Shopchantal Stylefile

The key pieces to transitioning into Fall in the Northeast are pretty similar to everywhere else. The only difference is, our “transition” pieces usually turn into “everyday” pieces fairly quickly.  This is why it is important to plan ahead and be creative with your Fall purchases.

I chose some pieces from LL Bean, located in Freeport, Maine (just a hop, skip and jump from me) to show highlight my new series “Local Love“. See how I transitioned their collection with some Fall 2011 Trends so that you can wear these pieces all winter long.

Here are my must-have transition pieces and how to extend them into your Winter looks.

Silk Scarf in Tan

A silk scarf: I’m loving the print and color combination of this LL Bean Signature Scarf.

How to wear it this Winter: I love mixing and twisting 2 scarves together. The best way to take your silk scarf into the cooler months is by pairing it with a lightweight cashmere scarf. I adore Me & Kashmiere light-weight cashmere scarves.

You can also tie this cute scarf around your handbag for a great pop of fall color indoors. I’m all about brooches (get ready to see my collection in a post later this week) so I’ll also a brooch to this look.

Cap Toe Booties in Cordovan

Booties: This gorgeous, 2-tone leather Bootie from LL Bean Signature will  be amazing with dresses for Fall.

How to wear them this Winter: The most simple suggestion is to pair these booties with tights (and don’t forget the Plush Fleeced Lined Tights), but I also suggest a cashmere sock bunched at the ankle for a bit of added warmth and a fashion forward look with that lighterweight skirt or dress you just can’t seem to pack.

Silk Habutai Pullover Blouse

Blouse: I’m a huge fan of the ladylike trend so, this LL Bean Signature blouse is perfect for fall with it’s longer sleeves and soft tonal print. It’ll be amazing with a brighter color this Fall.

How to wear it this Winter: Pairing this printed blouse with a tweed skirt is a great way to keep this blouse in rotation. And you will Iove the mixture of textures. 

Marled Cable Cardi

Gauzy Skirts and Dresses: I just can’t pack these away and this Fall, I don’t have to thanks to designers and their inclusion of these pieces in their Fall collections.

How to Wear in the Winter: Add an on-trend Chunky Knit Sweater over your Fall Guazey dresses and skirts. LL Bean Signature has a really cute, sweater cardi version that is super versatile in color and fit.

Living in the Northeast makes us have to be a bit more creative in with our closets. It’s important that we be able to wear our favorite pieces that much longer. Of course, this theory does not hold true for extending flip-flop season. That is a lost cause in my fashion book.

If you are local, stop by and see the LL Bean Signature Collection in downtown Freeport.  It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Ordering through the catalog by phone is another way.  Let’s be honest though, the online shopping site is the way to go.  Check out more of the Fall Collection here.

And don’t forget to share with me your ideas for transitioning your Fall pieces into your Winter wardrobe. 

xo.

c.

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If you’ve been looking for the perfect, ribbed T-shirt henley dress, look no further. We have found the most amazing version from Soft Joie. The Soft Joie January Dress. A black rib jersey dress with brown leather belt included.

And the best part of this dress, we have it now! 

We couldn’t resist ordering this great piece when we saw it.  Because it is a resort piece, I think I mostly pictured it layered up with Commando tights, the Rebecca Taylor Military coat, the beautiful Joie Coachella over the knee suede boot and an Olivia Harris bag for a look.

But then I started thinking about how I else I could wear it. Just switch out the belt (the belt comes with the dress, but is removable) and replace it with a Streets Ahead black waist belt, some Plush fleece lined tights, the Pour La Victoire Darien bootie and the Pencey Puffer Coat for a totally different look.

And then again….  I started dreaming of the Twelfth Street wedges we are getting in for Spring ’11 and pairing them up with this dress and then adding a gorgeous floral Me & Kashmiere scarf. Another great look to take this dress into the new season!

Realizing the infinite possibilities, I ordered this dress and I hope you take your style and make this dress your own. 

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Tis the season. . . gift giving. 

This year we’ve made it even easier to pick a gift that she will love.  Whether she is your wife, mother, sister, aunt, significant other or friend, we have great gift ideas for all.

Tre Anita Bubble Ring in Grape Soda

Jewelry:  A treasured piece for both the classic or trendsetter, jewelry comes in many forms.  Alex and Ani, Streets Ahead, Gemma Redux, Tre Rings and soon to come, House of Harlow 1960.

Carolina Amato Citron Mittens

Cashmere: Available in sweaters, scarves, hats and mittens. No woman can deny the gift of cashmere from Autumn Cashmere, Oonagh by Nanette Lepore and Carolina Amato.

Follis Julia Bag

Handbags: A must have season changing style, a handbag is a personal touch to every wardrobe. Choose from Follis NYC, Treesje, Botkier, Olivia Harris and Twelfth Street.

Ombre Vertical Scarf

Scarves: Our top selling gift item in the store, our Me & Kashmiere scarves are a bit of heaven in the most gorgeous prints. Made of 100% Lightweight Cashmere, these scarves can be worn all year.

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Sienna Miller bundled up for the Season

It’s that time of year again… winter is sneaking up on us quickly and before we know it, it will be on our doorsteps.

Now is the time to start thinking about how you will be “cold weather ready“.  Here are are a few tips to help you get through the season while still looking chic and stylish.

Underlayers are key in the Northeast.  You should never under estimate the extra layer of simple long sleeve tees and turtlenecks.  Splendid is a shop favorite which is why we keep stocked up starting in September and don’t stop until March. An easy cotton/modal blend underlayer can also add a pop of color under a loose woven knit or under the new selection of cropped sweaters.

