Cheryl Shops

Website of the week
On Monday I posted about my discovery of Earnest Sewn's Decca jeans, but I failed to mention where I got them. That's because I've been saving it until today: My website of the week is the online home of Mr. Charles, the State College, PA boutique where I found my new beloved jeans. The irony of finding the perfect jeans in the middle of Pennsylvania--when I live in the so-called fashion capital of the country--is not lost on me, and the fact that State College is, well, a college town, makes it that much more bizarre. State College is home to an Abercrombie & Fitch, a store selling custom screen-print tees, and other college-student-friendly shops, but Mr. Charles, which has been around since 1940, is a bit more upscale and, judging by the other shoppers in the store, is probably where the wealthy undergrads shop. But, hey, now that the store has a website, its clientele can shop there long after graduation. Which is a good thing, because the site has a great mix of premium jeans, cute tops, pretty dresses, and cool accessories.

Dress-wise, a lot of the usual suspects--Vince, Ella Moss, Generra--are represented here, but I love this very bohemian tunic dress from Iro.


I was actually quite surprised to see this Ulla Johnson Oasis dress--it's a bit more sophisticated than what most college girls wear, and the drapey jersey fabric is more forgiving for those of us with less-than-perfect bodies.


It's probably too warm for it now, but this military-inspired Loomstate jacket will be perfect for fall.


Surprisingly, I've never seen this Vince babydoll cardigan before. I think it would be good for battling summer air-conditioning chill.


Another top I totally love but have never seen before is this vest from Clu, one of my favorite knitwear labels. It's no Kate Moss for Topshop vest, but it's pretty awesome.


There are also a lot of large, slouchy bags on the site--chic schoolbags if you're a (wealthy) student, everyday carryalls if you've graduated. One of my favorites is the Cassidy bag from Rachel Nasvik.


But what Mr. Charles does best is what's essential to single girls of all ages: cute going-out tops. My favorite is this Ella Moss halter top--it shows enough skin to be interesting, but the blousy shape looks comfy too.


Since MW drags me to State College several times a year, I now know I have something to look forward to--while he he shops for T-shirts at SBS, I'll be down the street at Mr. Charles.

Cheryl Shops...Kate Moss for Topshop at Barneys
I am going to preface this post by saying that I love Barneys, and, as longtime Cheryl Shops readers know, it is probably my favorite place to shop. However, I think they dropped the ball completely on this Kate Moss for Topshop thing. But I'll get to why in a minute.

9:30 a.m. I arrive at the Upper West Side Barneys Co-Op and am the 10th person in line. I spend the next half hour congratulating myself on avoiding the certain mayhem at the Madison Avenue store (the Soho and Chelsea branches don't open until 11, so I ruled them out altogether).

9:58 a.m. The lovely salesgirls open the doors two minutes early! Hurray!

10:00 a.m. Panic ensues. There is one rack of clothing. One. Rack. Some 25 women grab desperately at it; I manage to snag two of the items I had wanted, the sequined gray jersey tee and the posy-print babydoll dress.

10:10 a.m. I try both items on. The tee is a size smaller than what I'd normally wear, but it looks fine. The dress, a UK 12, is too small on me. I ask the salesgirl if there are any size 14's left. She said the 12 was the largest size. Okay, note to Barneys: US sizes are two sizes smaller than UK sizes, and Topshop clothes run small to begin with. I'm not sure you're aware of this, but many of your shoppers are bigger than a size 6. Topshop goes up to UK 16. Why can't you?

10:12 a.m. I decide to buy both the tee and the dress, figuring if I can't resell the dress on eBay for at least $150 (it was $120), I'll return it within 30 days. The tee is very cute, however.

10:13 a.m. The salesgirl tells me that Madison Avenue was supposed to get "a lot more" than the UWS store. The devil on my shoulder tells me to check it out.

10:20 a.m. I hop on the M72 crosstown bus and head over to the Upper East Side.

