Cheryl Shops

When I first saw Prada's spring/summer 2011 collection last September, my first thought was, "seriously, WTF?" The banana prints, the bright colors, the mixed stripes...it all seemed just a bit much. The funny thing, though, is that Miuccia Prada is one of the great thinkers in fashion nowadays, and her collections always get the wheels turning in my head--there's a reason I frequently feature Prada as the inspiration for these seasonal shopping guides here on Cheryl Shops. That collection now stands out the most in my mind for spring/summer, and its brightly colored stripes are one of the trends I'm most excited about right now--funny how that happens.

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For those of you who like to go straight to the source, there's Prada's Striped Top Handle Tote, which, of many standout bags from this collection, is my favorite. The colors are bright, but could almost function as neutral--they're versatile enough to complement everything from a beige dress to an all-out, head-to-toe hot pink and kelly green colorblock look. It should be noted, however, that in spite of this bag's four-figure price tag, it is, in fact, canvas.

Even though this Clements Ribeiro top walked the runway days before the Prada collection, it shares a mixture of stripes and patterns--was Miuccia conferring with the design community? Regardless, since this top already has a lot going on, it almost begs to be paired with a printed skirt, or something equally off-kilter.

Another look that walked the London runways days before Prada's show is this quirky Mirror Dress by Louise Gray. It's a good piece to wear if you want to make a statement, but don't want to go through the hassle of coordinating separates. This one is also a bit fancier--instead of overlaid prints, it's embellished with mirrored appliqués.

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Marc by Marc Jacobs' Simone dress marries the bright-striped trend with the '70s look that's so popular (again) for spring. This is an easy way to wear the trend--it's pretty and breezy--without looking too fashion-victimy. After all, who doesn't love a sundress?


Kate Spade's Betty dress is equally easy to wear, but with an even more polished, pretty look. Granted, Prada is ladylike too, but this is much more approachable. Even if you work somewhere conservative like a law firm, you could wear this to work under a jacket, or on its own on the weekend. It just goes to show how many ways a trend can be interpreted.

This Jason Wu sweater reminds me a bit of the Prada bag above, and while it might not be super-bright, I think it would look awesome with a bright pink, purple, or green skirt. It's also a great transitional piece between seasons--I'd think you'd be able to wear it in all but the hottest summer (and coldest winter) temperatures.

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If you're not sure this trend is for you, there's always what I call throwaway fashion, like this inexpensive Cooperative Monaco skirt from Urban Outfitters. It comes in a neutral navy and white version, but I like the green mixture--it's definitely springlike. Again, I'd suggest wearing this with something crazy on top, like bright orange or pink, but there's always a simple tee too.

In fact, you could pair it with Topshops's striped tank, which, as far as this trend goes, is pretty basic, and thus a good layering piece. I'd wear mine with bright skirts, but if you're feeling crazy, why not wear it with a patterned skirt or pants as well?

What the above tank would really look cool with, however is this Balloon Maxi Skirt from ASOS. While not, admittedly, an easy shape to wear, it manages to be unique but with a relaxed, summery vibe--I have a feeling I'm going to live in this skirt all season long. Miuccia would be proud.

The very first time I went into Maria Cornejo's old store on Mott Street, the designer herself was working the sales floor, and as I shopped, she asked my opinion on everything--an experience that was equally engaging and intimidating. I find her clothes tiptoe the line between soft and hard, minimal and intricate, pretty and almost unwearable, and it's that delicate balance that makes them so exciting and coveted. (Did I say any of this? No. It was more like, "Oh, I like it!") In the grand scheme of things, Cornejo's clothes are still somewhat reasonably priced, but her one-day-only sample sale is a great opportunity to stock up on statement-making pieces that you'll wear forever. She's teaming up with Repetto shoes, and prices are up to 80% off, with 10 years' worth of archive samples starting at $50. 4/28; 11-5; 84 Wooster St. (Spring & Broome Sts.), 6th fl.

