Shopchantal Stylefile

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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People StyleWatch Feature

Obviously you know that Faux Fur is a huge trend for the season. It’s actually been a big trend for few seasons now and it is fast becoming a staple in everyone’s wardrobe. A “must-have” if you will. Celebrities are wearing lots of faux vests this season. And we love how they wear it their own way although most are wearing them casual with denim.

Worn over tees and tanks with denim cut off shorts and Over the Knee boots, the faux fur vest is a great way to transition into Fall.  Bring it out again in the Spring because this look works in both seasons. 

We love the Rebecca Taylor vest belted with a military inspired belt or add a bit of Embossed Croc for some added texture. My favorite new puff sleeve top from Joie is a great way to wear a long sleeve with a pop of the season’s hot color.

The vest has been a big hit, but we are also loving the new Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Faux Fur Vest Jacket.  This piece has a fabric back with a mixed Suede sleeve that sports a 1/4 sleeve zipper detail.  Pair this jacket over a gorgeous black dress for a night out.  We love it paired over the Joie Beaded top with some jeans and shoe booties for a casual, yet sophisticated look.

The Graham & Spencer Faux Fur vest in Ivory and in Black is sure to arrive any day now.  We just had to get both because it is the perfect piece to wear with a graphic tee, hoodie and, of course, denim and wedge boots. 
I’m thinking I’ll go for the black version so I can pair it with my favorite new Botkier Ava Hobo handbag.  Love the mermaid green against black.

What about you? How will you wear Faux this season?

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It’s been some time since I’ve been able to get to updating the blog. My apologies to all.  The reason is that we’ve been working tirelessing for weeks on our new location at 229 Commercial Street in Portland Maine.

Our new space has wood floors, exposed brick walls and huge ceiling beams and has a bit more of a warehouse feel than our past location.  We are now completely open on Commercial Street (less a few unpacked boxes) and our selection of designers is as amazing as ever. 

We’ve added some great new designers to the new space including Treesje and Botkier handbags, now featured on our handbag wall. More styles are arriving daily and the wall should be filled with Fall 2010 bags in no time.

A try-on seating section is close by to our new shoe displays with shoe cabinets close at hand so we can check styles and sizes quickly and easily from Joie, Pour La Victoire and  Cynthia Vincent.

Next to the handbag wall is our set of jewely cases complete with a mirror and shelving making it super easy to try on necklaces, earrings and bracelets from Streets Ahead, Gorjana, GemmaRedux, Alex and Ani and our newest ring designer, Tre.

Floating shelving makes viewing our Splendid tees and Me & Kashmiere scarves a pleasure.  For Fall and Winter, you will find these shelves stocked with gorgeous Autumn Cashmere and sweater pieces from Joie, Edun and Rebecca Taylor.

Our new cable hanging rod system makes our collection of contemporary designers like Shoshanna, Elizabeth & James, Nanette Lepore, Son of John, Monrow and so many more really easy to see and pair up with our amazing pieces of denim.

Just beyond the beautiful hanging collections is our glass cube wall filled with your favorite denim designers including Genetic, [Blank], DL1961, Current/Elliott, Rock & Republic, PRVCY premium and more to come soon.

We hope you will come visit our new space and see what’s new for collections including our expanded shoe and handbag designers.

229 Commecial Street (former Decorum space) is next door to Barbour and McKenzieTribe and across the street from Sushi Sapporo.  207.347.4427 www.shopchantal.com

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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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Today, Wednesday, April 22, 2009 we celebrate Earth Day.  The first Earth Day took place on this day in 1970 and in the last 39 years it has grown into a worldwide campaign.  Earth Day is a time when we gather in groups or as consciencious individuals to show our support in saving our Mother Earth.  Even President Obama is taking part today in the acknowledgement and celebration.

Of course, we all know by now that everyday is really Earth Day.  Our daily activities and way of life play a part in all aspects of saving our planet.  One company that has really come forward in full force in many different ways to save our Earth and it’s people is EDUN. 

EDUN is a socially conscious clothing company launched in Spring 2005 by Ali Hewson and husband, Bono.

Ali Hewson & Bono

The company’s mission is to help increase trade and create sustainable employment for developing areas of the world with an emphasis on Africa, providing a business model that others can replicate and follow.  The company works on a micro-level to help build the skill sets of factories where the clothes are produced. EDUN is currently produced in India, Peru, Tunisia, Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho, Mauritius and Madagascar.

