Posts tagged shoes
Why a Consign & Buy is STA’s Best Promotion
Mar 6th
We all love a good promotion (who doesn’t like getting an extra discount or added perk?), but there are certain ones that really break the mold. For us, it’s the Consign & Buy, easily our favorite STA initiative, and it’s not just because everyone gets a 50/50 split (10% more than usual). Whether you’re a shopper or consignor, this is the promotion that beats them all. Allow us to break it down for you…
1. It makes spring cleaning about 1000 times easier. Have you looked at your closet lately? Yeah, we know, it’s scary (don’t worry, we’re in the same boat). It can be daunting enough to rifle through your wardrobe, nevermind think ahead to making a consignment appointment. With this promotion, you don’t need an appointment! You can just put your items in a bag and drop them off at any STA store on your way to brunch or dinner. (Can you tell we like to eat?)
2. You get extra STA credit that you can use on the items you want, and it’s easier than you think. Unless you go years without cleaning out your closet, you might think that you don’t have enough to maximize your extra STA credit. Most people don’t think to look at their accessories when cleaning out their closets, but bringing in jewelry, sunglasses and other small accessories is a great way to capitalize on the credit.
3. Tons of new product, enough said. A Consign & Buy makes it so easy to consign your items, the amount of new merchandise that goes on display is incredible. Plus if you’ve taken advantage of the consigning part of this promotion, you can shop these new goodies using your extra STA credit!
4. No wondering about your drop-off. With a Consign & Buy, a store associate will immediately evaluate your items, so you know right away what has been accepted and you can take any unaccepted items home with you. You get the best of both worlds with this promotion, you don’t have to make an appointment, but you get all of the benefits of one.
What are you waiting for?! Get yourself to any Second Time Around store from Thursday, March 7th - Sunday, March 10th to get in on the best promotion around!
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
High-End Pieces That Will Change Your Wardrobe at 219 Newbury St
Oct 23rd
We’ve transformed our store at 219 Newbury Street into a mecca for high style!
Whether you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe or add some designer pieces into the mix, this is the perfect chance to release your inner style fiend.
Come get a peek of these amazing pieces, from shoes to skirts to jackets and more!
Balenciaga, Carven, Ann Demeulmeester, Rick Owens, Celine, Dries van Noten
Left Photo: Balenciaga skirt, $619 (retails for $1,550); Marc Jacobs handbag, $499 (retails for $1,095)
Middle Photo: Adam Lippes jacket, $119; Elizabeth and James skirt, $79; Ann Demeulemeester boots, $599 (retails for $1,495)
Right Photo: Max Mara jumpsuit, $199
Second Time Around
219 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
617-266-1113
Shoe Lust, Shoe Must: Loeffler Randall
Aug 7th
At STA Tuesdays are all about the shoe. This Tuesday our obsession for Loeffler Randall’s gorgeous designs grows even more. Not only are their shoes oh-so-amazing and fashion forward, but they have even recently turned their sophisticated downtown chic style into a new line of handbags, which are definitely crush-worthy as well. After celebrating a fashioniSTA birthday this past weekend, I am deciding I may give myself a little gift. Over the last few years I have acquired quite a collection of Loeffler Randall shoes, and my current shoe lust are the Edith platform pump in this summery, exotic snake print. Not only will these shoes look great with absolutely everything, but they are season-less and perfect for transitioning into fall! (They are also on sale- win!) So let’s turn this shoe lust into a shoe must!
~Lisa, fashioniSTA
20% Off Accessories Sale Hits STA Stores!
Jun 14th
The finishing touches to every outfit are on sale for one weekend only!
All handbags, jewelry, scarves and shoes are an additional 20% off from Friday, June 15th - Sunday, June 17th.
Grab that investment handbag or statement necklace to complete your envy-worthy wardrobe!
Style Resolutions for the New Year
Jan 5th
Take control of the new year by taking control of your style. Start off your new year with your own style resolution, and prepare to make this year the beginning of making you even more fabulous than ever. We’ve got plans for four style resolutions to help you along the way, and we’ll be bringing you one each day in the easiest way possible. And besides, if 2012 is the last year, why not go out incredibly stylish?
Organize and Stylize Your Closet 
Take on the new year with a new closet. You don’t need a new wardrobe to have this, all you need are a few supplies and upgrades to your current closet. If you’re ready for a closet clean-out, click here to get inspiration and tips! If you’re not ready for an overhaul just yet, a few tweaks can really open up your closet and make your mornings about a million times easier.
First of all, make sure you own enough hangers, and use ones that won’t break. When you switch from plastic, brittle hangers to either wooden or velvet, your whole closet will just feel better. This is a great little detail that will keep your clothes in better condition (hello, no hanger snags in the fabric) and will motivate you towards your dream closet. After picking up the piles of clothing off your closet floor, put them in order on the racks by organizing them by category. Keeping all of your blouses together, dresses together, skirts/pants together (etc.) will ensure that you won’t find a rogue Nanette Lepore halter hidden behind your winter coat once summer’s over. If it’s helpful for you to organize your clothing by color, go for it, but if you think that you’ll glaze over a section of black tops assuming they’re all the same, mixing it up might be better for you.
