Roman Holiday: Lori Packs for Italy

OK. It's really more like "Milano Holiday," but that just didn't have quite the same ring to it. Lori left for Milan for the fall buying shows. We helped pack her bags with some of our favorite spring shoes and accessories. Below are the outfits we put together after raiding Ms. Andre's capacious closet. We wanted day and night looks, and shoes that could maneuver between the two to save on space. We built some crisp, structured looks and more casual-chic soft and flowing outfits. The result, we hope, is a suitcase of versatile pieces that can mix and match to meet the occasion.

Shoes: Pour La Victoire Irina • wristlet clutch by Deux Lux • Rebel Designs cuff

Shoes: Boutique 9 Ildra • bag: Christopher Kon 645 in Blue

Shoes: Pour La Victoire Irina • bag: High Fashion 4106 in black • Chain Cuff

Boots: Boutique 9 Jarn • bag: Christopher Kon 645 in blue • spring scarf

Booties: Boutique 9 Bacchus • bag: Latico • assorted bangles

Shoes: Pour La Victoire Irina • clutch: Whiting & Davis 4078

Shoes:Jeffrey Campbell Ripple • bag: Latico • assorted metal cuffs

Spring Bags (and some Fall Holdovers)

Aren't you tired of fashion's conventional wisdom?


Don't wear black with brown. No white after Labor Day. Stick to one texture. Your belt must match your shoes. Flannel is for lumberjacks.

These fashion "don'ts" are now the biggest DOs of the season!

When shopping for bags this spring remember that the old rules no longer apply. A lot of women pigeonhole themselves when looking for spring bags. Some think that their bag must be light colored, bright colored, no greys or browns. Says who? Yes, generally, as the seasons change the fashions do brighten up, but you can still integrate some of your favorite fall bags into your spring wardrobe.

Here are my favorite Lori's spring pieces as well as those from fall that may continue on active duty:

Will Leather Goods Lancaster Messenger available at Loris

The Lancaster bag is definitely ready for spring. The olive canvas and brown leather look great together and won’t clash with your wardrobe The mixed textures and rustic look give this bag a functional Americana vibe that we love. Tote your laptop or get kitted out for fieldwork!

Mushroom by Oryany

Oryany bags have exceptional quality and the hardware is sturdy and unique. The two-tone color of the Mushroom is neutral and right on trend.

Melie Bianco

Grey was huge this fall. This Melie Bianco bag is a great example of one that can easily transition into spring. Note the tassels—another huge trend this season.

Chocolate by Oryany

Another Oryany bag, I love the shape and the carrying options provided. Use the top handles to carry i like a tote or fold it in half for a floppy under-shoulder clutch, or simply leave the hands out of it with a cross-body strap.

Pink by Sondra Roberts

This Sondra Roberts clutch is the definition of femininity.  It has been one of my favorite bags for a long time!  The pink has spring written all over it!  It is also available in purple, black, ivory and taupe.

Whiting & Davis

The white shimmer in this gorgeous clutch makes it a perfect companion to just about any outfit!

Ricky Designs

This ethnic piece by Ricky Designs is one of kind and sure to cause a stir! Wear it with a brightly colored dress or go neutral and add it for a pop of color.


—Ashley Lacey, Armitage staff and creator of Stiletto Chic


   

Sneak-Peek: New Apparel Finds in New York

Lori and the buyers are busy in NYC scouting out new trends and styles for our spring lineup of clothing and accessories. Apparel, a new addition to our repertoire just last year, it growing bigger. A big trend we're buying this season is the drapey and diaphanous Greek goddess look—lots of wraps and gathers in tunic lengths, one-shoulder tops and silky rompers. The look is easy, yet effortlessly chic.

We temper our enthusiasm for the ancients with more structured, modern pieces like a wool-and-leather panel skirt, a cowled shift dress and, why not?, black leather hot pants. Vrooom!

