Shopchantal Stylefile

Genetic Denim

Everyone has their favorite denim style and we think that’s great, but what about giving a new style a try for 2010.  It is a new decade and a new opportunity to expand your wardrobe is quite possibly the easiest place- your denim closet.

The styles for Spring 2010 are some new trends and some carry overs from Fall that we just love. Here is a quick overview and an idea or two to inspire you to try something new.

The Denim Legging: Commonly referred to as the “Jegging“, this style comes in a variety of denim weights and tends to be in the darker ranges.  We have 4 styles of the denim legging from 4 different designers and each one is fast becoming a favorite of many.

Staff Pick: the Current/Elliott because I love the blue tone and larger pocket.

The Embellished Jean: Long standing reign over this style has been Rock & Republic, but recently we are seeing other designers throwing their versions onto the scene.  This trend ranges from studded details like the popular studded BLANK skinnie classique to prominent stitching not only on the pocket from PRVCY Premium, but elsewhere on the denim.

Most Anticipated Style for Spring: Genetic Denim’s Mesh Studded Inlay jean (AVAILABLE IN STORE NOW).  With just a hint of studded mesh peeking through on various parts of the jean, you get a bit of edge.

The Boyfriend Skinny: Not entirely new for Spring, but the versions we have and are expecting are much more refined.  Malibu’s CoCo Boyfriend Skinny is a great way to wear the skinny jean in a more relaxed style. And with a touch of cashmere in each jean, these will fast become your most- wanted denim.

Style Share: Wear this style cuffed with some Joie Oxfords or Ballet Flats for a fresh take on the Classic Hepburn look

The Denim Sweatpant: We can’t believe it ourselves, but the inspiration must be from our favorite fashion icon of all time: Carrie Bradshaw.  We saw this elastic bottom pant in Sex And The City - The Movie and almost fell off our cinema seats.  We swooned until we were finally shown the styles last year and of course, ordered it straight away.  Styled to wear relaxed with the elastic band scrunched up or worn long - all with a high heel, this is certainly going to be a new trend to watch.

See it when: Available NOW from Genetic Denim, The Val is surely giving us something new to style to show you some fun looks on the site. So far, we are having a ball.

And don’t forget about the great new washes, including the still popular distressed with paint splatters from Current/Elliott, acid wash versions, colored denim is always as a Spring trend and we are loving the crisp white denim offered in many styles this season.  Check out Blank Denim’s skinny white denim with the Ankle Zip detail.

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Newly Arrived Collection! In Store Now. Available Online Soon.

Oonagh, meaning “pure” in Scottish, is the newest diffusion line from Nanette Lepore. Mostly known for her bohemian mix of prints and patterns and eclectic details and embellishments, this line is a departure from what we all consider “Nanette”.  Her traditional collection of tailored suits with ruffles and flirty cami’s with beading most certainly have a place in all our closets somewhere- some more prominent that others - which is why Nanette ventured into a different realm with her new line, Oonagh.

Oonagh is more than just your basic tee and tunic line.  The line is the perfect fusion of what you expect from Nanette’s quality and style but with a young and fresh twist.  Slouchy styles, criss cross strapping, bold pops of color and stripes that actually flatter the figure.  All is a jersey or blend, these tops and tunics are the perfect pieces to wear back to your leggings with boots or flats.  In some cases, some of the pieces are great blended with - dare we say - embellished denim such as the studded pocket and motocross styles.

Already a celebrity and press darling, Oonagh is making a statement by being more than just your basic tee shirt line by reaching an audience Nanette has never been able to reach before: the more casual dresser. Some have even ventured to say Nanette has actually broken into the “tough girl” fashionista wardrobe.

If you have been been a fan of Nanette in the past or are new to the designer or if you are one of the above mentioned styles,  this line will live up the highest expectations and promises to not disappoint.

We expect our first shipment in Early February 2010. Sign up for our email newsletter to get the first look at this amazing new line.

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The combinination of classic black paired with fresh white is always welcome at chantal./shopchantal.com and it is our first addition to our new Lookbook category focusing on Trend Alerts for Spring/Summer 2010.

And for Spring/Summer 2010 our love continues to grow for Black and White with the new ways to mix it up  from our newest designer collections.

The blazer is a piece you absolutely have to have in your wardrobe- whether you prefer black to white or vice versa doesn’t even matter.  It is the essential piece to have and wear for Spring/Summer 2010. We love the versions from Elizabeth and James and the also from Monrow.  Or try a little crop jacket from Shoshanna if you like the shorter style. Layered over a white tee or a black dress this is the ultimate black/white combo.

Stripes in black and white are the epitomy of chic and this BCBGMAXAZRIA dress not only includes the stripes but a paperbag style skirt as well.  This is the ultimate easy dress.  Stripes in any form are always a fun way to make an outfit your very own. Whether it is a stripe tee or a tank dress, you can always make stripes an easy layering pattern.

Loving tank tops all year round is not a crime especially if it’s this version from BCBGMAXAZRIA.  Available in clean, crisp white or edgy black this tank has printed and draped necklaces. Layered with leggings or black denim and a jacket or long sweater, this tank is the perfect dress it up, dress it down piece.

Whether you like a graphic print, animal print or are are fan of the florals, you will find all them all available in some form or another in a black and white.  The easiest way to wear black and white - accessories.  Shoes, handbags and scarves can all be worked into your Spring update of this fabulous new trend.

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New Year. New Decade. New Season. New Styles. New Designers. We are excite about it all. 