Despite the fact that I have multiple piercings in my ear (four in each lobe), I'm surprisingly not as adventurous as I could be when it comes to earrings. In fact, I usually stick to simple white gold studs or silver hoops -- maybe switching out the earrings in the front with fancier danglier and chandelier styles when an especially nice occasion comes along, or my outfit is in desperate need of accessorizing. So typically a somewhat out-there trend like long feather chain earrings isn't something that would normally suit my fancy, but somehow I'm intrigued! Feather-adorned accessories have been gradually resurfacing over the past handful of years, but often get written off as too earthy or too funky, but now feather earrings are going gung-ho with super long styles, some braided with shimmering chains or beads. Because of their length, they even double as hair accessories as they intertwine with long wavy locks for a cool woman-of-the-wild effect. Take a cue from all the trend-setters at Coachella and rock feather earrings for an, organic, boho-chic flavor this summer!

Pictured above: Lady Amherst Pheasant Moon Earrings, Urban Outfitters Cascading Feather Earring, Gilded Lily Goods Green Feather Bullet Earrings, ALDO Shulz Earrings, and Arden B. Linear Bead and Feather Earrings.

- Alex Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

Maybe it's because this winter seemed unusually cold and long, but is it me, or is spring taking its sweet time getting here? I know April showers bring May flowers and all that, but I've certainly had more than enough of this 50-degrees-and-rainy weather. I switched my closet to spring/summer last weekend, so my sweaters and tights are packed away, which has left me with lots of filmy dresses and bare sandals...and not the right conditions in which to wear them. So when I heard the temperature was going to hit 70 degrees today, out came my new striped miniskirt and my trusty platform sandals...and, of course, I was freezing until about 4 p.m. this afternoon, when the sun finally came out, but you know what? It was worth it. I may prefer winter clothes--fur, cashmere, flannel, oh my--but when it comes to footwear, there's nothing better than summer shoes: open toed, brightly colored, embellished, high-heeled, the whole nine yards--shoes like this delicious Eva sandal, a style featured on Diane von Furstenberg's tour de force spring/summer 2011 runway. While it comes in practical neutrals, the lime-green citron color is more fun, and definitely more springlike. I adore the oversize side bow--it's feminine and pretty, and after months of shapeless puffer coats and snow boots, who doesn't want to feel like a lady? The challenge, of course, is picking a non-rainy day on which to wear them (they're suede), but May is just around the corner, isn't it?

It seems nearly every week there's a new premium denim label on the scene, and while I'm always up for trying something new (especially if it promises an amazing fit), there's one denim house that I keep coming back to: Earnest Sewn. Their Harlan is my favorite skinny (although it's actually more like a cigarette), their Decca straight-leg is my all-time favorite fit, and while so far I've been striking out with flare-leg jeans, I have a feeling their Lau might be the winner. So I plan to head over to their sample sale, where, Sample Sally reports, women's jeans are $60 (2 for $50), samples are $40, and damaged jeans are $30. Earnest. Through 4/24; 10-8; 821 Washington St. (Gansevoort & Little West 12th Sts.), 2nd fl.

As a girl with sad, brittle nails, it's not often that my tips are in tip-top shape... or even long enough to justify polishing them. But those rare times when they are lookin' good, I instantly become polish-obsessed! Nearly every day I'll end up switching up whatever shade I'm currently rocking -- from dark merlot and glittery gold to bright lemon yellow and even glossy nude -- I'm a sucker for new shades! That's why I can really appreciate a nail polish collection that's cohesive yet still packs an impressive variety of shades. Take Butter London's Spring/Summer 2011 collection, for example. While you wouldn't expect a powdery gray-blue (Lady Muck), gold-tinged green apple (Dosh), cobalt blue (Blagger), and pale pinks (Hen Party and Teddy Girl) to belong in the same color story at all, it somehow manages to work. It's punchy and bright but balanced with cool neutrals for an overall look that's reminiscent of your typical unpredictable April spring day - sunny then rainy, cloudy but vibrant! It's the perfect cure for polish addicts who love to switch it up!

