The (pre-holiday) week in shopping
Head out to Williamsburg for Oak's end-of-season sale where overstock and samples will be "marked way down" (Oak's words, not mine). 9/4-9/6; 11-8; 208 N. 8th St. (at Roebling), Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Lisa Curran Swimwear and Matiko footwear are at least 50% off. Lisa Curran Swimwear can also be found online at theSavvy.com. 9/1-9/3; 5-9 Tues., 8-8 Wed., 10-7 Thurs.; 307 W. 38th St. (8th & 9th Aves.), 18th fl.

If the Barneys Warehouse Sale is a bit too crazy for you (although considering prices are now an extra 25%-40% off, I'm ok with that), hit your local Co-Op store, where you can take an extra 40% off all sale items. Click here for locations.

Body Butters are 2 for $49 at blissworld.com through 9/6.
Recommended reading
I will fully admit that I love the Olsen twins. I own several pieces from their Elizabeth and James line, and one The Row top, and if I could afford more from The Row, I would gladly buy it. So I was pleasantly surprised to find this gushing article about the sisters in today's Thursday Styles section in the Times. Written by Cathy Horyn, no less, who is one tough bitch (I mean that as an utmost compliment--Cathy Horyn is my idol). But be careful: After reading this, I wanted to march my ass over to Barneys and plunk down $1,700 for a pair of The Row's leather leggings.
TheFind Guest Post: Check into Houndstooth for Fall

houndstooth

Setting the trend for patterns this season is the black and white plaid made classic by Dior. Houndstooth can be seen on everything from coats, dresses, pencil skirts and many accessories. Houndstooth or as the French call it, pied de pole (chicken's foot) is the black and white check made classic in many decades including the '40s, '60s and '80s. And it is back again in 2009! Seen on the runways at Alexander McQueen houndstooth took on McQueen's dramatic sensibilities with sculpted almost origami like silhouettes and accentuating the waist. The houndstooth pattern is seen in both the traditional smaller pattern as well as very large blown up patterns that take on a graphic quality all their own. Houndstooth even takes on a patchwork effect as seen on this McQueen tote. The black and white palette of houndstooth invites room for pairing with bold neon accents or pop art primary colors. Or go classic and accessorize a houndstooth dress with black tights and shoes. Whatever your choice this fall, houndstooth is a classic choice for you to check out!

Our picks for houndstooth clothing and accessories (top left, clockwise):

Preen Hound Power mini dress $1,120, at Net-a-Porter
Alexander McQueen Houndstooth check pencil dress, $1,845 at Net-a-Porter
MICHAEL Michael Kors Houndstooth Gloves, $150 at Michaelkors.com
MadieDeluxe Chelsea Houndstooth Small Pleated Clutch with Ring, $48 at buildanest.com
Loeffler Randall Gathered Tier Jacket in Houndstooth, $248 at RevolveClothing.com
Alexander McQueen Houndstooth Tote, $1995 at Saks.co
2 Tone Large Houndstooth Long Fringe Scarf Shawl Wrap, 14.95 at Skhatshop.com

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops
MasstigeWatch! Anna Sheffield for Target
I've started to develop an expensive habit: jewelry. Much like my philosophy with clothing, I've started to buy the best jewelry I can afford--fewer pieces of the nice stuff, instead of a lot of cheap junk. And while my budget doesn't take me too far, one of my favorite jewelry designers is Anna Sheffield--her Bing Bang line has a vintage-inspired aesthetic, with a lot of tiny charms and mixed chains. And while Anna had a short-lived line last year with Urban Outfitters, called Bee 23, she is back with an even better masstige collaboration, this time with Target. Called Anna Sheffield, the line features necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings, with prices ranging from a very affordable $19.99 to $79.99, and I'm happy to say, it's very true to the spirit of her signature collection.

I love how many of her necklaces are asymmetrical, like the one in the middle below, but there's always an element of femininity, like the ribbon and heart-locket necklaces to either side.


If, like me, you are a lover of dangling earrings, you'll hit the jackpot here. I can attest that these multi-chain styles look really sexy with long hair.


I absolutely love the bird-and-rhinestone combo of these earrings and ring--they're like antiques, but better.


This is the kind of necklace that looks good with everything from T-shirts to dresses, and since it has so many different colors of chains, you literally can wear it with everything.


And I don't know what this is for sure--I think it's a ring--but whatever it is, I know I want it.


