Cheryl Shops

It's hard to believe, but we've been wearing skinny jeans for the better part of the last decade; all in all, skinny has been the dominant pants silhouette of the 2000s. Now that it's 2011, however, it's time for a change. I should mention, I am fairly reluctant to give up my skinnies--I think they suit my body shape quite well, and there's something to be said for fear of the unknown. Plus, changing one's pants does require a shift in the rest of one's wardrobe as well: all those long, billowy tops are not going to do you any favors with wider pants. But an important part of fashion is trying new things, and while flared jeans aren't exactly new, they're a drastic change, and often change is good. Higher-waisted, flared jeans were all over the spring runways, thanks in part to the season's strong '70s influence, and to mix metaphors, there's no time like the present to go back in time.


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If you're going to splurge on a pair of jeans, this pair by Balmain is a good place to start (although they are on sale!). These have a lower waist, which is good for short-torsoed people like myself, or also if you want a more modern (i.e. not so '70s) take on the flared jean.

I've had my eye on these Derek Lam jeans ever since I saw a photograph of Joanna Hillman (a Harper's Bazaar editor and one of my sartorial girl crushes) wearing them. They have a touch of wool, making them a little more luxurious and trouser-like than the average jean. And the more generously cut thigh makes them more balanced and refined.

These denim sailor trousers from Alexander McQueen are definitely more fashion-y than the average jeans--the superhigh waist and cropped length both push the boundaries. Still, I think the length is perfect for summer, especially for wearing with sandals. They're definitely a statement, but they're McQueen, so you know the fit will be amazing.

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For a more textbook definition of high waist flare jeans, I think Current/Elliott's Bell Jeans pretty much fit the bill. I am a big fan of Current/Elliott--they tend to nail fits perfectly, and they almost always use supersoft denim. The rise is dramatic but not crazy, and the legs are slim through the knee, breaking out in a big flare below. They get good ratings, too, which is an extra boost of confidence.

These Genetic Denim trousers are more of a trouser jean than a flare, and while they say high-waisted, 9 inches to me is more of a mid-rise. Regardless, they remind me of a pair of J Brand jeans I used to have but took to Beacon's Closet, sadly. They're a bit more relaxed and thus forgiving than, say, the pair above, making them great for the weekend.
MiH has quickly become one of those in-the-know denim labels, and with the promising look of their Marrakesh Kick Flare Jeans, you can see why. The welt pockets in front are an interesting detail, and the fit looks perfect--not too tight, not too baggy--through the thigh and is balanced by the deftly proportioned flare.

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The Gap may be going through some design-personnel turmoil at the moment, but at least they still do jeans right. I've had my eye on their high rise flare jeans for awhile, and this pair in particular looks perfect for summer, thanks to its light wash.

I like the super-high waist and front patch pockets of Urban Outfitters' Vintage Naval Flare Jeans, but based on the reviews, it appears these run super small (and considering they're made from renewed denim, fit consistency is probably a challenge). Still, if you're skinny, these look like a pretty good option for the price.

Another pair I really like are the Sailor Relaxed Flare from Free People. Again, they're more of a lower-rise, relaxed-fit pair, but the button details are cute, they're reportedly supersoft, and the weight looks perfect for warm weather. All you need is a great pair of platform heels (but more on those next week).

My wedding is just about a month away, and let me say I'm milking this bride stuff for all it's worth. Frequent massages? Check. Bi-weekly facials? Check. A new mini-wardrobe of white dresses? Check. Another fun thing about being a bride is that your friends want to celebrate with you, so when my San Francisco girlfriends offered to host a satellite bachelorette-slash-stress-relief weekend, I jumped at the chance. (Side note for interested parties: Getting me out to SF, one of my favorite cities in the world, requires only light arm-twisting.) My weekend included, among other things, an amazing brunch on the patio at Foreign Cinema, a trip to the DeYoung Museum for the must-see the Balenciaga exhibit (which I missed when it was in NYC a few months back), and a very entertaining evening at AsiaSF. And because nothing relieves my stress like spending money, my friend JC accompanied me on a rather successful shopping trip through Hayes Valley, a chic little neighborhood just west of the civic center that came highly recommended by my dear friend (and epic shopper) NN.

