fashion

Sample Sale This Weekend- TOME, Chadwick Bell, and Nomia

Sample sales are possibly the greatest sales there are in the city. Why? You can score designer pieces at a fraction of the price.

This Friday and Saturday you can check out TOME, Chadwick Bell, and Nomia women’s wear for up to 80% off their original retail prices, with items starting at just $50. Their most exciting advertised deals available at the sample sale are a beautiful silk Georgette cross back dress marked down to $395 from $875 and a heavy wool felt cape going for $595 as opposed to the original retail price of $1,475. If any of these great designers’ products has ever caught your eye, you won’t want to miss this opportunity.

If you’ve never gone to a sample sale before, there are a few things you need to know. They can definitely be overwhelming to the average shopper.

Here are some tips for shopping this weekend’s sale:

Do not expect every item to be 80% off. While most items will have a tremendous discount, there will still be a lot that are close to retail. The designers are typically trying to sell their excess inventory, and will not tag items at their lowest possible price. To know if you’re getting a true steal, check the tag. If the sample costs approximately 50% less than the original retail price, then you are getting a great deal. If not, well it’s definitely still a sale, just not at the most wallet friendly price.
Try to bargain for a better price by looking for possible defects or flaws that you can fix up easily. Check out the zipper, seams, buttons, and any decorative details to see if they’re loose or flimsy. Odds are they’ll take off a few more dollars if you’re willing to buy it despite a loose button. By looking over everything you can save yourself a lot of money by finding things it takes a dollar or two to fix at home.
Try on everything before you buy it. More often than not these items have been cut for a specific model’s body or for a certain style. Since you can’t return items purchased at a sample sale, make sure it fits you as perfectly as the person as it was made for. While alterations and other quick fixes can solve problems like sleeve or pant length, they can’t entirely change the item. Before buying also consider the costs of alterations. If you’re looking at $50 or so in alterations, make sure you’re getting a true deal on the sample item.
Go to the sale at the right time. At the beginning almost nothing will be sold for anything lower than it is tagged at. Shoppers will still be getting great deals, but they won’t be as big as the deals towards the end of the sale. If you wait until the last few hours of the last day, you can often get up to an additional 20% off your purchase. At this point, they see that what is still there may not sell if they don’t lower the price.

With those tips in mind, make your way over to the sale this Friday and Saturday.

The TOME, Chadwick Bell, and Nomia sample sale is taking place from 10 am to 7 pm at 150 West 25^th Street between 6^th and 7^th Avenues, Suite 502 in New York, NY.

Peplums Are Here To Stay In 2014

by Danielle Flocco

The peplum trend may have been at its peak last spring, but do not give up on it in 2014!

Very few clothing styles look great on every body type, but the peplum does. If you don’t have curves and want them, wearing a nice peplum dress or skirt will create the illusion that you have an hourglass figure. The short overskirt draws attention to the tinier waist area, and then puffs out to give your hips some shape. It also works for curvy bodies. Rather than creating an illusion, it accentuates your natural shape. Please, ladies, take advantage of this all around flattering trend.

The peplum is also just as versatile as it is flattering. These adorable dresses with the little overskirt come in a variety of lengths, materials, colors and patterns. While a solid colored, polyester dress is most common, there is a tremendous amount of options to fit your personal preference. They also give you the opportunity to go from office to outing with minimal fuss. Adding a simple blazer over the dress creates a polished, professional look that will catch everyone’s eye. But, remove the blazer and you have a wear-anywhere chic and vintage outfit on. It really can’t get any easier than that.

Most peplum dresses fall just above the knee, so your shoe choice has a great effect on your outfit. Go for your favorite pair of pumps or high-heeled sandals to lengthen your legs and add elegance to the dress. If you’re not comfortable in heels, throw on some flats! Your comfiest flats give the dress a more playful and casual appearance. Peplum dresses are one of the only dresses that can be fun and feminine regardless of shoe choice.

Finding room in your wardrobe for one of these dresses is also great for your wallet. Although they’re most commonly worn in the spring, they can be fall or winter ready with a pair of tights and a warm sweater. Wearable year-round and anywhere, you’ll be glad you have one.

Love peplums but not dresses? No problem. Designers have made a variety coats, shirts, skirts, and even pants with the little overskirt. Give it a shot and look your best this year.

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on the City.

by Walter Reed

I am not a transsexual! There is nothing wrong with transitioning your spare parts. Nor is there any wrongdoing in using them on married men from New Jersey at the pier. However, it’s not my thing. I just like the clothes. On a Friday night after a couple of cocktails and sample sales, someone handed me a flyer stating:

Transexual wanted! A reality show producer seeks a transvestite, transgender or transexual person. $500+ a day….

What?! At $500 a day I could be! Where am I going to find some breasts? Perhaps, I could find someone who knows someone at the pier. Wait…let’s be clear, I am nobody’s tranny.

We live in an environment where dressing like our straight male counterparts is ideal. I meet so many of these cookie-cutter macho men dressed in wife-beaters and Timbs. They are closeted queens, getting poked by trannies in the alleys behind bars all over the city.

I choose not the suffocating anesthetic of street wear, but the electric jolt of designer skirts and dresses. Men’s fashion hasn’t changed much in the past 50 years. While menswear designers and consumers are content with those complacent concoctions, masquerading as fashion, I prefer to blend my genders to create new gender-bending silhouette: a juxtaposition of soft and hard.

Living in the city that never sleeps, you’ll find that the way we dress is not as gay as you think. In terms of what we wear, it’s a lot more closeted. Take our gay-borhoods or gay bars, you’ll find most gays dressed in t-shirts, jeans and fitted caps. No skirts, dresses or even short-shorts in 100-degree weather. When did we take the homo out of homosexual, and made it a homogenous decree for fellow gays to live by?

In the height of the sexual seventies before the age of AIDS; the city was swept with so many gays, parties and party favors. Although sex is usually on the table, in the bathroom, or in the doorway. A time when gays were so out it was in again. Now we have Splash closing and countless others before it, gay bashings and fake drugs. It was like the city’s insanity was wiped away with a giant sanitation napkin. Are we too afraid of the big disease that nearly destroyed the city three decades ago?

Before Paris was burning in underground clubs all over the city; it was on fire on the streets of Manhattan. Tales of sex, drugs and discotheques is like an urban legend compared with the status quo. Who gave New York City a Xanax?

The rise of Time Square and the fall of the twin towers put a damper on the edge of the city. The ho-stroll is filled with broke homeless hoes. The bars now cards and even the oldest male clientele have to show ID. Our first gay bar in the country, Stonewall, after four decades is now a museum for single women, the lesbians who love them, and random straight men who want to have sex with them all. The after-hours is in Atlanta, and the sex shops are empty. Barney’s Co-Op shut it’s doors in Chelsea for good, leaving little viable options to shop in the gay-borhood.

Our city is in a slump. We the gay people need to put our heterosexual self on the shelf next to the porn stash and take the homosexual back out of the closet.

The Way We Wore

by Walter Reed

Over the past few weeks, Manhattan has been overwhelmed with gay bashings, culminating to murder near the Grey’s Papaya on West 8th street and Sixth Ave in the West Village. It’s shocking to hear that these hate crimes are being committed in our gayest neighborhoods. These casual criminals were as bad as the knock-offs on Canal street, getting caught within minutes of committing their crimes. In a status quo that set us back two decades, will it be safe for gays to don there most daring fashion choices?

Marc Carson, who was murdered in the West Village, was identified as being gay because he wore shorts and boots. He was targeted based on what he wore. This news was disturbing, since I liked to strut in the shortest shorts of the season. Such violence was expected in the Himalayas of Brooklyn. There are parts of Brooklyn like East New York or Flatbush where one wouldn’t dare wear pom pom shorts past happy hour for fear of being attacked. Yet this was happening in the movie making, celebrity filled Manhattan. Why the sudden change in a post Sandy world?

Religion and fashion went together like strangers giving out candy. I came to the city that never sleeps to practice my fashion choices in peace. What we wore, shaped and defined our lives. It was as essential as breakfast in the morning. I had no intentions to revert back to the political stylings of the nation’s conservatively dressed Capitol–where I was born and raised. A gay man’s right to shoes should be protected as well as skirts, kilts, and dresses–oh my!

It’s neither always sunny on Independence Day nor is it always snowing on Christmas. However, that didn’t deter me from wanting to see the fireworks while remaining completely dry. It also did not keep me from wishing for a White Christmas ever winter. We don’t live in a perfect world. The shenanigans of these shady thugs can’t force us back into the closet. Besides our wardrobes didn’t fit in the narrow cages that imprisoned their minds.

Is there is a way for us all to co-exist in an environment as diverse as the concrete jungle? There is no such thing as a life without conflict. However, we do have our gay-borhoods. So if one isn’t pro gay then stay out our neighborhoods and take that homophobia elsewhere. We have to try as people to be better than we were the day before. I embraced my freedom to wear black as often as possible. Skirts and dresses were my preference to layer over leather pants and skinny jeans, not my sexual orientation. I have the right to define my humanity, through the way I choose to dress in any city, borough or district.

Menswear on a budget: Summer 2013 Fashion Trends

by Ryan Shea

As someone who puts an importance on wearing things that are fashionable yet affordable, I find Summer to be that one season where you can get the best of both worlds and so much more. Colors are vibrant, skin in showing, and the options are limitless when wanting to show off what you are wearing in this fabulous beach weather. So where can you go to find the best trends at a great price? Check out some of these awesome stores (both national and local) and see for yourself!

If you want good pricing and fantastic outfits, you really can look no further than Old Navy. They are famous for doing both things and it isone of the reasons why they are one of the more successful clothing brands in the United States. Pairing off something as simple as a pair of board shorts, a classic tee and a lightweight jersey zip will only cost around $50 dollars. They tailor each season by what is on trend nationally and use that to keep themselves a cut above the rest. Check out oldnavy.com to see for yourself!

Urban Outfitters is trendier in certain areas of the country, most notably from what I have seen in New york City. They tend to have ahipster flair yet overall their outfits can translate very well with whatever you have going on. They have a great line of t shirts that add a lot of humor into them (like the one seen here) all for $15 dollars. On top of the t shirts they also have a great variety of henleys, polos and collared shirts to keep you on trend all summer long. Check out their website for more info!

Nasty Pig in my opinion is one of the most innovative clothing brands out there today. I did an article about them a couple of months ago talking about the brand and where they see themselves headed for the 2013 calendar year. And boy have they done a lot. Located in the heart of Chelsea, the store provides a bunch of great clothing options at really affordable prices. A lot of their most trendy items happen to be on sale right now, including this great skull tee pictured to your left. If you want to go outside the grain of stores like Old Navy and Gap for instance, this is the place to go. Go check out these sale items and so much more and don’t forget to visit Nasty Pig at 265 West 19th Street between 7tn and 8th avenue.

Take “Glam On The Go NY” home and immerse yourself in the results

by Ryan Shea

Women (and men to a certain degree) are all looking for the next big thing when it comes to beauty treatments, especially when it comes to their facial area. We all want to stay fresh, young and looking good in all areas of life, and with the summer season approaching it becomes more prevalent than ever to keep that philosophy and relish in the products that will keep you that way all year long.

Well look no further than “Glam on the Go NY”. The whole concept with Glam on the Go is essentially “bringing convenience and beauty to the door”. This isn’t just one area of expertise that this business does, they run a wide gamut of services that tailor the need of each and every client. Their main focus is Botox and fillers, and is gaining popularity in a bunch of salons that they work exclusively with. You can go beyond the Botox treatments though for so much more. Want a masseuse? Done. Hair extensions for that party you are going to tonight? Not a problem. Getting that Mani/Pedi done for a day out with the girls? Taken care of.

Here is their full list of amazing treatments you can get done-

Botox
Fillers – Juvederm, Restylane or Perlane
Vela Shape
Massages
One on One Full Body Yoga Stretch Thai Yoga
Permanent Make-up
Eyelash Extensions
Hair-cuts
Makeovers
Make-up
Beauty/Facial Products & Treatments
Fat burning supplements / weight loss
Custom clip-in Hair Extensions
Laser hair removal
Body contouring wraps
Facials
Microdermabrasion
Endermologie

Glam On The Go prides itself on professionalism, customer service and above all privacy for the client. They are available for salon visits but to book events and parties as well. If you want that one stop shop for your everyday beauty needs, this is the place to be. So if you plan on having a glamorous events and need some freshening up, or if that event you are planning can be beauty related, book them. You will not be let down and will come out of it feeling fresh and invigorated. Check out the website GlamonthegoNY.com for more information on how you can use this fantastic company.

The 2013 MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet

by Ryan Shea

The 2013 MTV Movie Awards were last night at the fashion never fails to intrigue me. The MTV Movie Awards bring out all walks of the celebrity life. From movie stars to musicians to your favorite reality stars. There were a few great ensembles on the red carpet last night and, true to Movie Awards tradition, there were some outlandish fashion train wrecks!

Actress Crystal Reed looked classy and trendy in her coral and nude lace overlay dress. The bottom was pumped up with a tulle and looked like a beautiful tutu. And the nude pumps made her legs looking miles long!

Bridesmaids’ Melissa McCarthy rocked all black with gold accessories. I think the was a great pick for Melissa the funny girl looks slim and glowing!

Model Karlie Kloss’ all white skirt and crop top was sexy! The shoes were by far my favorite part of the outfit! I am obsessed with ankle straps right now! So chic.

My best dressed male goes to my secret crush … The legendary Taylor Hanson! He is so handsome and well dressed. This MMMbop boy surely grew into one handsome man.

And now for the worst of the worst … drum roll please !

Ke$ha…

What is this chick thinking? I think she is so talented and beautiful and yet she insists on looking like a hobo.

You would never believe this girl had hit songs almost every other month. Apparently hippies have gone goth, which is not a good look! I don’t know what the worst part of this look is … the hat … no the fringe vest … nope definitely the pants … This outfit is just all wrong!

This next one is really hard for me to do … I am absolutely head over heels with musician Macklemore. I think his style and look are perfection, most of the time. I love his swag and his ginger features! But his outfit last night was really disappointing. The royal blue did look cool but the cape was such a let down. I would have rathered a big fur jacket and a onesie.

Don’t worry though I still love you!

There’s always one who has to be a statement maker, and expecting it to be Lady Gaga again, I was surprised to see a burnt cigarette butt hat on Pitch Perfect’s Hana Mae Lee. Lee was one of my favorite characters in Pitch Perfect and her one liners were the most laughable moments in the movie. My favorite line “I ate my twin in the womb.” Befitting to her character’s, shall we say, uniqueness, Mae Lee rocks a interesting hat at the Movie Awards.

Last night’s MTV Movie Award fashion definitely had some note worthy looks. But the overall trend for the awards had to be the pointy toe pump. I have to say I was a little worried about this trend coming back but the new style of pointed toe pumps has a shorter point and is something I am actually excited to try out.

Kim Kardashian really was the first celebrity to rock this look when she stepped out in her neon green Loubitan’s. Last night she showed off her baby bump in a sleek black dress and black satin pointed toe stiletto’s.

Carrie actress Chloe Moretz kept it casual in a denim romper by Louis Vuitton and stunning t-strap pointed toe pumps. The shoes were the focal point in this outfit, beautiful!

Kim K in training younger sister Kylie Jenner looked fabulous in her nude pencil skirt and white crop top. The nude pointed toe heels were to die for! I am absolutely passionate about these pumps. I must go buy a pair now!!

I have to say, I am totally into trying out this re imagined trend. The only issue I have is after I take my shoes off at the end of the night they usually get thrown in a pile of my collection of shoes and then they get all smushed. After they are flattened enough you can never get your toe in right and if someone steps on it, forget it, a little heel dent can ruin a pair of pointed toe heels. Luckily in my never ending online shopping habit, I found the answer! http://www.tiptopshoesaver.com/ sells all different tools to keep your hoes in new condition. Their product, conveniently titled, The Tip Toe Shoe Saver, is a triangular piece that you insert into the toe area of a pointed toe shoe to keep the shape. I ordered a pair and can’t wait to use them in my new heels.

So all in all, I think the fashion at the MTV Movie Awards last night was interesting, but slightly disappointing. The one’s that got it right last night definitely brought in the Spring 2013 trends. White was big and nudes, as well. For accessories, I was happy to see the ankle stap and pointed toe heels were back and modern.

*Just on a side-note, I’d like to send my prayers out to the families involved in the tragic terrorist bombing at the 2013 Boston Marathon today. This is a sad and frightening event and if there is anyway I can help I will and hope my fellow Americans will do the same.

My exclusive with Kristin Cavallari- Jewelry, shoes and more

by Ryan Shea

Boy has Kristin Cavallari come a long way in her short 26 years of life. From her humble beginnings as the star of the first two seasons of “Laguna Beach” and subsequently “The Hills”, she has truly defied herself as more than a former reality star. Now after becoming a mommy to her beautiful son Camden with Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, she is set to make a huge splash in the fashion world, more notably jewelry and shoes. She recently launched a jewelry line with famed designed Pascal Mouawad and on top of that has created a really unique shoe line for Chinese Laundry. What a difference a couple of years make right? I sat down with her recently to get a more inside view of both her lines and the future that she has with them. Check it out.

What inspired the shoes you designed?