The collection--including many more pieces not pictured here--hits Target stores and Target.com this Sunday, August 30th. Hurry, before I buy every last piece!
Mark your calendars: Fashion's Night Out is September 10th
I will admit I was a bit skeptical of Fashion's Night Out--spearheaded by Vogue and CFDA, it's a worldwide event designed to promote consumer confidence and, well, get everybody to shop. And while it's probably going to take more than one night to save the fashion and retail industries, there's a ton of stuff going on, so why not take advantage of it? Basically, every women's clothing and accessory (and even beauty) store in the city is participating in the event, from the big department stores on down to the single-designer and indie boutiques. Most stores will have cocktails, DJs, and/or live bands; many have gifts with purchase or limited-edition merch; and a select few will feature appearances by the designers themselves. The entire rundown of events can be found here, and you can even make a little schedule for yourself. I plan on hitting Kirna Zabete, Opening Ceremony, Korres, Le Labo, and Julie Haus, where I'll be for her Spring 2010 presentation. Oh, and, by the way, if you like Hugh Jackman, he'll be at Jeffrey. For any updates to the schedule, I suggest following the Fashion's Night Out Twitter feed; Racked has also had great coverage thus far. I don't know how much shopping will actually get done, but for lovers of fashion, it's definitely not the night to sit at home.
Yet even more online sample sales
Bricks-and-mortar stores are still closing at a somewhat alarming pace, but there's no doubt about it: People are shopping online. Online shopping has always been great for bargain shopping--Google is all one needs to find a coupon code--but one of the fastest-growing categories in e-commerce is private sale websites, also known as online sample sales. WWD wrote about them [subscription required] a few weeks ago; basically, as the article describes, these sites are win-win for everybody: Designers get to dump merchandise quickly and efficiently without turning up in search engines; consumers get same-season merchandise at great discounts, without having to deal with the hassle of actual sample sales, but while still succumbing to sample-sale craziness. Plus, many sites have return policies (often for store credit). The great thing is that with so many new sample sale websites popping up, there are ample opportunities to shop a wide range of products, with different sites specializing in different areas--shopping them is a good way to get exposed to new and independent designers, as well as finding crazy deals on some of your favorites.

Gilt Groupe is the undisputed master of online sample sales--according to the WWD article, they're on track to do $400 million in sales this year. But while they have 1.2 million members, a large number of them never purchase anything--due to, Gilt thinks, too-high prices. Enter Gilt Fuse, their contemporary site, a sort of Co-Op to Gilt's Barneys. Hosting brands like Kova & T, Generra, and Modern Amusement, prices are chiefly under $100, and since the site doesn't quite have the membership numbers of its older sister, most items don't sell out yet (as I'm writing this, most of the Faryl Robin, Earnest Sewn, and Sequin stock is still available). If you're already a member of of Gilt Groupe, then you're automatically a member of Gilt Fuse. If you're a member of neither, you can always join here; as with Gilt, the $25 referral policy applies here as well, and your accounts are linked, so if you return an item from Gilt, for example, you can use the credit on Fuse.

Like the OutNet is to Net-a-Porter, Revolve Clothing has recently launched Rewind, a place for them to dump clearance stock as well as host pop-up sales. While the pop-ups tend to be more under-the-radar designers like Boulee and Erik Hart, the regular sale selection is quite impressive, with good deals on Rachel Comey, Lyell, and Acne Jeans, among others. I also like the interface, which allows you to rollover and get a preview of the item (and what sizes are available) without having to click through to the page. If you're already a Revolve customer, you can shop Rewind; otherwise, you need an invitation (click here to join). Their referral policy is slightly different than other sites: If your friend buys something, you get a $25 credit toward your next purchase of $50 or more.

Beyond The Rack is the first of the sample-sale websites based in Canada, but before you start laughing, know that they've recently had YSL handbags and Gucci sunglasses; J Brand jeans are currently on sale; and coming up, they have Dior handbags, Burberry accessories, and Sam Edelman shoes. And even though everything is being shipped from Canada, the shipping cost is only $10. The only caveat is that the prices are not as low as on some other websites, but as Beyond The Rack is fairly new, the products don't sell out quite as quickly as on other sites. You must be a member to shop (if you need a referral code, mine is NCM260AC086), and the friend referral credit is $10.

Gomatta Girls was started by two L.A. fashion insiders, and despite its strange name, it has a pretty good selection of West Coast designers. A great thing about this site is that unless the merch sells out, it lives for awhile under the CLOSEOUT link--currently, you can find clothes by Dolce Vita, Tulle, Jenny Han, and more for up to a whopping 90% off. My one criticism is that its emails don't say who the designer is in the subject line, so you have to read through a bunch of text to figure out what's going on sale that particular day. But in the grand scheme of things, it's a minor complaint. You can invite your friends to join (and get a $10 credit when they make a purchase), but you don't need an invite to shop the site.


Finally, the newest kid on the block is Retail Happy Hour, which thus far appears to host four long-weekend sales that last five days, from Thursday to Monday. The last round included Pop Beauty and L Space swimwear; the next round, starting this week, includes Kara Janx (remember her?) and Prairie NY. Retail Happy Hour does not require a referral to shop, and has no referral program (well, give them time).
The week in shopping
Get there early and prepare to wait: Jimmy Choo's uber-sexy stilettos are up to 70% off at this one-day-only sale. 8/26; 1-6 p.m.; Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves).

Find Matthew Williamson, Stella McCartney, Chloe, and other coveted labels for up to 80% off at Intermix's warehouse sale. 8/27–8/29; 8-8 Thurs., 9-8 Fri., 9-6 Sat.; Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Handbags—-including samples-—are up to 60% off at Gustto's summer sample sale, with prices starting at $150. 8/26–8/27; 10-8; 182 5th Ave. (at 22nd St.).

Cheryl Shops fave Bird is consolidating its spring/summer sale items to the Park Slope location; find Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney, and other designers you love for 75% off. 8/28–8/31; noon-8 Fri., noon-7 Sat. & Sun., noon-8 Mon.; 316 5th Ave. (at 2nd St.), Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Showroom samples are up to 80% off at the Temperley London sale; expect prices in the mid- to-low three figures. 8/26-8/29; 8-8 Wed., 11-7 Thurs.-Sat.; 453 Broome St. (at Mercer St.), 2nd fl.