Color blocking and sailor stripes are emergent looks for early spring. While we would normal run shrieking from horizontal stripes, we think these picks have a jaunty, fresh vibe that really luffs our sails.

   

Cut to the Paste: Our Fave Bag Maker

Lori and Nicole, our handbag buyer, are in New York on a buying trip. They ran into Shervyn, designer of Cut N Paste bags. This is a relatively new line for us. We became love slaves the instant we saw them. The quality is impeccable and the leather so buttery soft we'd slather it on toast if we could. Cut N Paste bags have that je ne sais quoi weight to them that is so satisfying. It comes from using quality leathers and hardware. We're super excited to see what comes in for spring!

  

The Little Black (Holiday) Dress

The “Little Black Dress” is tailored, chic sophistication—its hue and simplicity no doubt contributing to its longstanding popularity. Invented in 1926 in Paris by fashion maven Coco Chanel, this dress never seems dated, regardless of the year. The L.B.D. reinvented the way women wore black, becoming a permanent staple in cocktail and evening wear. The L.B.D. was often paired with one or two strands of pearls, simple black pumps and matching pearl or diamond earrings. Think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (her dress was Givenchy). It holds a special place in the closets and hearts of many women.

The holidays are upon us! Whether the parties are work-related or involve family and friends, we want to look our very best. Since dress code varies from one holiday event to another, it makes sense to pick a L.B.D. that is more timeless. If you stick to the book, wear the L.B.D. classically: sleeveless, knee length with a high scoop neck. Rely on your shoes and accessories to update your look from one event to another.

Sometimes I draw from the idea of the L.B.D. while adding an edge for a look that is a bit more exciting. I personally love the L.B.D. with a lace overlay, opaque black tights and black pump or bootie. (I simply love black.) Puffed, single-sleeve dresses are all the rage right now (as are sequined dresses). If your holiday party is laid-back, consider these as options. Keep in mind that you can also mix and match textures and couple your L.B.D. with edgier shoes and accessorizes!
 
Must your L.B.D. be black? Why not set your sights on a dress that is partially black? Chanel said fashion is in the streets, and the streets are alive with COLOR. Add nudes, reds, olives, blues, whatever you wish. Who knows—maybe it will up your chances of being caught beneath the mistletoe!

Sondra Roberts bag available at Lori's Shoes.

Steve Madden Mercyy available at Lori's Shoes.

Sam Edelman Jagger available at Lori's Shoes.

Clutch and ring available at Lori's Shoes.

—Ashley Lacey, Armitage staff and editor of Stiletto-Chic

     

Lessons from the Silver Screen: Dressing Dolce Vita’s “Pippa”

Whenever I see fur I think of Old Hollywood glamour. Marilyn Monroe. Zsa Zsa Gabor. Audrey Hepburn. Elizabeth Taylor. Rita Hayworth. Grace Kelly. This is the era of less as more, when diamonds were a girl’s best friend ... But I digress. Most notably it was a time when fur became timeless. It never goes out of style!

Cue Dolce Vita’s Pippa. This rabbit fur wedge boot is just ah-mazing. Initially, I was attracted to its equally fab stiletto counterpart, the Tatum, but a sturdy stacked wedge wins me over every time! Not to mention the Pippa is taller. The more fur the better.

Before I could even get the Pippa into my grubby little hands, I was a-buzz with legging options. Should I pair it with a black patterned tight? What about grey? I just knew that NUDE anything would be just awesome; the Pippa worn bare-legged (especially with warm skin tones) will be absolute perfection.

I’ve found that with fur you don’t have to pair it only with colors that are prominent within the legging's print. You can throw on complimentary colors. I had a girl try on the Pippa and it look great paired with her black jeggings, deep purple over-the-knee lightweight socks and multi-colored chunky knit sweater. I loved her layered look ... and her fringe bag didn’t hurt either! The pairing of the unexpected adds a bit of oomph to the entire look and tones down the boot for a wearable daytime look.