I wanted to create a shoe line that I loved and wanted to wear but at affordable prices.

What trend this summer?

Pastels are a huge trend and I have a mint and lavender that I love. Also, white is really big right now and I included white on 2 different wedges that I have.

What are your favorite items and which ones will you anticipate people wearing of your collection?

I honestly love them all but if I had to pick one favorite, it would be the bootie. It’s the perfect bootie to wear year round. Another favorite is the strappy sandal. It’s such a classic shoe and comes in 3 different, fun colors.

How was working with Pascal Mouawad creator of Glamhouse?

It was an amazing experience. They really listened to me and were open to my ideas.

How does your jewelry line relate to the fashionistas on a budget?

Everything is under $50 and it’s perfect to mix and match with the jewelry already in your own collection.

Which heels that you currently launched and accessories from your jewelry line would you pair with what kind of spring/summer outfit?

The great thing about my jewelry is that it can be worn with any outfit. They are very simple, effortless pieces. The wedges are a great spring/summer shoe to wear from day to night and you could just throw on a few more pieces of jewelry to take you into the night. I think wedges look great with a dress and blazer for the day then take the blazer off for the night 🙂

What future projects would you like to work on down the road?

I’m currently working on my fall shoe collection. I want to keep expanding my brand but only doing things I love and that are organic to my life. I would love to do something in the mommy/baby world. I just don’t know what yet.

Do you see yourself launching another jewelry line with Pascal in the future?

I would love to!

Awesome girl and a smart businesswoman indeed. Want to know where you can get these great fashion items at a great price? Go to Glamboutique for her jewelry line and Chinese Laundry for her shoe line. Can’t wait to see what she comes out with next! Congrats to Kristin and all her future endeavors!

Summer Dreams: Summer 2013 Fashion Trends

by Ryan Shea

Despite the bitter cold weather we’ve been experiencing in New York, Summer is right around the corner! And with Summer weather comes a new Summer wardrobe. I have started stocking up since November… And I thought I’d share the trends I think will be big this season.

My favorite item for Summer 2013 is High Waisted Denim Shorts!

High waist torn shorts — Torn Light Wash High Waist Denim Shorts

I am seriously obsessed with this look. High waist jeans are flattering on almost every body type. Every retail store is stocking up on these must have shorts so, no matter your budget, there are a pair just for you. My most recent purchases have been from online sellers who customize the shorts the way you like; studs, lace, tears, etc… I love the vintage feel of this style.

You can rock these with a basic white tee or vintage band tee or with a sleek button up. Just about everything looks good with a pair of high waist shorts. Flip flops for the beach, a pair of high tops for a rocker feel, or a towering pair of platform wedges.

Speaking of floral…

Floral prints are a trend that never go out of style. And floral will be everywhere this year.

Personally, I like my florals mixed with something a little structured or hard looking. Think 90’s grunge but an updated version! Adding denim to any floral print basically gives you a vintage grunge look. A denim vest with a strapless floral summer dress or a denim shirt with floral shorts, maybe?

Floral Grunge — Floral blouse with Grunge feel

Pastel Florals — Pastel Floral Cut Out dress with Denim Shirt

Now for the my color choices for this Summer (drum roll!) …

Mint and Coral!

My sister Theresa is actually the person to bring these wonderful colors into my wardrobe decisions. I have always been someone who favored the furthest ends of the light spectrum (Black and White) … Summer was always a big white season for me. I love the contrast of my tan skin against a gleaming white piece of clothing, but I have severely underestimated the subtle glow of a mint green and coral item. Because of their neutral tones these colors can be part of almost any outfit or any article of clothing.

Mint Shorts with Taupe Top and Chic White Blazer

There are so many trends that are going to be popular this Summer and I wish I could list them all but instead I’ll just post some pics of some items I think should be in every girl’s wardrobe this Summer season!

Here are some idea’s I thought looked cute for this Summer;

American Flag Leggings and Cut off denim Shirt

Feel free to comment about anything you think I should have included and stay tuned for my Swim Wear article!

HonestFrugalChaos’ Six Frugal-Fashionista Fun Facts

by Ryan Shea

HonestFrugalChaos decided to have a little fun with how to be and signs you are a Frugal-Fashionista. Humor and no filter honesty is what HonestFrugalChaos is all about. If you can’t laugh at yourself and at life, well then, buckle-up babe because life is going to be a lot bumpier ride than need be for you. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s the truth.

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