Shopchantal Stylefile

It’s official. We have a sibling.  A baby sister site, if  you will.  And, she is not wearing our hand me downs. She is wearing new items from the best designers and with a mantra of “STILL IN STYLE. NOW ON SALE.”, she is gearing up to be a well dressed, financial guru as well.

With a great write up from Grechenscloset.com, this new site is well on it’s way to some fun blogging and shopping.

With a  list including top contemporary designers such as Nanette Lepore, Shoshanna, Rebecca Taylor, Genetic Denim, Trina Turk and a handful of others, www.designersalerack.com is the little sister site of www.shopchantal.com, a website dedicated to offering the hottest selection of contemporary collections for Women & Men.  Designersalerack.com also offers great sale items for men too including selections from VelvetMens, Original Penguin, Earnest Sewn and more.

You can also visit designersalerack.com from shopchantal.com sale for women and sale for men pages. It is a link at the bottom of the page.

In addition to shopping for your favorite designer, you can also shop by category for both women and for men.  Women’s categories include all your favorites: denim, dresses, tops, pants, jackets and others. One amazing piece we love is the Walter Sexy Combo Dress - perfect for the upcoming fall season with a pair of tall black boots.  Men’s categories include denim, shirts, hoodies, jackets, sweaters and more.  Our fav for men is the Edun Shawlneck Sweater.

We also offer a great search feature so you can search for a specific item or designer.

www.designersalerack.com has the same great customer service as shopchantal.com including email (our iphones are ready) sales@designersalerack.com and we are always on twitter @dsignersalerack (follow us for up to the minute sale items).  If you want to chat by phone, we have an 800# available during normal business hours (Monday - Saturday 10 am - 6pm EST and Sunday Noon - 5pm) 1.877.347.5527.

www.designersalerack.com has launched this week and has a great selection of items that are STILL IN STYLE. NOW ON SALE.  And the best part is,  the items are offered at discounted prices starting at 75% off retail.

With a flat rate UPS shipping of $7.00 you can order as many items as you want and only pay shipping once.  With prices this low you will want to have us pack you up a large box full of great designer styles.  Please also note that all items are Final Sale - not returnable or exchangeable.

Visit www.designersalerack.com often or sign up for our email list that will send you the latest posts on added item. You will only receive emails if an item has been added to the site.  You can also keep in the know with RSS Feed.

We hope you enjoy the new site offering items “STILL IN STYLE. NOW ON SALE.”

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We have grown to love Fall here in the Northeast- mostly because it is an extension of Summer for us! Some of our hottest days are during transition into fall. That’s why we really love to make our summer pieces last longer while getting in on the amazing first fall deliveries (I think they are always the best!).

Here are some ideas to help you style your Summer pieces with New Fall items.

1. Boots, boots, boots.  Tall, short or in between.  Boots are a great way to show your fashion forward sense.

2. Layering. Definitely plan to layer jackets and vests over your strapless or cami style pieces - including dresses.

3. Add a scarf.  A scarf can truely give you a style lift as well as some extra warmth on a cool fall day.

4. New Handbag.  It really is best to switch up your bag for fall.  Nothing looks sillier than a floral cotton bag paired with a fall outerwear.

Our favorite look for fall.  A strapless dress by Shoshanna, layered with the hottest trend of the season: a boyfriend blazer by Elizabeth and James, a pair of tall boots from Twelfth Street and a beautiful winter white handbag.

Another great look: Beau Soleil’s Black Beau Slouch dress paired with a pair of Joie Fringe Boots and a Nanette Lepore cropped coat in Iris and a Graham & Spencer Scarf.

Both outfits are a great mix of the best trends of the seasons and are all available now at shopchantal.com.

See our What’s New for new fall items and see our great selection of new sale items too.

Need some inspiration?  See our Lookbook features and our Trend page ideas.

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The Fall collections are arriving daily and the designers are true to form in shipping amazing pieces for their first deliveries.

Nanette Lepore, Shoshanna, Haute Hippie and newcomer Elizabeth and James are all showing gorgeous dresses with a bit of extra detailing.  We have a selection that includes beading, attached necklaces, extreme pleating, faux wraps and wraps and one shoulder styles.

A little bit of something for everyone- if you will.

