SSaSy Chic

Attention Friends With Rare Shoe Sizes

crystal — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:58:50 +0000

You’re so hip and up with things, you probably already know about this. I’m not sure how I missed it.

When I was at Nordstrom last Friday afternoon, there was something odd happening in the shoe department. Banquet tables topped with shoes were wedged into every open nook and cranny in the shoe department. First, I thought I’d stumbled upon a secret sale of some sort. But then, I started looking closer. The shoes were regularly priced, but the sizes went from 12 and 11 to 4 and 5. Nothing in between. Signs on the table said ‘Over 10, Under 5′. Ah…

So apparently, Nordstrom has these events periodically. SInce the dates are staggered like the tour dates for your favorite band, I’m guessing the shoes make a tour from store to store. There are a couple of dates left on this particular tour, but if you miss them it you can always shop extended sizes online. Nordstrom has the best selection of extra large or extra small shoes in the industry.

3 Must-Have Tops for Spring/Summer 2011

crystal — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:23:10 +0000

This is the first of a series of ‘Must-Have’ posts for Spring and Summer 2011.

Must-Have Top #3 – Lace

Once you determine your lace style, choosing a top is the easiest, most subtle way to wear the lace trend.

Victoria’s Secret | Victoria’s Secret | JCrew

Must Have Top #2 – Nautical

It goes without saying that the Nautical trend is a must-wear style this Spring. You can do this in a number of ways – dresses, skirts, shorts, shoes – but the most-versatile is the nautical top. You can mix and match with other items in your wardrobe to create very different looks with the same on-trend piece.

Victoria’s Secret | JCrew | Anthropologie

Must Have Top #1 – Drapey Tank

Whether you go for something simple or something more elegant, the drapey tank is definitely a piece you should have this Spring. Even the dressy version is versatile to the max – wear with shorts, a pencil skirt, cropped pants or a maxi-skirt. Pretty much, you can wear it with anything, making it the top must-have shirt for Spring and Summer 2011!

Victoria’s Secret | Anthropologie | Target

Stay tuned for more ‘Must-Have’ posts featuring the must-have items in bottoms, outerwear, shoes and dresses.

The Short-Sleeved Cardigan – 3 Outfits

crystal — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:23:52 +0000

Warmer temperatures don’t mean you have to ditch your coveted layers. In fact, layers make even more (functional) sense during the Spring, when nighttime temps drop drastically.

One of the best short-sleeved cardigans on the market right now is this Elbow Sleeve Cardigan from Caslon (via Nordstrom). It’s simple, it comes in a variety of colors, and it provides that extra layer that’s both functional and fashionable.

1. Cardigan
2. Sequin Tank
3. Shorts
4. Fedora
5. Oxford Flats
6. Crossover Bag

1. Cardigan
2. Pencil Skirt
3. Lace Shell
4. Nude Heels
5. Thin Belt

1. Cardigan
2. Cropped Pants
3. Sequin Tank
4. Kitten Heels
5. Oversized Sunglasses

What’s Your Lace Style?

crystal — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:36:37 +0000

If you haven’t heard, lace is ‘in’ this season. Not just a little lace, either. A lace hem? A lace neckline? No way! I’m talking lace all over, baby. Head to toe lace (though I don’t suggest going too overboard).
Lace is SO in, there are different lace styles. Here’s a breakdown for you.

Vintage Heirloom

Nicole Miller at Nordstrom
Do you collect antique teacups?
Is your grandmother’s brooch one of your most cherished possessions?
If you’re a lover of all things vintage, this is your lace style. The Vintage Heirloom style is the lace you might see on antique tablecloths and drapes. Mostly though, it reminds me of dresses from the 1920′s – Boardwalk Empire style.

Racy Lacy

Victoria’s Secret
If your style is more vixen than victorian, this might be more your speed.
The Racy Lacy style takes your favorite lingerie styles and makes them wearable for everyday.

Doily Demure

French Connection at Asos
If you love lace for its feminine qualities, this is your style.
It’s the girl-next-door lace…the sweet and innocent girl-next-door, not Hef’s girl-next-door.
This style usually features a lace overlay that is remarkably similar to your Aunt Helen’s coffee table doilies.
It also does double duty in the trend sense because many of these styles are 70′s inspired.

So, which will it be? What’s Your Lace Style?

Top 5 Short Styles for Spring 2011

crystal — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 04:37:20 +0000

Temperatures are getting warmer! It’s time to start baring those legs. Shorts have been on the backburner for the last few seasons. This season, however, they were front and center on the runways. Here are the ~~top 5~~ top 6 styles.

High-Waist

DVF at Nordstrom | Anthropologie | Urban Outfitters

Pleated

ModCloth | Urban Outfitters | 3.1 Phillip Lim at Nordstrom

Statement

ModCloth | JCrew | Anthropologie

Trouser

Banana Republic | Old Navy | JCrew

Cut-Offs

Victoria’s Secret | Urban Outfitters | JCrew

Bonus – Romper

The romper was a wild card for the last two summers – something only a few brave souls wore. Look for it more and more this Summer as they become easier to find in stores (even Target is carrying them). If you’ve been timid about trying this style before, now is the time to muster up the courage and take the plunge!

JCrew | ModCloth | Victoria’s Secret

Which short style will you wear this Spring?

Is This {really} A Fashion Blog?

crystal — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:04:34 +0000

I’ve been thinking about fashion a lot lately. Well that’s not a new thing, I guess.
This has been different though. A little more cerebral. Bear with me…

In my mind, there are two types of fashion blogs out there – personal style blogs where women take photos of themselves wearing fashionable, trendy, creatively put together outfits and style how-to blogs that break down the latest trends, show you how to put outfits together and give you shopping guides on where to find the latest trends reasonably priced. This blog is the latter.

When I started taking photos of my outfits and posting them here a couple of weeks ago, I started to feel this weird juxtaposition. I started to feel like I wasn’t fashionable enough to hang in the ‘personal style blog’ world. Especially with stuff like this floating around the Internets (funny…and I get where they’re going…but like the first commenter on the Refinery29 article, it just seems a bit elitist??).

My insecurities made me start reevaluating what we’re doing here. I had lots of questions…
Are you still fashionable if you wear something from Old Navy?
Can I call myself a fashion blogger if I share big box store items with you?
To be fashionable, do you have to do things like wear a necklace as a headband or shorts as a shirt?
Is this blog not on-trend enough?

This article helped. Particularly the ‘Beth and Christian’ segment. Beth’s before photo is totally on-trend. Oxford flats, tights with shorts, boyfriend cardigan…she looks like something from a personal style blog. And she works in the fashion industry to boot. But, I REALLY like the way her boyfriend styled her. She looks far more put together. So, that made me think…

And then I started looking to the people around me. REAL people who read this blog. And I realized a personal style blog that pushed the limits of a wardrobe and took risks with fashion wouldn’t be helpful to them. What most women need and want is help on how to look stylish and put together. It doesn’t matter if it comes from Neiman-Marcus, the hippest vintage store or Wal-Mart – they just want to look good (actually, they’d prefer it come from something as accessible as Wal-Mart). After seeing stylish models and celebrities in magazines and on TV, they’re looking for something like this blog to tell them how – in a REAL way.

They’re two entirely different things, really – those two different types of style blogs. Most people will look at the personal style blogs for inspiration, but never really feel like they can pull off the looks themselves. It’s an unattainable, not-for-me exchange.

What we do here on Ssasy Chic is inspire, instruct and make trends accessible so you leave feeling confident enough to wear them.

Does that make this any less of a style blog? Nope. It’s just different.

So, I’ll continue posting the how-tos, the what-to-wears and the where-to-finds. And, I’ll keep working on the what-I-wores, too. ‘Cause it sounds like you want to see how to pull it all together…not just in theory – how to ACTUALLY do it.