Scurry over to Built by Wendy, where sale items are an additional 25% off through Wednesday. Through 8/26; noon-7; 7 Centre Market Place (Broome & Grand Sts.), 46 N. 6th St. (at Kent Ave.), Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Outfit the nattily dressed man in your life with polos, sweaters, jackets, accessories, and more on sale at Freeman's Sporting Club. Through 9/7; 11-8 weekdays, 11-7 Sat., noon-6 Sun.; 8 Rivington St. (Bowery & Chrystie St.).

If you wear a size 6 shoe, head over to the Messeca Showroom, where Brazilian shoes and boots are $10-$15. Through 8/27; 11-3:30; 78 5th Ave. (at 13th St.), 9th fl.

Sadly, Karim Rashid is closing up shop; you can score his conceptual, often brightly colored furniture and accessories for up to 80% off. Through 8/31; 11-6 (closed Sun. & Mon.); 137 W. 19th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

If you must wear flip-flops, Havaianas are the only way to go. Score 3 pairs for $20 at their sample sale. Through 9/17; 11-6; outdoor market, Spring St. at Wooster St.

Save 20% on everything at Blu-Dot. Through 9/8; 11-7, noon-6 Sun.; 140 Wooster St. (Prince & Houston Sts.).

In the final weeks of Anbar Shoes' going-out-of-business sale, all shoes are $17-$150 and boots are $24-$274--think Taryn Rose, Beverly Feldman, BCBG, and more. Through 9/5; 9-6:20 weekdays, 11-5:45 Sat., closed Sun.; 60 Reade St. (Broadway & Church Sts.).

From 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday night, click here to shop Calypso's website and use coupon code CC8 for 20% off regular-priced items and an extra 10% off sale.

Meet tennis hottie Maria Sharapova and shop her new collection for Cole Haan on Thursday evening. 8/27; 5-8 p.m.; 620 5th Ave. (49th & 50th Sts.).

Save up to 75% on home items at Vivre.com through 8/26.

Save up to 70% at 80s Purple's first-ever online warehouse sale.

Use code BYEBYE for an extra 25% off sale items at Linea Pelle through 8/29.

It's friends & family time at Prescriptives--use code FRIEND09 for 30% off and get free shipping with $60 purchase through 8/27.

Buy any large-size perfume at Bond No. 9 and get a free Hamptons bon-bon through 8/30.

A plethora of deals this week at Bliss: Buy one Problem Salved, get one free through 8/30; Get 15% off bliss and Remede products with code BLISS15 through 8/26; or get a free Get out of Hair with a $100 purchase with code GETOUT through 8/26.

Get a free gift with your $95 L'Occitane purchase with code LAVENDER.

Save up to 80% at the Alloy.com clearance or at the Delia*s clearance.
Sales coming Tuesday night
Please check back then!
Short attention span post
I was planning to write a few posts tonight--including one on new sample-sale websites--but, alas, it's been a very long week, I am tired, and I really just want to have a cocktail and watch the season premiere of Project Runway. (It's back! I'm excited! Aren't you?) So, until next week when I have my wits about me, some random notes.

Gee, have you heard the First Lady had the nerve to wear a pair of shorts whilst hiking the Grand Canyon on a Sunday when the temperature was 106 degrees? It must've been a slow news day, because The Today Show had a serious, in-depth discussion about it. Gee, I don't recall anyone discussing whether it was appropriate for her husband, THE THEN-FUTURE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD, to be photographed in nothing but swim trunks last summer. Seriously, people. They're legs. Everyone has them. Get over it.

On a happier note, I highly suggest reading Mike Albo's review of the new Hollister store in Soho from today's Times, a vast improvement over the debacle that was last week's Cintra Wilson goes to J.C. Penney (which I have refrained from commenting on, because, while I think Ms. Wilson could've handled it more delicately, she had a point that was greatly overlooked: Mass American fashion has devolved into total mediocrity). Albo's entire article is brilliant, but here's my favorite part:

On the way down I stopped in the fragrance room and sampled the Laguna Beach body mist. It smelled like Jolly Ranchers being breathed on my face by Hayden Panettiere. Here the store also sells its California fragrance, which is spritzed on the mannequins every hour; it’s a noxious concoction that, I assume, is distilled from mink sex glands and the tears of broken-hearted teenage girls.

Finally, I get a lot of irrelevant PR pitches sent to me on a daily basis, but here's one I couldn't resist: Miss Piggy and Marc Jacobs in his showroom, going over his looks for Fashion Week. Miss Piggy will be wearing a Marc Jacobs frock next week at Macy's Glamorama in Chicago.

I don't know about you, but this made me love Marc Jacobs even more than I already do. On that note, have a good weekend, everybody!
MasstigeWatch!
This morning, Target hosted a press preview of the upcoming Rodarte Go International collection; I was not there, but Lucky was, and while they were forbidden to speak specifics, they say it's "beautiful, ethereal, and lacey, and won't be priced above $80." Also, Tavi was there. If, however, you'd like some photographic evidence, Racked has photos that Paper's blogger Julia Frakes posted on Twitter (and which she's since taken down). This is one of them.