All these styles and more can be seen at chantal. and shopchantal.com.  See our new LOOKBOOK for some inspiration too.

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You’ve seen them on celebrities, you’ve seen them in the summer blockbusters, now you can see themand purchase them at chantal. and online at shopchantal.com.

[BLANK] Denim is here! Their motto is “Not all Premium jeans come with a Premium price tag.”  With prices ranging from $68.00 - $78.00, you have to agree with the pricing.  And, trust us, the Premium jean part is right on as well.

[BLANK] Denim has clean pockets and labeling with urban, edgy detailing such as studding and distressing while maintaining an amazing fit.

We are in love with the first two styles we received yesterday.  In fact, we wore them right out of the box.

One style we are rockin’ is a black skinny with a studded back pocket. Both huges trend for fall, the [BLANK] Skinny Studded in black denim is the perfect way to get the look.  The fit is amazing and the look is super cool.  And, at $78.00, you can’t complain.

Or maybe you just want a nice blue denim wash with a clean pocket. The [BLANK] Skinnie Classique in “If U Seek Amy” wash is the jean you need.  A super soft, clean blue skinny leg, this jean is great for pairing with any kind of top.  The fit is great (although we do suggest going up one size), and at $69.00, you will want 2 pairs.  One to wear while the other is in the laundry.

Join the [BLANK] revolution.  We have and we are not lookin’ back.  See our fast selling selection now!

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Our summer sale starts today with 30% - 70% off all your favorite designers for Women and Men!

Here are some of our picks for easy summer style.

This Nanette Lepore yellow top is so perfect for the summer season.  We love it paired back to cropped denim or a flirty mini skirt. Or dress it up with a belt and longer skirt for an evening event.  The sleeveless cotton is a must have for those hot summer days.

Reg: $215.00   SALE: $150.50

Robert Rodriguez. This dress is the quintessential summer dress. The bold pink color paired with the floral appliques and soft pleats is a stunning combination. With a cute neutral clutch and some nude heels, you will definitely make a statement at any event in this dress.

Reg: $394.00   SALE: $275.80

Some must have TREND pieces of the summer come from a couple of our most popular designers.

The ruffle trend was not one to be missed this Spring and the Summer collections did not disappoint.

What better way to show your style than on the beach in a ruffle bikini.  This Shoshanna bikini in a melon color is the perfect complement to a tan.

Reg: $174.00 (for top & bottom)   SALE: $121.80

A favorite of ours and our customers is Ella Moss.  Her Black Label has proved to be a wonderful addition to her already popular cult favorites in the better know cotton/modal blend. We love the use of the ruffle with a touch of lace on this top.  It’s got a bit of an edge, but works so well because of its color.

Reg: $177.00   SALE: $123.90

Shoes and Handbags cannot be missed either.

The Rebecca Taylor cutout bootie is a wonderful surprise.  We love these with our cropped denim shorts as much as we love them with dresses.

Reg: $495.00  SALE: $346.50

And Donald Pliner never disappoints.  This Patent Red Tortoise bag makes ever outfit shine. We love the texture for summer.

Reg: $775.00 SALE: $542.50

Don’t miss our on other great deals on women’s and men’s.  Check back now and check back often.

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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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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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We just can’t decide which personality we love more this season so we’ve decided to go with a Multiple Personality Wardrobe.  We are going for styles that are Sweet, Sexy & Sophisticated.  With some added accessories including headbands, bangles and long necklaces, we think we can accomplish a new state of mind every time we dress.

Sweet:  The floral trend is so wearable this Spring (FINALLY).  The bright colors mixed with muted tones and natural belts makes this personality a must for any summer afternoon wedding or party you have on your schedule.  Our summer floral selection is definitely inspiring.

Sexy: A Summer night out in the city can make getting dressed difficult, but luckily we can always rely on mini dresses for a sexy, yet totally wearable look.  We love the Current/Elliott Tulip dress in lightweight denim as well as this bratop style courtesy of Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent. 

Sophisticated:  There is something so wonderful about wearing a beautiful, sophisticated dress during the day in the summer.  Being able to show some leg with a shorter style or some shoulder with a halter neck version can make you inspired to show some tanned skin (faux or real tan- your choice). These sophisticated styles are perfect for that late afternoon cocktail party or wedding.

What is your personality. . . today?