- Alex Gambardella

The Calypso for Target collection is due in stores May 1st, and since that's nearly two weeks away, Target has released a lookbook featuring images of the entire collection--women's clothing and accessories, girls' clothes, and home items. There's a definite bohemian vibe, with strong tie-dye and elephant motifs running throughout. Fans of Calypso should be pretty happy, particularly if you love maxi dresses and ruffles; there are also some very summery woven tote bags and lovely beach hats. Clothingwise, my favorite item is this $36.99 dress, which I intend to wear as a swimsuit cover-up (I am incredibly in need of a new one); really, I'm the most enthralled with the home items, like the $59.99 pouf, a similar version of which Calypso Home sells for--I kid you not--$3,000. Prices range from $1.99-$79.99, and according to Racked, which has the full lookbook posted, quality is pretty high. Let's hear it for masstige!

Last week Uniqlo announced its upcoming three-part Designer Invitation Project [subscription required]. It kicks off with the return of Costello Tagliapietra next week on April 21, Charlotte Ronson arrives on May 5, and Vena Cava follows on May 12. Supposedly items will remain in stores until May 21; I have a feeling they'll sell out long before then, especially since every piece is just $29.99. The Cut has a full preview of the collection for your shopping-strategy purposes; hands off this Charlotte Ronson design--it's mine.

In shoe news, a reminder that the Swedish Hasbeens collection for H&M hits stores April 20; and always a favorite, the spring Pierre Hardy for Gap shoes are high-heeled, pointy-toed, colorblocked, and totally right up my alley. Fashionista has the scoop; shoes are due in stores mid-April, which means any day now!

If, like me, you're salivating over the Derek Lam for eBay crowd-sourced collection, good news: You can pre-order it now before it technically goes on sale to the public on May 10. And, finally, for the patterned-leggings fans out there, Topshop collaborated with Meadham Kirchoff, a London duo known for flowy, trippy, magpie-ish creations like, well, this. Proceed with caution.

 

I think it can be safely said that by now we've all seen, or at least heard about, the infamous "Bra Revolution" episode of Oprah, in which it was revealed that 8 out of 10 American women are wearing the wrong size bra. I'm fairly vigilant about getting measured, so I was pretty confident going into my appointment with Linda the Bra Lady today. After attending a mastectomy bra-fitting class years ago, Linda Becker spent 20 years taming the ta-tas of Philadelphia women; five years ago she moved to New York and opened a shop at 828 Lexington Avenue. Her newest store, at 552 3rd Avenue (36th & 37th Sts.), where I had my appointment today, just opened on Saturday. Both locations stock some 250 bra sizes, and if for some reason they don't have yours--and, really, if they don't have it, who will?--they'll special-order it for you. They also sell matching undies and swimsuits in all manner of sizes as well. (Fun fact: her best-selling bikini tops are size 32 G, for "young, thin girls with nice full breasts," says Linda. "They come in and snap them up!") There's a chic waiting room in front, but, really, the magic happens in back.

While some "expert" bra fitters can claim to know your bra size just by looking at you, Linda uses the tape-measure method, which is more precise and results in far fewer returns. She measured around my ribcage, right under my breasts; the rule of thumb is to add 3 inches to that measurement to get the proper band size (4 inches if the number is even). Mine was 29-1/2, which Linda said means usually I'm a 32 but sometimes a 34 in brands like Wacoal, which run small--true on both accounts. Linda eyeballs cup size, and she guessed mine correctly--to preserve my modesty, I won't tell you what it is, but Linda did accurately assess that my right breast is a full cup size bigger than my left. She said because of my, er, unique situation, I should look for stretchy cups to accommodate my shape--non-stretchy cups will gape on the smaller breast and cause the bigger one to spill over. My other fitting challenge is that I have very sloped shoulders, so my bra straps are constantly slipping down; Linda addressed this by bringing me racerback and adjustable-strap styles, neither of which I'd ever tried before. I settled on a style by Chantelle (which happens to be my favorite bra maker), very similar to the above Icone Basic Spacer--the straps can crisscross, but even better for me, I can make them taper in at the back so that they don't slip off my shoulders! So while I was, in fact, wearing the correct size, I was wearing the wrong type of bra, which was just as bad. Problem solved!

