December 29th, 2009 by crystal
Happy New Year! Here’s wishing you a super stylish and totally fabulous New Year’s Eve celebration.
Ssasy Chic will be back after the New Year with fresh articles on the hottest styles, the best places to shop and more fashion inspiration.
Until then, here are a few articles to whet your appetite:
Heading out to a swanky shindig to ring in the New Year? Or just a get-together at a friend’s house? Either way, New Year’s is the perfect opportunity to glam it up. What to Wear on New Year’s Eve
For more ideas on what to wear to cocktail and holiday parties, read: What to Wear to Cocktail Parties
Getting tired of your everyday style? Feel like you don’t even have a style? The New Year is the perfect time to redefine yourself. How to Create a Signature Style
Pieces to remember anytime of the year: Top 10 Classic Fashion Essentials
Get a great new pair of boots for Christmas and don’t know how to wear them? How to Wear Tall Boots
How to Wear Ankle Boots
How to Wear Cowboy Boots
Looking for something specific? You can always search for topics using the search engine located in the sidebar.
Want to be be notified when new Ssasy Chic articles are published? Look to the top of the sidebar to sign up for Ssasy Chic emails.
Happy New Year!! We’ll see you (looking fabulous) in 2010!
December 22nd, 2009 by crystal
Long cardigans have been around for a couple of seasons, but have definitely come into their own this Fall. On the runways and styled by celebrities, we’ve seen how versatile the long cardigan can be. Worn over a cocktail dress, with a tee and shorts or with skinny jeans and a silk blouse, long cardigans can be dressed up or down.
In addition to its versatility, the long cardigan is an inexpensive way to add variety to your wardrobe. Spend a bit of money and get a few cardigans in different colors and styles. Or, spend a bit more on one classic cardigan in wool or cashmere.
This is a style that won’t disappear anytime soon; long cardigans were also quite prevalent on the Spring 2010 runways.
How to Wear Long Cardigans
Under a Jacket
If it’s pretty cold where you are, wear a long cardigan under a boyfriend blazer, heavy sweater jacket, leather motorcycle jacket, military jacket or denim jacket. Wearing a long cardigan over one of your favorite blouses extends your wardrobe since it allows you to wear tank blouses into the Winter. To pull this look off and appear intentionally layered (not bag-ladyish), make sure your cardigan is no more than a couple of inches longer than your jacket.
As a Top Layer
Of course, the traditional way to wear a cardigan is as your top layer. In colder months, wear your cardigan over a long sleeve fitted shirt. Belt your cardigan at the waist for a very put together look.
As a Tunic
Long cardigans are perfect tunics that can be worn over skinnies or leggings. To wear your long cardigan as a tunic, button it completely and make sure it falls at least an inch past your butt.
Where to Buy Long Cardigans
Cardigans Under $30
Shown: Old Navy ($29.50), dELiAs ($29.50), Alloy ($24.90)
Long Cardigans Under $100
Shown: JCrew ($89.50), Banana Republic ($79.50), Michael Kors ($89.50)
Thoughts?
I’m a big fan of the long cardigan. I love that I can wear it with pretty much anything, dressy or casual.
What do you think?
December 21st, 2009 by crystal
If you’re in a bind to find a last minute gift or two, you’re in luck. Stores are slashing prices and making it super easy to have your gifts delivered in time for the holidays.
Most stores have deals on expedited shipping if you order by tomorrow or Wednesday (see ::
Urban Outfitters,
JCrew,
Victoria’s Secret,
Nordstrom,
White House Black Market,
Target,
Sephora)
Many others have great shipping deals as well as discounts on great last minute gifts.
Here’s a brief glimpse of some discounted last minute gifts at your favorite stores.