10:32 a.m. I arrive at the Madison Avenue store. Trucks are being packed up with velvet ropes, chairs, and red carpets from last night's party. TV reporters are interviewing shoppers. It appears calm on the ground floor, but it's mayhem on the 7th floor. Men are snapping photos. Women are circulating with roughly 12 garments in their arms. More women are circling the racks, hoping aforementioned women put some of their unwanted items back on the racks. I check it out--the posy-print dresses are all gone. There are some chiffon tattoo dresses left, but they're $200. Lots of striped tees, logo tees, and the henley tanks. Some black pants and capri jeans. Lots of sequined-shoulder jersey tees; I take one and don't try it on.

10:35 a.m. I pay for my tee and hightail it out of the store.

So, my beef with Barneys is twofold: One, they said they'd be carrying the entire line, which was an all-out lie. I didn't see the white dress, the black cutout dress, the long skirts, any vests, or any accessories. Two, they only carried up to size UK 12, which is a small US 8, which totally defeats the point of masstige--which is for the masses, who are not all size 2. Also, don't go looking for any Kate Moss stuff on their website--it's completely sold out.

The silver lining in all of this? Topshop's website has some items still in stock, and they're supposedly gradually rolling out more in the coming weeks. I think at this point, it's that or eBay, where I'll be looking for the things I wanted but didn't get, like the corset top, the cream cropped jacket, and the vests. Now if only Topshop would open a bricks-and-mortar store in NYC...

Coming this week...
I'm going to Barneys (whose site is currently down, damnit!) first thing tomorrow morning to hit the Kate Moss for Topshop collection. I'll try to post a report at some point tomorrow, but if I don't, I highly suggest checking Racked for any pertinent info.

I'll also be reviewing the Patrick Robinson Go International collection at Target.

And, of course, I'll post a website of the week and a review of America's Next Top Model.

Please check back soon!

Costume Institute Gala fashion roundup
When it comes to red carpet events, the Oscars are child's play compared to the annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum. Because not only does the event, spearheaded by Anna Wintour, draw designers, models, and fashion cognoscenti, it also attracts celebrities who feel the need to impress all the aforementioned fashion people--so instead of pandering to middle America, as they do at the Oscars, the celebrities take some true fashion risks here. Which, like most gambles, can either be a great success or a resounding failure. This year's major Costume Institute exhibit is devoted to Paul Poiret, the Art Deco-era Parisian designer who took women out of their corsets, lived a decadent lifestyle, and died penniless in the 1940s (the story of which, as Eric Wilson points out in this mega-snarky article, few of the celebrity attendees knew). So while many guests paid homage to Poiret in a vague, 1920s kind of way, others turned up in full-on randomness. Here are the good, the bad, and the fashion victims.

Overall favorites
With Jane Birkin as her mother and Serge Gainsbourg as her father Charlotte Gainsbourg automatically has instant fashion pedigree, but she's cool in her own right--it takes guts to rock this Balenciaga and pull it off as well as she does.



Claire Danes's striking Prada dress is about a million times better than her "anything you can do, I can do better" Gap boyfriend khakis. Who knew?


She can make a paper bag (uh, or Gap boyfriend khakis) look good, but Jessica Stam, in to-die-for Dior Couture, out-models all the other models. Which is an accomplishment.


Models
If only for wearing a $200 dress when some attendees' outfits cost 500 times that, Kate Moss deserves credit. And the dress isn't bad either.


Breaking up with Victoria's Secret seems to agree with Giselle. Or maybe she's just happy that she doesn't have to wear $49 poly-blend trousers ever again.


Short and long, as only models can do: Lily Donaldson & Daria Werbowy.


Designers
One of my favorite designers and one of my current favorite models: Jean Paul Gaultier & Coco Rocha, whose dress I'm not totally enamored with, but she's just so cute, I had to include her. JPG, on the other hand, gets points for his innovative tuxedo.


