is in a vibrant – yet classy – color and maybe with a little sequins. You don’t need to go over the top with the ombré and the full glitz effect, just a couple bandage skirts in both pencil and A-line, as well as a few variations on the classic bandage dress with different necklines.
Yes, this line would be slightly one-sided, what with the lack of pants and tops available, but I doubt you’d hear anyone complaining. His dresses seem to look good on a variety of body types, and I’ve never heard of anybody saying that looking great was a bad thing. So by not putting this line in your store, Target, you might as well tell all of us that you don’t want us to look great. And that’s just offensive.
Marc Jacobs
This one should be pretty obvious. Yes, I’m aware that he has a lower-priced line, but unless you happen to be a millionaire, his Marc by Marc Jacobs line is still a little on the pricey side. But his designs could easily translate to a GO International collaboration with his ability to create a broad spectrum of looks under one label. Military-inspired or library-chic, this versatile designer could create a versatile line that would appeal to your extensive consumer base. It’s actually pretty poor business management if you don’t implement this designer into your stores.
Target, please take his bold patterns and edginess from his Marc line and pair it perhaps with a few takes on his premium designer-line handbags. Nothing fancy, just a couple quilted handbags with chain straps and big hardware. But pair those handbags with exposed-zipper skirts and cardigan-style dresses, and you’ve got all the tools of a major style superstar.
Christian Louboutin
Hey, a girl can dream.
So you see, Target, we’re not asking for too much. We haven’t requested elaborate, real-fur vests or bedazzled booties encrusted with Swarovski crystals. This is just one, simple fashion-obsessed plea to the powers that be. We’ve given you all the tools, all you have to do is say yes. So easy.
Love always,
Shopaholic Everywhere
PS - Love the new Tucker line.
~Ashley Bell, FashioniSTA, Second Time Around