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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Plush Thigh High

Tis the season…  once again, we are most excited about the presence of the Plush fleece- lined footed and footless tights, leggings and the new addtion of thigh highs, a great alternative when you may already be wearing stockings and just want some extra warmth.  The thigh highs are also a fun way to stay warm and still feel sexy. 

Nikki Hilton wearing Plush Denim Leggings

Nothing keeps are legs warmer in the Northeast than Plush.  After freezing for years in regular stockings and leggings, and tired of uncomfortable, itchy wool tights, designer Jennifer Kim realized women needed a fresh approach to Staying Warm AND Stylish in the cold. Living in NYC, Jennifer was no stranger to harsh winters in which Staying Warm AND Stylish was not always an option. Wearing a skirt to work was out of the question and denim jeans did not hold any warmth.

After traveling the world looking for the perfect combination of warmth, comfort AND style, Jennifer created Plush, a line offering an array of fleece-lined items from hats and accessories to sublimely soft tights and leggings. Jennifer’s goal was to create warm, comfortable AND stylish products so that women can continue to dress how they’d like, even in the coldest of weather.

Plush accessories are a staple in our wardrobe and will be in your’s too.  Each year we continue to sell out of this amazing styles from Plush so don’t wait until January to get your hands on one of the most coveted items in the store. And this year, Plush added a new size in the footed style so we have those available as well.

Shop online or at chantal. at 229 Commercial Street for all the available Plush items. And be on the lookout for the cute Plush legwarmers – arriving soon!

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Though this season couldn’t be more edgy & dramatic, feminine styles are still big and can be paired with other girly styles to create the timeless & romantic look that we have all come to know and love.

We are loving the glamorous appeal of this look, along with the versatility of the pieces used to create it.  Elizabeth and James is a major player within this arena and has offered up some of our favorite flirty pieces that include jackets, skirts, & tee’s with just the perfect amount of high-style.  The best part about investing in pieces from their fall collection is they work beautifully paired back to all our other designer’s fall collections, and also so much you already have in your closet.

Shoshanna, another cult favorite when it comes to finding that girly & sophisticated look, has offered up some amazing styles that are not only warm, but feature some high style!  Her Shawl Collar Sweater Dress is a classic style that offers an abundant amount of versatility.  Wear it with leggings (or tights) & boots to create a cozy look or pair it with a blazer & scarf for a more polished appeal!

Or you may be looking for that perfect dress to wear to all your holiday parties that is going to give you longevity for the rest of the season?  Shoshanna’s Belted Peplum Dress is sure to impress even the girliest of girls!  We love the gold belt detail with the flirty ruffle at the hip, such a strong & feminine trend!  A statement necklace is all you’ll need to complete this look, and Pour La Victoire’s Blanche Heel wouldn’t hurt, either!

Shawl Collar Sweater Dress

Belted Peplum Dress

Other silhouettes & pieces we love for creating this look include:  Graham & Spencer’s Washed Silk Cami, Shoshanna’s Strapless Pleat Detail Dress, and Nanette Lepore’s Hollywood Dress.  All portray that true, lady-like persona with details and finishings that are timelessly stylish!

New styles for the season are pouring in everyday.  Pairing a classic style that makes you feel comfortable with an updated trend like a cropped blazer from Rebecca Taylor or moto jacket from Mike & Chris can make your look fresh and interesting. These styles just arrived this week at chantal. and will be on shopchantal.com next week.

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Jean & Tee Girl: Drew Barrymore

Every year, there are a handful of customers who await for the arrival of certain designers, specific items, and share in our excitement to wear it all NOW.  These same customers also come to us every year looking for similar or the same items that are such staples to their wardrobes that they must “refresh” them every year or simply want more of what they already have.  These women are women after my own heart as I rely on the same basics every year, as well, but I also understand the importance of (this is one of my favorite quotes from one of my dearest friends) “freshin’ it up” – Chantal Young.  Simply put, that favorite t-shirt, pair of jeans, comfy sweater, or warm pair of tights may be a bit worn after living in it all winter long & pieces, such as these, can use a little replacement every now and again.  More importantly, we have picked up some great new designers since last fall (don’t worry we kept all the “old faithfuls,” as well) whose collections include some of the best every-day pieces (especially for the jean & tee girl) we have seen in the 4 years we have been open.

Sharon Segal has perfected the burn out tee in a silhouette that screams, “I am the perfect long sleeve basic!”  For all our customers who have loved Splendid’s Very Light Jersey Collection for tee’s, we are positive that you will fall in love with Sharon Segal’s Cloud Burnout Long Sleeve U Neck, offered in both charcoal and white–my opinion, you’ll need them both.

Long Sleeve t-shirts are always sought after by our customers every year around this time, but it’s also the season for denim!  Basically, it’s a no brainer–what two pieces work more organically together than a tee and jeans?  As most of you know, we are always picking up new denim lines to keep things interesting, and our newest line, [BLANK], has everyone talking.  Not only do their skinny jeans fit perfectly & flatter endlessly, but the price point is very appropriate considering the economy, at the moment.  [BLANK] has offered up two basic washes along with some fun, trend-worthy washes and fabrics, as well.  We are loving their Denim Skinnie Classique in Creamy Asian.  Yes, a basic blue jean in a basic style, but also with just a hint of trends we are loving at the moment (Distressing & Studs–featured, just slightly, on the back pocket).

Important to note, these basics are extremely appropriate for every day and do not have a shelf-life, but they also look best when accessorized just a bit to create a “look” or “style” that is still comfortable, but not boring.  Simply throw on a Me & Kashmiere Scarf, tuck those skinny jeans into a great pair of boots, and find a lush jacket that can be worn with so many different things…and don’t forget the bag!

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