Also, last week The Cut swung by Uniqlo's showroom to check out Jil Sander's +J line, which hits stores October 1st. They report prices start at $29.50 for accessories and go to $149.50 for outerwear. They also have a handy slide show of select looks; I think longtime Jil Sander enthusiasts will be, well, enthusiastic. The collection is very minimal but looks incredibly well cut; I have my eye on, among other things, these pants.

Coming later this week, I'll have a preview of the Anna Sheffield for Target jewelry line, which hits stores August 30th.
The week in shopping
It's time for the Barneys New York Warehouse Sale! Expect long lines, hidden treasures, and 50%-75% off (before the first round of markdowns, at least). 8/20-9/7; 8-9 Thurs. & Fri., 10-9 weekdays and 10-7 weekends thereafter; 255 W. 17th St. (7th & 8th Aves.).

Her Rachel Rachel Roy line is hitting Macy's stores as we speak, but you can get the real thing--her higher-priced line--for a nice 85% off at Rachel Roy's sample sale. 8/19–8/20; 10-7; 1411 Broadway (39th & 40th Sts.), 37th fl.

Sergio Rossi shoes and handbags are up to 75% off. Through 8/20; 10-6; 160 Varick St. (at Vandam St.), 2nd fl.

Hit eryn brinié Wednesday or Thursday night and take 20% off all merch. RSVP to flagship@erynbrinie.com. 8/19–8/20; 7-9:30 p.m.; 501 Broadway (Spring & Broome Sts.).

Men's & women's clothes and accessories are 70% off at perennially chic agnès b. Through 8/25; 11-7, noon-6 Sun.; 103 Greene St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Bridal Reflections is moving; score 30%-70% off gowns by St. Pucchi Couture, Ines Di Santo, and other designers. 8/18–8/29; 11-7 weekdays, 10-5 Sat.; 286 5th Ave. (at 30th St.).

Or if you prefer a more designer route, the Gabriella New York sample sale has wedding gowns from Angel Sanchez, Matthew Christopher, and more. 8/19–8/20; noon-7; 400 W. 14th St. (at 9th Ave.), 2nd fl.

Saja sweaters are $20, tops and pants are $30, and dresses are $70 at their sample sale. 8/20–8/23; 10-7; 250 Elizabeth St. (Houston & Prince Sts.).

Bohemian-chic summer wares are 30%-50% off (chiefly under $50) at La Sirena's end-of-summer sale. 8/20–8/24; noon-7; 27 E. 3rd St. (Bowery & 2nd Ave.).

Hit Cheryl Shops fave Auto on Tuesday for the launch of Herringbone Hound by Variegated, a new line of doggie accessories. 8/18; noon-8 (cocktails from 6-8); 805 Washington St. (Gansevoort & Horatio Sts.).

Use code FF09 for 40% off everything at Tarte Cosmetics through 8/24.

Click here to shop Linea Pelle's end-of-summer sample sale through 8/18.

Use code EXTRA20 for an extra 20% off final sale, plus free shipping when you spend $150 at J.Crew through 8/19.

Use code FALL20 for 20% off regular-priced items at Tobi.com through 8/18.

Use code HEAT99 for 25% off and free shipping at W Hotels the Store through 8/31.

Save up to 80% on cool brands like Lorick and Plastic Island at Austin's Buy Definition.
Attention, vintage shoppers!
I spent last weekend in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, a scenic little town that's not quite part of the Jersey Shore but is close enough to the Sandy Hook beaches to qualify it as a weekend retreat of sorts. There is a ferry that goes there directly from Lower Manhattan; I suppose some residents actually commute to Manhattan this way. There are a bunch of cute restaurants in town, as well as a first-run movie theater, but I was most pleased to find a store called Vintage Variety Shop, carrying vintage clothing, accessories, toys, and other bric-a-brac. Even more surprising was how incredibly awesome the merchandise is--in a world where "vintage" can mean "five years old," Vintage Variety has actual vintage clothes from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, much of it deadstock (which means never-worn) and, luckily, very reasonably priced. I could've spent hours in the store, but since my companions were getting a bit restless, I settled on a Prada-esque knit and brocade dress from the 60s that still had its original tags; I paid--get this--a mere $17.50. The unfortunate news is that the proprietor, Meredith Peltz, is selling much of her stock in preparation for a move, but the good news is that until the store closes, most of it is 50% off (hence the bargain on my dress). The store is currently located at 76 First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands; Meredith said she was looking at a new space down the street, so hopefully she will reopen there soon. In the meantime, you can find her on MySpace (apparently people still use that).
Object of Desire: Donna Karan Eldridge Tote
The days of the It Bag may be over, but I am always thinking about my next bag. For fall and winter, I definitely prefer a black bag--better to hide the seasons' grime, and black looks best with my leopard coat--and while I already have two or three serviceable black bags, I kind of want a new one. The thing I love about my current purse, the Botkier James hobo, is that it has both a shoulder strap and a longer, crossbody strap, a best-of-both-worlds situation which allows me to have my purse and wear it too, if you will. I would, however, like something a tiny bit bigger and, ideally, something that inspires me to break my compulsive purse habit.

