Courtesy of the fashion industry’s seasonal cycle, now’s when things get good for bargain huntresses with stylish aim. Stores are starting to move out summer merch, and we’ve still got plenty of warm-weather months to wear the duds we snatch up on sale. The discounts head all the way up to 70-percent off at forward-thinking Main Line clothing boutique State of Grace, now through July. Look for deals on lines by Rachel Pally, Kensie, Sweetees, and Max and Cleo. Just don’t forget to put the savings in the bank — so you can splurge on fall collections asap, of course.
Image, candccalifornia.com
Like most females I know, I’ve been putting off bathing suit shopping for, well, years. (That bikini I’ve been sporting? It’s from — gulp — high school). But when my fiancé and I booked our Hawaiian honeymoon a few days ago, I decided it was finally time to update my beachwear.
Rather than subject my pale self to the super-harsh fluorescent lighting of department store dressing rooms, I happily shopped from the safety of my cubicle, ordering up a ton of ridiculously on-sale (25-50% off!!!) suits from Vicki’s, like this delicious jade bandeau-top bikini with chunky jeweled accents, shown. Even better? With their humongous sale, you can afford to buy enough to save you from having to bathing-suit-shop for at least another 10 years.
On a trip to Media, I stopped at adorable Sorella Boutique and the store was just busting with new spring goods. While combing through the racks, I stumbled upon what instantly became a summer wardrobe staple.
These jeans from Level 99 not only have an easy I’m-not-trying-too-hard summer vibe with their perfect shade of blue and wide leg, but they are made of the lightest denim known to man, so I can stay cool. And at $108, they are priced right for a seasonal look. All the sudden, my skinnies are looking too hot (and not in a good way).
Now that it’s officially summer (despite the annoyingly chilly temps), you’re probably aching to splurge on warm-weather goods: new sandals, tank tops, shorts, sunglasses. But just hold off a teeny bit longer on those shades — trust us. By the end of the month, Margot & Camille Optique owner Valerie Vittu will be stocking the shelves of her cozy eyewear boutique with Tom Ford’s just-released line of sunglasses. All sleek lines and non-scratchable glass lenses, the shades in his Sun Collection are ever-so-slightly retro — cool aviators and acetate styles for him and softly square wrap-arounds for her.
Vittu will be carrying 13 of Tom Ford’s delicious designs — including this rectangular T44 Christopher pair, $395, shown — most of which come in several colors (shiny black, rich tortoiseshell, transparent olive green). So, for the next two weeks, satisfy your summer shopping urges with flip-flops and breezy sundresses — once you’ve slipped on your new pair of shades, you’ll be happy you held out. And isn’t Tom Ford worth the wait?
This Friday, after breaking out of work (hopefully a little early) and beelining it down the Shore (hopefully without traffic), pop into Queen Village’s very own Bus Stop Boutique, where owner Elena Brennan is throwing a Sex and the City party from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
As if we needed another reason to come in and scoop up the latest from Repetto and Farylrobin, the party will have cocktails and nibbles, plus SATC trivia and prizes (free movie passes, anyone?)
Quick! Name three designers who do their best work in warm weather: Lilly Pulitzer, Emilio Pucci and, more recently, Amy Smilovic, founder of Tibi, and, as far as we’re concerned, the creative offspring of the first two.
Smilovic’s in town on Friday for a private trunk show at very trunk-showy Kimberly Boutique. Which means, you can, 1.) Stalk the shop and beg whoever answers to add your name to the list. Or, 2.), You could just pop in Saturday to scour the racks for the here-that-day, gone-the-next pieces from Tibi’s beach-y, swirly, maxi-dressed, hippie-chick-meets-Palm-Beach-socialite summer 2008 collection. Because as far as we’re concerned, summer’s here.
Image, tibi.com
Ah, Gap. Ever-reliant, fundamentals retail heaven. Especially when you hit one of those stores where Gap Body is combined with the main store, like ours is on Walnut Street. About once a year I stock up on layering white camis, cropped workout (/lounging) pants, comfy hoodies and super soft v-neck Ts. Plus, there’s usually a wildcard item or two throw in, depending on the season. And this spring’s visit was no different.
Behold Gap’s striped tank dress for spring/summer 2008. It comes in an array of colors, is made of that super soft cotton, comes in a rainbow of colors, and will be as perfect to throw on after work and sleep in as it will be as a hot summer’s day go-to and the quintessential beach cover-up. Leggings optional.
