Shopchantal Stylefile

Outfit Albertus Swanepoel x Target Zsa Faux Fur hat: Target, Mini Horse Print Sweater: F21 similar here, Jacket: J. Lindeberg, similar here, Earrings: Alex Woo Bamboo Earrings, Necklace: Gemma Redux, Sunglasses: Michael Kors simliar here.

One reason not to complain about the snow and cold weather: The need for a Faux Fur Hat.

If you got an Albertus Swanepoel hat from Target and want to be a part of my reader style post, please comment and I’ll forward you the email address and info to post your photo. Please share!

xo

c.

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Outfit  Sheer Feather Print Top: F21 Similar here,  Pleated Midi Skirt: H&M Similar here, Pearl Chocker: Vintage,  Mixed Metal Necklace: Gemma Redux, Bracelet: Portia’s Pearls, Shoes:  Marni Similar style here

 The Sheer trend of this cardi/blouse is only accentuated by the lovely feather print and blush color that we are seeing everywhere this season. I love the combination and couldn’t resist it on a recent stroll through the store.

Pairing the blush color and sheer fabric with a sheer, pleated skirt in black helped to keep the look more grounded. The silk heels and pearls are classic accessories for an evening look. It would also look beautiful tucked into a pencil skirt with tall boots.

I would also wear this sheer cardi/blouse open with a silk tank; layered under a black blazer to add some softness and print to the look.  Add skinny black jeans and some booties and you have a great look for day.

I can’t wait to add more sheer pieces to my Winter wardrobe. I like the idea of adding a bit of lightness to my faux fur and cashmere.  My favorite new outfit is a sheer maxi skirt with a chunky knit sweater and boots; great for a day walking around town.  I will most likely add some tights and socks and maybe a faux fur hooded parka, yes a parka, to keep it cold weather friendly and stylish.

Let me know how you wear the sheer trend or if you have any questions about how to wear it.

xo

c.

P.S. The Big Bang Project Continues: This photo is evidence of my struggles with growing out my bangs. I hope to see my stylist next week for some advice.  Maybe the looks will make it onto a post!

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Python Print dress from H&M

I may not be a master of prints, but one genre of prints I can definitely get behind is animal prints. Especially python and leopard. The funniest thing about my love for Python, as see on this H&M dress, is that I am definitely afraid of snakes. They rank up there as a top fear. For the record, I am afraid of Leopards too. Oh, and spiders.  Regardless, I am not afraid to wear any animal print and to make this Python look totally on-trend, I paired the dress with Bordeaux leather heels.

My current obession is the Ali Platform from the Rachel Zoe collection available at Piperlime. I’s also a Rachel Bilson pick on the site (Have you seen her new show, “Hart of Dixie”? It’s on the CW, check it out!). You can never go wrong with a platform and the little “cushion” detail on the back of this heel makes it a little bit different than the rest of my platform pumps. And the height, Dying!

Bordeaux, one of the “it” colors for Fall 2011, is a beautiful, rich tone.  It obviously works well with other dark hues, but it works with some not-so dark colors as well.  I love it paired back to cherry red like in this Alice & Olivia dress.  It also works with soft, army green and bright, mustard yellow. And,  if the bordeaux is bit more on the rust-colored side, it works beautifully with light pink.  I have a bordeaux leather jacket that I love to throw over a pink sweater to make it less “girly”.

I kept the accessories more simple than usual with this look, but that doesn’t mean that the accessories need to take backseat when wearing python or bordeaux. Definitely have some fun with the print and the color with the addition of jewelry or a gorgeous handbag. I love the mustard yellow bags this season and would pair one with this outfit. I love this Botkier Dijon Flint Shoulder bag.

I styled this look with my GemmaRedux feather earrings in black and gold and a vintage necklace I picked up when I lived in Chicago. The vintage necklace is a great piece by itself and I also love to wear it as a backdrop piece when layering. It also makes a great collar necklace that you are and will be seeing more of this season. I’m dying for  Dannijo Stella and a Sinatra collar necklaces. 

Let me know if you try the Python Print and Bordeaux color trend. I’d love to hear all about it.

xo.

c.