The designer of Burberry and the host of "So You Think You Can Dance," Christopher Bailey & Cat Deeley weren't the biggest names at the event, but if they aren't the perfect ad for cool Britannia, then I don't know what is.


I'm just happy to see her in something other than high-waisted jeans or pseudo-bohemian prints, so I'll let the fact that Mischa Barton's dress (with Giambattista Valli) is too small in the bodice, well, slide.


Socialites
Dr. Lisa Airan, who always looks great, wins bonus points for actually wearing something by Poiret (the dress is by Rodarte).


In spite of the fact that she's Donald Trump's daughter, I have to admit, I really like Ivanka Trump--she's smart, she's well-adjusted, and she's not a skeletal socialite. I think she looks fabulous, and she gets props for wearing up-and-coming designer Jason Wu.


Having read this week's New York Magazine, I have a newfound appreciation for Tinsley Mortimer, who actually looks quite sexy in this Versace dress.


Couples
The couple that dresses together stays together (or something like that): L'Wren Scott & Mick Jagger, both in Balenciaga.


Indie-actor couple Alessandro Nivola & Emily Mortimer are so cute and were in two awesome, highly underrated movies--he was the sexy rock star in Laurel Canyon, she was the neurotic actress in Lovely & Amazing. I think their presence instantly makes the gala that much cooler.


Together again...well, Tom Ford & Carine Roitfeld aren't exactly a couple, but their creative partnership produced Gucci's glory years. Perhaps she can give him some pointers on his much-panned new store on Madison Avenue.


Men
I used to say he peaked with The Virgin Suicides, but Josh Hartnett is looking good again. Now if he can just stay out of Lower East Side bar fights...


If Marc Jacobs (with Winona Ryder) looks this good after rehab, perhaps I should develop an alcohol problem. Promises Malibu, here I come!


First he appears in Us Weekly with a totally unexpected six-pack, and now John Mayer, with haircut, shows up at the Costume Institute gala. So hot, I'm almost willing to overlook that awful "Your Body Is a Wonderland" song. Almost.


Celebrities
I'm not exactly sure what qualifies Camilla Belle as a celebrity, but as long as she's in dresses as gorgeous as this one, I don't really care.


America Ferrera and several important tastemakers showed up in one of my favorite new designers, Phi. America's dress is flattering on her body, and for a lingerie-inspired look, not at all trashy.


Say what you will about Mary-Kate Olsen, I think she cleans up quite nicely. Bonus points for wearing feathers, which I think will be a huge eveningwear trend come fall.


Valiant efforts
Which one of these is not like the other? Cameron Diaz's dress was pretty and dramatic, but it didn't quite fit in with the vibe of the event. Still, I applaud her return to blonde.


I know her dress was panned all around, but Kirsten Dunst deserves credit in my book, because she really takes risks on the red carpet. Some, like this, are pretty much failures, but she gets an A for effort.


Sasha Pivovarova's Ungaro dress is short and youthful, and it has a vaguely Art Deco Pattern, all good things. However, just because you're a gorgeous model doesn't mean you can show up at a gala without makeup. A little effort, please.


Blatant misfires
My problem with Rose McGowan is not so much her boring gown but her face. Good god, how much Botox can a woman possibly take?


I love Parker Posey and I love Marc Jacobs, but I don't love the combination here, especially since it looks like Parker's beloved dog got a hold of this dress.


Was Lauren Davis being lazy, thinking she'd wear a chartreuse rendition of Reese Witherspoon's Oscar dress? And then was she not paying attention when she received the gown with mysterious appendages at the midsection?


Absolute worst
Fabiola Beracasa's Givenchy dress reminds me of those cheap paper decorations you hang on the ceiling at a 4-year-old's birthday party.


Julianne Moore's ill-fitting tuxedo dress is missing a top hat and cane, with which she could then bust out a rendition of "Le Jazz Hot." Oh, I get it--she's the evening's entertainment!


