Top Shop $36

Victoria’s Secret actually came through with a diamond in the rough bikini this season!  So simple, so feminine, and one of the best things about a minimal bathing suit - you don’t look like you’re trying too hard.

$32.50 Shop Victoria’sSecret.com

In need of a serious graphic tee overhaul in your closet? Threadless.com sells graphic tshirts starting at $9 – and not for lack of quality or design. The one design, “The Things I’ve Swallowed” – really, really reminds me of an artist I’m a big fan of - Erik Parker. Even though it’s not, you know the taste level is there, and for 9 bucks you don’t have to hold back or edit your selection.

Shop Threadless.com

The Things I’ve Swallowed

Citrust Me

Stick Figures in Peril

Erik Parker Image taken from Mocoloco.com

So I had thought that Express was moving in a more refined and forward direction with their most recent Holiday assortment - but CLEARLY not with this unnecessary flash back to dorm life & pointy toed heels.  I’m convinced that this camisole/négligée/boudoir wardrobe as ready to wear was a look coined by LA.  This look was the “going out” uniform for all undergrads circa 2003, with some flare jeans and perhaps chandelier earrings thrown in to impress (for normal college kids - that cute, yet always hammered frat boy - but for FIT girls mostly a bouncer or old man who will buy you dirty martinis).  Regardless of incentive, I hope it takes a lot more than Express to bring this trend back, especially to mass.  It wasn’t that long ago, it doesn’t need to be resurfaced - and apparel has been moving in such a feminine and polished direction, I’d hate to see it go back to the days of glorified lingerie that screams beer pong.

I’m not sure exactly how Gap’s markdown cadence works, but in Austin I was able to snag a cream version of this cashmere cardi for $29.99! It’s still a steal at $42.99 online, as the original price is $118 - and although it’s not Ralph Lauren cashmere, it still feels super lux to the touch. I would definitely recommend running out to the store, though - the color assortment even for sale was pretty vast - I really, really wanted the bright orange to go along with the whole Tangerine & Pink vibe I’ve been feeling lately (see post: Fresh & Fruity - Fuchsia & Tangerine for Spring) - but it had a makeup stain, so be careful and shop smart! As sizing goes, the cardi’s are of the boyfriend kind - so if they don’t have your size, buying a size or two up is absolutely justifiable with some latex leggings and cinched waist belt.

Visit Gap.com

The Victoria’s Secret bathing suit catalog was mailed out this week, and I was so excited to see the new styles but so disappointed while flipping through and realizing that it’s the result of a realllly bad last quarter. If anyone is really into the industry - Yahoo finance by retail sector is a great resource for apparel biz news, which is where I’ll often read about wholesaler inventory being way down this year.   That means retailers like Victoria’s Secret aren’t buying that forward 50’s pinup suit this year because they can’t bank on the consumer to show up for it – so the wholesaler (design team) essentially scales back their style production.

What’s even crazier, as I hope this is the explanation for it and the cute suits aren’t gone forever – is that they featured a $300 crystal encrusted swimsuit on the cover. In reality, this reads not a penny over $60 worth – but what could be cute, inexpensive beading is instead Swarovski.  Limited Brands - get your stuff together and put a key item feature on the cover (mix & match suits) that will actually drive people to spend.  It’s so saddening because Victoria’s Secret swimsuits are always so playful, colorful, something for not only every body type - but every personality, and I always end up having to edit down 10 choices to 2 because of the incredible offering.

So, because I couldn’t find anything worthwhile, I’ve hunted down some adorable looks elsewhere:

Betsey Johnson $200ish (expensive, sorry!)

Urban Outfitters $98

Delia*s $44.50

Top Shop $50

A’Gaci is a new chain I discovered since moving to Texas (strange it’s a different world down here) - but also started seeing popping up in magazines left and right - Lucky, In Style, you name it. This seems to be happening a lot with boutiques lately - the story being that A’Gaci was started as a single store in downtown San Antonio, and developed into a chain of stores all over the Southwest. Chick Downtown (ads on Perez Hilton) - did the same but in Pittsburgh, and developed a huge ecomm site rather than brick & mortar stores (like a Shop Bop of sorts). As with most fast fashion chains, you have to exercise your editing skills when shopping - because the selection is very wide and so is the taste level - just like Forever 21. For every cheetah print something, there’s a chic ruffle, pearl, or heel. It’s the thrill of the hunt right?

Necklace $5.50

Beret $10.50

Ring $4.50

Belt $10.50

Legging $12.50

Shop www.AgaciStore.com

Revolve is a fairly new site for me - I’ve always known about it, but never really invested in it until looking at the sale section with this current climate. Revolve is very comparable to Shop Bop - it’s your Intermix when you don’t live in a city with Intermix - carrying every contemporary designer under the sun. What I like a little bit more than Shop Bop, however, is they carry a wider price point range - starting around $100 rather than what seems a sea of $250+ on the Bop.   There are also designers featured I’ve never heard of - which I crave - so you not only become ahead of the class in terms of street cred, you’re also wearing pieces nobody else will be (you can’t say the same for Marc by Marc or Dolce Vita). And, once they’re on sale - there’s no telling how far you’ll go.

Mike & Chris Brennan jacket $50 (orig $200)

Betsey Johnson tie pump $50 (orig $200)

Dallin Chase dress $62 (orig $246)

Rebel Yell Texas tee $19 (orig $73)

The absolute cutest gift, with no real purpose, that I’ve seen in a long time. Ever since I spotted these - it’s been running through my head who I should get them for. I don’t know anyone super into cards, but I know A LOT of people into Tiffany.

Shop Tiffany argyle playing cards $30

For those of you who don’t know what Shop Bop is - get there ASAP! Shop Bop is a contemporary online retailer that is never lacking in noteworthy sales or noteworthy designers. In the beginning of the season, I like to use the site as inspiration - at the end of the season, I scope out the sales (I can only ever go for 70% off) - and I find some insane form of justification in buying a cotton dress for more than $50 (which I KNOW is all it could possibly cost at wholesale). What’s lovely about Shop Bop is that they carry designers you really only find at the best of Saks - if that (Rogan, Rag & Bone, Elizabeth & James). Here in Austin we have been graced with the presence of American materialism that is the Domain (an upscale shopping center) - where there’s a Barney’s Co Op and Intermix, but others aren’t so lucky - so ecommerce and the likes of Shop Bop are heaven sent. It definitely took me leaving New York to realize that the fantastic flagships we had in the city don’t exist anywhere else - and if I had the resources, I would have bought out every last one. Such is life!

Robert Rodriguez silk chiffon dress $125 (orig $418)

Botkier Stevie Satchel $142 (orig $475)

Accessories & Beyond bracelet $46 (orig $154)

Cynthia Rowley dress $108 (orig $363)