Category — Commentary

Last night marked the 62nd Annual Emmy Awards, and, as usual, the Red Carpet pre-show had us glued to our televisions. Some celebs took the classic route with black or tan gowns, but a few of them went wild in violet and electric blue! We always love seeing more adventurous styles when it comes to award shows. They don’t call it entertainment for nothin’!

clockwise from top left: Christina Hendricks, Tina Fey in Oscar de la Renta, Claire Danes in Giorgio Armani Prive, Emily Deschanel, Anna Paquin in Alexander McQueen, January Jones in Atelier Versace

If you were attending an award show swarming with celebrities, what would you do: play it safe in a simple but gorgeous gown, or take a risk and sport a stand-out look?

*images via WWD

We were so curious about back-to-school shopping habits and style choices of teachers.  So, we surveyed a fine bunch, and received over 200 responses from teachers all over the nation.  And, here’s the data!

(image via Banana Republic)

Primary goal when dressing for school:

44% Being comfortable all day (52% of elementary teachers)

38% Conveying a professional mature look (53% of high school teachers)

16% Looking stylish

2% Staying clean despite working with kids

In selecting your school clothing, what do you care care most about:

55% Expressing personal style

27% What techers/administrators think

9% What parents think (14% of elementary school teachers)

9% What students think (18% of high school teachers)

Most frequent footwear choice:

55% Flats

34% Sensible Shoes

11% Heels

Can you wear jeans to school?

49% Only on casual days like field trips

45% Totally acceptable

6% Never

When it comes to denim…designer or discount?

57% Designer (64% of middle and high school teachers)

43% Discount

Vince denim (50% off), James Jeans, Joe’s Jeans (30% off)

Biggest challenge in shopping for school clothing:

45% Finding clothing that look young enough to be hip but old enough to be taken seriously

34% Stylish clothing on a teachers salary

19% Clothing that goes from classroom to recess to teachers night out

2% Kid-safe clothing

How do you describe the style of your school’s faculty?

71%  Must grade on a curve – we’re a mix

18%  We get an A: our group looks good

11%  Hot Mess! We could use a makeover

How do children in your school dress?

32% Brand name, high fashion

27% Uniforms

27% Torn jeans and graphic tees

15% Hand-me-downs and outdated styles (elementary 23%)

How much do you spend on clothing, shoes & accessories annually?

30%  Under $499

31%  $500-$999

28%  $1000-$1999

12%  $2000+

Thoughts?  Was this information surprising?  Expected?

Methodology: Shop It To Me surveyed over 200 teachers all across the nation during the month of July 2010.

We shared highlights from our survey of over 200 teachers, and their general sentiment on the back-to-school time frame. Now, we’re leaving you with best shopping practices, as spoken first hand by teachers themselves:

Jennifer D. from Baltimore MD summed it up well, “Teachers need to understand the benefits of dressing fashionably. Your students will notice (after all, you ask them to look at you for at least an hour every day) and they will most likely respect you more for taking care of yourself. They may even find it easier to relate to you. More importantly, however, you will feel more confident about yourself, which will translate into better teaching and classroom management.”

So, with no further ado — we present “5 Best Practices for Shopping On a Teacher’s Salary”:

1) Infuse your own personal flair and creativity to your wardrobe. This can especially done through the use of fun accessories (earrings, necklaces, scarves) to make even a basic outfit more exciting.

“I think it’s important to emphasize that teachers absolutely must shop on a budget because our salaries are so limiting. However, many teachers have fabulous and unique senses of style.” -Jennie H. from Chicago, IL

2) Comfortable footwear is imperative…especially for long days on your feed!

“I know a lot of my teaching friends want to be stylish but at the same time we are young and look young so its important to look professional. Flats work best since we are on our feet all day- the problem with that is most work slacks are so long they require heels. It would be nice to look cute, yet professional and also me comfy!” -Monica T. from San Diego, CA

Theory cargo pants, Cole Haan wedges (55% off)

3) Sign up for sale alerts for brands you love through Shop It To Me and other online destinations.

“Teachers also need to know that they can find great fashion without spending beyond their means. Stores like Loehmanns and internet sites like Shop It To Me and online sample sale sites make fashion affordable even for an inner-city public school teacher like myself.” -Jennifer D. from Baltimore, MD

4) Shop places that offer discounts for educators.

