Shop Chantal Style File

Summer is still in season and the warm weather is fast approaching.  Luckily we are totally prepared thanks to our amazing selection of summer dresses from Beau Soleil.

Our shop fav is the Beau Soleil Beau Slouch in Black for a cute mini style.

But we can’t resist the beau Soleil Beau Julius in Stone for our evening summer party schedule.

This collection truly is the best of both worlds.  Stylish and easy to wear and accessorize.  The 100% bamboo is a very soft, breathable fabric too.  The quality is impeccable and the fits are so right on.

Other favorite summer dress designers include  Splendid, Ella Moss and Graham & Spencer. Each has a selection worthy of a summer day.

Stop in and see our selection of Beau Soleil and all our other great summer desses at chantal. or see this great new designer to the ever growing list of amazing new designers added to shopchantal.com.

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Our adoration for Current/Elliott has evolved into a love of not ony the boyfriend style pant, but slouchy styles in general.  And, our love has grown from denim to silk.

The style has been going through some growing pains, but we think they’ve finally settled and the outcome is amazing.  Not to be confused with the Harem Pant, the slouchy pant has a real relaxed fit, but the crotch is not exaggerated.  We didn’t go there because the Harem Pant is a difficult trend to wear.  And we are jsut so in love with just the Slouch pant look.

Nanette Lepore’s newest collection has a pant we can’t seem to get enough of and want to wear this style all the time now.

Her Pre-Fall/Transition collection includes a skinny, slouchy, silk pant that has a button closure at the hemline so it can be made even skinner -perfect for pulling up the calf to rock the crop.  We love it paired back to a bright colored summer tank and layered with her leapord print jacket and the a pair of Pour la Victoire heels.

Nanette Lepore

Pencey Hobo Pant details

And, you must know by now how much we love Pencey.  Their slouchy hobo pant in grey is beyond amazing.  Not only is a great slouchy style, but it has ink drawings and stitch details all over it.  It looks cute long and rolled up to show off some great heels.  Because it fits like a man trouser, it works with flowing tops as well as fitted.

Graham & Spencer did the banded bottom in their slouchy pant this season. And it is black, making it perfect for a night out in the city.  Super cute with flats and a fitted tee.  The secret here is to define the waist with a belt or short, crop jacket.

We are looking forward to more of this style and will keep you posted as more collections arrive.

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Long ago, at a job far, far away, I had a woman boss with tremendous style and flair (and yes, brains).

She wore the classic styles, but always in a bright color,  She had a short, chic haircut, but it was always just a bit messy, making it very sassy.  One of her true signatures was the layering of the David Yurman bracelets. They were LOUD and they were gorgeous and she never took them off.

This was her style and I will never forget it.

I’m reminded of it because I have recently found my “David Yurmanish” look.  My DY style meets more of my look and lifestyle: Bracelets by Alex and Ani.  I am having fun layering these bracelets with lots of different looks and outfits.

My two new favs to layer are the Nile Beaded Expandable Wire set in Hematite paired with the new Quill Feather Single Expandable Bracelet.  I love the look and the Hematite ( a glossy brownish-black tone) works great with the Russian Silver of the Feather.  Very Edgy yet Chic.

The Nile set is a set of 7 bracelets priced at $158. for the set and the Quill Feather is only $48.  More metals are available in these styles and others.

Just thought I’d share and give you a little fashion distraction today.

See more Alex and Ani at chantal./shopchantal.com

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Whether it is a work meeting, a weekend event or a night out, you can’t deny the beauty and ease of a “Little Black Dress” (LBD). The right fabric, the fit and the fashion of an LBD are important.

We love that each season our designers can still amaze us with the most gorgeous, new and always fresh styles of the LBD.  There is a time and place for the basic shift (sans pearl choker, please), but we want our LBD to be more current and with some style that speaks to today’s trends.  That is why we want all the new styles out now. They are modern classics and wearable in so many different ways. Here are some of our favs.

Shoshanna is a master.  A bit of pleating here, a little ruffle there.  These are dresses that you can most definitely wear from day to night with a change of shoes and handbag.

Joie has the talent to take the most simple of silouettes- the t-shirt into something special.  Turn the t-shirt it into a dress made of washed silk and it becomes the perfect throw on for a night out.  We love it worn alone and also accessorized with a belt and some long chains. Whichever your mood or event, this LBD is a blank canvas.

Our newest designer, Beau Soleil, has a great, slouchy dress called. . . yes, the Beau Slouch. Full sleeves and a mini style make it modern and fresh with a level of comfort we can’t resist. This is a great piece for wearing on the weekend around town doing some shopping or our for brunch with friends and family.

So, whatever your need or event, take another look at the LBD.  We suggest pairing it up with some color for day and neutral for night.

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The Mini - in all it’s forms- a skirt, a dress and even a jumper and jumpsuit dates back to the 60’s and is clarified by a hemline about 7.9″ above the knee.  That’s not as short as you’d think. And, it actually gives you the opportunity to show some leg (if you dare), flash a pair of colored tights or leggings and even wear over your skinny jeans. It’s a fun piece and one that everyone should have in their closet for Summer.

Rhianna is one celebrity who knows how to pull of The Mini with style and individuality.

The Mini can definitely be referred to a trendworthy piece since it withstands the test of time.  When I use the term “Trendworthy”, I am using it to refer to a piece or a collection of pieces that are often considered “trendy” but in reality are pieces that are “worth” the purchase because of the longstanding wearability.

We are having some fun with some really great mini pieces this summer.  The Beau Soleil dresses are so easy to wear and drape beautifully.  We love these paired with a pair of short boots and a Splendid Vest- a great summer concert look!

Joie did the Chiara dress that we keep selling out of because it has a great boho vibe and is so wearable.  It looks great over skinny crop denim and leggings, but works well alone as a real feminine style.

