Shopchantal Stylefile

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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No matter what your style, there is always a way to incorporate a new piece into your closet. Rompers are super hot this season and there is a style for everyone: classic, military style, one shoulders and of course, the girly girliest of them all, a ruffle cami style.

Seen on celebrities (see Blake Lively and Nicole Richie left for serious inspiration) for a couple of seasons now, rompers began as a definite fashion forward piece, but have evolved into a very wearable piece that is essential for every wardrobe.  The newer romper styles are much easier to wear and come in several styles.

We have the new Joie One Shoulder Raleigh romper in expresso that just arrived in the store that is a fun version perfect back to some studded Joie sandals and a structured cross over bag.  And their military green silk romper is great for both day and night.  The collar and epulets are so on trend too.

The long-sleeved BCBGMAXAZRIA romper in black silk is so sophisticated.  We love it back to heels and a Gemma Redux necklace for a night look or the Joie Elvis bootie for a cool day look.

Want a fun and flirtly and super girly romper?  Then The Rebecca Taylor cami romper in navy blue is for you. All this romper needs is a smile on your face and, of course, some cute Pour La Victoire ballet flats.

Have some fun in the sun this summer with a Romper.  You’ll love the ease of wearing them and you will look so in style.

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The beauty of this trend is not in dressing to the nines like Nicole Kidman in Australia (although her style was impeccable throughout), or but to take bits of pieces of the safari trend and incorporate it into your daily wardrobe. It is a very wearable and very chic trend.

Think of pieces such as a sheer t-shirt with a touch of khaki or a military green romper paired with studded, neutral sandals and even a simple canvas belt over a beautiful orange chiffon dress.

All, in some way or another, these pieces inspired by the season’s hottest trend: Urban Safari.  A blend of city, street- worthy pieces with colors, textures and/or a style reminiscent of  a Safari exploration.

Here are a few ways to have some fun and look in style.

Add a short, light suede, Spring Bootie from Joie with a silky, sexy, black romper from BCBGMAXAZRIA for the perfect date night outfit.

Pair a loose fitting Cargo-esque style pant with a floral top for a playful afternoon outfit that will be a big hit at the park or out for a casual lunch. We love the Pencey florals for the season.

Or for the most simplest way: throw a Me & Kashmiere Safari Scarf over just about anything in your closet. We love it over an easy, Kain silk blend tee with some Work Custom denim shorts and Joie Cut Out Booties.

So, take a chance, add a bit of this trend to your Spring/Summer wardrobe.  We think you are going to go banana’s over it.  

See more Urban Safari Looks and Trend Alerts in our Lookbook and Trends Sections.

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It’s been a ongoing project for us for months, but today is the day we officially launch our NEW LOOKBOOK design layout. 

We felt that it would not only be easier to browse by specific trends such as the hottest new denim, by styles such as the season’s best boots and by designer through our recent homepage features, but the new lookbook design also gives us the opportunity to show you more styled ideas through a combination of all our collections.

You can also view are more product focused pages through our Trend section. Here you will see all the items for each trend grouped together in easy to access product pages.

We have divided the Fall/Winter 09 Lookbook pages in the following groups:

Fall Focus: a place to show you various looks that may include multiple trends of the season or it just may be a focus on a designer that we love.

Denim Trends: with so many options out there, we wanted to highlight the newest, most popular ones so you can make an easier decision to add a new style or all the styles to your denim collection

Accessory Spotlight:  a must have update for every season- handbags, shoes and jewelry are all shown here and the best part, we show each item with an outfit so you can see real ways to wear them and view their sizes.

Boot Styles: this is specific style trend that will change with the seasons. For Fall/Winter we are focusing on the the best boot options and show you some ideas on what to pair them with for a great look.

The Slouchy Pant: a very clear style trend that originated with the harem pant, but has progressed nicely to a more wearable fit for everyone. A real focus, this lookbook is intended to show you how easy it is to wear the styles we have available.

The New Legging: a must have for every wardrobe, we show a lot of different waysto please your personality through the legging styles and designers we offer. Choose by the designer or pick a look we styled.

2 Ways to Wear it: a feature we are known for, this lookbook shows you two very different ways to style one piece we’ve choosen to highlight.  We all want our fashion to go far and this lookbook shows you how to do it.

Lookbook Archive: Looking for a way to wear a past season item?  See how we styled it here.

We look forward to adding more lookbook pages to each of these sections are are already working on showing you “As Seen On. . .” a section showing celebrities and how they wore items we have available on shopchantal.com and in store at chantal. 

Check our lookbook soon for our new “Holiday Style Story” where we will show you the best holiday fashions for all your events and some great holiday gift ideas.

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Yes, Sharon Segal is the daughter of the infamous Fred Segal, but that is not why she is coveted or beloved.  She is admired because she designs the most amazing tees and lttle dresses that make you want to go back to jeans and tees — everyday. We swear.

Segal has taken her years of retail experience and created a niche market for tees that have impeccable quality with a design aesthetic only reached by those who have spent years listening to what the customer wants.  With a super-soft hand and silhouettes that are slightly longer, this line of tees and dresses and other pieces will become a new basic in your closet.

Segal’s burnouts are fast becoming a chantal. / shopchantal.com favorite.  We are so delighted to have this wonderful, new line amongst our other great collections.

You’ll see us mixing in Sharon’s lower price tees with lots of pieces from our contemporary collections to show you a style mix of high and low.  Already, the pieces work with one another through her color palette choices, but we love to shake it up a bit and plan to layer these tees under our Elizabeth & James Blazers, our Pencey dresses and, of course, with our Joie Glimmer Vest and Malibu Denim Alexis Straight Leg — talk about a mix of luxury and everyday style.

