Posts tagged fall fashion

Kick-It in Old-School Sneaks

Kristen Stewart made headlines when she ditched the heels for her favorite Converse sneakers at the 2009 VMAs.

A trend we LOVE this summer that we definitely anticipate carrying over into this fall is the return of the old school sneakers. Lots of designers are catching on to this trend as well, and designing their own exclusive lines with shoe companies while putting their twists on the classic looks.  If you’re a Converse lover like myself, one line definitely worth checking out is Free People’s unique twist on the classic Chuck Taylor’s. Even J. Crew has caught the sneaker fever and collaborated with Vans to create a vintage-looking line of sneakers.

With a celebrity endorsement like Taylor Swift, it is no wonder that Keds are making a killer comeback on women of all ages.  Keds complete a simple and classic look while being the epitome of comfort.  If you’re looking to add a pop of color, or spice up a simple look with some floral patterns, both Vans and Keds have released new lines for women that be may be just what you’re looking for.

One of the best part about stocking up on new sneaks is that you can find some amazing deals and don’t have to worry about making too big of a dent in your wallet.  If looking to add a bit of edge to your look, a graphic print pair of Vans, or studded pair of Chuck Taylor’s would do just the trick. Pictured below, Whitney Port completed her edgy red carpet look with a pair of leopard print vans that really stand out, even next to those graphic print leggings.

If you’re a fashionista who values comfort as much as I do, invest in a pair of sneakers that you love!  By adding a pair of plain white Vans or simple black Chucks, you will always have a simple and comfortable shoe to pair with just about anything.  The greatest part about this sneaker comeback is the amount of variety being offered in the stores right now, there is a unique pair to match every gal’s personal style!

-Catherine, fashioniSTA

(Image Credits: mtv.com, pinterest.com, tumblr.com, justjared.com)

Back to School and Campus Cool

Summer is nearing it’s end which means last minute vacation getaways, fall fashion, and the most dreaded back to school. Although going back to school isn’t very exciting for most of us, the shopping for back to school is. With so many new trends and with those trends circling their way around each year, we’ve come up with a few fashioniSTA back to school basics for your wardrobe. Not only are these pieces super versatile, but they will keep you looking stylish all year long.

The Jacket
Basic Black Blazer: First and foremost, if your closet does not already have one of these hanging in it, GET ONE.  A blazer is an absolute wardrobe essential. Wear it over your sun dresses or shorts for a great transitional summer to fall look, and pair it with jeans and ballet flats for an effortlessly chic look.
Biker Jacket: A motorcycle inspired topper is a favorite jacket for spring or fall. We love fun details like zippers, buckles, or studs, but if that’s not your style, opt for a simple jacket in white or brown. Again, these jackets look great over your summer dresses or a feminine blouse- the contrast is super stylish and edgy.
Faux Fur Vest: Bring on the layers this fall because we love love love a layered look with a fur vest! Girls, wear it over everything (even your biker jacket).

The Jeans
Boyfriend: These laid back and comfortable jeans are perfect for the campus or classroom. They have that “I-just-rolled-out-of-bed-and-still-look-amazing” effortless style to them. Pair them with a plain white tee and a fun pair of flats.
Legging: Oh-so-comfy and stylish. Can’t go wrong.
Colored: Last fall colored denim really made a name for itself, and this year the trend is still going strong. We love a pair of brightly colored jeans paired with a neutral chunky knit sweater and moto-boots.
Printed: If you want to make a statement in your classroom, rock a pair of printed jeans- just make sure to keep the rest of your look simple and neutral.

The Top
Chambray: This stylish lightweight shirt is the it shirt for back to school this year. Wear it with your dark skinny jeans, wedges, and top it with your fur vest. Such a great look.
Plaid:  A cool, casual shirt that can be dressed up with a pretty layered necklace and skinny jeans, or dressed down with leggings and sneakers.
Chunky Knits: This season stock up on cozy cable knits in neutrals of gray, cream, and tan. Wear them with your colored jeans or leggings and boots.
Neon: Color is huge trend this fall. Neon has thrived through spring and summer and now making it’s way into fall. Take your colorful clothes you wore all summer, and maybe some fresh new additions as well, and pair them with all your favorite fall pieces. Neon and fall neutrals are a killer color combo.

The Shoes
Fun Flats: Patent, colored, printed. Our fashoiniSTA favorites are Tory Burch Revas. And leopard print.. of course.
Moto-Boots: These boots are fall must-haves. They go with everything and add a little edge to any outfit.
Wedges: Since the last thing you want to do is walk though school and around campus in heels, go for a great pair of neutral wedges (in a moderate height- comfort is key).
Sneakers: This fall a bright pair of sneakers are a back to school staple. Comfortable and cool. We love classic Chuck Taylors, but Keds and Nike are some other classics worth adding to your shoe collection. Wear them with your leggings, a sweater and biker jacket.
Rain Boots: For obvious reasons. Plus, they are super cute- go ahead, wear them with your colored jeans, shorts or even dresses. Thank you Kate Moss for making rain boots stylish.

For more inspiration, check out our back-to-school board on Pinterest! Happy shopping and happy back to school!

~Lisa, FashioniSTA

Get More Discounts the Second Time Around!

RIght now it pays to be an avid STA-shopper!

Come in to any Second Time Around between now and November 20th, and with any purchase receive a coupon for 20% off your future purchase of $50 or more.* Coupons are valid from November 17 through November 23rd, so stock up and save!

*Cannot be combined with other offers.

Putting the ‘Fashion’ in ‘Fashion Hunters’ with Tara and Ambria!

Craving the pieces you’ve seen on Bravo’s ‘Fashion Hunters’? So are we! To get you in the style spirit, we’ve outlined our take on the best part of the fall season (the fashion, of course), and how you can get in on the haute couture fun for less.

Summer merchandise is colorful and fun, but fall and winter is where our meaty, pricy pieces start to come in. Cashmere sweaters, wool coats, buttery leather boots…it’s that time of year again and this time we are going to be consigning all fall while our show airs. We are anticipating people will be excited to bring their gems for us to sell at this fabulous, soon-to-be-nationally-recognized store.

Some of our favorite items in the store now are a great mix of timeless and trendy. We love sexy staples like classic little black dresses, as well as sparkly pieces like this Chloe wave-printed, multicolor skirt (shown below), which we have priced at $149. It’s such a great statement piece that all you need is a black top and a neutral shoe and you’ve got a dazzling fall ensemble. We also can’t get enough of the interesting outerwear that comes through our doors. This M Missoni coat (shown right) is $329 and is a great classic alternative to a regular, black coat! These silver pumps (shown right) from Sergio Rossi ($219 at STA) are the perfect pop of metallic that will go with any outfit. But when it comes to shoes, no one can resist those absolute couture stunners that we see on our shelves, like the rose-gold grommetted Stella McCartneys that we recently had in the store. Cooler weather doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to be boring, we say bring on the sparkle and the shiny details!



While we love these couture and high-end designer pieces, we also love getting our ‘middle-of-the-road’ designer labels that are a huge component of our business engine. Labels like Diane Von Furstenberg, Theory, Tory Burch, Milly and Paul & Joe have been rolling right in. Ambria is clearly a DVF fan, wearing a printed dress (shown below) by the designer ($119 at STA), and pairing it with gold heels and hoops, of course. This is a great dress option for spring, summer or fall, it’s all about how you accessorize it!

We also love separates that these designers put out, especially for fall. We always have a bunch of individual pieces in the store that you can mix and match to maximize your outfit choices. It’s important to think outside the box with this as well, try out putting unexpected pieces together, you might be pleasantly surprised! Tara paired this A.L.C. soft denim blazer with leather lapels (shown below, $199 at STA) with this plaid-printed Rugby Ralph Lauren skirt (shown below, $39 at STA) for a modern take on conservative pieces. You can do this with as well with other plaid details and blazers, or you could try out mixing a traditional pencil skirt with a printed blazer, obviously found on the racks of Second Time Around. Same idea, great new look!

So if you come on down to New York City, or live here and just don’t find yourself with a reason to go to Nolita, let us give you one – our Mott St. location! It’s fresh, it’s packed with amazing merchandise and pretty soon you will be watching it on Tuesday nights at 10:30 p.m.! Couture kisses to all!

~Tara and Ambria, fashioniSTAs and Bravo’s Fashion Hunters


Fun Fashion Risks for Winter

While we all make the shift from fall ensembles into winter outfits, this is a great time to try out some of the riskier trends that are popping up in stores. If you happen to be someone who genuinely enjoys dressing up for Halloween, then take that enthusiasm and apply it to your everyday wardrobe with a couple key fall risks. Drab to fab is just one key piece away.

Multi-Colored/Patterned Tights
This is one trend that can be universally applied, no matter what your style might be. I’m not suggesting wearing anything striped or patterned, but a pair of raspberry-colored tights against an all-black ensemble makes a great and easy statement. If you happen to be slightly more adventurous than that, go with a pair of argyle tights for a preppy statement, or you can try out the textured tights that are making their way into every high-end store. I wouldn’t suggest going with anything that you feel borders on a wicked witch motif, but trying a diamond-stamped pair would modernize a traditional shift dress.

Leg Warmers
Are you a Dancing with the Stars fan? Of course you are. They wear leg warmers on the show like their legs would fall off without them. Since I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want a body like a DWTS dancer, I feel like wearing leg warmers might make me look a little more like them, and then I’m one step closer. Go with a pair from Alexander Wang or Rag and Bone, and whether you choose to scrunch them down or wear them straight, the possibilities are endless. Wear them scrunched and pair them with leggings and a jersey top for a fitness fantastic ensemble, or pull them straight and pair with a knit dress for a modern - and warm - look.
Not into the whole 80s vibe? Try a pair of heavy knit knee socks under Hunter rain boots – or brown leather knee boots or those rare sunny days – and pair them with leggings or a knit dress for a cozy, autumn look.