Seeing as I’ll definitely use it as all of those, I bought it in two colors (love the tangerine!).
For now.
Gap striped tank dress, $24.50, various locations, gap.com.
Bathing suit season is in sight. And, for the first time in a long time, I honestly can’t wait for its arrival. Not because I’m in bod-bearing shape — far from it — but because this summer, I, a genetically predisposed bikini hoarder (I swear, my sister keeps a stash dating back to the late 70s under a bed at our beach house) will, after eons of waiting, have a new place to fuel my two-piece addiction.
When the Borgata’s Water Club — you know, that giant, separate hotel tower that promises to become to A.C. what the Four Seasons is to Philly — opens this June, in it will be our region’s very first dedicated La Perla. The shop has vowed to stock the Italian designer’s famously sexy underthings, tastefully flowy garments, and, best of all, its skimpy to ornate swimwear. I’m hoping they’ll have this oh-so collectible little number.
$440 at La Perla for right now, online at laperla.com, but come June, at The Water Club at Borgata, 1 Renaissance Way, Atlantic City, 609-317-8888; TheWaterClubatBorgata.com.
I’m heading off to the beach for a week (wahoo!) and while I’m typically the girl in the super-conservative, all-black, one-piece bathing suit (think Speedo with a high-neck and zipper-back and Calvin Klein with thick straps), this summer I’ve found the two-piece solution for, well, busty babes who like to surf, swim, and otherwise not sit still: It’s Speedo’s Axcelerate ’08 Cruise Collection.
In my eternal quest to catch the very tail end of every fashion trend (and, coincidentally, every season), I finally picked me up some Havaianas. Figured I’m just in time for winter. And for the next big flip-flop to usurp the shoe scene.
Courtesy of the fashion industry’s seasonal cycle, now’s when things get good for bargain huntresses with stylish aim. Stores are starting to move out summer merch, and we’ve still got plenty of warm-weather months to wear the duds we snatch up on sale. The discounts head all the way up to 70-percent off at forward-thinking Main Line clothing boutique State of Grace, now through July. Look for deals on lines by Rachel Pally, Kensie, Sweetees, and Max and Cleo. Just don’t forget to put the savings in the bank — so you can splurge on fall collections asap, of course.
Like most females I know, I’ve been putting off bathing suit shopping for, well, years. (That bikini I’ve been sporting? It’s from — gulp — high school). But when my fiancé and I booked our Hawaiian honeymoon a few days ago, I decided it was finally time to update my beachwear. 
On a trip to Media, I stopped at adorable 
Now that it’s officially summer (despite the annoyingly chilly temps), you’re probably aching to splurge on warm-weather goods: new sandals, tank tops, shorts, sunglasses. But just hold off a teeny bit longer on those shades — trust us. By the end of the month, 
This Friday, after breaking out of work (hopefully a little early) and beelining it down the Shore (hopefully without traffic), pop into Queen Village’s very own 
Quick! Name three designers who do their best work in warm weather: Lilly Pulitzer, Emilio Pucci and, more recently, Amy Smilovic, founder of Tibi, and, as far as we’re concerned, the creative offspring of the first two. 
Ah, Gap. Ever-reliant, fundamentals retail heaven. Especially when you hit one of those stores where Gap Body is combined with the main store, like ours is on Walnut Street. About once a year I stock up on layering white camis, cropped workout (/lounging) pants, comfy hoodies and super soft v-neck Ts. Plus, there’s usually a wildcard item or two throw in, depending on the season. And this spring’s visit was no different. 
Bathing suit season is in sight. And, for the first time in a long time, I honestly can’t wait for its arrival. Not because I’m in bod-bearing shape — far from it — but because this summer, I, a genetically predisposed bikini hoarder (I swear, my sister keeps a stash dating back to the late 70s under a bed at our beach house) will, after eons of waiting, have a new place to fuel my two-piece addiction. 
I’m heading off to the beach for a week (wahoo!) and while I’m typically the girl in the super-conservative, all-black, one-piece bathing suit (think Speedo with a high-neck and zipper-back and Calvin Klein with thick straps), this summer I’ve found the two-piece solution for, well, busty babes who like to surf, swim, and otherwise not sit still: It’s Speedo’s Axcelerate ’08 Cruise Collection. 
In my eternal quest to catch the very tail end of every fashion trend (and, coincidentally, every season), I finally picked me up some Havaianas. Figured I’m just in time for winter. And for the next big flip-flop to usurp the shoe scene.