Probably one of the best-known (and largest) stores in the neighborhood is Azalea, which has expanded in the three years since I've last been there, and now includes a nail salon. For the ladies, there are drapey, neutral Vince separates, Acne Jeans, Fluxus tees, and lots of very reasonable pieces--I got a Rick Owens-esque maxi dress and a top from Something Else by Natalie Wood, both of which were well under $100. For the guys, there's Cheap Monday, Won Hundred, and more Vince, but I should note, the owners opened a men-only spinoff store around the corner, called Welcome Stranger, which stocks an even nattier roster of designers like Billy Reid and SF's only Topman selection.

Another store that I remembered visiting before was Gimme Shoes, which has also branched out into two locations; the newer with Fiorentini + Baker, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Dries van Noten, and the original stocking slightly more attainable brands like Cynthia Vincent and Tsubo. It's here that I fell in love with this pair of Chie Mihara sandals; luckily for my wedding-saddled bank account, they were out of my size. 

Another multi-branch store in the neighborhood is Ver Unica, a high-end but still reasonable vintage shop. I absolutely love shopping for vintage on the West Coast, because its supply-and-demand dynamics seem so much more balanced than in NYC, where it's often a challenge to find a decent vintage dress for less than $100. Ver Unica is definitely more of a refined experience, but everything is in excellent condition, and its buyers have a great eye.


With its selection of Made Her Think jewelry, Vena Cava dresses, and Le Labo candles, Acrimony could easily pass for an uber-trendy Lower East Side boutique, but its superfriendly salesperson kept things firmly on the West Coast, thankfully. JC and I both fell in love with this well-designed Michelle Vale tote; as it turns out, all of her bags are handmade in New York, proving that you can take the girl out of the city...

Like all the stores I've mentioned thus far, Nida carries clothes for both men and women, a practice that I found pretty refreshing--why not do a little flirting while you shop? For the ladies, Nida has a drool-worthy selection of French labels like Vanessa Bruno, Paul & Joe, and Isabel Marant, plus a huge Opening Ceremony section; for the guys, Mason's, Steven Alan, and Save Khaki. And, yes, even though Save Khaki has three NYC stores, I got a shirt for MW, because I'm a good wife-to-be, and because, as I noted before, shopping is great stress relief!

JC & I spent a ton of time in Plantation, not only because the Hollywood Regency-esque store is decorated like my dream house, but because the salesgirls were so lovely. After spotting candlesticks similar to some I had registered for, JC noted how random my wedding registry was, and I said it's because MW and I, having lived together for five years already, don't need much for our (very small) apartment. Instead of persuading me to set up a registry at the store (which, considering how chic most of their merchandise was, I totally would have done), the salesgirl convinced me to start a honeymoon registry, which, as I noted on Twitter, has been one of the most fun wedding-related activities I've done so far. (Other than taking a last-minute trip to San Francisco, of course!) That said, the store had a bunch of great candles, boxes, and other knickknacks, all of which would make excellent gifts, for the record.

There was also a street fair happening while we were shopping; it reminded me quite a bit of the Brooklyn Flea, with a mixture of vintage dresses, hip silk-screened tees, and handmade jewelry. My favorite booth was that of The Utilitarian Franchise, which also, as it turns out, has a store on Etsy. Which is a good thing, because with all I bought, there was no way I could fit this giant octopus pillow in my suitcase.

Finally, with still a few hours to kill before my red-eye back to NYC, we wandered over to the Fillmore neighborhood, but being a Sunday evening, unfortunately, most of the stores had closed already. So I will have to wait until my next San Francisco trip to cover that neighborhood; who wants to (gently) twist my arm?

As Racked noted today, there are already 40 sample sales on the roster for the rest of May, and while I'm not going to list all of them when Racked has so kindly and conveniently done so already, I will tell you which ones I think are worth hitting this week. And they are:

M. Patmos (formerly of Lutz & Patmos fame) is teaming up with a bunch of friends to host a sample sale to benefit Japan disaster relief; M.Patmos knits are $30-$400, Leroy & Perry knits are $25-$100, KBL eyewear is $40, Acme tees for kids are $18, and vintage clothes and accessories are $10-$100. 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the Japan Society's Earthquare Relief Fund. 5/11; 11-7; 425 W. 13th St. (9th Ave. & Washington St.), ste. 406.