Enter Donna Karan's Eldridge Tote. Much like her ingenious cozy wrap sweaters, the bag can be worn multiple ways: Lengthen the strap for a crossbody style; button the sides and shorten the strap for a hobo; unbutton the sides for an expanded tote; or tuck up and button the ends for a much more compact version. Even the silver charm that comes with the bag can be worn shorter and wrapped or long and dangling. In other words, you can wear this bag so many ways that if you get tired of it, the only step left for you is purse rehab. For those of us still suffering through It Bag flashbacks, the Eldridge has an understated--yet, with its Fortuny-inspired pleats, still luxurious--look that's perfect for these don't-flaunt-it-if-you've-got-it times. It's so stunning, perhaps Lindsay Lohan thought it would distract us from the fact that she's not wearing pants in the above photo. Of course, this bag does take a lot of "it" (cash, that is), with a price tag of $1,495, however, that's significantly lower than many comparable bags, which can run well over $2,000. And when you look at it as four bags in one, that's like less than $400 a bag, which certainly less than I've spent on my last few bags. Nothing like a little math to justify a splurge, but with so many ways to wear it, the Eldridge is worth the investment.
The week in shopping
Clothes and accessories, plus, according to Racked, Manolo Blahniks, are 50%-80% off at Richard Chai's sample sale. Through 8/14; 10-6; 107 Grand St. (at Mercer St.), 7th fl.

Women's and men's clothing and accessories are up to 80% off at Cynthia Rowley's sample sale. 8/13–8/16; 11:30-9 Thurs., 10-9 Fri., 11-9 Sat., 11-8 Sun.; 376 Bleecker St. (Perry and W. 11th Sts.).

Score a Lauren Merkin bag for 40%-70% off retail; prices range from $75 for the Diana to $200 for the Edie. 8/11–8/14; 11-7, 11-4 Sat.; 231 W. 29th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 201.

Select Jill Stuart items are 30%-60% off through 8/13; noon-7; 100 Greene St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Dresses, jackets, pants, tops, and more are at least 70% off at this unofficial Dolce & Gabbana sample sale. 8/13-8/16; 11-7, noon-7 Sun.; 109 Spring St. (Mercer & Greene Sts.).

Tucker is moving, so to clear out inventory, blouses are $50-$160, camisoles are $40-$100, and dresses are $60. 8/13–8/14; 11-7 Thurs., 9-7 Fri.; 13 Essex St. (at Hester St.).

Fancy Morgenthal Frederics sunglasses and frames are up to 75% off. 8/15–8/30l 11-8 weekdays, 11-7 Sat., noon-6 Sun.; 399 W. Broadway (at Spring St.).

This might be your last chance for Sweetface & JLO By Jennifer Lopez, since Jenny From the Block is discontinuing both labels. Expect all sizes, new merchandise arriving daily, and discounts of 70%-90%. 8/11-8/13; 10-7 Tues. & Wed., 10-6 Thurs.; 1071 6th Ave. (40th & 41st Sts.), ste. 502.

Bags and outerwear are up to 75% off and shoes and apparel are up to 80% off at Hayden-Harnett, plus use code hotsale for an extra 10% off.

Shop with a stylist at Tobi.com, and for every $250 you spend, you'll get a gift card for $50 off your next purchase through 8/31.

Save 60% on spring-summer merchandise at LF Stores, starting 8/13. Click here for store locations.

Get 50% off bliss softening socks with a footwear purchase at blissworld.com with code SOCKS at checkout through 8/16.

Sale items are an extra 30% off at Neiman Marcus through 8/11.

Bring in an old pair of jeans and get 20% off a new pair through 8/31 at Barneys New York.

Use code 96297719 for an extra 30% off sale items at Martin + Osa through 8/11.
Buy It: Gerbe Plumetis tights
Last weekend, I took an incredibly lovely, relaxing trip to the Fire Island weekend retreat of my friend Jen and her husband AP. We ate, we drank, we watched Animal Planet, and, during the downpour on Saturday afternoon, we all read. I had brought the latest issue of W, and while everyone in the house--men included--was into the story on cover-girl (and size 6 model) Lara Stone, what really caught my eye was a pair of sheer polka-dot tights that kept popping up in the fashion stories, particularly the breathtaking Sanctuary editorial. I was expecting the dreaded "stylist's own" credit for the tights, but, lo and behold, they're the Plumetis style by Gerbe and are readily available at MyTights.com. I am generally not a huge fan of patterned tights, but the polka dots in these are subtle enough and won't make one's legs look like tree trunks. There's also no denying that they give a strong nod to the retro early-'80s look that's so prevalent in Paris right now, so even wearing these with a classic black dress is a way to try the trend without charging full-on into shoulder pads and sequins. It's also clever of Gerbe to call these sheer tights and not pantyhose, a term that tends to send people running. At $34.95, they're a solidly good buy, not to mention probably the least expensive item featured in W. Expect to see them on editors everywhere at Fashion Week next month.
TheFind Guest Post: Minimalist Gray Dresses for Maximum Impact

greys

Gray is the go to color for the minimalist look this fall. Gray is a neutral that will give you maximum impact when detailed with pleats, draping, gathering and other sculptural elements. We love all of the options for gray dressing this fall. Minimalist sculptural gray dresses and coats work well with the black leggings, tights and super skinny jeans you already own. Black works well, but you can also get daring by partnering gray with primaries such as red, royal blue and yellow. Or go with a monochromatic look with various shades of gray. One of our editors' favorites is the Marc Jacobs sweatshirt dress. This dress totally reminds us of the Norma Kamali huge shoulder padded dresses of the '80s! The RM by Roland Mouret coat is a classic that you can wear for many seasons. Mouret is a true artist when it comes to draping and minimalist statement dressing. The coat reminds me of my warmest winter Hussein Chalayan coat from my favorite store, Workshop, in San Francisco. Go ahead and go neutral this fall and stock up on this wardrobe staple.