As a bonus, Linda peppers her fittings with all manner of tips. I learned how to properly put on a bra (straps first, then hook, then lift your breasts into place--never yank the bra), that one should rotate bras daily and wear them 3-4 times before washing (preferably by hand), and that bras should be replaced every 6 months, especially if worn on a regular basis. For more tips, I highly suggest checking out the Linda's Bra School section of her website, which is rife with all manner of mammary-related (sorry, couldn't resist) information; there's also more on the Linda Unhooked blog, which is written by Linda and her staff. And while, of course, you can shop on Linda's website, I highly recommend making an appointment with Linda or one of her bra experts, all of whom receive at least three months of Bra School training. (Appointments are highly recommended but not required; all the stock is kept in back, so you can't really walk in off the street, pluck some bras off the rack, and go try them on.) A note for the modest: My fitting involved lots of toplessness, and Linda did help me adjust my girls several times in a true  hands-on manner--all par for the course when it comes to bra fittings, but worth mentioning for the uninitiated. It's literally a transforming experience--I can't wait to wear my new bra tomorrow!

FTC full disclosure: My new bra was gratis, however I will definitely be back to Linda's for a new bikini come summertime.

One of the many things I miss about living in the West Village is the excellent boutique Otte, which is located right around the corner from my former apartment. It's small, but it has the perfect mix of clothes, shoes, and accessories from contemporary designers like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Inhabit, and J Brand--somehow the buyers always pick the best items from each collection, distilling the store into a term I kind of loathe, but in this case, it's totally appropriate: well edited. And so to take a trip down memory lane, I advise hitting their two-day sale this week, which features the above designers, plus Alexander Wang, Elizabeth & James, and includes--I quote--"lots of shoes." I'm there! 4/13-4/14; 10-7; 37 W. 26th St. (5th Ave. & Broadway), ste. 305.

As much as the idea of trying to keep a white handbag clean completely stresses me out, there's something about white leather bag that's just undeniably luxurious. It's pure and smooth, and it just somehow looks and feels automatically luxe even despite a simple silhouette. If you can get past the paranoia of avoiding stain-prone substances like coffee, grass, or anything that might taint the appearance of a pure white handbag, I've compiled a selection of pretty white shopper bags so you can embrace the freshest spring accessories trend while you window-shop and run errands in style! What I love about white handbags, aside from their air of elegance, is that it's a form of white you can wear all year round -- before, after, or on Labor Day -- and the spring season is the perfect time to start!

Pictured above: Jimmy Choo Rhea Tote, Dooney & Bourke Dillen Large Shopper, Tory Burch Saffiano Tote, Alexander McQueen Faithful De-Manta Leather Tote, and Furla Handbags Piper East/West Shopper.

- Alex Gabardella

Something’s new at TheFind, have you seen it yet? Just launched Visual Search will make it easier to discover what you want to buy (those fab wedge espadrilles!) and where you want to buy it.

I joke that I need a social networking site to network all my social networking sites (got that?), because, as an enthusiastic Web 2.0 participant, I will pretty much join anything. Some I end up visiting daily (Facebook, Twitter), others more occasionally (Goodreads, Linkedin), and many rarely at all (Lookbooks, OnSugar). That said, some sites are more useful than others, and I'm always intrigued by those that fill a void of sorts in my life that I wasn't even aware existed.

Signpost can perhaps best be described as a cross between Groupon and Yelp; it relies on members to share deals, such as amazing happy hours or secret sample sales, and to vet them. Like Groupon, Signpost also has exclusive offers available for purchase; unlike Groupon, these deals tend to run for longer periods of time and the fine print is a bit more visible (then again, perhaps I've been burned by Groupon one too many times). For example, here's one for $120 worth of clothing for $60 at Heartbeat Style in Hoboken; there are also lots of enticing offers for cheap blowouts, fitness classes, mani-pedis, and the like. To encourage members to share, you receive Karma points when another user likes your deal, and you can then redeem those points for a discount on a for-purchase offer. In other words, the more good deals you share (and the more users like them), the more you can purchase. (I think I am making this sound more confusing than it is, but browse the site a bit and it all starts to make sense.) Signpost is free to use, as is its excellent iPhone app, which might just be its secret weapon. It's how I discovered that my local nail salon offers free cosmos with purchase on Thursday and Friday nights, and if there's anything better than having a free cocktail while getting a pedicure, I have yet to discover it. (Then again, maybe I will find it on Signpost!) Signpost is currently available for NYC, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, but will hopefully be rolling out to more cities soon.