Madeline Weinrib was doing ikat prints before, well, everyone else was, and her cotton dhurrie rugs have been knocked off by everyone from West Elm to cb2. Get the real deal for 40%-70% off at her sample sale. 5/12-5/16; 11-7, 11-6 Sun.; ABC Carpet & Home, 881 Broadway (at 19th St.), lower level.

I routinely sing the praises of Twinkle by Wenlan, which makes awesome knits and cute, feminine, yet thoughtful dresses. Silk dresses are $176, silk sweaters are $115, silk blouses are $139, silk pants are $128, and jersey dresses are $118. 5/12-5/13; 10-6; 545 8th Ave. (36th & 37th Sts.), 17th fl.

If you need a new bag--and who doesn't?--Rebecca Minkoff's epic sample sale is pretty much a sure thing. Prices hover around 40% off retail and often get marked down toward the end of the sale. 5/11-5/15; 10-7, 11-5 Sun.; 155 5th Ave. (21st & 22nd Sts.).

Finally, fashionistas are falling all over Suno's unique prints; score a statement-making piece at their sale for up to 70% off. 5/11-5/13; noon-8; 242 W. 38th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 3rd fl.

Nothing says “Hello, Sunshine!” like a straw hat and the perfect straw bag. Absolutely gamine and undeniably dainty, the straw bag has made an impressionable retro come back in an impressionable variety of sizes, from hand carry to carry-all totes! What’s even better is that they have been updated with cute leather details and bright accents, making the beach-bound favorite both swim and city ready. Now, the new spring bags are location and occasion multi-taskers. The perfect companion whether you are headed to the beach, when you’re out and about town, or both!

A favorite update on the straw bag is the addition of leather details. For a splurge, Proenza Schouler's PS1 Keep All Leather and Straw Bag is all the right amount of spring with an edge of urban cool, thanks to its leather detail. For a steal, get Vince Camuto's Mable Satchel! Headed out for cocktails and want something a bit smaller? Kate Spade New York’s straw handbag, the "Adeline", holds everything you need for the night. Wallet, keys, and a slim cell phone, age all cutely tucked away in this straw and cowhide combination which combines two of the prettiest trends of spring, straw and bright colors.

- Mira Torres

The Calypso for Target collection just hit the shelves last week (for the record, I ordered two dresses, a hat, and a bag, and I plan on checking out more of the line in person this weekend), and already Target is announcing its next big designer collaboration: Missoni for Target! Like Calypso, this will be a major, multi-department event, with 400+ items for women, children, and the home. I am particularly excited about linens and flatware, as I've been lusting after the real deal for years. Look for it in stores September 13 through October 22.

Hot on the heels (pun intended) of Sophie Theallet's line for Nine West comes Giles for Nine West. Now, Giles apparently has a character called Eek, a cartoon who decorates everything from totes to jewelry in the line. I find the shoes (like the wedge sandal at left) more exciting; Eek's presence makes the bags and jewelry a bit...young. Fashionista has a preview of the entire collection, which hits stores sometime in August. 

Speaking of shoes, the Pierre Hardy for Gap Design Editions spring styles are now live, and the Charlotte Ronson for Uniqlo collaboration hit stores today; Sugar Rock Catwalk has a full report on the latter.

Finally, this may or may not be related to the fact that Patrick Robinson got canned from the Gap [subscription required], but J.Crew took over as the sponsor of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, and thus will feature collaborations with winners Billy Reid, Prabal Gurung, and Eddie Borgo. Fashionologie was at the launch party, and while there was no preview available, word on the street is that all three designers will re-create pieces based on old collections, in new colors and fabrics. Gurung's five-piece collection will retail for under $500 and hits stores in June; Borgo's will be available in July; and Reid's 7-piece menswear collection is live now. I will, of course, report on the women's lines as soon as they're live, but in the meantime, why not treat that special guy in your life to this good-looking henley?