Glad we got that cleared up. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming…

Current Obsessions – Audrey Hepburn goes boho

crystal — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:33:23 +0000

My style obsessions change weekly, it’s true. That’s what happens when you write a fashion blog.

I’m tough on shoes. I’m not sure how I manage to do it, but I seem to gouge every leather, suede or silk covered heel I own. I’ve declared that henceforth, my everyday heels MUST have heels made of wood or another sturdy material. I love these Michael Kors strappy sandals. They’re very seventies inspired and don’t scream Summer – I’d be able to wear them this Fall as well.

I know Winter is over. I know I should move on from the sequin style. I just can’t bring myself to do it. Especially when it’s a mini skirt like this. It’s perfect for weekends downtown, cocktail parties or, you know, just hanging out around the house.

Oh, Audrey… I loved your style. I’m stoked cropped pants are in this season. I’ve done the cropped skinnies and the boyfriend chinos, but my all-time favorite is the Audrey Hepburn cropped trouser. I’d wear them every day if I could get away with it. The most true to her style pair I’ve found is this one from JCrew.

Speaking of Audrey. I NEED this for the beach. I’m moving away from the well-worn cowboy hat into something more mysterious like this straw hat. Worn with super huge sunglasses…can you see it?

I also need this. ‘Cause if I’m cooking in that sequin skirt, I have to have an adorable apron to protect it. Don’t you think?

And, this is just one of those can’t-live-without-it items. In every color, of course.

What are you obsessing over lately?

Bohemian Style for Spring 2011 – 4 Key Pieces

crystal — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:23:24 +0000

Many of this Spring’s most popular styles have a boho-chic quality to them. Maxi skirts, drapey tanks, strappy sandals…while they could also be considered part of the Seventies trend, they are decidedly bohemian when worn in a certain way. If you’re a fan of the loose, flowy boho chic style, here are 4 key pieces for Spring 2011.

Maxi Skirt

Anthropologie | Nordstrom | Target

Drapey Tank

Target | Nordstrom | Anthropologie

Strappy Sandals

Target | Piperlime | Nordstrom

Long Necklace

Nordstrom | Forever21 | Anthropologie

Put those 4 together and you’ll have the boho-chic look mastered!

Playing Dress Up – Awkwardly

crystal — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:13:46 +0000

What’s that you’re telling me? To relax?

Seriously…
Do you know how hard it is to pose by yourself? This is why I’ve never modeled (that and the 30 pounds I’d have to lose). I need a prop or something…

Again, I need to –
have husband take more than one picture.
check pictures husband takes.
relax.

And, no face again…there was a huge smudge on my camera lens (most likely from a cooking photo session) that completely blurred my face.

I’ll get better. I promise.

Dress – Victoria’s Secret
Sweater – Nordstrom Rack
Belt – JCrew
Sandals – Sam Edelman

Give me one more chance?

What To Wear – Spring Wedding

crystal — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:44:44 +0000

We’re coming up on that time of the year – WEDDING SEASON!!
Dressing for a wedding can be tricky. You want to keep your attire more casual than the wedding party so you’re not mistaken for the Mother of the Bride or one of the bridesmaids. If it’s a Spring wedding, you want to make sure you’re warm enough for an evening outside. And, it goes without saying that you want to look stylish and sophisticated.

Here are two outfit ideas if you plan to attend a wedding this Spring.

Sheath + Cardigan

Wear the cardigan over the dress or belted for a more put together look. If the wedding is on the dressier side, opt for a pashmina instead of a cardigan.

1. Nordstrom
2a. JCrew
2b. Nordstrom
3. Banana Republic
4. Piperlime

Maxi + Blazer

Layering a blazer over this chic maxi-dress will give a super stylish look while also distinguishing you from the bridesmaids. If the wedding is on the dressier side, opt for the pashmina instead of the blazer.

1. Nordstrom
2a. JCrew
2b. Nordstrom
3. Forever 21
4. Piperlime

Have a specific quandary about wedding attire etiquette? Share your dilemma in the comments….