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PRVCY Premium Denim Chelsea Boyfriend

Just when we thought we couldn’t juggle another boyfriend jean in our weekly wardrobe schedule, we somehow manage to squeeze in one more date with a NEW boyfriend!

The PRVCY Premium Boyfriend Jean in the Jammer Vintage wash is an amazing version of the popular style.  Seen on celebs everywhere and loved by stylists, this style and denim is a full length version making it really fun to wear long and slouchy. It’s also a nice brighter blue and we absolutely adore the pocket design and stitching details.

Available now at chantal. and shopchantal.com.   More styles coming soon including Malibu Hills and Monaco.  See more about this great denim company here.

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We are always looking for ways to update our closets that somehow seem to fill black even when we are not even trying.  This season it’s been fun and pretty easy to add color.

Ashley Tisdale in Cobalt. Photo curtesy: Denimblog.com

One color we are obsessed with is Cobalt, a very trendworthy color for Summer 09.  As you can see, we are not alone in wearing and loving this color.

We like to think of Cobalt as the new Black for our summer style.  It works in the same way- really. Pair it with a neutral, pair it with another bright and of course, pair it with black.  It really does look great with everything, just like black does.

And, another great thing is that Cobalt is still a hot color for Fall 09/10.  So, it is a great way to get the color now and mix it in with Fall collections very easily.

One easy way to transition your Cobalt from Spring to Fall is to invest in accessories such as scarves.  Really on trend and so easy to wear with everything, we love wearing scarves at shopchantal.com and never need an excuse to throw on a bright color either.  We also think it is a better choice for us than the Snuggie.

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If you’ve ever been to shopchantal.com, you will immediately see that we have a severe adoration for belts by Streets Ahead. They make the most gorgeous styles of belts in the most amazing leathers.  We love to feature them in our Lookbook and in our trend watches.

When Carrie wore the Streets Ahead Roger Belt (we sold out of this, but still have the narrow version), we knew it was going to be a fun year for belts.  And so far, it has!

Ashley Olsen and Jessica Alba rocking the belt trend

Luckily, the trend of wearing belts has not only continued since Carrie graced the screen over a year ago in Sex and the City The Movie, but it has grown into a serious, possibly longstanding trend.  The trend include belts of all leathers, widths - both skinny and wide- and embellishments such as studs or nailheads.

We also love the choices of jean belts that Streets Ahead keeps offering because without them our Current/Elliotts would fall to the floor.

Pair these amazing accessories back to dresses and top and whatever you can find because they know how to take an outfit to the next stylish level.

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I can’t count how many times people ask us to hem their denim for both high heels and flats.  It is an impossible task.  We want it to work, but it just doesn’t.

Well, now you don’t have to make a choice.  Bristols 6 has introduced a genius product called Denim Hem Tape.  And it’s available at shopchantal.com.

Made specifically for, but not limited to, denim, this package of 18, double-sided, 1.5″ x 3″ strips makes the impossible. . . possible.

We tested it on our Current/Elliott Elephant Bells and it worked great.  It also worked great with our Genetic Straight leg jeans so we could wear them with flats. The company gives suggestions and instructions on the best way to use the tape too.  They make it so easy.

Give this tape a try and see where you want your tailor to put your hem or use it to make your jeans do double duty with heels and flats.  You will find yourself keeping it in your handbag too.  Only $10.00!

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Most of my memories of Geranium include the potted plant versions that seemed to be around every corner at every house in my neighborhood growing up.  I also happen to think my very own mother was the one who started the trend.

I love the bold color of the true Geranium red, but am finding easier to work with softer, more pink and more orange versions popping up this season.

Many of our designers did off color versions of Geranium including Rebecca Taylor, Shoshanna and Carolina Amato’s crocheted gloves for a touch of the trend.  Nanette Lepore went literal with her piece and did a true Geranium red color combo.

I happen to really like the variations in everyone’s color selections- whether it is more pink, or more orange or more blue.

I look forward to seeing more of this color for Fall.  I think it will work nicely back to black for an edgy, urban style as well as back to denim, of course.  

My favorite combo is the light wash Current/Elliott boyfriend in Hickory Stripe with an Ella Moss Black Label Carmen top and Pour La Victoire’s Sabrina Nude Heel.

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