I see this picture of Jessica Simpson and the one word that comes to mind is cans. Which is not the word one wants to conjure at a fashion event. This is the Met, not Vegas. Watch it, or you might no longer be worthy of insta-hottie John Mayer!

Buy it: Earnest Sewn jeans
I have been looking for a pair of gray skinny (or straight) jeans for what seems like forever. I feel like last year they were everywhere, but now everything is dark rinse or black--am I nine months late to the trend? Anyway, while I was in State College, PA, last weekend, of all places, I happened upon the best sale rack ever, which had all manner of gray, black, and dark-rinse skinny and straight-leg jeans (clearly skinnies didn't go over so well in Central Pennsylvania). I tried on J Brand (which still don't fit me), Habitual (which I liked a lot, but were actually more of a boot-cut), and Earnest Sewn, which I had tried before, but, miraculously, all of a sudden, fit me beautifully. The pair I ended up getting is the Decca, which is a straight-leg (the much-hyped Harlan is a true skinny). They are incredibly flattering, not ass-tight, and are so soft, they feel like I've owned them for years. Of course, I wish I had known this a few weeks ago, when Earnest Sewn had their sample sale. Well, there's always next time. In the meantime, eLuxury has a few Deccas on markdown here and here. Revolve Clothing also has some here. So, I eat my words and hereby endorse Earnest Sewn. In fact, I am so enamored with my new jeans, I might even try the Harlan again. Wish me luck, girls.

The week in shopping
Score all manner of trendy, independent clothes and accessories (think Issa dresses, Erickson Beamon jewelry, and Tara Subkoff shoes) at Showroom Seven's always-fabulous sale. Through 5/18; 10-7 (closed Sun.) 498 7th Ave. (36th & 37th Sts.), 24th fl.

Score Derek Lam's beautiful spring line at slightly less painful prices. 5/10-5/11; 10-6; 601 W. 26th St. (11th & 12th Aves.), ste. 1750.

Score pretty spring clothes and pretty-smelling beauty products at Tocca's cash-only sale. 5/10-5/11; 11-8; 542 W. 22nd St. (10th & 11th Aves.), 3rd fl.

Designer specs and sunglasses fit for artsy folk are 50%-70% off at Disrespectacles. 5/10-5/13; 11-7, 11-6 Sat., noon-5 Sun.; 117 West Broadway (at Duane St.).

A go-to linen line for the contemporary home, Area has clean, crisp bedding for $10 and up. 5/9-5/10; 9-7; 180 Varick St. (at King St.), no. 936.

For Brooklyn moms whose kids must be as stylish as them, Baby Bird has Petit Bateau, Lucky Wang, and trendy wee duds for 40% off. 5/11-5/17; 10:30-6:30, noon-6 Sun.; 428 7th Ave. (at 14th St.), Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Find Dad's Father's Day present a month early at Gant's sale (and pick up something for yourself if you so desire--they have women's clothes and accessories too). 5/9-5/11; 8:30-6:30 Wed. & Thurs., 8:30-5:30 Fri.; 20 W. 55th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 11th fl.

More kids clothing (what's going on with me?): Kidini has Splendid, IKKS, and Les Tout Petits up to size 14 for 20%-80% off. 5/9-5/11; 9:30-6:15 Wed. & Thurs., 9:30-8 Fri.; Soho Dance Studio, 598 Broadway (at Houston St.), 6th fl.

Room's awesome contemporary furniture is up to 80% off (now $100-$5,000). 5/8-5/12; 11-6; 182 Duane St. (at Hudson St.).

This week, Clothingline has Chilewich's super-durable vinyl goods for the home. 5/8-5/10; 10-7, 10-6 Wed.; 261 W. 36th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 2nd fl.

Can't wait 'til the new season of Project Runway starts? Hit Emmett McCarthy's EMC2 boutique for 10% off jewelry, 15% off clothes and 20% off those. 5/9; 5-9; 240 Elizabeth St. (Houston & Prince Sts.).