Will you be buying into the gray trend for fall? Let us know in comments!

Gray dresses and coats from upper left clockwise:

Marc Jacobs Sweatshirt Dress, $1,100 at Saks.com
Vanessa Bruno Draped jersey dress, $410 at Net-a-Porter
RM by Roland Mouret Norther wool-blend herringbone coat, $2,695 at Net-a-Porter
Vince Silk-blend over-sized sweater, $245 at Net-a-Porter

Dress shown in center:

Theory
Gray Silk And Jersey Tank Dress, $165.00 at FarFetch.com



http://www.thefind.com/qq-RM-by-Roland-Mouret-


Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops
I've caught Balmania
I had an hour to kill before my Core Fusion class tonight, so I popped into Zara to check out the new arrivals. One can safely say that Zara has the Balmain fever, as nearly everything in the front of the store has padded, exaggerated shoulders--jackets, dresses, blouses. I did not see the thigh-high boots pictured here (if I had, I would've bought them on the spot), but there are a lot of great strappy, studded sandals and boots. It was far too hot today for me to seriously think about fall, but as soon as the temperature drops to a more reasonable level, I will be back for some strong shoulders.

Then, for some reason, I wandered into Aldo, a store which tends to underwhelm me, but Rumi on Fashiontoast always seems to have cool shoes from there, so I decided to give it a closer look. And there, on the sale shelf, I spotted a pair of shoes so ridiculous, I had to buy them. They're a knockoff of these $1800 Balmain sandals from spring 2009, but with fewer straps, and the studs are all metal (as opposed to a mixture of crystal and metal). I can't find them on the Aldo website, although the Smeal style is similar--these have a platform (mine don't) and more straps. Like Balmain itself, the shoes are decadent and trashy, and I can't wait to wear them.
MasstigeWatch!
I have masstige news so exciting, I had to share it today: Rodarte is designing a Go International line for Target! [subscription required] The 55-piece collection is heavy on holiday dresses and hits stores just in time for last-minute Christmas shoppers, on December 20th. Prices start at $9.99 for knee-highs and go to a mere $79.99 for a leopard-print jacket. Rodarte is by far the edgiest, most fashion-insidery label to design for Target; I have a feeling that most Target shoppers will have no idea what it is, whatsoever (then again, the same can probably be said for most of the Go International designers). Since most of Rodarte's designs hover in the four-figure range, this is probably the only time in my life I'll be able to afford something from the Mulleavy sisters. However, since they tend to prefer airy fabrics like chiffon and mohair, I'm worried that's going to translate into polyester and acrylic at the mass-market level. In other words, a Rodarte dress made out of synthetic fabrics is still a dress made out of synthetic fabrics. A Target spokesperson promises the collection is very detailed--which it might be--but since quality has varied widely with the Target collaborations, I am trying not to get too excited about it. Then again, if the dresses look anything like the one at right, how can you not get excited?
Cheryl Shops...Portland
In true best-for-last fashion, the final leg of MW's and my tour of the Pacific Northwest was Portland, and it was by far our favorite city of the three we visited. The shopping is great--and I will get to that in a minute--but the awesome thing about the city is that in spite of how very artsy and bohemian it is, everyone there is super nice. Like, think of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, except all the hipsters make eye contact and engage you in conversation. Also, the food is fantastic. Another awesome thing: no sales tax. (Even on food!) We stayed at The Nines, a fairly new boutique hotel that sits on top of a Macy's, proving apparently I can never get too far away from work. In the immediate vicinity of that area--Pioneer Square--is a somewhat petite Nordstrom, which had just conveniently started its Anniversary Sale; Pioneer Place, an upscale mall with Louis Vuitton, Saks, and, I must say, a really awesome Forever 21; and Mario's, the type of establishment where middle-aged men drink pinot noir while their much-younger girlfriends try on clingy Pucci dresses (seriously, this is what I witnessed), and also the only store in Portland in which I encountered seriously frosty salespeople. Thankfully, there are also a bunch of great boutiques in the downtown area, where I encountered really sweet proprietors who complimented me on my bag, my shoes, my sunglasses, and so on. Frances May reminded me of Bird in Brooklyn, with a nice selection of A.P.C., Built by Wendy, Alexander Wang, and Vena Cava, much of it on sale when I was there. I was the only person shopping at Odessa, which features a strongly edited collection of Martin Margiela 6 clothes, Comme des Garçons perfumes, and the most Isabel Marant I've seen in one place outside of Paris. Much of it was 50% off when I was there. Radish Underground carries clothing and accessories from local Portland designers, and even without the sale that was happening, prices were quite reasonable--chiefly under $200. Johnny Sole's inventory seemed a bit wiped out due to summer sales, but from what I could tell, the store carries hip-but-comfortable shoes by Corso Como, Tsubo, Frye, and the like. Right across the street from that is Mercantile, a rather large store--bigger than a boutique but smaller than a department store--that carries, on one side, contemporary designers like Rag & Bone, See by Chloe, and A.L.C., and, on the other side, lines like Eskandar and Eileen Fisher, geared toward an, ahem, slightly older customer. Our guidebook called it "an ideal spot for young women shopping with their mothers," which is totally an accurate assessment; if I lived in Portland, I'd probably shop there all the time. With my mom. Finally, feeling somewhat let down by the vintage situation in Vancouver and Seattle, I was happy to find Magpie, a vintage store with a reasonably-priced and well-edited, trend-right selection, including tons of costume jewelry. I scored a 1940s dress for $12 and a silver tassel necklace, and was incredibly happy about both finds. Sadly, due to time constraints, I didn't make it to two other downtown vintage stores on my list, Decades and Ray's Ragtime, which leads me to my one criticism of Portland shopping, which is that stores don't stay open late enough (then again, that could just be the late-rising, shopping-till-8 New Yorker in me).

