Shopchantal Stylefile

New Year. New Decade. New Season. New Styles. New Designers. We are excite about it all. 

Spring 2010 is turning out to be full of great trends, both new and carry-overs from last season, and fun styles that range from new denim to colorful accessories.

We had a ton of fun doing a few transistional pieces for our new lookbook pages including 2 ways to wear it.  We styled the Elizabeth and James famous Jessica dress two ways.  Simple additions of a Splendid turtleneck and leggings made it possible to buy this dress now, wear it now and of course, wear it later.

The James Blazer from Elizabeth and James in White was another fun trend to style two ways. Paired with denim for wearing now and then for later with a maxi dress and scarf, this is a piece that transcends seasons.

We’ve also updated out Denim Trends Lookbook with the addition of the one of the most popular styles for Spring, the Slouchy Skinny.  This relaxed skinny style is the easiest way to transisiton into this style for those wanting a more relaxed skinny jeans and for those wary of the skinny style. You can also see our Denim for Women link at the top of each page to see more trends and specific product shots.

New accessories are pouring in everyday and our accessory spotlight has lots of new pages to show ways to wear the the ever-popular scarf.  Whether you like the colorful tie dye look or the more subtle polka dot trend, scarves are the easiest way to wear Spring 2010 before it even hits.   Which by the way, is officially March 20, 2010. 

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Summer is still in season and the warm weather is fast approaching.  Luckily we are totally prepared thanks to our amazing selection of summer dresses from Beau Soleil.

Our shop fav is the Beau Soleil Beau Slouch in Black for a cute mini style.

But we can’t resist the beau Soleil Beau Julius in Stone for our evening summer party schedule.

This collection truly is the best of both worlds.  Stylish and easy to wear and accessorize.  The 100% bamboo is a very soft, breathable fabric too.  The quality is impeccable and the fits are so right on.

Other favorite summer dress designers include  Splendid, Ella Moss and Graham & Spencer. Each has a selection worthy of a summer day.

Stop in and see our selection of Beau Soleil and all our other great summer desses at chantal. or see this great new designer to the ever growing list of amazing new designers added to shopchantal.com.

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The Mini - in all it’s forms- a skirt, a dress and even a jumper and jumpsuit dates back to the 60’s and is clarified by a hemline about 7.9″ above the knee.  That’s not as short as you’d think. And, it actually gives you the opportunity to show some leg (if you dare), flash a pair of colored tights or leggings and even wear over your skinny jeans. It’s a fun piece and one that everyone should have in their closet for Summer.

Rhianna is one celebrity who knows how to pull of The Mini with style and individuality.

The Mini can definitely be referred to a trendworthy piece since it withstands the test of time.  When I use the term “Trendworthy”, I am using it to refer to a piece or a collection of pieces that are often considered “trendy” but in reality are pieces that are “worth” the purchase because of the longstanding wearability.

We are having some fun with some really great mini pieces this summer.  The Beau Soleil dresses are so easy to wear and drape beautifully.  We love these paired with a pair of short boots and a Splendid Vest- a great summer concert look!

Joie did the Chiara dress that we keep selling out of because it has a great boho vibe and is so wearable.  It looks great over skinny crop denim and leggings, but works well alone as a real feminine style.

Haute Hippie has designed a Shirtdress that floats over your body beautifully, but also works belted and layered over leggings.  And the color is amazing - we love it paired back to brights and neutrals.

Our collection of Mini styles certainly has legs (sorry, I couldn’t resist using that!) making it easy to add it to your wardrobe as a “go-to” piece.

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We all have our vision of the perfect summer dress.

A Short Style for those hot days.

A Halter to show off our tan.

A Maxi Style to wear with our fav flats.

A Strapless Style to show just a bit of skin.

Or the Classic Style because it is what looks the best on us.

Whatever your vision is of the perfect dress, it is has to be easy to wear and accessorize. That is what summer dressing is all about.  Pair with great heels or the hot gladiator sandal, a selection of bracelets and a large handbag to complete the ideal summer outfit.  It really is that easy, but it all starts with a great dress.

Our must have designers for Simple Summer Dresses are Splendid, Ella Moss and new arrival at shopchantal: Beau Soleil.  Each of these designers works with soft, drapey, comfortable fabrics including Cotton, Modal and even Bamboo to design dresses that fit the body and flow in all the right places.

So, whether you have a picnic for work or play, a beach party or just a day strolling around town, you need to have the must-have simple summer dress.  It will be your go to dress so much that you may need more than one.

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We love preparing for the new season of styles.  Prepping the racks, dressing the mannequins, planning and styling the shots of our web Lookbook and most of all, helping our customers build their wardrobes with the most important pieces of the season

We get new deliveries frequently and if you are in the neighborhood, the smell of our steamer working overtime is a good indication that new collections have arrived.