Get out! Meet the one and only Dontella Versace tomorrow at Saks. 5/8; 1-2 p.m., 5th Avenue at 50th St., 1st floor.

Get Mom something trendy at Laura Dahl/Wifebeader and Bliss Lau's joint Champagne Shopping Event, where clothes and accessories are on mega-sale (and you'll get a flute to sip while you shop). 5/10-5/12; 11-7, noon-6 Sat.; 425 W. 13th St. (at Washington St.), #401.

Missed Inhabit's sample sale? It's still happening online through 5/14.

Save up to 40% at eLUXURY.com's Spring Sale.

The fun begins: Neiman Marcus's First Call Sale is now in effect.

MasstigeWatch!
Hey, have you heard Kate Moss designed a collection for Topshop? (Note: heavy sarcasm.) I was indeed one of the people on Topshop's website Monday night--the collection hit UK stores Tuesday at midnight--but gave up after I discovered nothing my size was in stock. There's still some stuff left on Topshop's website, like this strappy metallic dress or the studded corset belt, but the good stuff--the dresses, the vests, the sparkly jersey tops--went almost instantly. So I'm waiting until next Wednesday, when the collection pops up at Barneys stores across the country. I'm anticipating being very late to work on Wednesday; thankfully my boss is out of the country.

In other Masstige news, Target has announced that Alice Temperley is the next Go International designer, that is, after Patrick Robinson's collection debuts on May 6th and Libertine's line hits on Labor Day. Temperley's collection will have a holiday focus, so that means many cute print dresses for winter! Yay!

America's Next Top Model recap
You know, I totally forgot to comment last week on Brittany's "short-term memory loss" (irony intended) on America's Next Top Model, but Dionne beat me to it this week, pointing out that Brittany's memory loss certainly wasn't a problem during the acting challenge. Aha! So with all this focus on Brittany so early in the episode, it was quite obvious that she was the one marked for elimination. And the go-see challenge confirmed it: As the other girls dashed about and sweet-talked the clients, Brittany seemed slow and out of it (which was perhaps reinforced by the loopy music that was not-so-subtly playing in the background). And when she was late returning to the agency, Brittany pitched a huge fit, complete with cursing. Not so professional. Then again, neither was Dionne's hustling for clothes, and I was surprised that that never came up at the judging. But Jaslene finally won the challenge (yay!), although her prize was a bizarre photo shoot with Nigel on top of a bridge. Uh, okay. Speaking of photo shoots, I actually enjoyed this week's concept--Tyra takes a sexy photo for a women's magazine, guy photographer takes a sexy photo for a men's magazine--and the girls looked awesome, no crazy makeup, costumes, props, or captions. Note to Tyra: More photo shoots like this, please! So while Brittany's was awesome, as usual, and Dionne's was mediocre, as usual, Brittany was no match for her own craziness and had to go. And I must say, after seeing Brittany's wonky runway walk, I agree with that decision. Dionne at least has a bit of sass.

Next week, the dreaded "culture" episode (damn! I thought we were going to avoid it this time!). Plus, poor Natasha has a cold and Renee, ever the conniver, plots her demise. Drama!

Mother's Day gift guide
Here's where I could trot out a bunch of clichés, like what do you get for the woman who has everything? Or, what do you give to the woman who gave you life? But there will be none of that here. Truth is, my mom is incredibly hard to shop for, and I'll bet yours is too. But here are some options that may not exactly make a profound statement about your existence on the planet, but will at least hopefully say, "Mom, you're awesome."

For the mom who likes to redecorate
Funny story: My friend NP and I found out our moms have the same interior decorator when their artwork got mixed up and both flipped out about it; I could barely tell the difference between the two paintings, and when I'm at NP's house, I can squint my eyes and feel like I'm at home. This Luxury Houses: Country coffee table book, on the other hand, is sure to give Mom some fresh new ideas.