My other recent obsession is Pinterest, a site that's still in its early stages, but judging by how addicted I am to it, I have a feeling it will soon be...well, the next Tumblr. Basically, you install a little plug-in for your web browser that allows you to "pin" compelling images to your virtual pinboard. You can pin anything you like, from inspiring images to stuff you want to buy, and you can arrange your pins in any way you see fit. The social networking factor comes into play because you can follow friends (or just people you like--the site is pretty democratic), re-pin others' pinned items, and comment on items too. Really, I love the site because I read hundreds of emails, websites, and blog posts a day, and Pinterest is a way to catalog and organize everything I see that I like and want to remember. I also leave little comments on everything (although you don't have to), which makes Pinterest, by extension, a random, micro version of Cheryl Shops. Here's my page; you can check out my four pinboards (and, yes, that's me on the left, chomping on a piece of bacon) and see everything that's caught my eye lately. Since Pinterest is still in Beta, the site is by invitation only, however if you email me, I'll send one if you promise to follow me. And I'll return the favor--after all, you can't have too many friends (or, apparently, social networks).

In times like these when it's not quite warm enough to bust out your new spring clothes, but you're dying to wear something new, jewelry sample sales can come in handy. (New jewelry is also a great way to update your look without a total wardrobe overhaul.) This week's top contenders:

Noir makes edgy, attention-getting costume jewelry, and at their sale, prices will be up to 75% off: $10-$95 necklaces, $15-$75 rings, and $5-$40 bracelets and earrings. 4/6-4/8; 10-7; 350 W. 38th St. (8th & 9th Aves.), 5th fl.

Score Kara Ross's exotic bags and gemstone-studded jewels at her sample sale. 4/5-4/7; 10-6; 225 W. 37th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 15th fl.

Ted Rossi makes luxe leather, python, and Swarovski crystal jewelry and bags; you can score them for up to 70% off. 4/6-4/7; noon-6; 15 E. 30th St. (5th & Madison Aves.), ste. 300.

Rachel Leigh's trendy jewelry is 30-80% off at her cash-only sample sale. Snakeskin bangles are $15; a gumball ring is $25. 4/5-4/7; 10-5; 252 W. 38th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 902.

My love affair with designer shoes began in the summer of 2000, when I walked into the Sigerson Morrison store in Nolita. I walked out with a pair of purple metallic stilettos (which I still own) and a new favorite shoe brand. I've been a loyal Sigerson Morrison customer ever since; I'd say I average a pair a season of shoes from either their namesake line, or from Belle, their lower-priced line. What I love about their shoes is that they're minimal and chic but interesting, and--key when you live in NYC--you can always walk in them. They're not the sexiest in my closet, but they're the ones I find myself turning to again and again, and as noted earlier, they last forever, a quality amplified by the fact that they're not too overtly trendy. But, alas, all good things must come to an end. Sigerson Morrison the brand will live on, but founders Kari Sigerson and Miranda Morrison are leaving the company [subscription required]. The duo actually sold the company to Marc Fisher Footwear five years ago but has since stayed on as creative directors; according to the above article, they were shown the door on Monday. And according to this article [subscription required], Marc Fisher is looking to revamp the brand, bring in a new creative team, and likely lower price points. I'm going to try to keep an open mind about all of this, but considering how much love I have for Sigerson Morrison, Marc Fisher has some, ahem, big shoes to fill.