Inspired by my fashionable customers, I put together some outfits around the Pippa. Let me know what you think!

 

—Ashley, Lori's staff and creator of Stiletto Chic


  

A Time For Gifting.

It's never too early to start thinking of gifts. Whether for the holiday season, birthdays, anniversaries, or just to lift a friend's mood, it seems there's always an excuse to buy a little something for a special someone (even if that someone's you). Here are a few new items that we think will make great gifts for the holidays or just because.


Jewelry's always a big winner (and it's hard to lose at $38). This sweet necklace has a small gold-plated wing pendant strung along a short gold chain. Wear it everyday alone or layered with additional necklaces for a "heavenly" look.

What girl wouldn't mind having a leather bag added to her collection? This petite coin purse-cum-sling-across by Hobo has remarkably luxurious glazed leather and superior construction. Unique vintage style makes this compact purse easy to love. Available in sage and black, this bag is a very moderate $58. 

For your stocking-stuffer gifts, try a scarf or a cute pair of socks. A pair of mohair-blend leg-warmers make an unexpected but much-desired gift. Or how about some colorful and soft wool-blend gloves with special fingerpads that will work with any touch-screen phone?

If you're looking for the perfect gift that will make any girl in your life happy, go for the gift card. Available in $25, $50, and $75 denominations, a Lori's gift card is your ace in the hole. It will never expire and won't lose its value over time.

A Few Favorite Looks

In case you haven't noticed, Lori's has started to carry apparel, much to our delight. Here are a couple looks that include a few of our favorite new apparel pieces matched with new shoes and accessories.

This dressed-up look can be worn out to a party, on a date or anytime you're going for sexy but tasteful. With a contemporary little black dress from BB Dakota, standout bronze and emerald green leather pumps from Poetic Licence, and a luxurious leather clutch from Jesslyn Blake, this look is simple, yet exciting. Accessorize with a beaded wrap bracelet from Nakamol for added sparkle.

Little Black Dress by Lori's 


Both casual and sophisticated, riding-chic style remains a timeless classic for Fall. We like to layer basics like this long-sleeved black T-shirt from BB Dakota with a soft plaid Echo Design scarf and match with a pair of jodhpurs and buckled Miz Mooz boots. The khaki crocco-embossed High Fashion satchel, Rebel Design leather and crystal cuff, and M Gold earrings are just enough to accessorize the look without going over the top.

Riding Chic by Lori's 

Merchandise It: Texture Frenzy

The Lori's Insider Report

—Ashley Lacey, Lori's staff and author of Stiletto-Chic

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to "merchandise it up" in the words of my fashion icon, the über-fab Carrie Bradshaw. (I am well aware that she is fictional but to me, she lives.)

I love to create a multi-dimensional look centered around one core item. It is paramount to have a statement piece, whether it be a pair of platforms, a necklace, a bracelet or a bag. Pick an item to be the center of attention and make it the star of the show!

When picking your pieces be sure to incorporate texture. Add items that don't seem to match. This trend is epic right now. Match a dressier item, such a sequin top or a light weight chiffon skirt, with a blazer or edgier boot as seen below on Gwyneth Paltrow. Her amped-up boots are obviously the main attraction! Get her sexy combat boot look with our Vancouver boot by Sam Edelman.

No need to match your belt with your pumps. No need to wear only complementary colors. Take a look at my fave "mix-n-match" runway Fall 2010 looks [courtesy of Harper's Bazaar]. These looks illustrate color remixing, the pairing of items of various textures, layering and the dominance of a muted color palette.

How does one style a "statement piece"?  How much is too much? You decide! Exercise your own judgment. I believe that fashion has no rules. Adorn yourself with fur (faux fur if you prefer), ethnic or Geo prints and texturized tights. Wear what your fashionable heart desires!

Hue tights, Boutique 9 wedge booties, earrings, and Cut N' Paste bag all available at Lori's