Sweaters. The obvious cashmere, wool, angora and mohair sweaters, vests and wraps.  Autumn Cashmere, Edun, Joie, Oonagh and more. And let’s not forget cotton fleece and sweatshirts from our other favorites- Kain Label, Monrow and LNA. 

Tights and Leggings. We can’t live without the Fleece Lined Tights from Plush. Each year they come up with another great color or style and they are true must-haves.  This year we are loving the addition of the leg warmers from them – Simple, easy ways to layer your legs for those cold walks to the coffee shop. We also love Commando’s opaque tights for layering too.

Warm Accessories. Scarves from Me & Kashmiere are a done deal – all year long.  We love the all wrapped up under our coat collars for a gorgeous pop of color.  Carolina Amato and Autumn Cashmere have upped the gloves this year with the classic pop-top and fingerless options. They also both did scarves with Autumn Cashmere stealing our hearts with the new neck warmers and tube scarves - Genius!  And don’t forget your skull cap or snood. A hat is a must. I wear one everyday – even indoors sometimes and always will. The snoods are my fav- slouchy and cute with my long hair.

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It’s long been thought that Summer is the time to have fun with color, but now Fall is following suite. This season designers have embraced the color wheel and the combinations are so complementary.

We love the mix of military green with the softness of lilac as with this Rebecca Taylor Ostrich Cami and Elizabeth and James Band Jacket. The raw edges of this jacket are a pefect juxtaposition to the soft, fly aways of the cami- don’t you think!

And you must admit, the use of purples and greens and greys doesn’t sound very pretty, but EDUN proves you wrong with this gorgeous silk, asymmetrical hem dress in those exact colors. We love it paired back to the Joie Coachella “must have” boot of the season (Yes, the color is called “mud”).

For a softer version, check out Shoshanna’s Snow Leopard Dress. Animal prints are taking on the new hues as well and this one is stunning – edgy, fun and really wearable. The charcoal and blush tones are perfect for next spring too!

Rebecca Taylor Shirt Dress

We also are loving a softer palettes of beige and taupe like this Rebecca Taylor Shirt dress topped off with an bold accessory or top in a punch of red or mixed with an eggplant purple.  Very chic.

Me & Kashmiere Ombre Scarf

And don’t forget, a cashmere scarf from Me & Kashmiere in a seasonal color and print goes a long way to show your style.

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It’s no surprise that outwear is an important topic for us at shopchantal.com & chantal.  Since we are based in Portland, ME we have no other choice than to bundle up during the winter months, and style is a priority when choosing that essential coat for the season.  Since we are in a season where almost anything goes (high drama, girly details, and timeless sophistication), the hunt to find a jacket that meets your “keep warm” needs but portrays your individual style is super easy!

Rebecca Taylor’s Ruffle Me Up Coat is the go-to jacket for all the girly-girls at heart!  The tiered ruffle front detail and ruffled collar are super feminine, and the belted waist gives you shape even with all the layers you may be wearing under it.  The slight balloon sleeve adds that extra special detail without being over powering that all of us crave when looking for that special, unique piece that you will have forever!

More edgy, than girly, Shoshanna’s Zipper Front Coat is military-inspired and touches upon that boy meets girl edge that is so of the moment!  We love the off-center exposed zipper and banded detail at the waist.  The color combo of grey & black make this a super versatile coat that can easily be worn dressed up or down.  We love pairing it back to tough pieces to make the military-inspiration pop even more!  Or pair it back to a beautiful pink cashmere scarf and a chef’s beret for a fun, flirty look to an edgy style coat.  Add a touch of fringe with a bag from Twelfth Street or some boots from Joie.

Craving color when the weather can be somewhat dark & dreary?  Nanette Lepore’s D’Orsay Hoodie in Iris is a rich shade of purple in a slightly cropped style that allows you to show off the layers you wear underneath it.  The jacket features so many great details that makes the D’Orsay Hoodie super fun to wear–the exposed zippers at the wrist, polished slit int he back, worn bronze buttons, and the best part of this piece–the detachable hood.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.  The best styles and choices of sizes are here now – waiting for you to add a Carolina Amato snood and some driving gloves or a Me & Kashmiere animal print scarf and some cashmere mittens.  Whichever your style, we can help you complete the look.

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Me & Kashmiere Scarf

Well, they are finally here. The Me & Kashmiere 100% lightweight cashmere scarves. Available in solid, ombre and in prints.

Don’t miss out on these. They are perfect for wearing now with all the great Splendid long sleeve tees and new Current/Elliot denim and with all the cute new Ella Moss dresses.

They are going fast so get yours now! Great for giving as a gift. Even better to receive!

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With the fall upon us and winter looming, I think I am most excited about wearing one of the hottest trends this season: colorful scarves worn indoors and out. Celebrities have been making this statement for several seasons and it is apparent, it is here to stay for sometime.

Kirsten Dunst, Gisele Bundchen and Jessica Alba

Indoors I am going to graciously wrap it around and wear it with my favorite new Splendid ballet neck. Outdoors I am planning to pair one with my traditional dark coat (Rebecca Taylor again!) that I pick up new every year.

This satisfaction is in my immediate future because the new Me & Kashmiere scarves are expected arrive this week at shopchantal.com.

Beautiful, light weight cashmere in the most amazing solid colors, ombres and patterns are going to fill the store as well. Be on the lookout for the email announcing their arrival. I’m sure they will be on every girls wish list this season

Me & Kashmiere Ombre Scarf

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