Don’t skimp on organizing your shoes and accessories either. Got scarves sitting in an overflowing basket? Are your belts looped around a hanger and falling off? Are your shoes mismatched and living on your floor? Grab some stackable boxes, a sharpie and some blank labels and get to organizing. Throw your scarves in one box, your belts in another, even your costume jewelry in another. Label the sides so you don’t go fishing through them in a morning rage, and you’re on your way to closet perfection! (How easy is that?) Take those shoes decorating your floor and line them up on a shelf. You’ll have all of your shoe options in front of you, giving you the best chance to create an outfit people will be talking about for weeks. If you’re short on space, picking up a one-tier shelf that goes on the floor will at least maximize the space you do have. Organize by color, occasion or heel height, whatever will help your style process the most. Grab your boots that are slouched over and put a rolled magazine in each boot to keep it standing tall.
The final details will add icing on top of your style cake, giving your closet the TLC that it needs. Line your shelves with scented shelf paper, or add sachets to your drawers and shelves to give your closet an oasis vibe (anything to make getting dressed less stressful). You can also throw some cedar chips into your closet, they’re inexpensive and they’ll keep your clothes away from pesky moths. Go the extra style step and hang an inspiration board on your closet door or wall (find out how to make one here) for an instant style pick-me-up.
Have a closet organizing tip that you’d like to share? Tweet us (@STAconsignment) or post on our Facebook page (facebook.com/staconsignment) and let us know!
~Ashley, FashioniSTA
If The Shoe Fits, or Doesn’t
Sep 27th
I don’t have any logical explanation for why so many of us buy things that don’t fit. I have been buying and trying to fit into size 6.5 shoes my whole adult life. I’m a true 7.
For years, I’ve suffered for fashion – squeezing toes into the too-tight tips of everything from Choos to Maddens. My rationale runs the gamut. Sometimes you find a pair of size 6s that are on sale and just “so fab” that you have to buy them. Sometimes the 6.5s just look a little cuter on your tootsies, and you convince yourself the 7s look like two canoes supporting your legs. But nothing, nothing, makes you feel better when you’re hobbling down the street with a foot cramp and one-too-many blisters. Nothing, that is, except for a band-aid.
My fall closet resolution is buying shoes that fit. When you try them on at the store, take a hike. Literally. Walk around the store, add in a pair of socks, sit down, stand up, and be honest with yourself. Do they really fit? Often times you’ll be between sizes. If reasonable, go up a half size. Add in a gel pad to remove any excess space. Another trick: trust the feel, not the size. If you’re buying new, leather shoes, remember that them feeling “snug” is different from them feeling “tight.” Shoes that snugly fit your feet will stretch as you break them in, but if you cannot move your toes, consider them too small. Keep this in mind when buying consignment shoes, if they have been worn multiple times before, they probably won’t stretch anymore.
Too many of us get hung up on fitting into a certain size but each brand fits uniquely. Some run small and others run large, so make sure to trust the way your feet feel, not the number on the label. I promise, your feet will thank you for it in the end.
I’m on the hunt this fall for a pair of clogs – something like the dreamy Tory Burch Brayden sling-back (right) and a pair of stylin’ sneakers for the weekend. I’m going to change my ways and buy a size 7. Heck, maybe if they run small, I’ll even buy a 7.5. Lucky for you, I’ll be turning in my 36.5 Juicy Couture red suede ballet flats that I only wore once and Spanish-label, size 37, grey plastic flats that never even made it out the front door. Here’s hoping they fit!
~Mariel A. MacNaughton, Consigner/Buyer Extraordinaire, Second Time Around
How to Shop Your Own Closet: Volume I
Jul 30th
As a stylist, I am elbow-deep in clients’ closets on a regular basis. I help clients edit their wardrobes, educate them about the fits and cuts of clothes that work best for them and I build outfits that help the client utilize their attire and accessories to the fullest extent. Often, this closet analysis is followed by a shopping trip to help fill the gaps, but sometimes it is just enough to jumpstart the clients’ new fashion life. Since I know how successful this can be, I have put together a four-part blog with some tips for doing it yourself. Here’s the first installment:
1. Get rid of anything that you haven’t worn in 1 year.
If it’s gross, trash it. If it is a really basic or a really casual piece (i.e. extra t-shirts) but still in good condition, donate it. If it is a more valuable piece, consign it. For information on consigning at Second Time Around, please click here!
Addenudum: If there is an item of clothing or an accessory that you do not use, but which holds sentimental value, you may keep it. However, please remove it from your closet and store it elsewhere.
Staring at a closet full of clothing and accessories that you don’t use can cause confusion and can cause you to overlook items and outfits that you may actually want to wear. If the offending items are removed – or, at least, relocated – the confusion will be kept at a minimum and outfits will more easily appear.
Keep an eye out for the next edition….there are three more on the way!
~Marisa, Director of Styling, Second Time Around
Oxfords: My current fashion obsession.
Feb 24th
Joie's "Louie Louie" oxford
At first I was merely intrigued, but now I am fully obsessed with oxfords. I hope to purchase a pair soon! I think that they will be the perfect transitional shoe to bridge the gap between boots and sandals as the weather slowly – but surely – improves.
I plan to pair them with skinnies, leggings or boyfriend jeans and menswear inspired tops on some days and flirty and feminine dresses and rompers on other days. They will be the gender-bending statement piece for combining the masculine and the feminine in my wardrobe.
I think that I will probably choose a solid neutral pair as they will fit best into my wardrobe, but there are some fabulous two-tone versions out there that are incredible. I have even seen a few black and white pairs which take me back to grammar school…
We would love to hear your thoughts on oxfords and the kinds of things that you would wear them with! Comment above!
-Marisa, Director of Styling, Second Time Around