Shopchantal Stylefile

My signature jewelry look has always been an armful of bracelets.  I don’t know why I’ve embraced them like nothing else, but I have and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon.

I do love to layer my necklaces and do that more often than not, but you can’t wear more than a few of those at one time.  Bracelets, on the other hand, can be layered up in double digits and you get an entire arm -actually two arms to fill up with all the best styles.

This Alex and Ani Water Wrap is perfect for my Pisces sign.

I adore my men’s watch and because it is a combination of rose gold and stainless steel, I feel like it is easier to mix my metals and even add in some colors. I love the wrap around leathers of Me & Ro and the expandable bracelets of Alex and Ani. You can never go wrong with a gorgeous mixed metal cluster from GemmaRedux or a link combination from Eddie Borgo available exclusively at Net-a-Porter. 

Vintage cuffs and bangles are another way of showing off some arm candy.  Think, colorful wooden or lucite bangles are perfect for keeping it simple, yet showing your personal style. Alexis Bittar is a must have for any arm party.

Never skip the diamonds if you have a chance, but tone them tone during the day by mixing with basics and some bold cuffs.  It should blend in but peek out just at the right times. And remember that leather and diamonds are great complements to one another.

So, have an arm party and invite all your friends; the boho, the lux gal, the girl next door and don’t forget the vintage soul from down the street.  Everyone loves a party and don’t worry, they will all mingle just fine – but you have to give them the chance.

Interested in starting your arm party guest list?  We have the perfect place to start  – JewelMint! Click here to get a personal invitation and get amazing jewelry at amazing prices. 

On my list for Fall: GemmaRedux Clairce Bracelet in Leather and Lace Combo Cuff. $300.

xo

c.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

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

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

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.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites