Cheryl Shops

Ok, before you get all technical on me, this dress is probably not actually a muumuu. It has an empire waist and some crazy sleeves, and I doubt Hawaiians make their muumuus out of toile. It was also not super-well suited to the 98-degree weather we were having when we shot these photos (yes, in June!). But this dress is loose, comfy, and easy to wear, plus it captures the laid-back spirit of summer (and of Hawaii), so I think that makes it an honorary muumuu. That said, this dress is a lot of look. so let's jump right into how to wear it.

Let the leaks begin! Fashionologie has unearthed the first photo of the upcoming Lanvin for H&M collaboration. Shot by David Sims, the image features a wide range of models (L to R, Hannelore Knuts, Jane Schmitt, Tati Cotliar, and Natasha Poly), perhaps alluding to Lanvin's all-ages appeal. All I have to say is, I'll take one of each, please. We'll get a full view of the collection on November 2 and it hits H&M stores worldwide November 23.

Style.com's Style File blog has bad news about the fall Pierre Hardy for Gap boots I had been eagerly anticipating. First, only the black peep-toe boots will be produced--which means no yellow-soled boots, and no gray peep-toe boots, which were the pair I really wanted. The black lace-ups were supposed to hit stores today, but due to a vague delay, they'll now hit October 28.

Finally, Racked National reports that Urban Outfitters is adding another lower-priced designer line to its stable: PJ by Peter Jensen, a London-based Danish designer known for his quirky-girlish aesthetic. PJ hits U.S. Urban Outfitters in December.

Target announced today that Justin Timberlake William Rast will be its next designer collaboration [subscription required]. The collection will be in stores December 19-January 22. No word yet on prices, but unlike most of Target's previous collabs, this one will feature clothing for women and men. Also noteworthy: William Rast, while far more expensive than Target's usual fare, is not quite as high-end as Target's previous collaborators (like Rodarte and Jean Paul Gaultier). All I can say is, I hope Justin Timberlake is involved in whatever splashy marketing campaign Target rolls out in support of this.

Speaking of Target, word on the street is that at the opening of the new East Harlem store last weekend, shoppers spotted (and snatched up) shoes from the Dolce Vita collaboration. They were supposedly supposed to hit stores August 22nd, but they're available online now as well as in many bricks-and-mortar Targets. There's a definite menswear vibe to the collection, with lace-up boots and oxfords (as well as more feminine flats). The shoes retail for a very nice $29.99-$34.99, and my favorite pair is this rather mod buckle boot. It should be noted that these are faux leather, but for $30, who's complaining?

Finally, I don't give Urban Outfitters nearly as much attention as it deserves for its designer collaborations, but they really seek out interesting independent designers and have them create cool stuff. The latest is this Le Bij bar ring, designed by Jules Kim of Bijules, whom we can partially thank for the two-finger ring trend of late. This one comes in a bunch of fun colors, so it's a great way to accent an outfit, and at $18, you can afford to buy several. However, due to the pointy design, I'd suggest not wearing them all at once.

Target has gone collaboration-crazy this spring, with great collections from Jean Paul Gaultier and Liberty of London already on the shelves, plus we have Eugenia Kim, Cynthia Vincent, and now Zac Posen to look forward. I'll have more info on Eugenia Kim and Cynthia Vincent next week, but in the meantime, The Cut has photos and prices of the Zac Posen line, and I must say, it looks pretty good. (Then again, I say that a lot about Target.) The higher-than-usual prices also lead me to believe that it's not all 100% polyester (my biggest criticism, as you know, of the Target lines). There are some sexy-looking one-piece swimsuits, great party dresses, and some sharp tuxedos and jackets too. This is my favorite dress; at $39.99, my fingers are crossed that it's cotton. The collection hits stores April 25 and will be around for approximately a month (or while supplies last).

Lucky reports that cool-girl contemporary line Kova & T is creating a line called KNT for Urban Outfitters. I tend to forget about Urban Outfitters' collaborations, but they have a lot of cool ones, from Geren Ford and Lyell to Steven Alan and Corpus. KNT is a little more feminine than Kova & T, but it still retains that downtowny vibe that's sure to enthrall the twentysomethings who shop at Urban Outfitters. And like most items there, the line retails for under $100. Look for it in stores in May.