See our selection (and love) of Sharon Segal continue to grow each month as we get in new styles and colors from her ever expanding collection.

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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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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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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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Refreshing, new merchandise keeps arriving at chantal. and shopchantal.com, but we know nothing is more exciting than finding a killer deal on something you can wear now!  We have recently marked some full priced styles down, reduced prices more on merchandise already on sale, and are continously marking down merchandise to make room for the new!  We have picked out some of our favorite styles, but you should take a look for yourself.  Afterall, style & taste are subjective; we are just here to point you in the right direction!

Rebecca Taylor Cami Dress

Rebecca Taylor’s Cami Dress is seasonless!  The light weight silk makes it appropriate for a hot, summer evening wedding, and it is also easy to layer with tights and booties once the fall hits!  The lace & ruffle detail are so sweet and feminine.  50% off it’s original price, this LBD is a no brainer!

Taverniti So Sasha 14

Twelfth Street Oriana Flat

Metallic’s dominate this season, and at an incredible buy at only $90. these Twelfth Street by Cynthia VIncent Oriana Ballet Flats are an easy and affordable way to wear the metallic trend!  Beautiful design and great contrast leather detail make these easy to dress both up and down! 

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Shop the newest arrivals of Joie @ shopchantal.com

Joie’s attention to detail through the use of ruched banded bottoms, natural rope details, and feminine, floral patterns create looks that are not only bohemian, but can be paired back to more edgy pieces to create the coveted girly chic look all of us at shopchantal.com continually crave. 

One of our favorite celebrities has this mix of edge and bohoperfected down to a “T”.  Nicole Richie serves as an inspiration when putting together our own looks, and Joie’s selection of drapey tees, flowy linen pants, and floral prints are all musts when re-creating Richie’s signature look.

Style Icon: Nicole Richie

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It’s true, nothing is more transitional than a throw-on cardi.  They work over tees, camis and even dresses. And, they give us that extra statement, as well as that little touch of warmth we seek during these cool, Spring days.

Rachel Bilson in Grandpa Cardi & Shorts

It is no secret that shopchantal.com is a huge fan of the Splendid Flare Cardi (and the greatly missed grandpa cardi from last season), but we have also grown to love the longer, button up versions so sweetly referred to as the Grandpa Cardi.  I say - sweetly- because of my fond memories of my grandpa who, in fact, wore a cardigan.  It hangs ever present in my siblings home- cherished, but not worn.  I say, let’s break it out and embrace the memories while enjoying the trend.

Well, until I can convince my sibling to give up this treasured item, I am happy to wear the new, more girl friendly versions: fitted, longer and with great buttons.  Rebecca Taylor did a wonderful, tie dye version we love throwing on with denim,  Rozae by Rozae Nicols threw in a splash of orange to her neutral design and  Joie did an easy, relaxed, SoCal style that we love in white - perfect over a colorful summer dress.  Of course, as Summer nears, we will be taking our new favorite trend into the new season with the Splendid Sleeveless Grandpa Cardi.  Don’t like the button up cardi version, check this out.

Ashley Tisdale in Twelfth Street Cardi

If you think this trend is short lived, you are mistaken.  Not only has it been around since last fall (See Ashley Tisdale - left ), but it will be back again this fall. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent is actually producing this same sweater again this Fall in a White multi combination- very chic.   Shopchantal.com will have this item just in time for 4th of July!

So, not only is a Grandpa Cardi a fashionable piece for now, but it is also an investment in your fall 2009 wardrobe as well.  Don’t you just love when that happens!

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Celebrities, Models, Rockers: All are carrying on the trend with some new styles and patterns in colorful plaid.   

And it’s not just the men,  Women are joining in with their take on how plaid can be feminine as well as masculine.

We’re seeing the plaid shirt paired with slouchy denim and fabulous belts.  A great wrap scarf is the finishing touch along with a feminine bag.

The men are sticking with the classic styles: button up shirts, shorts and jackets from Penguin are tops on the list.  Subtle plaids with a bright, bold color thrown in for some style.

We love the classic Joie Fara top paired with the new Current/Elliott Rolled Shorts, Foley + Corinna Mid City Tote in Cherry and the Rebecca Taylor Runway booties.

shopchantal.com Lookbook

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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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These days I am finding myself in love.  And, I’m not alone.  Celebs everywhere are in love too - with our new boyfriends.

Kate Holmes, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel Bilson, Amanda Peet and Reese Witherspoon - in love with their new boyfriends

Our new love interest: the best, most comfortable, sexy fitting jeans out there- the Current/Elliott Boyfriend Jean. It is slouchy, a bit higher in the rise so you can wear it low, it works best with a belt ( and oh, how I love belts) and it is cropped at just the right length so you can show off you boots without having to wear a skinny jean tucked in (even though I am in love with my new skinny jeans).

Look for me these days wearing a chunky sweater over something fun like my Nanette Lepore corset and my Pour la Victoire Bianca bootie sandals or maybe I’ll be dressed in flannel wearing my Joie Fara top tucked in with a Streets Ahead belt and a pair of suede boots. I guarantee i will be wearing my Current/Elliott 1957 Boyfriend jeans, carrying my Donald Pliner handbag and will be casually throwing my new Me & Kashmiere ombre scarf around my neck ala Jessica Alba.

The queen of the scarf wrap: Jessica Alba

Ahh, all in a days work at shopchantal.com.

Current Elliott Boyfriend 1957 Denim

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