“I like to shop at places that offer teacher incentives/discounts. For example, J.Crew and Ann Taylor Loft give out great discounts all year round to teachers. All you have to do is flash your teacher card. Also, versatility is key. I like being able to wear some clothes to work and then go straight out afterwards and look decent.” -Allison K. from Brooklyn, NY

5) Work together! Find other stylish teachers with similar taste to exchange tips and shop with!

“We definitely share info about sales, deals, or where we buy clothes if someone is wearing something cute. A few of us have gone on shopping outings to see what we can find. There have been some pretty great scores that we get excited about (ex. Joes Jeans and Stuart Weitzman heels).” - Blythe D. from Oakland, CA

“A few friends and I do “Fashion Challenges” where we set up a budget and see who can find the cutest/stylish outfit on that budget at a given store. We all have to look at the same store and we give ourselves a time limit.” -Carly Q. from Happy Valley, OR

Despite the fact that it’s been a while since we’ve heard a class bell ring, with fall right around the corner, we can’t help but be reminded that school is about to get back in session. An even more fun (and immediate) prospect: back-to-school shopping. And though legions of students will no doubt be stocking up on backpacks and the latest trends to stand out on campus, we were curious to turn tables a bit and get teachers’ takes on what this means for them. So we surveyed educators from pre-school to college to find out how—and where—they shop for work, and what constitutes “dressing for success” in the classroom.

Turns out, teachers think they get a bad rap when it comes to style: “Teachers get unfairly grouped into the old lady teacher stereotype,” wrote a teacher from California.  “We love to dress up …even if it’s just kids who are going to see us that day!”

While that may be true, a mere 16% of the teachers who responded to our survey identified “looking stylish” as their top priority when dressing for school.  And only 17% of respondents said the teaching staff at their schools deserve high marks for style.  Sounds like it may be time to add fashion as an extracurricular?

BCBG oversized blouse, Theory cropped pants (40% off)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, “being comfortable all day” comes first and foremost. That seems to be especially important to pre-school and elementary school teachers (54%), perhaps, because, as one teacher told us:  “teaching is a dirty job – literally.” Something about chalk dust and magic markers.

Meanwhile many of their high school counterparts are more concerned with maintaining “a mature and professional look”—maybe so they aren’t confused with their students? That said, an equal percent want clothes that are “young enough to look hip”. Which might explain why designer jeans are popular with 60% of teachers.

J.Crew wool ruffle jacket, denim pencil skirt (30% off)

So what do teachers actually wear to school? The most popular brands and retailers among our teaching pool were J. Crew, Ann Taylor/LOFT, Banana Republic and The Gap, though some mentioned sleek contemporary lines like BCBG, Michael Kors, Theory and MaxMara.

Theory shirt dress (40% off), Tory Burch tote (30% off)

In order to up their aesthetic ante, teachers have learned to be creative shoppers.  One Chicago teacher told us: “I will never buy a Max Mara design straight from their store, but I have one or two pieces thanks to ‘best shopping practices‘!”

Tactics include clothing swaps, shopping parties and even outlet shopping en group.  One teacher told us that she and some colleagues hold “fashion challenges”:  they set a budget and shop the same store to see who can find the most stylish outfit in the allotted time.

And, of course, there’s always Salemail as a shortcut for stylish steals.

Methodology: Shop It To Me surveyed over 200 teachers all across the nation during the month of July 2010.  See the complete results.

In a world where prices are constantly inflating like nobody’s business, there’s something very refreshing about the fact that Rebecca Minkoff Classics have actually DROPPED in price this year! That’s right, the top styles have become more affordable than they were in seasons past… as if we needed another reason to shop these amazing designs:

There’s no better time than now to purchase a MAC, Morning After, Nikki, or 5-Zip! Go ahead… shop to it!!

*If you haven’t already, be sure to add Rebecca Minkoff to your Shop It To Me brands list! Login to your account now to update, and swing by Sale Spot for even more fantastic deals!

In case you’re in need of a weekend pick-me-up, or craving some end-of-summer fashion finds, we wanted to share a few exciting online sale events.  The below sales are currently underway, but only last for a limited time, so act fast!

Visit the EllaMoss.com private sale, with instant access for Shop It To Me members!  Womens, Girls, and Little Ella styles are all marked down, with up to 50%-off select merchandise.  You’ll see these styles in your Salemail too if you have Ella Moss selected as a brand.  Only lasts August 5-7th.