At shopchantal.com, we try to let you know as soon as we get in shipments.  Make sure to sign up for our email newsletters to get first notice!  You can always check out our “what’s new” link as well.

Just in case you missed an email or haven’t been in the store lately, here are our favs for Summer 09 and what we think are the essentials for your closet.

1. Maxi Dress

2. Nude Shoe 

3.  Silk Tee or Tank

4. Bright Dress

5. Cropped denim

6. Cardi

Just an fyi:  Feel free to call anytime at 1.877.347.5527 or email us at c.service@shopchantal.com if you ever have a question or need assistance. We are always happy to help. 

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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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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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A long time fav at shopchantal.com is Splendid.  Known for their wonderfully, soft and wearable tees, tanks, dresses and more which are primarily Modal and Cotton blends. They are a staple yet always a fashion piece.

The newest edition to the Splendid family of “must haves” is the Sleeveless Flare Cardi.  An easy, comfortable, stylish item that can be worn over just about everything.  It is a wonderful take on our ever so popular Splendid Flare Cardi - we literally wear one everyday!

We love it flowing over a fitted graphic top, belted over a slimming tank or left open over a beautiful dress.  The possibilities are endless and so will the selection of colors as the season progresses.  Currently we have the sleeveless flare cardi in your basics-  White and Black and also a beautiful Lagoon.  Of course, you could also jump on the trend set with the gorgeous neutral/white stripe version - this one is great over bright colors of the season.

Buy them now and check back often for more colors.  This statement piece is sure to win you over and become a favorite in your closet.  Trust us!

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The new vest is one piece we can’t seem to get enough of right now. Our fav so far is the new Splendid 1×1 Ruched Pocket Vest.

Splendid 1x1 in Black

The new take on the old classic vest is pretty extreme. It’s long. It’s slouchy. And it has pockets. This one just happens to be in the classic Splendid Modal/Pima Cotton blend making it even easier to wear with everything.

It’s the perfect piece for your warm weather vaca: layer over your graphic tank or bikini. We love it over seasonal pieces like sweaters and long sleeve button ups. We’ve paired it with our favorite dresses and tights, and even under blazers with denim.

The possibilities are endless.

Check out our new colors of the Splendid 1×1 Pocket Vest at shopchantal.com available in your favorite basic colors and some bold colors as well - just for fun.

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My unfortunate hiatus last night from my beloved television was disappointing for me and my love of blogging. However, our assistant store manager/buyer, Selena, took on the challenge and wrote today’s The Rachel Zoe Project blog update. Thanks Selena! Love it.

Recently inspired by a pair of black leather clog-esque pumps from Joie’s Spring Collection, I began to daydream all the great outfits I could wear around that shoe:  Pink mini dress from Shoshanna with my Streets Ahead Carrie Belt- a sexy, flirty look that is always fun to put together.  Or how about my Current/Elliot Elephant Bells and a Ballet Neck Tee from Splendid—the easy boho style that never goes out of style.

Joie Spring 09

The possibilities  with a shoe like this are endless! Especially when I tuned into The Rachel Zoe Project this evening (I could no longer watch the worst display of a biased moderator I have ever seen in a presidential debate).  Rachel’s eagerness to re-style her sister, Pam,  proved to be an excellent learning experience for women out there who relate to this lifestyle.

Not only were there lessons to be learned for every girl, woman, and senior (just cause your older doesn’t mean you need to loose your sense of style), but Ms. Zoe reaffirmed my take on black pumps being the ultimate accessory.

“Throw on a pair of black pumps with a white dress and boom—Coco Chanel” or something to this effect was spoken by this style genius.

Rachel Zoe Style A to Zoe

Now the tough decisions need to be made—which shoe will be my new ultimate accessory when there are just so many good ones I’ve been seeing for Spring 09? Better yet, why am I asking myself to choose. I’ll take them all please!

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Do I need to really write something about these boots? Don’t they speak for themselves?

Well, I should at least tell you that they are Rebecca Taylor Spring 09 boots. They are a gorgeous, soft leather in camel color. The laser cutouts, open toe and 4″ heel are so fabulous.

We’ll let you know as soon as we get in our order at shopchantal.com, but for now all we can do is fawn over them and dream of the cute outfits we’ll purchase around them. I’m thinking Current/Elliot jeans and a bright Shoshanna top with long, layered necklaces from Gorjana and a really cool coat from Generra. Or maybe just a simple, slip dress from Twelfth Street with a rockin Streets Ahead belt and a Splendid scarf tied at the neck.

Sweet dreams.

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