Spring 2010 is turning out to be full of great trends, both new and carry-overs from last season, and fun styles that range from new denim to colorful accessories.

We had a ton of fun doing a few transistional pieces for our new lookbook pages including 2 ways to wear it.  We styled the Elizabeth and James famous Jessica dress two ways.  Simple additions of a Splendid turtleneck and leggings made it possible to buy this dress now, wear it now and of course, wear it later.

The James Blazer from Elizabeth and James in White was another fun trend to style two ways. Paired with denim for wearing now and then for later with a maxi dress and scarf, this is a piece that transcends seasons.

We’ve also updated out Denim Trends Lookbook with the addition of the one of the most popular styles for Spring, the Slouchy Skinny.  This relaxed skinny style is the easiest way to transisiton into this style for those wanting a more relaxed skinny jeans and for those wary of the skinny style. You can also see our Denim for Women link at the top of each page to see more trends and specific product shots.

New accessories are pouring in everyday and our accessory spotlight has lots of new pages to show ways to wear the the ever-popular scarf.  Whether you like the colorful tie dye look or the more subtle polka dot trend, scarves are the easiest way to wear Spring 2010 before it even hits.   Which by the way, is officially March 20, 2010. 

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2009 was an interesting year for everyone and we are excited that we can still bring you new and fresh designers and  looks on our site and in the store for the new year.

We’ve already introduced you to Mike & Chris and also to Monrow.  Amazing designers, amazing prices.  We think you will love what they have to offer to your wardrobe.  That is why we are carrying them in the first place.  And new Denim Designers: [BLANK] Denim, Malibu Denim and PRVCY Premium are giving us just one more reason to buy more jeans.

Although BCBGMAXAZRIA needs to no introduction, we wanted to give a warm welcome anyway and give you a little history behind Max Azria and his every growing empire - which by the way, includes us and most importantly, you.

BCBG is an acronym for the French term Bon Chic, Bon Genre meaning Good Style, Good Attitude– 2 things we aspire to be and to have - all for the benefit of our customers.  

How could we not include a designer with our same fashion/lifestyle beliefs, right!  The spirit of BCBGMAXAZRIA is the basis for the Maz Azria brand and has made them an international stylehouse.  Tunisian born, Paris- raised, Los Angeles - based – This is Max Azria.  An international designer who has redefined the contemporary category by offering world-inspired pieces that are right on trend - and in the forefront of the trends- and all at affordable prices.

Our first introduction to you at shopchantal.com and at chantal.  has had an amazing response. The Necklace T-shirt Tank is available in Black and in White and is great under a blazer or over a long sleeve tee.  The Bandage Mini is a Herve Leger-inspired piece currently available in Azalea but we’ve ordered it in black and many other colors for the coming seasons. BTW, Max Azria purchased the Herve Leger house in 1998 and in 2007 began incorporating the inspiration under his design direction (Herve Leger by Max Azria) making the couture house accessible at a contempory collection level.

We also have 2 new BCBGMAXAXRIA collections in store now that will be up on shopchantal.com in the coming days. You won’t believe how great the pieces are and how easy they are to incorporate into your wardrobe. And you must try the bandage skirt- you won’t believe how absolutely fabulous it makes you look and feel.

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NEWS FLASH:  Daily Candy Everywhere did a really nice write up on Plush today too.  Check it out here (after you read our blog first, of course!)

The Winter season has finally arrived and most of us found ourselves completely unprepared.  Lack of new hats, gloves and a new coat is a common overheard conversation.

It’s not that we don’t know or realize that winter weather is coming. It is that in most cases, we just don’t want it to come.  It’s cold, it’s snowy and most of all, it is hard to wear heels when the sidewalks are covered in ice.

This year we have a little something- actually somethingS- to get you excited about dressing for the colder months: Plush Fleeced Lined leggings, tights and arm warmers.

The tights are an opaque black tight that is available in a full foot version like a true tight or footless version more like a legging.  Now you can pull out your minis and your dresses and wear them all season long. 

We also love these tights under our distressed jeans or under denim shorts (yes, this is an acceptable way to wear them). 

The Plush Denim leggings are also fleeced lined and are so amazing.  Paired with boots and a chunky knit sweater, these leggings are more than just your basic black.

And something every arm-bearing, sleeveless wearing girl must have this season…. fleece lined arm warmers. We love to wear these with our favorite tanks and short sleeves tops for some warm under our winter coats.  But, we also wear them long after the coat is removed.  I can’t wait to wear them with a faux fur vest in the Spring as well!

Check out selection of Plush Fleeced Lined items.  We truly sell out of these faster than you would ever believe!

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We all love Shoshanna’s swim styles and wear them all summer long.  Our customers love them too! Every year we get so excited when we see the line-up of her swim collection at Coterie.  For the past three years, shopchantal.com & chantal. has carried her swim collection and every year the prints, selection of styles, and different ways to pair her separates gets better & better! 

As some of you may remember, Shoshanna teamed up with her bff, Charlotte Ronson, last year to bring us one of the best collaborations between two designers that we have ever seen–Made With Love.  Swim that stayed true to the Shoshanna fit we have all come to know in prints with fun, boho inspired details (rope ties & wooden beads) that the two designed together.  Needless to say, the addition of their collaboration both to the store & website was a huge hit, and we couldn’t be more excited to tell you that the duo was at it again for Spring 2010.

Made With Love

 Looking for something now:  Check out the amazing deals we have on our swim selection now.  Great styles, Great Prints and Great Fits - everything you’ve grown to love and expect from Shoshanna. 

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