For the jet-setting mom
To Florida for the winter, up north in the summer, plus side trips to visit friends in Santa Fe, San Francisco, Paris...this Hideo Wakamatsu Blossom suitcase from Flight 001 will ensure Mom doesn't spend half her vacation waiting at the baggage carousel.


For the absent-minded mom
I have fond childhood memories of watching my aunt clapping her hands all over her house in search of her keys (she had one of those keychains that responded audibly to the sound of clapping), but to preserve your mom's dignity, I suggest the ingenious doorganizer. After all, mom has more important things to do than keep track of her keys.


For the nature-loving mom
She may not know that birding is the current twee-hipster hobby du jour, but mom will appreciate this enamel bird feeder just because it'll keep the sparrows out of her flowerbeds.


For the New Age mom
Satya's triple charm necklace has the symbol of radiance, a tree of life, and a lotus leaf to ensure that your mom will be the best-accessorized lady at pilates class.


For the well-mannered mom
Whenever I got a gift from anyone, my mom would make me sit down and write a thank-you card, which annoyed me to no end. I can't say that the habit has stayed with me, but at least I've developed an appreciation for note cards. So hopefully mom will put these note sets, from Chicago papiers Snow & Graham, to good use.


For the chameleon mom
She can take on a different persona every day with the four luxurious scents in L'Artisan Parfumeur's fragrance set--a gift so good, you might have to relive the days where you dressed up in Mom's heels and pearls and tried on her perfumes.


For the sentimental mom
Normally I wouldn't recommend something as banal as a picture frame, but there's something heirloom-esque and sweet about this family tree picture frame. It's also an incredibly efficient way to display a lot of photos, great for the mom who hates clutter.


For the...thorough mom
I know many women who think Martha Stewart is a gift sent from the heavens, and if your mom shares that sentiment, she will bow down at your feet when you present her with this autographed Martha Stewart book, an enormous 752-page tome devoted to the art of keeping house.


For the mom who truly has everything
I am not really a fan of giving gift certificates as presents (although I am a fan of receiving them!). However, your mom can use an exhale gift certificate for everything from a manicure to a Core Fusion class, and the fact that there are exhales in many major cities makes it a smart choice. And Mom always encouraged you to make smart choices.

Website of the week
I spent last weekend in South Beach, Miami, for my dear friend MM's bachelorette party, and having eaten, tanned, and drank to gluttonous levels, I'd highly recommend it as a girls' weekend destination. Unusually for me, I did very little shopping over the weekend (aside from a Mango store, a Barneys Coop, and a few other chain stores, South Beach has a disproportionate amount of Eurotrashy shops). But while I was having my heavenly massage at the Delano's excellent Agua spa, my masseuse wrapped me in the softest, fluffiest blanket I've ever felt. So of course I had to buy one. My blanket is made by Kashwére, a company dedicated to achieving the softness of cashmere with the durability of synthetics (my blanket is made from microfiber). So I was happy to discover their website, which sells not only my blanket (and I'm happy to report that I paid even less for it at the Delano than the price listed here), but all manner of clothing, accessories, furniture, and decorative items for the home--everything from sweaters to sofas. Based on the softness of my blanket, I am tempted to buy one of everything, but because of the prices (hey, you get what you pay for!), I will refrain. Still, some items are simply irresistible, like this robe, which, if I bought, I'm almost certain I'd never want to change out of in the morning.


Ditto for these slippers, which are clearly from the Ugg school of ugly comfort.


I tend to knit baby blankets and hats as gifts, but if I'm feeling lazy, I could substitute this adorable cap and blanket set without a guilty conscience.


But my dream item is this slipcovered chaise. Just imagine sinking into it and feeling like you're floating on a soft, fluffy microfiber cloud.


Seriously, though, I think if you ever got me into this thing, you'd never get me out. But that's okay, because I'd be wearing my Cashwére robe and slippers, with my throw blanket on my lap. And I think I'd be in a microfiber coma. But a blissful one.