Sale Roundup

Some of our favorite new sale items from around the WWW. This week we’re all about shipwreck chic: draped silhouettes, gold sequins, stripes, exotically inspired leathers, navy blazers and maxi dresses.

The Clothes

Gryphon’s Sequined Crochet T-Shirt would be perfect paired with a black blazer and booties. Originally $275; now $96.25.

Tadashi Shoji’s Sequin One Shoulder Dress looks like exquisitely draped liquid gold. Down to $123.99 from $310.

A delicate dotted pattern is replicated in a sequined neckline in French Connection’s Pick & Mix Beading Dress. On sale at $199.99 (originally $288; take an additional 50% off with code FCFIFTY).

Channel your inner wood nymph in Mikael Aghal’s Printed Chiffon Maxi Dress. Reduced from $615 to $215.25.

Love the combination of soft greys and yellows in Aqua’s Wide Stripe Racerback Maxi Dress. Reduced from $88 to $30.80.

The classic one-button blazer is updated with a navy hue in Elizabeth and James’ Elizbeth IV Blazer. Originally $395, now $157.97.

Hello, sailor! BDG’s Knit Toggle Jacket will take you from the office to the marina. On sale at $49.99 (originally $60).

This dreamy Yigal Azrouël skirt features mixed metal paillettes on burnout cotton. Originally $615; now $243.25.

The Shoes

Rebecca Minkoff’s printed lizard Lure Peep Toe Pumps radiate subtle exotic appeal. Originally $275; now $115.50.

Boho goes tribal in Dolce Vita’s Eliza sandals. Now $74.40 (originally $155).

Max Studio’s Double Platform Fish Skin Sandals are like something out of a fairytale, where a hard luck heroine makes something fabulous out of scraps. On sale at $128 (originally $179).

Derek Lam’s Natsumi were made for strolling down the summer streets of Rome. Now $319 (originally $790).

The Accessories

A classic gold chain necklace gets knotty in this Kate Spade piece. Marked down to $118 from $295.

Shade your face in retro-chic style with Nordstrom’s Cloche Hat. Originally $48; now $14.97.

Gerard Yosca’s Cherry Red Bangle Set has a 1950s confectionery feel. Reduced to $84 from $112.

A graphic batik print elevates L.A.M.B.’s Seaforth bag beyond the everyday. Originally $148; now $69.97.

Looking for discount codes or sample sales? Check out our most recent Discount Code Roundup for our latest coupons and Today in Sample Sales for current sale events.

Sale Roundup

Some of our favorite new sale items from around the WWW. This week we’re seeking offbeat glamour: summer cardigans and shrugs, jolie-laide footwear and straw handbags.

The Clothes

A strapless shape and winged embellishments will take French Connection’s Iron Eagle Dress effortlessly from summer barhopping to holiday parties. Originally $168; now $149.99 (for a limited time, save an additional 30% using code FCSALE).

Make a memorable exit in Foly + Corinna’s Draped Back Velvet Burnout Dress, now $164 (originally $410).

It doesn’t get any prettier than Alice + Olivia’s Ruby Embellished Shrug. On sale at $308 (originally $440).

This little French Connection faux fur shrug is perfect for dressing up without adding bulk. Marked down to $79.99 from $88 (take another 30% off with FCSALE).

Layer and accessorize in one fell swoop with Banana Republic’s Monogram Necklace Shell. Reduced from $98 to $29.99 (take an additional 25% off sale items through 6/27 with code BRSALE25).

Get crisp, military-inspired style with Lafayette 148 New York’s Short-Sleeve Belted Jacket. Originally $498, now $229 (plus an extra 30% off deducted at checkout through 7/5).

Diane von Furstenberg’s Elissa Blouse plays a fashionable game of Pick Up Sticks. On sale at $147, down from $245.

BB Dakota’s Camden Safari Sunset Dress is a perfect summer dress with a sense of adventure. Originally $83; now $54.

The Shoes

Love the plunging collar on STEVEN by Steve Madden’s Partey booties. Originally $169.95; now $76.

Sigerson Morrison’s woven leather shooties are like some sort of exquisite jolie-laide chain mail for your feet. Now $278 (originally $695).

Rick Owens’ Tie Wedge Mules are sexy, orthopedic perfection. On sale at $539 (originally $1345).

Love the versatile two-tone metallic hues and thick banding on Jimmy Choo’s Private sandals. Now $796 (original retail $995).

The Accessories

A rattan body and pyramid stud clasp are a match made in clutch heaven in this Michael Kors piece. Marked down to $124 from $178.

And for that matter, so are hoops and pyramid studs. Can you tell I have a soft spot for pyramid studs? Pyramid studs for everyone! Juicy Couture earrings were originally $48; now $33.60.

Straw never looked so sophisticated: Tory Burch’s Gwendoyln Straw Tote. Reduced to $417 (originally $595).

Eugenia Kim’s Max Striped Straw Fedora is very downtrodden-silent-movie-star-on-an ocean-liner, which is to say, both charmingly retro and shabbily chic. Originally $265; now $185.50.

Looking for discount codes or sample sales? Check out our most recent Discount Code Roundup for our latest coupons and Today in Sample Sales for current sale events.

Designer Finds: The Millinery Shop

Designer Finds is a new feature dedicated to shining a spotlight on up-and-coming and independent designers. Want to nominate someone for consideration? Drop us a line!

I secretly have always wanted to be a hat person, and naturally, the recent royal wedding with all of its Philip Treacy finery stirred up those old longings. Sadly, not only has the whole elaborate hats at weddings thing yet to catch on in the U.S., but to really be a hat person, you have to commit yourself to it (a la Isabella Blow), and I’m not sure I’m ready to be that much of a hat person. I tried to suggest mandatory hats in lieu of the usual crap games at my recent baby shower, but apparently my friends thought I was joking (at least they knew I wasn’t kidding about not having games part).

Still, there’s no time like the summer to find oneself a good hat or two. Marcia Lacher is an F.I.T. trained milliner whose Etsy storefront holds her original handmade designs, ranging from cloches to fedoras to headbands to Treacy-esque cocktail hats. Undeniably vintage-inspired without being twee, Lacher’s guiding philosophy is “you should look better in your hat than without it.”

I’m personally leaning towards this fedora: I love the juxtaposition of the chocolate brown menswear shape with the feminine mass of cream colored ribbon bows.

Check out all of The Millinery Shop’s pieces or request a custom item here, and save 25% off felt winter hats and fur-trimmed hats using the coupon code EndofSeason.

Our Picks

Brown Fedora with Ribbon Bows, $260

Natural Straw Cloche Hat with Black Ribbon Bow, $230

Black Felt Headband With Flower & Brooch, $65

Straw Houndstooth Fedora, $130

Femme Fatale Pillbox Hat, $165

Streamlined Fedora, $255

Cheap(er) Chic: Vena Cava, Alexander Wang, and Albertus Swanepoel for Gap Khaki

After much anticipation on the part of both bargainistas and fashionistas, the limited edition Gap khaki collection went live today. In conjunction with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, designs by 2008 winner Alexander Wang, runner-up Albertus Swanepoel, and finalists Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava are now being offered for sale online and at Gap’s brick and mortar stores.

In the past Gap has been somewhat remiss in producing this sort of affordable collection by higher end designers, falling behind retailers like Target, Kohl’s, and JC Penney’s. Here’s to hoping that they keep it up - not only are all the items in the collection under $100, but the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund’s cash prizes and increased exposure helps emerging talent survive in a flailing economy.

I’ve posted some favorites below, and you can see the collection in its entirety here. I’m not necessarily a big khaki person, but I may spring for the Vena Cava Printed Dress - it’s light and summery with a more sophisticated neutral palette. What are your thoughts on the collection?

Vena Cava’s Printed Khaki Dress$88

Vena Cava’s Khaki Zip Dress $88

Alexander Wang’s Khaki Double-Breasted Jacket $88

Alexander Wang’s Khaki Pleated Shorts $49.50

Albertus Swanepoel’s Khaki Bucket Hat $39.50

Albertus Swanepoel’s Pleated Khaki Hat $39.50

Spend or Save: Vintage-Inspired Hats

This week’s trend: vintage-inspired hats for summer. Choose to spend or save on 1920s cloches, 1940s fedoras, 1950s berets, or 1970s wide brimmed hats.

1920s Cloches

The Spend

Victor Osborne’s Cloche Hat - $313

The Save

Forever 21’s Straw Cloche Hat - $12.80

1940s Fedoras

The Spend

Eugenia Kim’s Max Fedora - $275

The Save

Banana Republic’s Uptown Fedora - $29.99 (orig. $59)

1950s Berets

The Spend

Christine A. Moore’s Marcie Bow Beret - $208

The Save

S Loves C by Spring & Clifton’s Bow Beret - $38

1970s Wide Brimmed Hats

The Spend

Kokin’s Floppy Ribbon Hat - $290

The Save

Bop Basics’ Toyo Braid Sunhat - $80

Sale Roundup

Some of our favorite new sale items from around the WWW.

The Clothes

BCBG’s Ruffle Front Shift Dress is delightfully feminine. Originally $218; now $86.90.

Comfort gets cute with Max Studio’s Ruffled Sweater Dress. Marked down to $68 from $186.

Pair this Marc by Marc Jacobs’ Fiona dress with flat sandals for a chic but unfussy summer look. On sale at $209 (originally $298).

Yaya Aflalo’s Lani Dress is ready for cocktail hour. Was $370; now available at $259.

Robert Rodriguez’s Black Label Lace Silk Sheath Dress proves that sometimes bringing drama to a room is a good thing. Now $529.90 (originally $891).

The Shoes

Goldenbleu’s Caitlyn wedge is a perfect compromise for those who want a summer shoe but can’t live without their basic black. Marked down to $235 from $559.95.

Gladiator goes adorably geeky with Matt Bernson’s Trojan sandals. On sale at $149.99 (originally $190).

Get huarache-like summer style with Dolce Vita’s Damsel flat sandals. Were $80; now $59.99.

The Accessories

Keep the sun off your face and cultivate an air of mystery in Cha Cha’s Nora fedora. Now available for $108 (originally $216).

Lauren Merkin goes classic with her Eve Clutch. Marked down to $88 from $180.

Flower power gets a whole new meaning with Kara by Kara Ross’ oversized Two Petal Flower Rings. Originally $215; now $129.

Looking for discount codes? Check out our most recent Discount Code Roundup for our latest coupons.

Daily Obsession: Bow Details

It’s no wonder that a well-placed bow detail gives an item a certain mystique; bows are oftentimes design shorthand for youthful sophistication.

$100 and Under

Blair Waldorf would be so proud of these pearl-dotted enamel bow earrings. $18

A fab Robert Rodriguez pencil skirt at a fraction of the price? Yes, please. $80 (orig. $286)

Ditch the ratty baseball cap and try this darling straw cloche instead. $34

The Mid-Rangers

This single-shouldered Searle piece is a beautiful drama queen of a top. $167.30 (orig. $308)

Rebecca Taylor’s wool bow front jacket is a nice antidote to the average black blazer. $138 (orig. $395)

Speaking of metallic gunmetal heels: these Moschino peep toe bow pumps are adorable with an edge. $237 (orig. $434)

The Spendy Picks

This Lela Rose tank top, with its askew front bow, is minimalist perfection. $695

A classic bow piece for the ages: Ports 1961 Basketweave Pea Coat. $850 (orig. $1725)

There are no words for this stunning Sonia Rykiel sequin bow dress. Just sighs. And possibly pantomimed gestures. $3400