Category — Tips

Exciting news! We’re giving Shop It To Me members access to the very fabulous, very discounted Tory Burch Private Sale!

Whether you’re dying for a pair of Reva flats or hunting down a hot new bag, now’s your chance to scoop up sought after items at unbeatable prices.

With discounts of up to 60% and special insider access, what are you waiting for!?

Shop It To Me members only: click here to access the Private Sale.

Happy Shopping!

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.

Exciting news!! Free People, the brand we all know and love for it’s irresistible bohemian-chic vibe, has launched a new line, Vintage Loves!

Vintage Loves, which launched on Monday, is filled with one-of-a-kind pieces that you cannot find anywhere else. The clothes are absolutely dreamy and selling out quick! Hurry, hurry… shop to it!

(images via FreePeople.com)

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!

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!

Chances are you’re well aware of the Proenza Schouler PS1… Not only that but you’ve also probably seen dozens of knock offs trying, with little success, to re-create this schoolboy-inspired bag! Find out why the glorious little satchel will never be shown on the runways, and what went into making this “anti It Bag” the most coveted item on the market.

Dying to have one? We are! Shop your favorite styles of the PS1 at Net-a-Porter now!

*warning: this bag falls into the splurge category… Sign up for SALE alerts on Proenza Schouler by logging in to your Shop It To Me account now.

The oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world starts today in Wimbledon, London; well known for its strawberries and cream, Henman Hill / Murray’s Mount, and Cliff Richard doing sing-a-longs when it rains! While the club colours are purple and green, the players are required to play in all white, though already this year 19 year old French woman Tatiana Golovin has been causing a stir with her red knickers.

We thought it would be great to support this tradition (and show a little love to our UK readers!) by looking at the fabulous white dresses that came up in Shop It To Me UK Sale Spot this week.

1. SEE by Chloe silk bow dress £181  2. Rick Owens Lilies Sleeveless dress £92  3. Day Birger et Mikkelsen Day Collection Beaded Trim Dress £209  4. Jil Sander Sleeveless jersey tie dress £286  5. Paul & Joe esperant cross front dress £137.50  6. Alexander Wang off the shoulder dress £370  7. Calvin Klein box pleated dress £278.93  8. Halston jersey cowl back dress £406  9. Melissa Odabash cotton sundress £68

Ladies (and gentlemen), Father’s Day is quickly approaching! Do not panic — you still have time to shop for your dad online if you get scootin’. He may not be the easiest one to shop for, but the good news is Sale Spot is a fantastic tool for situations like these, and we’re here to help! For Dad, sometimes playing it safe isn’t the worst idea… think manly accessories or perhaps a nice sweater. Here are a few gift ideas we came across:

1. Cole Haan woven leather clip card case 2. Andrew Marc canvas travel bag 3. Banana Republic stripe skinny tie 4.Theory cotton stripe scarf 5. Theory cotton sweater 6. Nixon watch

The best thing is dads typically aren’t that picky. And if yours happens to be… there are always returns!

If your dad doesn’t give a you-know-what about fashion, go for the golf gear/sports memorabilia. Or a nice bottle of wine (then Mom will be happy too!). Just make sure you don’t forget to tell your father how much you love and appreciate him – they only get one day a year, after all!

Coachella may be only a memory, but this doesn’t mean we can put spring/summer music festival style behind us! With the New Orleans Jazz Festival just passed, and a long lineup of festivals approaching, there’s no better time than now to get your closet concert-ready.

Coachella was flooded tons of our favorite celebrities, and some of these ladies really know a thing or two about style! Rachel Bilson, Camilla Belle, and Alexa Chung nailed it with their chic, casual looks. Checking out photos from festivals past is a great way to find outfit inspiration…

When it comes to festival attire – there are two main things to consider: looking stylish, and feeling comfortable. Think loose, flowy dresses and airy jumpers. Top off your look with a solid pair of sunnies and don’t be afraid to pile on the jewelry!

For all those in the UK… we know many of you even made the trek to Coachella! So no matter where you live – whether you’re waiting for Bonnaroo or gearing up for Glastonbury – Sale Spot has what you need to land your music-inspired masterpiece!

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs Disco Stripe Romper: was $248, now $173 2. Antik Batik Embellished Maxi Dress: was $186, now $109 3. ASOS satin and chain headband: was $13, now $8 4. Free People denim boyfriend shorts: was $78, now $45 5. Free People tunic dress: was $128, now $89 6. Steve Madden boots: was $149, now $49

And if you forget everything we’ve said, let us just leave you with this: be creative and have a blast! Festivals are the perfect time to get funky and have a little fun with fashion!

There are more ways to go green than by mixing blue and yellow. With Earth Day approaching on Thursday, we wanted to share a few fashionable ways to celebrate our world!

Love of Two Cities tote by Catherine Malandrino

We came across these adorably colorful eco-totes by Catherine Malandrino and are finding them pretty irresistible. Inspired by the designer’s love for New York and Paris, the “J’ai Deux Amours” tote is created from 95% recycled materials and priced at a very reasonable $25. Show your appreciation for these iconic cities, respect for the earth, and impeccable fashion sense all a the same time. Pick one up at your local Catherine Malandrino boutique!

Ride your bike

We realize this is no revolutionary request, but with designers like Chanel making bikes, and Alexander Wang creating chic spandex shorts, this is a trend that’s bound to catch on. While forking over $17,000 for this two-wheeler may not be the most practical use of paper, it sure is one pretty piece of machinery!

Shop Vintage

Hit up your local thrift store, or shop vintage/second hand online via eBay or Etsy. You’ll likely find some super stylish, one-of-a-kind designs on the cheap. Plus, you’ll be recycling while enjoying a favorite pastime!

Add our eco-friendly brands!

Last but not least, don’t forget to add eco-friendly brands like Edun, Loomstate, and Matt & Nat to your Shop It To Me profile!

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Know of any other stylish ways to gear up for Earth Day? Please do comment and share your ideas!