Pea Coat Vest
Tommy Hilfiger has put out what I think is the latest and greatest in fall outerwear. Basically taking an army-green pea coat and cutting off the sleeves, he managed to create a great vest that looks like it’s straight off of the Onassis yacht (only truly fabulous people yacht in the fall). This soon-to-be staple is the perfect combination of preppy and innovation, and I’m personally dying to own one. Pair it with a turtleneck, jeans and riding boots for an equestrian-friendly ensemble. Or try it with a long-sleeved dress and knee-high, heeled suede boots for a more urban-chic look.

Tommy Hifiger Icon Sleeveless Trench

Military
I know that there are a lot of simple and subtle ways to introduce the military look into your wardrobe, so this should not be shocking. But instead of sticking with just an army-green piece or a jacket with “military-inspired” gold buttons, go for a real military risk. Check out a runway-worthy military jacket from Juicy Couture or Of Two Minds, or go all out and find one with military detailing on the shoulders.
If all of this is a little extreme for your risk factor, try one statement piece in a subtle camo print, like LaRok’s sequin camo skirt or Manolo Blahnik’s camo flats, sure to make you army-chic in no time.

Fur
There’s nothing that Rachel Zoe loves more than a fur vest, so if you happen to live to watch her die over everything vintage she finds, this might be a good place to start. Try a vest from her own QVC line for something moderately-priced. This season there are also some great fur boot options that are sure to be your new best friends once the temperature dips below freezing.
While it seems like a fashion risk, the right faux-fur (or real fur) jacket in a winter white color can be a classic piece for fancy events. The off-white option from Juicy Couture this season is a great example, and is sure to keep you warm when wearing a cocktail dress as well as make sure you’re cold-weather chic.

Pattern Knits
Whenever I think of wintertime, I always think of those Jan Brett picture books from when I was younger, and pretty much all of them involve a little girl wearing a Swedish-inspired knit sweater, usually with large snowflakes knitted into it. Although I’m sure no one else would think that’s a basis for a current trend, these sweaters are popping up all over the place (and not just in the children’s section). Go for a Fair Isle sweater for a low-key risk, or pump up the risk factor with an all-over print like the ones this season from Rag and Bone and Marc Jacobs. Should you want to exude Christmas spirit early, go with See by Chloé’s reindeer pattern sweater (right), it’s like it was ripped straight from the pages of my favorite childhood books. Or if you happen to be feeling a little saucy lately, try Ralph Lauren Blue Label’s off-the-shoulder snowflake sweater.
For the over-achiever, Juicy Couture’s Faux Fur-Trimmed Cardigan covers two fashion risks at once, but if you’re only feeling up for one, the fur collar is detachable. With all of these options, you’ll be all set for anything, from the apple orchard to the ski slope.

Remember fashioniSTAs, you’ll never know your true style potential until you take a risk!

~Ashley, fashioniSTA, Second Time Around

Fall Fashion Forecast

Believe it or not, the fall fashions have started to fill the shelves and racks of your favorite stores everywhere. Since our blissfully sunny and hot summer has lulled us into a summer fashion stupor, the FashioniSTA blog is here to wake you up and get you ready for the coming season. Because it’s coming….whether you like it or not!

Louis Vuitton

'50s Louis Vuitton

The Fabulous Fifties
The glamour of the fifties is back. Select high-waisted skirts – both form-fitting and full, corseted tops, sweet cardigans, narrow belts for the waist and smart lady-like jackets if this trend is right for you.
Real and Faux Fur
Fur – both real and faux – was everywhere on the Fall 2010 runways and in as many forms, shapes and colors as designers could dream up. Get a fur jacket if you love the look. If you’re not sure, snag an item with a fur embellishment or trim and take it for a spin.
Head to Toe Color
Instead of head-to-toe black, brown or grey, dress yourself in head-to-toe color. Reds, greens and purples were favorites on the Fall 2010 runways. But, keep it interesting by varying the hue and intensity of the color from piece to piece.
Minimalist Menswear
Whether it is a suit for the office or an outerwear piece for everyday, minimalist menswear is the way to go. This may be the trend under whose umbrella you buy your investment piece for the season

Gold Rush
Up the fashion ante by adding gold to your traditionally all-neutral fall ensembles. And not just any gold.

Balmain does gold

Search out the lames, the multi-dimensional metallics and the rich and royal gold and red brocades.

“Long”term Relationship
Long skirts – either shin-length or all the way to the ankle – were shown on numerous Fall 2010 runways. Pair them with kitten heels or flat boots for easy city walking.

Luxurious Layers
Make like a nomad and pile on the layers. Use wrap skirts, chunky sweaters, tweed jackets and oversized coats – the more, the better! Add additional interest by incorporating numerous types of fabrics, textiles and embellishments in one outfit.

I truly hate when summer leaves us. But, the fall fashions certainly manage to cheer me right back up. Here’s hoping that they cheer you up too!

Shop on readers!

~Marisa, Director of Styling, Second Time Around

Mendel Fur

Rag and Bone Layers