New York & Company
New York & Company is offering 50% off everything. Plus, you can order by 1pm on December 23 and still receive your items in time for Christmas. (Flower Pin $9.97)
Old Navy
Old Navy has tons of last minute gift ideas under $5, $10, $15 and $20. And, you can order by 3pm on December 23 and still receive your gifts on time. (Multi-Strand Necklace $10)
Gap
Gap is having a Holiday Sale with many items up to 40% off. Order by 3pm on December 23 and receive your gifts by the 25th. (Knit Beret $14.99)
Banana Republic
Like Gap, Banana Republic has many items marked 40% off. And, you can order items from Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Piperlime by 3pm on December 23 and receive all of them by Christmas. (Chain Earrings $14.99)
Piperlime
Piperlime is having a Lime Tag Sale during which you can save up to 40% off on tons of shoes, apparel, handbags and jewelry. Order by 3pm on December 23 to receive your shipment by Christmas. (Wanted Boots $49.99)
Ulta
Ulta is offering 20% off your entire purchase, including sale items. (Brush Set $14.99 + 20% off)
Payless
Payless has a Holiday Sale happening with many items marked 50% off. (American Eagle Marley Boots $19.99)
Macy’s
Macy’s has an extra 20% off everything, plus free shipping. If you order before Midnight tonight, you are guaranteed to receive your items before Christmas. (Sweater $19.99 + 20% off)
Happy shopping!
December 14th, 2009 by crystal
If you’ve read ssasychic for a bit, you know that Lanvin is by far my very favorite label. Alber Elbaz is a total genius. He’s such an observant, artistic man. Every time I hear him speak, I am blown away at how humble and brilliant he is.
Elbaz’s Spring 2010 show was completely amazing. The show itself was a noteworthy production. It took place in a warehouse on the outskirts of Paris. The ultra long runway was lit with industrial lights and the whole feel was very raw. Except for the clothes.
Elbaz vacationed in South America earlier in the year and noticed (I told you he was observant) the amazing style of the older women in Brazil. Then, he noticed their daughters who were wearing jeans and t-shirts and he wondered, ‘where has all the grand joy of fashion disappeared?’ His collection is inspired by the stylish women he observed, but also by the energy he felt while watching their younger counterparts and feeling that some aspect of glamorous fashion may be fleeting.
The first segment of the show was classic Lanvin–the tailored pieces with oversize ruffles that have become the main association for the Lanvin brand. What came next was fresh, new and awe-inspiring. Draped tulle dresses in bright colors…embellished jumpsuits…gold beaded dresses. Critics were overwhelmingly amazed by the originality and strength of the collection.
Key Trends from Lanvin Spring 2010
cinched waists
shoulder ruffles
suit necks
jumpsuits
big sleeves
gathering/draping
one shoulder
leather
sheer
What can we take away?
Though much of the combinations of draping, fabrics and details were unique to Lanvin’s Spring 2010 collection, there were some trends that have commonality with other collections of the season. Draping, one shoulder styles, ruffles, jumpsuits and menswear are all styles we’ve seen from other designers for next Spring.
Thoughts?
I am a total fan of this collection. Though they’re not my favorite, I can appreciate the artistic beauty of the beaded dresses and jumpsuits. The bright, draped tulle is gorgeous. And, the classic cocktail dresses are beautiful, as usual. Oh…to own a Lanvin dress… *sigh*
What do you think?
In other news…
Lanvin postage stamps will be released next year to celebrate Lanvin’s 120th anniversary. Don’t you wish you lived in France?
December 11th, 2009 by crystal
Have you heard about this amazing service? Remember Bag Borrow or Steal (now called Avelle)? The site that allows you to rent designer handbags and accessories? Brilliant, right? Well, now there’s a service just like that for designer fashion.
Rent the Runway makes designer fashion accessible for those of us who can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on a dress we’ll wear only once or twice. Because, let’s face it…even if you can afford to buy one of those dresses, you can’t wear it everywhere…you really want to buy more than one. Well, now you can rent all of those beautiful dresses you thought were only reserved for celebrities and the very rich.
The amazing ladies who started Rent the Runway decided to solve the problem we all face when we are off to an amazing event and feel like we have nothing to wear.
The gowns are easily navigable by designer and price. Don’t know which designer you’d like to wear? Search according to occasion. There’s everything from ‘Meet the Parents’ to ‘This-Is-Getting-Serious-Date’.
And, perfect for this time of year, there are plenty of options for holiday parties! I highly recommend checking this out!