The Pearl district is just to the north of downtown; like Yaletown in Vancouver, it's often compared to Soho in NYC, and also like Yaletown, the similarities end in the fact that most of it is converted former warehouses. With its Anthropologie, West Elm, and the like--plus numerous high-rise condos--the Pearl tends toward the yuppie side. The shops are also a bit spread out, so we didn't spend much time there. However, we did spend over three hours in Powell's City of Books, which is reportedly the largest bookstore in the U.S. (and I can believe it--there were rooms and floors to which I didn't even make it). I bought everything from recent fiction paperbacks to two out-of-print Francesco Scavullo books (including Scavullo Women, which I've been looking for forever) and The Fashionable Mind, a collection of essays from Kennedy Fraser, the New Yorker's former fashion critic. MW and I ended up buying so much, we had it shipped home for a flat rate. I can't recommend Powell's enough; even if you are only in Portland for a few hours, you must go there.

A bit north and west of the Pearl is Nob Hill, with a stretch of shopping on Northwest 23rd Street, beginning with an Urban Outfitters just above Burnside and extending toward Lovejoy, where the streetcar deposits you. Blush Beauty Bar is like an independent, locally-owned Sephora, but with more personality and less sleekness. It was rocking with customers when I was there. Zelda's Shoe Bar is a tiny boutique with expensive European shoes from Claudia Ciuti and the like. I absolutely loved Souchi, probably one of Portland's best-known boutiques due to the in-house line of artfully draped and seamed sweaters. The sweaters are lovely and unique (although, it should be said, not inexpensive), however Portland was having record-breaking heat when I was there, and the last thing I wanted to think about was sweaters. Dana Lynn has a less weather-dependent selection of locally made jewelry and handbags (plus clothes too). I could've spent hours in Pop-Up Shoppe, a cave-like space featuring vintage clothing, toys, and various knickknacks; I spotted a vintage Biba dress--in my size--for $125 (or thereabouts), and I am still kicking myself for not having bought it. The one place I didn't make it to--but had really wanted to--in this neighborhood is Seaplane, which was, unfortunately, closed for renovations while I was there. Seaplane is known for carrying local designers, including a Portland gal you might have heard of, Leanne Marshall.

My favorite neighborhood, however, was just across the river, called Lower Burnside. Referred there by my friend MM (a Portland native) and armed with a list from the excellent Shop Vintage Portland, MW and I proceeded east, starting with Rock N Rose, which has a neat, well-organized selection for guys and girls with a rockabilly, indie sensibility. Hattie's Vintage had the most comprehensive selection we saw, and the owner definitely knew her stuff. It should be noted that the prices here were the highest I saw, but the owner was willing to negotiate, which is always a plus in this economy. MW hit the vintage Pendelton-shirt jackpot at Zeno Oddities, which, in addition to vintage clothing, also carries an amusing selection of velvet paintings and folk art. Bombshell Vintage had a lot of pretty dresses and very reasonable prices. Not vintage--but, hands down, one of my favorite stores in the city--is Redux, which feels kind of like being inside a real-life Etsy. It stocks a wide variety of jewelry from local designers, and prices are totally reasonable--I got a ring and two bracelets for less than $50. The store also hosts rotating fine artists, and features knickknacks, making it an excellent destination for gifts. Also worth visiting in the area is Hippo Hardware, a super-quirky, only-in-Portland hardware store featuring reproduction and vintage hardware, everything from plumbing fixtures to lights to doors and window; for those into architectural scavenging, it must be paradise. It reminded us of Horseman Antiques on Atlantic Avenue in both size and disorganization; unlike Horseman, its employees are incredibly cheerful and helpful. Finally, while you're in the neighborhood, I insist you have dinner at Le Pigeon, which is where MW and I had one of the best meals of our lives. If you can score a seat at the bar (as we did), you get to watch the chefs in action, which is almost as exciting as actually eating the food they're cooking. If you have enough room for a drink afterward, stop by the Jupiter Hotel's Doug Fir Lounge, where MW and I had a waiter who looked like Henry Rollins (but who was, again, incredibly nice!).