Haute Hippie has designed a Shirtdress that floats over your body beautifully, but also works belted and layered over leggings.  And the color is amazing - we love it paired back to brights and neutrals.

Our collection of Mini styles certainly has legs (sorry, I couldn’t resist using that!) making it easy to add it to your wardrobe as a “go-to” piece.

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With only 2 more days until the official start of Summer 2009, we thought we’d celebrate the season with a 20% off promotion on all our summer shoes & handbags and our wonderful selection of swimwear.

Choose from great designers such as Shoshanna & Ella Moss for swimwear.  For men, we have a great style from Penguin that should not be missed.  All 20% off.

And, it really is time to switch out your winter handbag and carry something more seasonal.  Foley + Corinna  & Donald Pliner did amazing summer style bags that are perfect for all the summer essentials.  Now is the time to get one.

Summer sandals in a heel or flat, whichever your style (or passion) are a must for hot weather events or just the daily grind.  Pour La Victoire, Rebecca Taylor and Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent are all comfortable and stylish choices.

Visit shopchantal.com and use promo codes: bags20, shoes20 or swim20 and receive 20% off all these items.

Or stop in and see us in Portand Maine @ 195 Middle Street.  We look forward to your visit.

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We all have our vision of the perfect summer dress.

A Short Style for those hot days.

A Halter to show off our tan.

A Maxi Style to wear with our fav flats.

A Strapless Style to show just a bit of skin.

Or the Classic Style because it is what looks the best on us.

Whatever your vision is of the perfect dress, it is has to be easy to wear and accessorize. That is what summer dressing is all about.  Pair with great heels or the hot gladiator sandal, a selection of bracelets and a large handbag to complete the ideal summer outfit.  It really is that easy, but it all starts with a great dress.

Our must have designers for Simple Summer Dresses are Splendid, Ella Moss and new arrival at shopchantal: Beau Soleil.  Each of these designers works with soft, drapey, comfortable fabrics including Cotton, Modal and even Bamboo to design dresses that fit the body and flow in all the right places.

So, whether you have a picnic for work or play, a beach party or just a day strolling around town, you need to have the must-have simple summer dress.  It will be your go to dress so much that you may need more than one.

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With a change of shoes comes of change of attitude.  Ask any woman- it’s true.   Not only do you feel differently, but you walk differently (this is medically proven I swear!- I’m still trying to find the link for this blog).  And think about how great your legs look and how immediately your posture improves.  All good things when trying to look sleek and slim in our summer mini dresses.

This season we are loving all the heels from Pour La Victoire and the fact that they are so overwhelmingly comfortable just makes it all that much easier to wear them everyday.

Sabrina Heel in Nude Nubuck

With a padded platform in front - up to an inch and a half on some styles- you don’t really feel like you are walking in a a 4.5″ heel.  That is the beauty of innovation and design.  We get to look and feel almost five inches taller and still feel great at the end of the day.

Pour La Victoire also does the most amazing leathers and detailing.  My fav is the Ange Platform Sandal in Whiskey.  It is a gorgeous neutral leather with studs - perfect for my Shoshanna dress that can look too dressy for day if not paired with the right accessories.  This shoe helps makes it easier for me to wear during the day, but also takes me out to dinner right after work.  I love that!

Rebecca Taylor also did some great towering styles this season.  Her Cut Out Platform boot is still wearable even into June.  And the Carrie Studded Platform Heel looks great with everything we try it with and is also really comfortable with it’s extra padding and criss cross straps.

Celia Cut Out Bootie

So, will you be reaching for new heights this summer in your heels?  We know we will.

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You must admit, one of the wonderful things about summer- on the list of about a million! -  is the option of wearing a single item piece - i.e. the dress.

Paired with great shoes and a handbag and accessorized at will, the dress allows us the ability to be ready in no time for a day at the office, lunch with our favorite friends or for a shopping trip around town.

It also works when planning a night out of dinner and drinks - and for many - perhaps dancing.

The perfect dress for all these activities and events is the Shirt Dress.  A favorite of many designers and always in their collections, the Shirt Dress is a must have in every closet.

We love the ability to wear this dress from day to night as well.  It can look casual with flats and big handbag for the day and then sassed up a bit with some heels and a great clutch for evening.   All without looking overdone.

Edun’s Zimba Dress is a great combination of silks with some amazing shoulder details.

Want more color?  Check out the Haute Hippie Dolman Shirtdress in Tomato!

The Shirt Dress is the easiest dress to add to your wardrobe and even easier to wear.

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We’ve always loved the Bohemian look, but not until recently have we all embraced it with such passion.  I think it is because the “new” boho is a more sophisticated take on the boho looks of the past seasons.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively is a perfect example of the new take on chic, boho. She embodies the effortless style with a laid back vibe and she does it beautifully in all the designers she wears.

Of course, celebs and designers have dabbled with boho for many seasons. Joie has always designed collections with subtle boho looks such as their best seller cotton voile, embroidered tops. Everyone’s favorite, Rebecca Taylor plays with feminine boho touches in every collection with her use of beading and threading.  Nanette Lepore has the ability to transend into a boho realm with her amazing use of pleating and fabric choices. Alex and Ani have even included boho inspired pieces such a their feather headband and groups of bangles using natural wood beads into their collections.

Our newest designer, Haute Hippie, has it played out in their name perfectly. Haute: meaning “high” in French and Hippie: described as an influentual movement that embraced spiritual and cultural diversity.

Haute Hippie really is just as you would think.  It has boho influences in style and design and in company culture.  They also have high standards in all those same areas creating a company and collections that intertwine Haute & Hippie aesthetics.

Chic, Sophisticated, Classic and Boho - an amazing way to get dressed in the morning.

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