I am not the most patient person. I've been buying summer clothes like they're going out of style, and I can't wait to wear them...and yet, these last few days, the weather has not quite been cooperating with me. I keep forgetting that it's actually still spring, and that I should enjoy this weather, because when it's 90 degrees and, like, 80% humidity, I will miss it. So while I will wait as patiently as possible to wear all of my bright, lightweight purchases, this is a good time to break out the warm-weather accessories, and one of the easiest, most significant changes is trading your dark, heavy, hardware-adorned black leather tote for a cleaner, lighter summer bag. A style that I've seen all over--from runways to mall stores--is a classic leather-trimmed canvas bag. It's a preppy, slightly nautical-inspired staple, and its simplicity is the perfect counterpoint to summer's madcap bright clothing and tribal accessories.

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This Henry Cuir satchel is kind of the ultimate in understated preppy luxury. At first glance, it looks like any old canvas tote, but on closer look, it features saddle-stitching, a unique African bead closure, and a perfectly aged look that only money can buy.

This Giuseppe Zanotti tote has a few more bells and whistles, like a zip pocket and a gold nameplate, but it's still tasteful and low-key. I like the texture of the canvas, and the size is just about perfect--generous enough to hold everything, but not overwhelming.

I loved nearly everything at Tory Burch's spring/summer 2011 fashion show, but the bags in particular really stood out, and so I am completely in love with her two-tone satchel. It has more detail than the previous two--more hardware, more pockets, more straps, and a logo--but it's also more polished as a result. Also, I'm also cheating a little by including this one--it's all leather, not canvas--but it still achieves the same look.

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I go to Ann Taylor's press previews every season, and while the clothes don't particularly stand out for me, I am in love with the accessories. This leather and canvas satchel is a more ladylike take on the trend, with a structured shape and a chic little tassel. The price is also quite reasonable for the quality.

Hunter might be famous for their indestructible Wellington boots, but they've recently made a foray into fashion with trend-conscious shoes and accessories. Their Kailey tote perfectly marries the brand's British heritage with modern style (note all the pockets for your smartphone and other electronics).

DKNY has some of the best takes on the trend--so many, in fact, that I'm including two here. The tote has that classic I'm-going-straight-to-my-yacht frame-and-buckle styling while the utility tote takes practicality into consideration with multiple pockets and a slightly more user-friendly zipper.




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One of the best parts of this trend is that you don't need to shell out for the Henry Cuir bag above to get the look. Here's a totally inexpensive option from Urban Outfitters: the BDG canvas tote. True, the trim is polyurethane (not leather), but this style is roomy enough to hold your weekend essentials and chic enough to blend in with everyone else on the Jitney.

One of my favorite styles is this Fossil Vintage Reissue bag. It's a bit smaller and more of a messenger style than the others, but it's still very classic, and the trim is actually leather--not bad for $108.

But when it comes to bargains, you can't do much better than Topshop's doctor's bag, for a mere $100. It has that timeless framed shape, but it's been updated with pockets galore, and the trim is real leather--a nice touch. Expect to see mine frequently on the Fire Island ferry this summer.

This week's sample sales go together thusly: First, head to Araks, and treat yourself to some sexy lingerie, where prices are up to 80% off retail: $90 chemises, $40 tanks, $40 swimsuits, and $10 bins with bras, panties, and chemises. The sale runs 5/5-5/6; 8:30-7 Th, 9-6:30 F; 137 Grand St. (Crosby & Lafayette Sts.), 5th fl.

Then, head to John Robshaw, because no seduction is complete without proper bedding--especially when you're after exotic bohemian linens. (You can also score decorative pillows, tabletop linens, and more.) Through 5/6; 10-7; 245 W. 29th St. (7th & 8th Aves.).

As much as I love all things sparkly, given all the sequins, metallics, glitter and glitz overload of the winter and spring nightlife, it can be refreshing to tone it down come summertime. Especially when it comes to daytime accessorizing, more organic materials like raw-cut stone beads, straw, cork, and more recently, rope details are taking the style world by storm in place of glitzier metal jewelry and hardware. Cinch up a flowy summer maxidress with a multi-rope belt like this one by Matthew Williamson, or swap your high-roller watch or bib necklace for a tiered rope necklace or agate and rope bracelet from Brook&lyn. This summer, straw hats are a hot way to beat the heat, and this Eugenia Kim Panama hat is adorned with twisted rope trim for a little nautical flair, and when it comes to handbags, this rope-handle hobo bag from Big Buddha is the perfect summer carry-all for daytime errands!

- Alex Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with 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.