And, these other two department store sales last until 8/8:

NeimanMarcus.com – Last Call sale is on! Styles up to 65%-off include handbags from Marc Jacobs, DVF, and Carlos Falchi, dresses by Prada, Moschino, Rebecca Taylor, and many many more!

Saks.com August Sale — up to 40%-off contemporary and modern styles for both Men and Women.  Styles span from Armani, Derek Lam, Fendi, Vince, LnA, Hugo Boss, and more.

We recently had the pleasure of chatting with one of our favorite style bloggers, Taylor, from the adorable and inspiring Sterling Style! She has a way of infusing all of her outfits with a certain girly something… we are loving every look she puts together. Check out our interview with Taylor below, and be sure to subscribe to her amazing blog!

What inspired you to start a blog and how did you choose the name Sterling Style?

I decided to start a blog so that I could share all my inspirations online with others. I chose “Sterling Style” because Sterling is my middle name and has been in my family for years. My dad calls me Sterling. Plus, I thought it was fitting.

How would you describe your style in a nutshell?

My style is a little all over. I am inspired by different things every day. However, I tend to dress casual, feminine, and bohemian a lot. Lately, I am feeling more classic.

What are three articles of clothing you couldn’t live without and why?

My watch- I love wearing a watch and I feel naked without one. My blazer- it can be transformed into so many styles and looks. A white tee- always classic and comfortable.

What are 5 of your favorite brands?

Stella McCartney- for her classic and beautiful animal friendly designs, Chloe- I always love the neutral colors and beautiful menswear looks, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Acne, and my new favorite Isabel Marant!

What types of items do you like to save $$ on and what do you find “splurgeworthy”?

I like to save money on basics. It is easy to get great tanks and tees at Gap, American Apparel and H&M. I like to splurge on accessories like handbags and shoes! Right now I am coveting a handbags by Botkier and Balenciaga, and shoes from Acne.

Any tips/style advice you’re willing to offer our readers?

Always stay true to yourself. Style comes from a woman who is confident and happy. Her true beauty and personality shows through her style. It is fine to grab inspiration from others, but don’t try something unless it feels right to you.

–

We’ve teamed up with Sterling Style and are giving away an adorable Marc by Marc Jacobs bag! Hurry, hurry and enter the contest now!

Last night, Shop It To Me attended an intimate evening at the Tory Burch boutique in NYC’s Meatpacking District to see and interact with the new Denim Collection for Fall 2010.    We love Tory’s work, her fabulous and friendly staff, and the experience and warm feeling offered both in the store and on the ToryBurch.com website.

In addition to the more typical & expected bootcut and skinny jeans, this Fall Tory Burch collection reaches  ’outside the box’.  It includes denim splattered with paint in a graffiti style, and other details like metallic details and novelty prints.  From far, the pants don’t even look like jeans — what a unique surprise when friends come near!  Even if you don’t live near one of the 30 free-standing Tory Burch stores across the U.S., you’re able to check out (and purchase!) the Fall denim collection online.

Featured above:

Super skinny printed denim

Metallic brushed denim legging

Biker legging

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing the oh so lovely and talented Kathryn Eisman, author of two international bestselling books, “How To Tell A Man By His Shoes” and the brand new “How To Tell A Woman By Her Handbag“.  She’s smart, stylish, and successful… and with adorable titles like these, clearly the books are unique must-reads!  Find out more about Kathryn in our interview with her below, and be sure to check out her clever and entertaining books (visit her website for more details).

What inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always loved language and the ability to communicate your ideas in such an intimate way; a reader literally holding your thoughts in their hands.  Then the idea came to me that people reveal themselves in details; not the grand declarations of who we say we are but the small things that we don’t think anyone will notice. That’s how I came up with, “How to tell a Woman by Her Handbag”, and before that, “How to tell a Man by His Shoes”.  Why in a world of infinite choice we pick one pair of shoes or bag over all others, reveals a huge amount about who we are as a person!

What kind of handbag do you usually carry, and what does it say about you?

I’m a huge fan of butter soft leather totes with a shoulder strap that I can keep snug under my arm as well as a longer ‘across the body’ strap that gives me the option of going feel hands. Lately I like feeling as unencumbered I can… and holding a clutch means there’s one less hand for me to cause mischief with. I like to cause mischief.  My favorite brands are; Chanel, Mui Mui and Perrin Paris.

You’ve interviewed a fabulous set of celebrities (including Cameron Diaz, George Clooney, etc).  Can you tell us about a favorite moment or two from these interviews?

The first thing that kit me with Cameron was how alive she was; her eyes were sparkling and she had such a fun, girly energy that I really related to. I asked her how she maintains her sanity and sense of fun in the crazy and fickle ‘Hollywood scenes’.  She smiled and told me her secret was “Gratitude”; to be grateful everyday for all of life’s gifts. I think it’s a beautiful way to live and if any of my friends are feeling down in the dumps I tell them to go through a list of everything they’re grateful for in their lives each morning as they have a shower. That simple exercise is enough to change the course of each day, and ultimately your life.

I remember feeling a tad nervous about meeting George, especially since one of my friends made me promise that if I did meet him I would introduce them so they could get married. Unfortunately for her, she was in a different country at the time, so it was just the two of us (poor me)! When I sat down to interview him I was taken aback by the kindness and depth in his eyes. His part man/ part boy essence is the secret to his widespread appeal.

What clothing/accessory items do you try do you try and save on and what do you find splurgeworthy?

I feel really good about myself when I buy a super luxury piece on sale and prefer to buy fewer things of higher quality.  I love online shopping and when things go on sale I snap them up – I’ve bought 5 or 6 dresses in one hit when there was a 50% off sale. I always joke, “It’s not how much you spend; it’s how much you save!”

I will splurge on a really luxe handbag because I’m likely to wear it day after day for a long time and really get my value out of it.  Plus a fabulous bag can really dress up a simple outfit and adds that instant polish. Plus when you write a book called, How To Tell a Woman By Her Handbag, you better have a good one!

I will save on the basics; A great linen t-shirt from Zara. And will buy some quirky disposable pieces of jewelry from cheaper chains such a gold cuff I recently bought at a Forever 21.

Favorite places to buy for each?

I am a HUGE fan on shopittome.com because it’s like having a personal shopper on the lookout for when your favorite brands go on sale. I also love hitting the shops in NYC; Starting the day in one outfit and then ending up in a totally new one.

Could you offer a few words of style advice to our readers?

Find out who you really are and what you want out of life and then select a wardrobe that best reflects that. People forget how much of an impression the clothes we wear make. I say, use them to live the life you want, and have fun with it!

After a whopping 102 episodes, split unevenly between 6 different seasons, The Hills has finally ended. Whether you loved the drama or despised the materialistic image the show portrayed, the media attention that these “reality” stars received is hard to ignore. Even though you will no longer be able to get your weekly fix of fictional drama labeled reality, the stars of the show still live on…and so do their wardrobes. Now the majority of us don’t get paid upwards of $80,000 per 10 minutes we appear on a screen “living” our lives, so to cope with this minor travesty we have scavenged Shop It To Me to pull items worn by your favorite Hills stars, now offered at more affordable prices:

Kristin Cavallari was spotted in this gorgeous Alice + Olivia Casey Cluster Sequin Dress. Kristin certainly looks dazzling in this dress, and its simplistic cut allows for a multitude of shoe pairings, so you can add your own personal flair to this piece. We’re somewhat surprised that Kristin didn’t buy this dress in black since that seems to be her color of choice, but maybe she was in a good mood.

Was: $485, via Shop It To Me: $340

Audrina Patridge has been photographed on numerous occasions wearing these Rich and Skinny ‘Super Skinny Jeans’. The distressed denim can be accessorized accordingly to bring out the rocker-chick look that Audrina prefers in the company of Justin Bobby, or the girly-girl look that she favors when around her female counterparts.

Reg: $152, via Shop It To Me: $106.40

The last few episodes of The Hills reveal to us that Lo Bosworth must have some sort of secret life outside of her TV persona. What with the magical appearance of her boyfriend Scott, who all of the sudden loves her very much and wants to move in with her, we begin to wonder how well we really know Lo. Putting aside our immense confusion in regards to Scott, we fondly remember these Marni ‘Suede Platform Sandals’ Lo wore in the Season 6 premiere.

Reg: $825, via Shop It To Me: $422.50

We were also particularly intrigued by this Elizabeth and James IV Blazer that BOTH Lo and Lauren Conrad have been seen wearing…clearly they have not been coordinating very well.

Reg: $395, via Shop It To Me: $276.50

We hope that the conclusion of The Hills will coincide with the conclusion of our unfulfilled longing for a gorgeous Chanel bag that every single girl on the show seems to own, but until that time comes, we will be frantically checking our Salemail hoping that our needs can be satisfied at a hefty discount!