MasstigeWatch!
Lots of news in the world of masstige since I've been gone! As you probably already know, Alexander McQueen for Target is now available in stores and online. I actually scored my lusted-after jumpsuit (and the ankle-zip leggings) at the pop-up shop that was open during Fashion Week; the asymmetrical gray dress was already sold out by the time I got there, so I was hoping to find it online, but no such luck. The cropped leather vest--which was one of the most expensive items--is also sold out. I think I might actually order the gray skinny jeans, which I gave up on at the pop-up shop since the fitting-room line was so long. Then again, I probably don't need another pair of jeans. As for the jumpsuit, it's everything I wanted and more, but I recommend ditching the crappy thin belt that comes with it and using your own instead. Also live at Target: Erickson Beamon costume jewelry, which is getting bad reviews for cheapness but otherwise looks fun, and Orla Kiely housewares, which look kitchy-cute and are getting good reviews.

One more Target note: Fab Sugar has photos of the upcoming Tracy Feith Go International collection, several of which are modeled by Allie from The City, coincidentally. Tracy Feith is one of those designers where, when I see his clothes, I first think, "Hmm...interesting," but then they really begin to grow on me, and that's pretty much how I feel about this collection. The prints are offbeat, the silhouettes are quirky, but somehow it all works. I particularly like the cropped motorcycle jacket, and I am in love with this ruffled bikini, and, luckily, the collection hits stores May 17th, just in time for summer.

I will admit, I love Urban Outfitters' catalogues. They are always so stylized and cool-looking, I turn down the corner of every other page to mark the stuff I want. (However, then I go to the store and realize the persuasive power of good photography, because the stuff looks like crap in person.) In the latest catalogue, I noticed a new line, Cool, Casual by Slow and Steady Wins the Race. Turns out this is a designer collaboration; while not super-expensive, Slow and Steady Wins the Race is a fashiony, high-concept line of basics that's normally found at stores like Oak and Opening Ceremony. So far, there are five Cool, Casual pieces available; I have a feeling the leather tee will get all the attention, but I have my eye on the silk tunic, which looks just about perfect to me.

Finally, Racked reports that Adam Lippes for Mango is in stores now...however, prices are more prestige than mass: The cheapest item is a $49 tank top; two dresses top out at $260. They're silk, but still. The outfit at right, which was my favorite of the bunch, will cost you $310 before tax. Yikes! Let's hope those prices are due to wonky exchange rates and not the utter cluelessness of Mango.

MasstigeWatch!
New York Magazine's excellent The Cut blog reports today that Steven Alan is doing a lower-priced line for Urban Outfitters, and it will hit stores as soon as July 4th. This is excellent news for those of us who love Steven Alan's neo-preppy rumpled shirts but not their three-digit price tags, as the line, called Lark & Wolff, will retail for a mere $50-$128. Urban Outfitters has stepped up their game recently with Geren Ford's lower-priced line, Hawks; coming up, the retailer will be debuting special collections from Paul & Joe Sister, Bing Bang jewelry, and Charlotte Ronson. So yay for all of that.

Also, sorry for not having written about Alexander Wang for Uniqlo sooner, but my parents were in town last weekend and so I got a little sidetracked. Anyway, I hightailed it to Uniqlo after work on Friday (I have summer Fridays, thank god) and was happy to find all five dresses in my size (they had plenty of all sizes at the time). The funny thing was, though, that the dresses I thought I'd like the most--the vest babydoll dress and the pleated drop-waist dress--were the ones that looked the worst on me. The colorblocked dress was not terribly flattering either. In order to pull off Wang's slouchy, boyish silhouette, it helps to not have boobs, and, well, yeah. I ended up with the shirtdress and the sleeveless black dress, both of which are cut incredibly well. The shirtdress is a cotton blend and the sleeveless dress (as well as all the other dresses) is polyester, but it's actually a pretty nice poly, and it at least fooled me into thinking it was silk. I have no idea if anything is left (rumor was that Uniqlo was restocking today), but this is one of the best masstige collections I've seen in awhile, so I highly suggest checking it out (or surfing eBay, where there are already multiple pieces listed). Here's where I could make a joke about getting so much Wang for so little, but I'll refrain.