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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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Everyone, no matter what your fashion interest is or where your fashion taste lies, can agree on one thing: a Little Black Dress is essential in every wardrobe, in every season.

And this Fall is no different.  You will need an LBD for some occasion or event.  The difference this season is that the selection is vast and the return of the Ladylike Looks make it easy to pick the perfect dress for you.

We love the long sleeved mini dress and were so delighted that Joie did a version in black lace.  With a beautiful hemline and neckline, this is a dress we found delightful and fun. 

A little mix of some leather gloves from Carolina Amato, booties from Pour La Victoire and a chunky bracelet and voila, you have the unexpected LBD complete.

In a more traditional manner –  a beautiful heel from Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, a clutch from Botkier some stunning earrings from GEMMA REDUX can make this dress Black Tie worthy.

Graham & Spencer does pieces like no other and they have a clientele to prove it.  This drape sleeve dress is a classic LBD with a fashion forward twist.  The sharp shoulder is a must have this season and having done this sleeve last season (we had it for about 2.2 seconds before it sold out), they are experts at creating a drape sleeve that makes a statement with any painful sharp encounters.

Worn with a Alex and Ani Horn Necklace and a Streets ahead Leopard and Studded Twist belt takes this dress one step closer to LBD nirvana.

Sometimes a jersey dress just has it all and this LNA is one of those times.  A racerback style with a gorgeous, drape neck cowl extending the entire length of this mini make for a fresh statement. Accessorize with a statement necklace and an on-trend Ladylike Leather handbag from Treesje.

Worn with tights and an over the knee boot, we also love this dress layered under a cropped jacket or chunky sweater wrap.

Which LBD will you take on this season and how will you make it your own?  That is the beauty of the LBD- it can be a blank canvas for you to do with it what you please. We look forward to showing you our ideas and seeing your ideas as well.

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The one piece that I was looking forward more than anything this fall is the leather short.  I realize that to some a leather short is a bit of reach, but for those willing to take a chance and try them, we promise you will not be disappointed.

The Joie Denver Leather Short is a beautiful piece that is so wearable.  It is just how you choose to put it together.  It needs to worn in a way that best reflects you and what you feel the most comfortable wearing.

To give you some ideas, we styled this Hot Fall Trend 3 ways.

Classic – a style that never goes out… of style. The key is the downplay of the pieces and up play of the accessories.

Wear the short to work with a little jacket or out for a day of shopping with some short, flat boots.  Top with a button up shirt by Elizabeth and James,  a fun statement piece of jewelry (we chose a Streets Ahead belt) like Gemma Redux or a simple glass bauble ring from TRE, add a wide, strappy heel and a grocery style bag from Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent.

For Night – Perfect for a date night out or a girls night on the town.  We love this Graham & Spencer Lace Back Cami because the lace is subtle, yet sexy.  Not sure you want to share the lace? throw on a Blazer.  This whole outfit is so on-trend with Leather and Lace. The Pour La Victoire Short Bootie is a great way to toughen up this really girly look.

This look would be great with a open toe bootie as well.

For Day – The cool Fall days and nights are quickly upon us so we love that these shorts are super versatile when paired with a tight.  We chose a patterned style (stylists own), but you can do an opaque Plush tight too.  The military-esque details on this Rebecca Taylor sweater is perfected with it’s soft lilac color.  Another way to wear the popular military style  - YOUR way.  Pair this cozy, easy yet sophisticated look with a rugged bootie or an over the knee, flat boot (available soon at shopchantal.com and in store at chantal.).

A statement bag is a must for all these looks.  A gorgeous gold studded Crossbody bag from Treesje or if you dare, the Botkier Ava Slouchy Hobo in Metallic Mermaid would be amazing.

Have fun with fashion this Fall.  Check out our lookbook and trends sections for more fabulous ideas.  We are updating the layouts and look of the site too.

And you can always visit us at the store. We love and live for helping customers try new looks.

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A little bit goes a long way with some of the new fashionable hardware options on the Spring/Summer 2010 Collections.