The founders' last collection for Sigerson Morrision will be the fall 2011 line, so I'm taking that as an excuse to snap up as many pairs of shoes by them as I can. I'm going to start with these bone white sandals, which you have likely already seen in umpteen fashion magazines this spring. I love the chunky, sturdy heel and the overall mod look--they're the perfect summer sandal, especially if you want something more sophisticated. I promise to love, honor, cherish, and resole them to make them last forever. 

Comments on The Sartorialist generally tend toward the "Love it" and "Beautiful" vein, but Scott Schuman opened up a big ol' can of body issue worms with this post, in which he described the legs of Italian blogger Angelika as "sturdy but beautiful." After some initial outcry, The Sartorialist backtracked a bit, questioning what is "normal" and defending his use of the word "curvy," both of which are good points. However, what irked me about the post from the beginning was the fact that he felt compelled to comment on her body at all. The vast majority of photos on his blog feature super-thin women; does he ever note how they're "dressed for their shape"? No. Why couldn't he just focus on her clothes, as he does for the rest of his subjects? What's even more upsetting to me is the fact that Angelika is thin--yes, she's more shapely than many of The Sartorialist's regulars, but certainly not deserving of such terms as "sturdy," "bigger," and that cringe-inducing euphemism for chubby, "curvy" (a word that used to be a compliment). Schuman is talented and has a great eye, but, man, he seems like a dick.

Tavi, a.k.a. Style Rookie, has also been getting a bit of attention for this post, in which she finally begins to feel a bit jaded by the fashion industry. I'll let her words do the talking:

Fashion Week is weird. It is very high schooly. Someone will take that and decide that it means Fashion Week highschooliness is getting me down hard without realizing how highschooly what they're doing is. I love fashion but it's disappointing when you have to sift through a lot of junk before you get to, like, the clothes, and the whole point of it all. It's more disappointing when the clothes aren't very interesting. Lately I've been looking to other places for a creative outlet and for inspiration. I miss following magazines and obsessively checking style.com the way I used to but something is different about it now. A year ago I got to go to Paris to interview John Galliano at Dior, and a couple weeks ago today he said he loved Hitler and got fired. Fashion photographs look more posed and the Rayanne Graffs I meet at school more inspiring. I only really miss being obsessed with fashion the way you miss any aspect of a former self, in a nostalgic way, not necessarily as part of a desire to go back.

Tavi is right: Fashion Week--and the fashion industry in general--is very high-schooly. I survive it just as I did high school, by hanging back and observing more than trying to be one of the popular girls. The difference is I want to be there; high school was just a necessary evil. So it is kind of meta to think of Tavi, a high school freshman, in this kind of parallel situation. I think part of why her blog struck such a nerve with the fashion industry was because of its innocence and optimism--reading about her discovery of fashion was kind of like reliving my own, and it reminded me why I love it so much. But we all have to grow up eventually, don't we?

Finally, people often ask me who is my favorite designer; I generally respond that I don't have one, but if I were forced to wear just one for the rest of my life (and had an unlimited budget), it would be Rick Owens. His clothes are seasonless and trendless; he has a basic vocabulary that he expands on and pushes to new boundaries with each collection. Not to mention, his clothes are just cool. So I highly recommend this profile of him in the UK's Independent; it's truly inspirational.

Longtime Cheryl Shops readers know how I feel about sample sales where you have to pay to get in. (Hint: I don't even list them.) However, I make an exception when the admission fee goes to charity, which is why Fashion Girls for Japan is this week's featured sale. Organized by a handful of fashion insiders with strong ties to Japan, the sale features more than 60 designers--from heavy hitters like Helmut Lang and Alexander Wang to indie darlings like Suno and Obesity and Speed, not to mention top names like Thakoon and Altuzarra--and 100% of the proceeds benefit Japan disaster relief efforts. Admission is just $5, and you can even buy a ticket in advance (or at the door). There will be DJs (these are Fashion Girls, after all); no word on the discounts, but the designer list is enticing enough. 4/2-4/3; 11-7 Sat., 11-5 Sun.; Bowery Terrace at Bowery Hotel, 355 Bowery (at 3rd St.).