In celebration of this day, we are offering 20% off all shopchantal.com purchases of men’s and women’s EDUN apparel.  Use Promo Code: Edun20 at checkout!

FREE shopchantal.com shopping bag

We are also giving each online purchase of EDUN, a shopchantal.com Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. shopping bag. 

Made of recycled water bottles, this is a must have for any shopping excursion- even the grocery store.  We won’t mind if you take it everywhere with you everyday -  and neither will Mother Earth.

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Easy, versatile styles that won’t break the bank is one of the many reason’s that Splendid is always in such high demand.  Especially now!  A best-seller for shopchantal.com and chantal., Splendid’s take on current trends allow you to get the look of the moment without having feelings of post-purchase anxiety.  However, Splendid’s best attribute is found in their use of soft textiles that lend themselves to be super comfortable, amazingly soft, and easy to wash and care for.

Their offerings include some of best layering pieces we have ever seen, long maxi dresses, fun tops, and an extensive offering of lounge wear.  We love mixing a piece of Splendid into any and all of our looks. 

A crisp, white Shoshanna Dress with a bright Splendid scarf create a bright and pulled together look:

Shoshanna & Splendid

Our #1 Splendid style is their open Flare Cardi which could just possibly be the ultimate transition piece, an essential no girl should be without.

Splendid & Edun

Splendid’s 1×1 basics are always available at shopchantal.com, as well, in a plethora of colors sure to get you in the mood for summer:  1×1 3/4 Sleeve V-Neck, 1×1 Scoop Neck, 1×1 Crew Neck.

Splendid & Rebecca Taylor

Tie Back Tube Top

1x1 3/4 Sleeve V-Neck

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Simply elegant, extremely timeless, and worth every penny is Edun’s Zimba Wrap dress from their Spring/Summer 2009 collection.  As every “in the know” fashaholic knows, DvF made this simple silhouette an international celebrity and Edun’s modern interpretation is simple, sleek, and polished!  We view this piece as a blank canvas that can be accessorized to portray any individual style and a piece that can be worn to any event. 

Street chic:  Throw on a Me & Kashmiere scarf, Pour La Victoire’s Blanche, the Street’s Ahead Roger Belt, and a Foley & Corinna Mid-City Tote

Office Appropriate:  Wear some black opaque tights to transition into Spring, Twelfth Street’s Seema or Allison Bootie, and a Splendid Flare Cardi

Date Night Essential:  Throw it on with Pour La Victoire’s Tatienne Heel, accessorize with a fun, navy waist belt, and Gorjana’s Ludlow Earring

Pictured below:  Edun’s Zimba Wrap Dress available at www.shopchantal.com and Angelina Jolie wearing a longer version of this essential style!

Edun Zimba Wrap Dress

Angeline Jolie in Black Silk Wrap Dress

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This season we are seeing some really “fierce” animal prints from some unlikely sources.  We expect it from Rebecca Taylor who always has a leopard cardi in one collection or another, but to see it from Edun  and Nanette Lepore is surprising.  And we love the Me & Kashmiere threw in several animal prints this season – some of which we already sold out of!

Not ready for a strong support statement like the Nanette Lepore Spring Coat in a taupe and green leopard? Then try a colorful print in a cashmere scarf or a beautiful Maxi dress in a soft color combination.  Edun designer, Ali Hewson, is known for having travel experiences inspire each and every collection and this Spring’s is no exception.  Her recent trip to Africa was the driving force behind these fabulous tees and they are an easy statement paired back to denim or beautiful linen pants.

Any way you try this trend, you will definitely look ahead of the pack!

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It’s that time of year again. . . holiday parties, work christmas parties, school plays and functions.  It seems neverending this month.

On the bright side, and I do mean BRIGHT, we do get the opportunity to dress with a bit more fun than perhaps our usual day at the office or playground.

We’ve received so many beautiful holiday dresses for the season, I just had to share them.  Our shopchantal.com Lookbook always is there to inspire and show you the many options for all our great designer styles.  This week we are focusing on “holiday dressing”

Holiday Dressing

Check out our homepage to see a sampling and then go straight to the products to see all our “dresses”

My favorite is a little easy number by Edun.  I have so many plans for this one.

Edun Ash Dress

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