Hi Shoppers! It’s Ava and I want you to know about my exciting trip for Loehmann’s to Paris! 

As I sat in the outdoor cafe drinking my espresso and indulging in a fresh chocolate croissant, I was able to take in the style and sounds of the wonderful city of Paris!!   A city rich in history, culture and style; it is for sure, one of my most favorite cities to visit.  There are a ton of great department and specialty stores to shop, fantastic restaurants and many places to visit at all hours of the day! 

I shopped the stores and the market and there were a few trends that I kept seeing. The three major ones were: the return of nature theme, the whole boho/Indian inspired look and then, vintage looks. 

Nature inspired prints were everywhere: lots of great black and brown animal, Ikat and tribal prints, Navajo, and batik, as well, on both woven and knitted fabrics.  Ombre prints were also everywhere: in knits tops, chiffon dresses and voile blouses. I loved the way Ombre was used in both Astuces and Sinequanone, two lines that I thought did this best. I’ll be keeping my eye out for purchases from them. 

Boho and Indian looks were so popular!  Lots of paisley prints in tops, skirts and in maxi dresses, which I thought looked amazing.    I know here in the States, this trend has translated easily to Peasant tops which look so fabulous and feminine with jeans!  I saw lots of skirts, though which are coming back and I feel will be an important category come spring 2009 so I am planning my buying now. Stella Forest was one of the best that I saw with this look. 

One of my favorite looks was the whole “vintage” look; the pretty feminine look with crochet, lace and ruffles, soft floral prints, ladylike blouses with tie necks and more. They are just so girly and pretty!!  Purples and grays were the colors of choice.  Manoush did this look best.   

I had such a lovely time just feasting on the fashion of this marvelous city.  I enjoy what I do and keeping you updated with my fashion finds.   I can’t wait to get our “Paris looks” into your local Loehmann’s. Then all you have to do is get all pretty in your discounted Loehmann’s finds, have a croissant, and imagine Paris.   

That’s the Loehdown,

Ava 

Tags: Ava's Loehdown, Trend alerts!, Women's Fashion by Ava
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The 1940’s and 1950’s are the foundation of inspiration for one of the more fun trends in summer dresses. Retro or “Rockabilly” inspired dresses are a great way to add a bit of glamour into your fashion wardrobe this year.

With cinched waists that define the female hourglass shape, full or pencil tight skirts and the natural tendency to match with a sexy high heel or fun slingback shoe, these styles helped define femininity for over 60 years.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate this look is with a fabulous summer sun dress. A full circle skirt, either with the traditional above the knee length or a more modern take above, lends itself to a night of dancing under the stars. With sleeveless, backless, and strapless styles, they can easily go from the beach to a cocktail party and anything in between. Whether in solid colors, a vintage ditsy print, or the amazingly fun polka dot, colors go from white to bright and graphic.

The bonus is that this is the kind of dress that everyone looks great in. The full skirts can hide a multitude of winter binging sins. The additional waist definition can either show off what you do have, or help define what is not quite there. The bodice details, whether in a sweetheart neckline, or trim, or buttons, or even a chris cross of straps tied up in a bow, bring the eye up to the neckline and face. Plus pairing with a heel of some kind, with the full skirt, demands a sashay kind of walk which is full of both movement and grace. It’s hard not to feel wonderful when you look that good.

If full on vintage swing skirt looks make you feel too much like Halloween, you can still stay on top of the look without a total committement to decades ago. The 1940’s inspired pencil skirt can add an interesting sihouette to a stale office look. In more “office-y” fabrics; natural cottons, summer weights, and solids and plaids, a fitted, higher waisted skirt still demands the cinched waist, giving a great opportunity to show off a very “now” wide belt. Pairing with a cap sleeved blouse or a fitted and belted jacket; you can go from work to dinner with just a retouch of lipstick to freshen your look.

One of the things that is just so creative and fun with Rockabilly inspired dresses; you can take it as mild or as wild as you feel comfortable with.

Dress Up game Series: Intro

The Romantic Dress; dress up game series part 1

The Maxi Dress; dress up game series part 3

Baby Doll Dresses; dress up game series part 4

Tags: Summer, Trend alerts!, Women's Fashion by admin
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Under the heading of “romance” some of this season’s hottest trends are combined into must have dresses.

Ruffles, that made headway back in the fall ‘07 collections, continue to find places to adorn. On a flounced hem, layered in tiers, on a sweetheart neckline, or capping cuffs, nothing can soften a look and add that perfect touch better than a perfectly placed ruffle. Bows, which are tied to the upcoming fall collections as well, help cinch a waist, top a collar with a ribbon, or add interest to a view. Both ruffles and bows add dimension and interest along with another romantic favorite: the 3d floral appliqué.

Gathers and shirring, in this year’s favorite sheers find their way underneath to flounce a skirt, peek out from a hem, or give the illusion of coverage where there is not. In fabrics such as voile, chiffon, tulle and Swiss dot lace, they create a great contrast to the silky feels of satin, charmeuse and silks.

Imagine a satin corset type bodice covering a sheer chiffon ruffled sleeve blouse, and you have one of the most perfect juxtapositions of smooth and texture, all in one. These are the kind of dresses where detail is queen, and less is just less. A full flounced shirt tied with a silky bow over a lacy top and a sheer illusion of a ruffled shrug can only be considered romantic perfection, rather than fussy or overdone.

All the soft fabrics in even softer colors, gently whisper of romantic escapes, luncheons on the grass, and long walks in fields of wildflowers. In fabrics printed with antique florals, and vintage roses, these summer looks inspire the little girls in all of us, wanting to be a princess in our very own dress up game.

Dress Up game Series: Intro

Rockabilly Dresses; dress up game series part 2

The Maxi Dress; dress up game series part 3

Baby Doll Dresses; dress up game series part 4

Tags: Summer, Trend alerts!, Women's Fashion by admin
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Now that June is officially here, and summer is finally just around the corner; it’s time to really celebrate. There is no better way to break out of the hum drums, kick back and relax in the sun,  then by having  some summer fun, and nothing this season says fun better than the plethora of amazing summer dresses.

It has been called “the Year of the Dress”. There are so many dresses out this season, in so many styles, that they can’t just have their own post. They need their own series.

From long dresses to short dress, empire to a-line, simple sheaths to detailed pleats, there is a dress for every mood and every occasion: dresses for work, for cocktail parties, for summer fun on the beach.  From retro inspired Rockabilly looks to contemporary and organic eco-friendly cottons and linens, from sporty tennis sets to romantic Merchant ivory seaside frocks, tribal inspired Ikat prints to soft and gentle roses, polka dots to ombre, soft to bright, solid to pattern, Hippie to Hollywood, no matter what your style, there is a dress for you this year.

There are just too many to detail in one post, so as the summer progresses so will our coverage of the dresses. Nothing says summer like the perfect summer dress, so let the fun dress up games begin!

The Romantic Dress; dress up game series part 1

Rockabilly Dresses; dress up game series part 2

The Maxi Dress; dress up game series part 3

Baby Doll Dresses; dress up game series part 4

Tags: Summer, Trend alerts!, Women's Fashion by admin
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