Whether a designer opted for the almost basic exposed zipper to the more complicated intertwined chains or the forever adored studs and grommets – hardware has become very sought after as a way to express a bit of an edge to even the girliest of girls.

As one who has always loved the look of hardware on accessories (see GemmaRedux for some serious jewelry crushing), it took me no time to adapt to it on clothing – not because I was already a fan, but because it has become a very easy way to take an outfit to the next level.

We hand-picked some seasonal pieces we are loving from some of our favorite designers.

Rebecca Taylor’s Chain Mail Chunky Knit The quintissential feminine chic designer gave us a bit of a curve ball with this amazing Chain Mail Chunky Knit.  Throw it on with some distresssed denim shorts and sandals or toss it over a slip dress and Spring boots.

Pencey’s Cherry Blossom Mini Skirt Certainly not new to the tomboy chic style- in fact she may have invented the genre altogether (more research to come on this one), Pencey is forever pairing the beautiful feminine ruffles and floral prints with a touch of black, some exposed zippers and definitely some studs. Our fav is the new mini skirt paired with a simple tank and some ballet flats or, if you dare, some tough boots.

Graham & Spencer’s Nailhead Tank These two woman are experts at incorporating nailheads and metal into their extraordinary fits in both dresses and tanks.  We adore their use of color too.  This slub jersey nailhead long tank is a must have for anyone wanting not only a pop of color, but a statement piece sure to rival any tank in your closet.

Genetic Denim’s The Shane Skinny with Metal Mesh Quite possibly the easiest way to incorporate some hardware details is in your denim closet.  The Shane Skinny from Genetic is one of our best sellers and of course, we couldn’t resist them doing our favorite style with metal mesh studding.  Very quite and very cool is the only way to describe the genius behind adding some hardware to your wardrobe.

See our women’s trend section for more of the seasons top trends. And don’t forget that shoes, necklaces, bracelets and handbags are also a great way to incorporate the fashionable hardware style into your closet.

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The juxtapositioning of Industrial and Organic is simply one of the most beautiful things you will ever see.

Tough, Edgy materials mixed with Soft, Feminine draping design is exactly what makes GEMMA REDUX so amazingly special and an accessory must-have for any fashion style. 

Whether you are a classic top/blazer/denim girl or a boho fashion lover of prints and flowing tops – this jewelry will fit into your wardrobe in the most unique of ways. We love the pieces paired back to a basic tee for an effortless, statement look, but are also drawn to pairing the pieces with soft, floating silks and chiffons to add a bit of edge to this feminine look.

Designed by Rachel Dooley, the artist strives for contrast & excess in GEMMA REDUX pieces: “I like the contrast of industrial metals and high end jewelry, of thick chains and delicate natural stones, and the excess of massive pieces with too many stones, too massive on the neck or too long on the body.” GEMMA REDUX pieces are never precious – the metals are generally not delicate but rather industrial, and the stones are rough and intense. Intentionally tough and complex designs made for the tough and complex girl – the GEMMA REDUX girl.

Gemma Redux was also named a winner of the 2010 CFDA Fashion Incubator (CFI).  Orginally based in New York City, GEMMA REDUX will continue to maintain it’s business presence in NYC with the support of the CFI.  The CFI is designed to support the next generation of fashion designers in NYC by offering low-cost design studio space, business mentoring and education seminars and networking opportunities. All this is in an effort to help designers reach their full potentional and become an integral part of the New York fashion community.

We are super proud to be a part of the ongoing success of GEMMA REDUX by selling their designs in necklaces, bracelets and earrings in chantal. and shopchantal.com. It fits in so perfectly with our aesthetic.  We also love offering out customers the most beautiful pieces we find in this world full of choices. 

Jennifer Carpenter wearing the Liz Necklace in Black Tourmaline

Also see GEMMA REDUX designs in publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, WWD, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Zink Magazines, as a regular in the weeklies, and featured on the TV fashion obsessed show, Gossip Girl.

GEMMA REDUX has also been recently photographed around the necks of Cameron Diaz, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Carpenter, Jessica Alba and Molly Sims.

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