As I have alluded to in the past, I am a card-carrying Gwyneth Paltrow lover. I thoroughly enjoyed her performance of "Forget You" with Cee-Lo Green (and assorted Muppets) last month at the Grammys, and ever since, I've pretty much been obsessed with the hot-pink feather earrings she wore (pictured at left). They're by Wilfredo Rosado and, in addition to the pink feathers, contain white gold, diamonds, and pink tourmaline, which, by all assumptions, puts them way out of my price range. I've seen a few blog posts on how to make a similar pair, but knitting is about the extent of my craftiness, and, well, I'm lazy. So I was incredibly happy to find these Zoe & Sage feather earrings today on Shock Boutique. The look is a bit different--the feathers are a mixture of black and pink, giving them a darker, more muted look, and the shape is longer and wilder--but the effect is the same: they're exotic and sexy, and look even more so peeking out from long hair. The earrings are $52, which is pretty reasonable, and they're handmade in Los Angeles, which is nice to see. And if pink is not quite your shade (or if you don't want to so obviously copy Gwynnie), they come in green, white, and a bunch of other colors. But as for Gwyneth's skintight black Stella McCartney catsuit, I think I'll leave that one to her.

Rodarte always seems to have a knack for mixing textiles, prints, and styles in a way that's effortlessly cool and slightly undone-chic... and their collaboration with Opening Ceremony is no exception! The Spring/Summer Rodarte x Opening Ceremony collection features a slew of slouchy cardigans, cropped vests and jackets, leather and lace, and fringed pieces... most of which are layered together in a way that perhaps only the models can pull off, but it sure looks darn cool! Aside from all the layered prints and textures, the collection always features some covetable spring booties (love those heeled oxfords!) and sandals, as well as some retro-chic sunglasses and kitschy accessories like tattoo tights and envelope bags. While I don't normally go for the purposely-clashing layered look, I still love the way the collection boasts a carefree edge that manages to be both soft and romantic and tough-girl-chic at the same time. The collection has everything you need to stay stylish this spring without freezing your tush off (it's not quite summer yet, people!), as long as you have $750 to spare on a new pair of western booties!

- Alex Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops

Pamela Love, downtown darling extraordinaire, makes very raw, organic-looking, and often tribal-inspired jewelry that's just this side of scary. I, for one, am a big fan, and so I am totally looking forward to her upcoming collaboration with Topshop. Apparently there are pictures in the April issue of Vogue; no word on prices, but the five-part collection will reportedly have a Native American inspiration--something that normally would give me pause, but in Love's hands will undoubtedly be cool--romantic, bohemian, and perfect for summer. The line hits stores sometime next month, exact date TBD.


For a more immediate accessory fix, Linea Pelle created a line for Target, called LPLP Linea Pelle. Prices range from $14.99 for wallets to $34.99 for more intricately detailed hobos, and considering Target's buy one get one 50% off offer, you can pretty much treat yourself to one (or more) of each style. My favorite, however, is this bright blue crossbody bag. It should be noted, of course, that none of these styles are leather, but considering they're a fraction of what Linea Pelle bags normally cost, one can't really complain.

Also available now is Rachel Antonoff's collection for Bass. It's heavy on saddle shoes and penny loafers, which are styles I am, shall we say, a bit too world-weary to pull off, but if you are in your 20s, I say go for it. I think the high-heeled saddle shoes (pictured at right) are actually quite adorable and the prices for everything ($99-$129) are reasonable.

There are so many awesome sample sales this week, I had to list them all. So, without further ado...

Normally if there is a disaster or a cause, I would encourage you to donate money directly to the charity, rather than shop for something that benefits. However, this is more of a situation where you'd be going to it anyway, and it just so happens to have a charitable benefit. I'm talking about the 2-day 3.1 Phillip Lim sample sale, where RTW, men's, and kids' samples and production stock will be at below-wholesale prices, and proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross's Japan relief efforts. 3/24-3/25; 10-6; 260 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 17th fl.