Sadly, three days in Portland was not enough--there were a bunch of neighborhoods, such as Hawthorne and North Mississippi-Williams, that we didn't even make it to. Then again, that's a good excuse to make a return trip, isn't it?
The week in shopping
OMG: Alexander McQueen clothing and accessories for men and women--spring/summer 2009 plus past collections--are 80% off. My credit cards are quivering with anticipation. 8/4–8/5; 9-7 Tues., 9-6 Wed.; Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Find some of my favorite designers--Isabel Marant, APC, Vanessa Bruno, Lewis Cho, and more--for 30%-75% off at Stuart & Wright's sample sale. 8/6–8/9; 10-8, noon-6 Sun.; 85 Lafayette Ave. (S. Portland Pl. & S. Elliott Pl. ), Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Everything must go at Mara Hoffman's sample sale--prices are up to 90% off, which means tops, dresses, and swimwear for $20-$80. 8/6-8/8; 10-7 Thurs. & Fri., 11-6 Sat.; 120 W. 28th St. (6th & 7th Aves.), #4-B.

Find Miss Sixty, Energie, and Staerk for $29.99 and under, which is ridiculously cheap. Through 8/9; 9-7 weekdays, 11-7 weekends; 260 5th Ave. (28th & 29th Sts.).

Affordable--and cute--accessories are even more so for 40% off at Ananas. 8/8–8/16; 11:30-7:30; 248 Elizabeth St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).

Score jackets, pants, dresses, shoes & accessories for up to 75% off at the Escada sample sale. 8/6-8/9; 10-8 Thurs., 10-6 Fri.-Sun.; Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

Thomas O'Brien's Aero is taking 25% off special order lighting and home accessories. 8/5–9/5; 11-6; 419 Broome St. (at Crosby St.).

Save up to 50% on wholesale prices at celeb favorite By Francine. 8/5-8/7; 10-5 Wed. & Thurs., 10-3 Fri.; 242 W. 38th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 9th fl.

Take 20% off fuzz fighters and body toners at blissworld.com with code HAIRY! 8/5-8/9, and/or get a free Love Handler cream with a $100 purchase with code FREELUV through 8/9.

Through 8/5, get 20% off final sale plus free shipping with code 20off at shopjake.com.

Take 15% off regular or sale items and 20% off clearance with code LASTCHANCE at Lord & Taylor through 8/11.

Use code SUMPROMO2 for an extra 20% off sale items at Cheryl Shops fave La Garçonne through midnight on 8/4.

At the Saks Contemporary Denim Event, spend $250-$499 on denim and receive a $50 gift card; spend $500+ and get a $100 gift card. Use code COTTON9 through 8/10.

Take 15% off your Delia*s order with code AUGUST through 8/17.

Get 15% off at Alloy.com with code ORDER15 through 8/17.

Use code dogdays for an extra 40% off sale items at Portland's Le Train Bleu through 8/4.

Score Lanvin, Givenchy, Alexander Wang, and other hot designers for 70% off at Kirna Zabete.

Take an extra 30% off sale items at Martin & Osa with code 96297719 through 8/4.

Get 20% off any $100 purchase from Bigelow Chemists with coupon code twenty through 8/31.

Get 25% off and free shipping at WHotelstheStore.com with code HEAT99 through 8/15.

Take an extra 25% off at Scoop; click here for stores.
TheFind guest post: Trina Turk’s Palm Springs Style

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Palm Springs is a jewel in the desert and boats iconic mid-century architecture, vintage furniture shops, and many luxe boutique hotels all touting the chic desert lifestyle. With all of the colors and inspirational sights in Palm Springs there is one name that comes to mind when you think of colorful vintage inspired fashion in Palm Springs, Trina Turk. Trina's success reaches far and wide these days with shops across California as well as New York and a pop-up store this summer in East Hampton. Inspired by the eclectic mix of cultures, landscapes and architecture of Los Angeles, Trina's vision is to create wearable and optimistic sportswear known for the excellent fit of pants and signature modernist prints.

Trina took a few minutes from her busy day to share her favorite hot spots in Palm Springs (and beyond) with us.

Favorite locals spot to get a bite to eat
For lunch: Norma’s at the Parker Palm Springs (designed by Jonathan Adler), El Mirasol
For dinner: Le Valluris or BBQ at home
For drinks: The groovy lobby of the Parker Palm Springs, Melvyn’s or cocktails at home by the pool

Favorite vintage store vintage shops (clothing and furniture -- besides her own store of course!). Bon Vivant, The Galleria, Modern Way, Studio 111—all of these are vintage home furnishings and accessories

Favorite spa getaway
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, CA or Ten Thousand Waves outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico

Best place for getting a glimpse of a celebrity
The Mercer Hotel in Soho.

Most inspirational place for Trina Turk's recent collection in Palm Springs or anywhere in the world. John Lautner’s Elrod house

Right now you can take a sneak peek at Trina's fall 09 collection below. The sportswear and dress collection consists of a palette of neutrals in black, grey and beige mixed with bold colorful prints and touches of vintage tailoring. We especially love Trina's take on short and 3/4 sleeve coats. Trina consistently features these types of jackets and they are ideal for daytime office wear. Some of the pieces are available now and others will be available in August and September.

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Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops