Fashion Orbit

Item of the Day: Lisa Ho’s Cape

Is it too early to start thinking about outerwear? Well, if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area where it was raining yesterday, probably not, although still a bit premature to begin investing in your serious winter wardrobe pieces.

When that time comes, I totally have this wool/cashmere blend Lisa Ho cape earmarked. I hate it when I have some fab holiday dress with crazy sleeves or some other detail that make it impossible to put a jacket over, but the open shape here lends itself to more versatility for your layers underneath. It’s also available in a gorgeous grey version, although I think the camel color is particularly rich and equestrian looking.

Currently available at $801.43 USD (thanks to @krissyanjo for the designer inspiration).

Item of the Day: Pencey’s Lace Blazer

Summer is ordinarily not the season for dedicated blazer wearers like myself to don our garment of choice. Pencey’s Cotton Lace Blazer, with its raw edging details, cropped sleeves and adorably wilted black bow manages to be seasonally appropriate while maintaining a certain slouchy formality.

Currently on sale at $196 (originally $392; take an additional 20% off until tomorrow at midnight using code EXTRA20).

Item of the Day: BB Dakota’s Brown O’Sullivan Coat

Fashion Orbit is a working lady these days, as you may guess by the infrequency of posts as of late (though I promise to be diligent once again).

This BB Dakota coat is work appropriate, rocks the equestrian style, and has a price tag under $100.

Currently available at $92.

Sale Roundup

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

The Clothes

Opening Ceremony’s Zip Front Bustier Jacket is equal parts tough dame and ingenue. Originally $440; now $176.

Black Halo’s Jackie O Twill Sheath gives a seriously sophisticated impression for summer. Marked down to $207 from $345.

ADAM’s Deep V Kimono Dress has a hint of the exotic. On sale at $109.50 (originally $365).

Kate Spade’s Charleston Classic Blouse is all starchy propriety with a bit of edge. Marked down to $88 (originally $195).

We love the apple green hue and seamed waist of Calvin Klein’s Textured Wool Button-Tab Coat. Was $245; now $183.75.

The Shoes

Calvin Klein’s Prosper Pumps feature swirled quilting details. Marked down to $96.99 (originally $149.95).

A sleek minimalist shape defines BCBGMAXAZRIA’s Teela sandals. Now $129.99 (originally $225).

Espadrilles meet gladiator flats in Frye’s Jodi sandals. On sale at $89.40 (originally $298).

The Accessories

Channel your inner silver screen goddess in these vintage crystal earrings and brooch. On sale at $84 (originally $120).

Overlapping petals lend personality to an otherwise classic cuff in this Banana Republic bracelet. Originally $55; now $29.99.

A rich electric violet hue makes Marc by Marc Jacobs’ Dr Q Lil Riz Handbag extra delicious. Marked down to $299.60 (originally $428).

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

Designer of the Week: Soia & Kyo

Montreal-based outerwear designer Ilan Elfassy’s Soia & Kyo line re-imagines the classic British trench with trademark oversized buttons, asymmetrical collars, and contrast trim.

Eye It: Summer 2009

All Summer 2009 photos: Soia & Kyo

Buy It: Soia & Kyo Online

Trench in Off White $113 (orig. $225)

Houndstooth Nicole Coat $146 (orig. $365)

Sienna Double Breasted Trenchcoat $169 (orig. $245)

Joyce Leather Coat $243 (orig. $485)

Maelie Jacket $166 (orig. $415)

Ines Coat $360

Alanis Shawl Collar Zip Jacket $273 (orig. $390)

Designer of the Week: Gryphon

Aimee Cho, a former fashion writer for Vogue, launched her line Gryphon with a very particular item serving as the impetus: the classic trench coat. While trench coats remain a cornerstone of each collection, Gryphon produces many other wardrobe staples, designed with a clear editor’s eye for mixing and matching across the line.

Eye It: Fall 2009

All Fall 2009 photos: Gryphon New York

Buy It: Gryphon Online

The Timeless Jacket $465.50 (orig. $665)

Sequin Tee $193.20 (orig. $276)

The Boyfriend Blazer $498

The Beaded Top $325

The Feather Dress $780 (orig. $1288)

Nailhead Trim Coat $625

Flower Cap Sleeve Dress $273.70 (orig. $391)

Exclusive Fashion Orbit Discount: 10% Off At Chick Downtown

Just in - Fashion Orbit readers can save 10% at Pittsburgh-based online mega-boutique Chick Downtown using the discount code ORBIT.

In addition to a staggering number of some of the best current womenswear designers, from Abaete to Yoana Baraschi, Chick Downtown also features a sizable sale section and an impressively well-edited vintage collection (sorry, vintage collection is not eligible for ORBIT discount).

We’re loving Tibi’s 70s-inspired Phoenician One Shoulder Dress shown above (currently available at $546; $491.40 with discount) - so different than most of the current summer pieces we’re seeing. Some of our other favorites:

Best stripes gone wild top: McQ by Alexander McQueen’s Zebra Zippered Top ($203.25; $189.93 with discount)
Best preppy mini: Milly’s Ribbon Skirt ($90; $81 with discount)
Best unrepentantly girly frock: Alice + Olivia’s Peach Madison Dress ($440; $396 with discount)
Best tee to take the troubles away: Wildfox Couture’s Love Potion #9 Jersey Top ($64; $57.60 with discount)
Best sophisticated jumpsuit: Black Halo’s Kelly Romper ($343; $308.70 with discount)
Best fantasy heels: Tibi’s Skye Pumps ($420; $378 with discount)

The fine print: Take 10% off (excludes vintage collection) at Chick Downtown using discount code ORBIT. Code cannot be combined with any other promotions/discounts.

Sale Roundup

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

The Clothes

We’ve always been a fan of the AG fit, and love the minimalist stitching on their Stilt Jeans in Obserbe. On sale at $134.40 (originally $168).

Designer of the Week Thread Social demonstrates the beauty of simplicity with their Sleeveless Dress. Originally $407; now $284.90.

Diane von Furstenberg’s Ermani Shirt Dress is crisply nouveau preppy. On sale at $219 (originally $365).

Nanette Lepore redefines the nautical look with her Ship Ahoy Top in Cream. Marked down to $138 (originally $275).

It may remain out of our particular budgets, but there’s no doubt that the classic style of Calvin Klein’s Reggie Short Trench Coat will last a lifetime. Was $1795; now $897.50.

The Shoes

Quick and easy cage shoes that will pair seamlessly with most outfits: BCBG’s Gilly sandals. Now $159.99 (originally $275).

We can’t help but adore the over-the-top, Betty Boop 2.0 quality of Giuseppe Zanotti’s Minny Vernice Papavero pumps. Marked down to $385 (originally $688).

For those taking André Leon Talley’s battle cry seriously to heart: Frye’s New Maxine Campus Boot. On sale at $229.60 (originally $328).

The Accessories

Tough gets sweet with Felix Rey’s Jean Leather Bag. On sale at $226 (originally $560).

Kate Spade’s Plaza Kaylee clutch has a certain garden party whimsy about it. Was $295; now $148.

Bajra’s Pashmina Wrap features a gorgeous black-and-pink print and micro-sequins. Marked down to $217.80 (originally $363).

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

Item of the Day: Elizabeth & James’ Agnes Jacket

A combination cotton and wrinkle silk body gives Elizabeth and James’ Agnes Jacket equal doses comfort and dressiness.

Currently available at $425.