Also benefiting Japan: United Bamboo, where clothing for men, women, and cats (yes cats), plus shoes and bags are up to 90% off, with 100% of proceeds going toward tsunami relief in Japan. 3/22-3/23; 11-8; 217 Centre St. (Grand & Howard Sts.), 6th fl.


 Expect long lines and lots of cranky rich people at the Hermes sample sale, where bags, scarves, ties, jewelry, and various leather goods are up to 70% off. As usual at Soffier Haskin, bring credit cards and leave the strollers and children under 12 at home. 3/23-3/27; 9-9, 9-8 Th, 1-5 Sun; 317 W. 33rd St. (8th & 9th Aves.).

David Yurman's jewelry rarely goes on sale, so scoop it up at this sample sale, also featuring watches and eyewear. 3/24-3/27; 3-8 Th, 10-7 F-Sat, 11-5 Sun.; Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St. (6th & 7th Aves.).

In case you missed any of Dannijo's prior sample sales, you've got another choice to score their downtowny jewelry at just $10 and up. 3/22; 10-7:30; 423 W. 14th St. (at Washington St.).

Finally, if, like me, you're of the mind that one cannot own too many bikinis, hit the Sirene Collection first-annual sample sale this weekend, where swimwear by coveted lines like Zimmerman and Mara Hoffman is up to 85% off. 3/25-3/26; noon-7 F, noon-5 S; 250 W. 39th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), ste. 507.

One of the most interesting things to me, as a fashion blogger, is seeing new ways of shopping online. A few years ago, private sample-sale websites like Gilt Groupe and Hautelook were all the rage--and they continue to be, although the number of copycat sites has pretty much leveled off. Then came rental services like Rent the Runway, otherwise known as Netflix for dresses. The latest trend is for sites that offer you items on a monthly subscription basis: accessories at Send the Trend, jewelry at Jewelmint, and now shoes at Sole Society (which, coincidentally, is owned by Hautelook). All of these sites have you take a quiz to determine your personal style--it usually involves selecting a series of images--and then generate a personalized selection of products based on your answers. If you see something you like, it's a flat fee, although you can buy as many items as you want (all for the same price). Items are generally available in limited quantities, but the selection refreshes every month. So if you have a particular accessory addiction, these sites can either be very convenient or a lot of trouble--in a good way, of course.

Which brings me to Sole Society. As loyal Cheryl Shops readers know, I love shoes like most people love air or food or water, so the thought of having a personalized selection from which to choose every month sounds just like heaven. I got to preview the current and upcoming collections this week, and I can say the shoes are very on-trend as well as suitable for a range of styles--that's where that style quiz comes in handy. The shoes are all made by Marco Santi (which, a little birdie told me, is manufactured by Vince Camuto, the same fellow responsible for the Jessica Simpson Collection),  exclusively for Sole Society, although new vendors might be added in the future. What I like is that the shoes are mostly leather (although there are some fabric styles as well) and really quite stylish. And while I love fancy shoes, I also love a good bargain: Every pair of shoes on Sole Society is just $49.95, which is amazing when you consider how detailed and well-made they are.

One little caveat: Once you buy your first pair, you opt in for membership. You'll get an email on the first of every month detailing your new shoe selection, and you can either choose to buy a pair or skip the month (you can skip as many months as you want). If you don't respond by the 5th of the month, you'll be automatically billed $49.95, otherwise known as the membership fee. But even if you don't want one of that month's pairs of shoes, your credit is good for up to 12 months (and you can only be charged for three months' worth of credits). Based on what I saw, I would probably want to buy a pair every month, but if you are an epic email-deleter, be aware (or set a Google calender alert).

Even if you don't buy a pair of shoes every month, there's a bunch of fun content on the site--the trends page shows you what to wear with particular shoe trends, and Sole Society also enlists the advice of fashion insiders to provide fit tips, styling suggestions, and other editorial-type content. It's all in the spirit of fostering community—after all it's a Society, not just an e-commerce site. Speaking of which, don't forget to invite your friends: for every three who purchase a pair of shoes, you get a free pair. And if there's anything better than getting a new pair of shoes every month, it's getting that pair for free!